Dinosaur Jam-Jams and What Have You

Henry has a commanding presence in his dinosaur jam-jams. These are a very nice set of two-piece jam-jams.

Below, Henry displays an impish grin while mastering a task in his requisite Green Bay Packer jersey as Ike licks himself. All newborn boys in Wisconsin are issued a Brett Favre jersey and a gift certificate for one Old Milwaukee tall boy. It's the law.

Stay Golden...

If it wasn't for the robot shoes, Henry might pass for an extra from the movie Outsiders - a young Ponyboy Curtis perhaps? Definitely one of the greasers.

One of the neat things about a seven month old baby is that everyday objects can pass for toys in a pinch. Actually, H-Bomb (Weapon of Mass Seduction) quite enjoys playing with these little cups. He will go at it for a good fifteen or twenty minutes then he will collapse in a heap. Sitting up is hard work.

Overalls, Val Kilmer, Pitchers & Catchers

Maybe it doesn't seem like it sometimes, but spring is here. Pitchers and catchers reported for spring training Febraury 19. Pitchers and catchers, man.


Henry has lots of overalls. He's got Osh Kosh B'Gosh, Key, Levi's - all the major players in overalls.

Today, Henry and I watched the 1985 Val Kilmer picture Real Genius. I have always considered this film to be an underrated 1980s epic. Henry says "Two thumbs up....WAY UP!!"

Literature Hour at the Johnson Household

Henry enjoys lounging in the rocking chair in his nursery. He likes to read books in his rocking chair. You can tell he is a thinker. In the photo below, he takes pause to really think about the words.



Sometimes he will just gaze out the window and watch the world go by. He enjoys nature, fuzzy textures and shiny objects. Below, Henry takes a fancy to a squirrel as it hops around the yard.

He does some of his best thinking in his rocking chair.

Henry is a Sophisticated Gentleman

The physical advancements are piling up fast and furious. Henry is able sit up and casually play with his soft blocks completely unassisted. Don't believe me?

You want more proof? Here he is virtually manhandling his blue turtle soft block.

At this point, he is just showing off...

Lock Up Your Daughters

As some of you may know, Henry stays at the daycare on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Well, the daycare folks have Baby Alison who is three months, to the day, older than Henry. She is as cute as buttons and they play together and have a hoot. However, it appears that things between the two of them may have blossomed into something a little more serious. Check out Baby Alison's blog for the sordid details.

In other news, I had the first dream that I can remember about Henry last night. I dreamt that he could speak fluent sign language and it freaked me out. I wish I could remember what he had to say. It was probably just about food or his new robot Robeeez or something of that nature.

Don't Make Me Push the Button on the Monkey Truck

I spent the weekend taking in some nature and cheap beer in the Great Northwoods, requiring a two hour Bombardier SnowCat vehicle ride across Lake of the Woods north from Baudette, Minnesota (practically Canada). Needless to say, wireless internet access was not among the accomodations. So, my deepest apologies to my readership for the lack of recent posting. I was really only gone for a couple of days, but I was worried Henry was going to forget who I was. When I got back I swear Henry grew up a little bit. As soon as I left I think he started going to work on his core muscles to impress me. He can sit up way better now - no joke. The other thing is - and I know I have been saying this for two months - the little fellow is getting some hair. There has also been some loose talk by friends and relatives of his hair looking sorta strawberry blonde or red (like mine). I am just guessing here but, it has got to be a little easier to grow up with any color hair besides red. Nobody ever said "I'm gonna beat you like a brown haired stepchild". I guess I turned out OK. However, at a bare minimum, it takes thick skin, a sense of humor, and an above average 50 yard dash time to make it as a redhead. So, I won't be heart broken if he gets momma's elegant blonde locks.

Henry has nearly outgrown his favorite winter hat with the little raccoon ears. Too sad.

Who's this rotund Bozo with the bow tie and funny haircut?

You can tell Henry is going to be a Mensa level genius by the way he studies things. Admire his curious nature and his zest for knowledge as he examines his Humpty Dumpty plush doll. His intense gaze could burn a hole in the sun. He likes to touch things with his fingers and if I'm near him he reaches out with his little hands so he can touch my face (which actually includes eye gouging, fish hooking, hair pulling and nose picking - they don't even allow the first two in Ultimate Fighting Championship bouts. Henry James lives by one simple rule - NO RULES!).

Dawn of the Robot Era

After two weeks of nervous waiting, I got a phone call from Glenda at the hospital gift shop. She called to inform me that Henry's new Robeez were finally in. I guess there are some mixed emotions about this. On the one hand, it is sad to retire his 0-6 month sized "Little Bear Guy" Robeez. Henry liked them. I liked them. Everybody liked them.

However, with Glenda's phone call, a new era is beginning -- the size 6-12 month "Little Robot Guy" Robeez era. Even though they look like clown shoes on him now, these are likely to be the very shoes Henry will be wearing when he takes his first step.

In other developments:

• We switched from Nestle Good Start formula to Similac formula. It seemed kinda silly since we got all these coupons for Similac and sold them on fricken' eBay for roughly 65 cents on the dollar -- only to turn around and buy Nestle Good Start. It was a dirty cycle and I'm glad we stopped. There exists a weird and vigilant underground league of house moms that patrol eBay for formula coupons. I admire their thriftiness. So we done switched formula and Henry couldn't care less.
• Henry digs on the sweet potatoes. So, now we have pears and sweet potatoes. His palate is expanding.
• He still drools super duper bad. Not cool.
• In the proper lighting his head seems to be slightly fuzzier, giving the illusion of hair.
• Like many parents in these modern times, we have begun trying to communicate with Henry in sign language. It feels kind of silly at times and results are inconclusive at this point. More on this later.

Bring on the clowns....

Henry looks dashing as he lounges about in his extravagant Keys overalls.