September 05, 2009
8 1/2 months
henry amazes us anew each day. and it’s been teaching me a lot about how God’s mercies are new each morning, a lot like how henry’s mood can be so cheerful and pure bliss after a good nap, regardless of his mood just beforehand.
God has continued to bless us with our home, our friends, our families. sure, we’ve spent a lot of time this summer on our kitchen, foregoing many longed-for camping trips or paddles for the sake of another drawer or cupboard. but in spite of that we’ve seen some of our relationships deepen, in particular with family but also with neighbors and some friends. henry and i have had some really good play dates over the course of the last couple of weeks since i resigned. and the last couple days i spent in a small bedroom upstairs at tim and heidi’s painting while henry played with his cousins.
i’ve not really found a rhythm just yet i my new role of full time home economist but i’ve been told again and again to not be too hard on myself. it will take time to establish this rhythm. but here’s a way i’m hoping to start it: weekly playdates on wednesday mornings at our house. so girlfriends, bring your kiddos and come on over. i’ve got lots of cheerios and toys, not to mention that espresso machine to make us all lattes. 
and speaking of the kitchen project, yesterday dan started in on the bathroom floor. now that’s not to say that the kitchen is Done – we’ve still a ways to go in fact – but the bathroom is a surmountable project which has been waiting while the highest priority drawers and cupboards to be usable. above the 4′ mark, the room is essentially done, but the floor was down to the subfloor awaiting infloor heat and tile and the lower half of the walls unprimed, awaiting wainscoting and trim. we knew that we’d have to be without a toilet and sink in there while these were being done and that’s why they were down on the priority list. well friends, yesterday the toilet and the sink came off the walls and out. yes, the toilet tank was hanging on the wall. last night the backerboard went down, and the wiring for the floor heat.
and this morning, henry and i sent dan off to the woods with his long-lost friend chad, just back from new zealand. chad and kris have been with us on and off for the last couple of weeks and it is chad whom dan has oft disappeared with for winter camping expeditions. i’ve noticed in the last few weeks how much this project has been taking a toll on dan’s spirit. he’s an outdoorsy guy, right? we all know that. and he’s been stuck inside every one of these beautiful weekends this summer, save one or two.
right now, henry’s sleeping and kris has taken the girls out for a few hours. and the house is quiet. the whole neighborhood is quiet with most folks gone for the holiday weekend. i’m sitting enjoying a nice breeze on my front porch. it’d be really quaint if it weren’t for that yappy chihuahua across the street.
so then, some of what henry’s been up to of late:
two weeks ago on a friday, henry pulled himself to standing on a footstool in the living room.
one week ago on friday, he crawled up the two steps to the landing, chasing the dog who was laying on her bed.
now he’s “cruising” along furniture and as of today, able to let himself down from standing withOut falling.
he’s still army-crawling all over the place, as that is so much faster than up on his knees – at least for now. he can do it, but not real well just yet.
today he had baba ganoosh for lunch, with pita. and blueberries and banana and cheerios. next time i have to remember to peel the eggplant before pureeing it… it’s a bit too charcoal-y for my liking but henry loves it.
he has said da-da once and ma-ma twice (27 and 30 july) but not since. and i’m fairly certain he said dog too since then. well, anyway he’s said it and i’m fairly certain he knew what he was saying…
his eyes are turning brown, his feet are constantly dirty, and his knees have calluses from scootin’ around all over.
his little elf-ear has rounded out, as have most of his features, tho he’s still a string bean. at his last check up he was at 95% for weight but still off the charts for length.
he’s figuring out his shape-sorter box, how the lid slides on and off. he’s not able to get it back in the grooves if the lid is off but he sure tries!
he’s still a pretty good sleeper tho when we tried to feed him ground up rice instead of rice cereal he gave us a few nights of fitful sleep because he wouldn’t eat much of it.
and now’s he awake from his nap and kris just returned, so i’ll sign off there before battery goes kaput.
much love,
cle
your host for this episode : carrie; September 5, 2009 03:00 PM
Comments
Hey there cuz! its nice to hear he is doing well:) we have been in our new home for a year now, I have been in it for 19 months I believe. I havent done any projects inside…outside in the garden on the other hand has been a work in progress…i wish i had more summer but i only have a month left. We bought a house with the former tennants buying every type of flower almost so i now have to tend to all sorts of flowers deciding which ones i dont want and planting new ones. Jen and I’s gender roles are almost reversed, she likes working with tools (tech directing for the school play where she teaches) and drives a jeep and I drive a prius and like gardening. but i do like sports and she crochets and quilts.
anyways hope your labor day weekend goes swell!!!
from the peanut gallery of : Jason ; September 5, 2009 07:05 PM
Looking forward to seeing all of you and witnessing HD’s new tricks! See you tomorrow evening! Love, Oma
from the peanut gallery of : Oma