SLIDER

One...Really?

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Harrison officially turned one on Sunday, November 28th...but that should be no surprise to you as I have been blogging about this big day for well, the past 12 months.

Yes, if you are wondering...I have accepted  the fact our little boy is on the verge of toddler-hood. In just four more months he will be considered a toddler. When did all of this happen?

So much has changed in the last year I don't know where to even begin!

If Harrison was blogging he would say, start with food Momma. So, at Harrison's request food it is. There isn't anything this child will not eat, including dirt, rocks, sticks---what can I say? HE IS ALL BOY! If Harrison had to pick a favorite food, it would be berry flavored yogurt bites. We are working on getting him to each three square meals a day...we do pretty good throughout the work week, but fall off the wagon on the weekends. Bottles are down to 2-3 a day---we are working hardest on weaning the night bottle first, which is usually the last to go. Don't ask me why...I am just determined to put that bottle to the wayside first.

When Harrison isn't eating he is on the go---ALL THE TIME. He is getting steady on his feet and is able to stoop down and pick things up as well as balancing on his knees not holding on to anything. I think he could stand alone if he had a little more confidence in himself. He is afraid to let go of whatever he is holding on to. He actually stood outside in the yard while kitty watching, but panicked when he realized he was on his own.

Falling is a daily thing...probably at least a good 5-6 times per day with at least 3-4 times with a hurling (I am not going to breathe) cry. I was just to blog about how graceful his falls have become until tonight he was pushing his riding toy and fell face forward into the wheel...this one left a mark.

Communication is getting better EVERYDAY. This part is so amazing. Harrison can say Ma Ma, Ah-ba ba, Uh-Oh, & pa pa pa. I don't think he has a specific meaning for any of these words yet--but whether they mean anything or not, I just can't get enough of it. He is also learning to kiss, mimicking his lips to yours. 

Sleeping/bathing and dressing have all become an issue over the past month. Mommy and daddy have been walking around sleep deprived for the past few weeks--we have the bags to prove it. We aren't really sure what is going on..we presume teething...but he hasn't made any visible progress on that. As far as dressing, Harrison absolutely hates anything to do with putting on his coat and shoes (and mittens are the WORST) to go outside--it's a daily fight. From a bathing standpoint that has been improving slightly over the past couple of days. If you read the post below you know we are dealing with screaming and crying the ENTIRE bath. Apparently what I have read online that this can be typically normal at his age and this bathing protest could last several weeks or longer. NOT what we wanted to hear.

Playtime. Harrison is learning to push cars and loves to be swung upside as well as being tickled. His belly laugh is absolutely contagious.

I think by all standards we are dealing with a typical one year old and I don't we could ever ask for more than that.

Here are some photos from his birthday Sunday...

Present opening started at 7:30 am. It's not that Harrison couldn't wait...Mommy couldn't.



 Tackling the package...

 Getting some help from daddy.
 It's Farmer COOKIE Monster!

Harrison's attention span is minuet as minuet can get---Daddy helped Harrison un-warp Kiss Me Elmo and a Minnesota Vikings board book. This all added to the pile of loot he accumulated his his birthday party.

After present opening Harrison asked daddy if he was old enough to drive yet?



Next we got dressed to go visit the NICU.




Take a look at these tiny CROCS! I have waited 12 long months for his feet to get big enough to wear these...They are still ginormous on him, but incredible cuteness X 100!

We piled in the car and headed to La Crosse. Harrison napped.


Next stop... NICU.


 We dropped off the book(s), Guess How Much I Love You? We used to read this book to Harrison most everyday during his hospitalization. (I have the book memorized). I also made preemie sized fleece tie hats for the babies to wear. This was our way putting ourselves back into the shoes where we were last year. During Harrison's NICU hospitalization we received gifts from other NICU graduates. It was a welcomed re-assurance that we would make it through all of this...and here we are ONE year later. We wanted to make other parents feel the same way. 




After the NICU stop...it was time for Harrison's favorite thing...FOOD.



After Chicken Nuggets and French Fries, it was time to play.


We not only played in the gym Harrison enjoyed several games of Whack a Mole and he fought daddy for Pac-Man controller.




COOKIE, COOKIE, COOKIE, COOKIE, COOKIE, COOKIE, COOKIE...

Back at home we sang Happy Birthday to Harrison over frosting filled cookies. Harrison had not 1, not 2, but 3 birthday cake smashes. He only had one cookie smash---SEE BELOW!









After a LONG day of being ONE...it was time to put some jammies on snuggle up with a monkey.

Happy Birthday, Birthday Boy!

The 400th POST!

Sunday, November 28, 2010

I can't believe this is the 400th blog post---Harrison is one busy boy!

I only have time to post a super cute photo from this morning...and let you know Harrison had a spectacular first birthday!

A full report and more photos to come!


Dear Harrison

Dear Harrison,



One year ago today you were born and there isn’t one day that doesn’t go by that I don’t thank God for having you in my life. You are my son, my miracle.


I thought I was living life until you became a part of our world. There was so much I was missing…Your smiles, cuddles and giggles make life so much more meaningful. If only I could put together words that could express my love for you I would. You have shown me that you are strong from day one fighting hard for 52 days before we could bring you home. The day you came home was the first time I ever got to hold you without a tube or a wire---this was one of the most amazing feelings I have ever felt. During those days in the NICU, you taught me how to become a mommy---maybe it’s not the way most mommies learn, but I wouldn’t change anything. Everything I and daddy went through was such a small price to pay to have you in our lives.


So much has changed since bringing you home as a tiny 8 week, 5 lbs 11 ounce baby. You went from sleeping as much as your lazy kitty brothers to now, as active as your big sister Whitney Dog. If someone would have told me one year ago today you would be where you are today---I would not have believed them for one minute. YOU ARE SO AMAZING! I often lie in bed in the early mornings and listen to you babble contently in your crib. I wonder what you are thinking about or dreaming about becoming. My only dream for is for you to be healthy and happy in life and to ALWAYS remember that everyday holds a possibility of a miracle.


Harrison, I want to thank you for everything you have done for me---I am better person for having you part of my life. You have taught me not to fret over the little (or even big) things…work, chores, cleaning, money---they all can wait, you only live once, enjoy EVERY moment, the other things will work themselves out.


As much as it saddens me you’re growing up much too fast---I am excited to see you on your first day of kindergarten, high school graduation, getting married and one day becoming an incredible father, just like your daddy.


I love you to the moon and back.






Love,


Mommy

MOMMA

Saturday, November 27, 2010

This post has one purpose and one purpose only... M-O-M-M-A.






I can't believe I neglected to blog about this for almost a week now!








Harrison's first word, MOMMA, MOMMA, MOMMA!






I don't think I could ever get tired of hearing it!






At this age, the text books say that Harrison may not understand I am Momma, but rather he just likes the way the word sounds or feels, but for my own sake I want to believe he intentionally knows I am MOMMA.


He will repeat Momma over and over in times of distress---like moments of the bath tub strike (see post below).  Before I could ignore little cries and whines, but crying momma simply breaks my heart. He's got me.

The bath tub strike (and other stuff)...

We are on day 5 of the bath-tub strike. Up until last Tuesday Harrison LOVE, LOVE, LOVED his baths. Today marked the official day 5 of not liking bath time.

We can't figure it out...he acts as though he has been through a traumatic experience---but until last Monday bath time was always a welcomed affair. The water isn't too hot, it's not too cold. We have tried with bath toys and without bath toys---nothing seems to soothe the frantic screaming and crying. I think I am at a total loss here. So, tonight halfway through his bath I got in the tub too...It took a good 2-3 minutes to calm him down, but as soon as I got out the frantic cries shrieked throughout the house (maybe the neighbors could hear as well)... So---I am seriously open to any suggestions on this one.

Next on this posts agenda is sleeping,... or should I say lack of it? In the last 14 days Harrison has slept through 1 night. We can blame 7 days on his ear infection and vomiting and the last 6-7 days on teething. Daddy was about to make a call for some dentures for Harrison...but as it looks Harrison is FINALLY about to sprout his first tooth (and it's about time). The medicine cabinet is stocked with Tylenol and Baby Oragel---bring on the teeth!


More stuff...Some sad news to report on is that Great Grandma Nelson was rushed to the hospital by ambulance Thanksgiving morning. We are taking things day by day, she is pretty sick. Great-Grandma, if you are able to read this or even if you can't, Harrison sends lots of hugs and kisses and says, G-Grandma, feel better soon---I am going to need you to make me some hats to cover my bald little head this winter. We all hope you get better soon.

A Mommy...

Thursday, November 25, 2010

This post is short and sweet wishing everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving today!

Life is very good---I am so thankful for so much, but I am most thankful to be part of a life to an amazing little boy that calls me momma.







Thanksgiving last year... 29 weeks pregnant


Everyone drive safely! And I must say the end to every Thanksgiving celebration should end with watching National Lampoons Christmas Vacation!

Madden turns ONE!

During Harrison's nearly two month stay in the NICU we met Chelsea and Madden. Madden was born just 7 days before Harrison weighing in at 1 lb 5 oz. Thier due dates were just two days away from each other. Our little guys had a lot of ups and downs during the stay, but both are here to celebrate their first bithdays which is proof that miracles can happen everyday!

 This one is just too precious!
 Harrison is after Madden's plug---"I'll take that"

 Madden's cake smash!

It was a fantastic birthday party Chelsea and your mom's cheesy potatoes ---- very awesome!

We are looking forward to a playdate sometime soon again!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Thank you, thank you, thank you Great Grandma Nelson for taking the time to not only croquet, but design all the props that went together to put Harrison's birthday book together.

The unveiling of the book was done at his birthday party---for those that couldn't make it I am posting a few photos from that book along with a little story line.

A little egg lay on a leaf...

Chowing on a pear!

 The hungry caterpillar is looking for some food...
 Look at all the food!
 The caterpillar ate through all of this!!!!
Now he is going to need a nap--a little hibernation into a cocoon...
 And now....he is a BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLY!

The book was A LOT of work---but totally worth it! It will certainly be a wonderful memory to a very eventful first year. We love you Harrison!

The big day!

The big day has come and gone...

Harrison's first birthday party was celebrated on Saturday, November 20th (he will turn one on November 28).

I am a little behind in posts, but that happens when you are a full time wife, mother and employee and some how find time to take photos in between all of that!
The birthday party was absolutely fantastic and what a good turn out we had, apparently Harrison is a pretty popular young man!

Part of Harrison's party favors...pretty darn cute I must add!
 This is just a glimpse at the hard work Great-Grandma Nelson put towards helping us recreate the story book Hungry Caterpillar through a Shutterfly photo book (I will be sure to post more of Harrison's illustrations in a later post).
Next--- on to the presents!

Present unwrapping was a little more unorganized than I had hoped and Harrison wasn't exactly much into it----and I will take total blame for that...planning a birthday party during nap time...shame on you mommy!


 



 The boys----bonding over toys---Fisher Price Farm was a hit!



Harrison got a Thomas the Train music book untop of getting

-Racing Cars (Zoomer)
-Alphabet Caterpillar
-Little People Zoo, Garage and Farm
-Push/Riding
-Books
-Cake Stacker
-Pajamas
-Bath Toys
-Clothes

This is just a few things he got--the list is practically endless. With all these new toys---there is no excuse for boredom Harrison!

I feel like our living room is starting to resemble a Toys R Us store. Harrison just doesn't take one toy out----nope every toy ends up out of the bin.  Then, he will empty Whitney's toy box. Could this be him resisting orders already by digging out all the toys? Quite possibly....  If so, we are in trouble!


Next stop...Cake SMASH #3

Little Cake





Big CAKE---I would love to take credit for this---but I am no Betty Crocker! Hy-vee did a spectacular job on this and I certainly think you will agree!





 Harrison, make a wish...
 Blowing out the candle...



It was a big day---All worn out!

Check back for more updates soon!

Blog Design by Nudge Media Design | Powered by Blogger