Roadtrippin' - Week 51

Pat, Dana, Ben, and Anna Kirn and Henry. Aunt Dana's fish face can't beat the original!

The Bogarts have been road warriors this summer, and this weekend was no different. We headed out on Thursday night for St. Louis, the first leg on our ultimate trip to Morton, IL for Laura's cousin's wedding. On Friday morning, we had set up a photoshoot with Stephen Seebeck to take Henry's 1yr. pictures. As would be our luck, within 15 minutes of arriving in Forest Park, it started to rain/drizzle. We headed under cover and continued to take pictures. The rain stopped, and we headed back out into the park. Again, after about 5 minutes, it started to rain, this time pretty hard. We also had a further run back to cover. As you could guess, after getting rained on twice (coupled with the humidity), Laura's hair was wrecked, and she was done with pictures. We attempted to shoot some shots of Henry with a little cake, but he was very turned off by the icing texture, and wanted nothing to do with the cake. He was more interested in trying to get to the various cigarette butts on the ground!

About to get the best frozen custard ever made! 

On Friday night, we were able to go to dinner with Reggie's friends Jana and Jeff Sindelar (and their son Jackson), Jani Schramm, and her boyfriend Dan. We went to a pizza joint, and Henry and Jackson loved watching the guys throw the pizzas up into the air! Even moreso, Henry was mesmerized with Jackson. What I wouldn't give to know what Henry is thinking when he looks at kids that are just a bit older than him. Great weather, and great to catch up with them! Afterwards, we hit the original Ted Drewes for some ice cream until Henry melted down. He had had a big day!

The Kirn cousins

On Saturday morning, we loaded up again and headed to Morton for the wedding. All of Laura's extended family on her moms side were in attendance which is a rare treat considering it's a large crew (Kathy is one of seven), and several family members live out of state.  Henry was the
hit of the party and at one point had a circle of guests dancing around him while he stood (assisted by Aunt Jen) in the center.  He just loves to be center of attention, wonder where he gets that from?? He also loved interacting with Laura's cousin Jeff's two boys, Rylan & Mason, who are both under the age of 5.

Adam & Henry

Takin' over the dance floor

Boogeying down with Aunt Pam and Amie

Henry with Aunts and Uncles

Derek and Samantha with Henry

The Kirn men

Jeff, Rylan, & Tina 

On Sunday, we did the whole drive back to KC (approx. 6hrs.). When we got to Hannibal, MO, our car's four-wheel drive system almost broke down, so that cost us some time to get it taken care of. It must have been the amount of carseat time Henry had had over the last three days, because he was so mad that he decided to blow out of his diaper three times that day. There is nothing like walking through a Wal-Mart in Hannibal holding a baby out away from your body as you beeline to the family restroom

On Thursday, we took Henry back to Bright Horizons so he could see his old "teachers." Also, deadbeat Reggie still owed the center money :). Trina was really excited to see the little guy, and played with him for a few minutes. There is a ball chute there, and Henry was able to quickly put together that you are to put the ball in the top and get it from the bottom. So, we did that for about 5 minutes.

Developmentally, Henry continues to sporadically take steps, with the maximum still being 3-5 steps. He is getting better at standing for a more prolonged period as well. His daycare has a step apparatus with games on the sides that Henry loves. When Reggie drops him off in the morning, he always goes straight for it, and when Reggie picks him up, he is always on it still. For some reason, he likes to pull the sidewall on it back and forth. Also, I guess he must like being able to get higher.

It was pointed out that we had overlooked a big relationship happening in Week 49. Laura had gone out with her friends Emily (Henry's "girlfriend") and Jessica from work. After a night on the town, Emily had decided to stay in our guest room, and to stick around for waffles in the morning. Is it too soon to have a sleepover after dating for 4 months?

They call this "The baby walk of shame!"