Henry VanDyke

Henry’s first Easter was low-key but very nice. We passed on the eggs, baskets and candy this year since it wouldn’t have registered much with Henry but next year I imagine hunting Easter Eggs will be grand fun.

His Easter outfit was selected from three relatively new outfits hanging in his closet. Plus , we all kept our outfits clean long enough for a few family pictures.

Our day consisted of a trip to church, lunch at Granny and Grandpa’s house and relaxing at home that evening.

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We celebrated birthdays for both Uncle Mo and Henry’s Great Grandma Hinderer. While Henry didn’t get to participate in lunch at Cafe Brazil he did enjoy watching all of the presents being opened.

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This Thanksgiving we had something extra special to be thankful for, Henry. We hosted the celebration at our house to simplify baby care. Oppa, YaiYai, Uncle Chuck and AJ all drove down from Tennessee to be with us. In addition, Uncle Mo, Aunt TM, Aunt Linda and Grandma Hinderer joined us from Erin’s side of the family. We had tons of food and Henry loved all of the attention.

Notable firsts during this Thanksgiving:

• Henry’s First Thanksgiving
• First Thanksgiving celebrated at our house
• Erin’s first time cooking the Thanksgiving turkey
• AJ’s first Thanksgiving with our family
• Uncle Chuck’s first Thanksgiving as a married man
• Tigerman’s first taste of Turkey

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Henry had two Halloween outfits this year. On the Thursday before Halloween he attended a costume party with other newborns wearing his ghost shirt. Then on Halloween he sported a spooky shirt from Uncle Mo and Aunt Toni.

Feed me or I'll become very unfriendly.

Aunt TM gave me this shirt.

Henry is less than a week away now. He’s scheduled to be induced on Monday, September 21. He could preempt our schedule by coming sooner but either way, it’s now less than a week until Erin and I have a baby boy in our hands.

We think all of the vital things to do before he comes are done. The room is ready, we packed a bag for the hospital and the car seat is securely strapped in. Erin is feeling a little more uncomfortable and tired but still working and walking the dog. Whenever I get a call from her I dig in my feet in case I have to make a explosive run for the car to whisk her off to the hospital. At the end of the day my co-workers are starting to say, “We’ll see you tomorrow, maybe!” Tigerman is still blissfully unaware of the storm about to enter his otherwise calm routine.

We’re also getting lots of advice and wisdom on how to tell when the baby is near. Apparently, when Erin stays up late at night cleaning and baking, Henry will be 48 hours away. People tell Erin that her stomach has dropped so, “it can’t be long now”. Uncle Mo shared that walking, eating spicy food and having a pedicure are common activities that most people want to do right before they have their baby.

At first glance you might think that Uncle Mo and Toni are holding their latest creations in the Baby Moden line of children’s wear. Alas though, on closer inspection the tag says Baby Boden… not Moden. Henry was so looking forward to the friends and family discount.

A puppy and pullover