Magic Egg

What is it?

Place in warm water to find out...

Why, it's a Tow-Mater and Lightening McQueen washcloth!  

Thanks for the magical minutes, Grandjane.

Unstoppable Personal Chef

I am fortunate in that I am married to an excellent cook.  Here's what Cory and I were enjoying just before Henry gave us warning of his soon to come up-chuck.

Garlic-thyme marinated lamb chops, roasted asparagus, fresh organic strawberries and pineapple--not even some table side puke kept us from finishing our meal.  

Parenthood: expect the unexpected, clean up, then keep eating.  

Easter at Home

Henry sometimes comes to our door in the morning and asks, "Is it time to wake up?"  It's a good sign if he does so--not going to be too difficult to get going in the morning.  He came to our room this morning around 8:00, and all indications were that he was feeling OK and in a moderately good mood as he wrapped himself in my body pillow.

But, then, things took an obvious turn for the worse mood-wise.

The Easter Bunny did bring some momentary uplifting moments.

And since the Easter Bunny put coins in plastic eggs, he immediately needed to put them in his train bank.

He reluctantly went outside to look for the eggs that the Easter Bunny hid, but then he decided to just leave them out there to cook a little more.

Shortly after, the boy said he wanted to go to sleep, and then he put himself in his camping style bed (proactive mattress placement since Thursday night), and went straight to sleep.

He awoke to Grandjane's presence--much more valuable than the Easter Bunny.

Here's the thing.  We were hoping to attend church as a family this morning, and I had visions of wearing makeup and even something that Cory was going to have to iron for me.  It didn't work out since Henry was clearly not well enough yet, and he later proved that he's more sick than we were thinking.  But, I still felt the importance and specialness of this day. I felt important today. My God cares for me enough to come back from the dead, so He certainly doesn't just reach me at church.  I am loved immensely, and I felt like we did a good job of loving and caring for one another today.

Easter Eve

Due to several factors in the Hughes household, we are keeping Easter very simple.  We did manage to dye some eggs tonight, though.

Henry was very into the process, and his fingers are a lovely shade of blue to prove it.

Power Hour

Poor Henry.  He woke up around 5AM on Thursday very politely but urgently calling Daddy, saying, "Daddy!  Can you come in here!  I need you, Daddy!"  Then we heard, "I threw up, and I need your help."  Big mess.  He seemed to rebound quickly then settle back in to sleep.  We really thought we were in for less than a day of illness.  We were wrong.

Poor guy was not happy about being sick.  He would ask me, "Remember when Grandjoe took me to the zoo (last Friday), and I wasn't sick?"  "Remember yesterday?  I felt better."

He didn't like having to lie on the floor with bowls around him.  They really made him mad, but they were necessary. 

And, in Henry fashion, he spiked a fever of 103.9 that stuck around, and he couldn't keep down any medicine.  So, the pediatrician said that due to his unusually lethargic nature and inability to keep anything down, we should give him a teaspoon of gatorade every ten minutes for an hour. Thankfully, he kept the gatorade and medicine down, along with a piece of dry toast and a couple of saltines.  Crisis averted!

We are so glad that he's better now.  Henry is, too.  On Friday afternoon, after one more bout with the bowl, he asked me to text Mrs. Hannah.  Here's what I was instructed to send to her:  "Thank you for letting Henry be sick.  Henry is happy now."

Love this boy.

We're down with OPP-Other People's Parties

The above photo of Henry was taken by a friend at her youngest daughter's birthday party.  The below picture was taken at another one of H's friend's 4th birthday party.  Arrrrr...

My fear was that Henry would become a recluse during my time of being a shut-in, but since bed rest began, Henry attended a few birthday parties, some play dates, trips to the park with friends, and even dinner on the town.  Cory and I are grateful for these weekend opportunities for Henry to have fun with friends instead of just messing around the house and watching way too much TV.  Down time is important, but it's not our goal to have MOSTLY downtime.  Thank you, friends, for the parties.

20 Weeks Today

I think my feelings can best be expressed by quoting "Living on a Prayer" as sung by the great Jon Bon Jovi on 1986's Slippery When Wet album.

We've got to hold on, ready or not

You live for the fight when it's all that you've got.

We're halfway there - Livin' on a prayer!

Oh-ohhhhh!  Thanks for your pray-ers!

You're all superstars!