1976

Brian's mom found this picture while we were visiting and I just had to share. Baby gear has improved 100 times over wouldn't you say? Brian was almost 2 in this picture strapped to his dad's back with little more than a piece of fabric and 2 aluminum poles AND on a bike. Yikes! Glad we have those Burley trailers now! Oh and did I mention bike helmets for both daddy and toddler?

Bikes : A Green Machine

Henry got this shirt, a birthday gift from his friends the Wasserman's, and its a great thing that our kids can cover the earth, running around being our little advocates. I will likely never get to commute via bike to work like I could in the old days. I do take public transportation, train followed by a bus which is not entirely clean energy but better than going it solo in the automobile. Brian thankfully loves the bike commute. So I guess there is a small wink mother nature throws my family's way as we try to make the world a smidge bit cleaner.

Henry Builds a Bear

Oh my gosh it is the darnest, cutest thing to do with a 2 year old. Nana and Papa accompanied us to the store. The second Henry got inside he started dancing. We had such a fun time. Henry even put the heart in himself. And he insisted he carry the giant box all himself all the way to the car, note the box is 2/3 the size of him.

A little bit taller, A little bit wiser, A lot bit sweeter

Am I the only one who upon the birthday of their child so vividly remembers that hospital experience that accompanied the child's first breath, first cry and first cuddle? I'm pretty certain I'm not alone. So those memories have flooded my mind the past few days and I love them all. We had a small party for Henry tonight and the changes since last year's 1st birthday are amazing. The cake eating didn't require a bath at its end. Unlike the first go-round the cake eating didn't have me watching for any signs of allergies, or sugar reaction cause until that birthday he hadn't had a morsel or refined sugar...right moms?? We all know that sugar sure entered that perfect little body well before that first evil bite of birthday cake. For the 2nd birthday we still can't blow out our own candles, that will come in time. The presents! Oh the presents, Henry let out this beautiful squeal of excitement. An exclamation I hadn't heard before today. Our passion for balloons still reigns supreme. He wouldn't let those out of his sight, let alone share them.

As we put birthday boy to bed, he now sleeps with choo-choos, and surely dreams of them. I dream of the sweet laughter I heard all evening, more happy days ahead, and thankful for all the fun we've had so far.

So I sigh contently when I realize that Henry's 3rd birthday is going to have another little person in the house sharing the fun with all of us. Next year will be a great year, changing Henry's life, changing my life, all for the sweeter.

Eating Snow

Henry enjoyed fun outside this weekend. Brian got to try out his snowblower for the first time. We cheered on Brian at his last cross race for the season! He took 2nd place! Yay! This means bike season is over for 2008! We found a great sledding hill minutes from our house. I mean it when I say you can't take a run down a sledding hill without a giant smile on your face. So much fun! Now just a few more days until Henry's 2nd birthday. Can't believe it.

Hangin around

Happy Big Brother!

Well its that time again. Time to stare at 10 itty bitty toes and 10 itty bitty fingers. Time to marvel at how cute something looks just sleeping. Time to once again sleep with a tiny little body on our chests. Time to sway while standing whether we are holding a baby or not. Time to just enjoy the wonder. Time to think about how Henry will react, how will Henry treat the baby, how curious Henry will get. But mostly time to open our hearts even bigger than they now to let in another perfect life. I have to say, I can't wait! July is so long away!