Village Living...where our story continues: October 2012

Dear Henry,

We can't believe it, but in one short month you are going to be ONE YEAR OLD. Mommy and I are tempted to say time has flown by, but it really hasn't; we feel like you've been with us forever and we can't remember a time without you. You are our little pride and joy and this last month has been one of the most exciting, tiresome and eye-opening yet. Here's what you've been up to:

- You want to spend your entire day on your feet. You still pull yourself up on everything, but unlike last month you stay standing and walk along just about every piece of furniture we have. You've also figured out how to take a step or two between things... sort of a mini-walking. And thanks to your little gator-walker, you can walk all around the house without our help.

- You've all but abandoned your army crawl in favor of normal crawling. This helps you get around much, much quicker but also forces mommy and I to constantly be on the lookout for where you're going and what you're doing. Then there are those rare times you're feeling especially lazy and you bust out the old school Henry army crawl.

- You are getting in to EVERYTHING. You pull books off of shelves, clothes out of drawers, decorations off of tables, dishes out of cupboards, diapers out of your basket, pots out of the kitchen island and phones out of their chargers. You are constantly on a path of complete destruction!!! But so long as we are following close behind, the damage is kept to a minimum. Oh yeah... you're also obsessed with pulling wipes out of the little container when you get changed.

- Speaking of changing, you hate... HATE... changing diapers or clothes. It's a two-man operation at this point as you constantly scream and squirm the entire time. Then when we're finished? POOF!!! Magically, you're back to being the happiest baby alive and back to playing with your toys with a big smile on your face.

- Sticking with that theme, you've become VERY dramatic. When you aren't getting what you want at that very instant, your head bows down and you let out a few fake sobs. It is beyond adorable but mommy and I have you figured out, you big faker!!! Wonder where you get THAT personality trait from?!?!?!?!?

- You are having a blast climbing up the stairs. You haven't figured out how to get down, but you can go up an entire flight in no time these days. Just have to make sure you've got a spotter!

- Mommy and I have been very happy to watch you start playing by yourself. We are excited to see you using your imagination and not requiring us constantly to be entertained. Our favorite times are when you'll carry on conversations for minutes on end with your blocks, puzzles, books and animals.

- Speaking of communication, you are verbalizing a whole lot more "words" these days. Before it was just "bah bah" but now you've added a whole range of sounds and noises to your arsenal. If only we could speak your little baby language!

- Once a day (usually during breakfast) mommy and I will let you watch your favorite TV show, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. You absolutely LOVE when Mickey comes on at the beginning of each show and the end when they play the "Hot Dog" song. You aren't dancing yet, but just as the music kicks on you start bouncing where you sit with a big smile on your face.

- You certainly take after daddy with your love of electronics. You know exactly how to turn on an iPhone and iPad and you've even figured out how to drag items on the screen. Even more crazy, you completely ignore the spare remote control we've given you to play with, always going for the real one instead. Best (worst?) of all, you know exactly which button turns the TV on and off... and don't mind hitting it a billion times in a row to create your own personal light show with the TV.

- We feel like you're sleeping more soundly these days because you've been run ragged all day long by Marji, mommy or daddy. Some nights you even snore like Papa Craig! On the flip side, some of your naps are increasingly inconsistent... we think you're headed towards one nap a day, but we're not quite there yet.

- Eating continues uninterrupted. Literally. You eat all day, especially when you're visiting your grammies!!! They looooooove to feed you, and there's not much you won't eat. Hopefully you won't develop into a picky eater, because right now you are very adventuresome.

It has been a great month, buddy. You get more and more fun every day and mommy and I are super excited for your first birthday next month.

Love,
Daddy & Mommy

When my mom turned 50 and had a day at the spa with my sisters and I, we made a vow that we would do something special for everyone's milestone birthdays. We've continued the tradition so far with a trip to see Kenny Chesney for Christine's 30th and a spa getaway to Ithaca for Molly's 21st. For my 30th I wanted a trip to NYC. So us girls went to NYC over Columbus Day Weekend to celebrate my 30th... and of course visit Molly.

Highlights of the trip:

-Cab ride from LaGuardia...YIKES

-The cabbie pulling over and asking someone for directions to Long Island City, Queens...I thought they knew how to get everywhere...apparently not!

-Seeing Molly.

-Molly's apartment.

-My mom making homemade sauce and meatballs in Molly's apartment.

-Pepsi Sign (right outside of Molly's high rise).

-The view.

-Subway rides.

-Subway singers.

-Manhattan.

-Shopping.