Christmas

We had a very special Christmas at home with Grandma and Grandpa this year. Henry was very excited that Santa Claus came to our house with his reindeer, came down the chimney, ate the cookies and milk we put out for him (he even ate the fortune cookie!), and that he left us presents under the tree and in our stockings. He seemed very disappointed that more presents didn't continue to magically appear under the tree. 

Over the holiday weekend we enjoyed a trip to the Model Train museum, ventured outside for sledding (which only lasted about 15 minutes due to the bitter cold) and played around the house with new and old toys. Henry also enjoyed riding his tricycle around our unfinished basement over and over again (and we were happy that he had an outlet with which to burn off some energy).

Lucas turned 3 months old on Christmas day. He loves smiling and cooing and often appears as though he is trying to have a conversation with you. He uses his hands constantly to grab objects or put in his mouth, and is getting very good at sitting upright in the bumbo seat. 

Back to work, Merry Christmas to mom!

We are so blessed to have two beautiful, happy and healthy boys. Lucas continues growing (in length and girth) and is more and more interactive. Henry has been really enjoying the Christmas season this year pointing out all the lights on our way home each evening: "Christ lights in the house, mommy!" or "Christ light down the street!" or "Christ lights blinking!" Mom returned to work after 12 weeks at home with Lucas. It has certainly been a tougher transition going back to work this time, much harder to leave both boys and much harder to get out the door each morning. Something that has helped ease my mind during my day away is that Lucas has been in the capable and loving care of Grandma and Grandpa for 2 weeks as part of our 4 week wait for a daycare opening. 

We are also very lucky that Santa Claus makes a trial run stop at our friend's house every year. This is the 3rd year that Henry has been able to meet Santa Claus in person. The first year Henry was willing to sit on his lap, although seemed very skeptical of the big guy. Last year he would have nothing to do with Santa Claus and refused to be in the same room. We made some progress this year; we were able to be in the same room, but mom had to act as a buffer. Henry told Santa he wanted a truck, and then he was "all done!" 

Henry's daycare had Peace Week this past week, where they celebrate cultural diversity and kindness. Henry initially refused to participate in the class project of painting luminaries, but he changed his mind when his teacher pointed out that the beige paint was the same color as his skin (?) It turned out quite beautifully as you can see. 

2nd time mom & baby class

Lucas and I sadly finished our 2nd time mama, mom and baby class today. Over the past 6 weeks I have been able to commiserate with and get suggestions and strategies regarding life with a newborn and toddler from other moms. The tagline of the parenting center is "maternity loves company," and it is oh so true.  We will miss seeing Lucas' first group of friends (Max, Miles, Alexandra, Vivian, Henry, Owen & Margaret) on a regular basis. 

First snow!

We had our first big snowfall of the winter yesterday, receiving about 10-12 inches of snow in less than 24 hours! Henry wasn't sure he wanted to go outside until the neighborhood kids came over to play. Lauren, Vince and Reilly showed Henry how much fun it can be to make a snowman and jump in the snow.  

2nd set of PE tubes

getting ready for surgery with "No David" bear

post anesthesia with Jim the monkey

ready to go home!

Henry had a 2nd set of pressure equaling tubes placed in his ears, adenoids removed and a "brain stimulation" hearing test done this past week due to chronic fluid behind his ear drums and hearing loss noted on testing. He was a champ yet again, being very brave at the hospital and flirty with all of the nurses. It was heart wrenching watching him get put under with anesthesia, but he luckily bounced back from the procedure again this time. We were warned of many side effects from the anesthesia and/or bleeding or sore throat from the adenoid removal, but he seemed his usual playful and happy self all weekend. We are hoping that the adenoids are the cause of the inflammation leading to the fluid collection behind his ears and we will not have to go through this again. The great news is that his hearing test was normal, so there is not any nerve damage and the hearing loss is all conductive due to the fluid. The bad news is that adenoids grow back! His speech and language skills continue to improve anyway, but I'm sure this will also help him continue to advance. He is becoming a very chatty toddler. 

Lucas - 2 months

Lucas turned 2 months old in November. At his 2 month Dr.'s follow-up appointment his weight was up to 12lbs 11oz (very similar to his brother Henry who was 12lbs 10oz), and he was 23 inches in length. He continues to gift us with being a great sleeper and eater, and loves smiling and cooing. He loves black and white images and pictures of faces as much as Henry did at this age, and is very good at swatting the objects in front of him on the bouncy chair. Henry continues to adore him, and is often smothering him with affection (which at times makes us a bit concerned for Lucas' safety!)

Henry was also every excited to help celebrate mom's 35th birthday. We practiced singing the happy birthday song all week and he helped blow out the candles on my 2 different birthday cakes (thank you Matt & St. Paul family dinner friends). Henry also enjoyed saying "Happy Boo Boo Momma!" all week. 

Thanksgiving in Michigan

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We had a fabulous trip to Michigan to be with family for Thanksgiving (despite very long days of travel: 10 hours from St. Paul to Holland, MI and on the return trip 13 hours from metro Detroit). Both boys did amazingly well on the long car rides thanks to mom squeezing into the back of the car between both car seats with lots of books, trucks and the iPad for Henry and a white noise app on the iPhone for Lucas. We spent a couple days in Holland, MI where mom was born and enjoyed a hike out to Lake Michigan, saw many farm animals at a petting farm and were able to relax and play at Oma and Opa's house. In metro Detroit we saw all four cousins (Oliver, Mae, Elliot and David!), stayed at Grandma & Grandpa's house, had Thanksgiving at Aunt Jessica and Uncle Tony's house, went to a Christmas tree lighting ceremony, the Detroit Zoo and Cranbrook (where Henry got to see a dinosaur!)