Intern Dinner

When I was on maternity leave last year, the Today show was running a segment on happy people. One of the things happy people tend to have in their lives is a commitment that they are dedicated to keeping at least once a month, something they move their schedules for, make sacrifices for, are better because they were there. For me this is intern dinner. God placed 5 amazing women in my life three years ago, women whom I share many of my greatest life joys, biggest life failures, laughter, tears and many a glass of wine. They know me in a way other people in my life simply can't because we have endure so much together during this trying time in our careers. We have shared 3 weddings, 2 babies, 5 pregnancies, funerals, illnesses, new houses, apartments, but mostly its the dinners. The times to laugh and support and encourage. I could not have survived the past 3 years without them. Unfortunately life will take a few of them away from me in the coming year, but I look forward to continuing dinners and hopefully yearly trips where we can laugh and share a great bottle of wine...pinot nior, the only variety we all like, of course I'm easy to please when it comes to wine.


The pictures is from one of the first nights we hung out...FROG 2008, new doctors--no clue, new friends...no clue :)

Where has the time gone...

I was walking with Chad and Henry and Winston tonight and we ran into a couple of friends and one of them commented-I can't believe you have a one year old. I can't believe I have a one year old!! I can't believe I haven't blogged in almost a year. I was so enjoying the simple documentation of everyday life. So here's to blogging again. Beginning again in documenting our little life...

To begin-a little catch up. Henry is doing awesome and is the love of my life. At 13 months he is walking, trying to run, learning to climb and finally said his first word-dada. He is an explorer. Generally happy, unless there are new teeth (which he has 7) or it's time for a nap. He loves people food much better than baby food and has finally gotten onto a real growth curve. Some of his favorites are sweet potatoes, any bean, bananas, rotisseri chicken, aunt Julia's leg of lamb and yogurt bites-he could eat the whole bag. He has worked out most of his sleeping issues and I am happy to report we are enjoying a good bottle of wine again knowing we will get a full nights sleep, although he still tends to rise before the sun. He loves puppies-which is why, of course, we had a puppy themed first birthday party. Winston, well he's tolerant.

This is the happiest I have ever been...

Halloween trial run

So Marmie bought Henry's Halloween costume this year after we finally found one that was 3 months. Fearing it might be too big for my 7 week old, I put it on him while Marmie and Poppa and Uncle Brandon were here since they won't be back for Halloween. It fit great!! Can't believe I have already packed up baby clothes that don't fit him anymore, and getting him into 3 month jammies is starting to get tight. He is growing so fast. I can't even stand it. Going back to work in 2 weeks is going to kill me. So here are the first pics of our little dragon. He even roars!

Pumpkin Patch

Marmie and Poppa came to town and we pulled daddy away from work so we could hit up the pumpkin patch. I even forced us all to sweat it out in our fall clothes even though it was 90 degrees out. I mean I love that we don't freeze our tails off all winter here in Houston but 90 in October?!! Anyway, I loved the pumpkin patch and I think my boys enjoyed it too. But you can see we live in the big city as the pumkins were in a church parking lot on one of the main streets of Houston. So not the perfect fall back drop of the country but still a great afternoon.

Our growing boy

Week 6: look how much Hair I've lost!

Week 5: found my voice!

Week 4: Is that a smile?

Week 3: love to stretch!

Week 2: love my swing!

Week One: always sleepy!

Day One: Happy Birthday!

Bath time

It took awhile, but Henry finally loves bath time. He is definately a child of clothes, and does not like being naked, and I am using this as an excuse to pick up everything blue and boy I can find!

Best Friends

We are lucky enough to have a great couple, Matthew and Julia Rigdon, here in Houston to spend our free time with...one of those couples where you all four actually like each other. And I was lucky enough to share my pregnancy with Julia...down to the day. We told each other we were pregnant late one night right after Christmas in the mountains for our ski trip, three weeks later we found out we had the same due date: 90210! Knowing they were having a boy, we waited to see if Dode would be meeting his future bride or future best bud...best bud it was, 30 hours apart! They have been enoying playdates/nursing dates, coffee and football since they became best friends. Dode + Henry = VBFF

And as KayKay put it: Dode and Henry, Rhodes class of 2032

I love daddy!

We were finally gaining weight, were trying to overcome our breastfeeding set backs and push through and it is time for my mom to head home and my pediatrician says...okay see ya in 2 months. I was feeling seriously abandoned and Chad kept hugging me saying, we can do this! And so it came, the Monday I had been fearing...just me and Henry. I felt so much more brave and confident when my mom and Chad were at the house with me, but soon realized all I did was feed this boy and hand him off to whatever company was there. I knew this was my opportunity to get to know my son and I would soon love and treasure these limited days alone with him, but I was so scared. We both cried all day. Even Winston seemed upset and scared. But we survived and daddy came home and Henry cheered right up. I still cheer up when
Chad gets home-the extra set of hands are priceless. And Chad was right, we can do this and it's wonderful...just a little scary at first.

Meeting the uncles

We were lucky enough to have Henry near a holiday weekend and between his first two weekends he was able to meet all three uncles. It has been a wonderful time these last few days filled with family time! This has a whole new meaning to me now. It is amazing how his little fingers can make you forget its a night to go out or opening weekend of college football!

Easy like Sunday Morning

Winston has been so great with Henry. I had nothing to worry about. He loves to sneak kisses and is super protective of him. He lays just close enough to keep watch over his baby when someone new is holding Henry. He has to make sure you know what you're doing before he settles down.

Winston: "I'm being good...don't make me get down!"

first night in magic jammies...thanks Krista for the tip!

We survived the second night much better than the first. We woke up to a beautiful Sunday morning! I looked up from the kitchen, where I was making a much needed cup of coffee, to find this...Chad, Henry, Winston cuddled up on the sofa, complete with a cup of coffee, computer and sports center for daddy. I have all I ever wanted. Life is good...

First Night Home

We had no idea what to expect...

Where Henry was supposed to sleep but I was too afraid he would stop breathing!

I held him all night and Chad spent every few hours running around the house getting the things I had no idea I needed stashed in our bedroom until we had him home. We celebrated surviving the night with donuts from Christie's. It's become a Saturday morning routine now, with Chad bringing them home before I even ask!

It feels like home to me

Let's blow this joint!