January

January proved to be equally as busy as the pre-holiday season again this year! Last year it was crazy because we were preparing for Whit and Adam's wedding (Happy Anniversary Week!) and Grady's big 2nd birthday party, all while being 6 months pregnant! I always anticipate January being calm and quiet, time to clean up, get organized, and rest. But it has been just the opposite! One of the biggest events was having Grandma and Grandpa, Dad and Allis, and lots of aunts, uncles, and cousins out to celebrate my Grandpa Charlie's 90th Birthday and G's 3rd birthday. Grandpa started saying a year ago that he wanted to come to California to spend his birthday with Grady (they share a birthday, January 28th). We had said, "No, Grandpa! We will come there so that everyone else can spend your big birthday with you too!" But he insisted, especially after everything that has happened with Henry. So they came! It was great. Very special time being together to celebrate such a monumental birthday...and he has lived a very monumental 90 years! 

Grady had a blast...he has been anticipating his birthday for a couple months now...but first we had to celebrate Baby Jesus's birthday, then Whi Whi's, then Grady's and Grandpa Charlie's! And then Papa's, and then Coley's! Lot's of important birthdays in the month of January! He kept saying, "My birthday is January. But not yet." The night before his birthday, John was telling him an abbreviated version of his birth story, of which he was clinging on to every last word of. John told him that we were so excited to meet him and for him to be born. He said, "Mommy just cried tears of joy because she was so happy when you came." And Grady started sobbing! I guess that was a little too much information for a sweet little 3 year old. The morning of his birthday, he asked, "It's my birthday now?" And we had a great day, full of pancakes, sunshine, parks, friends, picnics, hot dogs, presents, and ice cream. We put a tired little boy to bed that night! The next morning, he asked, " Mommy, it's still my birthday?" When I told him No, he asked, "Am I still 3??" :)

Noclars

One of Grady's favorite gifts was (at least the one that he was most excited when he opened it!) was a new train calendar. Papa gave him one last year that he loved looking at, changing the page each month, and asking what the train was. He also got a new blankie, which was a hit because his old one was mere pieces of shreds! We replaced it with the exact same one, so I'm sure we will have to do this again in a couple of years!

We are so proud of our little 3 year old! He is sweet, polite, friendly, silly, athletic, and so smart. He is hilarious, and very creative! He still loves playing trains, and even has imaginary friends right now. Coincidentally, they started out as Christmas Thomas (he was a small Thomas train with Christmas lights on him) and Christmas Percy. After Christmas, they evolved to Scarf Thomas and Scarf Percy (small trains with scarfs around their necks...hahaha!) He will talk and play with them, tell them stories, and take them around the house. They are the top request for story topics at bedtime. I wasn't sure what to make of this at first, but I think it is fine and normal, and if nothing else, broadens his imagination. He loves to read...could read books for hours. Loves to ride his bike, play in the dirt with his trucks, watch movies, wrestle and tackle with Daddy, snuggle buggle with Mommy, help take the trash out, and eat dessert! Happy happy birthday to our Big Little Boy. We love you sooooo much!

A funny G story...the other day Henry was sitting up on the sofa when G walked by. Sometime between Grady walking through the living and him coming out of our bathroom, I moved Henry onto our bed. When G came out of the bathroom, he saw Henry on the bed and asked John, "Daddy, who's that?" 

John clearly couldn't understand why he was asking this, and said matter-of-factly, "That's Henry, your brother." 

G said, "No, Daddy, Henry's on sofa. There's two Henrys?????"

G is always trying to love on Henry. It is the sweetest thing ever and I am so thankful for a big brother who absolutely adores his baby brother. But it is so hard. We are always having to tell G, to not get too close, to stay away from his face, to wash his hands...it's just not fair. We are praying that this doesn't affect Grady too much in the end, and that some how we can figure out a balance between letting an affectionate 3 year brother love on his baby and keeping Henry healthy. But the sweetness and affection just naturally pours out of Grady. He gives lots of random hugs and kisses, and says I love you or I love Henry all the time. 

At lunch time, we picnicked in the park...it has been perfectly beautiful weather! Definitely doesn't feel like winter!

We had hot dogs for dinner (per G's request!) and went to get ice cream the night of his birthday (also per his request...he said no cake, just cupcakes and ice cream cones!).We went with a couple of friends and G was a crazy man...this picture pretty much sums up his energy the entire time we were there! 

The other biggest event of January was the boys all getting a stomach bug, which unfortunately landed Henry in the PICU again. Long story short, we found him last Tuesday morning in a very scary state, called 911, and stayed in the hospital for a few days. Basically, his blood sugar completely bottomed out (it was 10 if that means anything to you). One of his medications blocks adrenaline and prevents your body from building back up glucose, so his little body simply could not recover after throwing up so much and emptying his system completely. It was definitely the most terrifying moment in our lives that we hope to never go through again. He is much better now, and seems as though nothing relating to his heart was affected, thank goodness. We are still trying to figure out how to keep as many calories as possible in him and his medications, so we would greatly appreciate prayer in this area.

Henry continues to be a happy, good natured, sweet baby boy. He is growing...about 17lbs now...and getting stronger and stronger. He rolls over both ways, willingly, and bears more weight on his legs. He loves his jumper and activity center. He is really getting close to sitting up...he can do it for several seconds/minutes at a time, but I guess he has to be in the mood, because he often tips over to the side or backwards like he wants to lay down. He says Mamamama and started waving this week. He still thinks Grady is the funniest person ever and would probably do anything his big brother asks him to do! Speaking of blankies, Henry loves his little blankie too...when he is tired, you hold one up to his face, he nestles in, and is quickly on his way to dreamland. His little toes still twist and twinkle all the time...little Twinkle Toes. His hair is coming in more...can't tell yet if it's going to be curly, but it is much lighter in color than G's was as a baby. And still no teeth. He looks just like John...I'm really not sure what about him looks like me yet!