Our relaxing getaway to Newport!

A babymoon is typically done before a baby arrives.  Due to the fact we had a houseful before Holden's arrival, this didn't take place for us.  Instead, Beau and I took a post-baby babymoon (with baby) this past week to the Oregon Coast - Newport!  It was absolutely wonderful!  The time away from laundry, dishes, meals to prepare, baths to give...was just what we needed.  Also, just having time together to listen to each other and talk about things other than kid routines.  It was a rare luxury focus on the new little guy.  Holden seemed to enjoy the attention and few days as our only child.   Of course, everywhere we went I was reminded of Hazel and Henley and I was left wishing them there with us often. 

Hazel and Henley were left in the loving care of their grandparents, Bruce and Roberta.  When we returned home, we received glowing reports of the two getting along and Hazel being quite the helper.  It was obvious when we returned home that we were missed, but the two older sibs had a wonderful time basking in the attention of their grandparents!

Holden enjoying the ocean view from our room.

The view to the south from our balcony...

The view to the north.

We love strolling the Bay front section of Newport - Holden's first time being packed by daddy.

My cute guys.

(Our of order) Waking happy from a snooze.  The hair still looks red...

The sea lions were basking in the sun at the Bay front.  This one was quick to pose for a picture.  "Aar, Aar, Aar"

The rock island covered with sea lions.  We sure had beautiful weather!

No clouds in sight, we enjoyed lots of sunshine during our few days away.

Playin' on the beach.

Holden wasn't up for building a castle on this his first trip to the beach.  Maybe next time.  Daddy made sure that he left his mark!

It was windy, but the temp was mild.  Me and my little guy at 6 weeks.

Wouldn't be a first trip to the beach if his TOES didn't touch SAND!

The sunshine and wind didn't bother him TOO much.

Cute sandy feet soon were snuggled again and headed up the path to daddy's favorite Newport eatery - The Chowder Bowl.  Yum!

***

Thanks to my husband for taking a few days off of work and treating his wife to a wonderful getaway.  I already am looking forward to the next time we can venture away, if just for a few days! 

Some Halloween Fun...

Real costume photos to come soon...just had to share a little fun I have had today.  No...I didn't "torture" any children with toxic face paints, nor did I sprout an ogre nose.  I had a lot of fun with Picnik, an online editing site I love.  The kids enjoyed watching themselves become ZOMBIES!  Oooh.  Scary! 

BOO!

Beau saw this and actually thought I had painted myself and Holden.  What and grew a large nose too?  (Yes, he did.)

 Zombie Ogre Beau.  Good look for him, don't ya think?

 Yikes - stay away from those Hazel chompers.

 Frightful Richie!

 Nice try Henley, don't think you could pull of frightening if you tried!

 Should I be concerned that the baby turned out the freakiest of all?  Sorry Holden, we know you are cute!

Happy Halloween week everyone!

Love, Becky and her zombie children.

Eventful week gone by...

This past week, our household endured the FLU.  Hazel, Henley and Beau fell ill.  Henley seemed to get the flu the worst, poor little guy.  He was still sick six days after onset.  We were starting to wonder if he was going to ever stop saying, "My tummy hurt BAD." 

It was notable that a sick four year old, Hazel, was much easier on mommy.  Her aim is much better, and being potty trained while in the throes of the FLU sure does help.  

Thankfully, they are all on the mend!  I am just hoping that Holden, Richie and I continue to avoid the flu.  

 A quick photo with my three.  Henley still wasn't 100%.  He sure was pitiful in the midst of his sickness.

 Hazel shows that our bowls traveled everywhere with us.  She used the small one (better aim).

 After missing a week of pre-school, Hazel returned last Wednesday.  It was a monumental day for Hazel and me!  As we drove to the school, I asked Hazel if she felt ready to go into the school on her own and without the assistance of mommy.  (Please, please please!)  She surprised me by saying, "YES!"  What does that mean for me?  Well, I didn't have to unbuckle her two brothers from the car, walk into the school and then pry Hazel from my leg - while detaching Henley from the toys in the school.  Her simple "YES!" was far from simple.  We then pulled up to her school, I helped her from her seat and she marched up the walk.  I watched her go in the main door, around the corner...and then she ran to her pre-school room and waved to me from the front window!  All smiles - Hazel and MOMMY.  I am so happy Hazel is adjusting to her new school and adjusting to becoming more independent.  What a big girl!

Holden celebrated month ONE last Tuesday.  He continues to change and grow - before my eyes!  I swear he gave me a few REAL smiles this past week.  I have yet to capture on film, but I will!  Always such a fun time when your sweet baby begins to respond to you with smiles.

He has many more hours of wake-time, his eyes take in everything.  He loves being held and looks so much like his siblings in expression and features.  His coloring continues to be fair and his eyes do look as though they may remain blue.  We shall see.

 Henley's mess of curls (which I LOVED) were officially chopped last weekend. It was Henley's first trip to the salon, and he did very well.  It has taken nearly the whole week for my boy's new grown-up look to "grow" on me.  He is quite proud of his big boy cut! 

Our little DUCKS helped to cheer the Ducks to victory last night.  Well, they were sleeping through most of the game that started at 7:30 pm - but we wore our Duck attire during the day to get pumped up!  You should see Henley's excitement whenever he sees a picture of the DUCK when we are out and about.  If the Oregon Duck appears on the TV (in a commercial or otherwise) - he runs to the TV and smothers the screen.  What a fan!!

Henley in ACTION...

A few videos from the past few weeks and the celebration of Henley's second birthday.  He is such a funny boy, so talkative now. 

Growing (up) Pains!

So, Hazel started her new pre-school just a few days after the early arrival of Holden.  Hazel went from being the "top-dog" at her daycare (a LOVING place where she has literally grown up) to the "new-kid-on-the-block" at her new school.  It broke my heart to see and hear her anxiety due to the change.  It broke my heart to have to say goodbye to our friends (family really) at our old daycare. 

BROKE MY HEART! 

So, when I title this post Growing Pains - it really isn't just Hazel who has struggled.  I actually think I have more than anyone!  I will miss seeing the familiar faces of the kids' friends at daycare and the loving teachers who have helped me in raising my children. 

Hazel has begun to look forward to her new school, and has made some friends.  She has proven yet again to be a resilient little girl.  We took a field trip to a local orchard with her school last Friday.  It was fun to see her interacting with the new friends, and new teachers.  

We left the farm and headed to her old stomping grounds, to pick up Henley, one last time.  Sigh.  Seeing their cubbies bare and their names taken off the birthday wall, it was all I could do to not break out in tears.  Believe me, I have shed many over the past few months, knowing this change is coming...but managed to keep it together on Friday.  Growing PAINS! 

 Hazel at the orchard on Friday.  Such a perfect day for the outing with NEW friends.

 All the kids were allowed to pick a pumpkin.  I was ever so grateful my little pumpkin picked a nice small pumpkin!

 The pre-schoolers lined up in the tall grass for a class shot.  (Couldn't get all in my shot - there are 13 all together.)

 When we picked up brother from daycare, I had to capture the group one last time.  Oh how we are going to miss seeing these faces on a regular basis.  We will be VISITORS though!!

Henley has thrived at the daycare, much like his sister.  He sure does love to antagonize all the little girls!

Oh, the places he'll go...Holden is THREE weeks already!

Some news from the Garner home on our newest member...Holden.   (Hard to believe that he is already three weeks and counting!)

At his two week check-up we found out Holden has not only regained the weight he lost post-birth, but he had in fact put on another pound, reaching 8 lbs 2 oz!  He had also grown an 1 1/4 inches already in height.  So much work being done for such a small little guy.  No wonder he is such a fantastic sleeper, he is busy growing!

Holden takes a snooze with his special "goosie goose" bear his sister and brother made for him.  Pretty soon he will dwarf the bear!  Right now they are rather evenly matched.

Holden manages to sleep through the ruckus that is our living room!

At ten days old, I put the little guy through his first photo shoot.  It was unseasonably warm, 85 degrees, so he didn't mind the "exposure."  He was rather unfazed by the whole thing, barely moving as I undressed him and placed him just so.  A sleeping newborn baby, nothing more peaceful or SWEET.

The wrinkles and the deep thoughts.  He is going to be a scholar I just know.

Mommy needs to learn to relax like this!

A new tooshie, hope he doesn't mind me sharing this when he gets older.

Oh the places this tiny foot will go.

Looking forward to the journey!

Sister Hazel continues to ADORE her baby brother. 

Henley too!

I take so many pictures that look like this.  It is as if he changes before my eyes, and I need to capture every moment!

This was a challenge.  May attempt again...but these feet will only keep getting BIGGER! 

Love my thirty perfect little toes!

(Hazel and Henley have had thicker feet from the beginning, Holden's seem longer and leaner.)

A little weary, yes.  Very happy...OF COURSE!  Happy THREE WEEKS Holden.

HENLEY is TWO!

Henley has been singing "Happy Birthday" for months now.  Today it was finally his chance to sing...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

And he did.  What a fun little boy we have in our Henley.  Yes, precocious at times, but this little guy is so full of love.  It has been such fun to watch him continue to grow up, learning all sorts of important things.  Such as, WORDS, he has become verbal so quickly.  With Hazel it seemed like a slower progression, but Henley seemed to wake up one day and start talking...and he hasn't stopped since!

Some of Henley's favorites at the ripe ol' age of TWO:

His new baby brother.  Holden is so interesting to Henley.  Henley needs reminders to give him space, but overall, his affection for his brother is pure love and he is so curious about this new addition to our family.

Treats!  He is a sweet lover.  He pulls the kitchen chair over to the counter and can be found trying to sneak a treat that mommy keeps up high.  He especially LOVES "cholocate."  Sometimes I give him something with a little "cholocate" simply because I LOVE hearing how he says it.  :)

Helicopters and airplanes.  Henley spots all flying objects in the sky before just about everyone else!  He has a keen sense of sight like his daddy.  He gets SO excited to see an airplane, and a helicopter brings him even more delight. 

Horses.  Henley continues to enjoy horses.  On our drive to take sister to pre-school we drive by a number of farms that have horses.  Henley can be viewed craning his neck up to see his favorite animals.

Bedtime stories, cuddles, ice water and lullabies.  At times he can be challenging to get to sleep, but he is getting back on schedule (after the birth of Holden).  Just try reading to Henley and leaving the room...I dare you!  His sweet little "momma cuddle ME" is so hard to leave behind!  I suppose I can't "cuddle him" all night, though there are many that I am quite tempted.  Love our curly haired sweet boy. 

 My two year old with a head full of curls.  They have been cut THREE times by mommy...and thank goodness, the curls keep coming!

 Mommy:  How old are you Henley?

Henley:  (Holding up all five fingers) FOUR!

(Hazel just turned four and when he counts these days he always starts with FOUR.)

 My Henley's BUSY feet.  Rare to catch them resting!

 Henley's new BIKE!  His very own big boy bike.  He loves his Strider already.

 Such focus for our little guy.

 Sister gave the Strider a whirl.  Her long legs made the endeavor a little challenging.  That and the little boy running after her yelling, "MY BIKE, MY BIKE!"

 We celebrated Henley's birthday with a small group of friends and family last weekend.  Fun to get together with Angela and Patti and our crew of kids!

 The three of us were pregnant at the same time with our first children.  Here we are with the newest babies.  Holden 3 weeks, Madeline 13 months, and Kyle 5 months.

 Henley was a little confused with pin the tail on the donkey.  He may have cheated a little.  But hey, he is the birthday boy!

 While Hazel's approach was pure silliness, Nathan took the game more seriously.

 Ryan too.

 Then there was the nine year old participant.  Richie, do you really think all the adults didn't see you CHEAT?  Seriously?  :)

 Nana came through with some fantastic HORSEY cupcakes for Henley.

 "Happy Birthday dear Henley!"

 Madeline's eyes so blue!

 Nana and Papa came through with a horn for the new bike as well as protective gear.  Henley is ready for some serious riding!

 A morning break from riding to admire the neighbor horses with Nana.

 Later, the kids were given the opportunity to get up close and personal with the horses!

 While Henley wasn't ready to get on the horse, Hazel took the opportunity to take a stroll.

This morning - just after waking - my TWO year old boy.  Where has the time gone?  You are a delight and we are so thankful for you Henley.  xoxo