Tuesday, March 04, 2008

month eight: in review

There was an audible gasp when I typed the title of this post, because it seems unfathomable to me that my little baby Henry has been here for a full eight months. Or, that in four short months, we will be celebrating your first birthday.


I really don't want to think about that. I just want for the time to pass a little bit more slowly than it has been. It seems that the days go by in such a blur of activity, that each night when I put you in to your crib, I feel a sob rising in my throat because I know that the next day you will be that much bigger and doing that much more.


As I'm typing this, you are suspended in the Bjorn, nursing. You are giving me deep belly laughs because I keep stopping to look down and gaze in to your gorgeous blue eyes. I never want to forget these amazing moments. If I could, I would keep you this size, forever.


This has been a big developmental month for you. You are pulling yourself up, crawling everywhere, and babbling nonstop. You can easily spend an hour chasing a cup or plastic ball around the house, and love to "fly" atop our gymnastic mats or couch cushions stacked on the ground.


Getting you dressed has become a lot more challenging. You are on a mission to explore as much as possible. You have absolutely no time for diaper changes. As a result, I have had to pull out all kinds of tools and utensils to keep you occupied for the thirty seconds it takes for me to get your clothes on for the day.


During a recent picnic, you searched the contents of our lunch cooler - and then took off for the beach. You didn't come back until your big sister blocked your migration to the ocean. You remind me so much of a little turtle the way you crawl - your hands flapping up and down like little flippers.


You cut your first tooth this month. Your siblings were so excited when I showed it to them and they all said this means that you are "gwowing" up. The fact that they realize that, means that they are also "gwowing" up, and the whole darn thing about passing time just makes me weepy.


We've been working, consistently, on having you nap in your crib. Although you are doing better laying down and going to sleep on your own, you much prefer when your brother is in his bed - and you can stand up in your crib and chortle at him. This works great both ways, because he is quite a comedian and loves to make you laugh.


This month has primarily been defined by you being on the MOVE. Last month, you were barely able to crawl and this month, you are zipping around the house like it's nothing. Your speed makes it very difficult to take photographs of you, since whenever you see the camera - you'll come crawling after me. Not only is it difficult to get you in to focus, but before I know it, you are there - pulling the straps in to your mouth.


Our family adores you, Henry and I am so proud of your big brother and sisters. Except for when they shove a pacifier in your mouth and eat the Cheerios of your highchair tray before you can get them - they are kind and patient and gentle with you.


You are especially smitten with me at the moment. Whenever I come in to the room, your face will erupt in to a huge smile and the look of adoration and love in your eyes melts my heart, every time. Rest assured my beautiful baby boy ... the feeling is mutual.

23 comments:

  1. Oh I could just melt looking at his sweet face! I can't believe how big he is getting - he needs to slow that down a bit!

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  2. OMG! You are making ME weepy that Henry is growing up and I wasn't even weepy when MY own kids got older. He is such a cutie. It seems impossible that he'll be a toddler in about 2 minutes. I can't believe he's standing already. He is NOT going to be held back. I'm telling you that the "second" kid does everything quicker.

    He's absolutely lovely and adorable. Can't wait to see what he does next month!

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  3. loved it jen! you should definitely have another one, you have such love within you! and seeing them together (that picture w/the bathtub), it makes sense that perhaps there'd be another. . . . though I don't know you (and your family) I do, and I love you in a way only a blog lurker could. thanks as always, for the laughs and smiles, and the inspiration to be a mom.

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  4. Oh my word. He's adorable. I love, LOVE the pictures of the boys together. Just kills me. Makes my uterus ache.

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  5. I choked up looking at those pictures because your boy is so GORGEOUS! Please don't grow up Henry, we love seeing you as a baby.

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  6. Hi Jen. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Holy cow, triplets. Holy cow.
    and even my husband went "OH NO" when he saw what that your husband cut the tags off the Webkinz. ugh, husbands.

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  7. Oh My Goodness! Looks like he's as happy as my "firecracker". Brian also born on July 4th; now age 5 is a trip; so much fun to be around! (It must be the holiday!)

    Mom told me your headed to Florida...Think I'll head down and steal a "butterfly kiss" from that one! He's beautiful!

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  8. Oops. Forgot to tell you who I was.... It's me, Marg.

    Got caught up in cutie pie! Love ya. Marg

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  9. Oh my goodness, he's a little heart-breaker already. It doesn't seem possible that he's 8 months old already. I started reading your blog right after he was born. Wow, time flies. He's simply adorable though...grown up or not.

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  10. Isn't he divine?! I love this age.... and the last, and the next.... ;) Seriously though, they are so adorable! My daughter is 5 days older than Henry and she just started crawling last week, and she's OFF! Aren't they so wilful - especially with the nappy changes! Full body armour needed for those.... ;) Give that boy of yours a big smooch from me, he's adorable.... they grow up far too fast, don't they!

    Just a note - your kids always look so well dressed! I just went shopping for my daughter and I can't find *anything* that I liked, and came away empty handed. Apart from the fact boys are easier to buy for (my son has a great wardrobe!), where do you find your clothes? I tend to come over to the US on clothes-buying sprees as I am so depressed by what's available over here! And your kids are always so co-ordinated with each other, too! Too cute!

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  11. My heart is in my throat as I read this. For whatever reason, Henryhas just grabbed my heartstrings over the months. I think because he reminds me so much of my own little monkey. The smiles are all OVER their faces and I completely understand the weepiness. I'm right there with ya!

    Your family is so very blessed Jen! YOU are so very blessed! I know I don't need to remind you of that...I guess it's a reminder to me of how blessed I am as well.

    Thanks for that. :-)

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  12. He is so adorable! I can't believe how big he is getting. WOW! They grow up way to fast.
    Nicole

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  13. I know exactly how you feel. Every month on the 5th I would get weepy that Ethan was one month closer to being 1. Now that he has reached that I am doing ok. It will probably get hard again as he approaches 2.

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  14. It's hard to believe that he is cuter in person because he is soooooo adorable in those pictures!

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  15. oh he's getting so big! i love all the photos! thanks for sharing him with us.

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  16. oh yeah, and I have no mastered the diaper change/outfit change while nursing because my little one is such a busy body while I try to do either...it keeps her quite content and its a snap to do...just have to get used to it and use your "indian style" sitting you learned in preschool to help prop up their head (because you need TWO hands :))

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  17. Thanks for sharing your Henry journal and all the great pics. I think he's perfectly adorable.

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  18. We are approaching a first birthday..and I too sooo wish I could freeze these moments. Ahhh weepy too at thinking this will be the last baby. I loved your posts on all your kids, and sharing their unique personalities.

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  19. I gasped when I saw that first picture...that is one of the most beautiful babies I have ever seen!

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  20. oh. oh. oh. I can't take all the preciousness. His eyes are to die for. My favorite pic is of the triplets in the tub and Henry standing on the outside...You know these kids are their own private party - what a fun growing up they have together (even if it is sad for the mommy)!

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  21. Happy 8 months, little guy!! You know, I don't usually think so, but you look just like your big brother William in that last pic!

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  22. Henry is getting so big and so adorable each passing day. It's such a strange feeling how you want them to grow up, but also stay your baby forever.

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  23. GIRL YOU SHOULD WRITE A BOOK.
    He is beautiful and I cannot wait to get my hands on him and Elizabeth also. I have a brick handy to put in his diaper to slow him down a bit.
    Love,
    MOM

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