8 Months of Henrik S.

Today is a good day to write this post. Mr. Henrik Sebastian has been a complete doll baby all day (thus far). It's been one of those days when you wonder how you ever enjoyed life without this buddy.

Of course, the first eight months of Henrik's life hasn't been all bliss. A lot of it has been hard and tiring and frustrating and exhausting (which I remind myself of often, lest I get the idea that Henrik needs a sibling). Although, thankfully the majority of the worst times were in the first couple months. Rookie parenting or just a fussy newborn? I'm not sure. I'm just glad we don't have to redo those first couple months.

Then there's yesterday, for instance, when Henny decided he wasn't interested in being in the grocery store...at all. Maybe he's hungry? I frantically grabbed one of those squeezable food pouches off of the shelf, tore the lid off, and squirted some in his mouth. This helped for about 5 minutes, although, it basically meant standing in an isle inching forward between his bites. Finally, I realized I just needed to hold him, and grab the must-haves off my list. So I did. I frantically maneuvered the cart with one hand, Henny in my other arm, grabbing whatever looked like what I needed (not the most economical way to shop, btw) and got to the checkout line as fast as possible. When I handed the cashier the half-eaten squeeze pouch she gave me a pitiful smile and said "oh, yeah, you actually have some of that on you". Henrik had sucked on my arm and there was a bit of carrot residue there, but nothing major. I smiled and shrugged it off. It wasn't until the way home I realized what she must have been referring to and why she looked embarrassed for me. Apparently he had also rubbed some all over my left...uh...chest area. Thanks, buddy, I must have needed an ego check.

Wide-eyed with lots of drool. Classic Henrik.

Henrik is very social, which is funny if you know his parents at all. :) He adores people, especially kids, which is why it's so fun one of our babysitters has young kids for Henrik to interact with (he loves Stef too). His favorite people seem to be Dev and me and his grandparents, and his cousin Miles and aunt Molly. He's so friendly. No such thing as stranger anxiety for this kid (at least not yet).

I'm so thankful to be his mom and I have a hard time remembering he isn't really "mine". I've already seen ways that having Henrik has been so good for me spiritually and for Dev and I as a couple. I've seen a couple clear reasons why I know it's good that I became a mom much sooner than I wanted to. During pregnancy, I believed on some level God knew what he was doing with our surprise baby, but it's been really great to believe it on such a deeper level because of all the good and all the refinement. 

Happy eight months, Henny, you're the best in the land.