Christmas morning!

We had a pretty quiet Christmas this year, just the three (okay, four, with Gipper) of us. Even though we don't think Henry knew what was going on, he managed to wake up at 4:45 a.m.! I never realized before how exhausting Christmas can be for parents.

The big reveal of the tricycle--

thanks, Mere and Doodah!

Henry loves all of his gifts, but this ball from Grandmom and Grandpop is a favorite. He definitely loves to say "bwall!"

Henry's gift from Daddy was Dennis, the lazy diesel engine.

You didn't think Santa forgot the Gipper, did you?

Henry still isn't quite sure enough about Elmo Live to touch him, but he will watch him, mesmerized, from a few feet away. He also is learning to dance along.

Didja miss us?

Hey, we've been busy!

New PJs!

Mere, Doodah, Uncle Michael, and Aunt Marie all came to visit last month.

The Gipper and his new cousin Theo made friends...sort of.

"I'll wash. You dry."

'Sup?

Fall is here!

Henry loves the leaves in fall.

Henry also loves chocolate.

I just love those eyes!

Here's Henry's Halloween getup. As you can tell, he did NOT love the hood. Special thanks to Mere, who helped sew the costume during her last visit!

If you've happened to check out my links and have read my friend Jenn's blog, Notes to self, consider voting for her in the blogger's choice awards. She's a great writer and an awesome chick!

Also, you may have notice my new little button in the sidebar. Just a warning, you'll likely get something handmade this Christmas!

Comings and goings

We recently visited the Louisville Zoo. Apparently it was a bit disappointing. 

Have you figured out what Henry's gonna wear for Halloween yet?

Parain Jacob has some new doggy neighbors. Henry immediately befriended them. He speaks fluent doggy.

Fall is lots of fun!

Not a happy day.

We love you, Ma.

Halloween is coming!

Time to brainstorm for our costumes!

Missed us?

Yup, we've been busy. 

We're just a couple of slave-drivers, forcing Henry to help with the housework.

We've had to do some serious thinking.

But there's been time for some fun, too.

And Gipper's working hard at training all of the Little People to sit still in their spots.

The Answer: Two Days.

The Question: How long does it take for Henry to get sick after starting Mom's Morning Out (part-time daycare M/T/T/F mornings)?

Yep, exactly 2 days. More like 6 total hours, to be precise. Henry began MMO this week (well, for us it's technically DMO) so that Dennis can start working part-time at the office. Today at lunch I noticed he was super hot and trying to get a head start on his nap. Temp=101.2. Dr. R. took a look at him and ordered a rapid strep test--bingo! So now he has to miss tomorrow for sure (contagious for 24 hrs after starting antibiotics). And daddy has to call in on his second day of work. Hopefully his boss will cut him some slack!

What I find hilarious is that this child walked/crawled/slid around my office every day for over a year, put every nasty thing he could find in his mouth (including my stethoscope when he can get it), practically licked the floor, and not once has he been really sick. 2 days with other kids his age and bam, he's down for the count. 

Hats off!

Or on, really. Henry really loves to run around wearing my old baseball cap. As in, once he has the hat perched on his head, he runs back and forth across the living room giggling his butt off like it's the most hilarious thing he's done all year. It is pretty funny actually.

Michael and Marie's Wedding

My brother Michael married his sweetheart Marie on July 12, 2008. They're already back from the honeymoon in California and moved in to their home in Charlottesville.

The complete Perry clan at the rehearsal dinner

Henry and Aunt Kelly shared a glass of wine.

"I'm pretty much adorable."

The Perry ladies at the reception--aren't we well-coordinated?

From left to right: me, Mom, Marie, Kelly

After all the festivities ended, Mom modeled her wedding dress for us.

It was a long and busy weekend.

Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Perry!

The Great American Balloon Race

On the Sunday of The Great American Brass Band Festival, (site here)

we attended the hot-air balloon race. 

We were really close to the balloons as they took off!

Henry was duly impressed.

He even brought his Bee-bo along for the fun.

Brusha brusha brusha

Don't be fooled, there's more chewing the toothbrush

than tooth-cleaning getting done.

We visited the Fort Harrod Beef Festival

No pictures from that, but we did hit the park afterwards. Henry did not like the swings, but he seemed to enjoy the mulch. 

"Seriously, Mom, it is hot out here!"

"I'm hitting the road!"

A Boy's First Haircut

Don't be fooled by the initial appearance of calm...

...it didn't last long.

Everyone survived! I felt bad for Mike the barber,

but he bravely hung in there the whole time!

A month behind

I was interrupted while trying to post some pictures from Cousin Zoey's visit:

Not sure how they feel about each other.

Wow, Grandpop sure can move!

And no one's visit to the Chatham house

is complete without a photo of someone eating!