sleep issues

As many of you know, we have struggled with Henry's sleep "schedule" since the day he was born and we are working on his gaining some sleep independence i.e. we don't lie down with him to get him to go to sleep. This is slow going but we are having moderate success. We have been finding him at the bottom of his bed after being slayed by the sleep dragon.

Bathing beauty

Well, she was bathing, she is a beauty! Claudia Jane just shy of her five month birthday.

A rose is a rose

Henry, on his own, decided that roses should be carried in your teeth. Then he danced the "flamenco".

quality time in bed

Well, I have to say that I am totally in love with the kids. It's official.

Do you need ice?

Thought I'd share a phrase Henry has been using alot lately. We've been trying to teach him when his hitting, pushing, and jumping on people is too rough. He apologizes and says he "didn't mean that hard". He often follows this up with the sweet offer of "Do you need ice?" This usually cracks me up. He likes to ask for it himself sometimes after a particularly hard fall, so I fetch a bag of frozen corn and he applies it gingerly to his wound.

more weddin' shots

These are in no particular order -

Chelcy's weddin'

Where to begin - ah - the beach. We were at the beach for a family beach trip all last week (photos to follow), then drove across the state to attend Chelcy and Fred's wedding in the mountains. Chelcy is Josh's sister (our brother-in-law's sister - it's simple). Other than Henry's getting only a ten minute nap and having multiple meltdowns, we had a wonderful time. Chelcy was a beautiful bride and Fred, a proud groom. Brought back memories of lo' those many years ago when we were wed (three years and two kids - wow!!). Molly and Alex escorted Jen down the aisle. Molly singlehandedly shattered the expression - well, she won't be walking down the aisle with that bottle in her hand. But she won much appreciation from the congregation. Claudia was such a good baby that she isn't in many pictures since she was snoozing away. We didn't get to thank Mary and Jeff for the hospitality as we took a screaming kid away, but in Jeff's father of the bride toast he talked about all of the family that was there to celebrate the marriage and we truly feel thankful to have such a wonderful family and extended family. We are a lucky bunch!

No, now!

We are quite sure Henry's vocabulary has been shrinking or at least the words he uses on a daily basis have. Almost all of his sentences/commands have the word no, not or now in them. He frequently says - "I said NO, Mommy" and "NO, NOW!" and basically contradicts anything we say. I was telling him the other day that he probably did not need the railing on the side of his bed anymore, that we could take it off - to which he said - "I want to take it ON" - not sure what that means, but it is clearly the opposite of what I said. He also ends many of his sentences/commands with the word either - no comparison needed. "No apple either Mommy, I said no apple EITHER!"
He had a sick tummy over the weekend and got to watch a lot of PV (television to you and me) and we are paying the price now trying to wean him from it. Danny got him some Pedialyte to drink, but he wouldn't have it - we even made Pedialyte Popsicles which he would not eat, then Danny mixed his regular juice and some Pedialyte together which caused Henry to say - "I want some tasty juice please." He was really on to us!
We definitely feel like we are in the throes of two year-old hood. Wish us luck!