The Pigg-o-stat (Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition.)

First of all, the unfortunate baby in this picture is NOT Henry - this picture is merely to illustrate the PIGG-O-STAT. I think it is a testament to the truly shocking and horrific nature of this device that, upon searching Google images, nearly all of the hits to the Pigg-o-stat were links to blogs. Blogs written by parents who witnessed their babies being strapped into, with a leather strap no less, a device developed during the Spanish Inquisition. Although originally used to force babies to denounce their heathenism in the 15th century, the PIGG-O-STAT is currently used as a restraining mechanism so that babies hold still and keep their arms up during a chest x-ray.

Henry was strapped into this device for his follow-up chest x-ray (which was completely clear, by the way). The radiology technician prepared me: Ok, ma'm, don't be alarmed but we are going to put your son into a device that will help hold him still for the x-ray. It looks scary, but don't worry, it doesn't hurt.

I was shocked when they wheeled in a contraption made from plexiglass, leather straps, and a plywood base. It looked like it had been made in some guy's basement. Henry being Henry was, of course, absolutely delighted to be smashed in between two shields with his arms pinned above his head. His little body pressed up against the clear plastic made it look like he had been shoved into a tube. Seriously, though, nothing bothers this kid. He just smiled when they adjusted the strap to a tighter fit. The technicians were stunned by Henry's calm acceptance of having been locked into torture device.

I was torn between my maternal instincts to protect my baby and demand his immediate release and an overwhelming sense of regret of not having my camera.

Easter

Henry is investigating his Easter basket. He is wearing his special custom handmade outfit that I have been saving for a special occasion. It is perfect for Easter. It is a lovely outfit made by Beth's mom.

Henry has learned to mug for the camera already. He will stop whatever he is doing and beam into the camera whenever he has the opportunity. Here, he and Mike are posing together. After the photo session, we went to our neighbors' for Easter dinner, and Henry's first Easter egg hunt. He found three eggs! (with some assistance). He fell asleep tonight while I was putting him in his jammies -all that fresh air, the thrill of the hunt, the Easter couture - it wore him out!

Visit from Abuelita and Grandad

Last weekend, Henry's grandparents came to visit. He loved the visit from Abuelita and Grandad. In fact, he was so excited that he told everyone he met about how happy he was... people in the shoe store, people in the elevator, people in the restaurants... anyone who would listen. Here, he is playing with the new blocks that Abuelita and Grandad gave him. Naturally, Henry was more interested in the plastic bag than the new toys. Everyone was so excited about the visit that we forgot to take any pictures!

Professor Henry

Henry loves eye glasses. He is quite deft at plucking the glasses right off of your face in one fluid motion. Considering the ocular history of both of his parents, it is probably a good thing that Henry likes spectacles. And, let's be honest, he looks damn cute wearing them.

The Crazy Leprechaun.

I had big plans for St. Patrick's Day. With his reddish hair, twinkling eyes, and slightly crazed looking grin, I think Henry may be an actual leprechaun. I was going to dress Henry as a little leprechaun, but my quick search for infant leprechaun costumes turned up nothing but a somewhat inappropriate leprechaun costume for a toddler girl. The toddler costume resembled a tiny saloon girl covered in green satin shamrocks as opposed to a leprechaun. Then, I thought I would dress Henry up as an little Irish Man. Or rather, I planned on dressing Henry as I want Irishmen to dress - like characters from The Quiet Man. I searched for a wool cap and a cable knit sweater, but, you know, wool clothes are slightly unseasonal for mid-March in Florida. Fortunately for Henry, Abuelita sent him a special onesie to celebrate his first St. Patrick's Day with a matching bib. My Aunt Eileen also sent him a bib to mark the occasion. Thus, Henry was spared the humiliation of being dressed as an enchanted creature on a day other than Halloween and spared the discomfort of wool in 80 degree weather. Sadly, the luck of the Irish wasn't on our side this week. Henry developed another infection, and the only people to see Henry in his holiday splendor was the staff at the pediatrician's office. In the picture above, he is wearing his St. Patrick's onesie and one of his St. Patrick's bibs. Since Henry goes through many bibs a day, he had the opportunity to wear both of his celebratory bibs.

Beautiful Night Launch

On Sunday night, there was a shuttle launch. We watched it from our house. The sky was completely clear, and the launch was beautiful! Here I am holding Henry as the shuttle first appears over the horizon. Henry was more interested in looking at the photographer (Dad) than the shuttle launch.

This picture doesn't do justice to all the colors reflected in the water vapor trail from the shuttle.

Visit from Bisabuela Maru and Prima Veronica -Part III

Henry was worn out after his visit with Maru and Veronica. He took a nap with his monkey as soon as they left. He is probably dreaming about all of the good times from this weekend - the walk to the canal and to the beach, swimming with the manatees, the rocket launch, Maru's jokes, playing with the monkey and his new favorite game Rocotin. Adios, Maru y Veronica!