Welcome Henry Thatcher Lewallen!

 

Henry arrived on 11/22/09 around 8:30 in the evening.  He weighed 8 lbs and was 20 inches long.  Here are some favorite shots from his birth and Thanksgiving 2009.

Charlie meeting Henry.  Due to the H1N1 virus, children were not allowed in the hospital to visit.  We snuck Charlie in one day regardless of the warnings. 

Charlie giving Henry some love – perhaps one of my favorite photos!

Grandma holding her 9th grandchild and 7th grandson!

Sweet baby Henry asleep in the hospital.

Cuddled up in Grandma’s handmade blanket.

Kisses from mommy!

Prince Charming

It has been awhile since I have updated our blog.  I guess that’s what happens when you have two babies under the age of two.   

Given my time constraints, I will try to post smaller posts more often.  This picture was taken of Jackson on Valentines Day 2010. 

Charlie’s sweater said “love stinks”, which I thought was very appropriate for a little boy still in diapers. 

Henry stayed warm in a cute little bear snowsuit given to him by Aunt Stephanie.  Looks like he’s keeping his blonde hair and blue eyes!

 

As you can see from the snow piled up at our church…it’s been a cold and long winter.  I’m looking forward to thawing out!

In the next few days I will try to get caught up and post “old” posts from Christmas 2009 and other fun events.

Cheers and Happy 2010!

Leslie and Lew!

First Day of First Grade

Today was Jackson's first day of first grade! I really can't believe it. It seems like yesterday that Brian and I were working and living in Wisconsin and expecting our first son. Six years later we now have Charlie and are expecting Henry.

We tried to make last night special and relaxing. We had a sit down dinner complete with candles. Brian started to object to the candles when I reminded him that we had to have candles for Jackson's first grade dinner! Jackson's face lit up when he realized that he was the source of all the pomp and circumstance.

After a nice steak dinner, Brian took Jackson to the grocery store to pick out a treat -- Milk duds for Jackson and mommy! After a quick call to Grandma, Jackson was off to bed!

This morning was a little rough. Jackson came downstairs clearly stressed out. Everything was wrong from the food to his socks, shoes, belt and shirt. I kept thinking: "For goodness sake! You wear a uniform!" However, I could see that this was simply nerves and Brian and I tried to console and reassure Jackson the best we could.

At one point, Jackson tried telling me he couldn't go to school because he wouldn't see Charlie "ALL day!" I reminded him that the first day was only a 1/2 day and that Charlie would be more than ready for him to play when we picked him up.




We all took him to school together as a family -- even Charlie. His friends all greeted him hello and he still looked so small sitting behind his desk with all his new supplies ready to go -- glue, scissors, pencils...fun! I took a mental picture of him sitting there. Still small, still innocent, still eager and willing to learn, still loving and still a child. Everyone says that time flies...so I intend not to waste a minute of it. I'll cherish my memories of today and look back on them fondly.




I hope Jackson feels how much we love him and how proud we are of him!

Happy first day of first grade!