I needed some Emmet and Henry and Leah time so drove to Newton today. I always dread the drive but once on the road singing, it never seems quite as long as I dread.
I got to Newton around 11. Today I decided to take Rex along today. Emmet is always waiting for me in the large window but today he was not. Leah and Henry were standing on the porch. Henry is getting over a fever so he didn’t give me a giant grin as usual, but I got lots of grins later. I could hear Emmet in the back and then he squealed with delight as he saw Rex and then greeted me. Apparently he had been looking forward to my visit.
We got coats and shoes on and got in the car and went to Prairie Harvest. Every time I glanced back at Emmet in the car, he giggle screamed with delight. I love him so much.
Emmet used the potty before we left and came out and announced in a funny voice, “That’s a lot of pee” which he then continued say a bunch more times, including at the restaurant.
Little friendly Henry grinned and waved at everyone in the restaurant repeatedly from his high chair. Emmet took his boots off and wormed around in his seat and ate one bite of bread the whole lunch. Henry made the cutest face as he tasted hummus for the first time. He wasn’t quite sure but he ate it and we think he liked it.
Emmet wanted to go up the stairs badly. He asked and then while waiting for Leah inched closer and closer to the stairs but accepted we weren’t going there.
At the house, Emmet followed me into the bathroom and watched while I pooped. He even looked to make sure it was coming out. This is quite the experience, I tell you. But I did earn a sticker for pooping in the potty. This was followed by several readings of the book, “Everyone poops,” with Emmet pointing out every pile of poop the animals made. Such is life with a toddler.
At nap time, Emmet and I read books together in his chair then he went right to sleep in his little bed. I tried to put stuffed animals in bed with him but he instructed me to “leave them there.” He is quite the little instructor lately.
Leah and I talked then bought her birthday present on Amazon (a big African basket) then closed our eyes for about half an hour with cuddly Moose. When Henry woke up, I went to get him and he grinned his sweet, whole face grin at me, then put his head on my shoulder after I picked him up.
Emmet got up shortly after and while Leah made some cinnamon nut bread, I entertained the boys in Emmet’s room. First Emmet gave Henry a car so we could play with the blocks. Henry kept knocking the blocks over so Emmet called him a “silly goose”. Emmet also kept saying, “Hi Rex” and giving Rex gentle pets and hugs. I can understand more and more of what Emmet is saying now.
After Henry was out of the room, Emmet and I played a rough game we sort of called “hug monster” that involved semi hiding under the blanket, hugging, and wrestling. He laughed and laughed from his belly. We played the longest time but he would have kept playing for hours, I think. Emmet has a tremendous attention span. Longer than mine, for sure, and my energy level.
Just before we left, Leah took Henry’s shirt off and discovered a rash. I suspected roseola and confirmed on WebMD while Leah called the doctor. Poor baby. But his fever was down today so he is through the worst of it. 
I bought some Lavender and Clover items today, as usual, then said my goodbyes and headed out for the long drive home. Emmet didn’t cry when I left this time and it was easier for me to leave with Rex with me. Next time I see them, I will be watching the boys for three days, partly by myself while Leah and Dave go to Hannah and Kent’s bachelor and bachelorette party. Woo boo! I had better rest up for that!
dianegclark 