Henry's Blessing

I really have a great family.  We were sad not everyone could make it but we are grateful for everyone who made the long journey.  Henry made it through his baby blessing without screaming, which constitutes a celebration.  We had pulled pork with homemade rolls by Sara.  Michelle provided a delicious pasta salad.  Costco provide chopped fruit.  Grandma Torgerson provided yummy cookies.  We also celebrate Uncle Blake's birthday.  It was a worthy celebration.  I only wish I had more pictures.

The group minus Maggie, who wandered off

babies sleeping

Henry with Mom

Blake's birthday cake, by Sara

The Donovan boys

Maggie with Aunt and Uncles

Maggie with Mom

First month

Henry is a month old... and we are looking forward to when he gets on a regular schedule. He enjoys being held as a remedy for his tears but when he is hungry no amount of soothing will comfort him. Maggie enjoys singing to him and giving him kisses and hugs, so much so that we have to regulate her affection. If he cries too long, she is quick to remind us that Henry is crying. The best is when they are both crying and screaming, I don't think we could have handled that a year ago but now it just seems comical.

The second child is a lot more enjoyable because we are less stressed and more relaxed. We both find ourselves laughing more at things that should be upsetting. Although, Maggie did drop Henry on his head from the couch and Sara was extremely worried, but he bounced back without anything more than a small bump.

Despite feeling slightly more experienced, we often feel exhausted and wonder what we are getting into. I don't know how anyone has more than one child.  Certainly after the first you know about the difficulties. But we ignored ours fears and dismissed logic and just did what seemed right.

“Who of us is mature enough for offspring before offspring themselves arrive? The value of marriage is not that adults produce children, but that children produce adults.” Peter De Vries

Update

Okay, Henry isn't always sleeping these days. Lately he has been restless and with cold. I must say, there is nothing more beautiful than a sleeping child... especially to sleep deprived parents.

Henry Geddy style

We squeezed Henry in a pot and snapped a few pictures.  Of course, Maggie didn't want to be left out.

In Grandma's arms

This is the view you see looking down at Henry in your arms.

Circumcision

I don't know if I will ever forget today. I was still in my childhood when a friend told me about circumcision.  I couldn't believe it... it was difficult to imagine something I had never seen, well not until today.  Warning to the faint of heart, circumcision is the closest thing to mid-evil torture I have ever seen.  Everyone always describe it to me like it was really nothing but the whole process was more intense than I ever imagined... and feel compelled to record it.  At least, I wish at some point in my life I had some information about my own circumcision and I thought Henry might appreciated at some future date.  If nothing else but to demystify it.

WARNING: Information below if very graphic - read at your own discretion

Cocoon

our little caterpillar

Things that double for a pirate hat

Grandma

Goodbye kisses and our wire walker

Ah, the benefits of living between California and BYU baseball games.  I don't know what we will do when the season is over... but we love being a rest stop.  We only wish we had a guest room instead of a floor to offer.  Maggie and Grandpa T. are both early risers... she was excited to walk Grandpa out to the car to say good-bye.  Afterward, Maggie worked on her wire walking skills.

Pajamas

I hope this quiet stage last forever.

Sunday dress

Last week Maggie opened her closet and pointed to a polka-dot dress her Grandma Richins gave her.  She must have thinned out because a few months ago it didn't fit.  Anyway, I pulled it out and she wore it the whole day... oh ya, this was on a week day.  I guess sometimes you need to get dressed up and hang around the house.

Playing with her rocks

Maggie's nose fascination... just pumping air!

Mother's Day

Being a parent continually gives me insight into my own parents. I think about all the mistakes I make as a parent... and my parent's mistakes seem smaller. Parents are really just big kids trying to figure things out too. The truth is most children love their parents despite the mistakes they make. I am so grateful for a mother. Since Maggie was born I have been working from home and taking care of her. I think this is the toughest job. My Mom is wonderful person. She worked from home too and managed to provide a sense of stability. My Father was prone to spending money before he had any, so my Mom was typically the parent paying the essential bills. On top of that she cooked the meals and kept the house clean, with a little help from her children. I can now look back at those difficult financial times with some amusement. But they were difficult times and I thank my Mother for getting us through them. Because of my Mother I have a deep respect for this difficult job. My Mother is a saint.

Sara is also a wonderful Mom. Of course, nothing has turned out like we planned. Instead of staying home with the children, she has been working full-time. Because my work is sporadic at best, it has been difficult to rely on.  I know this role reversal is huge sacrifice for her. I truly appreciate her patience and hard work. Some days she returns to a messy house and manages to cook dinner "quesadillas" because I am too overwhelmed with work and managing Maggie. Unlike my Mother who often carried most of the load on her own, Sara rushes in when I falling apart. I think we try our best to support each other. I am grateful for someone who will share my load. And in return, I am happy to lend a hand when the roles are reversed.

All I can say is mothers are the bedrock... they're the best!

The game

I think they thought I was going to take pictures of the game but instead I swiveled by tripod around and set my camera on incremental pictures.  This is what I got from the series... no coaching or instructions were provided.

3 days old

Maggie tenderly reached into Henry's mouth to remove some dead skin on his lip.  Holding it between her fingers and exclaiming, "guck!"

Bubble Machine

Grandma T. has been on a mission to find the ultimate bubble machine.  Maggie was so excited.  They sat out on the lawn an blew bubbles until the sprinkler came on.  It was great fun!  We all love having Grandma around.