Henry is still trying his darndest to get at the water cooler. A few days ago I was giving him small sips in his cup from the cooler and couldn't figure out how he was drinking it so quickly. I followed him into the dining room and saw him dumping his cup into the plants!
Then, he was jamming his hands in between the wall and cooler (I have it turned around) and trying to catch drops out of the tap. He alternated between pretending to wash his hands and rubbing it in my hair like he was washing my hair.
I finally turned it around this morning because it was getting inconvenient for me. I thought I could control him by just not giving him a cup. I came into the kitchen and he was sipping from an empty Play-Dough container. I have to give him an A+ for ingenuity and perserverance.
Friday, February 29, 2008
An Embarrassment of Riches
Today was very cold again, too cold to play outside. I decided it would be a good day to hit the Manhattan Children's Museum since it is too mobbed on the weekends. I really was just looking for a place for Henry to burn of some energy without destroying our apartment.
While on the subway, I was mapping our best route to get there. Should we get off at this particular stop and switch trains or another stop and walk...I decided to get off at the 81st Street stop and walk, which happens to be the station for the Museum of Natural History. Eureka, change in plans. We could just go there. I hadn't brought him there since his birthday and he is a much better walker now.
We headed straight to the fourth floor to see the Dinosaur exhibits which are my favorites. We practiced roaring at the T-Rex and the Stegosauras and Henry ran up and down the ramps and stairs. He also pretended to read all of the signs beneath each exhibit. He would run his finger along the board and then say some words like he was reading.
After that we made a beeline to the Gems and Minerals exhibit to look at all of the fancy rocks. That part was fun, there was a big section where he could crawl and everything was at his eye level. He would go back and forth between each mineral like he was really comparing them.
By that point we were wiped and ready to go home. It struck me how unbelievably lucky we are to live where we do. Certainly there are some sacrifices made to live in a major city with a small child. But what a luxury to make a split second decision and hit one of the world's premier museums. For just a few hours. Not to have to plan ahead, make a huge production out of it, follow some boring tour guide after being jammed on a hot, lurching schoolbus for two hours. We could just buzz here and there, knowing that it would all be there again tomorrow if we wanted to go back.
I think we will really be able to make learning come alive for him, if that is not too hokey to say. Instead of looking at famous art work on slides we can see it in person. Instead of listening to a recording of Handel's Messiah at Christmas we can hear an orchestra perform it live. Instead of eating some tasteless rendition of Indian food that I make at home we can hop the subway to Jackson Heights and eat food made by an actual person from India. Thinking of all of the fun things we will be able to do with Henry makes me love New York City more than ever.
While on the subway, I was mapping our best route to get there. Should we get off at this particular stop and switch trains or another stop and walk...I decided to get off at the 81st Street stop and walk, which happens to be the station for the Museum of Natural History. Eureka, change in plans. We could just go there. I hadn't brought him there since his birthday and he is a much better walker now.
We headed straight to the fourth floor to see the Dinosaur exhibits which are my favorites. We practiced roaring at the T-Rex and the Stegosauras and Henry ran up and down the ramps and stairs. He also pretended to read all of the signs beneath each exhibit. He would run his finger along the board and then say some words like he was reading.
After that we made a beeline to the Gems and Minerals exhibit to look at all of the fancy rocks. That part was fun, there was a big section where he could crawl and everything was at his eye level. He would go back and forth between each mineral like he was really comparing them.
By that point we were wiped and ready to go home. It struck me how unbelievably lucky we are to live where we do. Certainly there are some sacrifices made to live in a major city with a small child. But what a luxury to make a split second decision and hit one of the world's premier museums. For just a few hours. Not to have to plan ahead, make a huge production out of it, follow some boring tour guide after being jammed on a hot, lurching schoolbus for two hours. We could just buzz here and there, knowing that it would all be there again tomorrow if we wanted to go back.
I think we will really be able to make learning come alive for him, if that is not too hokey to say. Instead of looking at famous art work on slides we can see it in person. Instead of listening to a recording of Handel's Messiah at Christmas we can hear an orchestra perform it live. Instead of eating some tasteless rendition of Indian food that I make at home we can hop the subway to Jackson Heights and eat food made by an actual person from India. Thinking of all of the fun things we will be able to do with Henry makes me love New York City more than ever.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Chef Henry
Henry loves to cook and help in the kitchen. He loves his play kitchen at home and the play kitchen at school. It is a little bizarre that such a young child could have such an intense interest in one thing.
It was cold out today and we were bored so I decided to bake with him for the first time (Cousin Brenda, you inspired me with your apple pie!) It worked out even better than I could have hoped.
First I took him to the grocery store to get the ingredients. I let him walk and take the items off the shelf and then put them in the stroller. When we got home I moved our stainless table near a wall so I could plug in the mixer. Henry's seat hooks onto that table.
There was a lot more for him to do than I realized. He was able to help scoop and measure, dump things into the bowl, help crack eggs, help scoop the batter, take them off the cookie sheet, and do "quality control." We even wrapped a few up and he delivered them to the neighbors.
Here are some pictures, excuse the poor quality because they are action shots.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Why?
Adam often hints around wondering why I might not have dinner ready when he gets home. Nothing obnoxious, but I can tell he wonders. The reason why is often so absurd that it is almost like the "dog ate my homework" excuse.
Today as I tried to peel and chop potatoes for the umteenth time, I reached down to grab a cutting board. Realizing that all of our cabinets are locked I looked to the refrigerator where we keep the kitchen magnet. I couldn't find it amidst the alphabet magnets, so I went to the living room to get that one.
I passed Henry trying to color on his chair or dump real food into his sink, I don't quite remember. I smelled something off that might indicate he needed his thirty-second change that day. I chased him for a few minutes and finally carried him screaming into the bedroom. I wrestled with him on the bed for another few minutes and tried to distract him with forbidden objects.
I then remembered that he needed his eye drops and tried to think why I didn't do them earlier. Oh yes, I remember. On his last diaper change he grabbed them and threw them behind the headboard. With his pacifier and his hand puppet. I leaned over and tried to grab them from the bed with Henry smacking me in the back. I then moved to either side of the bed and still couldn't find them.
I finally got a new shirt and onesie on him (his fourth outfit change of the day) because he was soaked in milk. I didn't manage to button it or get his pants on before he ran away. I just put his slippers on his bare feet and gave up.
I went back to the kitchen to wash my hands and saw the potatoes. I remembered the magnet and found it in the living room. Henry was running it along the cabinets trying to jimmy the locks. I retrieved it and went back to the kitchen. He followed me and proceeded to dig things out of the garbage can. After that he was screaming for drinks he didn't want, trying to shove his push toy through his tunnel, rumaging in the recycling bin, standing on his chair, digging change out of the diaper bag, throwing things in the bathtub, screaming for me to let him talk on the intercom phone...I have blocked out the rest of it, but you catch my drift. Sometimes I feel like I might be going crazy or be on Candid Camera.
Today as I tried to peel and chop potatoes for the umteenth time, I reached down to grab a cutting board. Realizing that all of our cabinets are locked I looked to the refrigerator where we keep the kitchen magnet. I couldn't find it amidst the alphabet magnets, so I went to the living room to get that one.
I passed Henry trying to color on his chair or dump real food into his sink, I don't quite remember. I smelled something off that might indicate he needed his thirty-second change that day. I chased him for a few minutes and finally carried him screaming into the bedroom. I wrestled with him on the bed for another few minutes and tried to distract him with forbidden objects.
I then remembered that he needed his eye drops and tried to think why I didn't do them earlier. Oh yes, I remember. On his last diaper change he grabbed them and threw them behind the headboard. With his pacifier and his hand puppet. I leaned over and tried to grab them from the bed with Henry smacking me in the back. I then moved to either side of the bed and still couldn't find them.
I finally got a new shirt and onesie on him (his fourth outfit change of the day) because he was soaked in milk. I didn't manage to button it or get his pants on before he ran away. I just put his slippers on his bare feet and gave up.
I went back to the kitchen to wash my hands and saw the potatoes. I remembered the magnet and found it in the living room. Henry was running it along the cabinets trying to jimmy the locks. I retrieved it and went back to the kitchen. He followed me and proceeded to dig things out of the garbage can. After that he was screaming for drinks he didn't want, trying to shove his push toy through his tunnel, rumaging in the recycling bin, standing on his chair, digging change out of the diaper bag, throwing things in the bathtub, screaming for me to let him talk on the intercom phone...I have blocked out the rest of it, but you catch my drift. Sometimes I feel like I might be going crazy or be on Candid Camera.
Evil Genius
Henry has a little bit of the devil in him. He already knows how to push my buttons. On the advice of my sister, we don't have a lot of firm rules (and I am a pushover too which doesn't help). But my two rules are: No hitting and no banging (toys on the coffee table, it dents)
When Henry wants my attention the first thing he does is grab a toy and start banging on the nearest surface. When he doesn't get his way, he swings at me. If I am not close enough he will grab me and then hit me. Quite the little temper he has.
I have recently had to add a rule about the water cooler after one too many floods. Henry is no longer allowed to get his own drinks. I have even had to turn the water cooler around facing the wall. He was filling the sink of his play kitchen, filling his little cups, flooding the kitchen so he could mop etc etc. He now tries to get around this by trying to wrench the lid off of a sippy cup, stealing my glass or refusing cups with lids. Yesterday he wanted more water (for evil purposes) and I told him he still had some in his cup. He promptly dumped the cup onto my pants and then walked to the cooler.
I cannot believe he is only sixteen months old.
P.S. I also had to remove one of the stove knobs because he broke the safety cover on it. Today I found him with a package of outlet covers. He was carefully trying to shove it into the hole to replace the knob. Unbelievable.
When Henry wants my attention the first thing he does is grab a toy and start banging on the nearest surface. When he doesn't get his way, he swings at me. If I am not close enough he will grab me and then hit me. Quite the little temper he has.
I have recently had to add a rule about the water cooler after one too many floods. Henry is no longer allowed to get his own drinks. I have even had to turn the water cooler around facing the wall. He was filling the sink of his play kitchen, filling his little cups, flooding the kitchen so he could mop etc etc. He now tries to get around this by trying to wrench the lid off of a sippy cup, stealing my glass or refusing cups with lids. Yesterday he wanted more water (for evil purposes) and I told him he still had some in his cup. He promptly dumped the cup onto my pants and then walked to the cooler.
I cannot believe he is only sixteen months old.
P.S. I also had to remove one of the stove knobs because he broke the safety cover on it. Today I found him with a package of outlet covers. He was carefully trying to shove it into the hole to replace the knob. Unbelievable.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Snow Day!
We took Henry sledding today for the first time. As you can tell by the pictures he had a blast. The sled was a gift from on of Henry's best friends, Jose, who is the superintendent of our building. He found out we were looking for one and delivered it as a surprise last night. How sweet is that?
Friday, February 22, 2008
Surgery Update
The good news is that Henry's surgery is over. He is fine.
The actual day itself, not so fun. Luckily he woke a few times the night before and I shoved a bottle of milk in his mouth so I felt a little better. He did cry when he saw me packing a banana for him and I wouldn't give it to him. So sad.
I brought him to the Children's Hospital near our house at 10am. They checked us in and he had to change into their little clown pajamas. I hated that part because it made him look sick. He played nicely and did OK with the no eating part. Unfortunately the surgery was delayed TWO hours so we were stuck just sitting there. I was beginning to regret my not eating that morning (in support of my Henry). They finally took him around 2pm and he was exhausted. They mistook his exhaustion with him not being afraid of the doctor so they didn't give him the little drink to calm him down. Big mistake.
They let us suit up and bring him to the OR. The team was so nice, they all sang Row Your Boat to Henry to cheer him up. No go. We had to wait a few minutes for the anesthesiolgist and Henry was very nervous. He flipped his noodle when they put the mask on his face and I could barely hold him. That part was so sad, he was so terrified. They should have given me the little drink too, I was very teary eyed at that part. Adam was just impressed by Henry's raw strength at trying to break away from the mask. Henry is definitely freakishly strong.
The actual procedure took about 45 minutes which was really nerve wracking. They told us that it would be very short so you could imagine the terrible thoughts going through my head. We both were pacing and then we heard an unmistakable sound. Henry coming down the hallway shreiking. The doctor was trying to hold him and the resident was trailing his IV pole. Apparently they had him awake for about 15 minutes without coming to get us. Dumb move. He was hysterical and trying to rip out his IV. They described him as "very spirited."
We got him home and he ate a little and calmed down. He had some swelling near his eyes and some bloody discharge from his eyes and mouth. He looks much better today.
I am so glad that is over. I hope we never have to step foot into that hospital again.
The actual day itself, not so fun. Luckily he woke a few times the night before and I shoved a bottle of milk in his mouth so I felt a little better. He did cry when he saw me packing a banana for him and I wouldn't give it to him. So sad.
I brought him to the Children's Hospital near our house at 10am. They checked us in and he had to change into their little clown pajamas. I hated that part because it made him look sick. He played nicely and did OK with the no eating part. Unfortunately the surgery was delayed TWO hours so we were stuck just sitting there. I was beginning to regret my not eating that morning (in support of my Henry). They finally took him around 2pm and he was exhausted. They mistook his exhaustion with him not being afraid of the doctor so they didn't give him the little drink to calm him down. Big mistake.
They let us suit up and bring him to the OR. The team was so nice, they all sang Row Your Boat to Henry to cheer him up. No go. We had to wait a few minutes for the anesthesiolgist and Henry was very nervous. He flipped his noodle when they put the mask on his face and I could barely hold him. That part was so sad, he was so terrified. They should have given me the little drink too, I was very teary eyed at that part. Adam was just impressed by Henry's raw strength at trying to break away from the mask. Henry is definitely freakishly strong.
The actual procedure took about 45 minutes which was really nerve wracking. They told us that it would be very short so you could imagine the terrible thoughts going through my head. We both were pacing and then we heard an unmistakable sound. Henry coming down the hallway shreiking. The doctor was trying to hold him and the resident was trailing his IV pole. Apparently they had him awake for about 15 minutes without coming to get us. Dumb move. He was hysterical and trying to rip out his IV. They described him as "very spirited."
We got him home and he ate a little and calmed down. He had some swelling near his eyes and some bloody discharge from his eyes and mouth. He looks much better today.
I am so glad that is over. I hope we never have to step foot into that hospital again.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Tear Duct Surgery
Tomorrow is Henry's surgery to clear his blocked tear ducts. They diagnosed him at birth, but they wait until after the child turns one to do anything because 90% of the cases clear up by then. We went to the pediatric ophtamologist in September, but for various reasons it has been put off until now.
The big worry is that he has to be put under anesthesia for a short period. Although the risks are slight in a healthy child, of course I worry about this. He also can't eat more less than eight hours before surgery or have apple juice more than four hours before. Since his surgery is scheduled for noon this is a complete disaster. Someone is not going to be happy tomorrow when they wake up and there are no scrambled eggs. I honestly don't know how I am going to handle this, he is going to be very upset.
Since I am a Virgo, of course I have tried to come up with an action plan. I fed him all of his favorite foods today to make sure he would eat. I have been stuffing his little belly all day long. He had eggs, milk, and a banana for breakfast. He had some yogurt and a clementine as a snack. Annie's Mac and Cheese with peas for lunch, graham crackers, grapes, milk, cottage cheese and cantelope over the course of the afternoon. For dinner he had pasta and meatballs and I gave him an eight ounce bottle of milk before bed. I am going to wake him up at 4am to give him another bottle and then apple juice at 8am. Other than that I don't know what to do.
I will probably bring him to the park in the morning to distract him and then he has to be at the hospital at 10am. I also bought him a new toy that looks like a laptop to use while we are waiting. I have a feeling that motherhood guilt will wind of being very lucrative to Henry over the course of his life.
Wish us luck, I am a nervous wreck. If you are religious feel free to call in a favor from The Big Guy.
The big worry is that he has to be put under anesthesia for a short period. Although the risks are slight in a healthy child, of course I worry about this. He also can't eat more less than eight hours before surgery or have apple juice more than four hours before. Since his surgery is scheduled for noon this is a complete disaster. Someone is not going to be happy tomorrow when they wake up and there are no scrambled eggs. I honestly don't know how I am going to handle this, he is going to be very upset.
Since I am a Virgo, of course I have tried to come up with an action plan. I fed him all of his favorite foods today to make sure he would eat. I have been stuffing his little belly all day long. He had eggs, milk, and a banana for breakfast. He had some yogurt and a clementine as a snack. Annie's Mac and Cheese with peas for lunch, graham crackers, grapes, milk, cottage cheese and cantelope over the course of the afternoon. For dinner he had pasta and meatballs and I gave him an eight ounce bottle of milk before bed. I am going to wake him up at 4am to give him another bottle and then apple juice at 8am. Other than that I don't know what to do.
I will probably bring him to the park in the morning to distract him and then he has to be at the hospital at 10am. I also bought him a new toy that looks like a laptop to use while we are waiting. I have a feeling that motherhood guilt will wind of being very lucrative to Henry over the course of his life.
Wish us luck, I am a nervous wreck. If you are religious feel free to call in a favor from The Big Guy.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
We are in such trouble.
As I have mentioned, Henry has been refusing a lid for his sippy cup over the past week or so. He screams and tries to tear it off. If I don't get it off fast enough he throws the cup and refuses to drink anything. Quite the little male diva, don't you think?
Today Grandpa Joe came over and brought lunch. He bought this fancy carbonated iced-tea for us to try and I thought it would be more festive to drink it from wine glasses. Of course as soon as Henry saw it he wanted some too. Since I had no idea what was in it, I decided to trick him and put apple juice in a wine glass. I got away with holding the glass for him for the first few sips but then he wanted to do it himself. I moved him to Adam's lap so he could supervise the practice drinking from a wine glass. He sat there and held the wine glass perfectly with ONE HAND and taking little sips. He then grabbed the phone with the other hand and sat chatting away with the phone in one hand and his wine glass in the other. I could swear he has been hitting the pub while we are sleeping.
Today Grandpa Joe came over and brought lunch. He bought this fancy carbonated iced-tea for us to try and I thought it would be more festive to drink it from wine glasses. Of course as soon as Henry saw it he wanted some too. Since I had no idea what was in it, I decided to trick him and put apple juice in a wine glass. I got away with holding the glass for him for the first few sips but then he wanted to do it himself. I moved him to Adam's lap so he could supervise the practice drinking from a wine glass. He sat there and held the wine glass perfectly with ONE HAND and taking little sips. He then grabbed the phone with the other hand and sat chatting away with the phone in one hand and his wine glass in the other. I could swear he has been hitting the pub while we are sleeping.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
So this is how the other half lives
Henry has finally started sleeping through the night. I thought I would never see the day. He doesn't do it every night but he does it often enough that I am starting to feel semi-human again. He has also started taking normal baby length naps. He can sleep for two hours in the morning, sometimes longer. He takes an afternoon nap still most days as well for about an hour. I have actually started having dreams again. I hadn't had any in over a year because I hadn't reached that stage of sleep. Wowza this is nice.
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