Big boy beds and various life changing events

Good afternoon. Big changes in the Polanek household these days and who can keep up with it all? Not me. It seems like every weekend, we are going through a new "phase" and a phase is a lot to pack into two days off. Last weekend, Henry climbed out of his crib. Now, I know that I'm lucky. Henry was over 2 years old before deciding that it was time to make his move. The kid is big and definitely able so I was personally, pretty surprised it didn't happen sooner. Then one lovely afternoon, I was out with my friends and I mentioned that he hadn't broken free yet. Wouldn't you know it, John texted me while I was out, saying Henry had made the big jump.....blast!

Talk about a traumatizing afternoon. We converted his crib into the toddler bed (which is an awesome bonus feature to have on a crib!). And I cried. There's nothing like seeing that crib taken apart. I remember sitting in that room when it was empty and freshly painted, thinking who was this person that was relaxing on my bladder anyway? How was their arrival going to change my life? And two years later I was still just beginning to learn the answer to those questions.

The bed was transformed and let me tell you, Henry was less than impressed! No, he was mad. He was just as upset about the changes and the growing up as I was, probably not for the same reasons but there is no doubt he was unsettled and pretty nervous which, like his mother, caused him to react with frustration and respond with exorcist like screaming. Ok I take that back the exorcist like screaming might have been mastered by my son that weekend, my impression still needs a bit of work.

Do you know what it's like to explain to a kid that they have the freedom of a big boy bed but that that sort of freedom is actually more figurative than literal? No, they don't understand that. If something is not restraining them such as a belt, a crib, a hand, a leash attached to a monkey backpack, then they think it's time to test the waters, check it out until they are reeled back in. It is not fun to explain these new rules and boundaries that accompany a cribless life to a child at 8pm and it definitely doesn't get easier as the clock ticks closer to 4am. And have I reminded anyone yet that my son is 2? Yeah 2. It's everything they say it is. Good and bad.....

I sound pretty sarcastic don't I? Well it was a terrible weekend. It was hard and sad and I was bummed to see another sign that my baby was growing up. But I'm also amazed to see him grow. He is incredible. He's smart. I know everyone says that but it's true. And not only is he smart, he's a gifted dancer.....Someone (ok it was me) introduced him to a little movie called dirty dancing. Ok, he's obviously too young to watch the movie just yet, but I played the final song for him on you tube, you know, "I've had the time of my life". he loved it.

Everyday he points at the tv and says dirty dancing? He watches Patrick Swayze and he mimics his moves as best as a toddler can. Every now and then he requests that John or I lift him into the air just like Jennifer Grey. It's awesome. So let me just say, the rough days are rough, really rough. And if I take a moment to myself, which means taking an extra long shower or doing the dishes alone in the kitchen, usually the tantrums end and the tough side of 2 dissipates. I can come out of my moment of zen to a little blond haired blue eyed boy who is shaking his hips, holding a microphone (from his dad's electronic stash) and with his arms raised up at me shouting gleefully, "Mommy dance!"

Hey Moe Hey Moe

It is March and here we are months since my last post. Did I ever mention that I've been busy? Well, no busier than anyone else these days, but the blog does sort of get to be last on the priority list. I think Henry is napping, well at least he is content in his crib right now, and in my opinion that counts too! We are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Spring around here. Cabin fever is at an all time high these days. Henry wants to run and shout and spin in circles and that is getting progressively more difficult in our humble abode. Don't get me wrong, we have had a great winter. Henry spent about 1 whole minute in the snow after the great blizzard of 2011. He was pretty ticked about the wet and cold characteristics of the snow so we got a few photo ops and returned to the warmth of our condo. But winter as a whole was not disappointing.
We've been spending some time playing with his cousin Emmett, who is just 7 months and getting close to Henry size. Along with playing, Henry is also learning to share, not share, express irritation and affection with Emmett. I can only imagine what sort of trouble these two are going to get in together when Emmett is running around with Hank, but I'm assuming it's going to be a bit more than making mud pies.

We were just out of town to visit some of our favorite people in Minnesota. They tend to be pretty awesome so it's no surprise that we get excited when we can celebrate the arrival of new awesome Minnesotans. Our friends Kelley and Dean will be welcoming a wee one into their home very soon and we had the pleasure of celebrating with them at their baby shower. Their were a ton of kids there which was fun to see, and Henry only made one cry. I'm convinced it was a misunderstanding....Now that we are back we can get into full planning mode for our annual Madeline Island vacation. Lots of friends, lots of babies and lots of eating and relaxing. It doesn't get too much better than our Island trip. So there is a lot going on and fun around every corner!

Other Henry accomplishments......Hank has improved his dancing moves immensely. I mean when this kid gets down, it's a sight to see. He's a little shy and won't always do it on command, but I love seeing his reaction to a song that catches his fancy. He's working on his words a lot these days. We don't have very long conversations just yet, but he is much better at getting his point across. His favorite words are Papa (referring to his grandpa), apple, cookie, Dan Zanes (a musician he really likes), Elmo (a small red monster). While these are his favorites, he has been repeating a lot of what we say so I'm pretty sure at some point these sounds are going to come together to make a lot of sense. I do know that he has very strong opinions about things such as food and music so it will be interesting to understand what he is actually trying to say about these subjects.

Finally, I'd like to add that my dear son has learned the word "no" and fully understands what he is expressing when using this term. The only saving grace for this new found vocabulary word is that he can't say his n's very well yet so when he says NO it sounds like MO. It helps lessen the severity of hearing the word NO constantly when it sounds like he's always saying the name of one of the three stooges. And even more recently he has taken to saying, "Mo Way!". As in, "No Way". I tell you, he is a character. So, that's it I suppose. I hope people are still checking here every now and then even though I've been terrible at keeping it up to date. Lots of love to everyone!

I have an excuse.....

I'll admit it, I'm terrible with this blog thing lately. It's not that Henry has stopped doing hilarious things or stopped developing, it's his mom's fault. That's me. Apparently this fall, I've bitten off a lot more than I could chew and I mean that. I really mean that. The good news is, I'm almost completely done with school and I will finally have a college degree! The bad news is, it's been the hardest quarter yet and to throw in my job, remodeling the condo and being a mom, well I'm tired and overwhelmed on occasion. So enough excuses, on to the updates! Henry is doing great!
He's constantly talking, although understanding him is still a challenge, except when food is involved, he gets his message across pretty clearly there. He's running, climbing, dancing and falling. Pretty good toddler stuff going on. And he cracks me up. It is so funny to watch him trying to entertain us. He knows when he is funny and does things just to get a laugh which is pretty awesome. Last month we had another bought of tooth growing. I think he popped up four of them in two weeks! Ouch! But we're close to the end on the teething thing, I mean this little guy has a full mouth.
Along with toddlerhood, he is full on into the testing us phase. It's so easy to get frustrated with a toddler because they are just always testing and pushing limits but it's also just amazing to see them developing, learning and experimenting. I mean sure, it is irritating to have him dump his plate of food on top of the cat as she walks by, but its funny too. That's the trick now is trying not to let him pick up on the fact that half the stuff he is doing is just as hilarious as it is unacceptable. I know I will have plenty of time to work on balancing that out cause we are definitely just at the beginning.
The best part is that he is still a cuddler! He loves to nuzzle and be close. He's great at miming notes when we are singing. We practice a little call and response stuff and I'm pretty sure this kid will be able to carry a tune. Anyway, it's just great. Overwhelming and crazy like parenthood is for everyone, I'm guessing, but just great. I will do better at the blog updates, especially with the holidays coming up. Love to everyone!

So long baby mullet!

I've been a very bad blogger. Henry, John and I are still around, I just haven't been able to put enough thoughts together to make sense let alone compile a decent blog update. But I will try to be better. I mean, Henry is changing constantly, he's a tough kid to keep up with! I feel like recently we entered this whole new level of toddler hood. He's been walking around for a bit, but all of a sudden the walk turned into a run. The baby babbling turned into honest attempts at communication and well, he has realized several new ways to get his opinion across (and that is putting it very nicely) I heard all of this would happen and boy did it.

Since it's clear Henry is no longer a baby, I thought it was only fair to him, to finally give in and cut his beautiful baby mullet. I always thought I would let his hair grow into a cute little surfer do, yet while the back grew and grew, the front did not. Henry was sporting a full on mullet and I knew it was time to take care of business. I called up my mother, because I knew that it would be a traumatizing experience......for me. A baby just stops looking like a baby with a new haircut and that idea took some getting used to. Although I considered doing it myself, I figured the first time around I would pay a professional. This way I could not get angry with myself for destroying my sweet little man's silky locks. We did the whole deal, he sat in a little car with a steering wheel, had his very own television blaring baby einstein and even had an assistant stylist blowing bubbles for his amusement. He was not amused. Not at all. I think it all went wrong when he looked up from his new car and saw a woman in the mirror quickly approaching him from behind with a shiny pair of scissors and a cloak that was swiftly wrapped around his little neck. It was downhill from there. Luckily, the lady was a seasoned veteran and seemed indifferent to Henry's lack of appreciation for her stylish handiwork. At least it was memorable. Now Henry is sporting a new do and the scary stylist is cutting other children's hair and offering them balloons and gifts from the store treasure chest. There was one thought that struck me as I held my trembling son, how the heck are we going to deal with the dentist??? Oh well, there's a little time for me to prepare for that day.

Baby Emmett is Here!!!

Emmett James Hoggarth has arrived and we couldn't be happier! Jinnie went into some early labor Saturday morning and by the time I got out of work at 4pm things were getting serious. I showed up at Jinnie and Mark's apartment right when the midwife arrived and 2 hours later Emmett showed up too! Jinnie did amazing and we were so happy that she had a quick and safe labor and delivery. If any of you saw Jinnie towards the end of her pregnancy you would not be surprised to find out that Emmett was 9 pounds 10 oz and 21 1/2 inches long. We knew that the tall Eichorst genes and Hoggarth genes had never met before so anything could happen and it turns out to be a winning combination. Emmett is just beautiful and we can't wait to get to know him better. Congratulations Jinnie and Mark and welcome Emmett.

Baby Steps

It is officially Baby Hoggarth countdown time in the Chicago suburbs. I've been preparing Henry for the arrival of a new baby by rocking his little rag doll and teaching him how to give the baby kisses. We are so excited to have a new baby around. Lily and Nyle are also making a trip down in early August which means we are having a cousin extravaganza that will be like no other. So while the waiting ensues, we are keeping busy getting plenty done. John and I have been deciding what projects need to be completed in our condo and home projects may not be our forte, but it's necessary if we are ever going to upgrade to a place with at least one extra room and a backyard. For a long time, we were lucky enough to have an empty unit above us so the quiet factor was not an issue, but a few months after Henry was born, someone finally moved in and although she is a tiny petite woman who keeps to herself, I have no doubt that she has steel implants in her heels that cause every movement that she makes to echo through our place. Between her stomping and her desire to only vacuum after 8pm is enough to constantly remind us that we are looking to move to bigger and better places. Anyway, that's where we are at right now. To tile or not to tile that is the question.
Besides exciting home improvement things, Henry is getting dangerously close to....walking! He takes a step here and there but hasn't gone all out just yet, and to tell you the truth I am just fine with that. A few more moments left before I am on the move non stop, I will take them! Henry's been changing every day it seems. Mimicking all sorts of sounds and movements we make. And in other exciting news he slept for 9 hours straight 2 weeks ago....for one night....yup that was it....but it was sweet.....Well I am going to get some work done while he finishes his nap up. I hope every one is enjoying their summer so far and Baby Hoggarth updates will be on their way when I get them.

Year one is done

Last weekend was Henry's birthday and now he is officially in the single digits. His fabulous Tia (aka Carrie) was so generous in offering up her lovely home in LaGrange as party central for Henry's big day and I'd say the shin dig went off without a hitch. John grilled two turkeys and we had an awesome meal which Henry thoroughly enjoyed. He's been going through that phase where he's a little suspicious of people he doesn't recognize, so I was worried seeing so many people he didn't remember at once would freak him out, but he got over his initial insecurities and seemed to have a great time. Henry received so many presents, he is one lucky little guy. Besides cool toys we also restocked on clothes which is pretty important when you grow as fast as Hank does. I'm still getting used to the thought that Henry is no longer an infant. On my birthday every year at some point my parents say, "It was a good day the day you were born". I figured they were just being sappy and saying how they were happy I came into the world, but now as a mom, that statement means so much more to me. The last week, I couldn't help but continuously reflect over the past year and it always brought me back to that day I met Henry for the first time. I remember everything that went on that day, the people I saw, the breeze in the air, the feeling that the time had finally come to meet my son. I know that no matter how much time will pass, I will always look back on the day Henry was born and remember how great of a day it really was.
So we started off his next year of life with the arrival of his second eyetooth. Well, did I say arrival, I suppose the problem is that it hasn't decided on whether it is ready to completely arrive yet, instead it is hanging in the rafters of Henry's gums, tormenting him and reminding me what sleep deprivation is. Darn you eyetooth!!! Hopefully this next phase of teething will be over soon but I am not holding my breath. Besides that, we went for Henry's check up. He has grown almost 3 inches and to my surprise he has not put on anymore weight since our last visit. I knew the crawling would catch up with him eventually and it did, so little by little I am saying farewell gorgeous baby rolls, I will miss you XOXO