Once Upon a Henry

The Middles

Let's start today with a laugh, shall we?

I take that back because our story actually begins with a most unfortunate text. Said text was received during arsenic hour on Friday afternoon. Over-worked dear husband sends over-stressed dear wife (that would be me), the following message:

"I need to work tomorrow morning." Sadness, disappointment and pity for all the parties involved swells within my heart. Reading between the lines, I know that what he really meant to say is that he'll be working another full day on Saturday. It's never just the morning. This makes two Saturday's in a row. Cue a discouraged Charlie Brown:

"Wah, Wah"

Perhaps I'd have taken the news better had I been healthy. The strep that wiped me out was followed by an ugly cough and cold. My personal energy and cheerful nature had been zapped. It's okay. That's life. Sometimes it's hard. I accept this.

Saturday morning I was in a bind. Henry had a birthday party and it was up to me to get him to the bowling alley, possibly stay and then bring him home. With a sick baby who needed the blessing of uninterrupted sleep in his crib, I struggled about whether or not I should send him.

Henry, however, has sacrificed many a birthday party this year. He is unaware, but it's true. The guilt was enough to motivate me to ask the birthday boy's Mom to take him. After reading her reply, also sent via text, I could feel of her kindness as it seemed that she was very happy to accommodate him.

The catch was she'd be by to pick him up immediately as she was currently in our neighborhood on an errand. Henry was 50% ready. Getting him completely ready could be done in a flash. Henry's Mom, however, was 0% ready.

"She'll understand." I told myself. "After all it's only, ahem, 10:00 on a Saturday...and you're not feeling well and your husband is at work...and you have so many kids..." Those are legit excuses, yes? Ha ha, is right. I was a mess but I got over my embarrassment real quick because I was so happy that Henry was going to be bowling with his buddies! 

"Your goal," I told myself, "is to look like a decent human being when he gets dropped off at 1:30." Well friends, that didn't happen. However, bathrooms were cleaned and so were the children's bedrooms. As far as I'm concerned, Mom's get a "look like crap" pass when they spend their day cleaning. I was feeling accomplished. I sure didn't look it, though. It was time for Plan B.

Or perhaps I should say, Plan E.

"Eliza?" I ask, "When Henry's ride drops him off would you please go to the door and bring in his car seat for me?" Without hesitating my trusty and dependable seven year old replies,

"Sure, Mom!" Soon there's a knock at the door. Off Eliza goes. Birthday boy's Dad is at the door with Henry. Seeing Eliza he says,

"Hi, is your Mom here?" Doing her duty she retrieves his car seat.

"Oh, hi. I'll take that." She says.

"Great, thanks. But is your Mom here? I need to talk to her." Listening from the other room, my stomach drops. Ugh. Eliza resigns.

"Yes she is." Calling back to me she says, "Mom?!? Door!" With my head turned down in shame, I come around the corner to find the well groomed parent smiling sheepishly at me. He motions to Henry's shoes.

"Hi! I'm so sorry but I just realized as he was getting out of the car that he didn't wear his boots home!" I look down and see a familiar pair of blue bowling shoes on Henry's feet. I burst out laughing.

 

Ice broken. My disheveled appearance is forgotten. This is SO Henry. Everything about it; from his happy go lucky mood to the fact that he totally spaced switching out of his shoes.

 

Henry is my child who hops in the shower still wearing his underwear. Needing a refill on a drink, he gets up from the table and finds himself next to his backpack. Realizing that he's not at the fridge, he giggles as he describes his silly error. Yesterday, he heads to the chicken coop to water the chickens. Eliza is calling him back a few minutes later as he forgot to take the water jug with him.

He may be forgetful and distracted at times

but this boy is a hard worker! 

He's smart and cute and loves his Mom. 

Returning to our story, well groomed Dad assures me that he is on his way back to the bowling alley to make things right. I tell him that we'll happily take care of it. Andrew's office is close to the bowling alley and, shocker, he is still at work. On his way home, he swung by and picked up his boots. The shoes were easily returned to a friend of ours who works there part time. It was easily resolved and the whole thing provided much needed humor to a gloomy day.

As for Andrew, wanting to catch up on time with his family we splurged that night. Loading the kid's bikes in the car, we made the 30 second drive over to our church and let the kids run and ride around in the gym to their heart's content. How's that for being frugal and fun?

 

That same Saturday, February 8, Forrest turned nine months old. We celebrated by getting him dressed into something other than jammies.

A few days later, Forrest took his maiden voyage in the shopping cart, sans car seat. He was so pleased with his big boy self!

Lottie was likewise thrilled when we found Anna at Zurchers.

And here we are loving on our boys. Kindly ignore my creepy eye stare. I share this photo mainly to display the delicious nature of Forrest's cheeks.

I'm just going to call it like I see it. 

Andrew's arm pit hair kind wins the award for 

scariest photo bomb ever.

catching up on the good stuff

January was a big month for this sweet boy.

Forrest officially sits without falling over (right away). However, he has limited success in getting himself into the sitting position independently. He is crawling up on his knees when he's on carpet. When it comes to the hardwood floor, sliding is his preferred method of transit. As of yesterday, he has two adorable baby teeth. Baby/table food is an adventure that he's eager to explore.

Following our opening song during family night on Monday, he clapped enthusiastically (my favorite new trick!) and he likes to wave to his friends. He loves the lady babies at Church. It's actually pretty hilarious the way he will sit, unmovable, mesmerized even, when he locks eyes with a fellow baby.

 

And, I should mention... he can suck his toes.  He remains a pretty solid sleeper; I can't complain.

The only (cliche) complaint I have is how fast his babyhood is passing.

Next up, Lottie...

As for "milestones," she had her first haircut EVER on Martin Luther King Day.

My Mom, sister and nieces were up for the day to play. With my Mom's capable hands available, we said goodbye to her first curls. Her hair, totally different from Eliza's, has a wild personality; they are a natural delight and are a symbol of her bouncy (read: out of control!) personality.

The week's best discovery was learning that Lottie can now use the bathroom all by herself, start to finish. She no longer needs the assistance of a potty seat or a stool. I don't have to lift her off and on the toilet. What an incredibly lazy Mother she must have for her to be thrilled to the bone that she no longer has to stop nursing the baby to help her off the toilet, etc. Bathroom independence is amazing. While on the topic, it's also amazing when your two oldest kids can shower themselves, start the water, dry off, etc all by themselves too. If only I could find a way to get them to remember to hang up their towels.

Emotionally, Lottie is a roller coaster. One minute she is the picture of charming three year old perfection as she stares down her Dad's newly shaved face.

"Dad?" she asks. "Where did you put your beard?" She is completely puzzled. Before he can answer she instructs,

"Go put it back on! You look dorky!"

 Two minutes later she's on timeout for the third time that day.

 

 Yesterday morning during breakfast, Eliza encourages Lottie to:

"Finish your cereal!" Exasperated by being told what to do so early in the morning, Lottie huffs back over to her bowl, climbs on the stool and shouts her new favorite word:

"FINE!!!" and then she adds, "Gosh Eliza, you don't have to judge me!" What the heck!?! I was laughing my head off. No clue where she got that one.

 

She tries my patience like no one else, but she also has the capability of melting me in an instant. I love her so much. I want to bottle her up as she dances in her striped sleeper jammies accompanied by her messy morning bedhead and those big "fat" (her word, not mine), expressive, brown eyes.

And then there's Henry; my least photographed child. I feel terrible about that as it no way reflects how I feel about him. He's my daily tender mercy as his personality is fun loving, sweet and steady. Sure, he and his sister's butt heads, but he really is a pure, let's make things fair, type of child. He is a hard worker and is the last to complain when he's asked to do something. He conquered a major lego project the other day that he's particularly proud of. Henry rarely whines about being bored. He's a good buffer between the girls and is a great friend to both. He's incredibly sweet to Forrest. I can't wait to watch that relationship develop.

After lunch, Lottie and Forrest take a nap. That's our time! We giggle through his homework and I marvel at his determination to get things right. What doesn't come automatic (like with Eliza) he compensates with work ethic. His report card was straight fours and he's doing well socially in school. I'm proud of how well he is reading. Sensitive as he is, there are times when he gets emotional if he's feeling stressed or feeling misunderstood.

 His eyes are still crossing on occasion which leads us to believe an operation is in his near future. :(

 

Even with a crossed eye, he's super handsome. His heart is gold and I think often about his future wife and how lucky of a lady she will be.

Eliza has been busy. After school she's been participating in Chinese related activities; one of which was dancing. For Chinese New Year her group was invited to perform at Weber State.

Last Friday, she and I were treated to a great show, catered (free) Chinese food and other Chinese New Year activities. The evening was done really well. The highlight for me was watching her on stage.

She also got new glasses. I think she looks pretty darn cute.

And finally, we got together to celebrate my Mom's birthday earlier this month. We "surprised" her with a mani/pedi, lunch with the whole crew (the locals) and then played games at her house. I sure love her.

Oh yes, there was also the 'super bowl' game on Sunday that was totally less than super. It's the one game a year that we attempt to watch, but this year it seemed so entirely unimportant. It was the day following the passing of my Uncle Rob so for me, being together and talking about how we were feeling and watching the kids play was what the day was really about. However, it must be noted, that my sister did a great job decorating her house.

Go Broncos! 

(Or don't. Because honestly, 

who wants to watch an exciting super bowl game, anyway?)

Winter Blues

February came and with its arrival we received a healthy little snow flurry.

As the snow fell on Saturday morning, I encouraged my children to:

"Look outside! Isn't it beautiful?" It had been awhile since we received a proper storm. Unlike many friends, I'm not ready to say "goodbye" to Winter yet. As for the heat bill, that's an entirely different story. I check their faces to see if they're appreciating the gorgeous scene that is freely unfolding in their backyard. Do they, like me, feel the serenity and calm that those flakes bring? I feel myself mellow as I silently welcome a new month.

January certainly has a bad reputation. I feel sad about that; especially since we had a lot of happy moments this past month. However, there was a lot that transpired in our community and in our lives personally that left me reeling.

Grandma Flegal's funeral was a beautiful blend of family, memories, laughter, tears and celebration. From helping to finish her final quilt at her viewing to discovering that she was still wearing the bracelet Eliza made her in her casket; it was an emotional experience. We are grateful for the knowledge of Heavenly Father's plan and the peace it brings to know this separation is temporary. Even so, saying that final "Goodbye" was difficult.

Eliza's heartbroken face says it all.

As for the happy photo bomber in the back, what can I say? :)

About a week prior to Grandma's passing, there was a tragedy that received national attention that shook up our little neighborhood. It was a murder suicide, involving a Mother and her two daughters. And while it happened in another city, up until five months ago, the family at the center of the tragedy lived one street over from us. The funeral was held in our ward house. For many of my neighbors, this is extremely personal.  There is a tragic, devastating layer to this event that so many are trying to work through. The phrase, "Be still and know that I am God." has been playing repeatedly in my head. Clinging to prayer, we ask God to comfort their loved ones and remind each other that He knows the beginning to the end. It's His place, not ours, to judge. 

Are you ready for the next little piece of heartbreak? Well, neither was I. 

My dear friend Krystle received a horrible blow a week (or so) ago when her family car was stolen. Inside her car were precious, irreplaceable mementos from her deceased son's (age 13 months) funeral and other Corbyn related belongings. Whatever fragile layer of healing existed was brutally ripped raw as she now tries to cope with the anger she feels at the heartless actions of those who first, stole her car and then callously disposed of the items she publicly pleaded to have returned. Krystle and I joined a gym this past month together (yes, you read that right) and have been faithfully going. Our friendship has grown and so has my admiration for her faith and strength. She's as beautiful on the inside as she in on the outside. It's been awful to see this happen to her family and any prayers for a miracle that these items are found as well as prayers for peace for her family would be appreciated. 

Strep throat happened and with it came a selfless rescue from my Mother in law, Teresa. My sister in law Liz, who was hear visiting from New York, was so kind and gracious in sharing that time with her Mom with us. I was super grateful.  

In reviewing these events with my own sister Ami (yay free therapy), we were in agreement that we were ready to start fresh with February. Returning to Saturday's storm, I invited some friends and cousins over to play. I was finally feeling better (from having had strep) and was ready to tackle the needs of my house and welcome over our guests. I even went as far as baking a batch of cookies (courtesy of Nestle's pre-made cookie dough). 

And then I received the first unexpected February phone call. My Mom's voice is saturated with heartbreak as she informs me that my Uncle Rob, age 53, unexpectedly passed away. BAM. And we've returned to shock mode. Rob is my Dad's younger brother. This is still so fresh and devastating to us; especially for my sweet Aunt Laurie and their three daughters. I am sandwiched in age between my cousins Erika, Jessica and Monica. I can't begin to imagine their grief at his sudden passing.

(My Dad, my Grandpa's wife Katie, Uncle Rob and Aunt Lyn:

Taken in the fall of 2012)

Up next, we'll honor the life of my incredible Uncle Rob Mays and wrap our arms around his beautiful family. I don't share these events in an attempt to garner sympathy or pity. I am not at the center of these "hurts" but have felt the rippling effect associated with death and tragedy.Forced to think about death, I feel a stronger resolve to cherish loved ones and live more fully in accordance with the commandments of God. I sure hope that doesn't come across as being self righteous but have to acknowledge that I've been given a kick in the rear reminding me that life is fragile.

I've promised myself that my next post will feature happy moments from our day to day as well as other positive January memories.

Liz did a great job documenting Grandma's funeral. I, on the other hand, did not. Here are a few good ones (mainly starring Lottie and Chantel).

 Here's the Doug and Teresa Flegal branch of Grandma's family tree. I love these people and am thankful to be a Flegal.