Farewell to the Rat tail

Most parents don't have to worry about their child's first hair cut until they are a lot older than 6 months. We put off cutting Henry's hair for awhile, but when he began to get a long rat tail we decided it was due time for a trim. I've found that other babies Henry's age are bald or just have patches of hair. He had a head full of hair when he was born, and it has grown very fast. (And in case you're wondering, YES I had TERRIBLE HEARTBURN during the last few months of my pregnancy. There's conflicting views on whether heartburn is an indication that your child will have hair. All I know is heartburn was my biggest complaint through my pregnancy & Henry's got beautiful hair to show for it!) Henry's first official haircut was December 13.... and his Grandma Tracy was person who gave him his new do.

This is a BEFORE picture. It looks like a botched haircut has already taken place. This is a great picture of the "Rat Tail"

It just had to go....

The first snip... I think I was more nervous than Henry

Look at that shaggy hair

It's easiest to cut a baby's hair when they're asleep, but that was hard to accomplish since Henry only takes cat naps. It was quite a process getting him to hold still... me holding his face, Tyler occupying his attention with teething toys, and Tracy working her magic

We had some fun with him by giving him a mohawk

Then we made him a porcupine

The new hairdo! (We rewarded him with cereal for doing such a good job holding still!)

Looking an awfully lot like dad with his new haircut

Who's ready for Christmas?

For all of you who don't know, my mother (Henry's Grammy), loves Christmas. During the entire month of December, there's always Christmas tunes playing in her house... anything from Reba to Nsync holiday songs. She usually puts up about 7 trees all around the house that each have a theme. (ex: gingerbread, stocking, snowmen, etc.) All of the Christmas movies shown on ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas and FaLaLaLa Lifetime..... my mom's watched them all. If you'll refer back to a year ago on Christmas, she bought us all matching holiday pajamas. I'm sure that tradition will continue, and I will definitely post pictures because who wants to forget that? So with all of this being said, it's no surprise that I'm carrying on the tradition with my child. In his defense, he wasn't feeling the best when we took these pictures. I was frustrated when we were trying to take the pictures because he didn't smile and kept choking himself with the candycane. Now that I look at them though, I think they're pretty cute. This is only the beginning though, because me and my mom have several ideas for holiday pictures so there'll be more fun photos to come.

What a pose! He's all about his feet and toes these days so this picture is perfect

All cuddled up with stocking number 1. This one stays at Grammy's and Grandpa Kev's. (It's way cuter than the stockings for the rest of the family so this one hangs all by itself in the kitchen! *L*)

Stocking number 2. This one's from Uncle Todd and it's for Mommy and Henry's house.

On a side note, this has also been a bittersweet week. Henry turned 6 months old on December 7. Half a year gone already!! When people tell you it goes by fast, they aren't kidding. While it seems impossible for him to be half of a year already, I can't remember my life not including him. I had a rough day with finals for nursing, but he made all my worries fade when he smiled at me when I walked through the door. His smiles are the best! Because I haven't kept up with my blogging, I should give some highlights from the last couple of months.

Henry is very long and skinny. He must have a high metabolism because he eats all the time! He's now wearing 6-9 month clothes and size 3 diapers. We used to use Dr. Brown's bottles to prevent his "spitting up" episodes, but now that he is on Enfamil AR (a special formula for spit up babies) he rarely spits up. We now use Playtex bottles because they are much easier to clean. Henry also has a short patience because we have to use a fast speed nipple or he refuses to take the bottle. *L* He loves bathtime and his new favorite thing to do is to try to kick so hard that he jumps out of the tub. It terrifies me, but he seems pretty proud of himself for splashing so much. He also loves grabbing the washcloth and sucking the water out of it. Again, a little irritating for mommy but he gets a kick out of it.

At about 5 months, Henry started to suck his thumb. Such a horrible habit to break, but I don't know how to stop it. He also has a blankie and he finally takes his pacifier. We've been trying babyfood and I must say I never knew carrots could be so messy! In the last two weeks, he's really been jumpy and fidgety like he wants to move. He almost has the sitting up thing down, but sometimes he falls too far to the side or front and then he gets ticked off. He can't crawl yet either, and I'm not sure that's a bad thing. My apartment isn't baby-proofed yet! One last thing that is significant is that Henry chews on and tries to eat EVERYTHING! His mouth is like a faucet of drool that never stops. I like to think that he gives me kisses when he grabs on to both sides of my face and "kisses" my cheek. Tyler claims Henry's just trying to eat me, but I know he does it with love. hahaha. No teeth yet, but I wouldn't be surprised if one popped out soon!

I get four weeks off of school for the holidays so I'm going to try to update my blog more with old photos and stories about Henry so I won't forget them. I must say its a little sad to go shopping and realize that he's not a tiny baby anymore. But, with getting older he's developed such a funny personality and I love him more and more each day. Happy 6 months Henry!

Is it Deer Season?

Is Henry lying in a pile of leaves??

No, no. That's just his dad!!! Tyler bought this "hunting gear," and he tried it on for me and Henry. He asked me if I thought he would blend in with the woods.... I don't know how you could blend in more! I'm sure it will only be a couple of years before Henry wants a "Leafy Outfit" of his own.

My Favorite

This is my favorite picture of me and Henry. I took it over Labor Day weekend, but I never got around to posting it.

Big Shoes to Fill

Me, Tyler, and Henry got family pictures taken last Friday. I can't wait to see the results because Henry was the cutest, most "smiley" baby! After the photoshoot, we headed to the Eagle Football game. I dressed Henry in an adorable football outfit and had to try out some matching shoes (yes, this is the 2nd time he's worn shoes... EVER.) I had him "stand up" next to Tyler and we compared their feet. Too cute

White Coats

There's a tradition in nursing school where you get presented your white coats. The ceremony for Lakeview College of Nursing was held two weeks ago. (A little behind on blogging but this was important so I couldn't skip posting this!) I was looking forward to the ceremony because 1. I'm a big dork and 2. I feel like its another step further towards completing my nursing degree. Of course, this exciting day was tampered when my babysitter called and said she couldn't watch Henry that day.... as I'm walking out the door to take him to daycare. I was frazzled and had no idea where to take him so I just packed him up and took him with me to school. My friends and the faculty were thrilled to meet/hold Mr. Henry thank goodness. I had finally gotten in contact with Tyler's mom and she was coming to get Henry but she didn't get there before the ceremony started. So here I am.... in my uniform with all of my fellow nurses and all faculty (including the dean) and I have Henry with me. I was just praying he didn't puke on me or even worse.... the faculty members that decided to hold him! The Dean spoke at the beginning of the ceremony and Henry thought that would be a perfect opportunity for him to fill his pants. LOL. Oh yes, he was grunting and making a bit of a scene while the DEAN was speaking. And, he has a tendency to suck on his fingers and lately he's been forming a habit of accidentally choking himself. So here's Henry, grunting and gagging. Thank goodness Tyler's mom sent me a text saying she was in the parking lot. The ceremony turned out okay, and me and my girlfriends had to get a picture to look back and laugh at when we graduate. From left to right: Holli, Kelsey, Jenna, and me. (I look huge because I didn't have my coat buttoned. Note to self, no need to look pregnant again.... button the coat!)

Oh Henry....

He looks like such a chunk, but he's actually still very tiny

His dad gave him his bath for once so I could do dishes.... So Tyler gave him a mohawk! We gave Henry a mohawk when he was 3 days old and his hair was so much shorter! I'm not kidding you, this kid's hair is so thick and LONG!!!

Awww... my little sweet pea. Cuddling with his blankie Gma Amy got him

First time in the BUMBO! I'd been wanting one of these for months! All I found when I was preggo was pink and green ones but then we got a gift from Tyler's Aunt and Uncle and it was a BLUE bumbo... Love it.

"My Personal Nursing Diagnosis"

So.... In case any of you were wondering, I started nursing school at Lakeview College of Nursing a few weeks ago. I've been wanting to post sooooo many life happening moments to my blog since I started the program but that has been IMPOSSIBLE! Looking back at this summer, I wish I would've posted more things because I actually had time, but now I have no time. I wish I was exagerrating but I'm not.... so got some conclusions/jokes/thoughts/memorable moments/stuff, etc..... I would like to share from the last few weeks.



First off: I've met 3 AMAZING girls in my nursing program. Obviously I've met almost everyone (50 people) in the program... I see them all everyday.... but these three girls and I instantly hit it off.

My 3 Bffs are Kelsey, Holli, and Jenna. All very very individual.... such interesting ppl. I luv them. I get multiple texts from them. Daily. Poor Tyler, he just doesn't understand why my phone keeps getting messages from these girls..... (my phone has a cool function where it states the name OUT LOUD when they call or text. Best thing ever, you might want to get it on your phone if you can.)

Found out in the 2nd week that Jenna has a boyfriend.... that's a Miami Dolphin :) just got recruited as a corner and he played for U of I when they were pretty awesome. She's so modest about it though, and its adorable. But I still thought it was funny when Tyler/my family turns on Sunday Football and they're all asking about Jenna's boyfriend.... and she's like yeah he played, but they lost. She doesn't highlight the fact that he plays, but he actually does play rather than stand on the sideline.... and when she talks about him its soooo sweet

ok, next bestie. She's from F-ing town. Apparently we know the same people, but never knew each other and now we're great friends. Then, I learned from my Aunt that Holli worked for the family that lived in the "mansion" in Effingham. Any of you that are from around this area know what I'm talking about. She was their nanny.

Then, there's Kelsey. She's a few years younger and she's from my hometown. I've NEVER talked to her before seeing her at orientation. I'm shocked. She's the most down-to-earth, sweetest girl I've ever met and I'm so glad we've become friends through this nursing thing.

Ok, so now to the good part, not that my friends aren't interesting enough! This is what I've learned about nursing/myself in the last few weeks:


*I have the attention span of a Child! All of our classes are at least 3 hours long. After about 1 hour I'm all fidgety and I just CANNOT focus anymore. I tend to doodle a lot. Or daydream.... lately its been about weddings and I have no idea why. Maybe because there's lots to think about with that.... and I tend to follow "New Beginnings" blog. And she had the most beautiful wedding and I've shown Tyler lots of pictures & explained that I want my ideal wedding like that. He doesn't get it but at least he knows I have expectations for someday :)

*I'm the nerd of the class. Yep, who wants to be that kid. You know, "THAT" kid.... loser/teacher's pet that raises their hand all the time.... that's me. I can't help it. I've had experience so I know the answers, but I also just wish the lecture would go quicker so we could get out sooner.....

*If I apply myself, I do well. I had a rough couple of years at U of I, but I've learned so much with how to take test and how to write papers. I'm still so glad to have that degree from U of I. this nursing stuff is TOUGH. I have no time at all, but at least it seems do'able as long as I read the material for class.

* I've lost my hearing. Okay, I've joked about it for years, but I really can't hear. Even when I take blood pressures... its a struggle bc I simply CAN'T HEAR! I blame the headphones I used with my portable cd player in junior high... on the volleyball/cheerleader bus.

*I'm an ORANGE! We are taking this stupid weekend class for Lakeview and we have to attend 3 weekend classes this semester... the first weekend (6 days in a row for the first week of class.. plus only Sunday off, then 4 more lovely days of quizzes and tests), but we also have the weekend class this weekend.... and Halloween weekend. (don't even get me started with that! It's Henry's first Halloween & I can't do Friday or Saturday dressing up.... grrrr..) Back to topic. ORANGE. We took a personality test and had to pair up in groups. I scored very close in all catergories, but I had the most points in orange which is the Spontaneous person... very competitive, makes rash decisions. Our teacher decided to tell us that Oranges were BAD! um.... not too happy about that. Not at all. I used to be the "Blue" category, but I've become more Orange with life's experiences.

*I love being in Nursing School when I can actually breathe and realize, "I'm in nursing school. This has been my ultimate goal." seriously, I've waited to be in this program for so long, I'm just very very fortunate to be in it. And to be doing well in my grades. We have a test of quiz every time we go to class and its rough.

Swinging in the Jumper

In the last couple of weeks Henry has been acting more like a toddler than a baby so me and Tyler have been eager to try out some of his toys and gadgets. Obviously, this contraption is way too BIG for him to use appropriately, but we tried it out anyway. I love it because the Johnny Jump Up looks like a big pair of underwear! His tiny head peaking out of the top of the "underpants" made us laugh so hard.

He didn't quite get the "jumping" concept.... it was more like a swinging device.

"Hey guys, what's so funny?"

Eagle Football

I took Henry to his very first football game last Friday. We saw so many babies that looked identical to Henry in their cute Eagle onesies. We saw Quincy & Beckett and all of the boys looked adorable in orange and blue. Too bad we lost to Robinson, but at least we had a good time.

My sister, Ellie, is a freshman in highschool. She's the baby of our family so its been a huge adjustment for all of us to think of her as growing up. She'd only been in school a week and she found a boyfriend! He's a sophomore and he plays football. Ellie went to his game last Monday and her, mom, and Kevin all packed up to go to his game tonight. I helped her to get all dolled up for the game... did her hair and makeup and I even painted a Newton Eagles ribbon for her hair. (Very adorable.) Kevin joked that she acted like she was going to prom. (He said its ok for her to date this guy up until he gets his license in May. haha) And the biggest kicker: he's 6 feet tall so he towers over little 5'2 Ellie. I'm sure I'll be getting pictures of these two lovebirds soon!

Visit from Lala

My cousin Lauren, a.k.a Lala, came to visit us this weekend. (Her and her husband lived in Omaha, Nebraska for the last year, and they just moved back to Bloomington, Indiana woohoo!) Of course she had to come see her new little cousin. He LOVED her!!

The best picture we could get of these two.

These are the responses Lauren got from Henry. He was cooing and giggling and throwing smiles all over the place.

Just wouldn't stop. Definitely going to be a heartbreaker with those huge grins.

Lauren and Evan were married on June 7, 2008 and I was the maid of honor. Henry was born on their first anniversary! I have pictures up in my apartment from their wedding and I think Henry recognized Lauren from the pictures because he kept looking at the pictures then back at Lauren. Quite the observer.

We put his hair in a mohawk. This pic says, "I just had a rough night of being a rockstar." Thanks Lauren for coming to visit because we had such a great time. Since you live closer now, we expect more visits soon!

Sleepy Shopper

Me, Mom, Ellie, and Henry went on a shopping trip a week ago. Henry wasn't into the whole shopping experience.

He's fighting the sleep. Tired of all of the stores and people.

"Mom, can we please go home?"

Baby Einstein... Future Einstein?

Tyler & I have been purchasing Baby Einstein dvds for Mr. Henry and he's finding them very entertaining so far. I also just bought new glasses and I wanted to see how Henry would look in them. He's definitely got the "nerd" look down and he looks so serious in this picture. Who knows, maybe this kid will be the next Einstein or Beethoven or President. So many possibilities!

2 months already!

Where did the time go? Summertime does tend to fly by. My little man turned 2 months old last Friday. I can't hardly believe how much he's grown. Everyone says they grow up so fast and its true! There have been some sleepless nights when I felt like he was going to be a newborn forever, but he's been starting to have a routine in the last few weeks so its getting easier. On Friday I took him to see all of the girls I work with and we weighed him. He weighed in at 11 lbs. 11 oz. WOW! I guess eating about 6 oz. every four hours will make a little guy gain some weight. :)

He loves the bear mobile on his swing at Grandma Amy's and Grandpa Kevin's house

Sometimes Henry has a temper especially when I'm trying to blog like right now! Guess this is all for now.

My Cuddlebug

I survived my first night of work! It was nice to get back and see my work friends, but I was ready to come back to my baby the next morning. He seems HUGE compared to those newborns I work with. My mom and Ellie printed this picture of him for me to take to work to put on my locker. Such a cutie!

The End is Here.... of my maternity leave anyway

My maternity leave is OVER! That's right, I'm headed back to work tonight for the good ol 7pm- 7:30 am night shift. I'm very sad about it of course. I'd like to think the picture above shows how Henry feels. It's like he's thinking,"Are you sure you have to go back mom? You mean I have to spend the nights with my Grandma Amy.... the one who takes lots of pictures of me all the time? C'mon Mom, why would you do that to me?" I really do hope that he is good for my mom tonight and actually sleeps because she's really the only person that can keep him until school starts again. We don't need her to get burnt out.

I wish he could wear onesies like this all the time as a reminder that I'm still his favorite.

He really likes his Dr. Seuss quilt his Aunt Julie made for him.

This is the most recent picture I have of us. He's getting a jumpstart on football season... with the way he eats he may not be able to wear this sleeper by the time its time for Eagle Football.

I'm very nervous about going back to work tonight. What if I can't handle the night shift anymore?? I haven't stayed awake all night long since my last shift at the hospital which was 8 weeks ago. I'm also nervous about c-sections & just getting back into the flow of working. While today has been full of mixed emotions, it has been kind of bittersweet. Henry woke up this morning and he was full of energy and SMILES! He's been grinning and half smiling frequently in the last week, but today it was definitely real. What an exciting milestone!

Showers & Tractors

This last weekend was CRAZY BUSY! I felt like Henry & I were on the road most of the time traveling back & forth between Newton and Montrose (where Tyler lives). On Friday we went to Tyler's cousin Clay's house and sat by a campfire. Henry loved it! He's such an outdoors guy... it just calms him instantly. I'm guessing I need to get a rocking chair for my porch for those sleepless nights :) On Saturday we came back to Newton for Courtney's Bridal Shower. (She will marry Kyle in the beginning of August... destination wedding. Can't wait to see those pictures) She looked adorable as always. Also, it could have won an award for "Best Decorated Shower". Everything was pink and girly and I loved it. I wish I could've gotten more pictures but the shower went so fast I completely forgot to get pictures of everything.

Lora, Rachel, and Courtney. I wanted to get a picture of all of us... including me, Henry, Taryn, and Beckett but of course the boys weren't up for pictures. I also got a picture with Courtney, but it was blurry. I think my camera is having issues.

After Courtney's shower, we headed back to Montrose for the annual Tractor Pull. It's such a big deal for the little community & they had a great turn out considering it stormed the night before. It was the first time we've put Henry in his stroller & it was challenge trying to get it in and out of my tiny trunk. On Sunday we went all the way to Willow Hill to have dinner at my Grandma Burtch's. DELICIOUS! Henry's cousins Frances and Jack were there to play with. Jack was a big fan of playing Grandma's old piano, and by the end of the day he was composing his own music. His song was titled, "The Sunset Rises at Night"... hahaha. He might have a future in the music industry.

Our Visit with Beckett

Henry & I went to visit Taryn, Torrey, & their new baby boy Beckett Lee. He was born last Friday, July 17 at 2:04 p.m. He was 8 lbs. and 19 & 1/2 inches long. The boys looked close to the same size, but there's definitely a difference between a newborn and a 6 weeker. This is the best picture we could get of the four of us because Beckett wanted to eat and Henry was a little grumpy.

Look how huge his hands are!! He was so fragile & sweet compared to my monster child :)

Sorry Tor, but I think he gets his good looks from his mama. Thanks guys for letting us come visit. He's precious! Can't wait til the boys are playing ball together.