Quick Update

We have been staying busy at the Hathaway House. We are finally over the nasty virus that took over for 10 days...starting with Henry, then moving on to Cohen. Fall is finally here, and with the cool weather and fun festivities, unfortunately comes the dreaded fall sicknesses. Hopefully we stay well for a while now!

Here's a quick recap of the past few weeks (picture quality isn't great because they were taken with my phone).

David and I celebrated our 8 year anniversary at the Grovepark Inn in Asheville. Aunt Laura and Uncle Mike stayed with the boys - thank you guys again!

Cohen and Henry had a blast at Evan's birthday party! Cohen didn't even want to leave for a bathroom break, so he decided to relive himself in front of everyone on the Brennan's yard.

Every weekend, it's football and more football! Brainwashing is becoming easier now that Cohen is a little older. He loves cheering, "Let's go Noles!" and riding his rocking horse, "Renegade" (he named it on his own). He wants to go to a football game so badly, and we can't wait to take him!

David is trying to keep up with my crazy brainwashing - Let's go Hoos!

David and I cheered on the Jags in Charlotte last weekend. It poured at the game, and we lost, but it was still a lot of fun.

I took both boys to Discovery Place yesterday. Henry LOVED it...especially the water table.


Happy weekend everyone!

Big Hen

Henry had a great one-year check-up this week! Our boy is now 31 3/4" tall and just under 25 pounds. How on Earth do we have a baby who is in the 95th percentile in height?!

First Day of School

Cohen started in the Two's Class at Myers Park Baptist yesterday. I have been a nervous wreck for a few weeks, just thinking about him going back to school. Cohen, on the other hand, could not have been more excited. We attended orientation last week to check out his new classroom and meet his new teachers, Ms. Devant and Ms. DeJesus. Cohen cried when we had to leave orientation, so that was a good sign! We are thrilled that Cohen is in a class with two of his good friends, Hunter and Leighton. I can't believe how much he has grown-up in one year. Last fall, he cried and had mixed-feelings about school. This year, he ran into the classroom and didn't even turn around to say goodbye. He did give me the biggest hug when I returned to pick him up. But he stuck his bottom lip so far out, and was fighting back tears, and I feared he had changed his mind about this whole school thing. He wouldn't tell me what was wrong, and then he finally whispered, "I don't want to weave."

He had to pick berries off the bush outside the school for about 15 minutes. This was his favorite thing to do last year.

He was so excited, he wouldn't look at the camera...he was trying so hard to play it cool.

We had to sit on the front steps for 30 minute after I picked him up. He really didn't want to leave.

One is Fun!

Our Henry turned ONE yesterday, and we had fun celebrating our big boy! He had a blast playing with his friends, eating pizza and cake, and unwrapping presents. Cohen was a great helper - You would have thought it was his own birthday, he was so excited about the party. The past week, we've heard him singing "Happy Birthday to Henry" (then yelling, "YAY!" while clapping) before falling asleep in bed. Cohen helped me pick out the cupcakes and balloons for the big day, and he proudly told everyone, "It's Hendog's birthday!"

The past year has flown by. It seems like yesterday we were in the hospital preparing for Henry's arrival. At 7:14 pm on September 4th, our family was complete when Henry came into this world. He was the biggest baby at the hospital the weekend he was born - it still amazes me that I had such a big boy! Our sweet Hendog has had quite a year. We have a lot to be thankful for and celebrate. Less than six months ago, our boy was recovering from heart surgery. He is the toughest little guy I know. The past year has been amazing, watching Henry grow and change each month, and watching the special bond form between brothers. Part of me is so excited about turning the page onto this new chapter of life with our one year old. But part of me is in pieces because he is growing-up...both of our boys. Henry, we love everything about you! I love:

• that you're my "little bird," as you flap your arms really fast when you get excited (which is very often).
• your tight-grinned smile, and the way you throw your head back when you get really happy.
• the way you dance to music, bouncing up and down.
• the way you clap your hands and wave bye-bye.
• your teeth! I love staring at that sweet smile of yours.
• the way you squeal and get so excited playing with your big brother.
• your sweet heart.

Henry, we love you to the moon and back!

Big Brother eating cupcake #1

Henry playing on his new toy, a trampoline!

Henry and Myla

Brooke and Evan

Finn

Whit

Cake time!

Henry likes to be proper when he eats in the highchair. No matter what, he always crosses his feet.

Evan enjoying a cupcake

Cupcake #2 for Cohen. His hands are still blue from the icing.

It's hard to look so good while turning one. Henry had had enough attention by this point.

Hendog was worn out by the end of the party. It was a fantastic first birthday!

New Shoes

We bought Henry his first pair of walking shoes this weekend! He's still getting used to having something on his feet. I love bare feet on a baby, but he's almost one and I have to admit, these shoes are darn cute on him! His feet are getting big - He wears a size five!

Pawleys Island - Our Paradise

We had another wonderful vacation in Pawleys Island this week! GG and Papa hosted all of us at the good ole' Quay Mac house for a week full of fun in the sun. Cohen and Henry woke up to sand and surf every morning and played all day with GG, Papa, Aunt Laura, Uncle Mike, Grady and George. Our babysitter, Liz, who is like family to us also joined us for most of the week. We had a great time catching up with Mama, Aunt Marie and Uncle Brock too. The weather was beautiful - mostly sunny every day and it wasn't too hot.

Henry is getting closer to walking. He stood up on his own for a few seconds here and there this week. He did a lot of practicing at the beach!

Cohen absolutely could not get enough of the beach. He told me, "Mommy, I wuv the beach." He spent almost every waking minute running through the sand, jumping over waves, boogie boarding ("surfing"), building sand castles, playing soccer and pushing trucks.

We also had a great time hanging out on our outside deck. Cohen liked watching the seagulls ("Eagles") and pelicans fly over.

It was great spending time with our "First Born," Grady Gainer.

Cohen enjoyed fishing with Papa. GG even bought him his own fishing pole!

Hendog busted his eye the first night we were there. He had a nice shiner the whole week.

Of course, we had to play in the hose after getting all the sand off. Cohen said, "One more minute!!!" over and over.

Happy Hour, catching up and reading books - all fun things to do on our porch.

Papa bought the boys the most awesome canopy pool with it's own "Swim-Up Bar." This is where Henry had the most fun - splashing around naked.

There were trips to the creek (Cohen called it "The Bridge").


We saw lots of crabs and birds. Cohen was in Heaven.

GG also bought Cohen his first boogie board (picking-up on the fact that the grandparents like to spoil these boys?). Cohen preferred "surfing" over riding on his stomach.

"Look Mom, I doin' it!"

Grady had to be right up in the middle of everything. Some things never change.

Hendog liked splashing in the ocean, but he was a little timid around the sand. He wasn't sure what to think, other than, "Let me taste this stuff."

GG was so sweet and baked Henry a special birthday cake to celebrate before we all went home. Cohen even helped decorate it!

Henry loves sweet Liz.

Look at that cute hat GG bought him.

Best buddies. I love them both so much, and watching them bond every day is such a gift. Just seeing Henry's face light up when Cohen comes around is the best - He loves following his big brother everywhere. For the most part, Cohen is so good to Henry. He still says, "Hi Henwy. Hi Buddy (while patting his head). I wuv my brudder (while hugging him)." Then there are days when he is throwing train tracks at Henry's head because he messed up the newly constructed track. Boys.

Someone sure loved his cake. Check out those arm rolls.

Liz and the boys (or as Cohen says, "Wiz").

Cohen and Papa have such a special bond. He would wake up and immediately say, "Where's Papa?" Poor Papa endured so many wrestling matches this week. I'm sure he's exhausted.

Henry flying through the sky.

Look a little familiar? Here's Cohen in the same exact spot summer 2009 (7 months old).

Hanging out on the deck.

It was another great year at Quay Mac!

Can't wait 'til next year! Thanks for such an awesome vacation, GG and Papa!