Picking berries with Grandma Crow

We have had some fun times with Grandma Crow this summer. I am truly grateful as I really enjoy spending time with her. She is a very special person with an adventurous spirit and a great sense of humor. And what a fun grandma! She always has a special book or treat for you both and she is always teaching you something new. Even though she's a grown-up, she's still a kid at heart and I think that helps her connect with children in a very amazing way.

The best part of grandma, is that she loves you through and through - even when you are naughty and hit your brother - even when you both scream in the car - even when you make a colossal mess at the restaurant - and so on and so on. We all need her love in our lives - no one more than me.

Here are some pictures from our recent berry picking adventure in Hood River.

Lucy's "tricks"

Often heard lately is "Watch this, I'm going to do a trick." And here is your favorite - downward dog with one leg raised. Very impressive.

But I think the real trick is that head of hair. Look at those curly locks!

On helmet time

My dear Henry,

The era of the helmet has begun. We are on a rigid ramp-up schedule to acclimatize you to your new headgear over the next seven days. Soon, you'll be wearing it 23 hours/day. The five-month count down has begun. Now grow head grow!

So far, you aren't complaining and don't seem to mind it much. But you are sweating - A LOT. We can take it off to clean it every day but they hinted it would get harder and harder to get the dirt and sweat out. Pardon my sniffing your head every five minutes but I'm determined to soak up your sweet baby smell while I can.

On the plus side, the extra protection is proving useful. Yesterday, we let you jump around in your swing - over cement(!) and with Lucy nearby(!!). Previously, this activity was only open to Storm Troopers in full gear.

Before

During

After

Except of course you'll be a lot more handsome and choose a much more sensible girl.

Love you,

Mama

Mama's little monkey

Eee eee eee. Henry, you are the cutest monkey in the whole world.

Oaks Amusement Park

This is how we roll

I love our new stroller. It is a sweet ride to and from preschool plus all about the hood. It feels like I'm driving a suburban compared with the Mutsy but we are still narrow enough to get through any exterior door and gate. I think it's the very best double-stroller option for city streets.

Thank you again mom!

Pressure cooker

I hit the wall this week. I am just sooo tired. I love you guys but can't you go home already? I need a break. Why do I have to be the mom all the time?

This Saturday morning, with dad home, I left BY MYSELF to get groceries and run a few errands. But as I was backing out of the driveway, the valve that had started leaking finally burst and all I could do was sit in the parking lot of Fred Meyer and gulp sobs for 20 minutes before I could get my bearings.

This job - this being the mom - is like living in a giant pressure cooker. And I'll tell you, if I don't find some ways to let out the steam, I'm going to start exploding on you.

The emotional highs and lows on any given day are incredible. It can go from "He's smiling at me and I can't believe I can love anyone this much" to "why won't he stop screaming, I am a terrible mother" in less than 2 minutes. Plus there is the never-ending task of staying one step ahead of your emotional/physical/intellectual/spiritual needs while being forever watchful for lead/kidnappers/poopypants/sunburn/etc. Times that by ten hours and you might begin to see why I'm emotionally fried at the end of the day.

Too many days in a row of this plus one family vacation including 14 hours in the car (oh the anxiety!) has clearly put me over the edge.

So, try to ignore that crazy woman walking into walls and blubbering over the zebra pajamas that are suddenly too small for you (Already? This is tragic!).

It's just my black screen of death telling you it's time for a serious reboot. Ctrl-alt-delete! Ctrl-Z! Reset! Reset! - or whatever the real-world equivalent of that is. Heaven help us all while I figure that out.

Cooling down on a hot (finally!) day

Helmet on order

Henry, your head is beautiful but officially lopsided. You have favored one spot to lie on since you were born and it has been difficult to break you of the habit. Lately, we are getting you to sleep on other areas of your head but with SIDS risk and you not rolling much yet, I am too afraid to put you on your tummy to sleep.

So today, we had you measured for a helmet that will ensure your head shape will fill out as your head grows. You will have to wear the helmet for up to 5 (that's 1-2-3-4-5!) months, almost 23 hours/day.

Our pediatrician says you will acclimate to it quickly and not notice it much. Of course, he also said you would only have to wear it for 2 weeks and that was apparently WAY wrong.

On the bright side, the doctor's office has a fabulous box of toys and books that Lucy loved. Getting her excited about coming to your appointments with you will be very easy.

... and I'm trying, but I can't think of anything else on the positive side.

Crap. I'm sorry, Henry.

Happy birthday USA!

We had a great trip to Idaho for the 4th of July.

Lucy, you loved the fireworks and weren't a bit afraid of the noise. In fact, you kept saying "I like the boom part." We watched the show from the Clarkston High School football field - sitting in a sea of blankets and listening to the patriotic hits over the loudspeaker. The whole event was charming and wonderful.

Enjoying that authentic, down-home America feel they are always

trying to capture in Chevy commercials.

It was fun to see the holiday with all of its trimmings through fresh eyes. You kept asking "why" so, trying to put in in terms you know, I told you it was a birthday party for our country and that we were all celebrating together. Then you were asking things like "what's united states," and "what's country." I'm not sure I explained those very well so I'll be finding us some maps soon.

Who's tired? Not this kid.

Henry, you missed the fireworks as you couldn't quite make it until 10 pm but you had a great time too. All the cousins running around were great entertainment and there was plenty of doting by your aunts, uncles, and grandparents.

Henry, after turning back into a pumpkin at 9 p.m.

Our family photo session did not go as well. Hopefully we got something good out of it but boy - trying to get two kids to smile and be happy on demand, plus keep anything bright red off of their white clothes for a half hour was hard work. And that was after I had to remember how to put on makeup and do my hair as it's been a while. Sheesh, family photos are not fun for moms.

Hanging out with cousins was fabulous though. We spent a lot of time messing around at Grandma and Papa's house. We saw no end to the fun times, toys, and treats there. And the food!!! Wow - your grandma can cook!

Grandma and Papa provided princess dress-ups(!) and a princess car(!!) just your size to play in.

The perfect outfit for yard work.

We all went fishing at a very special place called Tunnel Pond. Papa has worked with the Nez Perce Tribe to make Tunnel Pond a beautiful resource for the whole community. Tribal and non-tribal families (and mixed ones like ours) now have an amazing place to fish and play together. Wildlife is everywhere: turtles, otters, eagles, and more. It is such a gift and every time we are there I feel so blessed. Your daddy, aunts, and uncles will take their turn protecting this and other resources for you. Someday, it will be your turn.

The car rides were all of our least favorite parts. Six. L-o-n-g. Hours. You both did pretty well though and by the power of books, gummy treats, and "The Wizard of Oz," we made it through without too much screaming. Hooray!

Straight out of mom's bag of tricks to keep you happy in the car.