Tired Boy

Wednesday night, Henry got to go up to Grandma and Papa Schulte's house for a day or so. He was there all day Thursday and until lunch time today. They played and rode 4 wheelers, found old toys, and played in the sandbox. Henry even got grandma Linda to ride her new 4 wheeler. He took a 3 hour nap with grandma on Thursday! Sounds like wayyyy more fun then hanging out at home with boring mom and dad! We are OK with that label though, gives us some special time together as well.

I am so happy that Henry has two wonderful sets of grandparents who spend time with him and show him all the fun adventures life has to offer. I remember going to my grandparents and thinking how cool it was and how special I felt when I was with them, and I am so glad that Henry has that same opportunity!

Henry out for the count while riding home with him after lunch today. I love the mouth wide open:)!

Week 17

So here it is in all of "it's" glory. Jessica pregnant week 17. I have hesitated sharing my pregnant belly because of all the comment I get about how many babies am I carrying in there? Well, folks, it's just one. He/she is a rockstar though. We got to see it at week 15 and it was bouncing and rocking all around!

This pregnancy so far has been about as much fun as a root canal (just guessing, never actually had one). Yes, I get that I should be happy to be pregnant, and I am, of course. But with all the nausea, vomitting, and time hooked up to IV machines, I haven't had a whole lot of fun pregnant moments. I have started to feel little kicks, nothing exciting, but I can tell he/she is there, so that's a highlight.

You probably won't see many more of these pregger pics, just not my thing, so enjoy!!!!

Happy (busy) Easter!

Easter weekend was very busy for the Schulte family! We started off in Sioux Falls with the other Schulte's with a fun filled 4 wheeler riding adventure and indoor Easter egg hunt. The food was amazing and mama got stuffed and tired AND she forgot her camera! I know hard to believe, right? So unfortunately we did not capture any pictures from our time there. Henry had a smile plastered on his face the whole time that should be the only visual you need to remember.

Then we headed home to Vermillion on Saturday where grandma Kim, papa Jeff, and uncle Nick patiently waited our arrival. I was explaining to Matt that my mom had gone a little overboard this year because it was her first Easter with Henry. He kind of shrugged his shoulders and ignored my comment, but after about 3 hours of being home, he said you were not kidding when you said your mom was excited about Easter this year! And she was, I can't blame her though. Henry had us in stitches the whole time they were there!

Thanks to everyone for a wonderful weekend! I feel full, blessed, tired, and happy!

Here is Henry making a bunny cake with grandma. He did more licking of frosting then actually frosting the cake. Hence, the 20 minute running around in circles before bedtime that night!
Grandma ever so patiently helping Henry mix up the frosting.
Henry explaining each of the eggs he had dyed and what were on them.
Everyone getting into the easter egg dying mood!

Best Friends

So I seriously think that Henry's best friend right now is Luc! He loves going on adventures with her be it a walk to the park down the block or a trek up the big hill, Lucy the hound dog is never far away. Yesterday we ventured to Spirit Mound, my favorite photo capturing location. Henry was insistent he get a picture with Lucy. How freakin' cute, right?Henry the adventurer, rock thrower, temper tantrum thrower in his glory! Here he is telling me that he has to throw rocks in the water and Lucy has to get in too. He can be quit bossy, I think he gets that from his dad, definitely!
The best way to end a big adventure, ice cream in the backyard! This kid has the life I tell ya!
When we went to the dog park the other night, a few of Matt's dog park friends couldn't believe how big Henry's gotten. I feel the same way. It's as if I blinked and he's a little mini man now. Henry is getting so smart. He is great with shapes. His favorite shape is diamonds. He pointed out a diamond pattern on a wall while we were driving one day. He also loves to count and can count up to 7 or 8 by himself sometimes 10! Henry is always talking, telling mom stories or pointing out big trucks and correcting mom when she calls it just a big truck. No mom, he'll say, that's back hoe loader or a pay loader. Oh sorry, Henry!

Friends

So Henry is taking full advantage of the beautiful weather we are having even if it's only for a short time. Today we met friends Peyton, Emmy, and Hudson and their mommy at the park where we ran and ran and ran. I told Jordan that I was going to borrow her children to wear Henry out more often. Case in point...Henry even went to bed tonight with no paci!!!! YIPPEEEE....

We even took their little dog to the dog park. We actually went back later with Bailey and Lucy. It was a great day outdoors. Henry had a blast, and mommy was happy to talk about being pregnant with her fellow pregnant mommy! Thanks Krogman's!

On a side note, Henry is growing up so fast! He's falling asleep at night without us staying in the room AND he didn't take his pacifier to bed tonight. I am very proud of him. When Henry is ready for something, he jumps into it feet first and doesn't look back. It makes me very proud! Today I am a very proud mommy to one amazingly grown up little boy. I am also not sick today! Small victories add up:) We will enjoy tomorrow as I hear this nice weather is giving way to rainy ucky cold weather by Wednesday.

Out of focus, but none-the-less cute. Henry and Hudson were playing fishing with dog leashes. Very clever!
Henry and his peeps, Peyton and Emmy hanging out under the bridge. Peyton is such a good little mom holding Henry's hand and sliding down the slide with him. I even caught her asking Henry to open his mouth so she could see how many teeth he has. I don't think she realizes he is Hudson's age! It's very precious...

Progress

So no pictures, but I had to post anyway...Henry had a really hard time before Christmas then well into the cold winter months at school and home. He struggled with boundaries his own and others. It felt as if we were constantly putting him on his thinking rug and brainstorming ways to help him vocalize his problems instead of physically lashing out. We tried books, rugs, spankings, talks, you name it, we tried it! We went through about a month period at school where Henry was the "bad" kid. It felt as if every daily report listed some friend he pushed or outburst he had.

We are happy to report Henry has changed significantly! That is not to say every single day is perfect with stellar results, but I have definitely seen my little guy grow up and begin to articulate his feelings and wants in a much more grown up fashion. His daily reports are wonderful. He is the classroom helper and toy picker upper (wish this was true at home). At home, he is definitely a different child. We don't spend countless time on the thinking rug. If we see a situation begin to escalate, we stop ourselves, and ask Henry to stop himself by asking him to him to use his words to tell us what's wrong. We let him know we understand his is upset or sad, but explain to him why we have to do something.

Anyway, long story short...Henry is doing great! I hope this early use of communication will help him in the long run begin to communicate as he gets older. I am so proud of my boy, and I can't wait to see him as a big brother!

Hello again

Hello there! Yes, I've been gone awhile. Between trips to the bathroom, constant headaches, and a little boy who needs his mama...all.the.time, life has been busy around the Schulte household. We are excited to welcome our new baby sister or brother, but in the meantime, this pregnancy sickness crap is no fun. It sort of zaps the life out of me. For example, I went to Once Upon a Child this weekend and didn't buy a SINGLE thing! Can't you believe it? I just wasn't feeling it. I hope the normal not sick Jessica returns soon. It's tough always being hormonal, sick, feeling guilty for being sick, and always feeling behind on EVERYTHING!

But not to get in the way of a beautiful weekend, we took Henry to Falls Park! Besides a little wind, Henry thoroughly enjoyed his time there. Grandma Linda joined us for this little outing as well as dad and Lucy! Henry was amazed and how fast and loud the water was. He had to stop and admire the falls and each point. He was most excited when it started "raining" on us from the rapid falls so close to the lookout point.

Henry is at the end of his battle with an ear infection and headcold, but that means the snotty noses will be with us for a while. He was home Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday with mom and dad. Let's hope he recovers soon, being sick is the pits!