94 Weeks Old!

We've been continuing our Gymboree classes this week (on a free pass) and Henry is in love with it! This is just more evidence that he really needs a regular physical activity class to participate in. I will definitely have to get on top of finding him something to continue with after the Gymboree ends. At this point, since spring and summer are on their way, we aren't going to sign up for the membership (it's pretty expensive!), but next fall I think we will. Especially because once they turn 3 Gymboree offers a drop-off class. I spoke to one of the owners for awhile about this and she said it can be a really positive first step towards pre-school for kids like Henry that really haven't had much experience sans mama. He'd already be super familiar and comfortable in the environment and with the teachers and structure of the class and it would give him an opportunity to build some confidence in being apart from me.

Our art class continues to go well - it's such a great set-up; I highly recommend it for anyone looking for art classes (Multnomah Arts Center through Portland Parks and Rec).

Also - Happy Birthday, Mom (Gigi)! Today is her birthday!!

93 Weeks Old!

Henry with Daddy's golf shoes on (his own club!).

I cannot believe that Henry will be 2 years old in just over two months. I was just looking at some pictures that were taken over the summer and he looks so young to me in them.

His obsession with basketball continues. From the moment he wakes up to the moment he goes to bed he's asking to either watch hoops or shoot hoops. In the car he talks non-stop about "ball" and keeps re-telling the same story about seeing a player that fell and hurt his knee. We went to Gymboree for the first time today (on a free two week pass) and it was amazing. Henry walked in there as if he'd been there a hundred times before which is totally unlike him. He usually is a bit shy for awhile until he gets comfortable in a new surrounding, but something about that place must have made him instantly comfortable. And of course as soon as he saw a basketball hoop and balls he spent the majority of his time shooting hoops. Luckily even though it was family play (and not an actual class), they still did quite a bit of teacher led activities so he did participate in some of the other stuff apart from just shooting baskets. The sports class we had enrolled in was cancelled, so going to Gymboree will be a good substitute for a couple weeks although I don't think we will join because it's quite spendy.

Dancing King?

Once again by the time I got the camera out and started recording, the moment had just about passed...but nonetheless, I am posting this for everyone to see. It's Henry at storytime today at the Hillsdale library during a particularly exciting scarf dance. Everyone is in a big circle, with only Henry and two other kids in the middle. Henry is in his own little world and instead of following along with the song he is just throwing his scarf around and saying "whoa!" which you can hear towards the end of the clip.

92 Weeks Old

Waiting for the doctor.

Art class at the Multnomah Arts Center. I love how he's sitting at the table with his arms crossed - I think he was just about to say something to me.

The video is from dinner last night. I'm teaching him to be the little brother in A Christmas Story. Hee hee hee.

We had a doctor's appointment this week as well as a dentist's appointment and the good news is that all is well. Henry has gained 7 ounces in 6 weeks which is enough to keep him out of the gastroendocronologist's office...thank goodness. Also his broken tooth looks just fine which is another relief.

He is talking and signing so much more - it seems like he learns more words/signs every day. This week we've finally gotten back into the pre-holiday season routine, which has been really, really nice. One of his library storytimes started up again this week and we also went to a free art class at the Multnomah Arts Center. I'd like to get him back into an art class of some sort. Our sports class starts next week; I'm sure that will be interesting!

Who Loves Henry?

I sing Henry a little song each night that says all the names of all the people that love him. Well, yesterday I was tickling him and just saying who loves him and he was cracking up! Then he would start telling me who's name to say next. Brett grabbed the camera and caught some of it on video....until Henry got distracted by the basketball game on TV (you'll hear him say "ball" and "hoops" and "shoot!" I think). But before that he keeps saying Annie! for his friend Anna and Mama and Daddy. Super cute!

Snow!

Here's Henry in the backyard. The picture was taken on the snow setting, which made everything look blue.

This picture totally shows just how hard it was snowing!!

Snow again! A surprise snowstorm hit Tuesday afternoon - at least it was a surprise to me...it wasn't in the forecast was it? It was a pretty surreal experience for me because when I put Henry down for his nap I fell asleep as well. Before we went to sleep the ground was dry and it didn't look like rain (or snow) was coming. When we awoke, there was about 2 inches of snow. I couldn't help but wonder just how long we'd been asleep for! It was getting dark quickly so I bundled up Henry and took him outside. At first he was a little unsure of it and didn't want to touch the snow. (First video.) I didn't put mittens on him at first so he could feel the snow, but once I did he tried to make snowballs and throw them. You can see him do this in the second video and also get an idea of how deep the snow was in the backyard when he walks out there. And, of course, Wilbur went nuts....just like last year! That dog loves the snow!!

Get Me Outta Here!

A picture is worth a thousand words...