Boney

I have numerous friends who had babies right around the time that Vivian was born. One such friend has an early elementary school aged child who loves art. This nameless child took some markers to a white onesie for the new baby of the family. My friend explained that upon being shown the work of art, the drawing looked very, very much like male genetalia. To make things even more interesting, the child wrote BONEY below the picture. She and I had recently discussed the sex talks we had with our oldest children. The mom's eyes grew very wide, she drew in a breath, and as she was about to speak, the dad said, "Bunny, Honey. It says bunny." I loved this story. The shirt is in the baby's memory box, and what a memory it will remain for years ahead.

Robbie and I had a date last night, and we were talking about memories from college and how our lives have changed and our family has grown since 1994. We recalled funny stories, and I told him about a recent laugh I got from Evelyn. Poor Evelyn is so sweet that the bugs just devour the child. She had a terrible bite not too long ago, and I pulled something out of the medicine box that I thought would help. Now, I must digress.

Anyone who has never had a baby has no idea of the early postpartum care that is required "down there" after a baby comes out. No one tells you about it. I must admit that in 2003 when I was handed the equivalent of a bag of ice from a nurse to keep between my legs for a couple of DAYS I was a bit shocked. Babies born the old fashioned way leave mothers with cuts and tears that need stitches. That part is not so fun or comfortable. Every time I've had a baby I have come home with a spray can of Hospital Strength Dermoplast Pain Relieving Spray. Ha!! You know the one, mommy readers. It has a blue top. Well, my children do not give me much privacy in the bathroom, and I've had more than a couple of babies. My girls are schooled on the topic of vaginal deliveries, and they fear C-sections. That's another blog entry. Anyway, they've seen me use the aforementioned product to ease the discomfort during the early weeks after delivering a baby. So.....when I pulled out the Dermoplast and got ready to use it on Ev's bites she totally freaked out. The can even says Relieves Itching from Bites. She said, "WHY are you going to use Vagina Spray on me?! I do NOT want any Vagina Spray." Oh, God love her. She wouldn't get anywhere near that can. There was no reasoning with her either. She wanted me to keep my can to myself. She'd rather itch.

Speaking of spraying, Henry let loose with a garden hose on Mrs. Scarboro recently. She's such a dear. She called one morning and invited the three big kids over to help her in the lawn. Olivia had a fever, and Ev was on her way to a friend's house, but Henry was free. He watered her flowers. He dug in the mud. He didn't want to come home when I went after him, and as we were talking he turned and sprayed water all over theback lower half of Mary Jane's body. She laughed and laughed. I would have screamed and scolded him, but she isn't like me. They have a special bond, those two. I just observed their interactions, watched Al laugh, and stood by as Henry sprayed her again in the bottom and then on her front side. She was dripping wet when their play time ended. He had a ball. Her face was joyful. Al said Henry aimed the hose straight up, then laughed as the water rained down on his head. "I ALL wet!" he said.

I've been telling him things like, "You're a cutie pie," or "You are too noisy." He'll say in all seriousness, "I not cutie pie. I HENRY," or "I not noisy. I Henry!" Today when I asked him who is cute, he told me Evie is cute. She's been gone since Sunday, so I thought his answer was pretty cute. My friend Eli gave Vivian some Baby, M.D. PJs that are scrub green. Henry calls her Doctor Vivian when she wears them. He also told me today, "Daddy help people eyes at work. Daddy happiness. Yaya have no penis." I'm not sure how daddy's job and anatomy matters are connected in Henry's brain, but at least he has things correct.

Two nights ago Robbie had Henry in his arms. I was cleaning up in the kitchen, and Robbie said with a worried tone, "I think he just peed on me." I laughed and told him that sounded like a personal problem. He put Henry down and found a dinner plate sized wet spot on his t-shirt. I soon heard the shower turn on from the other side of the kitchen wall. Henry came in and told me, "Daddy take shower."

When I needed a shower the other morning the timing was such that Vivian was in the nursery for her AM nap. I didn't want Henry in his crib making a bunch of racket while I got clean, so I put him in my bathroom. He kept sticking his chubby hands under the shower curtain, and I felt him squeeze my foot. He opened the curtain and tried to climb in with me while he was fully dressed. He threw a super hero duck and a bath toy frog in so I could play. Once I was out and thought his messing around was finished he managed to get soap suds from two almost empty shampoo/conditioner bottles all over his hands. He wiped them on his face, and then he started crying from burning eyes. I was naked. He was blind. I washed his hands and told him to calm down and leave Mommy's shower things alone. Then he touched the suds again!! It was 9:26 am, and our friends were supposed to arrive at 9:30 am. I didn't factor in the delay of having Henry so near me during the showering experience.

Well, I have our menu planned for the weekend of company from Mom, Mike, and Ryan. I waited for a downpour to end, then took the two little ones grocery shopping this evening. Henry rode in the semi-long car cart, and Vivian didn't make a peep in her infant carrier. She's such a good girl. The big girls return tomorrow. I'll be so glad to have them safe and sound in my arms again!! We are going to Courtney Gelvin's wedding, and that should be a ball. Everyone pray that Vivian will take the bottle. I asked my friend Nada to feed her today while we hung out at her house, and Vivian got furious. It wasn't pretty. God bless my mother who plans to babysit overnight. I bought Vivian's first baby food this evening. She's been eyeing my food and reaching for my plate, so if the nipple on the bottle won't do, then maybe Mom can try a spoon to satisfy her.