Happy Holidays from the Henards!

We hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a very Happy and healthy New Year! 2009 has been an interesting year for our little family but we are so blessed to have our fabulous Luke and are so grateful for the amazing progress he's made! We hope to stay hospital-free (except routine check-ups!) in 2010 and look forward to Luke turning 3 (!) and starting preschool in just a few short months. Thank you to all our friends and family who have been our constant support system- without you, Luke wouldn't be the sweet, loving, TALKATIVE little boy that he is today! So "Merry Kissmas!" (-Luke) and cheers to an amazing 2010!

Luke v. Santa '09 (Take 2)

Just because we didn't have an appointment AT Stanford Hospital didn't mean we could go up and shop at the fabulous Stanford Shopping Center across the street, right?! Grandma Carole, Luke and I headed up there on the pre-planned day (set prior to the appointment being rescheduled) and did some Christmas shopping. Grandma wanted a picture of Luke with Santa but was willing to settle for "both her babies" being in the picture if it meant Luke stayed tear-free.

I asked for a Barbie. Luke said "trick or treat!"

I found the trick to getting a 2 year old on board with Santa is a really good Santa. Stanford's Santa was soft-spoken and kind, taking time to talk to Luke and giving him a small reindeer toy and a candy cane (yes!) It helped that I held him the whole time but regardless, he was an amazing Santa and well worth the big bucks Stanford charges to visit with him (right Grandma? Thank you!)

Ho Ho Ho!!

Biker (Big) Boy.

Physical Therapist Linda decided to try Luke out on a special tricycle during therapy the other day. Luke seemed to enjoy it so it might become an addition to the weekly program. It's hard to consistently keep a 2 year old motivated but a variation of activities seems to help.

I would love to get him one of these to have at home but our baby is definitely becoming a big boy- he's almost too tall for it! The next size up is huge and incredibly pricey so we'll be waiting a bit on that investment.

Notice the yellow piece under his booty? It's got that seat as far back as it goes!

Working on the motions.

Photo by Luke.

Earning Nor Cal Citizenship.

Luke was scheduled to have a check-up with Stanford neurosurgery on December 8th necessitating a trip up to the Bay Area. A week prior, Stanford called and rescheduled (how dare they!) but we decided to head up for a visit nonetheless.

Overall, I was lazy in picture taking but we did go up to Pleasanton and see Uncle Brad and Aunt Sarah (newlyweds!) and checkout their new home. Since it was beyond freezing outside, we stayed in, ordered pizza and visited. Luke was happy to see Uncle Brad and Aunt Sarah but was less then thrilled to meet their cats, Tucker and Tabitha. He seems to be going through a faze where he is terrified of all animals other then the immediate Hersom family dogs (all the same type of dog, 4 of the 5 from the same litter, the 5th being a 1/2 sibling). Earlier that day we visited with the Werner family (also Pleasanton residents) and Luke just sobbed every time little Brady (dog just slightly bigger then ours) came anywhere in his vicinity. He just kept repeating "Maybe we can leave. Maybe we can leave!" Poor little guy.

Anyway, for the most part, Tucker and Tabitha steered clear of the crazy 2 year old and Luke got lots of love and attention from his aunt and uncle. It was great seeing them and their home is beautiful.

Luke sitting at the table like a big boy with Uncle Brad standing watch.

Uncle Brad, Luke and Aunt Sarah.

Tucker.

Tabitha.

Peppermint Perfection.

Since our pictures with Santa were severely lacking in holiday cheer, I decided to do a little photo shoot later that night at home, post-Christmas tree trimming. Dad acted as my hype man (lots of dancing and "Luke! Luke! Look at me! Say cheese!") while I snapped away, attempting to provide Luke future photographic proof that Christmas is, in fact, a very merry holiday and wearing Santa's hat is a-okay!

Sheer terror replaced with delight! Thank you, candy cane!

Poor, candy cane. You never saw it coming.

Peppermint goodness.

Licking was quickly replaced with chomping.

"You want some?"

Santa v. Luke '09

Luke is not a fan of jolly, old Saint Nick. We were not surprised (he didn't like him last year either) but we had to try because we're really good parents.

Sheer terror. "Ho, Ho, HELL NO!"

Being an excellent mother and taking lots of pictures.

Dad helped slightly smooth over the situation.

Nothing a candy cane can't cure (notice the remnants on his mouth!)

Thanksgiving 2009

For the first time in many years, our little family headed up to San Jose for Thanksgiving. We had a nice time (brunch at my dad and Steph's, dinner at my mom's) but I was completely unmotivated to take any pictures. Here's the only one I took on Thanksgiving. I feel it really captures the day.

Uncle Chris, Luke (in an undershirt), a remote control and Dad. A very happy, football-filled, Thanksgiving was had by all.

The next day we went to a lunch coordinated by one of the girls I went to Presentation High School with. It was nice seeing a number of my old classmates and finally meeting their kids and spouses. Matt got a picture of the attendees and some of the kids.

Nano Nagle would be so proud. (She's founded the Sisters of the Presentation who established Presentation High School... making that caption only interesting to about 10 people.)

Matt, Luke and I had a wonderful dinner on Friday night with John and Jacquie Quinn. I lived in the Cal Poly dorms with John so he's a very old, dear friend. His wife is an absolute doll and happened to be VERY pregnant with their first child (a boy!) the night we went out. Again, dropped the ball on picture taking but I know they read this so wanted to give them a shout-out. It was great to see them and we hope to do it again soon but this time with Aidan (born December 12th!) joining us!