Not tonight....rats

Family -

Tonight I am a busy guy, and I am not very excited about this at all.  I need to go to the dentist after school, for 2 hrs...ugh.  Yea, really lame. Then, I have a board meeting to attend, and speak on some topics that may be rather uneasy.

I just want to come home after teaching.  I just want to play with you little Mr. Dena.  There are lots of options: puppy, cars, kite, catch, kick back, etc.  Ms. Ruth, you don't do much yet other than hold your head up, and then headbutt anything in your way.  I do love trying to take credit for your little smiles after your mother makes you fat and happy.  I want to give mom a break, and be tackled and yelled for.  Tonight, well, that won't happen.

Just know that I want to play, but I can't.  Tomorrow, Tegegne, maybe we'll fly a kite again. And for you ms. little cute as a button, I'll hold you as long as possible.  Those are great endings to the day.

Lovely wife, I'll see you for sure.  We'll catch up with the day's happenings, and maybe we'll watch a show.  I am sure you'll be tired, maybe I'll bring home a special treat for us to enjoy.  That is a good ending to a long day. 

I'm working hard for you all, and thinking of you often.  I'm starting to see what my dad said when he told me that "this is what life is all about..."

TDJ, go get sweaty and dirty.  HRJ, go get cozy and nap.  KLJ, enjoy the life you give to our family.

- The Dad

Family: Photoshoot

Scout Photo.

The best thing about the shot on the stairs, is that we made no real effort to get Owen (the big yellow lab) in the photo. He just wanted to represent himself as a part of the family, I guess.

Kids: Photoshoot

Scout Photo.

Dad Stuff: His Spring Look

So as someone anonymously commented in the last post, I left out your dear old dad and didn't find anything for his wardrobe. Yes, I can surf the net easily for kids clothes and of course for myself but I usually don't get around to clothing for your dad. 

So, these are for you Michael. I'm sure you would love some new cycling jerseys and let's just dream that we can buy you a new bike with all the bells and whistles like Thor Hushovd's below. 

 

P.S. I think you look hot in that new green Izod cardigan that we picked up at Katie's booth (3rd floor, middle isle, north side...she's got great vintage clothes at bargain prices!) in the River Market Antique mall.  

Love, 

Your Wife

Kid Stuff: Clothing Lookbooks

A cute look for Hensley...a little big but conceptually cute.

For you, Tegegne.

And more for Hensley. (If I buy these shoes for your brother, you could wear them in a few years!)

caramelbaby&child


I found some cuteness over at caramelbaby&child via emmas designblogg. I love these looks.  I'm so glad places like caramelbaby&child and zara have "lookbooks," because buying all of these clothes is not an option, and looking does not cost a thing!


As Tegegne would say, "Hensley Wooth, you are so cute." (He also calls you Sweetie.) It should be fun to shop with you someday. For now, would you please make it a little easier to put your clothes on? There is no trying things on and off, as if you were a baby doll. I better be quite sure of your outfit before the grand effort to get each little limb in the correct sleeve or pant leg. 

And a "look" for mom while I'm at it.  (from Zara)

These too! (from Zara)

Hensley: Falling Slowly

Scout Photo

Hi sweet cheeks! I love the sequence of these photos. The first shows your cross-eyed look, then the second you are on the verge of falling and your hands are reaching towards something secure (aka "Mom or dad, help please...don't you see I'm falling?"), and lastly you slid all the way down. You lie there helpless, and soon started to cry, which was really you saying, "Guys it's not funny anymore, or cute...pick me up now, please?" 


Since I told Tegegne that your cry is your way of talking, he asks me what you are saying each time you cry. It doesn't bother me, but really makes me realize that I do know what cry means what. Or I think I know. One cry means "please feed me," one means "put me to bed please," one means "hold me please," one means "I pooped and am uncomfortable," and one means "it's evening and I would like to express myself for a bit." I think that's about all you "say" for now. 


You are starting to smile and look us in the eyes, and it's pretty great. Your torso is already longer than mine and I'm quite sure you will be taller than me. Just please don't get taller than your brother, okay?


XOXO,
Mom

Father & Son: Big Hands, Little Hands

Scout Photo.

You still prefer to imitate everything Ababayeh does. You always want to pick out a shirt that looks the same as his, or you ask him to wear his Chuck Taylors when you have yours on. Besides me, I'd say you are his biggest fan. He loves it. He will be so glad when you can ride your bike and run your legs alongside him. Oh what fun Hensley and I will have cheering you two on in your first race!

Kids: A Big Helper

Scout Photo. Nick Welch.

As you can see, aside from Michael, I have a big helper in the house named Tegegne. It is quite fun to have him help when I stay patient enough for him to do so. This morning he was holding her legs as I changed her diaper, and he did a great job. He helped lotion her belly after her bath, and loves to hold her. Hensley, you seem to enjoy hearing your brothers voice as he tries to sooth your cry or get you interested in a toy. Last night was a sweet moment. He came in and helped me sing you a song before you went to bed. He chose "God is so good" and sang it to you with all of his heart.

And to you big helper, I've been thinking of you as a little bitty baby a lot. I am often asked if it is hard that we didn't know you as a baby. Now that we have this sweet, cuddly little baby I would say yes. I wish I could have held you, rocked you, soothed you, and known you when you were so little. At the same time, I know that it was God's will for your dear birth mother to have those moments with you. Feeding you with her breast, soothing you with her voice. She even told us (when we met her) that you slept on her chest. I am sure that being near her was what you needed. Oh, but if we could only see a photo of your sweet baby cheeks. You have enjoyed us talking with you about what you were like as a little baby. We tell you that you probably cried as much as Hensley does, and that you had as many dirty diapers...but that birth mom most likely didn't use diapers like we use, etc, etc.

Love,
Mommyeh

Hensley: One Month

Scout Photo . Nick Welch

Hensley Ruth,

You are one month old and you are changing so much! We started using cloth diapers yesterday and as your dad said, the diaper looks like a large marsh mellow on a toothpick...you being the toothpick! You slept in your own bed in your room last night rather than the bassinet in our room. You are taking good naps in your bed and giving mommy a little more free time. We are learning more about you and love you so much. You have grown out of some of your newborn clothes and make the best little coos. I love your little toes.


Love,


Mom

**I love having talented friends with photography businesses. Nick Welch (with his lovely wife, Katie) recently did a photo shoot for us and we love the way he captured our family. Nick is a part of Scout Photo in Kansas City and we highly recommend them to you! (More photos to come!)

Motherhood: I Can!

SuperMom Action Figure

Well, I just had to chime in and say how accomplished I felt this morning! Go me go! I wish I had a t-shirt that said, "I'm a mom and I can do this!" It's my first full day without a helper and I got the kids dressed and out the door to visit my workplace (or old workplace, but I'll claim it forever.) Tegegne and I showered, had breakfast, the dog pee-d, I fed Hensley at 7:30 and 10:30ish, changed a few of her diapers and we were off. AND, I made my "Mother's Milk Tea." And actually drank half of it. It was great to visit my coworkers/friends. I miss those folks who I used to spend more than half of my day with.


Last night we had a great walk around the Kansas City Museum with neighborhood friends. Tonight we are having dinner with friends, and they are bringing the meal to us. What a deal, huh?


Tegegne, I'd say you've had a super week playing with Gramma Debby, Cade, Adry, Stella, Hudson, Soren, and Sfea + the other awesome kids at school. You do not lack a social life, that's for sure. On top of that you got this amazing package from Aunt Jan & Wally that included a hilarious t-shirt that says "Lock Up Your Daughters" and a sherif cowboy costume.


Hensley, I think you had a good week too. You are sweet little lady.


Michael, thanks for my date Tuesday night at JJ's. It was so great to get away with you. We look forward to the best part of our day...when you walk in the door!


Mom