6 Month Review.....

After a long hiatus from blogging, I've returned from my long nap with Henry to report on our six-month journey thus far. Henry has been hands down, the coolest boss in the world I've ever had, and probably the only employer I didn't mind cleaning up after. Those first few weeks alone with Henry, when Nicole returned to work in April, I have to admit, were really challenging. Some days, they were downright scary and frustrating. But when I realized that nothing else really mattered but being there for Henry, all those weights dropped around me, and my priorities finally shifted in the right direction. I eventually let go of those "soft addictions" like checking & answering emails throughout the day, and kept those activities to the night time. My time with Henry was all about Henry, and should be considered precious. Everything else would have to wait. And it did. Imagine that!

Through it all, I've learned a lot about patience, humility, and really enjoying every moment I could with him. He teaches me so much, every day. He's my master and guru, seeing how much joy he brings to strangers that pass him by on the street, flashing them his smile, with complete, utter selflessness and unconditional love. I can't believe I had a part in creating this incredible being. How could this be possible, and how can I learn to be more like Henry, to embrace the world through his eyes? Too many years of feeling jaded or unfulfilled have been replaced with taking in the simplicity of life around me, following in his foosteps.

I kept journals for a bit, but I soon neglected those duities in favor of just taking in these moments, without documentation. Luckily, along the way, I took way too many pictures, so I feel it is my duty to recap some great moments we've spent together, and shed some light on this shabby chic stay at home dad lifestyle.


FEBURARY 2008......

This month's biggest scare was all about vaccines. He got so many shots at his two month appointment (5 shots!) that it sent us into a huge panic. How could we be injecting our son with all these vaccines we knew absolutely nothing about? We immediately started reading up on all the pros and cons listed in the Dr. Sears book, what each vaccine contained, about its supposed ties to Autism, and all the common scares that are out there. We came to the conclusion that we would try to be more selective with certain shots, and generally try spreading out the shots per visit, that way it wasn't such a shock to his immune system. How could this little body take so many shots at once?



This was Henry's first music concert he ever attended. Our friend Audrey is an Opera Singer, so he experienced some selections from Carmen at the local Brand Library. Our friend Eric was also there and took some awesome pictures of Henry. Check them out HERE.



Here he is, the little guy and mom, at home in his green preppy polo onesie. This is one of mom's favorite outfits.



This was a proud moment for mom, a fridge full of breast milk! Her supply of milk started kicking in, over and above the daily feedings, so we were able to keep stock and freeze for later. Got milk? Why, YES!



Henry in his best pirate pose. Bath time has become his favorite part of the day, and as usual, he's hamming it up for the camera. It also looks like he's giving the power sign, as in "power to the people man".



Here's Henry at our new favorite Breakfast spot in Silverlake, Mustard Seed (second only to Madame Matisse). Our friends Shelley (pictured) and Plapp met up with us there too. I believe this was when Shelley presented Henry with the Blue Robot & matching scarf (see "Robot Love" ). Also, notice the striking green polo.



This was Henry's least favorite activity, "Belly Time". It usually consisted of him laying on his belly, getting more and more frustrated, until we couldn't take it anymore. We were worried that if we didn't give him enough belly time everyday, he would never learn to sit up properly, but he busted that theory by late June, to where he is now, sitting up really well on his own, but still prone to tipsiness.



Henry at his first gallery opening, 2.16.08 @ Truxtop, Silverlake. It was a solo show of Walt Hall, from whom we had purchased a simular piece that's pictured here at the Hive, a few weeks earlier, for Henry's nursery. Unfortunately Truxtop is no longer in business, but I had the chance to exhibit there a couple of times before it closed its doors.



Olive, our cat (her sister Lucy, not pictured) cozying up to Henry. Our cats in general were very accepting of Henry, which surprised us. We thought for sure they would feel threatened or act out in some way. One thing that may have helped, was that whenever I came home to feed the cats when we were at the hospital with Henry, I left them blankets that Henry had been swaddled in. This way, they were familiar with his scent by the time he arrived. Olive is still the cat who will get this close to Henry, and tolerant enough to let him pet her, whereas Lucy usually keeps herself safely out of reach.




To be continued.......