They'll take it from my cold, dead hands...

This dang baguette was the source of a lot of grief last night...he wouldn't settle for a nicely cut off piece, or even a large chunk ripped off. No, it had to be the whole stinkin' thing. He walked around the whole house with it and when I finally decided that I didn't want to eat bread that had been all over the house, we had to sit through a nice long fit. Oh, Hank...you quirky little guy :)

Visiting Tutu and Grandpa

Awhile back now (way back in March!) we went to see Tutu and Grandpa in Portland...Hank also got to have fun with their dog, Jack. He LOVED throwing the ball for him and getting to run around in the yard! Trying to convince Jack to roll the ball down the hill!

Grandpa and Hank in their matching Columbia polar fleece jackets:

Making Norwegian Pancakes with Tutu...we're going to teach this little guy how to cook, that's for sure!

The cooks!

Mickey Hat!

Certain things just make a car ride more fun (and more dangerous, when you're trying to take a picture of how dang cute he is while driving...for the record, I did stop...in the middle of the street maybe, but still!)

Teaching Fire Safety

In a polyester track suit, no less...

Well...I guess it is just a toddler thing...

Just got my weekly "Toddler" newsletter and the title was, "How Quirky is Your Toddler?" I guess we have the answer to the post below!

Is this developmental?!

Hank has been taking to inanimate objects lately...the other night it was two large spoons (I went in to help B put him to bed and he was clinging to the spoons for dear life).

Today, it has been all about the broom. Not his little hand broom, but the large kitchen broom. He insisted on carrying it around the house this morning while Grandma was watching him. But, it's gotten kind of weird - like he insisted on going for a walk to the mailbox WITH the broom. Each attempt I made to take it from him (or convince him to put it down) was met with a fit. So, we took a walk WITH the broom. You feel kind of awkward walking the neighborhood with a 1.5 year old who's carrying a broom. Like I'm forcing him to do it or something! And let's be honest, it's a little difficult for him to carry! You'll notice he was being kind and stopping to sweep some dirt along the way. I can't stop giggling whenever I think about it!

Workin' for a livin'

Hank and I got to visit B's work a few weeks ago while I was on break. It felt funny going to my dad's old work, but with my son. A very grown up moment! Everyone there laughed that I probably knew the place better than they did (I at least knew where to find the best pens and notepads-haha). When we were little, my mom used to load the three of us into the car and we'd drive downtown to pick up my dad at the old Customs building...we'd see his work, the bums all around, and all the sights of the city. Now we're starting that tradition again, but with the new Customs building. Talk about a full circle!

Sunglass Shopping...

Shopping for glasses at H&M - what taste he has!

Favorite Videos

Video 1: Hank learning how to close his eyes on command...pretty goofy!

Video 2: Hank making his own breakfast with grandma

Video 3: Hank discovered that he loves the animals (Backyardigans) on this chair/couch polyester thing (aka: a parent's nightmare to have in their house). You'll hear us try to convince him to pack it up and instead, he decides to lounge just a bit longer. Pretty goofy. At least he was content to do that all at Babies R Us and then leave...without it. Phew!

Valentine's Day!

I was so excited that I remembered Hank had a pair of bright red overalls from the Reiber boys. They were a little big for him, but the perfect thing for Valentine's Day! Grandma and Grandpa came over with gifts and, imagine that, he loved it!

Now, on to the present!

Boots and a book!

Well, the new boots were cooler off than on - they're a bit too big and he loves the IDEA of them, but can't quite walk in them yet.

Haircuts!

After Hank's first haircut when he turned 1 year old (traumatic, expensive, and not so good), we decided that we could do it ourselves...well, we decided Grandma could do it. I was NOT up to the task. We strapped on a bib, put on Elmo, and handed him a popsicle. It went pretty well, but he has tricky hair - straight and fine. And, it didn't help that he was moving all over the place!


We trimmed it up and it worked for awhile, but it seemed to grow so quickly! So today (2/10) when Grandma and Hank came out to my work to see me, we decided to try a salon again. It worked out well - but I think Grandma is probably at home sleeping now after entertaining the little guy to the max! His haircut consisted of: a Thomas the Tank Engine chair, a sucker, a Barney video, Grandma dancing, one of the ladies pretending to chase Grandma around, an Elmo stuffed animal, squeezing my hand, and a very swift haircutter! He made it without any major breakdowns - a few tears here and there, but never any meltdowns. Take a look at this cutie (and the video of how sweet he was afterwards!). He can see again...and he has eyebrows (very light ones, but they're there!)

Christmas in Portland...a little late!

A few days after Christmas, we headed to Portland to celebrate with our family and friends down there. Hank definitely got the hang of opening presents - he was in heaven just surrounded by a bunch of paper (check out the video). Not to mention, more people loving him up! Tutu showing Hank his new warm hat!

Aunt Katie and Uncle Michael came over and brought...whadayaknow...more presents!

Okay, now remember how I said Hank has an issue with group pictures...here he is at his Great Grandma Mac's house with all his second-cousins on the Ewing side. Notice how many kids are piled in there, notice how there are plenty of kids around his age and they're all doing pretty good. Then, find little Hank. Full on SCREAM within .2 seconds of putting him near the group. I even kept him turned around and facing me until the last minute. Ah, Hank!

One of our favorite things to do in Portland is hang out with Cameron and Michelia. We hit the food carts on Mississippi and Hank had the best time running all over. He loves to sit on steps and kick his feet, so Cam joined him. Too cute :)

The boys...

This was about the fifth attempt at a picture of everyone. In every other picture he'd be hanging out, and as soon as I pulled up the camera, he'd turn and run! But, there was a little progress...NO TEARS! Michelia is headed off to Turkey for the next few months (well, more like 8 months!). We'll miss her and send her our best wishes!!!

Josie Turns 2!

The day after Christmas, we headed over to Eastern Washington (Endicott) to relax and made it with a sleeping baby most of the way - our quickest time yet (4 hours, instead of 6-7 with various meltdowns...you've probably heard some of the horror stories). While there, we got to celebrate Josie's 2nd birthday with family - cousins everywhere! It's so fun they're all growing up so close in age and that they get to see each other enough to know each other.
Below, cousin Leah entertains the little ones... Hank's cousin Kiefer (my cousin Joe's son) kept trying to feel Hank's eyeballs (squishy!):

This looks like Hank was striking back with a swift kick, but he was really just trying to get wrapping paper off his foot (I swear!).

Okay...so here's what to watch for in the coming posts (and to look for if you look at old posts)...Hank has a little issue with group pictures. He HATES them. He'll be happily playing and then all the sudden, BOOM, he is freaking out, red faced, screaming, and crawling to get away. It doesn't matter who it is...you'll see more when I post pictures from Portland. Ahh, quirky kids! Now anytime someone says, "Let's take a picture with everyone!" my pulse quickens and I know what's coming next...oh, the drama!

In the picture below: Hank (15 months), Maverick (3), Josie (almost 2), Macoy (5), and Kiefer (almost 14 months).

Vanessa and I had fun making this cake for Josie's birthday...love the cut-up cakes!

The Long Beach Hardys singing, "Happy Birthday!"

More presents to open (and stand on!):

Hank was thrilled to have a balloon in each hand - what a good life!