The number of the day is.....THREE!

Well, tooth number three has emerged without incident, and Henry is the proud owner of an upper left pointy tooth (Dr. Gordy, my dentist in Orlando, would be so disappointed in me for not using correct terminology). I thought the front two chipmunky ones (my sincere apologies, doc) would come in first on top, but alas, he skipped over those and went straight for the flesh-rippers. No bites yet, though...fingers crossed we can keep it that way.

In other exciting 'THREE' news, Jared comes back to us in three days. He's closing up shop in Florida and assisting movers with our things. It's been a week since he left, and I miss him way too much. I can't wait until we're in the same place at the same time for more than 2 days in a row. :)

Who are you??

I've been getting "curiouser and curiouser" about who is reading this blog. I can see the cities from which you guys log on, but I want to know identities too. Mississippi and Alabama...that means you!

So, step out of the shadows and announce yourselves. Please include a little note about how you stumbled onto the site. I'll be expecting emails at elizabeth_h_chesser@yahoo.com

6 month photos!

Yesterday, our friend, Steve, stopped by to take Henry's 6-month photos. If you've ever seen our wedding video, Steve is the man behind the camera...he has done videography for some time and is now branching out into photography. We are so excited about this recent development!! Anyway, I cannot sing his praises enough -- he has such wonderful imaginative vision, and he has truly captured and preserved our most precious memories over the years. If you are looking for a photographer in the Houston area, I cannot give any higher recommendation than his. Please contact me if you want his info...

Amazing children.

Today, I do not feel like blogging about my family. Instead, I want to encourage you to read about two lovely families with beautiful children whose stories, in this season of their lives, are far more compelling than mine.

http://www.jtsetsma.blogspot.com/ - this is the story of a baby born only one day after Henry. His parents are friends of ours from church. In sharing their site, we hope that you will be as inspired by Baby J and his family as we have been.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/gracyndenbesten - this is the story of a 9-year old girl who we do not know personally. Her family also goes to church with us. We have many, many mutual friends, but somehow, we have never met the DenBestens. Gracyn is a living miracle. She spent the entire 9 years of her life with a deadly heart-condition that went completely undetected. Now, she's waiting on a heart transplant -- the only cure for her disease.

These kiddos are my heroes. Please read about them, add them to your prayer lists, and be amazed at the good work that is being done in them.

A few tidbits

For a good time, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0S4L4LSS4fc

In baby news, we had our 6-month pediatrician visit yesterday. Henry is 19.5 pounds(75th %), 28.5 inches(90th %), and his head is ginormous(97th %). The doc confirmed that H is as Casper-ish as they come, and we do indeed have a lifetime of sunburns ahead of us. He has reached all of the developmental mile-markers for his age, and the doctor was particularly impressed with his sociable and chatty nature. Over the next few weeks, I am supposed to be introducing lotsandlots of solid foods. He has been ready for them for awhile, and in the 24 hours that I've been upping them, I can already tell a difference in his personality (in a VERY good way). He is totally amped and excited ALL the time, and when it's time for sleeping, he falls quickly into the happiest deep sleep. That's a big answer to prayer, because for the last few weeks, he has been so fidgety and restless when I would try to put him down for a nap or the night.

Last thing...Henry and I bid Florida adieu tomorrow. Texas, here we come!!

It's ours...on the 28th!

This weekend, after Jared's puking and Henry's fever were long-gone, we had the privilege of attending the wedding of Joanna "Jo" Lawrence and Nick "Rudy" Littler. It was an absolutely beautiful wedding, and we loved seeing another oooooey goooooey perfect couple tie the knot.

Here's Henry on the way to the wedding...
Here was one of the centerpieces...thought my future sister-in-law Stephanie might like to see this...black tablecloth, bright flowers...so pretty.
And, just look what the cat drug in. It's Jared, his Holy Spiritess Amy, her fifth baby, Elizabeth, and Henry. Since Henry and Elizabeth are decidedly going to get married one day (sorry, Lilly, he's moved on...and so should you), we thought we would go ahead and take an in-law picture...you know, for the slide show. :)

Here's the happy couple on their first date. She ended up wrapped in his blankie, and he's got her monogrammed burp cloth on his arm...isn't it romantic?!?!

Mommy and Henry. I'm trying to show off his adorable Feltman Bros. outfit that his Maw Maw gave him, but the flash just bounced off the white and made him look like Casper. Come to think of it, Henry always looks like Casper...he's literally translucent...a lifetime of SPF 85 lies ahead for this kid.

Anyway, in other exciting news, the house inspection went well, all of the negotiations are finished, and we are set to close on the Kingwood house on the 28th of this month. By the way, if any of our Kingwood readers need a real estate agent, I highly recommend ours, and I'll be glad to pass along her information if you are interested. We'll be packing boxes for the next few days, and then Henry and I will be headed to Texas by plane. Jared will drive my car over soon after that. The movers pick up our things in Orlando on the 26th, and we should be mostly moved in to the new house by the first week of February!!

Look away, look away, look away...

It's always great to be an Ole Miss Rebel. Today, it is especially great.

Hotty Toddy, gosh almighty,
Who the Hell are we?
Flim Flam, Bim Bam,
OLE MISS, by damn!

Thanks for the game, Tech. Bwaaaaaaaaahahahahahaha!

Another one bites the dust....

No puking yet, but Henry woke up with his first fever - 101.3. Tylenol brought it down, and he has spent his morning alternating between napping, nursing, and wimpering. Poor baby.

Since I am sans camera, here are a few pics from Jared's camera taken during the past few weeks...

Henry under Nana's Christmas tree

Shortly before he began eating branches...

Henry's favorite Christmas toy...RINGS!! Notice how he puts them on like bracelets...so cute.

Mommy and Henry playing with rings

This is the H-man in his big boy wind jacket under his RED SOX blankie from Maw Maw. We were headed out for a walk around the neighborhood (one of his newest favorite things to do). Henry sings the whole time we are walking, and we could walk for days and days without him tiring of it.

In other cuteness, the baby discovered my shadow on the wall behind his changing table, and now he laughs hysterically at it every time I change his diaper. It's so precious...and by far they are the biggest belly-laughs we've heard him do. Isn't it crazy how much we focus on toys and Baby Einstein videos and whatnot only to have a freaking shadow be the entertainment highlight of his life?!?!!

Anyway, off to tend to feverbaby. I'll post again once we're all better.