2 days...2 years.

It's hard to imagine that this little peanut who came into our lives at a mere 6 pounds 10 ounces and 19 inches long.

Has grown into this beast of a child weighing somewhere around thirty pounds and at least five feet tall (or maybe he just has the reach of someone that height).

This time there was sugar.

While I may have given him a sugar free banana loaf at his first birthday party (man, what a lucky guy) the kid definitely got sugar this time.

Jake had some serious doubts that I could pull of Elmo and Cookie Monster cupcakes, I'd say they are pretty recognizable.

A little unsure that all the sugar and white flour was really for him.

And the sugar did hit.

Henry, you are a wild ball of energy that never ceases to amaze, or tire us out. You are far from perfect, but such a delight and most days we wouldn't change a single thing about you. Although if I could make one small request...please oh please stop waking up at 530 AM!!

"It's fun! It's fun!"

Some little boy was thrilled to wake up this morning and find Mimi and Papa's birthday present waiting for him in the basement.

Between ragged breaths (we may need to up his cardio) he just kept repeating, "it's fun, it's fun, fun!"

The perfect inside toy for our very long winter!

Sheesh, Jake, I thought you were a professional. :)

Closing in on the big 2!

Seeing as how big boy will be TWO in just a few weeks, I thought I better post a picture of him at 23 months next to the ever shrinking shoe. No white onesie with the month sticker on it this month because Henry now believes sticking one's head in a shirt hole is the highest form of torture. And those socks he's wearing? Yeah, they were too small about six months ago...who wants to send us new OSU socks? And please do notice the lovely red artistic sharpie marks he has added to our comforter- makes me smile every time I see it, especially because now when Henry walks by he says, "no no color on bed."

This boy of ours is every bit as sweet and devilish as he looks.

Field of Pumpkins

It is very true that last year when we took Henry to this pumpkin "patch" we were slightly disappointed. Last year, we believed one needed to go to a place where pumpkins were actually grown and hot cider and fall harvest goodies were plentiful. This year, we were just excited that Henry got to pick a pumpkin from a place other than bin at Walmart.

Truthfully, Henry was more about running around like a crazy man than actually picking out a pumpkin.

For a cookie, I shall sit semi-still and let you take my picture. I will then demand another cookie and try to sneak a sip of another child's hot chocolate.

So cute and sooo much trouble!

Just like all the big boys.

I finally did it. At 22 months and 10 days, we turned our formally rear-facing 28 pound and a million inches tall child forward facing. I had hoped to keep him rear facing til he was two but somebody decided that he likes to climb into the car and into his seat all by himself ("Me do it! Me do it!") and it was just a little too hard for him to squish his own legs into the car seat.

He was yelling, "no pictures!"

Being the safety conscious (that might be putting it lightly) person that I am, having Henry face forward does raise my blood pressure a bit, but he did get over 22 months of good solid rear facing safety so I'll just say a little extra prayer and move on. And in case any safety nuts are looking at his photo with a sharp eye...yes I did move his chest strap buckle thing up before we started driving. :)

Think I'm totally nuts for keeping my boy rear facing for so long? Do a little google search, watch a few youtube videos (actually don't) and you'll probably keep your sweet child rear facing until they're fifteen.

Fall

While I may have been desperately jealous of everyone's facebook photos of happy munchkins at pumpkin patches when we have no such thing here, I am quite happy that winter has decided to not fall on our little section of Wyoming for at least another week.

Jake took these shots about an hour from our house. Such a great reminder of the beauty that surrounds us.

This cute guy was with us. Don't mind his post picnic dinner/snot face.

And my very, very favorite one- it is definitely going up in our house.

One last one of my favorite 22 month old who is now saying things such as, "Hey, I found a rock", "I help mama?" and "It's spicy."