Our Discovery Health Show

Here is what the Hand-Foot-Mouth rash looks like. (This was taken last week; thank goodness it's better). YUCK!

Road Kill

First, is Road Kill one word or two? I am not sure.... Second, today I saw an Armadillo road kill on my drive back from the bookstore. I've never seen that before.

Voting Democrat in Texas

If I could pick a day to warp to Chicago away from Houston, today would be the day. I already voted early, but I would love to be in the energy of the city I love, with the people I love, watching my candidate win (I hope!). Moving to Texas during this emotional, heated, intense election has been interesting. I knew I'd find McCain supporters here, but I have been surprised to find a lot of Obama supporters as well. I must admit, however, that the election is putting a spotlight on how different I am from many of the people I have met here in Texas so far. I think it has made it harder to adjust to being here. People always say that Texas thinks it's its own country, and I am beginning to see that as true. I know a lot of people who are both Republican and Democrat, conservative and liberal, left of center, center, and right of center. But, for some reason, political affiliation feels different down here. I recognize that I am going from one extreme to another. But I wonder if McCain supporters feel out of place in Chicago. Maybe.

There is no doubt that I miss the City of Big Shoulders. I do. I think I miss the North. I am a Yankee, after all, and I don't think that I am cut out to be a Southerner. Actually, I know I am not. So, you see, my political affiliation is the tip of my homesick iceberg. It's just one of many parts of who I am that feels lost in this new place. Who misses the changing seasons, the poetry of Gwendolyn Brooks illustrated in front of my eyes, and dear friends. Who wonders when my vote will count again.

Halloween Bust

Our first Texas Halloween was a complete bust. Earlier this week, Henry came down with a runny nose, not news-worthy because he's a toddler who commonly gets bugs. Well, on Friday, he had a fever and a rash that made me think he had a viral infection. I talked to the nurse at the pediatrician's office, and we sort of thought it was Fifth's disease. Henry never made it into his costume. He refused dinner (a sure sign my 32 pounder isn't well) and went to bed, waking numerous times in the night.

After shedding a few tears that my boy wouldn't be able to show off the "Trick or treat!" we'd been practicing all week, I came to terms with the fact that it was all ok. We had lots of kids come for treats, and we didn't run out!

By yesterday, Henry had worsened, so we headed to the pediatrician's office. The rash and other symptoms were inconclusive, but pointed toward Fifth's. By last night, however, the rash had turned to mostly blisters on his hand and feet, and he kept crying saying "Bite cheek" which we realized was code for the start of the blisters in his mouth. He was up hourly last night from the pain, so we put in another call to the ped. and the nurse and I both feel he has dreaded hand-foot-mouth disease. It sucks. My happy boy has sores in his mouth and is in so much pain. He'll go back to the doctor tomorrow. I hope he feels better soon!

Dewberry Farm

We had a great weekend. We went to Dewberry Farm, which is all set up for its Fall Festival. Henry had a blast petting the horse, feeding the goats, climbing in the hay pile, sliding with daddy down the pipe slide...the list goes on and on! I must say how much I love this age. Henry is so interested in everything, and he is just plain funny! I have to say, it didn't really feel like being at a Pumpkin Farm because it was 80 degrees, but it was still fun. Here are some pics from our adventure:

Happy Birthday, Henry!

Today is Henry's second birthday. So, to honor him and to mark the most amazing day of my life, I am sharing his birth story with you.

On Friday, October 13th, 2006, I spent the day walking around our cute neighborhood. I went shopping at Diversey and Clark, got my hair cut, and enjoyed a beautiful Fall day in Chicago. I felt like I had cramps all day, but I didn't think too much of it. I hadn't had any Braxton-Hicks contractions, so I didn't realize I was in the early stages of labor! Plus, it was 9 days before my due date, so it wasn't really on my mind as a possibility. The cramps worsened as I walked home (due to the walking!), and I called Andy to tell him that maybe we should revise our dinner plans. We had plans with Eddie and Risha to get Thai food at Penny's, but I was thinking we should maybe get take-out instead. Once I came home and rested, the cramping was gone, I felt fine, and we decided to go to dinner.

Our dinner was one of the most memorable ever. I had red curry (labor inducing!), and Eddie was excitedly playing out the scenario of what we'd do if I went into labor right there. Eddie's vision was a bit too movie-like, thinking we'd throw money on the table and rush out to grab a cab. He kept badgering Risha (who is a doctor) about whether she could deliver the baby in a pinch, if needed. She assured him she could, but she didn't really think it would come to that. We laughed about the visual on our walk home--jumping in the cab, baby about to be born. Little did we know that's about what we'd be doing a few hours later!

After going to bed around 11, I couldn't sleep. Any person who has been 9 months pregnant can tell you that this is not a news-worthy issue. Not many people can sleep well at 9 months pregnant! I decided to make the 10 minute journey that was rolling to my other side, when I heard a "pop!" and I thought to myself, Hmmm. I got up, headed to the bathroom, and my water broke. It was midnight.

We made it to the hospital, did the whole triage thing, went up to labor and delivery, and, after a slight scare that I may be pre-eclamptic (I wasn't), I got my epidural. At about 7 am, I was ready to push. I pushed once, before the Doc arrived, but Henry's heartrate didn't recover well, so they had me wait about 15 minutes until Dr. Chen and the halo I swear he had shining above his head came in. I pushed for about 25 minutes. Yes, those of my friends with 3+ hours of pushing hate me (especially Melissa), but it was FAST. Henry Warren Zone came into this world at 7:48 am. He was 7 pounds, 4 ounces, 21 inches, and perfect. And it happened in downtown Chicago, with the shadow of the Hancock tower on one side and Lake Michigan on the other. Happy Birthday, my sweet boy!

The Joy of Cooking

I love my new kitchen. It actually has empty drawers--amazing. It is so fun to cook now that I have room! Henry and I made brownies early in the week. He loves the kitchen, too!