Friday, October 16, 2015

Dear Henry: Month Four

Dear Cuddliest Henry —

Happy (belated) four months of life! This month has been wildly fun. A touch frustrating at times, but wildly fun nonetheless.



You started laughing this month — this little “huh, huh” chuckle. It reminds me so much of Claire’s first laugh and is a close second to that heartwarming smile of yours. And speaking of, each and every time you smile at me, my heart wells up until it feels like it could burst. I never grow tired of seeing your joy. 


You rolled over twice this month, both of which were total accidents. But as your Dad said, most great discoveries are. 


After last month’s trouble with napping, we really turned things around and got to a tolerable place for both you and me. It wasn’t always perfect, not that I expected it to be, but it was survivable. Of course, late last week, you changed things again. But I knew that was coming, so it didn’t send us into the tailspin it might have if Claire didn’t exist. You can thank her later — she paved the way for you. 




You are still sleeping through the night most of the time. Every once in awhile if you don’t eat great during the day, you’ll wake up once to eat, but otherwise, you’re a pretty solid sleeper from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., when I begrudgingly have to wake you up. 


You are starting to really see the world around you. I love to just watch you take it all in and desperately wonder what’s floating around in that brain of yours. 




You seem to enjoy when I read books and you love when I sing to you. Some of your worst moments are soothed by my butchered version of Hush, Little baby. 

During a particular terrible moment this month, when I was out of all ideas and you couldn’t calm down, I started playing Curious George on my phone. You stopped crying and calmed right down. 

By far, your favorite thing to do is cuddle. You love being close, being held and sleeping in my arms. We don’t do it as often as we did in the first couple of months, but a few times this month, I brought out my bouncing, patting, shushing cuddles. And I loved every minute of it. I know the back pain won’t last forever. I know the aches in my arms won’t stick around. And I know the cuddles will stop one day. 


So, any time you need a little cuddle, you just let me know. I’m happy to oblige.  

Love you, 
Mama




















Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Kindergarten Diaries: Oct. 7



Grace: Mom, I have a secret. Don’t tell Claire. Promise? There is a boy in Claire’s class. And I’m in love with him. I used to love this other boy. But I’m over with him. 

Mom: What makes you like this new boy?

Grace: I don’t know. 

Mom: Well, what made you like him over the other boys? 

Grace: I don’t know. They just didn’t impress me. 

Mom: Have you ever talked to him? 

Grace: No.