Henri and Me

I want to write down a little bit about my day to day life hanging out with Henri so I don't forget what kind of baby he is. The other day I was visiting with my neighbor in Sandy, Wendy Morgan. I told her that Henri was a good baby and then when she was talking to him she would say, "No, you aren't a bad baby!" It was so funny because, of course, there aren't really any bad babies, but I must say that Henri is really a very very good baby. This last week he slept through the night three times. This is why I had the energy to make some really yummy Swiss bread called tresse:
No, this isn't really my bread, but it really did look like that. I just didn't really have time to get a picture before all of the loaves were eaten out of. I was pretty happy that it turned out because last year I tried to make it and it failed miserably. I think it turned out better because I have figured out how to use yeast.

Anyway, back to Henri. Last night he went to sleep at 11 and woke up at 7:30. I fed him and put him back down until 10. The sleep felt so good! Henri has been on a pretty strict schedule, which Charles and I have both loved. He eats every three hours and after he eats he is awake for about an hour and then when he starts to get a little fussy we just wrap him up, give him his binky and put him down. Last week he started crying a little bit before his naps, so we had to make a few adjustments, and now he goes down just fine again.

He is pretty funny about going down for a nap when people are over though. I used to think that he couldn't sleep because of the noise, but now I am not so sure if he doesn't just want to be around where the party is. He will usually go be in his crib for a few minutes, but then he lets us know that he wants to come out, so Charles usually gets him and then he will be happy to be out with everyone until he falls asleep in Charles' lap.

When Henri is awake he does not like to cuddle. He is "as stiff as a board." Our friend Reba was holding him a few days ago and she came over and said, "Emily, he doesn't bend! Not even at his hips!" It is true. This is his usual awake position:

He is strong and can really hold himself out like that for several minutes. He likes to practice standing up on our laps and can hold his own weight while we are just helping him for balance. He is definitely a roller: he rolled over when he was four weeks and five days for the first time. Our friend Megan Warren came to visit and asked how he liked "tummy time," and she sat him down on his stomach. Immediately he rolled over. Then she put him back on his tummy and he rolled over the other way. His favorite time to kick is when I am changing his diaper. He smiles and talks to us and just kicks his little feet- it sometimes makes it hard to get a diaper back on.

When is has a full tummy and isn't tired he is so fun to just sit and talk to. He will stick his little tongue out and coo back to you. He started making this noise in his throat that made Charles and I laugh and laugh at. He kept doing it and then would look at us to see our reaction. So funny! He also gives me this very serious face, flexes his whole body, puffs out his little chest and I just feel like he is saying, "Look how strong I am, Mom!" He is usually smiling and has even started to smile when we go in and get him from his nap, or in the morning. I try not to sit and talk to him for too long at those times because it doesn't take him very much time to remember that he is hungry.

He also has a little stubborn side to him. From the first week he was born when I would sit him on my lap to burp him he would squirm for a minute and then push his little legs and arms straight out and "hhhhmmmpphhh!" at the same time. It was so funny. Now, if we don't put him in bed quick enough after he starts fussing he will give us these high pitched squeals. Every time we hear them we can't help but laughing and then Henri will just look at us as if to say, "that was not the reaction that I wanted!"

I love being able to stay with my little Henri. It is so amazing to see his little personality come out and watch him change so quickly. We think he is just the greatest thing! My dad likes to ask me how the cutest little baby that there ever was is doing. It is true: if you give me a minute I will tell you how cute I think little Henri is! We love our little Henri Hope!

First Haircut

On Friday we gave Henri his first haircut. I wasn't loving the monk look and since we are supposed to smother him from head to toe in aquaphor twice a day I thought this would be easier.

Before

At first I felt sad to see my little bald Henri, but now I am glad that we did it. It does make taking care of his skin easier. It is also fun for me to look at his cute little round head.

Two Months Old!

Cute smile

I love my boys!

Big Brown Eyes

Shopping Shock

Beautiful McCall, Idaho

As promised here is my McCall shopping story: Charles and I went on a walk around the lake on New Year's day and visited some cute little shops around McCall. I saw the cutest red coat (except and even cuter red than the one in this picture!!!) in one of the shops. I looked at the price and said to Charles, "It is only $55." He smiled. I smiled. And we walked out. When we got back to the condo I told Isabelle about the coat and she said, "You should get it! Let's go!" It was almost five so we rushed back to the store. It was so fun because I felt like the coat was already mine and I knew I would love it forever. When we got there it was just as cute as I remembered. I looked at the price tag again: $54.90.... wait... why is there another 0? $549.00? No! It can't be! I looked around at some other items to see how they were priced. I knew that the last 0 was meant to be there when some hats that were on a nearby table were $49.00. Well, I knew that I would feel silly, but I had to ask the lady at the cash register. Yep: $549.00. But, she informed me that it would last forever. Really? Do I look like a person that will be convinced by that? Anyway, I couldn't get over it. I am still not over it: thus, the blog post. It has been nice to comfort myself by wearing my red high heels and using my red kitchenaid.

Last picture of McCall

Why am I not surprised...

*during their (Jane and Charles) intramural tennis match Jane calls to me, "Em, I can literally see Charles' skin on the court!"

*later that night after I share some hesitation as he is tending his wound with toilet paper and masking tape Charles informs me, "It's just like a Band-aid, but cheaper."

Christmas in Idaho

Look for my favorite Christmas present.

Wow! We have had a busy month! Henri is seven weeks today and we have officially been back in Provo since last Sunday. We left Houston on the 17th of December... so what have we been doing since then? We spent a fun week on Greer Lane. I was mostly trying to get some rest, organize baby clothes and make desperate (and pretty unsuccessful) attempts at Christmas shopping. Then we headed up to Idaho City for Christmas. This was the first time the Hopes got to see their first grandson so Henri was the focus of the holidays.

Grandmaman and Grandpapa Hope

Aunt Annabelle

Fondu night

Charles with his neighbor Tyler. Tyler and Katie got married a week after we did and had their little boy Lincoln three days before Henri was born.

Henri smiling with Grandmaman Isabelle

Hope Family Picture

A few days later we packed up again to head up north to the beautiful town of McCall. It was really a winter wonderland. The trees were frosted in ice and there was enough snow on the ground to make you just want to curl up by the fire with some hot chocolate. The important events in McCall consisted of skiing, sledding, Settlers, Empire Earth, carac, raclette, and, of course, Henri.

Henri is a very serious baby

My doctor told me that it is important for babies to cry. They need to work out their lungs.

Settlers is better than of Empire Earth

Empire Earth is not as good as Settlers

Hanging out with Uncle Daniel

I had the best New Year's Day. For the first half of the day I slept. In the middle of my nap I fed Henri and when Charles came to get him he brought me in a hot cup of cocoa. Later in the afternoon Charles and I left Henri with Grandmaman Isabelle and took a walk by the lake. We had some fun shopping adventures (see later posts) and then I got to go back to the condo and cuddle with Henri. It was a great way to start the New Year!

My Favorite Christmas Present

We hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Growing Up! Three Weeks

In the words of his Aunt Laura and Uncle Nelson: He is very advanced for his age!

It is pretty amazing to think that in three weeks he went from THIS:

to THIS:

Our little Henri is growing up so fast! He is the best baby ever. He has been really easy to keep on a schedule and he only gets up once at night. If he is crying it is easy to figure out what he wants. He is so sweet and we think he is the cutest thing we have ever seen.

I have meant to update the blog more frequently since there are family members who haven't met him yet so I am sorry. Today Jane texted me and told me to update the blog since she checks it every day. So, here are some more pictures of our darling little (getting bigger!) Henri.

Houston Snow Day. Charles got to come home early and they shut down the schools because there was a chance of snow.

Henri in his coming home outfit a week later: It is getting a little tight on him!

Hanging out with Daddy

There is one part of Charles that I hate: his elbows. This is why: because he sleeps with them sticking out and is always elbowing my head. I guess Henri takes after his Dad.

Henri with Aunt Janie

This picture is for you Megan and Andrew: Henri's first game of Settlers. I love the expression on his face. He looks very into the game!

I just like this picture.

Henri's face is getting more and more chubby:

Getting ready for church

Henri is very good at looking up at whoever is talking to him. I just love it when he does that!

For the past few days Henri has been smiling more and more. I am convinced they are real smiles.

The above picture is when he is three weeks old. We are loving having Henri in our family and excited to come home and introduce him to the rest of our family!