Halloween 2007

The Henkel Family enjoyed a wonderful Halloween this year. We carved three pumpkins with a little (a very little) help from Deirdre and Auntie Rachael. We went Trick Or Treating with Mimi Becky and Granddad Gene, and Deirdre (once again a Fairy) ran out of steam on the way back and needed to be carried.

The best pumpkins on our street, hands down.

Rachael taking her time crafting the perfect pumpkin. She found it "nezzezery" (necessary) to make sure that the design of her pumpkin complimented the face shape of Mr. Jack O' Lantern.

Mama's silly Pumpkin. He was supposed to have more teeth, but lost them in the "Great Carving Accident of 2007"

The Henkel girls before venturing out to get Halloween Candy...we were told by some older woman that we should "Take the children to Strawberry Fields...." but we didn't trust her, so we didn't. We should have gone to Strawberry Fields.

Tired Mama and Baby Lorien, the baby pumpkin before going out. She looks like she is giving a thug sign, I didn't realize she was a "Gangsta Pumpkin."

Baby Deirdre with her Halloween Loot. She was very good at saying "Trick Or Treat" and putting out her basket so the neighbors could fill it with candy. That night she enjoyed taking all of her candy out of her basket, and then putting it all back in. Seriously, all night.

The lengths one takes to get this child to stay in one place for a semi- decent, but not really shot of her in her costume without her running up to the camera and saying "I see you".

Baby Lorien, almost 2 months here.

October 2007

The month of October was a wonderful time for our little family. Baby Lorien started sleeping through the night towards the end of it, and baby Deirdre took a new interest in her dolly, "molly" imitating everything she saw Mommy do with Lorien. Such sweet girls, we love them so!


Deirdre "changing" Molly, her dolly.



Deirdre burping Molly and saying "pat pat". She would usually do this when she saw Mommy burping baby sister after a feeding.



It's time to get Molly ready for bed. Deirdre has spread the blanket out on the floor in preparation for swaddling her baby, and look she got her dolly's tooth brush all ready too.



Baby Lorien about 6 weeks old. She is such a little scrumples.



Baby Deirdre 20 months.

Late September 2007 - Outdoor Photo Shoot

The weather was unusually warm and the girls and mama enjoyed many a day outside playing on the deck. Deirdre would play with her "water tubs" and Lorien would sleep peacefully in her swing. Lunch was eaten at the little play table that Nana purchased as a Christmas present for Deirdre.

Yummy Ham and Cheese

Bathing suit and tennis shoes, the latest style...

Lorien enjoying a catnap on a beautiful September morning. She is barely 3 weeks here.

Deirdre 19 months

Lunch is finished, and mama is apparently very funny.

Dessert is a game of hide and seek. Silly girl.

Lorien 1 Week Old - Deirdre 19 Months

Sometimes I felt like I had my hands full with around the clock nursing AND entertaining a VERY active 2 year old, however it went much more smoothly during those first weeks then I could have ever imagined. Sure I was sleep deprived, but Lorien started sleeping through the night in record speed!!!

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We are HUGE fans of swaddling! Both Deirdre and Lorien loved to sleep this way. Thank you miracleblankets.com



Here is a close up of Lorien in captivity. This baby isn't going anywhere, her papa is the master swaddler...

Here's what Deirdre was up to while her sister was being put down for a nap. She loved sitting in this chair because this is where she saw mama feed sister during those early weeks.

She is very proud of herself here. She played so well while I was taking care of her sister and she knew she did a good job.

Lorien Has Arrived! - September 4, 2007

The doctor promised it would be even easier then it was with Deirdre (I didn't believe him though, how could he know such a thing, and besides, Deirdre was SUPER EASY). He was right. With Auntie Rachael and Papa Nathan present, Lorien was born in under 4 pushes (would have been 2, but I was told to slowwwww down) and only about 5 hours of labor!

Mama and baby Lorien, minutes after birth

Baby Lorien weighing in at 7 pounds. 15 ounces





She didnt' like this part too much. This is when we heard her "squwak" for the first time




Doctor Yacoub and the nurse who delivered Lorien. A favorite quote of mine from the nurse when she couldn't possibly understand why I had her check my progress again after doing so only 20 minutes before (and I was barely a 4cm then) was "She is right freaking there". Got to love Baltimore!





The quiet awareness that happens right after birth begins here. She was such a sweetpea from the start. She just kept looking around and around like she was amazed at her surroundings. I know its not really possible but it did really seem like she was aware of things.




Sweet baby after nursing in the maternity wing.





Mama holding Lorien who really looked like Deirdre Part 2 here.




Sweet Lorien the snuggle bug

Twas the Night Before Lorien - September 2007

And all through the house, not a creature was stirring except a very excitable little FAIRY! Mama was induced the next morning and had to be at the hospital at 5am. Deirdre was either incredibly happy about getting a new baby sister, or else she was really happy about the fairy costume we just purchased for her (more likely).




Fairy Deirdre (19 months) one day away from being a big sister.





She was running all around the house this night, totally wore us out!




A fairy on a sippy break




Look what Papa caught! A very squirmy fairy. He tried to hold her tight and make her give him a wish, but she wouldn't sit still and got away. I could be cheesy and say the fairy granted him his wish and he had another beautiful daughter the next day...but I won't. I won't.

August 2007 - The Friendly French Invasion

We were happy to be descended upon in August by our lovely family from France. Deirdre very much enjoyed playing with her cousins, Mark and Sarah, especially when they played her favorite game "chase the baby". The highlights of the visit were a cookout we had one Saturday, a family dinner out on the deck, and a trip to the Aquarium.


A game of "chase the baby" in progress. Here is Deirdre 18 months with cousin Sarah




Eating breakfast with Auntie Cecile



Pregnant Mama with Baby Deirdre and Cousin Mark



Warm outdoor lunches with family on the deck, can't wait for summer again!



A little adult family catch up as the kids play in the yard. You have no idea how hard it was to get back up...glad THAT was not documented!!!



Cousins Deirdre (18 months) and Mark enjoy a round of "Ring Around the Rosey" with Grammie Beverly



Happy Baby in the Sun



Family dinner party out on the deck. At one point we had 10 people staying under one roof! Pictured here are: Nathan, Jen, Deirdre, cousins Mark and Sarah, Auntie Cecile, Uncle Dan, Grammie Beverly, and Cecile's Parents Jean-Eve and Andre.




Cook out with friends and family on the deck. Pictured here is Nathan the grill master.




Where there are men, there are plans for a fire. Three smug boys enjoying their accomplishment.



Mama looks like she is going to POP here. Backyard conversations with the Appel Family, so glad you guys could join us!



We took the family and a friend (Ben Korenczuk) to the Aquarium, actually it's more like he took us there...Thanks Ben!




Some down time in the family room. It was really really hot in August.