It takes a village to cut down a tree or just the Schulte's

Uncle Jason..nothing like a fat kid in a lil' bobcat:)!! HAHAH..j/k love ya..

Dada being a tough guy cutting down trees...

Henry taking it all in...

Truely a family affair...

Matt's family came down to help us take care of the fallen tree. It was quit the task, but like any good Schulte they came with tools in hand and orders to bark! HAHAHA...what's the saying, too many chiefs not enough indians...OK not meant to sound racist in any way, but it was totally the truth. The whole process only took about an hour. I was pretty impressed. We also celebrated Ken's birthday with better than sex cake and steak. I don't know if life gets better than that combination.

Matt and I are leaving tomorrow for our little vacation in the hills. I am nervous and having some anxiety about being gone. It really just started today. I don't want to sound like a bad mom for getting away, but I just feel that Matt and I really need it to connect again as a couple. And if I'm being totally honest, I am sort of excited to get out there again. I LOVE the hills and breakfast at Hardees...YUMMY!!!

And the tree came a tumblin' down...

First, my beautiful flowers that I slaved over for weeks trying to get them to bloom...

Gotta love wave petunias....

The tree split in half...thank goodness it feel the way it did...

Lot's kinda creepy, but cool...

Funny story, you'll laugh, I promise...soo...Matt was gone most of this week, and I thought I was finally getting the hang of this sleeping by myself in the house with Henry and the dogs under my care and protection. Well the events on Wednesday June 24, 2009, have sinced changed my view on that.

I was sleeping, sort of, Henry had once again decided to grace me with his presence at 12:45am. We were up, had baba then went down. Back to sleep, maybe, kind of....3:25am clunck....crash....bang...."Oh crap, someone is breaking into my son's room via his bedroom window. Did I lock it? What do I own that I can hit him with?"

So off I go, in my jammies..up the stairs, and out to the garage to find ANYTHING that I can blugeon the culprit with. Stealthly, I grabbed a shovel and ran out the garage door. It was windy as all get up and with the lightening the background I faced the fugitive head on. Only the fugitive was laying on it's side in our front yard, well who could have gotten to him before me? Oh no wait, the culprit was about 15 feet long with crazy arms and flowing hair...Lightening strikes. I now see that this culprit is actually one of our giant trees on the north side of the house. It had been blown over by the gail force winds:) Oh, good...at least no one was going to get my Henry. 4:15am...now I have to try to get some sleep as I have to work at 7am the next morning...

Guess what???

Umm...do I really need to say any more about this picture...I have the cutest son in the world!!

Henry is waitin' for papa to come back after being gone all week...

The army crawl. Apparantly he's got a secret mission...

Henry MIGHT be crawling...yes you heard it here first, he's getting the gist of the whole process down pat, but choses when to exercise his little chubs to their full capacity. He apparantly thinks that army crawling is the bees knees and does it with much gusto! However the enjoyment is short lived and realizes that if he just cries a little bit harder mama will come to the rescue. Yes, folks, I know it's hard to believe that he's got me wrapped around his little chub...

Matt and I are leaving for a much needed vacation together. It's been almost harder for Matt and I as a couple adjusting to each other as parents than adjusting to Henry as our son. Henry is staying with grandma and grandpa Schulte. So basically when we get back he's gonna be the most spoiled boy that ever lived!

New do'

Henry and auntie Teresa during Henry's 1 year pictures....

I miss this pool already...he had sooo much fun!!!

The after...doesn't it look amazing????

So my living room got a lil' makeover. The before wasn't even worth showing because it was stark white. The rich browns really bring out the beautiful laminate, furniture, and accents. I cannot wait to get all my pics up and have the room complete.

Henry got his first experience in the pool this week. He thought the water was so much fun to splash around in and enjoyed being outside with mama. However, on a sad note, shortly after this picture was taken Bailey and Lucy decided that the pool would look much cooler shredded inot pieces. Oh well, I guess well have to find another 2.00 garage sale pool.

Henry's 1 year pictures...

Henry had his one year pictures taken last night with my wonderfully talented friend, Jordan...the sky was perfectly sunny then these amazingly cool clouds rolled in and we got some really fun pictures. These are a few of them....I can't wait to see them all and get them up on the walls...You all know me and Henry pictures, can't get enough....It's under the post Henry, Henry, Henry
www.jordankrogmanphotography.blogspot.com

Thank you Jordan, I so enjoy our friendship, love of our children, and joy of capturing all their special moments.

Happy 1 year birthday to Mr. Henry

Henry and uncle Jason...

Tractor toy from mama and dada...

left over happy birthday cake...Henry didn't seem to mind...

So yes, it was yesterday...the big 0-1. The first of many birthday celebrations to come. Dada was out of town and no able to celebrate Henry's birthday, not gonna lie, I was pretty sad. At least Henry doesn't really get the gist of the day yet. Grandma Linda and Uncle Jason came down for supper and two of mama's friends, Laura and Diana stopped over to say hello.

As I think about Henry and what his birthday represents, it is truely amazing how one lil' human being can change you and everyone around you. Henry took me from Jessica wife to mama, Matt to dada, parents to grandparents, grandparents to great-grandparents, aunts and uncles to greats, and cousins to auntie's, along with sister and brother to aunt and uncle. I want to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone of you that has played such an important role in Henry's life. We feel so truely blessed, and I thank God everyday for the gifts he has given me and for bringing Matt into my life making Henry possible.

And to you Henry, my bubba, I love you more than there are stars in the sky and ants on the ground. You are my first born son and because of that will always have a special place in my heart. I wish you joy and happiness and to know that no matter what you do in life, your mama will always be there for you!!!!

What's in a name?

So many people have names that can be shortened to something that still includes part of their original name. My name is Jessica. I have been called Jess, Jessie, Jezzabell, and a few others than shall remain in the past..hahaha...Anyway, Henry is no different, he's got nicknames galore, however, they are of an unconventional nature. Apparantly unbeknowst to me, Hank is a nickname for Henry. If anyone of you ever calls my child Hank, it will be the last, just so you know! Matt and I have come up with a few of our own. It all started with Bailey, our chocolate lab. We call him Leroy, bails, bails hound, ole hound dog to name a few. Then Lucy came along, she goes by Luc, Luc, Lucy goose, Luc. All relatively similiar to their original names. Henry on the other hand so some very interesting nicknames. We refer to him as Bunz, because he's got the cutest lil' baby buns EVER, chicken bunz, chicken nugget, bubba, muffin, because he's got a cute muffin top of a tummy, and Hen bunz, baby Hen, a baby Henry. Matt and I were joking one day that when Henry goes to school and they ask him his name, he's gonna rely with Henry bunz chicken nugget Schulte! Do any of you have fun nicknames for your lil ones? I pray we are not the only weirdos.

More pictures with family...

In honor the cake lady, my cousin Lindsey did a phenomenal job!! THANK YOU...

Henry is so big...sitting with aunt Teresa and uncle Jason

Henry and his grandma Linda...she's crazy for you bubba...

The post below this is the first post. I felt I should add some more pictures of family. I don't mean to only post of Henry, but I never know how people feel about having their pictures put up on the internet. Henry is such a lucky little boy having some many friends and family that are willing to travel to celebrate his special day.

Happy Birthday party to Henry

Dang this is GOOD...

Henry loves to play with anything he can throw...balls are perfect!!

Dig in bubba...he even got his own cake!

Oh that great grandma, she's something else, isn't she Henry!

Patty cake, patty cake, bakers man....roll it.....mark it with an H and throw it in the oven for Henry and Hudson!!!

Happy Birthday to my baby...you are so loved, and I cherish everyday I have with you...

Today we had family over and the Krogman's for Henry's 1 year birthday party even though the official birthday isn't until Tuesday June 16th. I couldn't ask friends and family to take a day off in the middle of the week, so of course, we had it on a perfect Saturday afternoon. It's been soo crappy and rainy in ol' Verm that it was like God parted the clouds and said happy 1st birthday to you Mr. Henry. He's almost officialy 1 year old ladies and gentleman. The time FLEW by literally just like he was born one minute and the next he's a raging terror, lover boy, chatty Kathy, and simply perfect all rolled into one lil' man. Matt and I always seem to get super stressed when either traveling with Henry or planning an event at our house. It's comical now that I can look back on it, but you totally lash out at the people closest to you in times of stress, and apparantly Matt and I must be very close because today was no different. But in our usual Matt and Jessica fashion we got through it made up and moved on. It's great to be married to someone as stubborn as myself....sometimes....

So I couldn't decide

I thought this was a cool shot...

Look at how freakin' close he is.....I get my hopes up and nope he scoots back down in his butt

SUPERHERO!!!

Checkin' out the sites and turning to start his crawl...I LOVE his lil' toes

Do you ever go back and look through pictures thinking why did I decide to post THOSE specific ones? Well I was showing Matt the shots of Henry at Spirit Mound, and I found some different shots I think are even better than the ones I posted. Henry is inches away from crawling. He's finally getting his one leg around and can stand on all fours now. Keep your fingers crossed. We are celebrating his 1 year birthday on Saturday with family. I am having such a hard time coming to terms with Henry turning one!!! I want my snuggly baby back....

Picture day with mom

LOVE LOVE LOVE this shot...he was eating rocks so I had to shoot quick...

Notice how once again, he's looking away...There were tons of birds flying around..his fav!

I was attempting to take some cute pics of Henry to put something together for Matt's first father's day. I found the cutest shirt at Target. It's says something like Dad is my superhero. How precious is that? Henry found everything but me exciting while I was trying to get some shots of him. I think despite that they turned out well. I don't know what I'm going to do with my little man. He's becoming quit persistant about getting his own way. I said ever since he was born that someday he was going to become very stubborn because both mom and dad are, well folks, I think that day and time has come. He is very demanding whether it be holding a certain toy to opening and shutting the cupboard doors. He just wants to do everything his way and RIGHT NOW...I have a strange feeling that it's only going to get worse. Don't get me wrong. He's got those amazing moments when he takes my head in his hands and just smiles at me. It makes all the rough times totally worth it...

Chubs, gotta love it

It's dada...Look he's even pointing to him...awww dada loves him some Henry!

Does life get any better than chubby hands??? Me thinks not...

Henry has the most AMAZING chubby hands. I just love running my finger along his arm rolls and through his leg rolls. I'm going to miss all that chub when he starts to grow and run and slim down. I know they say you look back on all the years and wonder where has the time gone. I'm already doing that and he's not even one yet. My little man is surely growing into his own. Finding out what makes himself tick, his likes and dislikes. Henry can throw the most amazing temper tantrum stiff back and all. He likes to put on quit the production. Iam trying so hard to just let me him work it out himself, but man is that cry ever so pitiful.

New toy

Matt and I decided after picking up Henry's pacifier off the floor of his truck for the 10th time that we didn't to do something about the lil' stinker and throwing things. Matt, in all of his genius, found a hook that even Henry hasn't mastered how to unhook yet. His pacifier stays close by, good for him, and it doesn't end up on the floor, good for us.

Props to my hubby

For all of you that wonder what the heck my hubby does. Take a look at this clip from KMEG news. It's all about Hoop Beef...whooohooo...check out kmeg.com and click on hometown farmer or search hoop beef. It's a great segment on the barns and great shots of what they actually look like.

Happy birthday to me, to me....

Favorite new pic of ALL TIME...Luv you too bubba!!!

So it's officially my 27th birthday, and I've gotten a flood of support from well wishes and tricksters alike. Yes, I know..hahaha...it's funny that I'm old now and pushing 30. I get it...jokes on me...enough already. It's about all I can take not to drink myself into oblivion, but I'm hanging in there. My hubby showed up early tonight!!! Yippee we can celebrate the special occasion as a family, something I LOVE doing!!! Henry is just so much happier when we are all together. I thought I better post pics of Henry and his mama something you don't see often on my blog.

On the eve of 27...

As long as I live, I will NEVER cut these amazing curls...

"Here mom, let me help you take that picture,"

On the eve of turning 27, I feel...well...old...and I suppose a little accomplished but mostly just old. It's hard to believe that everything in my life has led me to this day. My first birthday as a mother. It's truely too perfect for words how I feel about my son. I was in church with my mom and brother Sunday and while I was praying to god during the service, I asked him why I had to go through everything that I have in my life, one larger than life word popped into my head HENRY in bold letters. And it's so the truth...So on the eve of this every special and even closer to 30 birthday, I want to thank my mother for giving birth to me and for doing an amazing job raising me. To my husband for seeing the good in me through it all. For all my friends and family for putting up with the good, bad, ugly, and sometimes crazy sides of me. And finally for you Mr Henry for giving me the most important job in the world. I love you bubba more than there are stars in the sky and cars in your toy box!

June flowers

Sooo..I've been slacking/procrastinating planting my flowers. My mother-in-law gave me the hint to get started when she bought me a few and told me they would look really nice in front of my house..hum...yeah, yeah, I get it. I can't be eternally lazy for the rest of my life, but it's so nice. Now I'm the proud mother of 7 pots of flowers and all the watering and maintenance that comes with it...but don't they look so pretty??? Next outdoor project, my nemises

WEEDS...yucky icky stinky and stubborn...

The adventures of the Schulte's

Henry with his grandma Kim...She's a funny lady, I know...

The Schwartz's: Grandpa Jeff, Uncle Nick, Grandma Kim, and Henry

Awww...too cute!!!

Henry with great grandma Walton...He's almost as big as she is..

Awww come on grandpa just one, mama will never know...

Henry was off on another whirl wind adventure over the weekend. We trucked it down to Des Moines, IA for cousin Sara's high school graduation. The trip was a breeze considering we got to take interstate the whole way there...whoohoo...Matt, Henry, and I stayed with my parents in Ames, and just commuted back and forth for the festivites. The weather was beautiful and even Bailey and Lucy had a blast being dunked in the Ada Haden Resevoir a few times. This has to be a world record though. Henry actually SLEPT while the graduation festivities were occuring. Dada plunked him down on his aunt and uncle's bed and Henry SLEPT...Mama was so relieved.

We are still patiently awaiting Henry's first move whether it be crawling or walking he so close to both. He can get anywhere he wants while rolling and stretching his long body all over the place. He's got this really cute start to his crawl though. He'll get up on one knee with his other leg perpendicular to his knee and he just can't quit get that second leg kicked out to actually get his crawl on.