The Henson Family Blog

Though snow was forecasted for last night, we were hesitant to tell the kids since we've been disappointed a few times already this winter. However, we woke up this morning to nearly 5 inches on the ground!! There is something about freshly fallen snow that just makes everything look so much better.

I never realized before how long it could take four people to get dressed to go out and play in the snow...wow! It seriously had to take us more than 20 minutes by the time we all got our multiple layers, hats, gloves, scarves, boots, and coats on. We decided BEFORE we went out that we would only be doing this ONCE a day. More snow is forecasted for tomorrow. [Click on link below to read more.]

Focus on the Family is currently hosting a contest where you can win an iPod packed with video and audio segments from Adventures in Odyssey. We just got a call that we won one!! It is valued at $600. We are so excited! Here's the link so that you can enter, too: http://resources.family.org/category/focus+resources/christmas+gift+ideas.do. Click on the "12 Days of Christmas" link on the right.

Since the baby is due any day, we decided to celebrate Benjamin's birthday a little early. We'll still celebrate on his actual birthday with a cake. So, with a little prompting from his sister, he decided that he wanted to go to Chuck E. Cheese last night. This was a bit of a surprise since he still remains scared to death of anyone dressed up that is taller than him...can't imagine what Disney World would be like with him! Thankfully, he never saw Chuck E. Cheese "in person", but he was still not willing to go up to the robotic one since it was bigger than him and moved. We ate pizza and then played the arcade games for a bit. Then the kids redeemed their tickets that they had won from the games for some cheap little prizes (which of course, to them, were the greatest things on earth!).

After my doctor's visit this morning, they have decided to induce the baby this Friday evening. Please pray for the safe delivery of our sweet baby girl. We'll post updates as soon as she's here...probably Saturday morning.

My mom is visiting right now (waiting for Rachel's arrival) and brought her crocheting project with her. Well, Benjamin loves the yarn and decided to play Spiderman the other night. He wound the yarn all over the coffee table, floor, rocking chair, and himself. He was quite proud of his creation, so I thought I would share it with you! His little mind is always thinking of something new!

Benjamin turns 3 on Sunday. Since we will more than likely still be at the hospital, we celebrated his birthday last night. He got some legos, glow-in-the-dark dinosaurs, a play tool set, and a train set. Needless to say, he and Sarah have been quite busy last night and today!

**Buffalo weather update: We have a fast-moving storm moving through today. It's been snowing since we woke up this morning and we currently have a little over 4 inches on the ground. It's supposed to snow until around 7 pm tonight and then there's another storm coming through again on Saturday!**

After what I'm sure seemed like an eternity for Becky, Rachel Mikaela Henson was born last night at 10:45PM. She was 21 1/4 inches long (barely edging out both siblings lengths at birth) and 8lbs 9oz (beating out the siblings in this category by over a pound)! Keep checking back for more information and pictures. We'll post a whole series when we get home.

We are safely home (despite the foot of snow on the ground!) and are enjoying our family of 5. Benjamin and Sarah are doting over their new sister. I will often walk into the room to find them singing to or just watching Rachel while she sleeps. Rachel is a perfect baby (so far!). She only cries when she needs something and just loves to lay and watch what is going on (when she's not asleep). My parents were both able to be here this weekend to see their new granddaughter. I'm thankful that Garth is home this week to help us all get adjusted and we are looking forward to his parents visiting the week after that. Here are some pictures that we've taken in the last 48 hours.

Here's a better picture of Rachel. You can see more of her face this way! She did great for her first night at home...up twice to eat and then went right back to sleep. Benjamin couldn't wait to try her new little outfit on her this morning.

On Saturday night and Sunday, we got a HUGE snow! We had about 12 inches fall in less than 24 hours. The kids finally got out in it today and played for quite a while. They enjoyed using their new snow discs and Garth pulled them all around the back yard. Here are a few pictures.

Rachel had a checkup yesterday and she is back up to her birth weight of 8 pounds, 9 ounces. They measured her height at 21 1/2 inches, so either she has grown a 1/4 inch or the doctor's office and the hospital measure differently! She has only been up once at night now for 2 nights, so we are all doing well! Benjamin and Sarah rush to her side when she makes even the tiniest noise.

Sarah recently walked past Rachel (who was asleep in her bouncy seat) and then looked at me with misty eyes. She said, "Mom, these are just tears of joy. I'm so happy to have a baby sister! If it had been a baby brother, it would have been a little bit harder!"

Merry Christmas from all 5 of us!

Here is another picture of Rachel (taken yesterday). She was all dressed up to meet her Nana and Papa!!

We trust that you and your family had a wonderful Christmas! This year was extra special for us. Garth's parents visited from Guam for nearly a week. Here are some pictures from Christmas morning:

Sarah loving her new game for the Wii...Super Mario Galaxy:

Sarah and Garth playing her new game:

Sarah loves her new earmuffs from Nana and Papa:

Benjamin's favorite present was his robotic arm. He uses it to pick up anything and everything. Here he is getting a sippy cup out of the drawer:

Benjamin also enjoyed using his new pillowcase to put himself (and all of his new toys in).

Sarah also liked her new picture for her wall.

Garth's parents were here for a visit over Christmas. Since they are from Guam, we figured we'd give them a piece of "real winter"...there was about 8 inches of snow on the ground when they arrived. It all pretty much melted and then we got a fresh snow on Christmas Eve. That was our first white Christmas ever (that we can remember...I'm sure we had some as kids). Benjamin and Sarah loved playing with Nana and Papa. Sarah asked if she could go back to Guam with them! Rachel was able to meet her Nana and Papa...she is their 5th grandchild!

Here are a few pictures from their visit.

Like a typical baby, Rachel most definitely did not enjoy her first bath. I'm sure she wondered why in the world the people she loves put her little body into what she perceived as cold water and proceeded to make the camera flash repeatedly in her face!