Henry's First Year in a Nutshell

Henry Duke--a delight since the day he was born. I had a hard time being pregnant the fourth time around. I was apprehensive, more so even than before my first. I didn't remember how strong the force of love is when that baby is first in my arms. In that moment, Henry overwhelmed me with love and relief. His first year was filled with the adoration of his parents and older siblings. Although I can't even pretend to have kept track of milestones or statistics of growth for him, he grew up anyway. He came with the most remarkable, fast and furious determination to grow up as quickly as possible. He's been reaching beyond his current stage from the beginning. His personality is so much fun and watching it come through more and more in his first (and now second!) year has made me glow with pride. Not that I have much to brag about--it's all him. But he just is a sweet, smart, super kid. His smile will make more than a few hearts happier, that I know.

First Month

Second Month

Third Month

Fourth Month

Fifth Month

Sixth Month

Seventh Month

Eighth Month

Tenth Month

Eleventh Month

Twelfth Month

One Year

Henry at 1 Year (Katy's Blanket)

 

All those good intentions to document Henry's babyhood? Still there. Only he's growing so fast and as the fourth there is so much life happening around him that it's certainly not going to be soon or in an orderly fashion. But every little bit helps. So here is Henry at just over a year with the blanket aunt Katy knitted for him during that first year of his life. I remember going with Katy to the yarn shop when I was pregnant with him (and thought he was a girl, but we're not going to talk about how wrong I am at guessing my babies) to find this softest yarn. He was old enough in these pictures to play peek-a-boo with it and there's nothing cuter. Look at his little teeth coming in! Hard earned, that's for sure. I can tell that he was working on even more, with those flushed cheeks and drooly chin. Yet he smiles. Henry's been a delight and a trooper since day one.

Eddy's Nine Year Portraits

Eddy is such a fun person to be around. He looks for people to help. He has a great deal of focus and drive for the things he wants to do. He's been thriving in 3rd grade (his teacher expects a great deal from his students and Eddy rises to the occasion). Some things that Edward can't get enough of: sugar, wall ball, Lego, Minecraft. He thinks best when he can also fiddle with something. His smile is as big as the sun. We love him so much.