Here Comes The Bride..vroom vroom!

What a wonderful time we had at Auntie Anna and Uncle Andy's wedding in Portland. Henry was a trooper the entire trip and showed us his very social side! The highlight of the trip was that Bill, Henry and I were all part of the wedding. It was very emotional for all of us because we are so excited for the future ahead for the Piper's. Henry even got to ride down the aisle on his race car, which as pretty cute. Auntie Anna was a gorgeous bride and her groom Uncle Andy also looked pretty handsome. We got a chance to see many of Bill's Aunts and Uncles and Henry had quite a fun time. It was so nice to have so much family around to help us keep Henry occupied. I am thinking of sending Henry to Bill's Aunt Ann in Whitefish Bay, WI because he loved her so much!! Henry also got to see his 4 year old cousin Oscar and look forward to being a big boy too! Thanks to Bill's Aunt Leslie the two of them got to run around with their super man capes on...so cute! We just had a great trip!

Grandpa Steve got to hang out with us before and after the wedding in Redmond and he and Henry had lots of fun together. Every morning we walked up to Tully's to get coffee and Henry and Grandpa Steve shared a muffin and did lots of giggling.

Harmonica

Here is a quick little video of Henry playing his harmonica in the car on the way home from Auntie Anna and Uncle Andy's wedding! I will have another post up soon with all the wedding pictures and details...we had a great time!

Poppy Moe

Henry's great grandfather, Poppy Moe, passed away yesterday. He had a long and wonderful life and had the privilege of passing away in the company of his wife and 3 children in his home. My mom and her 2 brothers have taken care of him for the past 6 months in his home, which was such a special gift. We will miss him greatly but feel honored that Henry got to spend his first Christmas with him.

Knee Walking

Henry has perfected the art of walking on his knees. It is so funny to watch and I realized I needed to take a video to capture this funny time in his life...enjoy!

All Grown Up!

Bill and I sent Labor Day weekend celebrating Kate and Tom's wedding in Sun Valley! It was so much fun! Henry stayed back in Redmond with his Auntie Tink and Uncle Dave. They had a wonderful time and Henry took to them really well. When we returned we could tell he had felt so loved! At first sight of Bill and I at the airport he just laughed for like 5 minutes. Thanks to Tink and Dave for not only stocking our fridge with yummy food but for taking such awesome care of our little guy.

Bill and I both thought Henry had developed so much in the days we were gone. I swear when we left he was a baby and when we returned he was a little boy. He is constantly laughing and throwing himself all around the house. He is "talking" up a storm and kissing us about every 5 minutes (my favorite part!) He just seems so grown up. Here is a video of Halle and Henry playing together.

The Results Are In...

Henry's visit with Dr. E went well and he said that Henry is doing great. He weighs 25.2lbs. and is 31.5 inches long. He is a big boy but the Dr. said his weight was evening out as he was moving more and also becoming the typical picky toddler. Our next step is to be bottle free starting tomorrow. We practiced tonight with the sippy cup and when he saw it was full of milk he chucked it across the room.

Bill's cousin Laura made us some yummy homemade blackberry jam. It has become Henry's favorite afternoon snack! He loves the taste and how messy it is!

Henry is One!

I sit here writing this post in disbelief that my little guy is one. What a year it has been. I have never had so many emotions in one year. We have been so tired, overwhelmed, worried, scheduled, busy, delirious and most of all HAPPY! The amount of joy that Henry has brought into our lives is immeasurable. I think back to the moment he entered the world and how much excitement we felt. I think of the constant guessing game and crying fests we have had. I cherish the first giggle and the many that have followed. I wouldn't trade anything in the world for the smile on his face each morning when I go to get him out of his crib to start our day. I am amazed at how someone so small and new can be so incredibly perfect. I am confused at how this little guy can keep us up all night with cries and teething and we still never get sick of him and just want him to feel better. I laugh at how most days I leave the house without even looking in the mirror...I need to work on that one! I am shocked at how becoming parents has changed both Bill and I in a way that we could have never imagined. I guess I just feel so lucky. There were times this year that I wondered how people do this. It takes so much more thought and love than I ever could have guessed. But looking over the past year all of the crying and sleep deprivation seem so minor. They are completely overshadowed by the happiness and completion we now feel. I am so proud to be Henry's mom and also to have such a wonderful family. I know a lot of memories are ahead but I think I will just savor today one minute at a time knowing that we made it through this year and we are all still smiling...even bigger than before!

Here is a video of the birthday boy on his new race car. He loves it!

We are headed to build a bear today to make Henry a little friend to guide him through his second year. I will post pictures tomorrow as well as updates from our visit with Dr. E for Henry's 1 year check up!