What is this white stuff?

We haven't seen much snow this year. It's been an easy winter, especially having a baby. Didn't need to bundle Hank up much and his car seat cover actually kept him toasty warm.

Fell asleep last night to the beautiful, big snowflakes falling and couldn't wait to get outside for a few minutes today. I pulled Hank around the yard a few times, too. Not sure if I can upload video here, but it's pretty cute because he seriously cannot move a muscle in his snowsuit.

Lots has been going on over the past few weeks and months, and sadly I'm behind on my blog! I better go back and as some stuff!

Hanky Panky meets Kris Kringle

I took Hank to meet Santa; the same Santa I brought Jori to when she was little! He is so awesome and I will admit I think this is the best photo I've seen with a baby and the guy in the red suit! Merry Christmas!

Pals 4 Life

Oliver loves Jori so much! He jumped ship when I brought Hank home and hasn't left Jori's side since. I gotta say that I kinda miss his snuggles, but I gained the drooler, so life is still a'ight.

Favorites

I know, I know... You are not supposed to have favorites, but Oliver is my favorite gray kitty and Jori is my favorite daughter.

These days my hands are full with Hank (literally) and I know someday soon I'll get to hang more with my favorites.

3am shannagins

It's 4am really, but day light savings just occurred. I guess this is what happens in the middle of the night.?? I'm just glad he's on the dirty side of the sink...

Eating corn

Henry grabbed corn and the bird today! He's starting to bring things to his mouth for exploration. That corn is so happy! Owl is one of his best friends :)

Busy Time

Hank is talking to owl, playing with his favorite toy Swish and trying to take his sock off. Who knew Tuesday morning's could be so busy!!

Shots, shots, shots...

And I guess they are like big people's shots after a long night of drinking. (passed out) Hank is cuddling with his mommy today. He is pretty worn out...

Library

I've been waiting to get Henry into the stroller and on walks. The weather is incredible, especially for October! We ventured out today while he was sleeping and picked up some board books. Oh what memories it was to find Maisy and other characters that I haven't read in so very long. Henry woke up in the library and wasn't so sure about the stroller, but when we started moving again down the sidewalk towards home, he fell asleep and looked happy to me. I know I was happy. Arlington is gorgeous. Matter of fact, everywhere you look the colors are changing and this year it feels like it's happening in slow motion.

Back to some normalcy

Oliver had probably the hardest time adjusting to the baby.  If we enter a room, Oliver will bolt! Slowly,but surely, he's adjusting like the rest of us. I'm sure he is saying, "I'm the baby! Come play tummy time with me." in this photo!

Happiness...pure, complete, real.

This truly is what makes me happy deep in my soul... I love being a mom and wife. I was meant for this.

Twins

The other day I was making an egg sandwich for Jori using my in-laws delicious family farm eggs. TWINS

I snapped a photo and went to make my breakfast (yes, I'm a make to order chef), and got another egg with twin yokes!

If I hadn't had Henry yet, I would be scared it's a sign!!

New blog app

Bought my first droid app! Don't laugh. I really want to blog more and this is the app I purchased. Yay me!

A look back at Day Two...

During my pregnancy, Elliott was right by my side. Some people think he is just a sucker for anyone who will take a nap on the bed, but I know he has an incredible sense about him and he was simply watching over me while I was "making" the baby; naps were just a bonus in his book! These pictures truly show how intuitive he is (all the other cats are still afraid of the baby!) We were only home less than 24 hours.



I wonder if Hank thinks that is Godzilla next to him.



Elliott protects Hank each day and sleeps in his room at night (even though the baby is in our room).

Poor Hanky and his Acne...

Hank, Jori and I all have colds. Took Hank to see Dr. Fraser yesterday just to make sure he's okay since I can't breath very well. He's fine and weighs 11.9#. INSANE how fast he's growing. I better start getting those hand and foot prints that I want.

In this picture, it's pretty sad to see Hanky with all this acne. It's caused by my hormones from when he was cooking inside me. Let me tell you it looks bad, but hopefully it'll go away soon.

Today we're just going to hang out and continue to nurse our colds. I realized the other day that we truly haven't been nursing correctly until last Friday when we saw the ENT specialist...that means that we really only have had a week of true nursing and it's going so much better. It doesn't take hours to nurse anymore. ahhhh. And, we hooked up the swing yesterday and that's pretty awesome!

One Month Ago...

One month ago today, Henry Christopher Given was born. Our family has been adjusting to the new little guy and are happy to announce we are going to keep him!

This morning, as the sun was rising, and I was changing Hanky, he looked me in the eyes and smiled!!! It wasn't gas or REM sleeping smiles, either. It reminded me that 28 days of precious images and happenings are stored only in my memory and I want to capture them where they'll be shared and remembered forever.

It was surprising to me to see Henry grow side burns one day, and to see that his ears still have their lynx hairs... and that Jori is no longer afraid to pick him up and carry him around (even if he's crying.) She is the best big sister and I cannot wait for him to look her in the eyes and smile.

I only had a moment with hands free, and hope to be back soon.

Jeannie

Baby Time

I decided I should start posting now and get into the habit before "Cletus" arrives. (Then I can come up with a new blog name, too?!) Today I am 40w1d, dialated to 4cm, 80% effaced, and my cervix is prime for having this big, baby boy! I keep saying he's going to come out with chest hair and look like a man if he waits any longer...

Chris and I are ready for the baby - as ready as anyone could possibly be. I have packed and repacked my overnight bag. I've been meditating each day and seem to have the HypnoBirthing rainbow relaxation down nicely. I think Chris and I will be able to deliver this baby in the most amazing, calm way. We sure are going to try!

Speaking of babies - this is Emma Bennett,
my little second cousin. She is so adorable!!
I love her so much and cannot wait to watch her and Cletus grow up together like Courtney and Chris did. And what's awesome is Emma lives under a mile away by the lake so we can see each other whenever we want!

Chris is really starting to get the hang of this baby thing!

Looking back

Looking back at these posts is so great! I think I might try to do this more often (I know, I know, I say that every two years!)



This is my favorite photo - well, one of them! I have quite a few...

I only have a few moments right now, but wanted to remind myself how good it feels to share here.


More to come!

Memorial Weekend

Yesterday was great! The 3 of us headed to the fossil site, but it had been pretty wiped clean. We did find some good ones - most of all we had a blast!

Here's Jori on the beginning of our hike. Now seriously, who wears white shorts to go hiking??

I have an excuse for my outfit, I didn't know where we were going till we got there. It was a surprise for me! I've been so busy in the gardens that I haven't had much of a break.

The day was comfortable and the weather was kind of cool. Perfect for hiking.

Jori is getting so grown up looking. Her features are really taking shape. What a cutie!!

While Jori and I were hiking around, Chrissy found a friend - Toad!





I hope you enjoyed your Memorial weekend like we did ours. The few days off that I have before I start my new job are going by so quickly. I cannot believe it's Tuesday already. Thursday is the big day. Wish me luck!!!


All my love to my friends and family, Jeanniegirl

PS: Happy 66th Birthday Dad!! (even though I thought you were 63! and then 67?!!) I love you.

Capture our Changes

So many things have happened in 2 years!!! I cannot believe I haven't written anything for so long. Here's a recap: Jori and I moved in with Chris at the end of last summer. Jori started a new school, we got engaged, and our Spring break was spent in sunny Playa del Carmen. My house is now a rental with great tenants, and things are going so well for all of us. Each one of these events could fill pages upon pages with their stories and happenings, but all of you already know how they went down, so I'm going to concentrate on current events and try to keep this up-to-date. I truly enjoyed looking back at the old posts and don't want to miss capturing these times anymore...

Here's the only photo from Mexico with the 3 of us in it?!!



We took almost 300 pics, but when someone has to hold the camera, we didn't even realize till we got home that we only had 1 family photo. It was on our first night.

Other happenings are: Jori just wrapped up her first season of volleyball with Phalen Rec. It was awesome! I think Jori really enjoyed learning to play and they were quite competitive. I never knew that volleyball was such a fun sport to watch. Here's a shot of Jori returning the ball. I love how she hops up!!

Softball season has already started, so watch for those pics!

Other things that are changing for us is that I am leaving my current job and going to the State. I'm so excited!! I cannot wait!!! I believe it's really going to be a good career move for me.

That's all I have for now. I hope to update more soon. Tonight is Jori's final music concert and she'll be having another solo - Vivaldi's Spring! I love that little girl.

Jeannie