Keeping up with Henry V: September 2012

Apparently I've taken a summer blog hiatus- though I feel like it has been only weeks since I've last posted (insert dramatic hand across forehead:). Though I'm extremely thankful, I guess the reality of having two children has officially set in! Summer has kept us happily busy and we've had lots of adventures. We gave Henry a month long break from preschool in August to allow time for a little respite and a lot of exploration. Our adventures ranged from visits to Henry's wonderful grandparents to seeing local attractions. Henry even engaged in some extreme sports with cousins including riding on a four wheeler (heavily monitored of course:)! And, as always, the old standby of lots of trips to the park. I can confidently say we soaked every minute out of it, and appreciated the extra time with him! See pictures below for smiles:)

Henry is back in school and has moved up to the preschool classroom after finishing potty training (yeah!!). The transition has been a big change, but Henry has some good teachers helping him with the adjustment. He has also restarted the therapies with the Kansas City School district and has loved returning to the providers who were so wonderful with him last year. I am still amazed at how far he has come with the help of all of this support. I laugh when I think of the first time I heard Henry say, "No, I don't want to!". I was just so happy he strung so many words together and spoke so clearly that I didn't even get to acknowledge his tantrum! He is progressing so well mobility-wise, and spent a lot of time swimming this summer in addition to climbing, jumping and running at the park. We are continually amazed by him and could not be more proud of all these milestones he is hurdling.

We are very excited to be attending my brother, Tom, and his lovely fiance, Kristin's, wedding the beginning of next month! Uncle Tom is the kind of guy that gives you THE best bear hugs and has such amazing energy for life. He can get you excited for just about anything... even golf (he had the boys standing, clapping and cheering one Saturday last month)! Kristin is the perfect compliment to him and we're so excited to celebrate them and spend a fun weekend in St. Louis together. Pictures of fancy boys + Mommas to come:)

Henry's cardiology team scheduled his next heart surgery for Monday, October 15th. So, after we're done celebrating family we're going to get down to business and work on Henry's healing and recovery! He will have his conduit and pulmonary valve replaced as they were narrowing and causing his heart to work too hard. We were initially disappointed by the news of this surgery being so soon after his last surgery. We know his body needs this intervention and we're thankful for this option when Henry's heart needs it. Please keep our family in your thoughts/prayers as we help him through this time.