Christmas Tree outing

We went to get our Christmas tree yesterday in the pouring rain. Brad, Henry, Red and I all went and picked out the tree. Brad cut it down and we all got very wet! It was fun and Henry didn't even complain until we were putting him in the car and I took off his pants because they were so wet. We turned on the heat and then when we got home we threw Henry in the bath. He enjoyed the warm bath :)

Pumpkin time

Henry enjoyed playing in the hay almost as much as with the pumpkins.

Pumpkins were almost as big as he was!

Just looking cute, trying to pick up the pumpkin.

Daddy and Henry

We went out to this place to pick pumpkins! We had a great time on Sunday. It rained most the day, but we still decided to go. First, we stopped to buy Henry a rain jacket since last year he didn't need one. Its said to see Henry grow up and the way his clothes are starting to look more and more like little boys' clothes instead of a baby! Anyway, the trip out to the "farm" to pick out pumpkins was so much fun. First we picked out a wheelbarrow to carry the pumpkins. Then we walked around and found a couple pumpkins we liked. It was still sprinkling so we didn't ride the train or go for a hay ride but thats ok. We hope to go out another day so we can. Then we went to another side of the "farm" to take pictures where there were more pumpkins, and we exchanged the ones we found on the other side for better ones :) Overall, it was fun. Henry tried to pick up a few, which of course were to heavy for him. We also had a ton of mud and hay stuck to our feet! It was fun to get a little dirty. Henry even got a little mud on his shoes and pants.

Walking boy

Well Henry took his first steps shortly before he turned one and now he is on the go constantly. He has learned how to stand up without pulling himself up on something and does such a good job. He falls a lot still but is improving daily. Henry is so much fun to watch grow and learn. He still does something new almost every day. Like just today, he moved this box toy thing out of his way so he could roam the house. We try to contain him to one room with the coffee table pushed up against the wall and his toy gym thing to cover the last little bit of opening (the space is too big for a non-wall mounted kiddie gate). This morning he really wanted to get out and follow me to the kitchen and he just pushed or picked it up or something so that it moved out of his way and then he crawled into the kitchen after me. (Usually we are in the same room together and we are playing or hanging out or whatever) Crazy kid! Nothing stops him!

He likes to be outside and now we have to put the hard plastic cover on the dog door so Henry won't go outside without us. Yesterday, he went through the door 4 times (3 outside and 1 inside) He is definitely explorative. He likes to figure things out by himself and loves to read!! or at least be read to.

The weather is still warm. I keep waiting for the weather to cool and Brad makes fun of me, saying that this is how it is. I don't really want to turn on the heat but I don't want to need the A/C either. Its the middle of October almost, but doesn't feel like it at all. The leaves haven't changed, the weather hasn't changed...Am I ever going to get used to California? I am a four season kind of person!!! Poor Henry will have a shock when we leave California, but hopefully he will welcome cool days and snow (hopefully we go somewhere that has that). No idea when we will leave San Jose (maybe another 2 years) but still enjoying the good weather while we can.

The BIG B-DAY

Ahh...Henry giving his Aunti a kiss!!

Aunti and Henry just hanging out, eating his shoe :)

Eating birthday cake! YUMMMMM!

And the Cookie Monster cake

Of course, Henry's wardrobe wouldn't be complete without the Idaho Vandals football jersey. Thanks Aunt Snefy and Uncle Josh and Delilah!

Delilah just being adorable, watching Henry open his birthday gifts.

Well, what can I say, Monkey Man is cute!!!

Henry hanging with the girls in his little pool, naked :)

Why yes, that is our doggie door Henry has figured out how to go out. And Red thought he had one thing that Henry wasn't going to take over! haha

Henry asleep with his mama :)

Well, its been a year since Henry was born! Boy has the time just flown by. He is growing bigger and bigger every day. He went to his one-year dr. appt. He weighs in at 23 pounds (75%)exactly, he is 30 1/4 inches long (90%). He is learning more and more every day. As well as learning how to throw temper tantrums!! Boy does he whine a lot these days.

His birthday was wonderful! Brad and I just hung out with Henry. We had homemade Chicken Pot Pie for dinner and then Henry had his first Strawberry Shortcake. It was great fun watching him pick at the whipped cream and eat the cake. He didn't dig in like I thought he would but he did a good chunk of it.

THEN, on Saturday the 11th, we had the family and friends over for the birthday bash. Henry had a good time being the star of the show, but then again when is he not? He and Delilah and Arden went swimming in a little baby pool together. Both Arden and Henry were naked and Delilah in just underpants. It was quite cute. And as Karen said, you aren't normally in your BIRTHDAY SUIT on your birthday! HAHA. Henry received plenty of toys from friends and family (THANK YOU ALL FOR SPOILING OUR SON). He wasn't too interested in open the gifts but was a good trooper. Arden helped open a few. The kids together were great. Henry then dug into his Cookie Monster cake. Yes, I baked the cake, Amanda put the icing in between the two layers and on the top and sides. And then BRAD designed the Cookie Monster face for the top of the cake. He did an excellent job!! A family effort for Henry's 1 year birthday cake. Henry dug into that cake pretty good! He had only a slice of the cake, but still was plenty messy. When he was done, I took him over to Daddy so Henry could give him a big, messy hug! It was funny and then Henry went in for a bath. We did the usual cleanup after the party. I think we should always do his parties somewhere else so we don't have the cleanup to do! All in all it was a great day!

Amanda (Aunti Manda) came on thursday after Henry's birthday and stayed until Tuesday morning. We miss her! We had such a good time hanging out and just being together. It was so good to have Amanda here to hangout and bond with Henry. Henry gave her hugs and kisses. We definitely did plenty of running around (even with her back out of wack)!! Shame on us but she was here to enjoy herself and when she come next we are going up to SF to play :) Hopefully her back is better soon. Damn insurance taking too long!!!

Grandma and Grandpa Poe (Grammie, Papa...they still aren't sure what they want to be called, they just don't feel like they are old enough to be called Grandma and Grandpa Poe) came with Delilah on Thursday night after Henry's birthday and stayed until Sunday morning. We had fun watching Delilah and Henry play. Delilah is getting more mobile and Henry likes to do laps around her :) Its fun to watch. Delilah claps whenever people say good job or patty cake. Its very cute! Henry is just now learning to clap by himself. They both stayed up WAY past their bedtimes to play with each other. Henry gave hugs and kisses when it was time for Grandma and Grandpa to leave. He gave an extra long hug to Les (Grandpa) and it was hard to say good bye.

With each time our family hang out together it makes both Brad and I sad we don't live closer. We want Henry to know his Aunts and Uncles, Grandparents, and Great Grandparents. Plus Mom and Dad need their friends and time away from Henry. We know we don't have the money to see everyone as much as we would like but still! Henry is growing up so fast! I guess pictures are the way to keep in touch!!

Off the couch!

Henry has figured out how to get off the couch and bed without falling off onto his head! He goes feet first with some verbal guidance from us. Lately he has been taking things and putting them inside buckets or holes (like if Brad or I are on the floor propped up on our elbow he takes toys and stashes them in the "hole" and then takes them back out). Its so fun to watch him learn and figure things out!

Chandra, Arden, Henry and I have been hanging out more. Arden is getting so big (she is 7 months old) and they follow each other around! Its so cute. Brad says Henry has a girlfriend! We have been taking walks and going to parks so the kids can swing on the swings. It gets us out of the house and gives us Moms conversation. Its so nice to have friends with kids now that we have a kids. Luckily the other friends we have are pregnant and will have kids shortly so Henry will have more than enough kids to hang out with.

Henry's birthday is coming up quickly! We are having a party for him on the 11th. We are trying to figure out what type of theme it should be. Thomas the train, Seseame Street (Cookie Monster is Henry's favorite), or John Deere, or something just boy's 1st b-day. Brad and I are going to a party store this weekend to check out the decorations. I am excited. We don't want to go too crazy but a little crazy since he will only turn 1 once.

No More Bottles!

Well we did it! Henry is officially off the bottles. He still has formula for another month but not in the bottles. We are so happy not to clean bottles anymore! Until the next kid that is :) Henry doesn't seem to mind not having the bottle as long as he still gets his milk in the morning. He has been eating breakfast with Daddy in the mornings, Cheerios and Bananas usually. He cruises around the on the furniture and loves to let us know when he wants to be picked up. He puts his arms up and his head back and whines. Henry is also testing us when it comes to getting into things. He likes to go to something he isn't supposed to play with-cords-and then looks back to see if we are going to say anything, and then does it anyway.

Swinging

Swinging together

Henry trying to climb the wall :)

Check out Delilah's face!! You can tell she is having a great time!

What?! We weren't doing anything.

We took Henry and Delilah swinging again! They are too big now to share one seat but they sure did LOVE the swings. Henry tired to be Superman by sliding all the way to the front of the seat and putting his arms up and out like he was flying. It was cute but scary that he might fall out head-first. Then Stef took each of the kids down a small slide. Les made the comment "Now, Stefanie by herself" haha.

Camping trip to Idaho

Kate, Les, Stef, Sarah

Aunti Manda with Henry

Life is so difficult when you are camping

Delilah and Henry taking a much needed bath in the camper bath tub.

Henry riding on Daddy's shoulders. He was too tired to hold up his head

We made it there and back in one piece. We drove through the night both ways. Its just easier with Henry because he is used to sleeping at night and then his routine isn't thrown all the way off. We had a good trip. We went camping at Alturas Lake. Amanda came to meet us and spend one night with us. Amanda and I got in the canoe and it took til the end to figure out how to work it :) We didn't dump it, which everyone thought we would! Karen, Aunti I, Henry and I all went down the river in the canoe but we ended up lifting the canoe over fallen trees more than we were in it and we also dumped it and all went in; Henry to his neck. Brad and I (along with other family members) fished in the lake and at 4th of July Creek. We caught a few fish but they were too small to keep so we just threw them back. We stopped at Easley Hot springs to shower and swim. We got the kids in the water too! It was fun watching them play. Delilah was about to fall asleep in her little floaty. Both kids kicked in the water.

Then we headed back to Twin Falls, stopped in Shoshone for some ice cream cones and then took a day to relax; and unpack everything. Brad, Les and Josh went shooting Thursday evening. Stefanie and I went to a movie, Killers, while Grandma Poe watched the grandkids. She had to change 4 poopy diapers in less than 2 hours. We had some drama but everything turned out ok. Brad and Les played golf in the Vandal Pigout, they didn't win. Karen and I brought the kids down but we didnt' get there in time for dinner.

Delilah and Henry had a great time together! They played together all the time. They ate watermellon and cantaloupe, dough gobbies and pancakes all in the mountains. It was fun watching them play together. Delilah turns 1 in a few weeks!!! Its crazy how fast the year has gone.

We got back home about 2:30am. Wow does it cut off time when there is no traffic in Sacramento and going over Donner pass. Brad got some stress relief before going back to work to hit it hard for selling and getting things ready for the football season. Its just around the corner. Damn! College football starts again! Oh the nights without football :) Brad and Henry will watch football together. I will watch it too but not to the extent Brad does.

Okay...its been awhile again...

About to get wet before he has his swim suit on!

Grandpa Poe's hat ;)

Eating his first pear...without cutting it up

Hiking with Daddy & Mama is so tiring!

The hike with Tom...our family photo :P

Lets see, what have the Poe's been up to these past few weeks.

Brad's friend Tom Whitworth came to visit for a few days all the way from Kentucky. We went to the beach, Pebble Beach Golf Course-just to look around not to play, we went hiking up this trail-totally kicked Brad & I's butts!!, Henry and Tom didn't seem to have a tough time with the incline! We also played washoes in the backyard and sat around the firepit and made 'smores. All-in-all we had a great visit with Tom. He hadn't seen Henry since Henry was 3 months old...boy had Henry changed!

Henry now has 5 teeth. His left front tooth came in on th 1st of July. He is growing up so fast! Today he is 10 months old. I just can't believe how fast this year has gone and how much he has changed! I know, I know its only going to get faster and he is only going to change more and more...but I am still having fun with him! He is starting to say Mama Dada to each of us...so that is exciting. He definitely says Dada more. He also gets so excited when Daddy gets home. I say to Henry...Daddy's home...and Henry races on all fours to the garage door where he sees Daddy walking through the door! AHHH the joys of parenthood.

We traveled up to Santa Rosa for the 4th of July to spend time with Uncle Dave and Aunt MA. We were in the Sanoma Parade driving Brad's Grandpa Poe's '41 Chevy....it is new painted its original color-Two tone green. We, Brad drove, Henry and I and Karen all rode in the car...and boy oh boy was it hot!!! Not only was it in the 90's outside but inside the car all of us were sweating out pounds! It was hot!! Definitely take air conditioning for granted! But we had fun waving to people in the parade and everyone said "look at the baby!" Henry waved (with help from Mama) and people smiled and waved back. Lots of pictures were taken of the car and it was fun. Then we parked the car and went to find Les and Dave in the Hometown Band. Les was playing Brad's (used to be his) old trombone and Dave played the French Horn. We had fun watching them play and making fun of Les...he said his lips were bruised :)

Then we headed back to The Poe Ranch grilled up some food and then we headed back down to Sanoma to watch the fireworks. We were a little nervous about the fireworks and Henry, wondering if he was going to cry or like them. We were lucky! Henry stayed awake until almost 10 pm to watch the fireworks. We were just far enough away that the loud booms didn't scare him and he watched them for about 10 minutes and then got all warm and cuddly with Mama and fell asleep while we watched the rest of the fireworks. It was a good trip, nice to spend it with family and Red didn't go crazy with all the fireworks because he stayed at The Poe Ranch and listened to country music...just in case he could hear the bangs and booms of the fireworks. Red is not a fan of the 4th of July.

Our next adventure is a trip to Idaho to go camping with Grandma and Grandpa Poe, Aunt Stefanie, Uncle Josh, Cousins Delilah, Sarah, Alexis, Aunt Iris and Great-Grandma and Grandpa Champlin. We are headed to Alterus Lake to fish, camp, go four-wheeling, possibly canoeing, and just enjoy being out in the wilderness. It should be a fun trip! We are very excited! Will post pictures of that adventure when we get back!

Teeth

Well, Henry now has two canine teeth and his two front, bottom teeth. I hope other ones come in soon or else he will look like one of those jack-o-lanterns =) I can see more teeth making their way done. I think baby teeth are the coolest things because one day they aren't there and then a month later....they are so big!! and Henry is learning just what those sharp little things do...He is learning to bite into things, bite off pieces and all that. Its fun to watch him explore with his teeth.

Now we are going outside to play in our little blowup pool. The weather is supposed to be in the 90's tomorrow so we may head to the beach again....or maybe the mall to get out of the heat! Plus get Henry in his pool. AHHH you have to love summertime. Sun tea with ice, bbq's, firepit with friends making 'smores. I can't wait to have more corn on the cob, eat some home grown tomatoes and watch Henry eat them as well! HAHAHA

A quick trip to Idaho

Henry with Grandma and Grandpa Cudaback...the haven't seen him since he was 3 weeks old.

The happy couple

Crazy Uncle Jeff with Henry

Happy Aunt Manda and Henry

for Kate's brother's wedding. Boy was it a quick trip. We drove through the night because we thought it would be better for Henry since he is already asleep...worked out pretty well I think. We stayed in Twin Falls with Brad's parents. We had a belated birthday party for Brad at Stefanie's work...at a Comfort Inn hotel. It was fun. Delilah and Henry played with the box from the sweatshirt Brad got. It was hilarious because Henry was playing with one side and Delilah the other and then Henry sat on his to play with Delilah's. Overall they played very well together. I think a few times Henry was like, "come on, there is so much to explore in this house/hotel lobby....why are you just sitting there". It was cute to watch them together.

We made a quick stop off at the Poes in Pocatello- Ray and Tannya, Jennifer and her kids, as well as met up with Cousin Diana at the wedding...her fiance was in my brother's wedding. It was good to see them and have them see Henry. It had been since Christmas since they saw him...and he had grown so much!

At Jeff & Camille's wedding (in Pocatello) we had a great time, hanging out with family & friends as well as dancing and watching the cute couple exchange vows. All in all it was a great trip. We were happy to make the drive and be able to be there for my brother and our new sister-in-law for their big day! Henry was a trooper, being handed off from person to person, eating all his food from Grandma Cudaback (she fed him) and then staying up til past 10. He was hanging out with Daddy while Mama and Aunt Amanda danced it up on the dance floor. Brad was walking around with Henry...mostly trying to keep his little ears away from the loud music and Henry was calling out "Mommm Mommm Mommma" and then he found me...I took Henry in my arms and within a minute he was alseep. So we said our goodbyes and good wishes to the bride and groom. We are so happy for them!!!

We headed back to Twin Falls to stay the night...thinking we were getting up to leave by 8 am...but we slept in until 8 and then had a lazy morning and left around 11 with a stop at the cemetary to say hello to Great Grandma and Grandpa Poe. Henry and Brad had some time alone to talk to them. It was emotional. But we got on the road around noon and headed on home. We took our time, we stopped to eat at a pizza place in Truckee and then made it home by 11:30. We had to load everything from the pick-up into the house because the house was fumigated while we were gone...and little did we know we wouldn't have hot water until Wednesday...we got home on Sunday.

A day at the beach!

face plant into the sand

About to feel the coldness of the ocean

Daddy and Henry on the beach

Chillin' on the blanket

Well, Henry had his first real experience with the beach this time! We have taken him when he was about 3 weeks old...so that wasn't anything worth telling about but now we have something to say. Henry loved to play in the sand...crawling all over in it. He actually didn't eat any...putting it in his mouth via his hands. BUT he did take two face plants into the sand, one on each cheek and got sand in his mouth...possibly his eyes and up his nose. Needless to say he wasn't a happy camper but was in good spirits. He played in the ocean with Daddy and Mama, seperately. We needed someone to take the pictures. We were all enjoying the sun and the beautiful day. We think Henry had a good time hanging out with new friends (a 1 year old and a 2 year old.)

Eating more

Well, Henry is slowly starting to feed himself more and more foods! He picks up little crunchies, puffs, slices of fruit or pieces of veggies, and his water cup. He also holds his own bottle at the beginning but then gets distracted and so we end up having to hold it for him to finish it off.

Its very exciting but kinda sad...he seems to be more and more independent every week. He crawls...rather quickly around the house, following us around the house. He likes to crawl toward Red...which Red isn't too sure of these days. Red growls sometimes at Henry but just as a warning not like he is going to attack him or something. He is just exploring the house! I have never vacuumed more in my life!!! Trying to keep the amount of hair and dirt that goes into/onto Henry's hands/mouth to a minimum. Its fun though! Henry likes to vacuum with me and I get my arm workout too :) Only sometimes do I actually hold him most of the time he is playing in the front room or hanging out in his crib while I vacuum.

I think there are teeth coming through...sometime. Henry has been overly cranky the last couple of days/weeks...and slobbering like he is a leaky faucet. Always has a wet front...which I now put a bib on during non-feeding hours to keep his chest dry. He is so much fun and I enjoy being home with him!!!

He's Done it!

Well, Henry can officially go forward...but still likes to go backwards. Today, he figured out how to take 3 crawling steps forward then 1 back. We are so thrilled! But still kinda wary of him being mobile! Life will never be the same. He gets to one side of the room one way or another. He goes a couple steps...then decides to sit up...then goes another couple steps...then rolls over or something else. Its so fun to watch him!!

We are so excited but that just means Henry is getting older. Our little man is only (almost) 8 months old! I can't believe how fast time flies when you have kids. 4 months and he will be a year old...Oh Man!! Life is grand though! Couldn't be happier (unless we lived closer to family/friends).

Cabin Camping

Henry and Daddy being silly

Eric being Henry's bed :)

Brad's 19" Fish

Brad after he caught the fish!

We stayed at a cabin that belonged to Jordan (from Fresno State). He and his girlfriend Sarah, Brad, Henry and I, Megan, Lance and Lucas, and Trisha and Eric all headed up to Shaver lake for some forget about the time weekend fun! OH boy did we forget about the time...it was nice to not worry about what time it was, worry about sales meetings and all that. Although Henry had a hard time sleeping (not wanting to take naps without being held or go to bed at his normal time) we all had a good time!

The boys fished while the girls slept...and then they came back with the lone fish that Brad caught...oh he was so proud!! It was a 19" Kokane Salmon and it was delish! We threw it on the bbq and had it as an appetizer. Jordan...KING of the grill...grilled up so tri-tip steaks! YUMMY!! The best any of us had ever had. We had plenty to eat...and drink! We played a crazy game called Celebrities.

It had snowed the few days before we got up there, so we all went for a walk and the boys enjoyed throwing snowballs at road signs and Lucas enjoyed throwing them! All in all it was a great time.

Almost Crawling

Henry playing with Delilah's baseball bat :)

Just lookin' cute!

Bellytime

Henry can feed himself his bottle...for most of the bottle :)

Henry and Delilah swinging together

Well Henry is ready to be on the move!!! He has learned to crawl backwards and he gets across the floor by rolling and such...we definitely have to watch out for him. We went to get some child-proofing things this weekend. Brad will install the cupboard fixtures this week. Henry is almost crawling, maybe another week or so, but we just want to be prepared in case he does it today :)

Henry and I traveled up to Spokane 2 weeks ago to help Stefanie, Josh and Delilah move to Twin Falls for a week. Boy was it at trip!! Flying alone with Henry is a challenge...especially when the airport security decides to screen me and second guess whether or not I can put Henry into the stroller. It was definitely an experience. We did not have time for visits...so I am sorry to everyone up in that area, there was no extra time...not even to eat :( some nights. Les and Karen came up to help load the last of Stef & Josh's things. Then we spent Sunday on the road...to Boise/Twin Falls. Stef and Josh officially don't live in the Spokane anymore. They are excited to start over in Twin Falls. They have some interviews already so that is GREAT!!! We wish them luck!

Henry and Delilah had fun together! Henry was trying to eat Delilah and Delilah was smacking Henry on the back. It is always so much fun to see them together. They are so different each time they see each other.

We had an aspiring photographer take some pictures of Henry for his "6 month" pictures even though he was almost 7 months....the time just slips away so quickly. So I will post a few when I get the pictures!

We are truely blessed to have such a good spirited little baby! He is an amazing little guy...changes so much so quickly. And I always thought time moved an average speed...now it just speeds by with a blink of an eye.

A day at the Aquarium :)

Just looking cute :)

In his big boy carseat!! Brad thinks Henry looks kinda like Grandpa Cudaback in this picture.

Brad and Henry standing "underneath" a wave-simulation :)

Grandma Poe and Henry hanging out on the yoga ball :)

Henry has two little white teeth on the bottom. They came out in the same day (March 21) one in the morning and the other in the evening. It was big news here at the Poe house. Grandma and Grandpa Poe were able to see/feel the teeth the day they left. It was nice having family here. I got to take my time showering, got to leave Henry with Grandpa while Grandma and I shopped for Henry's new big boy carseat. We also got some clothes for summer :) since it was summer like while they were here (in the 70's). He is up to 12 month clothes...can fit into 18 month but they are a little long...but I am sure he will fit into them shortly. The kid never seems to stop growing =)

OH BOY was the aquarium fun! Henry LOVED the jelly fish and the seahorses! He was so interested in them, talking away and everything. He was also teething and was getting very cranky towards the end...we found out he was really teething two days later when his 2 teeth popped their way through the gums. It was neat to see for the adults too! Now when we watch Finding Nemo we can tell Henry he has seen some of those animals up close and personal :) he just won't remember.

While Les and Karen were here, Brad and Les broke out the wash shoe pit :) mowed the lawn for the "course" and found out when they played at night (with Brad setting up his work lights that he got for Christmas) that they didn't mow quite enough. We had the firepit going and the clang of each washer as it hit the board at 10pm. It was fun to watch them play. Brad had to work during the day while they were here but Grandma and Grandpa got to hang out with Henry (the main reason they came to visit...hahaha)

Henry is on the verge of crawling!! We are super excited but know that our life is going to change even more by Henry becoming mobile. He can support himself up on his knees and hands but only rocks back and forth and then falls forward. He likes to roll around on the ground...so he is somewhat mobile right now. YIKES!! Time to baby proof the house with plug-in covers and cabinet shutters :)