Moab

The Henderson Family Reunion was quite the trip. This year it was in Moab, a Henderson family stronghold in recent years. Uncle Chuck hosted the shindig at a condominium complex he built. It seems that he owns a good chunk of Moab. The reunion was specially sweet for him, because all four of his children were together with him, something that has not happened for many years. I don't remember seeing his oldest son since I was about seven or eight years old. It did me well to witness old wounds being healed and long forgotten arguments being brushed aside. I also reflected on the differences in Chuck's family and my own. Very similar in makeup, yet different in principle. I am very thankful that my parents raised us with a firm faith that has helped our family cope through the terrible trials we have faced together.

Moab is a beautiful place with infinite places to see and experience. We didn't see many of them at all! We mostly relaxed, swam, and became reacquainted and in some cases just plain ol' acquainted with family. Eirene and I wanted to go to Arches or Canyonlands, but we figured with the Mitchells moving to Monticello, we'll have plenty of opportunity to explore. As it turns out, Monticello is going to be quite the place. It is getting not only the Mitchell Family, but George Wythe College as well. Keep an eye on that place!

Ben

Hey there!

Wow, so, um, I think the last time this thing was updated was about when Mae first started smiling at us. Now we can't get her to stop! She is definitely a happy girl, and the light of our home. She is sleeping quite well through the night, and Eirene doesn't even wake up when she feeds her! My wife is very talented, and through Mae I have learned that Eirene is even extremely talented while stone cold asleep! As stressful as work may be, and as scared as I am to go back to school in a couple of weeks, these ladies of mine keep me happier than I ever knew I could be.

Ben

Fascinating Changes

Having a baby is a very interesting, unforgettable thing. The word "interesting" here meaning "involving extreme amounts of pain, blood, sweat, and exhaustion," and the word "unforgettable" here meaning "involving a lovely tiny person who is undeniably perfect and sweet." She is amazing. I love her more and more every instant. Additionally, having a baby is surprisingly romantic! Despite many distractions, Ben and I are falling more in love. We don't have as much time or energy to express it, you see, and so we've gotten very good at these exhausted, contented little visual exchanges that say "Wow, I love you. I can't believe how much I love you. And if I didn't have this sleeping infant on my chest, and weren't too physically exhausted to clamber off this couch, I would come over there and really show you what I'm talking about." Anyway, if you've had children, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. It's very happy business. Mae and I get along swimmingly. I think she really likes me. I, too, would like someone if they carried me around all day and fed me every time I indicated my hunger. We just bond and bond all day. It's our favorite pastime together. And so, in short, everyone is falling into their rolls very well, and we're having lots of fun! (I think I might be having the most fun of all because I get to breastfeed and read books. I'm clear to the seventh book in the Series of Unfortunate Events. Those poor Baudelaire orphans. They suffer so much and I am so blessed. Life is so unfair.)
Eirene

A New Home!!!

Mae Ella is here!!! Our home is a new, much more exciting, and somewhat more cluttered place!

Mae's birth was an incredible experience for our whole family. The three of us bonded in ways we never knew possible. The births of Mae's two new cousins, Hazel Ann Balling and Josie Scout Tribe, made it all that much more exciting. Josie Scout was born in the delivery room directly above our hospital room. We arranged for the nurses to assign them to a room as close to us as possible, and so they ended up two doors down!

Life at home has been amazing too. Definitely much to adjust to! The new sleep schedule is interesting, to say the least. I've been quite lucky in the diaper department. As you may know, I have a deeply rooted fear of diapers. However, with much dedication and Eirene's loving encouragement, I have changed quite a few thus far. I say I've been lucky because the diapers I have changed have been relatively "low maintenance". Eirene hasn't been so lucky, however, as she has experienced several poo fountains immediately upon removal of the diaper! My luck has changed also, as today I experienced my first. I must say, I think I handled the situation quite well; no sooner had the first new clean diaper been attacked by a steady stream of yellowy brown seeded Maepoo, when I formed a makeshift dam out of wetwipes at the top of her bum as to protect the clean pajamas and babyback from being infiltrated. Once the aftermath of that attack was sufficiently cleaned up, a second clean diaper was soiled upon placement by an even nastier assault. Many, many wet wipes later, the third clean diaper also took heavy fire, but this time it was only your-ine.

Eirene has been amazing throughout the labor, delivery, and life here at home. I don't know how she finds the energy, but we're still tickin'!
BH