Sweet Aaron taking a turn on Rody Pony!
Baby Payne
Henry showing off his favorite toy, an empty wrapping paper roll to The Lavenders
I can not believe that my precious baby is now a one-year-old!! This past year has been the absolute best year of our lives! Michael and I have had more fun watching our sweet baby boy grow and learn! We were talking earlier and decided that we can't believe Henry's already a year old because the time has flown by but also don't remember life without him. He's such a fun little guy and he makes me smile every time I think about him! I never thought I could love someone so very much. We are so thankful every day that we were chosen to be Henry's momma and daddy. God is so good!
Henry (12/12/08) 5 pounds 4 ounces, 18 inches long...so much love, laughter, growing and learning this year!!
Our sweet one year old is now babbling/talking up a storm! His "recognizable" words are Momma, Dada, thank you, uh-oh and bwuddabwuddabwudda (brother brother brother)! He (finally) loves table food and so far has eaten anything I've put in front of him. He loves fruit, cheese, avocados, potatoes, carrots, green beans, cheerios and graham crackers. Henry isn't walking, yet...but he cruises all around the furniture and can play a mean game of peepie! He loves to be tickled and snuggled and still loves Weez (his blue bunny) the most in the world! Happy Birthday, Sweet Henry!! We love you!
We are very excited to announce that Henry is going to be a BIG brother! We feel extremely blessed and a little caught off guard, that's for sure! This sweet little baby is a boy and we could not be more excited! He's due mid April so these little boys will be sixteen months apart! We are taking name suggestions since we don't have a clue what to call this little guy! Obviously, Henry has no idea what is about to happen to his world and quite frankly Michael and I don't either! We are just thanking God for this wonderful gift and holding on tight for the ride! Henry has been more fun and filled us with more love than we ever thought possible! I can't even imagine how wonderful our lives will be with another baby boy!
While we all had a fun time and Henry was a sweet little guy...he turned into a bit of a turkey regarding his nap/bedtime schedule due to the traveling...oh well, I guess that's the beauty of traveling with a baby...here we come Christmas!! :)
Henry's First Halloween was a success! He left his costume on, smiled at people, filled up his candy bucket, went to sleep and let Momma and Daddy eat all of his candy!! :) Michael and I had a great time parading our little Henry-Duck around the neighborhood with friends! 
I just realized I've taken a blog vacation...not really on purpose, just out of forgetfulness/busyness! :) Sadly, I realized I'd not been keeping up because I was complaining to a friend that a few blogs that I stalk, I mean follow, have not been updated lately...and she so kindly pointed out that I'd let mine fall by the way side! So anyway, I'm uploading pictures even as I type to show the fun we've been having! There's lots to tell...a trip to the beach, my brother's wedding in North Carolina, and just some everyday fun. I will post stories and pictures soon!!
Today is the day...Henry has now been here the same amount of time that I was pregnant with him! Time has absolutely FLOWN by!!!!! I can not believe that this time eight short months ago, I was just about to meet the love of my life. It seems like it was just yesterday, yet, I really don't remember life without him. At eight months old, Henry is rolling all over the place, hasn't shown any interest in crawling (which is fine by me...I want him to stay a BABY!!!), loves green beans and peas the most, thinks hearing a fake sneeze is the funniest thing in the whole world, smiles all the time, loves to play with Momma's Blackberry (and gets a little mad when it is taken away), thinks Millie is pretty fun to watch and loves to play with Momma and Daddy. We love you so much, Sweet Henry Bug!!! Happy Eight Month Birthday!!!!
Hi! We're still around, we've just been having a fun summer and forgot to post! I promise I'll get back to it soon!!! For now, here's one of my new favorite pictures of Henry!
It's the sound of wedding bells!!!!! My (Leslie) brother, Paul is getting married to the best girl in the world, Katie!!!! We are all so excited and can't wait for the big day! And we won't have to wait long, they will be married in North Carolina on September 26 (and per Katie's declaration, "No, I am not pregnant, I'm just ready to marry Paul"). Truthfully, Katie's grandfather, whom she was very close to, recently passed away but his wedding anniversary was September 26, so it will be a very sentimental day. Henry is super excited for Uncle Paul and Aunt Katie!!!!!!
Last Sunday, Henry was dedicated in Michael's family church. It was such a sweet day for all of us. The family church is in the small town where Michael's dad, Clyde, grew up and was (literally) hand built and founded by his father. Uncle Gene, Michael's uncle, is now the pastor of the church. He did a beautiful job of dedicating Henry to the Lord. (By the way, Uncle Gene also married us). I know I've seen a number of baby dedications, baptisms, christenings and while I always think they are sweet, I guess I'd really never thought about the absolute meaning...until it was my son. It was the most wonderful feeling of awe to have my child dedicated to his Father. It was truly a beautiful time as a parent.
Auntie Diane helping to put on Henry's gown
Uncle Gene, Momma, snoozing Henry and Daddy
Thanks, y'all, for sharing this day with us and blessing our sweet baby boy!
Henry made his very first trip to the pool yesterday! He was a little "iffy" at first but then decided he loved it! Our dear friends, The Pulfreys, came over to swim with us...I think watching Aaron float around encouraged Henry to like the water. When Michael was swimming around with Henry, he would watch and laugh at Alan and Aaron playing nearby. After we played in the water, we came home to a yummy dinner (made by Michael...good job, babe!) and then put the boys to bed. Henry slept until almost 8 this morning!! I told Michael we're going to go swimming EVERYNIGHT if Henry will sleep that late!! :) I know we will be making plenty more trips to the pool but it sure is different with a baby! No more going out in the heat of the day to get some sun...I think our trips will be in the evening when it isn't so stinkin' H-O-T!!! 
Last week was our first family vacation!! And, yes, we did look like the Griswold's!! We drove to Wilmington, NC and met up with my brother, Paul and his girlfriend, Katie at their beach house in Carolina Beach....super fun!
We all had so much fun with Uncle Paul and Aunt Katie! We went to the beach, out to dinner and to the North Carolina Aquarium during our visit.
Henry really misses pulling on Uncle Paul's beard and flirting with Aunt Katie! Henry loved the beach! He stuck his toes in the sand and in the ocean. It was such a thrill to show our sweet little boy the wonder of the beach! After our (short) beach vacation, we all headed to Pinehurst, NC to see my sweet cousin Lauren get married...Henry's first wedding!
He did so well! We set in the back in case we needed to run out if Henry decided to "talk" during the ceremony. He just hung out in his car seat and slept through almost the whole wedding! What a good boy!!
Henry celebrated his six month birthday with a cupcake at the reception...where we stayed until the bride and groom left. Henry had such a fun time visiting and meeting relatives especially his great-grandmother!
By the way, did I mention that we drove...sixteen hundred miles total! Henry was an absolute angel! He is just such a sweet baby!
