It was 8 degrees in Minneapolis the morning I left for Puerto Vallarta. Henry and Nick had left the day before, leaving me behind as I was curled up on the bathroom floor with a stomach bug so nasty you could catch it just by whispering Norovirus. (Just ask any of the 14 people I infected!) Say it three times while looking in a mirror. I dare you.
I still felt a bit dodgy on the airplane, but once I landed in beautiful Mexico it all melted away. It's amazing what a little sunshine will do for your body and soul.
Henry and Andrea in the sun
Henry had a hard time on our trip. He screamed, whined and yelled more than he laughed and smiled. He was petrified of the ocean and didn't want anything to do with anyone, but me. He would only eat frozen pancakes and tortilla chips. He yelled that he wanted to go home, except for the last day when he yelled that he wanted to stay. I even overheard our chef on the phone talking to someone about the "problemo niño" that was staying in the house.
We had an occupational therapy appointment this morning and through tears I confessed what an awful child Henry was on our vacation and how I was afraid to ever go anywhere with him again. Henry's therapist in her patient, calm manner, told me that she wasn't at all surprised. Henry has been out of his element and routine for several weeks and it's no wonder that he regressed into being an impossible toddler. Change is especially hard for Henry and he couldn't possibly anticipate all that he experienced and so he freaked out. Even if it was all a bunch of lies, she made me feel so much better and I left feeling less like a total failure then when I walked in.
And also, the ocean is big and scary.
Now we are home and things are getting back to normal. Henry is no longer acting like a problemo niño and I am ready to take on 2008. Happy New Year!!
