Henry

When parenting is fun and lighthearted, it is easy, fulfilling, and wonderful.  And truly – it’s like that more often than not.  But on a daily basis, parenting can also be hard.  I’m talking about the cranky meltdowns, the temper tantrums, and the complicated behavioral stuff, plus your own constant self-doubt and fear that you’re [...]

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the ‘lessons’ I learned during Henry’s first three months of life.  When you’re a first time mom, you try really hard to IMAGINE life with a newborn, but it’s impossible to know what it’s really like until you’re living it. And then, of course, all babies and experiences [...]

Today is Henry’s second birthday. I simultaneously cannot comprehend and can totally believe that two years have passed since Henry entered our lives.  It’s been such a wild, fun ride.  Henry is an absolute joy to be around, and I thank my lucky stars every single night that I get to be his mother.    [...]

TOYS. TOYS. TOYS!  ‘Tis the season, huh?  I’ve been thinking a lot about toy control as – of course – some new toys will find their way into our home on the 25th.  When I think of “toy control,” it’s really a two-pronged approach: First, how do encourage Henry to actually play with his toys?  [...]

If I could give new parents one piece of advice, it would be this: shop consignment!  You will save a ridiculous amount of money by buying clothes, gear, and toys used. I have bought most of Henry’s clothes and toys on consignment and saved hundreds of dollars in the process. I bought a lot of [...]

2:00 AM – I hear Henry crying on the monitor.  We follow a sleep training plan pretty religiously, but I can tell the difference between “wah, wah, I’m awake and shouldn’t be” and “Mommmma! I need you!”  It’s a “I need you” wail, so I go upstairs, change him, give him a bottle, and we [...]

It’s the moment that I’ve been anticipating for over seven months… This morning, Henry said… Yup.  Mama. Sure…  He said to the cat, but I’m excited nevertheless.  “Mama!” escaped those little lips.  I hope looking at me and saying it isn’t too far behind.  <3  Obviously, Mama pancakes were on the menu.   Enough though [...]

This is a follow-up to my first post in the Baby Gear series:  Newborn Baby Gear.  Here’s what Henry (and I) are obsessed with as of 4.5 months.   Rainforest Jumperoo:  Henry LOVES his jumper.  When I walk by it with him in my arms, he makes motions like, “Put me in! Put me in!”  [...]

Ready… Steady… GO! Last week’s horrendous sleep regression suddenly seems well worth it.  Apparently, babies regress in their sleep patterns while tackling a big physical or mental development milestone.  Henry was sleeping horribly last week but showing off no new skills… until yesterday!  We have roll overs.  Sooo many roll overs.  They say your child [...]

The Husband and Henry are out on the town, showing the grandparents around Charlotte, but I decided to stay at home and plow through some work.  All hands on deck!  I’m trying to do a week’s worth of catch-up in a few hours.  It’s not looking good. One very fun task: a conference call with [...]

Lately, I feel like I say/think/write the same sentences over and over again:  “I am so tired,” “Henry gave me a run for money last night,” and “Where the hell is my coffee?”  Completely obvious statement of the century:  babies are exhausting.  I feel a little bad complaining about it because – of course – [...]

I summed up Henry’s birth story with this thought:   Labor was, by far, the most emotionally and physically intense moment of my life.  But I look at Henry now and know it worth it.  The entire pregnancy, the labor – it was worth it.  I really believe that all women should be very proud [...]

The Hus occasionally sleeps in the guest room the night before he has a crazy work day, leaving me to do all the nighttime baby duty.  I realize some moms do night shift every night, but Kristien helps a lot, and I’m not used to handling the zombie-inducing insanity of a 10 week old baby [...]