The Death of the Little Yellow Race Car

Let's have a moment of silence for the little yellow race car.

Yes, I'm afraid it's true. Henry's most beloved toy - which also makes it one of my proudest yard-sale treasures ever - has been laid to rest. You want the scoop? It's a tale of dirty little secrets that I am going to confess to you today. I'm ready to blow this story out of the water.

Last Thursday afternoon, I got Henry up from his nap, changed a massive dirty diaper, and fed him a snack. A completely innocuous and entirely routine chain of events. Or so I thought.

We'd been fighting a case of diaper rash that was threatening to get really nasty. Protocol is a temporary change in diet, lots of diaper cream, and plenty of time roaming around the house sans diaper. A naked hiney is a happy hiney. So, after his snack, I removed his diaper. It was standard operation.

We played for a few minutes in the playroom when the dryer buzzer blared, alerting me to change loads. I picked Henry up to come with me but he protested - LOUDLY - wanting to stay to play with his toys. I decided to let him stay for the five minutes it would take me to switch loads and fold clothes. I was aware of the risk that he might have a potty accident, but tee-tee is pretty easy to clean up, and he had just had a major poopy diaper not long before. The risk that there was even enough poop in him at that point to make any kind of mess seemed minimal.

That is where I was wrong.

I returned as quickly as possible - I estimate four and half or five minutes. That was all the time it took. Upon entering the room, I saw a poop trail four feet in length, clumps and streaks, leading to under our computer desk. I found him there under the desk, covered in poop, with a poop-smeared toy in each hand. The look on his face was bewilderment. I could see the thought-bubble above his head: "Mama - this chocolate icing tastes funny." *gag*

I flew over and picked him up, first trying to hold him out from me but quickly realizing it was of no use. It was already all over me, and he was now reaching and grabbing ahold of my hair and shirt. *gag* I carried him through the house to the bathroom laughing out loud because, well - what else could I do??

I deposited him in the bathtub, running the shower first to hose the poop off of him, then drawing a bath. We scrubbed in shallow water for a few minutes, drained then ran another bath for an extra rinse. When I had him dried and DIAPERED again, I headed for the playroom to assess the damage once again. I was feeling frantic because it was now almost time when I would expect Zac home, and I was now behind in getting supper ready. We had a church event that evening, and I was feeling stressed to get it all done in time.

I made it as far as the kitchen when I heard him. Zac had come home a little early, and was in the playroom. I stopped dead in my tracks. He said, "I see what happened." I told him I was in the process of cleaning up and that he could tend to Henry or he could clean up the playroom. I was 100% sure he'd come get Henry but to my surprise and delight, he opted to clean the playroom. What a prince!!! I got supper going and found my nerves again.

So, that's the poop story.

Wait - what about the little yellow race car, you ask?

Well, you remember that I said he had a poop-smeared toy in each hand? One of them was the little yellow race car. It was in baaaaaad shape. I began the tedious job of cleaning it after we returned from church that night. I worked on it for about twenty minutes before I decided it was a lost cause. There was poop in the wheel wells. Henry had taken it "muddin" in the trail of poop. When I announced I was going to throw it away, Zac came to take a look at it and attempted to take it completely apart. We couldn't get behind the wheels no matter how we tried. Maybe immersing in hot water, but then it likely wouldn't work after that anyway. We sadly bid it farewell. Henry lay sleeping in his bed, none the wiser. I hated the idea of his favorite toy being gone forever.

Well, that's how the end of the little yellow race car came about.

What - you want a happy ending?? Okay, I think I may have one for you:

I had gone to bed early that night, and when Zac finally turned in, he told me that he had searched and found another race car online, ordered it, and even paid the extra few dollars for expedited shipping! See, didn't I tell you? He's a PRINCE!!! Daddy saved the day! You'll notice it isn't exactly the same, but the original had been a yard sale find and probably a few years old.

This is the closest we could find. It arrived today, and the smile on Henry's face when Daddy opened the box was as big as Texas. He carried it around the house, putting it on things like couches, bookshelves, and chairs just like he used to. It made our hearts swell. That kid sure is something special - poop and all.

Milestone: First Steps

Milestone Alert! On Monday, Henry took his first steps. It was right after lunchtime, and I was on the floor with him playing with toys. I helped him stand up and as soon as he was on his feet he took about three or four steps toward me. I don't even think he realized he was doing it.

We've known he was close. The day before, Daddy watched him take one step. He's been walking all over the place with his push-walker and while holding our hands. Over the past week or two he's been increasing the length of time he could stand after letting go of whatever was supporting him. It's been coming, but I still think it surprised us when he actually did it. I called Daddy immediately to tell him, and when he got home he got to watch Henry take a few steps as well. That evening we practiced some more, and again yesterday. Last night he walked several times back and forth between Daddy and me. He seems to enjoy it - or at least the praise and cheering we give him when he does it. I'm such a proud mama!!

It's just one more reminder that my baby isn't really a baby anymore at all. His first birthday is just three days away. *tear*

A Ride in Paw-Paw's Tractor

Memorial Day we had lunch at the in-laws. Food and company were excellent, and the weather was even nice. Paw-Paw, a farmer, had been out working that morning, and came in shortly before lunch time. After we ate, he wanted to take Henry out for a ride in his big John Deere tractor. Paw-Paw, Daddy and Henry took a short tour of Highland in the big rig. Daddy said Henry kept a pretty good grip on him, but was absolutely fascinated with all he saw and heard. I think I know what that face looks like. ;)

Picture Perfect Picnic

A friend of mine had her baby yesterday, so Henry and I set off this morning to visit her and her newest bundle of joy. We arrived at the hospital and met Daddy, and then the three of us headed to the maternity wing and visited for a bit. I had packed Henry and myself a lunch, expecting to maybe eat with Daddy after our visit. To our surprise, Daddy's boss offered for us to take our lunch "to go" so we headed to the city park and found a beautiful, quiet spot to enjoy our lunch on what is certainly one of the last pleasant days of spring in Texas this year. It's approaching the end of May, so 100 degree days are in our near future.

I hadn't planned for an outdoor lunch, but I just so happened to have a large blanket in the back of my car, so we spread out beneath a tree and shared a yummy lunch as a family. It is one of those blessings that demands my immediate gratitude to God for allowing me to be a stay at home mom, able to stop everything I'm doing to spend time with my family. These moments, especially now when Henry is our only child and still so young, won't last long. I cherish them and praise the Lord for blessing me far beyond my worth.

Photo Update: Easter

Daddy had to work Easter this year, so Henry and I made the trip to church without him. Our church always has an Easter egg hunt for the kiddos, but it was really soppy and wet outside as it had rained a good bit the day or so before. I decided that since this would be the year he wouldn't throw a fit about missing it, we'd skip it and opt to stay warm and dry instead. I do think he would have had fun watching all the big kids though. Doesn't he look handsome?? :)

Milestone: From tummy to sitting position!

Milestone Alert! Today marks the first official time we've caught him moving from a tummy to sitting position unassisted. I first saw him do it in his crib this morning, but for whatever reason, he seems more mobile in his bed (or on any bed) than on the flat floor, so I assumed he had that advantage and wouldn't yet be able to do it from the floor. Then, at lunch time today, Henry and Daddy were playing with his choo-choo train. He had turned it over to dump the little balls out of it, and rolled to his tummy to attempt to go after them. When he gave up, he used the train to support himself while he pushed up to a sitting position. Still, I gave credit to the train as his support, and doubted he would quite be able to do without it. And then, after Daddy went back to work, he did it twice by himself, with nothing to support himself. My big boy!!! Keep it tuned here for more updates on Henry's milestones!

Oh, the irony!

It's no great secret that my son isn't the world's best sleeper. Even at eight and a half months, we are still enduring night waking frequently. Some nights are better than others, but an uninterrupted night is a rarity. And we consider sleeping past 6am a luxury. He hasn't needed a night feeding since he was around three months old, but for reasons that continue to elude us, he is generally a restless little man. We have been sleep training practically since birth, and while there are clear benefits from this effort, his problem seems to be simply staying asleep. This, I think, is just the M.O. of some babies - some sleep better than others. It probably doesn't help that I haven't committed to weaning from the paci either. ;)

Monday night, after several solid nights of waking, crying, fitful sleep (and not much of it), Daddy was going to be "on duty" because, in a role reversal, I would be volunteering the next day while Daddy would have the day off to be with Henry. I have to admit I was a little excited at the prospect of a "night off."

Well, Henry and Daddy must have struck up some kind of man-pact, because he went down at 7pm, didn't make a sound ALL night, and even slept until about 7am, which is unheard of anymore. I was thankful because it meant WE ALL had a good night's sleep, but I can't help but see the irony of that situation. :)

A busy day makes a sleepy boy...

I love days when we get to go out, even if it's just to run errands. Today was one of those days, but we mixed business with pleasure and were able to make a few visits while we were out. We made the mundane stops: gas, the local grocery store for miscellaneous items we missed this week at the store, a furniture store in town, and then we made a stop at the bank to say hi to Grammy. After the ladies gushed over Henry during his parade through the bank, we met up with a friend of mine and her daughter for a play date and lunch.

As the babies grow, it is so much fun to see them interact differently. Not so long ago, Henry seemed to be generally anti-social around other people, preferring to be the observer rather than the participator. He has really blossomed into a much more social baby over the past month or two, and genuinely enjoys the company of others. He wants to engage with those around him, and it's a joy as his parent to see him develop socially.

Although we should probably do so more often, my friend and I try to get the babies together for play dates. Today was a treat for all - both babies were in good spirits and seemed to be eager to play together. Granted, the little girl, at nearly 2 months older than Henry, was quite busy pulling up, standing, and creeping alongside the table while Henry contented himself with toys and anything he could put in his mouth, but there were fun moments of rolling, talking, and touching. They smiled at one another, and were obviously communicating. It was such a fun visit. My friend and I also enjoyed some daytime interaction with someone who didn't need us to wipe their tush.

After our busy morning out, Henry and I headed home for some R&R. I put him down, which he seemed grateful for, and was quickly snoozing. That freed up some time for me to revisit my blog and try to square away some of the things I was frustrated about yesterday. ;) After I get pictures uploaded, I'll add a couple from today. He was the most handsome little man in his green overalls, blue bucket hat, and blue tennies.

This evening, when Daddy got home, we made a return trip to the furniture store, and then it was supper time, bath time, and getting ready for bed. My little wiped-out guy was so sleepy and snuggly. He took his sweet time drinking his bottle, and then when he was finally finished he closed his eyes, nuzzled his cheek into my chest, and gently smacked his lips a few times. He was so perfectly peaceful - almost looked like a porcelain doll cradled in my arms. I rocked with him for several minutes, unwilling to rush my precious time when he's still small enough to hold, and still baby enough to need it.