Goodnight Mush

Mags got to try her first bite of rice cereal!

She looked pretty worried, and pushed most of it out with her tongue.

We pretty much got this look the whole time

And then she decided that eating her bib would be much more delicious.

She's starting to close her mouth around the spoon better, but still likes to push it out with her tongue. Eat up, little girl, you're a Brown, food is what it's all about!

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pwee-skoo

We're there - we started preschool!

With some homemade banana bread to start the day off right

and his buddy in his hands, a brand new baseball shirt, he entered a brave new world. "It's time to grow!"

We all had our happy faces on, even though Mommy and Daddy were a little bit sad and nervous

Henry was pumped, to say the least.

After stomping in a mud puddle, we walked ourselves in. He told Grams to "sit and wait a long time" for him to come back.

He found his locker right away and hung his little backpack right up.

He went inside the classroom, found some trains and three friends to play with, and with a quick kiss good bye and "love you", that was that. He was so brave and I was so proud of him. I had a lump in my throat the whole rest of the morning. Driving off without him, and then pulling into the driveway alone were pretty tough. I had the BIG Starbucks to console myself, grandparents and shopping to distract myself, and my little Maggie to take care of. And by the way, I've decided she's never going to preschool.

When we went back to pick him up, his teacher said he had a great day, and when he realized we were gone, only had a few tears. As soon as he saw us, he ran up to me and squeezed me so hard. It was only then that I began to cry.

"Grams, you waited! And Maggie's here too!"

We had lots to talk about - he pulled a little girl on a trike, helped another little girl who felt sad, played trains, had a sorting game, danced and sang. And after preschool, a special lunch at Chick-fil-a, of course! A great new beginning, and the first day of preschool in the books.

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Firetrucks!

nothing better for a three year old birthday boy than some big firetrucks and a visit to the fire station

this little boy hung onto every word the fireman had to say

best part was sitting in the firetruck and wearing the helmet

and when we got home, he couldn't wait to dive into the firetruck birthday cake
before he blew out the candles, he took his little fire guy and had them spray them

happy birthday big boy

we love you

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Back to School

The List:

1. Crayons

2. Markers


Back to school shopping is a little underwhelming when you only have two items on your list. But Henry and I had fun making a list (crayons written in crayon, markers written in markers!). Both Gabe and I love school supplies and we had fun taking Henry shopping for his first set. Nothing better than a box of freshly sharpened crayons! Ready or not, preschool here we come!

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The Band

we welcomed the band back to campus in style!

This is one of my favorite back to school traditions. I love the excitement in the air, the first sounds of the fight song, and seeing all the students arriving back on campus. Makes me remember our move in days as a freshman and every year. I also love the first march out as it was the first time we packed up Henry's diaper bag, broke out the shiny new stroller and headed on our first family "outing". He was only a week old, and I was nervous as anything about getting out of the house and taking him anywhere. The band and a walk on campus was the perfect first place to go (besides the doctor's office). And he slept through the whole thing. Now, we got to share that moment for the first time with Maggie. She was unfazed by the band, watched it seriously but didn't even blink an eye at the drums or noise! She held on to my shirt a little as we bounced. Henry jumped, played and marched with the best of them. The instruments have been broken out at home and we'll probably have a parade every day!

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Happy BIG 3!

Happy 3rd Birthday Henry!

Your daddy and I keep saying how big you are over and over, and how proud of you we are. We are so amazed at the person you have become and we love your joyful, happy, singing crazy personality. You are kind, you want to do things the right way, you are enthusiastic, you are fun loving. You keep us laughing and you keep us on our toes, and we wouldn't have it any other way. We love watching you ride your bike, park your cars, play t-ball in the back yard, drive your trains, read stories, and do puzzles. Maggie just beams and squeals with delight whenever she sees you, and you are such a fun loving big brother and we love how you love to make her smile. Although there have been some bumps in the road leading up to three, you've handled growing and learning like such a big boy, and you are a wonderful three. We love you!

Last week, we celebrated Henry's actual birthday as a family with a trip to the beach the day before, and then played at home on his actual birthday. Henry rolled and rolled in the sand

Spot right next to the big hole - score!

Afterwards we got a bite here:

We decorated a birthday cake together and it was be-u-ti-ful! Henry used every sprinkle in the box. He chose spice cake - and is taking after his dad more and more :).

It was so nice to be able to relax and spend the day as a family celebrating him. It is so hard to believe that this birthday is here. Bringing Henry home from the hospital seems like yesterday and now we're getting ready for preschool - just the beginning of the school years journey. Happy third birthday my little man!

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I'm so proud of you

You and me, happy as can be

Flying through the park on our bikes

On a Sunday afternoon

You and me, rolling on the floor

Practicing your somersaults, cartwheels,

Your donkey kicks and more…

How did you grow so big overnight

How did you get so smart and bright

Yesterday you were asleep in my arms

Today you’re growing off the charts

I’m so proud of you

You and me, drawing pictures wild and free

While the paint goes flying,

Your big smile brightens up the room

You and me, reading books in bed

Your head on my shoulder,

Your eyes on the pages ahead

How did you grow so big overnight

How did you get so smart and bright

Yesterday you were asleep in my arms

Today you’re growing off the charts

I’m so proud of you

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5 Months Already?!

Maggie turns 5 months - she is doing so much more now!

We take a walk every afternoon. Henry rides his trike further and further everyday, and Maggie loves her stroller and being outside. We don't make it too far, just down the street and around the corner, but she is so patient and loves looking around. Mags really loves watching tree leaves blowing in the wind - whenever she can see a tree out of the window she is fascinated.
While she still doesn't love tummy time, she can do little push ups and push up really high. It is great to see her getting stronger and stronger. Lately she's been awake while Henry naps, so I love having one - on -one time with her.
For awhile, Maggie was sucking her thumb on her right hand quite a bit, although now not doing so as much. In the last month she really has been munching on fingers and munching on ours. Getting anything in her mouth that she can. Teeth might be coming - a little bit of drool too - but hopefully still a few months away.

Such a big girl in her swing! Watching her in the swing is so funny, for the first couple of swings she gets really red in the face and worried, but then realizes she likes it and she starts to smile.

And the most exciting news is that one week before she turned five months, Maggie started to roll from her back to her tummy! She really worked hard on this milestone - I watched her practice for a solid two months, and thought she would be rolling any day for those months. But she took her time. In the last two weeks, I could see the determination on her face as she would go after a toy and really try to flip herself. I hope that determination is a character trait that will stick around!
Her naps have mostly been a few regular short cat naps throughout the day, but in the past couple of days she has started to adopt a three nap pattern. I hope that lasts too! And she's also taken to falling back to sleep on me for the remainder of one of her naps. Reminds me of when she was a newborn, and I love it.

Grabbing her toes

And just yesterday, she sat unassisted for a good length of time, like a little tripod. She was so excited with her new perspective!

Henry really loves making Maggie smile, and she smiles every time she sees him, even if he is crying. For some reason, he started saying "DOUGH - NUTS!" to her, and it gets her every time!

If I could freeze time, I would. I hold Henry while he's watching tv or getting ready for a nap or reading, and I know he won't let me hold him as much as he gets older. And darn it, Maggie is going to do the same thing. I always have a tough time around their birthdays, and Henry approaching three and preschool age has left me with a lump in my throat all summer. And Maggie is now one month shy of six months. Six months is a hard age for me because while I get excited about starting solids, I miss that total dependence of 100% nursing. Maggie has helped out by taking her time, so for that I'm thankful! Anyone developed the stop time machine yet? If so, please let me know.

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