STATE OF THE HENRY ADDRESS.

henry is in speech therapy here in Jacksonville.

 

he loves it and we love it.

 

we go in for an eval for occupational therapy and hopefully we will love her too :)

 

 

 he's also been watching lots of football with daddy....

 

 

....and has upgraded to a big boy bed - MY old big girl bed :). It's seen better days, but it serves the purpose for now.

(please ignore the dirty bedrails - they were free and will be cleaned pronto)

(also, this bed used to be a four-poster with a canopy. sigh. I loved that bed.)

 

all in all, henry has had a great month!

I KNOW. BUT HEY, IT'S SOMETHING.

HENRY EATS A CUPCAKE: a story in pictures.

*i found this draft that was supposed to publish on February 18th...last year. and then i thought i hilarious so i'm posting it now. look at that hair!

HOORAY, THE WEEKEND!

i am so happy it's the weekend. we have nothing tonight (!) and plans for a fun saturday at the steamshow, every little boy's delight. and then hallie and dave have a father/daughter sleepover with some of our favorites, which should be hilariously interesting.

 

a note about hallie's finger: it's healing nicely. i would categorize it as a really yucky nail now. the bone will heal on its own and the stiches will dissolve. she has the "cage" around her finger for another two weeks and then she can take it off as long as it's not too sensitive.

 

a note about henry's potty training: the boy is rocking it. no poops yet, but i'm confident we will be in full-on underwears in a month. A MONTH?! yikes, but yes. he was dry all day yesterday and even told Irma three times that he needed to potty. he figured out how fun it is to pee on tires, grass and gravel, so he doesn't completely have to interrupt his play to take a whiz. he sure does love to play with that thing though, so it's in a constant state of erection. hilariously uncomfortable.

 

a request: books! i need book recommendations, please! I've figured out how to use our nanny's library card to borrow ebooks from the library. i'm so happy. i'm back into my full-fledged bookworm status, much to dave's dismay :)

 

happy weekending!

HENRY: POTTY TRAINING

i think we're just about there. pooping on the potty, no. but we're consistently going pee-pee on the potty :)

 

this is our second real attempt. the first time was a huge failure and i just convinced myself that he wasn't ready. the second time, i knew he was ready and that he was just being a stubborn little...guy.

 

we made the decision, talked to irma, and got started. started on a saturday. and he didn't pee in the potty until sunday night. sigh.

 

we had a slow start to the week*, but this weekend just clicked for us. we took his potty ring (for a big potty) to church and he successfully did it...four times (!!!). we took it over to lucille's and he did it again (!!!!). we're very optimistic that someday our life will no longer revolve around his bathroom habits.

hallie especially is getting sick of all of the time we are spending in the bathroom.

she told me she wanted to stop with the potty training and then turned to henry and said, "i have lost my confidence in you." it was pretty hilarious.

 

we're still in pullups, but maybe after this weekend (six flags!) we'll make the transition to underwear. EEK.

 

*we had one major poop incident involving hallie sitting in poop and then finding large turds in the living room. it was so disgusting, i shouldn't have even put it on the blog, but i did.

A STATE OF THE HENRY ADDRESS.

so, henry.

I tell ya.

we had him evaluated last tuesday for some eating and sensory issues to see if there was anything WRONG or if it was just him being an exceptionally picking three-year old.

well.

it turns out there ARE things that are "wrong" (<<<not the right word, but you know what i mean)with him that we are going to address with some therapy.

we are going to work on his whole "breathing through is mouth instead of his nose while he's eating" thing that is apparently something that gets in the way of eating/tasting/everything. go figure.

so it's that, plus the muscles around his perfect mouth aren't developed and neither is his chewing.

all things that can be FIXED, which is great. he has some mild sensory stuff, but will be addressed during the session, as will his delay in speech.

the team is fabulous and henry has them wrapped around his little finger already.

so there's that.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HENRY.

well, it happened. henry turned three. i mean, i tried to keep him from growing up, but it's just not possible anymore.

 

sigh.

 

i sure do love this boy. we celebrated his birthday tuesday  night before dave had to leave for the week with a small family party.

 

i have video of us singing him happy birthday, but it's at home, dang. it was so sweet. he wasn't sure why people were singing 'happy birthday' at first, but when he figured out it was for him...he just smiled so sweetly. his lemon birthday cake had wallykazam figurines on it (his favorite!), but of course i don't have any pictures. dang.

 

it was just a nice, slow, quiet party. the best kind :)

 

yesterday, he officially turned three. he got a donut cake for breakfast with a candle, and i sang him happy birthday, just the two of us, since his sister was still snoozing away.

 

 

he got to blow out the candle four times. he was so happy. and then he decided to touch it. not happy.

 

 

 

 

WELL, OKAY.

*all done with potty training! i mean, for now. in other words, we quit. at the end of day 2. it was just stressing HIM out and he just wasn't ready. let's not traumatize the poor kid, okay? and yes, he will be three soon and you can suck it if you think that bothers me. the kid is his own person. it will happen when he's ready. in henry's words "ALL DONE." (for now).

 

*we had a fabulous weekend. went to st. louis and stayed with papapa and gma bev. we hit up the zoo and grant's farm and just had a fabulous time. henry went 100% nap-free yesterday and we survived! he didn't even melt down or anything...we just put him to bed a little earlier. EASY.

 

*i don't have much, but will post more tomorrow. i'm really tired.

 

i leave you with a picture of henry playing in a puddle last night. pictures of the zoo/grant's farm tomorrow.

 

 

WOULD YOU RATHER...?

some sample questions taken from a blog (joannagoddard.blogspot.com) this morning:

Would you rather be lost in a desert or at sea? desert
Would your rather make more money or get more vacation time? vacation time
Would you rather meet your ancestors or your great-grandchildren? great-grandchildren
Would you rather be able to eat anything you wanted forever or get rid of all your fears? FOOD
Would you rather take a vacation to a city or the beach? beach. maybe.
Would you rather be an amazing cook or an amazing dancer? cook.
Would you rather camp or stay in a hotel? hotel. although i wish i was the type of person who would rather camp. but i'm not.
Would you rather always be a little too hot or a little too cold? cold? hmm.
i love stuff like this :)

*****

we're going to start pottytraining henry on monday. i'm nervous, but hoping he will catch on quick. he is so smart, but still so sloooow in some areas. i'm not even sure he can pull his own pants down?! we'll find out.

WEDNESDAY.

hump day. i hate that it's called hump day. weird.

 

i had my final class last night! i mean, my final class for this semester. three more courses to go and i am d-o-n-e, woo hoo! now, i just need to make sure i passed! the only grade our professor has handed back ALL SEMESTER LONG has been for an 11 point paper. that's it. so who knows at this point?

 

WHO CARES AT THIS POINT? (me, of course)

 

so anyway.

 

i have this overwhelming feeling of having something to do, but not knowing what it is.

 

dave leaves today and then his summer schedule picks up. he's gone for the majority of june. my goal is to keep the kids super, super busy.

 

henry's birthday is coming up! i've decided to start potty training him - EEK. starting next friday. good times.

 

so that's all i've got today! i did find this picture the other day. so precious.

 

 

WOOHOO!

*done! submitted! finished!

*my final project for my class is done-zo and i am so grateful-o. shout out to sarah for being my editor extraordinaire! love you girl! thanks for not having that baby until your proofed my paper ;)

*wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeew! i feel a huge sense of relief now! i can breath! i've been singing "let it go" from frozen all morning. it's replaced my one direction...for now.

*now onto recital weekend! my dad is already here - we had dress rehearsal last night and it was wonderful. now, recitals tonight and tomorrow and then we are in the count down until school ends!

i am seriously feeling SO GOOD RIGHT NOW.

(hallie at her tumbling recital)

(my paper-writing setup)

(waiting on a train, blaring "let it go" and probably embarrassing myself)

IT'S GONNA BE A GOOD, GOOD WEEK.

*final due friday!

*tumbling recital tonight! dress rehearsal thursday! friday and saturday recitals!

*visit from dad thursday/friday!

*visit from mom saturday/sunday!

*mother's day, hooray!

it's just a busy time of year for everybody, isn't it? we had a great weekend. it was busy and full, but had great weather and just very grateful for the good times.

FLIPOGRAM: HENRY

*max made me download the flipogram app and then made me a video of henry. i'm so glad he did, because it's pretty cute.

*did you know that henry's favorite song is katy perry's ROAR? he sings it and it's really cute.

THURSDAY ALREADY!

a few things:

 

*my friend preston died after battling cancer. he was a super, super, super person who loved the lord, did missionary work full-time and was married with two young daughters. it makes you wonder where god is in all of this, but we all know that he has a plan. it's all up to him and it's pointless to try to figure it out. we don't know how long we have on this earth, so live the best we can so that one day we can live in heaven with jesus. i love what another friend on facebook wrote:

I'm sorry and sad that I won't get to make it to the funeral or visitation to grieve with you all. Please pass my love on to Hanna, Pierson, Paisley and the rest of Preston's family. As I've been thinking about Preston, I've been reminded of Hebrews 12:1. I feel like in many ways lots of us began running this race towards Christ together during our years at Truman. We got to keep pace together for a bit there and spur one another on. Even as we spread out it is a comfort to think of you all in the race. It seems hard to believe that our brother Preston has crossed the finish line and is no longer in the race with us. It brings the reality of the race's finish home to me. I've been really encouraged thinking about Preston in that great cloud of witnesses. He is now seeing Jesus face-to-face and I can't help but think that if he could, he would tell us "It is all worth it. Jesus is so glorious! He is who He says He is. Press on guys! Throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and run with perseverance this race marked out for your keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus!" This thought just encouraged me this week and I hope it encourages you all.

 

*i leave for colorado tomorrow to attend my lovely sister-in-law's baby shower. i am so excited to see my brother, beth and max and jack! i wish we all lived closer. heck, i wish we all just lived in colorado. if i could move anywhere...colorado! yes!

 

*sarah is due may 22nd. she wishes i could be there now to paint the nursery and help assemble the crib. every OUNCE OF MY BEING wishes i was there right now to make her lunch, paint the nursey and put together whatever the heck she needs. if we could please live within driving distance, i would really appreciate that. let's all move to colorado?

 

* henry got in big trouble. i definitely overreacted (maybe), but i am so damn sick of picking up food off the floor. and he knows it.

 

 

 

OH, HI FRIDAY!

made it! friday!

 

*hallie woke up before 5am today. i don't know. 4:56am.

 

*i woke up at 5:12am and went to exercise. i really grumpy, but then i wasn't.

 

*after going home, showering, getting ready for work, getting kids ready for the day and taking them to the sitters, i bought six dozen glazed donuts.

 

*buying donuts made me think about sarah (hi, sarah! i owe you an email!). we used to pick up a dozen donuts at super wal-mart in kirksville and eat the entire box while we did our grocery shopping. we would have the cashier ring up the empty box and giggle hysterically. wow. i can't imagine why we gained weight in college?!

 

*speaking of pigging out, henry has been eating so much more lately! it used to be such a struggle to get him to eat...period. and then he would only want carbs, carbs, carbs (see above, i wonder why?!). but now we are getting him to eat! woo-hoo! still lots of carbs, but more! the pictures below he ate an entire hotdog, club crackers, applesauce, lots of ketchup (straight up) and a ton of peanut butter. and some chips. nutritious! (not).

 

*today is a beautiful day. sunny and warm-ish. we have a relatively calm weekend and it's GOOD FRIDAY! we love you, jesus! thank you for dying on the cross for us. #understatement

 

*HAPPY GOOD FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

(my view down our lane driving in from working out this morning. so peaceful.)

 

 

AND, WEDNESDAY.

*i had class last night. i talked to the other seven students and pretty sure we are all on the same page with the final project, which makes me feel better. i also took some days off in the upcoming weeks to get some good work done on it. so, that's good.

 

*i'm really into wearing heels these days. like, every work day i'm wearing heels and being all professional and such. it's a new work keri. dress for the part, blah blah blah.

 

*ROAR by katie perry is my work soundtrack. i listen to it every morning after i drop hallie off until i get to work.

 

*unless i'm listening to one directions. ya know, market research and whatnot. (but seriously. midnight memories, great song. did i just admit that?)

 

*i'm going to colorado in a week! i can't wait to see my brother and his family and celebrate baby kate coming in july!

 

 

 

 

TODAY IS TUESDAY.

right?

 

*at night before bed, henry and i say "good night" to the many important people in his life. we go through daddy, mommy, hallie, pets, grandparents, aunts/uncles and more. he loves it and we usually go through it 3-4 times before i end it with, "good night HENRY!" and then put him into bed. what i love is that i can hear him going through the list all by himself when he thinks no one can hear him. precious.

 

*hallie had her feelings hurt the other night by someone she loves very much about something she was very proud of. i was pumping her up - gotta get that self-esteem back up! - and after sitting quietly for a minute she told me, "i am so glad that god made you my mom. i really need someone that encourages me the way that you do." it was all i could do not to start bawling.

 

*dave is home! life is better when dave is home!

 

*class tonight. please pray for my final project. i am stressing out about it majorly. i need to get a good start on it and then i will feel much better. i will start this weekend. eek.

 

*this weather has officially ticked me off. the winter was long and hard, but we made it to the sunshine! i wore flipflops on saturday! and it SNOWED yesterday. i hate illinois.

 

*if you see me rocking out in the car to one direction, it's only because i'm taking hallie and kenz to see them in chicago at the end of august. so, it's really research. i need to learn the words!

 

 

 

 

 

FAKE BURPS & HENRY.

henry thinks it's HILARIOUS when hallie burps - fake or otherwise. and he cracks himself up when he does it too. and now he knows how to fake burp - both my kids do - thank you dave - and they do it all the time.

 

and he just laughs so hard and it's so cute and it's hard to crack down on manners just yet.

 

 

and keep in mind this is probably a god 10-15 minutes after the crazy, maniacal laughter began. it was so much better/worse/funnier before.

CATCH UP!

basically, we had spring break for work (reason #345 i will never work anywhere else!), and i used that time to do whatever the heck i wanted to. which was not blogging. and then this week back has been crazy. but i'm back!

 

it was a very indulgent spring break week. the kids were at school/irma's, and i used the time to visit my mom in the ozarks, clean, clean and CLEAN, celebrate my birthday (!), get a cavity filled and visit dave in bloomington at the 2014 hearts at home conference. i also got to go to some wonderful fitness classes and workout as much as i wanted to!

 

it was glorious. such a refreshing week.

 

 

 

my birthday pie!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the end.