Walking!

Walking!
Originally uploaded by Henry William

Little dude finally felt comfortable enough to take the plunge and truly walk around today! We've felt like he's had the strength and balance for a long time now, and took his first step quite a while ago, so we've been waiting. The Solyntjeses encouraged him to walk quite a bit while we were up there, and he was taking quite a few steps. Now today (back home) he's walking around like a pro. Pretty exciting!

P.S.

We now have high-resolution digital files of every one of his 13-month pictures, so if there are any you would like to have, just let us know!

1 Year Pictures

(Actually 13 months when they were taken, but 1 year sounds better.)

http://www.henrys.photoherald.com

Password: ducky

Dancin' Video

VIDEO - Dancin'
Originally uploaded by Henry William

Finally got a pretty good video of Henry getting down. I had to catch him sometime when he didn't notice I had the camera, because he gets distracted by the camera - as you'll see in the video once he notices I'm filming.

New Stats & First Step!

The King had his 1-year check-up today. Here are the new stats:

Weight: 28lb 4oz, 97th percentile
Height: 30 3/4", 90th percentile
Head Circumference: 19 1/2", 97th percentile

We are currently in negotiations with the Chiefs for Henry to become the new linebacker.

At the check-up, Laura was showing the doctor how she tries to encourage Henry to start walking on his own. She has him stand up with his back against her legs and wiggles her fingers out in front of him in the hopes that he'll take a step towards her hands. It hadn't happened - until today! He just barely lifted up a little foot and put it down the tiniest bit forward. First step!

He also got four shots...he wails hard the moment he's getting the shots, but recovers very quickly. (He's been asleep ever since we got home, so we'll see if there's going to be any soreness this evening and night. He's always done fine in the past. I got a flu shot, and am proud to report I didn't cry at all.)

-Aaron

Birthday Boy

I'm not sure Laura and I completely believe it, but yesterday was King Henry's first birthday. Laura was able to get the day off work, and we both worked hard throughout the day baking and cleaning for his party that we threw for KC-area relatives. Laura made three different kinds of cupcakes plus taco soup, and my mom brought white chicken chili. We gave him our gift, a baby doll, in the afternoon. He loves pictures of babies, so we thought he'd like a doll. He was a little underwhelmed, but he did give it a hug. We dressed him in some cowboy gear for a Halloween costume, and took some pictures quickly, because it didn't stay on very long. Guests starting arriving around 5:30, and as usual, Henry loved having lots of people around to charm and get attention from. We put a candle on one of the vanilla cupcakes and sang happy birthday to him, then waited for him to dive into the cupcake...but he took it pretty easy, eating it in fairly small bites. He seemed a little curious as to why everyone was so fascinated by watching him eat. He of course polished the whole thing off.


Next came the presents, with a little help opening from Mom & Dad. He got lots of great clothes, books and toys. He liked making toys make noise, including a potty training book that includes a button to push that makes the sound of a toilet flushing. Everyone seemed to have a great time, including the honoree.

Every parent we talk to tells us how fast he'll grow up, but there's just no understanding it until it actually happens. It's both thrilling and a little sad to me that he is already one. Part of me doesn't want him to grow up, but a bigger part of me is excited to see what's in store for him and us in the future. There's no shortage of love for the little guy, so he should be alright :)

-Aaron

Never enough pictures, right?

Click here for some great pics from my cousin Matt that include King Henry.

-Aaron