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.

Video - Piano Playing

Video - piano playing
Originally uploaded by Henry William

He's getting good at crawling up to precarious situations like this. Pretty cute though.

My smart baby

The last few weeks if anyone asks me how Henry is doing, I always tell this story.....

Henry's signs have really taken off and so has his intelligence. He looks out in the world for things to recognize. While driving, he spotted the same balloons twice while driving. So much is going on in that head that we just don't know.

Last week or so we went to Target. While we were walking in the aisle Henry said "Baa" and made a bird sign. We kept walking, but I looked back, and at the end of an aisle was a ceramic cookie jar that looked like a bird's head. It's so impressive! Not only does he understand that bird starts with B and that he can do the correct sign; he can also understand the many identities that bird means. These include a picture of a bird, an actual flying bird and even a ceramic cookie jar. That seems like a huge intellectual leap to me, and I couldn't be prouder.

With his growing smartness as well as the fact that his head is over the 97th percentile, the world of geniuses better move over.

-L

He likes to sign

Last weekend was the Super Bowl. We went to the Stilleys for the party. I'll admit I went for the food and not for the game, but it was still worth it. Initially Henry was shy, but he warmed up quite quickly. As soon has he went downstairs (where the party was), he saw a cast iron dog and immediately signed dog. Later he saw Stone, a big horn sheep who graciously donated his head to sit above the fireplace. He again signed "dog." I thought it was close enough.

During half time there was a 3-D commercial and we all had the special glasses. Henry was playing with them and gave them to someone. He then signed "more," which to him means " do something that I want you to do." It was funny because at the same time Aaron and I said " he wants you to put them on." We both know Henry so well. Most people would have just thought we wasn't doing anything special, just putting his hands together. But, we know better. It's fun to be able to ready Henry so well.

Henry's signing has been taking off. His new additions are: dog, cat, bird, car, up, down, baby, please and thank you. Aaron and I have really enjoyed sign language. Besides letting Henry communicate earlier with us and decreasing his frustration, it's just been fun. I hope we can continue this even past his baby stage.

Also, the next day after the super bowl party, Henry was at the Stilley household and wanted to go back downstairs. I don't think he realized the party was over. He got to go down, and instead of being disappointed that there was no one there, he just waved to the couch. How cute!

Good Night. -L

My big boy

Tonight I rocked Henry to sleep. I don't think I ever have done this before. When he was younger he wanted to bounce, now I guess he likes to rock. When I sat down in the rocker and started rocking him he just looked up at me and smiled. It was nice.

That 10 minutes was all I had today.
Someday it'll be different.

-L

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!