Dear Henry -
It has been a month since my last note... I know, really slacking but we've been busy with the start of the summer...which means Nana is out of school, you are hanging with her & I'm back to work. Its not the greatest - but I will say not quite as horrible as I thought it might be. I give lots of credit to my low anxiety b/c I know you are being spoiled & snuggled all day with Nana - huge relief for me, so we are both lucky! Also a big help that I am going to be switching to 3 day/week at the end of the summer....so the countdown is on - 2 weeks down & 5 weeks to go.
So I'm going to be brief on words & just share lots of good pictures....and then try to sit down to write more often. Lots of visits in the last month -
So we left off heading to Manteca - the boys played well & had fun, the weather cooperated (not too hot) & as usual you were quite the little star. I'm pretty sure more of the fellow parents know your name than know mine "hows Hank?" is usually how I'm greeted. We have mastered attending a baseball game with baby gear - lots of stuff schlepped along & we are ready for anything! Also helps that your entertainer Lainey is on the sidelines & always good for some funny faces to entertain you.
Your Papa Bruce & Vicki came to visit & jumped right in on all the action, baseball & softball games. I am embarrassed to say I didn't take a single picture the entire weekend - but you will appreciate later that Papa Bruce had a camera (or two or three) in tow at all times - so I left it to him to be the photographer for the weekend. At one point, I was happily entertaining you & saw that he had (what I thought was) a little camera in his hand. Well, turns out it was a video camera....I might not have been such a goober had I realized sound and all would be captured. "uuhhh, whoops" as Jack would say. Well, now I'll have this later as an example that I will do anything to make you happy :-)
We took a trip down to LA for your Aunt Danielle's graduation; I thought a Hawaiian shirt would be appreciated by Papa Mike for the occasion. You also got to meet your Aunt Katherine, who was a very thoughtful host with us (and lots of baby gear) at her house & you had fun hanging with her while Dad & I enjoyed some sipping in the wine cellar with Papa Mike!
On the way back up - you, Dad & I spent 3 days in Santa Barbara which was wonderful. You went swimming which you loved! Toured the Botanical Gardens - we were sad to see how much had burnt from the recent fires, but plenty in the meadow which you enjoyed checking out. We didn't realize we choose a path that would involve these steps - I wanted to turn around, but oh no Dad was confident the Bob would handle it - and you of course squealed with delight as he bumped you down each step. There are definitely moments like these when I see the "boy" in you!
You have been growing like crazy the last month - there have been days that I look at you & swear you are bigger than just the day before. Lots of new tricks as well!
I haven't captured it yet - but you know absolutely recognize your bottle. You can be in the middle of crying to let us know we are taking to long getting it....then the second you see the bottle you stop, get a focused look - stick both your hands out for it & open up that mouth! It is pretty funny. You also like to hold onto the bottle now, after the first ~half and the immediate appetite is taken care of - you entertain yourself by pulling it out, dripping it around & then ferociously sucking again.
You have also mastered sucking your thumb. I may regret this later - but right now its so cute & you are so content that I'm not willing to try & stop it!
You have found your toes...endless entertainment to watch them, grab them...and you are currently working on getting them into your mouth (of course).
With the summer weather - we've been spending lots of time on the blanket under the magnolia tree. You are a pro at rolling from your back onto your belly. every other time your arm gets stuck underneath your belly & that is a bit annoying. But with practice you are figuring out how to get both arms out in front- then you open those big eyes and take in the view all around.
Now that you are a bit sturdier - both Jack & Lainey are always wanting to lay & snuggle with you. They rough house like crazy with each other - for now they are doing a mini Henry version with you - and you love it. I'm sure you will be in full rough house mode w/ them before we know it.
The heat is also a great excuse for you to hang out in just your diaper. The chubbiness is so inviting, we just can't help ourselves & we have found your two tickle spots - under your arms & squeezing your thighs. Giggles from you are one of my favorite things! Along with giggling you have mastered making raspberry noises with your lips. I managed to capture this on video - but my upload skills are still lacking - so that would delay this post for days, weeks - so I'll pass on that for now.
You popped your first tooth while in Santa Barbara - didn't seem too bad, just a little wimpy for a day or two. Hopefully the rest go as smoothly! In the last week your hair has really been coming in. Your Nana says she has been massaging your head everyday to help it grow. Her magic seems to be working on the top as you can see - but you still have a bald spot in the back for now. I'll let her know you need extra massaging for that spot!
