jcaroline's blog

That's my boy!

Thank goodness the state did not catch wind of Henry's Halloween costume debacle and we went to court Friday, November 20 to finalize his adoption.   Henry is now, officially, my boy.  Sorry I don't have pictures of the event-- I was busy holding Henry, wiping runny noses (we all had colds), and hosing Olivia down with Tylenol to take any pictures.  Family members did, however, so I'll post those when I get them.

Friday was National Adoption Day, so the courthouse was abuzz with media taking pictures and interviewing people.  I got asked questions by a local paper and between my cold and being caught off-guard, I don't know that I said anything printable, much less profound.  I should have come prepared with talking points. :-)  Olivia was quite a hit with the photographers however, as she performed various poses.

We didn't expect any hurdles on the road to adopting Henry, so the hearing was very routine.  However, it is still such a relief to have all the legalities behind us on that big bundle of love.  Now it's just full-time snuggling (and feeding) with no timeouts for paperwork!

Henry's Halloween Costume- FAILURE

Okay, so I didn't get Henry's costume until Saturday, which is Halloween day, if you didn't remember.  So I ran to Target and they were limited on 3-6 mo. sizes, so I got this.  The picture on the package looks pretty cute, doesn't it?

So, at about 5:30, I put Henry in above pea pod costume, but it is about 10 inches too short.  Never fear.  I have these:

So, I cut leg holes.  

So, Henry's was not dressed as much as a pea pod as "the-son-of-a-mother-who-doesn't-plan-ahead-for-Halloween-but-is-determined-to-make-the-costume-work-anyway."  

 
So, we got in the car, trick and treated at the nanny's and then came home and took off his costume.  I'm sure he didn't mind.  I promise to do better next year, Henry.  Olivia, you're old enough to be on your own and thank goodness, you are up to the task.

Do you recognize her pants? Yes, they are pants and an appliqued shirt I made for her two years ago.  That was about 15 inches ago in height.  But she can still get them on and put on some boots and no one is the wiser, yes?  Yes, I think that girl will do just fine at Halloween.  Then she can help out Henry.

Happy Halloween!

I've never been much of a Halloween fan, but it does help to have an enthusiastic child at home!

She got to wear her costume to Mother's Day Out on Thursday.

Henry is there in the background, not terribly impressed by the whole thing.

Whoa-- where did that hook come from?  It's dangerous to have a resident pirate.  Better get Henry an eye patch.

Since some of the children only come to Mother's Day Out on Friday, they got to wear their costumes again today.  However, Olivia decided to mix it up and be a princess out of her dress-up box.  It was chilly this morning, so we insisted she wear her fake fur stole as well.  I also made her take off her princess high heel slides (you know, those plastic shoes that are designed to break your child's ankle?) and replace them with her silver sequin flats.  She even agreed that they were easier to walk in.

I don't know what she will pick for tomorrow night.  We might be out of impromptu costumes.

It's My Birthday...

so I'll post pictures of whatever I please.  Which would be my kiddos...

Typical of child #2, Henry has not been photographed nearly as much as child #1, so I did my best this weekend to shoot a few of the little man.

This is the little man being dressed in some very girlie attire by Olivia.  She puts those shoes on her feet wrong as well.  (And yes, she still uses her binky.  Shhh!!!)

My mornings go so much better when the two of them are in crib jail.  As long as they don't touch each other in any way.

And to further celebrate my birthday, I think I will leave early.

Breaking News....Olivia catches fish

I interrupt this birthday week to give you Olivia and her fish.  At approximately 2:00 p.m. on Monday, it was reported that a darling little girl caught a blue gill on a North Missouri lake.  She graciously posed for photos before releasing her award-winning fish.  When asked for comment, she replied "I'm done."

Now back to your brilliant commenting on the giveaways!

Babies Everywhere

Henry now smiles and will keep his eyes open for pictures.  He'll be 8 weeks this Saturday.  I must say, he is a cutie.

And this is little Avery, born July 5.  She is my nephew's little girl.  So I am now a great aunt and Henry and Olivia now have a first cousin once removed.  (Had to look that up.  Thanks, Wikipedia.)  She lives about three hours away, so we'll see her often.  Welcome, Avery!

Birthday on the Beach

Taking a little break this week in Marco Island, Florida.  Olivia celebrated her 3rd birthday Tuesday, which she has been referring to as "birthday on the beach".  She loved the beach... Henry, not so much.  A little too much heat and sand.

Don't miss our Heat Wave Sale through July 10.  A ton of fabrics, ribbons, papers, and hardware on sale.  New and old-- don't miss it!

Big Sister

Olivia has taken to her role as big sister well.  Hope that continues another 18 years.  Henry continues to get bigger.  Yes, bigger.  And no noticeable hair loss.

I am wandering around in a fog, so seriously, I couldn't come up with anything clever to write about all week.  Henry getting bigger involves a lot of eating between 11 and 6 in the morning.  And though I do nod off on him occasionally, I wake up when I drop the bottle or when he reminds me that I am nowhere near his mouth.  Oh, the trials of having an old mother...

Olivia has also been enjoying the benefit of Henry's gifts and the many gifts that have been included for her.  She received a dance leotard this week that she hasn't taken off for three days.  Here she models Henry's bath towel with her sunglasses and the gift wrap.

I will return to the land of the awake soon.  I hope anyway...

All Henry, All the Time

Henry and family are settling in nicely.  I said he had his days and nights mixed up.  That isn't really true.  His sleep schedule during the night is identical to his day sleep schedule-- it's just so much harder to take at night!  However, he has been doing a nice sleep stretch from 2:30 to 6:00 a.m., which is most welcome.

And Olivia still thinks he is fascinating as, of course, Mother and Dad do as well.

Okay, now it's time to get on with work and stop obsessing about this baby.  For now.

Meet Henry

Our newest family addition, Henry, was born Saturday weighing in at 9 lbs. 3 oz. and 20 inches long.  He came home with us Monday and met his big sister Olivia, who currently, is acting very excited.  He was born with a full head of hair.  I might need to schedule his first haircut!

Henry is being adopted privately, so we won't have the 18 months of uncertainly that we had with Olivia, for which I am very relieved!  And since I am not tired out from giving birth, I can enjoy long interludes of just staring at him.  Though I am getting tired from his days and nights being confused!  Don't be concerned if I appear to be sleepwalking through the next few days.  I'm sure we will get into a rhythm soon enough.