The Tien Times: I Two!

Well Henry is two!

What a big boy!! I can't believe how little has been documented about his sweet life. It really is true about each child getting less and less documentation. I am working on shutterfly books for him, like I did for Lucy, but I'm way behind. One of my friends writes monthly blogs about her kids with detailed updates. I'm apparently only doing one every 2 years! But Henry IS super cute and there is lots to say about him. So, if you are interested, here are Henry highlights, as of right now!

Henry took a long time to have words! The only reason he passed his 18 month check up was because he was skilled in animal sounds, and they counted those as "words" for the 8-10 word requirement. However he knew several letters, and could sing the entire tune of twinkle twinkle little star using just the word "up"! He's got great pitch, and now hums along with Frere Jacques, Row Row Row your Boat, and other songs that are embedded in his toys. He's definitely better at mimicry and getting his point across. Important words like "car", "night night" "m&m" and many others have appeared, along with short sentences like "I two" or "I hide" or "Night Night Moon car (star) Daddy!" He knows about 1/2 his letters plus two numbers (2 and 9). He'll say: "Bubbles Night night" but in a tone that is silly, because we are saying together "Bubbles aren't for Night night"! And most precious is his very polite "Ecko Mamma" (Thank you mama) which he says whenever you give him something he really wants! His vocabulary is expanding, as well as his tone, emotion and delivery which makes speech so fun right?! Having a hilarious older sister also helps. He is very close to learning how to tell a joke!

(Just a cute picture of siblings!)

He also loves to "read" books, as well as being read to. Even if I'm reading an older book with Lucy, Henry will push his way over and climb in my lap to see all the hubbub. One night at bedtime reading, he pointed to a picture and said "oval kite". He knows several shapes!! I've heard that kids are still working on shapes in 1st grade?!

He is so strong! He loves to jump on the trampoline and off of furniture too! He climbs the rock wall at the park along with the other giant kids. At his 2 year check up he was 31 pounds (with clothes and trains in hand) and 34.25 inches tall!! (over 90th percentile for height). He looks so tall and skinny to me when he's undressed that I can't believe he's my son! He's been a very picky/sensitive eater, way more than Lucy ever was, so I've been aware of this and a little exhausted in trying to get him to eat more than goldfish crackers. (umm, note to self, stop buying them!) Anyway, he's decided he's too big for the high chair, so he sits at the big table with us. It's messier for sure, but he seems to have risen to the challenge a bit, and enjoys eating from the bulk containers of food, family style, along with everyone else.

For the last few months Henry has had a thing for ducks. We happen to have a LOT of little rubber duckies, (mostly prizes from the dentist office!). He often had one in each hand, and especially wanted one when we traveled in the car. "Duck" was one of his early words, (which sounded the same as truck, rock, stuck, and anything else that rhymes). However, the last 2 months or so, he can say car, beep beep car, BIIIIIIIG car, and baby car. Thanks to Easter gifts, and an early birthday gift from my friend Sheena, Henry had a few cars to play with and he's been hooked ever since. That along with finding a cute shirt at gymboree made me certain that his birthday party would be car themed! In the last week he has expanded to other vehicles, thanks to birthday gifts, including trains and airplanes!

Planes, trains and automobile series:

We are so pleased with his laughs, giggles, squeels and smiles.

He has a very fun nature, and also a very sweet side too. He's still very snuggly, very "needy" for Mama, but learning to have adventures without me. Like when he tries to escape every barrier he comes across. (I have to stay with him in the nursery at church, because even with me there he climbs over all the child gates and escapes in a flash!) He and Lucy also like to hide under blankets, in buckets and boxes, etc. He's so cute. He'll hide and say "I hide". Then you have to say "is Henry under the table?" and from his hiding place he'll say "nope". This continues until you tire out and guess his correct location and he'll come out of hiding, smile big and nod his head.

He also likes to hide in the bushes!

Having Tim's parents here for the month of May has really expanded his "culture" if you will. Yeye (Tim's dad) has always had a special place in Henry's heart, and Henry loves to help Yeye to the table, or downstairs or night-night. Here is a pic of him leading Yeye to the stairs for night night, but it's the only time that Henry walks S-L-O-W-L-Y to go Yeye's pace. Love watching his tender care adapt to different people's needs!