Merry Christmas

My first Christmas. Wow. What an amazing time. I mean, just look at all those presents. I was swimming in a sea of presents! It took two days just to get through it all. I'm a very lucky little boy, and I can't wait for next year! I'd like to thank everyone for all of their presents, they really mean a lot to me and I had so much fun!

Well, we just got home from our world tour. We started out heading to IA to see Great Grandpa and Grandma W - but Grandma was in the hospital. (I love you Grandma and I hope you're feeling better soon. I can't wait to see you when you're better.) Then we were off to Brookings and we spent some time with Great G&G J, Great Great Auntie Kay, Great Auntie Jody and Uncle Butch. They were nice enough to let us stay at their house a few nights. Daddy was still sick with the flu, so he didn't do too much while we were there. On Saturday we spent the day in Volga at Great Uncle Severt and Auntie Peggy's farm! I love the farm, the outdoors, and the cows! We were able to spend time with Great G-ma Nelson, Great Auntie Shally and Uncle Dick, my second cousins Alex, Andrew, and Heidi. Auntie Gina, uncle Addison, and my cousin's Annie and Jasper were there too! We had such a great meal, but we had to leave early again because Daddy was just not feeling well.

On Sunday we hopped back in the car and headed to G&G E for Christmas! We went to church - a first for me - I did OK, but there's room for improvement. Everyone had a great meal of smoked turkey, oyster stew, and who knows what else - nothing else on the table matters at that point. My poor auntie Chris had the flu that day, so she couldn't join us for dinner but was a trooper and made it down to open presents. On Christmas day I came down the stairs and it seems Santa had left me quite a load. I wasn't sure if he was going to come or not - Mom said my first three months were a little "touch and go" but I've really been pouring on the charm for the last three months. I guess it was enough! WOW! This Santa guy is one heck of a guy. I think we're going to be fast friends. I spent the next few days at G&G's, then Grandma came down with the flu on Wednesday. I mean this thing has really run through my family! Literally - run through. Ick. G-ma wanted us to leave so we didn't get sick, but we just banished her to her room and stayed another day. We ended up leaving on Thursday because of some bad weather moving in.

I was able to stop up at G-ma's new office and maternity unit at the hospital and meet all of her friends there. She seemed excited to show me off - and I was happy to oblige.

Today we're getting ready for our New Year's eve party tomorrow night. We have to go to the butcher shop, grocery store, party store, and most importantly - liquor store! Mom is planning quite the spread!

HAJ

What To Do?

I love these shorts from my Gammy! They have my name embroidered on them with cool fish too. I had to wear that outfit in TX cuz its just too cold to wear around here.

Well, we're supposed to be off on our second world tour in two weeks today, but Daddy is still sick. So, I'm not sure if we're leaving or not today. Mom and I feel really bad for him. If worse comes to worse, we'll just leave tomorrow. The weather isn't the best here yet anyway. We're supposed to be off to Spirit Lake, IA to see my Great G&G Wingen, then to SD to see the gang in the Brookings area, and then on Sunday we're off to Aber to see G&G E. We have a truck full of presents to haul too. I'm kind of interested in the presents. I love the shiney paper and the bows. I might try diggin' into one here one of these days.

Not much else going on - oh, the mouse count is holding steady at 5. Are we done?

HAJ

6 Month Archive

Today its snowing! Its the most amazing thing I've ever seen. This is the first time I've seen it. I can't wait to sled on the big hill in my backyard. I bet we would have done it today but my daddy has the flu now. And for those of you keeping track, 5 mice down.

HAJ

Bonus Archive - 6 Month Letter

Dear Henry,

Today you are 6 months old. Again, I can't believe how fast the months go. Today is the first day of winter, and its very timely that today is the first day its snowed at our house! You look out the window and seem excited about it, but maybe it just me reading into things.

Now that you're 6 months, thing are going to be changing. You are going to be taking on some new responsibilities and are going to be gaining a little more Independence. Today is the last day I'll be nursing you. I don't know if you're sad, but I am a little. Although, I just can't bear to haul that breast pump to work one more day! And to be honest honey, you're just eating too much for me to keep up with these days. This weekend we're going to do our great experiment in rice cereal and the sippy cup. I hope you like it; I'm sure you will. You're sitting up better and better all the time, but we're still waiting for the roll over. I really think you can do it, but you're choosing not to. You're SO strong. And that blond hair is really starting to come in baby. We're going to be rockin' that faux hawk again in no time! I want you to know how much Daddy and I love you. Do you know that every night before we go to bed, we stop in your room together to check on you? Every night we do, and every night we do it together. We even wait for each other if one makes it up the stairs sooner. I make sure your blanket is on, and Daddy turns on your humidifier. He's better with electronics. Then we talk about how cool you are and how much fun we're having. Every night.

I love you Henum, Mommy

Four Blind Mice???

First of all - let me apologize for not blogging the last few days. My mom has come down with the flu bug that I had last weekend, and she just hasn't been in the mood to help me turn the computer on. But, we're both feeling much better today now finally! Whew!

OK - so when we got home fron TX, Mom noticed her bowl of apples that were sitting on the counter had been chewed on! EWWWW! We all deducted that we must have had a mouse! OMG!!! We're all so grossed out - we can hardly stand it! So, Daddy, being the protector that he is, went out and bought some traps and set them out with bait. Well, the next morning we had two mice. GRODY! So, Dad set the traps again last night and we had two more mice this morning. We can't hardly step into the kitchen these days. We'll set them again tonight, but hopefully its over. I just can't believe it.

Check out this little video clip if you want to see real man devour some lefsa- don't tell Mom or Great Grandma E how much I enjoyed it - well, not quite as much as I enjoy suckin' on my toes. Can you believe I can even reach them in all of my chubbiness? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CXwm_gV3hg

HAJ

German vs. Norwegian

Hey y'all! I'm back from Texas! All in all it was a great trip! I got to hangout with all of my cousins that I have in the world. They are a lot of fun and VERY noisy. There was nothing but action happening at Gammy's house. It was hard to come back to 33 degrees, when we left Texas at 80 degrees. But its nice to be home.

I spent the weekend being held by Gammy and Grandpa Jack, and Auntie Niki mostly. I think I may have had a touch of the flu too, but I felt great and did not have a fever, but I had a poopy diaper every time. I know you're all really interested in that, but Grandma E eats that kinda stuff up!! I think things are getting better now that I'm home.

Gammy introduced me to my Daddy's favorite food - Lefsa! They put a little melted butter and sugar on it and I went to town. Turns out I really am Norwegian! I LOVED it. The verdict is still out though on if its better than Mom's German strudles. I think I'm going to stay neutral on that one.

As for flying in the airplane - well that was 50/50. I was a rock star on the way there. I drank my bottles and then just hung out with Mom and Dad and did some people watching. On the way home though, that was another story. After my first bottle, as we're ascending - I decided to practice my new cry/scream/screech for the next 2 hours. During that time it seemed no one wanted to hangout with me, and no one was telling me how cute I am. Weird. After my second bottle on the way down, I decided I wanted people to like me again and so I was cooing like the sweetest little baby you ever saw. My parents seemed a little tense though. I don't think we'll be flying again anytime real soon.

HAJ

Leavin' on a Jet Plane

Well, not much going on today. Mom is busy packing and doing laundry. We're all hopping on a plane tomorrow to see my Grandma & Grandpa McDaniel tomorrow in Dallas, TX. I can't wait to get there. Its supposed to be in the 70's all weekend!! Beats these 30's here in MN.

I'm napping right now, but Mom and Dad are waiting for me to get up so we can go out for sushi tonight. We always go to this place where the sushi chef's name is Henry too. We get along great and he always makes me a little side of raspberry drizzle to try when I come in. He's the greatest guy.

I'm hoping I'll be able to blog and down load pictures at Gammy's, but if I can't I'll be sure to have an extra special posting on Monday with details of our adventure!

Godspeed, HAJ

Chillin'

This is me and my pal Palmer hangin' out at my house the other night! We called each other to make sure we were wearing coordinating ouffits. He's seems to be a pretty cool kid, but I'm still bigger. He is starting to get rolls on his thighs, but I'm still the King.

Yesterday I went to daycare all day, and came home and hung out with my parents. The same thing is in store for tonight. We're all resting up for our big trip to TX on Thursday. Mom is a little nervous about me flying this time. The last time I flew I was 2 months old and not nearly as opinionated as I am now. So we'll see what kind of a mood I'm in....although she did mention something about a dosage of baby Tylenol?!?!?

HAJ

Fuzzy Wuzzy

This is about the cutest little jacket that my mom has thrown me in so far! I gotta admit. I just love to hang out with my papa too!

Yesterday was a day of laying around watching football. We were all very lazy and dirty. None of us took a shower. We like to refer to those days as "Dirty White Boy Sundays." It's our favorite day of the week.

HAJ

Tommy Lee's Got Nothin' on My Mama

So, last night was the big Christmas party at gunkelmanFlesher, where my mom works. It sounds like they had a good time - they didn't come pick me up until after MIDNIGHT, and Mom has been moving pretty slowly today. She keeps saying she has a headache.

My mother, being the super star spotter that she is, had a great sighting last night! Tommy Lee of Motley Crue fame was walking by the room where they were having the party at the hotel last night! She went to go ask him to have her picture taken with him, but his big bad body guard said no. Apparently if you don't look like this, Tommy doesn't have time for you.

Oh well, it was a great spotting anyway.

All in all it was a great night for me too. I had fun with my cousins and my Auntie Gina even trimmed my fingernails. Mom hates that job. Thank you Auntie Gina, Mommy did notice.

Peace out - HAJ

Thunder Thighs

Seems to be that my mother's nickname, "Thunder Thighs" applies to me also. I mean honestly, have you ever seen legs like this? They're like a wild turkey leg. They are so thick all the way down to my toes, and they tickle like crazy when my dad squeezes them and asks me if I'm girl crazy. Of course I'm girl crazy - but I don't know what that has to do with my ticklish thighs. I'm tellin' ya, I don't even have ankels at this point. I believe the universal term for this condition is called "cankles" - where your calves and your ankels become one.

Today we've been running around shopping. Mom finally bought some nightstands for their bedroom. Its like they're finally becoming adults with real bedroom furniture. This way too Dad doesn't have to set his glass of water on the floor, and then trip over it every morning. We also shopped for an outfit for mom to wear tonight to her office Christmas party. That was boring, but she promised me that if I went with, she'd let me hang out with my cousins tonight! Yay! I get to go see Annie & Jasper while my parents go out on the town. Too bad they don't trust me yet to stay home alone. I'd invite you all over for one heck of a party!

HAJ

Does Your Tongue Hang Low?

Ppppssssttttttpppppp!! I think that's how you spell the noise that you make when you stick your tongue out and blow. You know! Anyway, my newest favorite thing is my tongue. I just really like to hang out all day with my tongue just a waggin'. I just sit there, and it just hangs out and I think I'm really cool. Mom and Dad die laughing at me, and even Darlene thinks its funny. I can even touch my chin with it. Look at this photo! It helps not having teeth.

HAJ

The Legend of the Mighty Frasier Fir

Saturday morning Mom and Dad took me on their Christmas tradition out to Goldenmann Tree Farms to hunt and chop down our Christmas tree for 2007. Dad wanted a Frasier so he could keep imitating Howard Cosell - "Down goes Frasier! Down goes Frasier!" Mom wanted a Balsom because they're supposed to smell better. We hunted and hunted in 8 degree weather, and finally decided on this here Frasier.

Oh, it was a mighty tree! Dad was in charge of cutting it down while Mom and I stayed warm in the truck. Well, this tree ended up being lots, and lots, and lots, and lots of work for Daddy! And then he got it!!

We then loaded the tree into the truck and they put it in a shaker to shake off the loose needles and what not, they wrap it in a plastic netting, and then they haul it back to your truck for you! Nice kids.

We spent the rest of the afternoon decorating the tree, sipping on Enfamil spiked with peppermint schnapps, and listening too Christmas music. I think I'm going to like this holiday.

HAJ

Quick! Look!

Look at me!! Quick! I can sit up for about 10 seconds all by MYSELF! I'm getting better and better everyday! There has been a lot of trial and error - but I'm going to be a pro at this sooner or later!

This past weekend was busy, so I didn't have much time for blogging between helping Mom get the house decorated for Christmas and working on the whole sitting up and rolling over thing. Saturday was my uncle Derek's birthday so we took him out to dinner. It was also my friend Patrick's 2nd birthday party that night too. I had fun at his party playing with all of my friends. Yesterday my cousin's came over to watch the Viking lose AGAIN. Thank goodness I'm emotionally unavailable.

HAJ