Perspective

We are getting ready for a fun weekend with the Polaneks for Nina and Bill's wedding. It should be a lot of fun and since Henry is already a seasoned wedding attendee, I'm hoping he'll behave himself. I thought I would make a quick update because a lady said something to me yesterday that stuck. Henry was putting on the charm at the grocery store and this woman said "He is so beautiful, you must smile all day long". Now I have been thankful for every second that Henry has been in my and John's lives. He's been a great baby with a great attitude but this is a much tougher job than I ever imagined. Like most or maybe all moms, quite often I feel just exhausted, and I'm not even working another job right now! Anyway, that lady reminded me of something very important that I am going to continue to remind myself on those tough days or rather nights. I have never smiled more in my life than I do now. Everyday, throughout the day I have a reason to smile no matter how the day starts or how it ends, everywhere in between I am smiling at Henry. So thanks random grocery lady for pointing that out, I'm a lucky girl.

Gaga Googoo

So we're safely out of the holiday zone and back to reality, whatever that means these days. Henry decided to wake up at 6am this morning which is a mere hour and a half earlier than usual, grrr. But we're dressed out of bed and I thought I would catch up with everyone while he plays with his new collection of toys. I can officially say that last weekend I reached my limit and achieved the status of burnt out. As some of you may already know, the Eichorst family comes from a long line of Tshirt vendors (well just a couple generations) but when the work arises, we're there. It's usually decent money, fun people watching and sometimes even a chance to spend quality family time. Anyway, this weekend I spent Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Rosemont Theatre selling Lady Gaga merchandise to glitter covered, spandex wearing, stiletto stomping men and women, talk about people watching! Luckily John and I were able to work together on Saturday and Henry was able to spend Friday with his Grandma and Grandpa Eichorst and Saturday with his Grandma Polanek, he's one lucky guy (and so are we!). Needless to say, I worked a few long hard days of work and following my previous sleep deprived schedule, I made it pretty easy for myself to catch a cold and I did. Boo! So now I'm at war with this cold and fighting it with a regimen of zinc and vitamin C, I'll let you know who wins.

In other news, Henry is doing great. He's growing like crazy and trying to do so many new things at once. You can check out the big improvements he's making on his dialect in the video below. No crawling or scooting, but he is spending a lot more time on his belly playing with toys which is something he would previously avoid at all cost. We're going to be laying low the next week or so and then Henry will be going to our cousin Nina's wedding! I see lots of fun ahead for the Polanek family!!

Mr.Holiday

We made it through Henry's first Christmas and for all the fun and magic that it was, we are exhausted. Christmas eve was spent with the Polaneks/Beaudways/Pupas and much fun was had by all. Henry made out like a bandit and didn't even know it! One of his favorite gifts from that night is definitely his Liberty Renegade Jeep Walker from his Grandma. Now instead of bouncing in one spot in his jumpy chair, he can actually make tracks, slightly frightening for me and his father yet entertaining all the same. It was a late night for us but Henry kept up the Christmas cheer attitude and thoroughly enjoyed his time spent with the family. We even got some great footage of his Great Grandpa making him laugh. The next day we spent at my parents' house and although we missed some of our Christmas regulars we were super happy to have Aunt Sue, Aunt Fran, Uncle Phil, Grandma Eichorst, and Donna all come in for the festivities (oh and Aunt Fran and Uncle Phil's amazingly behaved dog Dakota). Dinner was excellent and even though Henry fought the naps with all of his might, he still managed to keep his pleasant demeanor, at least until we got him back home to our place..... So many people were generous and thinking of him this year that we had to go out yesterday and by a toy box from Ikea just to house Henry's new stuff!
Anyway, I am still paying for his out of wack routine the last several days and the extreme over stimulation that ensued, but the holidays were perfect and Henry enjoyed every second spent celebrating. This week we are lucky enough to have a nice long visit from his cousins Lily and Nyle which will end with us all ringing in the New Year together. I hope everyone had a great Christmas and I'll be checking back in soon! Lots of love!!

Henry's advenure to Dipti's Salon and other Holiday Tales

Well it is the end of a long Monday, just a few days away from Henry's very first Christmas and we're getting things done! Today Henry went on a long excursion with some of the finest ladies in the Chicago suburbs to our favorite eyebrow threading lady, Dipti of "Dipti's Salon". Thanks to my good friend Carrie, we were introduced to Dipti and great eyebrow sculpting ensued. This was Henry's second trip to the humble one room "salon" in Skokie or maybe its still considered Chicago there, either way it was a hike but well worth the trip. Why else would you spend over two hours in a car with a 7 month old, in Christmas shopping traffic on a Monday morning than to get the hair ripped off of your face. Henry was great though, in fact, he has improved his attitude in the car big time and I couldn't be happier about it! Since his Aunt Jinnie is on school break, we followed up our trip to Dipti's with a mad dash to the mall to finish up some loose end Christmas shopping, where once again Henry turned on the charm and a positive attitude. Tomorrow the "little guy" turns 7 months. I know unbelievable. Sometimes when I'm rocking him back to sleep in the middle of the night (yeah he's still not quite a sleeping champion yet) I think to myself, he is going to continue growing and becoming his own person and maybe needing me a little less, I mean I'm sure he'll come to me for advice here and there, but I know it won't be in the way he needs me right now and that always chokes me up a bit. As this year is coming to an end, I can't even wrap my head around how much my life and John's life has changed this year. Changed in a way that I never knew it could and for as hard as so many moments of it can be, I couldn't feel happier or more in love. I'll definitely post some Christmas pics after I get them. I know I've been slacking with the smugmug updates but I've been busy doing lots of things even though I couldn't make a list of what I've accomplished at the moment, I just know I feel busy.... Well, just a little update for everyone. I promise I'll get pics up early next week and maybe an exciting video clip or two as well. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all you Henry fans out there, we love you all!

Forget Santa I'm looking for the Sandman.....

So when I first became a mother, I heard that the first six weeks were the hardest and I had that point to look forward to, while enjoying everything in between of course. It was just the sleep deprivation hit in a way that is almost impossible to imagine unless you've experienced it. After six weeks, sure Henry got better here and there. He went from waking up every two hours to three and then progressively got better. A couple times, even giving us a 6 hour run!!! If only I would have known that those times would be few maybe I would have enjoyed them a little more instead of laying in bed wondering if I should go in and check to make sure everything was ok since he was quiet for so long. Anyway, what I'm getting at is Henry, in all his charm, fuzzy headedness, his way of smiling and laughing at his admirers and studly 22 pound self is the best thing that John and I have had happen to us....yet he absolutely stinks at sleeping at night. Today is one of those mornings that I'm teetering on hysterical laughter and tears, I'm not quite sure what will send me one way or another. So far I've heard a list of about 50 different ways to make Henry sleep through the night and nothing as worked although we've tried it all. Well I started this post at 6am and am now finishing it at 5:45pm because my back up has finally arrived (that's John). I'm always interested in hearing new suggestions but I'm sort of guessing that Henry has a game plan of his own. Cheers to being a Mom!

Birthday Boy

So, Henry is now officially a 6 month old....I cannot believe it but it happened. Six months ago John and I came home with this beautiful little baby, hoping that we could make him happy, keep him healthy and teach him how to have great taste in music. Today it honestly feels like he's always been with us. I am truly amazed at how he changes every day (as he's singing himself to sleep right now). I'll admit it, he could be a much much better sleeper at night. He stills feels the need to get up several times and make sure that we're around and willing to snuggle with him and we can't help but oblige. But besides that, he's been perfect. I know, everyone says that about their children, well now I know why.
We're excited that Thanksgiving in this week. There are plenty of the Polaneks/Pupas/Beaudways to catch up with. And we were lucky enough to squeeze in a quick trip last Saturday to visit Great Grandma Eichorst in Williams Bay. I worked a concert last night so I'm teetering on delirious, but I wanted to make sure and get a quick post in to tell the world, my little man is half a year old! I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving, we are thankful for all of you.

Rocky Top Henry

Well, we survived another 8+ hour car ride with Henry and have sadly left some of our favorite people in one of our favorite travel spots, Knoxville, TN. Now as many of you know, Henry is a well seasoned traveler but I was a little more nervous about this trip because early on, he slept, ate and repeat, but now he gets bored which is a little more to deal with when sitting in the car for close to 10 hours. But, he was great, sure there were a couple melt downs but I can't blame him, I was getting pretty antsy myself. John, Henry and I traveled down to Knoxville with Carrie, Nick and Carrie's uncles Bob and Joe, and Dakota and Fritz. We had a super fun weekend with Dave and Sonja and their roommate Whitney. Their view is a gorgeous overlook of the valley with the Smokey Mountains in the background, it's quite an amazing way to wake up every morning. We took a trip into the mountains and had a little cheese and cracker picnic (well Henry ate some sweet potatoes) and we hiked on a little trail that was baby friendly. The whole trip was so much fun, well the Bears game was not so fun, but the rest of it was great, just like every time we visit TN only this time we had our favorite little man with us, the icing on the cake! Sonja even planned a little craft and we relived our famous "craft nights" by tie dying shirts, boxer shorts and onesies!
We've been keeping busy besides our travels. I am working on my final paper for my Renaissance class this quarter and next week I will be done with school until January, whoot whoot! That means, Henry and I can start planning fun holiday type things. I've never looked forward to Christmas as much as I have this year. I know having Henry is going to make it so much more special for John and I. Now, I will stop putting off writing my paper and get to work. Lots of love to everyone!
Oh and some quick Hank stats, he is rolling over from his tummy to his back but just one direction for now :) He's getting close to his 6 month birthday and is topping the scales at 20 pounds and maybe a little extra. Henry is still working on sitting up without help and he's working those abs like crazy, I think he'll have it pretty soon. No teeth yet, but that hasn't stopped him from trying sweet potatoes and apples, pureed of course!