Finley Andrew

It has been almost six weeks since our peanut was born. Finley Andrew weighed 6'8 and was 19.5 inches. The first thing we heard when he was born was, "we've got a red head!" I was really nervous about his delivery, but the day he was born the Lord gave me a verse that said, "The Lord is near to all who call upon Him." I must say, His presence was extrodinaily there when Finley was born. His peace and presence made the c-section one that I will back on with thankfulness and joy.
Oh my, this baby is more than cute (I know I'm partial!). He is beautiful. I was instantly in love with his red hair, and am sad each day as it falls out even more. I keep examining his bald little head hoping to see if the red hair is returning. So far, he has been exceptionally easy. He never had any problems nursing and sleeps like a hibernating cub.
He smiled for the first time at Andy and then Addison last week. Addison was thrilled and now says that he smiles at her all the time. Her favorite part of that day, she says, is when Finn smiled at her. She enjoys reading to him, turning on the music in his bouncy seat, and dancing for him. Henry adores Finn as well (not a big surprise!). He constantly wants to "hold her" (he has only ever really been around girl babies, we've tried to correct it but it is still what he says). When someone else is holding him, he gets really upset. I love how he talks in a high pitch voice to Finley. These are the things I hope I never forget.
Everyone asks if going from two to three has been a hard adjustment. I can hardly believe how easy it has been. Finn has brought a sense of completion to our family, and it has been nothing but ease and joy. Not only am I in love with Finley, but I am even more in love with my other children and with Andy since his birth.

Tomorrow

I think it was at ten weeks into this pregnancy that I thought, "how am I going to do this?" I often thought over the last few months, "I'm not going to make it." How many times did I say that to Andy? I didn't have any major complications, thank the Lord, but this was an especially difficult time in my life.
But tonight I can say what I didn't think I would. I made it. 39 weeks this little human has been growing inside of me and now I get to meet him tomorrow. How crazy is that? With the other two, I didn't know their exact arrival, but with this guy I know he is coming at 7:30 in the morning. Surreal.
So Finley, the night before you are born I must say I am so excited to see your little face, your hands, your feet. Everything. I can't wait to lay eyes on the human that God has been lovingly and intricatley creating within me. The sense that you are His has never left me, His love for you has been something strongly impressed on my heart. He has a plan for you, of this I am sure.
Until tomorrow, Finley.

Five Days!

Finley is scheduled to come on Monday morning, just five more days! Henry came ten days early, so that would mean I would go into labor tonight and have him tomorrow morning. I don't think that is going to happen. It looks like I will be waiting with this little one.
We have been trying to fill our days with fun activities and evenings with quality family time. I find it is easier to keep the kids busy at this point. Although, I admit that most evenings when Andy gets home, I retire. Today, we ventured out to the splash pad. Henry loved it. He kept running through the water shouting, "fun, fun, fun!" Addison, on the other hand, was not so venturesome with the water and barely poked her toe in. She did eventually get her arm wet, which she proclaimed was "very brave."
Tonight we went on our last family night outing. We had a wonderful picnic dinner at Lake Michigan and then threw rocks into the water and played in the sand. We tried putting our feet in but the water was freezing. Henry didn't care, but for the well being of his little feet, we wouldn't let him go in for too long. Henry could spend his entire life just throwing rocks in the water and scooping them into his bucket. Addison had fun collecting rocks and playing in the sand. It was a beautiful evening, and I'm sure I will never forget it.

Brother and Sister Love

Addison and Henry have been exceptionally cute with each other. As Henry grows into more of a little boy each day, they seem to be growing closer as well. The other day, I took Addison out on a little date to Starbucks and then to Target to peruse the toy aisles. She mentioned about ten times how much Henry would love this or love that. "I wish Henry were here to see this mommy." That same day, Andy took Henry to get his haircut. After, the lady offered him a sucker. Without hesitation, he said "orange suck please." The lady then asked if his daddy wanted one. Henry replied, "No, sissy suck. Pink, please." Oh, be still my heart. The little guy knew his sister would want a pink sucker. He was so proud bringing it home to her.

Dentist

Today was one of those mornings that I wasn't able to get compleltey ready before we had to leave. Completley meaning, brush my teeth. You see, I hate brushing my teeth right away when I first wake up. Usually, I wait until after I eat breakfast. Well, we were already running late, so after breakfast we zoomed out the door. When we got home, I kept thinking I needed to go brush my teeth, but never made it upstairs to do it.
At 5 o'clock, I took Addison to her scheduled dentist appointment. I thought as we walked in, "man my teeth feel disgusting. Luckily, they won't see mine." As we walked in, the nice receptionist informed me that, I too had an appointment at the same time as Addison's. Lovely.
The called Addison back first, so we went back and I showed her where I would be and where she would be (right next to her cubicle). Without hesitation, she got up in the chair and informed the hygentist that her "bunsers are a little red right now and kind of sore." Nice.
I must say it was really strange listening to the hygentist clean Addison's teeth as I was in the other room. She is getting to be such a big girl!

Our Two Year Old

I wanted to write a post about our little Henry and what he is up to these days as a silly little two-year old. I must say, he has changed so much in the last two months. He has turned from a baby into a funny, talkative guy. His favorite things to say is, "Why? Sissy, phone, and mall, Buzz, and George." Which, I may add are also his favorite things in the world. He also loves trains and airplanes. He recently discovered slides, tunnels, and bridges at the park. He could go up and down them all day long if I let him. Of all the things he loves, I must say his greatest love are babies. He just cannot help himself when a baby enters the room. He runs over, sits down and just has to kiss it. He is so gentle and sweet with them. Henry is an exceptionally picky eater. His staples being pizza, sausage, hot dogs, apples, and strawberries. I often try new things, but he wrinkles his nose and disaprovingly hands it back to me.
Henry is the sweetest most sensitive little man I've ever met. If anyone is crying, he is right there to pat their face and say "you otay?" His sweet kisses and hugs warm my day. I can't imagine my life without him, and can't wait to see all that God has in store for him.

Happy 2nd birthday, Henry!

Henry turned two yesterday! Yikes, how is my little guy already two? He seemed pretty excited about his birthday, when we told him it was his birthday he would do his adorable, "woohoo." The day started off with daddy going in to get him out of bed. Andy wished him a "happy birthday, buddy." In response, Henry said, "mall? Mall?" Yes, my two year old's greatest desire for his birthday was to go to the mall and "walk." A little while later, Addison came downstairs and wished her brother a "happy birthday." and then added, "hmmm," as she did her trademark tap to her lip as she thinks very intently, "I wonder what I should wear today for Henry's birthday." Oh three year old decisions.
Much to Henry's disappointment, we couldn't just go immediately to the mall. Instead, we had to eat and get ready. If we truly could just go in our pajamas, but I don't think that would be socially acceptable. The little guy sat outside my bathroom reading a book, with every step of me getting ready was over, he would look up and say, "done?" "No, I need to dry my hair." When that was completed, "done?" "No, Henry, I need to do my makeup." He continued this until we literally pulled in to the mall parking lot.
Addison was really cute about the present she wanted to buy Henry. The night before, she told me she knew the "perfect gift." "A Buzz Lightyear doll, mommy. I think he would love that." While we were at the mall, we went in to the Disney store for her to find a Buzz. As we were looking around the store, she walked right up to the salesclerk and said, "excuse me. I'm looking for a Buzz doll for my brother Henry's birthday. Do you happen to have any?" I must add that she was right, the Buzz is without a doubt Henry's favorite present.
The day was pretty uneventful after that. We had homemade pizza and then had family over for cake. He was thrilled with his presents and excited to have all the attention.