Monday, November 30, 2015

Fussy Nights

Eleven days ago, Henry caught a cold. It started out as a runny nose. Slight cough. Fussy nights. 

Two nights later, he wouldn’t even let me lay him in bed. Every time he sensed I was thinking about it, he’d start hollering. So, that night, I piled up some pillows on the twin bed that’s in his room and he slept on me while I lay in a semi-sitting position, with my neck twisted in an unnatural position and the top half of me freezing because I couldn’t pull the blankets over his head. And, of course, not moving the tiniest of bits for fear I would wake him. 

That Sunday, I took him to minor med and they told me “it’s a virus.” Which is code for “good luck, lady.” I hung my head and went home with two recommendations: use saline nasal drops and a nasal aspirator, which is code for “go home and torture your kid.” 

But then it got better-ish for a few days. He still wasn’t napping or sleeping well, but at least he was doing it in his bed. 



But then it got worse. He wouldn’t go to sleep for Scott at all. He wouldn’t even let me rock him in a reclined position. Every time I went to lay him down, he started moaning and then screaming. 

So, for two nights, he slept on my chest. While I sat up, neck twisted, shoulders freezing, not moving and oh, did I mention that I also caught his cold? So, in addition to the discomfort of our sleeping arrangements, I spent the night trying to silently clear my throat and hold back my coughs. 

I know someday I’ll remember these nights fondly — the days where he curled up on my chest and just needed his Mama. But someday is not this day. And this day, I needed a break. 

So, yesterday — a week from the first doctor’s visit — we went back. I sat there holding my breath as she examined him. Lungs sounded good, nose wasn’t too bad, no fever. Then she checked his ears. “Here it is. Double ear infection.” 

I exhaled and almost hugged her. Not that she had any control in the matter, but I was just so happy to hear something other than “suck it up and wait.” 


Instead, we medicate and wait. I’ll let you know how it goes. 

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Kindergarten Diaries: Nov. 19



Grace: Mom, a boy kissed me today.

Me: (Stopping dead in my tracks) What did you say, sweetie?

Grace: A boy kissed me today. 

Me: Where?

Grace: At school.

Me: No, I mean where on you?

Grace: *Shrugs*

Me: You don’t know? 

Grace: Well, this other boy said he kissed me. But then that boy said the other boy kissed me. 

Me: Did you feel anything? 

Grace: I don’t think so. 


Let’s keep it that way. 

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Mmmm, Toes

Everything in Henry’s world fits into two categories: things you can chew on and things you can’t. Turns out, toes are in the former. 




Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Fall 2015

Fall is, by far, one of my most favorite seasons. It’s tied with winter, spring and summer. Haha! 


I do really love it though. The crisp weather. The changing leaves. The pumpkins. The patches. The pumpkin patches. It’s pretty great. A few scenes from our fall:





























Monday, November 16, 2015

All I Want for Christmas

Grace lost her first tooth a couple of weeks ago and then a week later, lost her second tooth! The Tooth Fairy made its first (and second) appearance at our house and left her $.50 for each tooth and a note complimenting her teeth-brushing skills. 

Claire keeps asking me to wiggle her teeth, but so far those puppies are solid. 


I joked with Grace that she could sing the familiar Christmas song and she had this look of panic on her face. I quickly reassured her that it was just a song and that she would probably get more than just her two front teeth for Christmas. Probably. 




Friday, November 13, 2015

Bathside Chats



We have always known Claire has an old soul. She has a depth of understanding that is many years beyond her five. Grace is a very spirited, live-in-the-moment, take-things-as-they-are kind of gal. Whereas Claire thinks and reflects and thinks more on life around her. So, when I started having deep conversations with her, I didn’t see what was happening at first. 

I’d be helping wash her hair or brushing out her tangles or just sitting there chatting with her and we’d start talking about a heavy-ish topic. We’ve tackled race and diversity. We’ve talked through friendship and loneliness. We’ve discussed courage and being brave. We’ve covered empathy. Kindergarten was providing almost daily discussion topics for us. She’d think about what I said and ask questions. I’d ask her questions to get her thinking. And pretty soon we’d both realize I had finished brushing her hair 10 minutes ago and we were wrapped up in our conversation. 

I grew to love these bathside chats we were having — it was this moment with just Claire and I. Then the most beautiful thing happened. We were running late one night with bedtime quickly approaching and she said, “Mom, can I have a quick bath? I want to have time to have one of our talks.” 


Anytime, anywhere, sweet girl.

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Dear Henry: Month Five

Dear Happiest Henry, 

Holy roller! The biggest news from this month is your new-found rolling skills. You have been toying with the idea for a month or so, but finally did it on purpose a few weeks ago. It happened one evening after the girls were in bed. We were just playing in your bedroom (which, at this point, involves me handing you different toys to chew on and tickling your belly with kisses). And I just had a feeling that something might happen. I hopped up, ran for my camera and then BOOM! Rolled over. And I was lucky enough to catch it. 

You haven’t experimented with the belly-to-back roll yet, but I’m sure that won’t be far behind.



This month has been full of more smiles and laughs. It may sound like I say that every month (probably because I do), but it’s true!! You keep getting happier and happier as the days go by. That’s not to say you are always happy. You do cry, but it’s almost always from being tired. You don’t really even cry all that much when you’re hungry. You politely let me know with the equivalent of tapping me gently on the shoulder and asking “May I please have dinner now?” 




It’s a far cry (hahaha) from Miss Grace, who would scream from the rooftop that she was ready to eat. Or sleep. Or not eat. Or not sleep. She earned the nickname “The Screamer” for a reason. You’re much more chill about life. To be fair though to Gracie girl, you don’t have to share anything with anyone.



If anything is a testament to how content you are, it was how you did on your first road trip. The Royals won the World Series for the first time in 30 years and since this team has been so near and dear to your father, we decided to drive to Kansas City for the parade and rally. You did great! You took the two+ hour drive better than I could have ever expected and you handled the chaos of the parade like it was no big deal. (To be honest you handled it much better than I did!) What a team player. 



This month hasn’t been all butterflies and Henry smiles, though. We’ve had quite a few breastfeeding challenges to overcome. I think (desperately hope) we’re on the other side of that now, but it led to sleepless nights and frustration for both of us. But that didn’t stop you from smiling.





And I couldn’t be more thankful for that. Keep on smiling, my sweet little boy. 




Love, 
Mama