Florida, Henry Loves You But You're Whoopin' Its Butt! Part 4

Dear Peep Blanket Bingo,
After the springs Daddy drove us to Daytona Beach to walk and roll on the sand.  The grains are so compact that Daddy was able to roll his chair out onto the beach with us.  It was really exciting!  You giggled and ran and ran as fast as you could across the beach, like a little water bug.  Its flat expanse sped up your ever-quickening strides.  You used your speed to chase the birds with me and Tantanoose (Daddy).  

You relished standing at the water's edge only to be reduced to jitters and howls when then cold water gripped your toes.

You also poked at unfortunate jelly fish beached and de-tentacled by the hungry pestering from the birds.  You pocketed a couple of seashells to bring back to Grandpa Tim and we pried ourselves from the sand back toward the car.  

"Tinkle Tinkle, Ding Ding, Tinkle!"  What!?!  A bright yellow ice cream truck drew closer from the horizon line to stop just in front of us.  Daddy and I flashed looks of excitement ordinarily relegated to 10 year old's rummaging spare change from their pockets. I leaped to Daddy's back pack for his wallet, this was no spare change priced ice cream truck. We purchased a 3 dollar Bomb Pop.  I've failed to mention your excitement!  I mean this is all about you, right?!  You ran up and studied the pictures on the side.  

After I purchased the Bomb Pop your mouth opened as wide as it cold and in it went and the world disappeared.  It was hard to get your attention and a word to cross your blue lips.   Wanting to take a fun photo I asked the driver if we could sit you on the steps.  Who would have know that this may have been the highest point of the trip for you?  You dangled your legs off the step and smiled happily.  The next few days you brought it up no less than 10 million times.  "Henny ATE POPSICLE ON THE ICE CREAM TRUCK!!!!"  

Yes, caps are certainly necessary.  You now talk so loudly we are constantly reminding you to pipe it down a bit and are playing the whisper game at least once a day to give our eardrums a rest.  Finished, we walked down the boardwalk then we returned home.  You were a sleepy dude and passed out as soon as your head hit the bed.  It feels like we are being good parents to wear you out with new experiences.  

AAAHH! What a wonderful family day this was!  I can't wait until our beach visit includes warm water splashing around!  Daytona has free beach wheelchairs on loan.  On our last trip as a couple we used a rental chair.  It was AWESOME to play in the ocean water together.  I can hardly imagine how much fun you would have doing this!  I should add, I know we would love to see our little dude splashin' around in the ocean as well.  Our dream.

Love, Mama

Florida, Henry Loves You But You're Whoopin' Its Butt! Part 3

Dear Hankster,
The next afternoon we went to De Leon Springs to eat at an old Spanish mill turned into a pancake place where you fix your own pancakes on the table in front of you.  It is a standard when we visit Grandpa Tim.  We had a wait so you were able to play on the playground a while.  Grandpa Tim even went down the slide with you.  With more time to kill we walked on the trails and then around the spring.  Grandpa Tim dipped your feet into the water which made you so happy.  You are so drawn to water.  You loved it!

We ate our pancakes.  They were so yummy but you wouldn't eat any of the pecan and banana ones I cooked for us.  You were tired already.  You were LOUD AND CLEARLY mad about something.  However, when a man next to our table showed you he had a five dollar bill I said, "Henry!  Who is on the five dollar bill?"  You said, "Abe-a-ham Lincoln."  We've been working on this but the guy was so impressed he asked you to do it again for his wife.  You also say George Washingtown for a buck or quarter which at times morphs into George Washinglinc.   At this point you were about finished sitting there.  You threw a piece of sausage at Trish, she was sitting across from Grandpa Tim!  

 I suppose you can see it on your face in the picture above, if you can't just click on it to make it larger.  You're disgust is written all over your face just as clear as the mole on Abraham Lincoln's face.  Even in the photo of you "smiling" the emotion is forced.
  After I recovered from death by embarrassment we quickly removed ourselves from the table and walked around the spring dipping our feet in at each set of steps.  In the car later we asked you why you were so mad.  You said, "I was mad at Mommy.  Henny wanted to sit next to Grandpa Tim."  !!!!  Huh?  Well that would have been easy enough.  Daddy told you to just let him know next time instead of getting mad.  It was pretty cool that you articulated how you were feeling.  Hopefully we get effective at teaching you how to do that more because clearly it isn't okay to throw sausage at other people (one of your two favorite foods).  After the springs we parted ways with Grandpa Tim and Trish and took off for Daytona Beach.  We stopped at Walgreens first to get some Tylenol because we were suspecting that your final molars that were almost through were hurting you.  We were right.  You were much calmer and in control the rest of the week.
Mommy is still learning how to take care of you and to read your signals when you can't tell me what is up.  I hope I keep improving.
Love, Mama

Florida, Henry Loves You But You're Whoopin' Its Butt! Part 3

Dear Hen-rida,
The next day we went for a long boat ride down the canal at Grandpa Tim's.  Together we spotted a larger sized gator and a then a baby alligator.  For me spotting a couple gators makes it a successful trip.  However, you decided you would spend the boat ride sitting next to Grandpa Tim rather than near me.  

Thankfully you did come and snuggle in close when the big gator was near.  

You made me so nervous how you climbed up on the seats or stand by the little gates!  I mean what don't you get?  It is water, you don't swim and there are gators everywhere!  Grandpa Tim suggested that we tie a rope to your life jacket to keep you in control, you weren't having that for very long.  Trish brought some plastic wine glasses and put some sparkling cider in it.  It transformed you into a high roller hanging out on your personal yacht.  You thought you were cool. 

     Cathy and Jim live just a few houses up the canal from Grandpa Tim so the next night we went to their house for one of the best dinners I have ever had.  Parmesan chicken, fancy green beans and I can't remember what else because I couldn't get past wanting more of the latter!  Cathy is quite a cook!
    Before dinner, Great Uncle Jim took you fishing for the first time.  You caught a shiner and a blue gill.   You nearly kissed the blue gill but abandoned the plan at the last minute.  

You loved tossing out the fish food into the water.  At one point you turned to throw in the fish food and we were surprised to see a baby gator sitting right there at the dock!  

You screamed out, "ALLIGATOR!"  Instantly that gator slid out of sight under the lily pads.  You didn't scare all the fish away though.  Daddy caught a large catfish that day.  He is super proud of his catch.  We took a "trophy photo" of Daddy, you touched the fish and Uncle Jim threw it back into the water.  

At this point of the day your mind had been sufficiently stuffed with new things and you were tired.  You were turning into a major grump and kept falling down any ole place saying, "Henny lay down in the grass, Henny lay down on the wood."  Dinner time came and you sat there pretty chill until after we moved into the livingroom.  I had to take you back to Grandpa Tim's due to outburst and you raising a total grumpus.  Jammies on and blanket in hand you laid down and you were O.U.T! 
Love, Mama 
*I want to make note that you are for the most part easy going and calm.  This was out of the ordinary.  So Daddy and I combed through it all and teased out that you were getting your upper back molar in the rest of the way and it was hurting you.  The next day we bought some pain medicine and you were back to yourself the subsequent day.  I'm really sorry that I didn't put it together earlier buddy.  

Florida, Henry Loves You But You're Whoopin' Its Butt! Part 2

Dear Hen-rida,
Arriving at Grandpa Tim's the next day you were very excited! You woke up when the van stopped.  Looking around to get your bearing you saw Grandpa Tim walking out of the house to snatch you from your seat.  You had the biggest smile on your face as Grandpa Tim picked up his Henry.  The minute we walked into the house they slipped on a life jacket...knowing how you like to explore!  With a pool, hot tub and canal filled with gators near by at the very least you would be buoyant.  The next morning Grandpa Tim and Trish took you for a boat ride down the canal.  You came back and told us you saw your first baby alligator, lots of birds and trees.  
That afternoon we picked up Daddy's grandma, Nanny.  She has an orange tree in her backyard.  After a lot of grunting and tries you picked your first orange.  You climbed down from Daddy's lap and started throwing dirt around joyfully.  On the way back to the car you declared that you love mud and want to play with mud.  I cleaned up your hands and we stopped to have an ice cream cone at a twisty treat, yet another larger than life object to take a photo next to.  Vanilla and chocolate twist dipped in chocolate in a waffle cone, the three of us happily shared it together.  

That night Mommy cooked some spaghetti with turkey for dinner and Cathy and Jim, Daddy's aunt and uncle, came down too.  Before dinner you danced around the pool in your life jacket dipping and pouring, dipping and pouring your little heart out watering the pool.  

After dinner Cathy read to you a little then they returned home.  It was time for you to cuddle on the couch with Grandpa Tim to watch a show about the jaw power of sharks.  You both fell asleep together at the same time, it only took 6 minutes according to the time stamp on the photos.  Sweet!  It was a big couple of days for such a little dude, and for a big dude too.  It was great getting to see everyone and enjoy dinner.  We are fortunate we were all there for a relaxing time together.

Love, Mama

I'm 2, My name is Henny Thompson

Dear Birfday Peep, 
2 years old!!!  This year we had a super duper birthday party duo with your buddy Devo.  Mike and Megan had arranged for us to rent a bouncy house and the Harmony gym so we could have lots of running space with little hassle for the little dude and dudettes at your party.  We kept our list this year to mostly friends and mostly kids under five due to the bouncy house and kids runnin' around but it was a blast!  Mama stayed up till 2 creating Yo Gabba Gabba cupcakes with icing and fondant.  Mike made the Muno cupcakes with a marshmallow eye.  Daddy stayed up makin' a mix on his I pod.   It was fun to have all of your little friends there.  Lily was a jumpin' queen and Devo ruled the house.  You liked to get in and lay on your back smiling as others got you to pop into the air.  We sang happy birthday for each of you.  Then you spent the rest of the time taking turns with Devo riding and pushing each other on his cart with the handle.  Every so often you'd nicely switch off with someone else too.  No fighting!  Except for one time you pushed Devo to the side to give Abilene a ride.  Not very cool Henry!  Great turn taking over all for little dudes though.  I felt really proud of you.  

 

Today on your actual birthday we are making stroganoff and having a little cake.  This morning when I got you up you told me, "I am two!"  I asked you what you wanted for your birthday and you said, "I want breadsticks, a milkshake, and oatmeal."  That was easy enough to deliver.  Daddy and I talked about your birthday at the hospital when you were born and we texted Jo Jo a message with a video of you jumping off of the couch.  She sent us a video with her singing happy birthday to you.  This made you very happy.  I must mention that you are tuff as nails at 2.   Before we could stop you, one of your candles was put out with your fingers!  We love you with all of our hearts Peep squeak-a-doo.  I'm so happy that I have a boy that is two!  I wouldn't change any part of it.

Love you!, Mama  

Florida, Henry Loves You But You're Whoopin' Its Butt!

Dear Hen-rida, 
After weeks of talking to you about our impending plans to drive the 1000 miles to Florida to visit Grandpa Tim we are alas here!  It was a long trip and for whatever reason the first night we stopped at a hotel and around 6:30 AM I felt you sit up and as I reached my arm around to touch you I felt chunks fall to my hand.  You puked.  The excitement?  Car sickness?  Your guess is as good as mine but after several heaves and a clean up job you were fine and went back to sleep.  You had seen so much on our trip already.  Dinosaur World in Kentucky was closed but the entrance holds a mighty Triceratops.  I got you out of the van and you exclaimed, "TRICERATOPS BIG!"  Huh?  I mean you have a triceratops at home that I may have named a few times here and there but you are always surprising me with what you know.   

The next morning we ate at a Waffle House, Daddy made sure you heard the Waffle House song.  You weren't tame there, you threw straws from a cup all over the kitchen area.  Oh boy!  The next stop we saw a giant cow at a rest stop.  You walked around it, kissed its legs and proclaimed the utter something other than what it is..."Mama, that's a penis."
You really make me laugh sometimes. 

Love, Mama

Long Time No Blog

Dear Henry, 
Mama is getting her act together I promise.  As you know a big heap of stress and sadness jumped into our laps and Mama is sortin' it all out right now...
Mergie also passed a few weeks ago...she needed to be with Papaw Elmer  (but it was so close together, I was still working on understanding Great Aunt Judy's unexpected passing.),  hearing that Grandpa Tim had a very unexpected and serious open heart surgery, my computer completely crashed and daddy has been rebuilding it, our very good friends had an adoption reclaim after a very long match, and we found out our Grandma Hazel (GG) is pretty sick with what is likely lung cancer.  She is feeling okay right now but it is worrisome.  I will get back on track very soon.  I am missing my blog time.  I really enjoy reflecting on our days and adventures together.  We are getting a needed break with a trip to visit Grandpa Tim in Florida.  I am looking forward to the drive and how it will open up your mind.  You still talk about all we did in Chicago back in September.
So I haven't abandoned keeping up with your wonderful changes and developments, I just couldn't juggle it all right now.  I'd also like to acknowledge all of those that read and keep up on our lives...I appreciate the interest...I love knowing you're out there and didn't want to leave you hanging so long without an explanation.  This is an old photo now but a cute one.  Be back soon! 
Love, Mama