Throughout the day, I thought about exactly where I was three years ago. Around 8-9AM, I had walked our dogs Marley and Roger before getting ready for my OB appointment. Around 10-11AM, I remember the OB's assistant claiming that my blood pressure was 120/80, which we knew wasn't right, and I remember our concerns over realizing that we were dealing with an incompetent medical staff. Around noon, I was in triage. I remember the OB saying that the baby would probably have to be delivered that day. I remember Jeff's look of shock and questioning the doctor about what that would mean for his survival. Around 3PM, there was the helicopter ride from Northwest to UMC. Around 5:15PM, I remember being told to sign paperwork giving the UMC doctors to perform a c-section "if needed." And then, there was the doctor/resident who walked into the room 10 minutes after I had signed the papers announcing that I'd be going into surgery (the transition from hypothetical "if needed" to "going to surgery" was rather abrupt). I remember being wheeled out of my room and not wanting to die but being calm about it all the same. I remember being told by the nurse as they prepped me for surgery, cutting the new shirt off my back, that I was too calm and that it was OK to breakdown. I remember talking with Jeff throughout the surgery and hearing Henry's first cry. Our son's single cry. Our son who I never once felt kick in my womb. Surreal.
Henry's Birth Picture
Henry at a Couple Days Short of 3 Years Old (4/24/10)
Henry at Age 3 (Actual):
* His climbing skills are excellent as demonstrated by the way he has attacked obstacle courses at Spring Fling and the Pima County Fair.
* He is becoming quite a good jumper. He likes to stand on top step of the landing and jump over the second step onto the floor of the living room.
* Henry's language skills are impressive. He has a nuanced understanding of terms. He corrects others for imprecise usage of words. He asks questions. He can predict consequences from observed events.
* Henry tested out of Early Intervention in March because he looked like a 3 year old in five key areas of development. And he did this based on his actual age, not adjusted age (which today would be 2 years 8.5 months).
* Henry is the single most self-directed individual whom I've ever met. As such, he is also the most stubborn person whom I've ever met as well. If he is told "no," his approach is to ask someone else to see what his/her answer will be. He has certainly learned that he can persuade me with a sweet smile or a hug.
* Despite his independent tendencies, he often thinks about others, probably Miss R most of all. They certainly have their toddler competitive/possessive tendencies over toys (as though we don't have plenty to go around in this house!). But Henry will often make sure that Miss R is taken care of. If we are headed out the door to go somewhere, Henry will make sure that Miss R is coming as well. And when he was out with my parents at Red Lobster on Tuesday, he wanted to go home so that he could share his dinner (popcorn shrimp) with Miss R. In his words, "R, you're my best friend!"
* Henry is affectionate. Although he is very independent in many ways, he likes personal contact. He will spontaneously give hugs and sit on laps. He is very keen on giving Baby A hugs. And he spontaneously tells members of the family that he loves them.
* Henry is definitely HM (high maintenance). He gets into trouble easily. His curiosity about the world has advantages and disadvantages. For us, it makes for a lot of work b/c supervision is imperative with Henry.
Today, someone at work said that we must be exhausted with three kids. I was actually feeling remarkable refreshed today. Kids are work, but it is certainly work that I enjoy. It is true that with a full-time job and kids, I have no outside hobbies and I don't watch TV (unless it is from staying up with Baby A at night...I have Troy on the telly right now). And, after having Henry, Miss R and Baby A don't really seem like that much work in comparison. I said how easy Baby A is. No oxygen canisters to lug around. No apnea monitors to fiddle with. Medical appointments are few and far between (unlike Henry's couple a week when he came home). No insomnia. "But your experience with Henry wasn't 'normal,'" she said. "But it was our normal," I replied. "It is what we knew, so other babies by definition are much easier to care for."
Our birthday celebration was hampered by Henry's illnesses. I think that his sores are getting better. Or at least he hasn't gotten worse. On his feet, I think that the topical is facilitating the cycle so that things will heal more quickly. They are still a mess. The sores on Henry's face are scabbing over and that is an improvement.
Henry was happy today watching TV. Jeff and Henry had a major argument when Jeff insisted that Henry take a nap. I was told by Jeff that he had won the argument. Once he settled down, he slept for a long time. In fact, Miss R and I didn't get home until 5:45PM and Henry had just arisen.
I bought a waffle iron and some cake mix at Target before picking up Miss R at daycare. Jeff made homemade waffles for dinner, and they were very good. Jeff also made a cake while I took care of the kids. Henry spoke with Grammy and then Aunt Carolyn on the phone. After we had dinner, we played in the living room.
We let Henry open a present: a Peter Pan figurine set. He was thrilled. We wanted to play with Captain Hook of course. He had the crocodile try to eat Captain Hook and Mr. Smee save him.
We don't know when we'll give him the rest of his gifts.
I'm not sure what we'll do with the kids tomorrow. Hopefully, we'll figure out something that doesn't involve the TV.
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