Dads

Dads are amazing creatures, aren't they? From little boys, through the awkward adolsecent years until they reach adulthood, I have sort of written men off as immature and selfish! BUT then they become dad's and all of those traits take on a whole new meaning, especially when you have a little boy yourself.

Matt has many habits that drive me crazy...too many in fact to name here:)! However, the relationship he has with Henry makes everyone of those nuances bareable. As Henry grows into three and begins to be a little boy not a baby anymore, he is infatuated with his dad. Everything his dad does from tools to four wheelers, Henry wants to do and have too!

The best parts of Matt are in the special moments no one knows about that we all share with Henry. One of those special times is when Matt lets Henry watch snowmobile movies while he cuts his nails. My ruff and tuff daddy cuts nails! And he does such a good job... Like father, like son...I see in both of their eyes, the love they share for the two stroke or four stroke, you pick your poison, machine!

Matt doesn't take the best pictures, I'm not gonna lie about that one. This was their attempt at, "say cheese!"

Oh my boys, big ears and all:)!

Stuff

So Henry received quit the Christmas load this year. I have rearranged our basement to accomodate his collection. You will notice the big barn, train table, and tool bench behind Henry. He keeps very entertained these days moving his animals from one location to another via his new tractor and wagon (not pictured)! He builds all sorts of handy items with his foam wood pieces and additional power tools he received as well.

Here is Henry manuvering his trucks through his train set.
Here is an aerial view of Henry's day!

Our friend Brian was down today, he is also Henry's godfather. Brian helped Henry and dad set up his whole Thomas the Train set. It's actually pretty awesome!

Here are Henry and Brian contently discussing their plan of attack for putting together the monsterously large train set.

OK so to my real point in posting tonight. I have recently started my new job as Director for Henry's daycare and preschool center. For the first time in a very long time, I feel as if I am serving a greater purpose while being there. It's as if my higher power pointed me in the right direction and gave me a huge shove, like, "let's go Jessica, this is exactly where you need to be!" And it is!

I feel that I am finally being able to put all of the skills I have learned in my past careers to the test. This is a facility run by individuals who truely care about kids! For that matter care about anything more than themselves. I know that I come from a generation of people who are certainly very self centered and self focused, and being at the Center, has slapped me in the face and woken me up from my drunken self focused life.

My life feels complete! I don't have that empty yearning in my soul that I once filled with "things" All sorts of things, mainly things for my son recently, but I feel that part of me is complete now. I know my purpose, and I understand there are more important things that a matching wardrobe for Henry or the latest greatest toy.

I want to teach Henry that giving is more fulfilling then receiving. I want him to understand how fortunate he is in life, and work to help those not as fortunate. Being with my son has taken on a whole new meaning and purpose as well. Spending time with him and not worrying so much about a clean house, teaching him things, and listening to him and watching him are what matter.

So thank you to my cousin Lindsey who told me to get involved if I felt I was missing something. I had no idea what journey it would take me on, but I am certainly enjoying the ride!

Think I've figured it out...

OK, so I must admit that I have been struggling since about the beginning of December with my Henry boy. It started out being what I thought was him getting sick. He was sort of whiny and throwing and hitting ALOT. This used to indicate he was getting sick, and once he actually got sick things would return to normal. WELL, much to my dismay things did NOT return to normal and in fact started getting WORSE!

It escalated through the holidays with increased hitting and throwing temper tantrums. It was so bad that on Christmas Day he actually hauled off and fist punched me in the face because we had to go take a nap. I couldn't believe that Henry could possibly be so naughty and what was causing him to continue to be so naughty. Frankly, it's embarrassing when nothing you try works on your naughty kid and people are staring at you.

So fastfoward to this week. Henry was going to stay over at papa and grandma Schulte's house. Everything was hunky dory until about 6 o'clock when Henry proceeded to squirt half a tube of Desitin on grandma's carpet and then started to get disciplined by 3 people at the same time. It once again escalated to him throwing a toy at papa's new TV and hitting mom and grandma. Needless to say, Henry did not stay over night and went home with me where it took an hour to get him to bed.

On Friday, a light went off for me. I decided to try some de-escalating techniques with him, and so far they have worked. He still is having tantrums, but they are NOTHING like they have been. As long as I don't escalate, he doesn't. We use big words and calm voices and repeat in ours heads, "pretend to be calm, act calm, and you too shall be calm!" I feel as if I can enjoy my baby again. We laugh together, run around together again, and I can hold him and soak up his smells and appreciate him again. Pray for us!!!

OK seriously, never in my life did I ever think the calm little bundle of joy below could turn into a crazy 2 1/2 year old wild hooligan:) LOOK at that FACE!!! OK maybe there is a little mischeif written across those eyes...

Happy 2011

We rang in the New Year with the Schwartz Family in Iowa this year. The evening itself was pretty uneventful for the adults as we all where in bed way before midnight. It sounds like, however, the evening was slightly different for my teenage brother! Imagine that:)!!!

Henry got to see his great grandparents as well when they opened gifts with us on Saturday. Henry was spoiled again, as usual and received several awesome new books and tractors and a huge barn!

Grandpa and Grandma helping Henry with his new tractor and wagon!

It sounds like Henry just woke up from nappy, so I don't have long, but we are currently dealing with a very difficult 2 1/2 year old strong willed boy to say the least. He was going to stay with papa and grandma Schulte last night, but after several spankings and fits, mama had to bring him home with her. We are really at a loss as to what to do. It just seems despite our best efforts, the little turkey won't stop hitting or throwing to get attention when throwing a tantrum. He is definitely NOT the sweet well tempered content baby we started out with.

Christmas 2010...a litte late

So I understand that it's 2011 already, and I am JUST now posting Christmas 2010 pictures, but hey, give me a break. I have survived 4 christmas AND starting a new job in the last week give or take! Henry scored the mother load this year with gifts and time with ALL of his family! I say it time and time again, but this little boy is surrounded by more love than any other little one I know:)

We spent Christmas Eve with the immediate Schulte clan and Christmas Day with my family. Amongst his many gifts Henry scored tools, a guitar, train set, and farm set to name only a few.

I LOVE Henry's little tongue. It's always out when he's concentrating or having a lot of fun... I see where he gets the 'tongue' thing!

Henry was speechless when he saw that santa bought him tools:)!!

Henry chowing down with Uncle Nick..

And of course, one can always use a good shave before dinner!

I have yet to post pictures of our Christmas in Iowa over the weekend! Henry got to see more great grandparents and his other favorite puppy Harry the wonder hound!