He Loves a Parade

We went to the Shriner's Parade in downtown Belleville on Friday evening. Our friends, Amy, Carlos, and Jerard and their family invited us again this year (last year was our first time when the boys were just two months old! You can check the old post here). Henry really seemed to enjoy it this time around, at least he didn't fall asleep. Being handed a blue glowstick got things off to a good start:) When he got a little nervous, he just held his trusty cloth diaper a bit tighter. I think his Great Papa Bill would have been proud that Henry waved at everyone. We were out way past his bedtime, but he just snuggled with us and kept watching.

Butterfly House

We went to the Butterfly House on Memorial Day with my cousin, Lori, and her fiance, Chance (my soon-to-be cousin-in-law?). After a little mix up about where the Butterfly House was actually located, we had a very nice time. In case anyone is curious, they have a lot of other "bugs" on display at the Butterfly House, including a disgusting amount of roaches! Also, when you go in to see the butterflies it is very hot and humid. I was expecting hot, but, boy, do you sweat! I realize now I didn't take nearly enough pictures (like one with Lori and Chance!), but that happens to me pretty frequently.

Here is Henry on the very cool nearby playground before Lori and Chance arrived (see above on the mix up). Not shown, me getting hissed at by a mother goose on the way over. Chad thought it was very "city girl" of me not to know that's the least of what could happen if you cross a goose with babies.


Henry was completely mesmerized by the butterflies. There were so many! I can't believe none showed up in this picture. Not shown, me, because I thought I looked bad in the family photo (I'm starting to sound like my mother).

Here's a huge moth! Not shown, all the cool chrysalis on display. We were hoping a butterfly would emerge while we watched!

Henry on the butterfly bench. Not shown, the butterfly that landed on Hank.

Henry with antennae! Not shown, the butterfly he pinched! Oops! I believe it flew away unharmed.

The Park!

I think this was Henry's first trip to the park where he actually got to play! We have a great park less than a mile from our house. I have a feeling we'll be spending a lot of time there.

Chef Henry

Some of Henry's favorite things to carry around right now are a play spatula and frying pan that Nonni brought from her house. We find it quite amusing.

His Very Own Chair

Henry's Nonni was kind enough to purchase a chair for him just like she had done for his older cousins. I was excited about the chair, but I didn't expect it to be a big thrill for Henry. A chair seemed practical, somewhere he could sit as he got older to watch movies or look at books. Boy, was I wrong! This thing is like a jungle gym! In and out, up and down! Sit and wiggle, sit and stand, sit and look proud, sit and read! Put toys on, take toys off! Climb in at every angle and fall out of it a few times with a smile on your face! He loves it! Have a look for yourself...

(P.S. I think we've officially personalized too much stuff for him, but I can't seem to resist!)

Mother's Day and More Pics

Here's a picture of Henry and me on Mother's Day, the project he made for me at Nanny Coryn's, Henry doing a little shopping, and Cousin Eva taking care of him last weekend on her 7th birthday.

Henry's First Haircut

Let me start by saying it wasn't my idea. I thought Henry was looking rather adorable. A few little curls in the back weren't hurting anyone. Well, I guess that's just a mama's way of holding on to babyhood for a while longer. Chad said Henry was starting to look like a girl, and it was time for a trip to the barber shop with Daddy.
We had to wait about a half an hour for our turn on Saturday morning. Henry was happy as can be taking in all the new sights and sounds and waving to the other customers. That is until it was his turn in the chair. You can see the look of apprehension right from the start. Henry was unhappy in the beginning, but after Ron the barber showed him the clippers that buzz, he was all out hollerin'. The mirror distracted him for a few seconds, but then it was back to crying with a flurry of hands around him trying to cut hair or hold him still. Henry still looks distraught after it's all over. It was quite a show for all the customers waiting too!
Henry likes to have his hair brushed (and brush it himself), so I thought he might handle this situation a little better. However, his haircut is cute and not hard to adjust to. The barber really was super nice and even gave us the first haircut free! Daddy's on his own next time (father-son bonding).

You gotta love that little fireman cape!

Henry the Animal Lover

Remember the real live chicks for the Easter pics? Well, here is the bunny that was the other option. Henry seems to love animals (along with Eva and Eli)! I think growing up with a dog probably helps.

Spring Break _ My 100th Post

We had some time off for spring break. Here is a little photo history to let you know what we were up to.

Henry horsing around with Daddy.


On Friday, we had a play date with our friend, Jerard and his mom, Amy. Note the nice example of parallel play below. These two boys are sure growing up fast!

On Saturday morning, Henry and I joined my friend Barb, a physical therapist from work, for the Mito What? Walk to raise money for the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation. Henry had fun seeing Jenny, who's parents coordinate the race/walk. I work with Jenny, and she loves babies!

We went to Jackson for Easter. First, we had professional pictures taken of Eva, Eli, Lily, and Henry in their Easter finest. The photographer my sister uses had a special with real baby chicks! Those proofs will be fun to see! Then we paid a visit to the Veteran's Home so the residents could see the kids all dressed up. On Sunday morning Henry thoroughly explored his Easter basket.

We went on an Easter egg hunt before church. Henry wasn't quite sure what to make of all the eggs. He couldn't use his new walking skills in the grass, so he did a little crawling while I tried to claim him some territory. By the end Henry had a nice little system handing eggs off to Daddy.

We had a lovely Easter lunch at my sister's house and then did some visiting. We stayed in Jackson until Monday afternoon. Here's one of the only pictures I took of Henry in his little sweater vest.