Just a little recap

While I've been **insert your own excuse here, it probably applies**, my boy has grown.  

OCTOBER:

For one, he became a real life American...

He got his first proper haircut....

He discovered his natural love for tractors....

And he learned that bowls make an excellent accessory to any outfit.


NOVEMBER

This month he learned how to be California cool while holding on to his Liverpool roots...

That a blue teddy can solve any problem....

That Daddy is awesome....

And that Mommy is very anxious to teach him how to cook.


DECEMBER

 December marks the start of the terrible twos (at 20 months!).   And we thought teenagers were moody...

This month also marks the very end of the high chair.   It's booster seat city from now on....

His love of cars reaches the point of obsession....

As marked by his very first potty (yet to be used for it's intended purpose)....

Christmas happened....

As did Boxing Day....

He practiced his James Bond...

...and was just being cool just splashing in puddles.

JANUARY

Well, it's a new year that's yet to be determined.   That basically means I've been too tired to get the camera out.    Here's to you and yours and here's to more posts in the future.

Our little basket case

Kids + Weird Shit on their Heads = Comedy Gold

Month End Photos

So I typically send out a monthly email to the grandparents and some other people who swear they enjoy Henry updates and I include a link to a Picasa web album that has the photos for the month.  Now, because I get excited about sharing the photos, I tend to send out the link at the beginning of the month with a mention that these people check the same link throughout the month to see the latest photos.   Except for Henry's English Nana, I don't actually think anyone else checks the web album again.   I don't blame them really, I'd probably forget too.  All that really means is that a lot of people are missing the great end of the month pictures.    Well no longer I say!  

Here's some of my end of the month favorites:

Like all kids, Henry loves bubbles.  He can't say "bubbles", only "bub", but he can say "pop".  He is saying "bub" in this photo by the way.

"I went to the 'In the Night Garden' live show and all I got was this lousy t-shirt...and an activity book, and a hand puppet...and a light up toy...and a...well, you get the picture."

I will enjoy telling Henry when he was older that we spent an entire afternoon hanging out on Penny Lane and all he was interested in was moving rocks around.

A-ha!  An indoor activity he actually enjoys...stickers!

Last picture of the month, taken yesterday after our picnic in Calderstone's Park.

Cool Guy

So when my sister was in town we ended up going to Tesco.  While Maggie was fawning over a F&F squirrel shirt, Henry and I were messing around with the kid's sunglasses.   We found these and I decided to get them.  Now whenever I put them on Henry, I smile at him and say, "Hey Cool Guy."

For a person who has no idea who Steve McQueen is, I think he's got the look down already.

Messy Learning - Take 1

So you've probably heard that the UK has been getting a lot of rain this summer. All this rain has posed a great challenge to those who have to entertain toddlers all day long. Or one toddler, who can seem like 10 toddlers when he's on a whiny bender. When it's sunny, we can go for walks and go to the park or take a bus into town to hang out at the mall (Henry totally LOVES the mall)(seriously)(we're still hoping for grandchildren one day) or whatever. When it rains...well, you have to get creative. I am actually a somewhat creative person, though not when it comes to entertaining toddlers. With that, I usually draw a blank and just say "fuck it, we're going to the indoor play center...AGAIN."

With a lack of ideas in my head when it's pouring outside and Henry is looking at me with those big gorgeous eyes he's inherited from me, I turn to the internet for inspiration. Most of the ideas I've stolen from the internet have been a big fat bomb. The ones I have tried Henry just wasn't into. I keep trying though, certainly there will be something that will entertain my child.

Today, as the rain clouds gathered outside, I decided to try Messy Learning using shaving cream and finger paint from PlayCreateExplore.com (great site). It was easy enough to put together. Three bowls - three different colors of finger paint - add shaving cream - mix until frothy. Let kid stick hands in and squeal in delight and wonder.

Unless, of course, you have my kid. My kid will stick his one finger in tentatively, try to eat it, get gently told 'no, don't eat it', stick his hand in, squish it around, realize he hates the feel of a bunch of shaving cream on his hands and will start screaming. No amount of "here, watch Mommy do it!" or "it's fun! it's fun!" will stop the screaming. The only thing that stopped Henry screaming was cleaning him off.

To be fair to Henry, he hated the feel of grass on his feet up until he was a year old so I guess we'll just have to give messy learning some time. OR, perhaps he's inherited my "messes make me nervous" policy as well as those big gorgeous eyes.

Dear Auntie Maggie...

"I have not stopped walking through the clothesline since you left. I will continue to run through the clothesline until you return."

Love, Henry

I do exist!

Of all the pictures I have of Henry, there are only a hand full that I am actually in.   Like most moms, I control the camera.  Also, like many people with a weight problem I'm very picky on pictures that are taken of me.   I realize there is only so much one can do to only capture a single chin on my face.  If you are to take a photograph of me, under no circumstances are you to take a profile shot....or a shot of my ass...or one of me eating anything EVER.   With all these rules it makes perfect sense that most people just avoid taking photographs of me.  I honestly don't mind.   However I realize that Henry probably will want pictures that have me in them, no matter what I look like.   I mean, I have pictures with my mom with a 1980's gymnastic perm and besides a bit of a giggle about the perm, it's just a picture of my mom that I'm glad I have.

So double chins and big asses and the fact that I'm convinced I've developed rosacea over the last 5 years be damned, I've relented to some of the following photographs.
 

 This one makes me concerned because my roots are showing.  Great angle for chins though.

You know, Henry could have had the decency to smile instead of being obsessed with the sand.

Chin hiding.  Henry is obviously not happy about that.

Perhaps Henry just doesn't like being in the same picture with me.

 "MOTHER!!!!!"

Yes, I'm red.  I'm very red.  See?  I have Rosacea...or I'm just really warm and sun burnt.  But hey!  At least Henry doesn't look grumpy.