Getting Settled In

You know how when you move and the ONE thing that you need is always in the last box you open?


The move went smoothly. Mike is enjoying his new position. Henry and I have settled in to a routine during the week. In the mornings, we have breakfast together and then we run errands, take a walk, go to the library, etc. Henry takes a nap and then I work. The babysitter arrives when Henry is waking up from his nap. She is wonderful and is here every afternoon. She gives him lunch and then the two of them play and go for walks. I work in the afternoons, a little bit the evenings and then quite a bit on the weekends. So far, we are making it work.

We live in a nice quiet neighborhood that is close to everything we could possibly need... Ace Hardware for Mike and for me - Dunkin Donuts, Steak n' Shake, Panera and, hold your breath, a TARGET within walking distance! I know, I know, who could imagine such a magical world with a Target in walking distance?

Chin chopper has relocated.

I apologize for the lapse. To say that we have been busy is an understatement. If you haven't heard yet, Chin chopper has relocated to Atlanta, GA. Although it will now be published in a different state, Chin chopper is committed to providing you with the same level of service and information that you have come to expect from the quality name brand you trust.

Happy Belated First Birthday, Henry!

Henry's first birthday beach-themed cake.
Henry before the cake.

Henry got his own cake. The bakery makes a small cake just for the baby first birthday.
Henry enjoying his cake - yes, it is all over his eye.
Surrounded by gifts.
A little overwhelmed by all of his new gifts.

SeaWorld

Much like a king, Henry's birthday celebration extended over several days. The birthday season kicked off with a trip to SeaWorld! Henry loved it. He clapped ecstatically during the live performances and stared in bewilderment at the manta rays. While Henry took a little catnap, Mike went on the new SeaWorld roller coaster Manta, which flies you through the air in a prone position. As luck would have it, it broke down while Mike was on the ride.

Henry vs. the cat

After trying for several weeks to capture a picture of Henry and the cat in the same frame, this is the closest I got. Yes, that is Haley running from Henry.




Henry is chasing a cat toy in this particular scenario. When it rolled into the back corner underneath our oven cabinet, he was not deterred. He crouched low and shimmied right under the cabinet. When the cat toy then rolled out from under the cabinet, Henry, slowly and with absolute focus, turned about, snaked out from the cabinet and resumed the chase. You can see from the look on his face that he is actually quite pleased with himself. So, is Henry chasing a cat toy because he wants to be like the cat, or is he chasing the cat's toy so he can irritate the cat? We will never know. I prefer to think that Henry loves the cat, but at this stage in their relationship, the feelings are not fully reciprocated. Although the cat is not openly hostile towards Henry, he is somewhat unsettled by the sight of a 21 lb creature with seemingly little physical control or grace barreling towards him on his hands and knees while screeching like a howler monkey.

The Weary Traveler.

This was Henry upon arrival at the Orlando airport after our trip. Overall, he is an excellent traveler - certainly better than me.

Since the airport is ideal for people-watching, Henry had a great time. He also could show off his somewhat disconcertingly advanced social skills. For example, on both flights, when the flight attendants were stopped next to our seats while serving beverages, Henry leaned over and tugged on their skirts (literally!) to get their attention. They would look down, and there was Henry beaming up at them. Of course, this maneuver earned him lots of attention. The first time he did this, he had such a successful outcome that he tried it again on our next flight, and sure enough, Henry's skirt tugging rouse has a 100% success rate.

On our return flight to FL, not 15 minutes into the flight, mind you, Henry somehow charmed himself onto the lap of the kind woman sitting next to us. She must have held him for at least half of the flight. Occasionally, he would crawl back to me, but soon enough, he would be reaching for the nice lady and I was all but forgotten. He stayed awake during the entire return flight until the Captain said, "Flight attendants, Please prepare the cabin for final landing." Henry heard, "Henry, this is the Captain speaking. This would be a good time to fall soundly asleep since we are landing in 3 minutes. You should remain asleep until your parents get the luggage. I suggest you awaken from your nap, refreshed and full of energy, the moment you are strapped into the car."

Summer Vacation. Part 3: My parents' house

Was Henry's favorite part of the visit to my parents' house the fancy rocking horse? No.

Did Henry appreciate the two fawns who have made his grandparents' backyard their home? Not really.

What was Henry's favorite part of the visit? Well, take a look...

The doorstop.

After the family reunion at Mike's old stomping grounds, we turned in our first rental car so that we could immediately check out a different rental car for a one way drive from WI to Edwardsville. The drive was about 6 hours, and Henry did great. He slept for the first half of the drive and was surprisingly calm for the second half of the drive. I sat in the backseat with Henry for about an hour to help keep him entertained. We played the game that is probably a time-honored classic, but a new one for us: I would enthusiastically hand Henry a small toy; whereby, he would eagerly snap it up, smile sweetly, lock eyes with me, and calmly pitch the toy on the floor.

Once we arrived at my parents' house, Henry honed in on the door stop as if he had been planning for this moment his whole life. Apparently, a spring door stop is the coolest toy that any kid can ever possibly hope to encounter.

As usual, Henry charmed the grandparents with his hamming it up for the camera routine, his lip smacking schtick, and his whole "I'm a baby - give me whatever I want because I'm cute" con (Henry quickly learned that grandparents are easy marks).