Happy Birthday: You're Two

Well Hensley, you really enjoyed your 2nd birthday party. We had pulled pork sliders with crinkle chips, pickled beets, strawberry spinach salad and iced tea. Daddy made you a strawberry baby bunny cake, since Bunny is your go-to comfort lovey. Besides us, your guests were Nana & Grandpa Jones, Grandpa Ben and Grandma Debby, Taryn, Micah and Hazel, and our neighbor friends Jon, Hilary, Jaylen and Livia. 

You got the coolest Fisher Price A-Frame house from Uncle Eric and Aunt Erica (3rd to last photo). Plus a bath time baby, new Zara outfit and coat, coloring book, and a memory game. 

Tegegne and Dad went to a 3D movie last night, since today was all about you. Sweet, thoughtful Daddy. 

Love,

Mom

Dear Hensley: You're Two Today!

Happy Birthday Hensley Ruth! You are two years old today. Two years ago we had no idea what was in store when we met your tiny 7 lb 11 oz newborn baby self. Now you are about 25 pounds and have more personality than we can handle! 

Your first complex sentence was, "Daddy, I like your g-asses (glasses)!" 
You are a real jabber box, but you're most used phrases are sending important messages to your big brother and partner in crime. Those are "Stop It!" and "Be Quiet!" and "No THANK you." Along with "Come get me!" and before bed it's "God b-ess you." and "I love you." Besides words it's giggles or squeals or whining. You two are very close. Sharing a room has been so fun, but Tegegne has recently been lobbying to move his bed to Fields's room. (Hate to break it to ya buddy, but that baby dude still cries at night. Ain't much quieter in there.)

On the days that Tegegne is in school, you are attached to my hip. You hang out with me on the counter while we bake, you often take a good morning nap, and we play with Baby Fields and sometimes Baby Hazel. You like soothing Fields with the same phrases I use. It's so cute to catch you in a motherly moment... "Mommy's comin', mommy's comin" while you pat him gently..."Shhhh, shhhh, shhhh...it's okay." Then there are your not-so-motherly moments where you take his pacifier, trying to somersault over him, or try to hold him when I'm not looking (in which case you are trying to be helpful but he's nearly your size, kid.) 

Tonight we will surprise you with a cute little cake, candles, and a balloon after dinner. Your big party is Saturday with our extended family and a few friends. We are so excited to celebrate you, sweet sweet Hensley! Thanks for hamming it up round here.

Love,

Mommy

P.S. I must say, I really love it that I had a daughter. I mean my boys are wonderful too, but you and I...well, we both love shoes. (Enough said, right?) And hats and candles and chocolate and singing.  Even though I get so annoyed when you loose my earrings while getting into my jewelry...I secretly love it. I love it that I'll pass down my favorite necklace to you. You are becoming a little girl before my eyes and I am imagining you in high school. I know there will be times you won't wanna hang out with your dear 'ol ma, but I'll cherish the times you do. 

A Week: To Remember

Tegegne, your 5th birthday party was seriously fun. You were so nice to include your sister, too.

Hensley, you have really been making us laugh lately. You love being goofy.

Mirror, mirror in Fields' crib! When awake, he likes to look into the mirror!

Fields, here you are at 1 week and 4 days, 7 lb 8 oz. You've been such an awesome baby so far!

What a week! Michael was home. Fields spent his first week here. Tegegne turned 5.  Hensley tried to find her place in it all. And I am no longer hugely pregnant, but get to carry my little bundle around and sit him down if I need to! I can reach the kitchen faucet with ease now, but still spent much time off my feet while Michael handled all-things-kitchen. 

Highlights included:

Great food! Thanks to friends and collegues for the delicious food. (organized via mealbaby.com) A ready-for-fall chicken pot pie and one to freeze, an apple pie delivered warm to our front door, homemade mac n' cheese, beef and veggie cabobs with Tzatziki sauce, Italian sausage lasagna, artisan chocolates for me (via mail from Aunt Jan).

The perfect 5 year old day! Tegegne, your birthday was quite awesome, wasn't it? It started with a trip to our family fav, Soho Bakery, where you picked out a huge cinnamon roll. You opened presents throughout the day and were stoked with each one. Nana delivered your gift to the house, which included the coolest new leather belt with your name stamped in. At 4pm you, Hens, and Ababayeh went door-to-door picking up your 4 birthday guests. Then you spent the next 4.5 hours with friends. Ababayeh and I sat back and watched you all play and what a show that was. There was no need for organized games, because of your young imaginations. The parents came around 7:30 for cake and adult beverages and a bon fire. We will continue this format for parties from here on out. We imagined Hensley's 5th birthday party and how different it will be with 4 little girls in pigtails playing, verses your wildly adventurous play with the boys. 

Fields, the hassle-free baby! Thanks for listening to all of my pep talks towards the end of pregnancy, where I suggested you be a hassle-free baby! Last night you woke twice to eat at 11:30 pm and 4 am. You're teeny tiny and adorable and we love your soft fluffy brown hair with golden highlights! Your jaundice test came back negative. Nana got you a few G diapers with hemp inserts. We plan to get a few more because we love them. 

Hang in there Hensley! This transition would not go in your book of "Best Times of My Life," but you will make it through. Besides some sad times and tantrums, you do love Fields which you say at the top of your lungs "Beels, Beels!" or you call him "Hazel," your upstairs baby friend. You hold him, kiss him, and touch his nose. A highlight for you has been your hours of sweet time with Daddy. You two are attached at the hip and I know Daddy is going to miss you so much while at school this week. You were so happy to see Gramma Debby first thing this morning, and you will also get a special day with Nana on Thursday.

The week was topped off with Uncle Eric and Aunt Erica's visit. We enjoyed the Plaza Art Fair, Lulu's Takeout, bon fires, and mostly laughs and sitting together.

Michael, thanks. Miss you already.

Love,

Mom

Brotherly Love: 1 Week and 5 Years

Good morning sweet little baby. You are one week old today. Ninety percent of the time I'm waking you to eat during the night, but as the weeks go by, I'll be doing this much less. But there's no reason for our roles to change, dear one. You can just keep on sleeping, k? I feel at peace and super content with you home. Your dad is doing a fine job at giving us rest, having the meals ready, and helping sweet Hensley through this big change in her life. Poor Hens. I was gone on bed rest then come home with a new baby. She loves you, and holds you and kisses you, but she's sometimes quite sad at me. 

Tegegne, you're 5 years old today! You are sooo happy to be 5, you're so happy about the Spiderman costume, like all boys your age are. Dad is busy making you a bug cake, and getting ready for your small but special party tonight. 

I love my boys. And that sweet sister sandwiched in between. Oh motherhood, what a blessing.

Mom

9.13.12: Welcome Fields Benjamin

Hi Sweet Baby Fields,

Life is quite good. Your birthing adventure hit a peak and now we are resting in the valley. We did it. With lots of support. You're here. We're tired, but have peace. I've been spoiled with special deliveries of chai lattes and cranberry orange scones two days in a row. You're enjoying eating as well, every 2.5 to 3 hours for 20 to 30 minutes. Your check ups have been good, and we're snuggling quite a bit. Twice now, we've had the family of 5 together and your dad and I love it. 

Joy, joy, joy deep down in my heart, deep down in my heart to stay!

Love, 

Mom 

Hensley Ruth: 12 Months!

Hensley, I am chiming in a month late but with some very special photos of you on your birthday! 

Seriously Hens, we love ya. You sure did like your birthday cake baked by your dear 'ol dad. He actually made you two cakes. One for your photo session, and one for your party. Lucky duck. You are walking a lot these days, wrestling back when Tegegne tries to get you, eating some vegetables thanks to my new veggies-first-when-your-hungry motto, but let me be honest and say you still drop your plate and fork on the floor when you're finished. And sometimes your food. You and I have been getting the giggles more, which I absolutely love. And of course, I'll be the disciplinarian in your life, while your father thinks you do no wrong. He's smitten by you, kid. Your favorite things include stairs, "bunny", waking from a nap, brownies, muffins, being chased, and baths with bro. 

Your words include dada, mama, bubba, dog, dawc-ter (it means lots of things), God, bird. You've got your dad's toes and nose, and your petiteness comes from yours truly. A security lady at the library said, "Wow, she's tall!", but you're actually not tall. 

xoxo,

Mom and Dad

P.S. Thank you, Lauren Overton, for doing a fabulous job taking photos of our wee ones. 

Happy 1st Birthday: Hensley!

Here's the sweet little song that your dear friends sang for you! Happy Birthday Little Lady! We love you!


- Ma-ma, Da-da, and Brother