little fishie

a couple weekends ago, hendrix got the chance to do some swimming with his daddy and uncles, and he just dove right in with no fear even though he hadn't been swimming in a couple months.  i had wondered if he was going to be a bit apprehensive......nope.  not at all.

he loves playin' with uncle joel.

and he really loves hangin' out with daddy, so if he is doing it, then it must be super cool. ;)

oh, and he adores uncle jake!

the big boys did a little racing, and hendrix just splashed and splashed!

the water was cold, and his lips were purple, but he still didn't want to be done.  

now i am especially excited for our mini vacation to the wisconsin dells to splash in the water parks over spring break.  this little fella is going to have a blast!

he's getting so big, i just can barely even wrap my mind around it fast enough.  

love these boys so much!

happy graduation

seems like there were a TON of graduations this year!  

my sister-in-law to be (this august) graduated from coe college,

and my little sister graduated from grinnell college!  

we are so very proud of both of them ;)

and since we were unable to make it to either one of their actual ceremonies, we had a nice little family celebration last weekend.  

it was a gorgeous day for a barbeque, and hendrix had a blast hanging out with all his aunts and uncles.  

he gets so much attention and loves every second of it!

as is becoming the norm, we are grouping special events together to celebrate at one time as it is just impossible to all get together for each big day; so rachel, jake and mom all got to open some birthday presents as well.

the day was full of celebrating, sun and food.  

how perfect!

hendrix discovered his new love for pasta salad, as he climbed up onto the picnic table and started eating 'noodles' right out of the bowl.......i was glad to see something a little bit healthier than the huge amount of chips he was consuming before that.....

he played baseball with a bat for the first time - thanks to papa and nana.  he has a glove at home, and he likes to play catch with gabe, but swinging the bat was obviously a new and exciting adventure!

oh, and don't forget the cake!  

yum, yum

while some relaxed....

others were full of energy!!!

what a fun and special day!

happy graduation, ladies! ;)

fun fall afternoon

a little over a week ago I hosted a discovery toys party which was tons of fun!  i thought it was a great excuse to gather up my friends and family to play with toys and do some early christmas shopping.  i had a great turnout and hendrix is going to be getting quite a few really awesome toys for christmas!

my mom, sisters, brother, and his girlfriend katie, all came for the party and stayed the night to enjoy some fun time with us (well, mostly hendrix, i think).

the weather was awesome so we enjoyed a walk to the park,

and some fun in the leaves!

i am so glad that our families live so close to us and can be so involved in our everyday lives.  hendrix is a lucky man!

soccer player in training

hendrix watched his uncles play soccer in the iowa games this weekend and he was a loyal and supportive fan!  he liked cheering for them and of course, we were all thrilled with their hard earned gold medals!

We are home!

Hendrix was discharged from the hospital yesterday right around lunchtime.  Right before we left he got a bath and we got him dressed up in a really cute outfit for hospital pictures.  During the bath he peed all over th nurse, which was really funny!  We enjoyed getting to watch him get the bath, so now we know how to do it at home :)

He was't really all that cooperative in the pictures, but he was wide awake so at least we got to see his eyes.  He didn't want to keep his head looking the right direction - I don't think he likes the flash.

We had a little trouble getting the carseat to the right setting to put him in it.  He is so little that everything had to be on the lowest and tightest setting, and he got a little impatient with us while we were trying to get it ready for him.

Then, just before we left, he had a leaky diaper and peed all the way through his shirt, pants and blanket.  Luckily I had packed lots of clothes and we got him changed into something just as cute!  

And off we were!

We were so happy to be leaving, and so thankful for the fabulous nursing staff that helped teach us how to take good care of him.  I got a hug from the NICU nurse who was working when we left, and I realized that a small part of me will miss having them readily available to help me, teach me, and encourage me.  Now we venture on this new chapter just the three of us.

We took our 8 day old, 5 lbs. 10 oz. son home finally!  Daddy was so excited to carry him into our home for the first time.  He immediately got him "unpacked" out of the carseat and snuggling into his bassinet.  He seemed to like his new environment alot. :)


Later in the afternoon he got visits from his Nanna O'Polka, and many of his aunts and uncles on the O'Polka side.  He was definitely the star of the day, and everyone enjoyed holding him and staring at him.  

Hendrix really liked his nursery.  

All wrapped up like a little burrito, and I can't believe how tiny he looks in his crib!

Daddy was so excited to spend so much time with his son, and he was really helpful during all the nighttime feedings.  It was nice that we got to sleep in until 9 am this morning, and Daddy didn't have to leave to go to work!  We could all get used to this :)


I can't wait to get used to our new normal.