Henry's first concert

First off, let me make everyone aware that I am on a good month for residency. You can tell because I am posting things. When I am posting things it means stuff is happening and I am able to participate in this. It's been nice.

Last Saturday was Jiggle Jam. It is a yearly 2 day music ordeal here in KC. The headliner was They Might Be Giants. We thought it would be fun, so we went. It was quite a warm day, but Henry didn't seem to mind at all. His little face got red and stayed that way the entire time. I'm afraid he takes after me in that respect. Henry, sorry about that. We got to hear Bongo Bob sing a little and then went to the main event. There were tons of people there but we managed a spot in the grass. Just because we had a spot didn't mean Henry was done exploring. We took turns following Henry around and he would eventually make it back to home base. The picture above was one of his wanderings. I guess he got a little tired and had to sit. He really did like the music and danced quite a bit. I enjoyed it too. I look forward to next year.

Also, earlier that day Henry and I showed up for our swimming lesson. I guess it was canceled, but they let us swim anyway. Henry was already excited and was signing the word swim (I didn't even know he knew the sign but Aaron taught him behind my back). When we went into the water he plunged right in. He didn't have any fear. When I told him to lay on his back he would (but just for a little bit). It was a lot of fun. I look forward to Aaron seeing his swimming abilities.

There are so many things that Henry is doing where I can understand him more and more. For instance, this morning I was putting on his sock and he signed car. I told him we weren't leaving right now, but later he would go to Grammy's house. He seemed to understand that. Also tonight I asked him how many 5 is, and he showed me. Oh, but that isn't about understanding him, but more about improving communication.

Ok, well bottom line is things are doing great at the Stilley/Solyntjes household.

Swimming part two

Since last post, Henry is doing quite well. He still has a hoarse voice, but I don't think it bothers him. I'm trying to lay off giving into his every demand. I even let him cry out this morning (okay, well I got him the first time, but definetly not the second). Because he was doing so great, I took him to swimming lessons.

It has been a great goal of mine to take Henry to swimming lessons. I wanted to do it earlier, but my crazy schedule and Aaron's hate for the water prevented this. I actually signed up for a course once, but it was canceled because Henry and I were the only swimmers. Anyway, 2 weeks ago swimming lessons started at the YMCA 2 blocks from our house.

The first lesson went pretty bad. I think the water was a little cool and Henry was definetly not into it. He kept pointing at the shore and fussing. There were 4 other kids there and they were doing all the things they were supposed to do (blowing bubbles, floating on their back, getting their face in the water). I tried to keep up, but it made Henry cling even closer to me. I did dunk him in the water at the very end, and he came up screaming. That's how we left the last session.

Today, Henry freely walked into the water. He was a little hesitant initially and didn't want to get too deep, so we hung out in the shallow end. Eventually the instructor gave Henry a little plastic duck the all the rules changed. He was willing to grab the duck underwater and go swim to the duck (by me holding him on his belly in the water). We played a game where we set the duck on the edge and said "bye" and then later swam back to him and said "hi." He loved it and started smiling and laughing. After he was in a good mood he was able to stick his chin in the water, blow bubbles and even briefly float on his back. He was having real fun all thanks to the "daa" (imagine 1st three fingers to the mouth making a duck sign). Today I think we made a real breakthrough and I look forward to next week. Hopefully Aaron can join us and even enjoy himself too.

There are research studies showing that children who have swimming lessons are less likely to drown. That in itself is a reason to continue. Having fun another good reason.

Henry is going to be a great swimmer someday. Maybe next week we'll have pictures.

Oh, and by the way Aaron is starting to turn the corner on his illness too. Luckily my schedule is crazy good and I have a willing mother-in-law to help us out when we need Henry help.

Recent Life

We got to enjoy a trip to see Grandma & Grandpa Solyntjes, Aunt 'Nae, Uncle Benjamin, Uncle Phil and many more in Minneapolis recently. It was a great time. Henry even called (Grand) "Ma" and (Grand) "Pa" by name, which he hasn't started doing yet for my parents! He also calls "Nae" by name. It can get a little confused with knee, but so far we've been able to tell the difference. He had a fever off and on the last couple of days we were there, and got sicker after we got home, with croup and some labored breathing. I also came down with "the crud" (as my mom calls it, who has/had it too). Yuck. It's really the first illness Henry has had other than acid reflux and a stuffy nose or two. It was hard on Laura and me to listen to some of his obstructed breathing due to an inflammed throat. We took him in to see a doctor, though Laura knew she wanted to give him a certain steroid to reduce the swelling in his throat, which we started and has been a huge help. He's still a little hoarse, but much better.

He's seeming less and less like a baby and more like a little boy all the time. We can't stop calling him "Baby" yet though.  Maybe someday soon.

Well, we're still enjoying it all, hope you are too.