seventeen

At seventeen weeks pregnant we were moving from our home in Waterloo to our apartment in Winterset. We lived there for six weeks. At seventeen weeks pregnant, I looked one week less pregnant than this. (We were too busy to snap a 17 week photo. And probably couldn't find the box where our camera was packed!)

On December 17, 2010, I went to my final doctor's appointment where I received my final stereroid shot to help your lungs be ready for an early delivery. I would be induced the next day. Grandma Paulette came over to help me finish last-minute preparations for you and for Christmas. After my appointment we went to Target and she insisted on dropping me off at the door. I think everyone else thought I was much bigger than I felt. :) That night Daddy and I finalized our list of things to bring to the hospital and prepared for our last night at home with just the two of us.


At seventeen minutes old, you were relaxing and resting with Daddy. We were taking you in, raving about how cute you were, and anticipating announcing and introducing you to our family.

At seventeen days old, we took you to a restaurant for the first time. Spaghetti Works! You slept through the whole thing in your carseat. Such a little punkin!

At seventeen weeks old, you were noticing lots of things all around you. Especially your hands! We loved to spike up your fluffy brown hair after your bath. People would constantly mistake you for a little girl. (Even now that happens sometimes!)

At seventeen months old, you are learning so much every day and amazing us with how much love and joy you bring to our lives. You are a curious, spunky, talkative, and busy little man. Oh how much fun it is to watch you grow up!

Henry's First Marshmallow

At the Place household, we have a hard time resisting a good old-fashioned campfire. Last year I got Dameon a fire pit for Father's Day. We used it a few times but it was always a headache trying to get the fire going without any kindling. I'd find myself searching our virtually treeless yard for some random twigs and coming up with two or three. We'd have to rely on the big logs to light, which took so long that I'd end up having to go put Henry to bed while Dameon enjoyed dealt with the fire alone. NOW we have lots of kindling at the ready and we're prepared for a campfire any time! Last night the weather was beautiful, so my talented-at-building-fires husband hooked us up!

Here's Henry waiting patiently. And teething.

 Signing "more" at the first sighting of a marshmallow.

CHOMP.

Hmmmm...not bad.

Now for the real thing...

Tasting marshmallow and signing "more" simultaneously. The kid's got talent.

The verdict: marshmallows are good but i'd prefer to explore the yard and eat my graham cracker.

Tulip Time

(Okay, I just uploaded all these pictures and they came up in reverse order. Great.)

Here's a week-old photo recap of our Tulip Time 2012 festivities. But since my photos are in reverse, I guess I'll narrate in reverse. Ready, Go!

Here's my cute grandma in her cute $7 hat that she found downtown. Cute, right? It paired perfectly with her out-of-left-field quips. If you know her, you know what I mean.

We stripped Henry down to his diaper during the parade because it was way hot. Way. If you look closely, you can see his first taste of Dutch Letter in his mouth. He approved.

Henry loved the part of the parade that he was actually awake for. And he loved the night parade even more! His expressions were priceless.

 

This is how he woke up just as a band was marching by. Drums!

Zonked.

And now...wait for it...wait for it...

Yes, we walked in the baby parade. Yes, we were in costume. Yes, we're not dutch but no one cares.



send help.

Isn't he precious?

Oh, the cuteness.

In all seriousness, it was a really fun day and Joyce went to a lot of work to pull together these outfits for us. I was wearing the one that belonged to her mother, so that made it extra special. We even scrubbed streets! Thanks, Rick and Joyce, for hosting us. Looking forward to next year!