http://vimeo.com/32822983 Lets see if this works
TWO
Monday, November 28, 2011
I can be impatient (crazy to think, huh?). As you have seen I already posted a photo from Harrison's second year session on the top of the blog. Sometimes I just can't resist sharing!
This session was taken last month---which is technically not two, but for a birthday at the end of November, you never know if you will escape snow or not.
Being two, Harrison isn't a fan of doing anything he is told to do (imagine that). On the day of this session---the terrible two's were firing out (ironic as he is a little fire fighter).
This session was taken last month---which is technically not two, but for a birthday at the end of November, you never know if you will escape snow or not.
Being two, Harrison isn't a fan of doing anything he is told to do (imagine that). On the day of this session---the terrible two's were firing out (ironic as he is a little fire fighter).
Well, without further to do---here is Mr. Harrison Kelley, age TWO.
I love the smirk on his face on this next one, makes me smile.
And here is a little flash back to his first TWO year old session...
Ready to roll in the FIRE TRUCK!
So, here what was supposed to be a third and final session...
SEE?
It's BLANK.
Harrison decided he was happy with his first two sessions and didn't need anymore photos to ring in year TWO.
So as Porky Pig would say... "That's all folks"
Happy 2nd Birthday Harrison!
*Currently not working---working on finding out why the sound isn't working.
A special thank you goes out to my brother Eric for creating Harrison's second year of life in this AMAZING video. Please comment on this post and let him know what a great job he did!
Here is the link to his year one video as well
24 Month (TWO) Update
I tried my best over the past 2 years to keep the blog up to date plotting each mile stone met along with accomplishments and struggles and other fun stuff. My grammer, spelling and thoughts are sometimes scattered (but hey, that's me). I plan to continuing doing the same---I find keeping this blog really rewarding and scrolling back over these years makes me laugh, cry and smile. So, don't say I didn't warn you, there will be more of the same.
So getting on with the same...Here we go.
In the last 2 months we have seen a lot of changes in Harrison. His language is starting to pick up. Some of his favorite words include car, bus, Elmo, Mickey slide, cookie, fishy, puppy, elephant baby, please and he is fluent in the animal sounds, sheep, horse, duck, cow, monkey, kitty and imitates a gorilla beating his chest and walking like a penguin.
His imagination is soaring! Play has changed overall, he has introduced lots of sounds and imitation. He tries to help fix EVERYTHING. We have worn out the phrase, "if it's not broke, don't fix it." Favorite toys include cars, trucks, and fire engines. Daddy picked out the loudest set of rescue vehicles for his birthday, and what present did we give him early? You guessed it. Thank you daddy, now hand me the Tylenol.
Harrison's height and weight are up in the air. He refused to get weighed the last 6 times at the doctor and refuses to step on the scale at home, so finally last week I weighed us both and did the subration and he is about 26lbs (best of 3). Height wise, he seems so much taller, but I clearance shopped for him yesterday at Gymboree (one of my favorite stores) and bought him 18-24 month jeans. He swam in them all day. I guess we get out moneys worth out of them as he will probably be in them for at least a year or longer. On Friday Harrison has a 2 year check-up with Dr. Gerhard (his primary doctor). It seems like forever since we visited him (almost 6 months to the day). I would like to say that Harrison will get out of the appointment without shots, but he hasn't got his flu shot yet and I feel like a bad parent waiting this long to vaccinate him (which reminds me, I haven't got mine yet either). I am also hoping this appointment goes smoother than our last appointment with the immunologist, that was an experience worth forgetting. From what I read, reading to a toddler and getting them a doctor's kit to help ease their fears. From first hand experience, I can't say I agree with this.
Looking around our living room as I am typing this, I see books, and more books and more books. If Harrison isn't busy playing with cars/trucks or helping fix something that isn't broken, he can be found paging through books (which he is finally gentle with) and going through his touch and feel flash cards. These cards have been an awesome aide in getting him to talk and expand his vocabulary. Harrison was observed by a speech teacher a couple of weeks ago. Through the observation she noted Harrison was behind by about 3 months in language development, but his vocabulary still falls within acceptable for his age range. She was impressed with his ability to make different noises although she couldn't make out all the words they were having him repeat, but she likes the start. So at this time, no further intervention will be done. At home we will continue to work on sounds, sound effects as well as teach new signs and reward Harrison for using words and signs is what was suggested by the speech teacher. In January Harrison will be re-evaluated to see where he falls with his language. We have also been reminded that boys talk later and less than girls.
Some other things Harrison is advancing in is learning to take off and put on clothing. Sometimes he has patience and the task goes just fine and other times he is easily frustrated and just gives up. I would say he can take his own coat off about 75% of the time. We have noticed more of his Independence of trying to take off his shirt and pull up his pants. Socks and shoes are really difficult for him.
I love all the little things he does---most for attention, but still I have to love. The newest thing he started just in the last few days is pretending to hurt himself. He will come running or limping to me and say, "Owie, owie." He protests until you kiss his owie and make it feel better. Now this is what mommy's are supposed to do.
Behavioral issues persist. Hello, we are in the "terrible twos." The newest thing, throwing things or shall I say whipping them. I think he certainly has a future career in pitching fastballs. He also likes to climb more than ever and is getting more possessive in saying, "this is mine." There is still kicking, hitting, pinching and biting, which is done in moderation. When he attempts mis-behavior, he likes to see that you are directly observing him doing it---again for the attention. We have time outs to be very effective. Sometimes all we have to say to him is, "do you need a time out?" and behavior change is complete 360.
Nutrition is on the down-slide. Up until about a week ago---Harrison was the best eating toddler I knew. At his birthday party he ate everything in sight, which included 3 ham sandwiches, puppy chow, cake, gold fish and list goes on. For the past week I doubt if he has ate an complete meal or even a quarter of meal. We have never thrown away so much food. Makes you a cookie rather than woof down the whole thing---he hasn't even ate a whole can green beans this week, which is way out of his realm.
Potty training has been at a stand still. About 3 months ago we started introducing Harrison to the potty. He liked sitting on the potty and let us know when he did a number 1 and a number 2 and then everything stopped. From what I read, most likely this was just a phase, something new for him and once the newness ran out, he lost interest in it. Until yesterday it had been more than 2 months since I successfully got him to sit on the potty. To my amazement when I stepped out of the shower yesterday he was sitting on the potty. I asked him if he was going potty and he said, "yeah." He is also thrilled when you let him flush the potty. Baby steps in the right direction perhaps? We are striving to have him potty trained by summer.
Security blanket and plug. Harrison still clings to his blanket and plug (aka a pacifier). As parents I am sure some of you are shunning us for letting him still hold on to the plug. This is our choice. We use it at home and in the car. He goes 8 + hours a day without it at daycare and usually doesn't have it when we are out in public. I know there are those people out there that have a 4 or 5 year old with a plug talking out the side of their mouth---we do draw the line somewhere.
Bedtime is going better. Daddy struggles a little more with putting Harrison to bed as well as daycare drop off. I usually put him to bed 5 out of the 7 days a week and drop him off 3-4 times a week. I think what Harrison and I have is more of a "routine" or Harrison likes daddy better. :)
Some other fun things we do around here is play with play-dough, read books, play horsie, airplane, hide and seek, dance and watch Mickey and Elmo (over and over and over and over).
Life is good.
So getting on with the same...Here we go.
In the last 2 months we have seen a lot of changes in Harrison. His language is starting to pick up. Some of his favorite words include car, bus, Elmo, Mickey slide, cookie, fishy, puppy, elephant baby, please and he is fluent in the animal sounds, sheep, horse, duck, cow, monkey, kitty and imitates a gorilla beating his chest and walking like a penguin.
His imagination is soaring! Play has changed overall, he has introduced lots of sounds and imitation. He tries to help fix EVERYTHING. We have worn out the phrase, "if it's not broke, don't fix it." Favorite toys include cars, trucks, and fire engines. Daddy picked out the loudest set of rescue vehicles for his birthday, and what present did we give him early? You guessed it. Thank you daddy, now hand me the Tylenol.
Harrison's height and weight are up in the air. He refused to get weighed the last 6 times at the doctor and refuses to step on the scale at home, so finally last week I weighed us both and did the subration and he is about 26lbs (best of 3). Height wise, he seems so much taller, but I clearance shopped for him yesterday at Gymboree (one of my favorite stores) and bought him 18-24 month jeans. He swam in them all day. I guess we get out moneys worth out of them as he will probably be in them for at least a year or longer. On Friday Harrison has a 2 year check-up with Dr. Gerhard (his primary doctor). It seems like forever since we visited him (almost 6 months to the day). I would like to say that Harrison will get out of the appointment without shots, but he hasn't got his flu shot yet and I feel like a bad parent waiting this long to vaccinate him (which reminds me, I haven't got mine yet either). I am also hoping this appointment goes smoother than our last appointment with the immunologist, that was an experience worth forgetting. From what I read, reading to a toddler and getting them a doctor's kit to help ease their fears. From first hand experience, I can't say I agree with this.
Looking around our living room as I am typing this, I see books, and more books and more books. If Harrison isn't busy playing with cars/trucks or helping fix something that isn't broken, he can be found paging through books (which he is finally gentle with) and going through his touch and feel flash cards. These cards have been an awesome aide in getting him to talk and expand his vocabulary. Harrison was observed by a speech teacher a couple of weeks ago. Through the observation she noted Harrison was behind by about 3 months in language development, but his vocabulary still falls within acceptable for his age range. She was impressed with his ability to make different noises although she couldn't make out all the words they were having him repeat, but she likes the start. So at this time, no further intervention will be done. At home we will continue to work on sounds, sound effects as well as teach new signs and reward Harrison for using words and signs is what was suggested by the speech teacher. In January Harrison will be re-evaluated to see where he falls with his language. We have also been reminded that boys talk later and less than girls.
Some other things Harrison is advancing in is learning to take off and put on clothing. Sometimes he has patience and the task goes just fine and other times he is easily frustrated and just gives up. I would say he can take his own coat off about 75% of the time. We have noticed more of his Independence of trying to take off his shirt and pull up his pants. Socks and shoes are really difficult for him.
I love all the little things he does---most for attention, but still I have to love. The newest thing he started just in the last few days is pretending to hurt himself. He will come running or limping to me and say, "Owie, owie." He protests until you kiss his owie and make it feel better. Now this is what mommy's are supposed to do.
Behavioral issues persist. Hello, we are in the "terrible twos." The newest thing, throwing things or shall I say whipping them. I think he certainly has a future career in pitching fastballs. He also likes to climb more than ever and is getting more possessive in saying, "this is mine." There is still kicking, hitting, pinching and biting, which is done in moderation. When he attempts mis-behavior, he likes to see that you are directly observing him doing it---again for the attention. We have time outs to be very effective. Sometimes all we have to say to him is, "do you need a time out?" and behavior change is complete 360.
Nutrition is on the down-slide. Up until about a week ago---Harrison was the best eating toddler I knew. At his birthday party he ate everything in sight, which included 3 ham sandwiches, puppy chow, cake, gold fish and list goes on. For the past week I doubt if he has ate an complete meal or even a quarter of meal. We have never thrown away so much food. Makes you a cookie rather than woof down the whole thing---he hasn't even ate a whole can green beans this week, which is way out of his realm.
Potty training has been at a stand still. About 3 months ago we started introducing Harrison to the potty. He liked sitting on the potty and let us know when he did a number 1 and a number 2 and then everything stopped. From what I read, most likely this was just a phase, something new for him and once the newness ran out, he lost interest in it. Until yesterday it had been more than 2 months since I successfully got him to sit on the potty. To my amazement when I stepped out of the shower yesterday he was sitting on the potty. I asked him if he was going potty and he said, "yeah." He is also thrilled when you let him flush the potty. Baby steps in the right direction perhaps? We are striving to have him potty trained by summer.
Security blanket and plug. Harrison still clings to his blanket and plug (aka a pacifier). As parents I am sure some of you are shunning us for letting him still hold on to the plug. This is our choice. We use it at home and in the car. He goes 8 + hours a day without it at daycare and usually doesn't have it when we are out in public. I know there are those people out there that have a 4 or 5 year old with a plug talking out the side of their mouth---we do draw the line somewhere.
Bedtime is going better. Daddy struggles a little more with putting Harrison to bed as well as daycare drop off. I usually put him to bed 5 out of the 7 days a week and drop him off 3-4 times a week. I think what Harrison and I have is more of a "routine" or Harrison likes daddy better. :)
Some other fun things we do around here is play with play-dough, read books, play horsie, airplane, hide and seek, dance and watch Mickey and Elmo (over and over and over and over).
Life is good.
Happy B-Day my Big Guy
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Wow, you are TWO years old now. It just does not seem that you should be that old already. The first year felt like it went slow, but this last year flew by. It feels as if it were only yesterday that I got to hold you for the first time a couple days after you were born on December 1st, 2009. You were so tiny and I still keep that picture of my first time holding you on my car sun visor. Every time I look at that I think about how lucky I am to have you. Those first 7 and 1/2 weeks of your life were very difficult, but I am so happy that I got the chance to hold and see you 11 weeks before I should have. I feel that the extra time made me a better father because you helped me prepare for what to expect. Although, what I thought I would get was different from what I really got (ear infections, sleepless nights, projectile vomit, poop in the bathtub, diapers that cause paint to chip off the walls, poop on my hands, poop up your back, 2 hour car rides of non-stop crying, 3 am wake up calls, objects thrown at the family jewels, climbing on chairs/tables/toilets/toys, ruining books/toys, food on walls/floors/hair/clothes, empty wallet, terrible drop offs at daycare, breaking the air vent controls on the brand new car, biting, kicking....etc..... But even though I just listed a few of the difficult things that you have given me over the past 2 years, nothing can replace those amazing things that you show me every day. Some of my favorite things that you do is come running to the front door when I get home from a hard day at work yelling "DADDY, DADDY, DADDY!" with a huge smile on your face. I hope that next summer we will play in our little house and jam to music like we did this fall. You are just so funny sometimes that I just do not know what to do. I am so glad that I can get some of those moments on video. I know that some of these videos will make you want to hate me when you are in Junior High or High School, but all I have to say is too bad, you were difficult, so that will be my payback.
Always remember that when I am upset at you, I still LOVE you and no matter what you do I will always LOVE you.
Love,
The best dad in the world
Always remember that when I am upset at you, I still LOVE you and no matter what you do I will always LOVE you.
Love,
The best dad in the world
Memories last a lifetime...
I like taking trips down memory lane, let's do that now. And if your at work...take a break and join me, after all it's Monday and you don't want to be there anyways.
November 28, 2009
Awww... Look at this adorable couple.
Scary to think just a few short hours after these photos were taken we found ourselves in the ER in active labor. Just 2 hours after we arrived we welcomed Harrison into our family 11 weeks premature. To read his birth story click this link http://thekelleysbaby.blogspot.com/2009/12/harrisons-birth-story.html The memory of the day will always be vivid. It was the worst and best day our lives at the same time.
Here are Harrison's proud parents two years later.
We may not be as young or glamorous, but as the band Diamond Rio sings the song "Wrinkles" reminds me:
Those wrinkles ain’t nothin’ to be scared of
They’re just a product of time and true love
Some are gonna come and go
Some are gonna come and stay
I still feel young, I’m gonna be ok
As I get a little older, I’m startin’ to get a few
And I’m sure I gave Mom and Dad at least one or two
We’re all gonna have ‘em, there ain’t no doubt
But those wrinkles in life ain’t nothin’ you can’t iron out
There is no doubt we have been through a lot in the past two years, maybe more than some other families go through in many years time. But we look back and remind ourselves how lucky we are. How we are so blessed to have this little boy in our lives. With everything that could have went wrong, or how our lives might be different without him makes us count our blessings EVERY SINGLE day. Thanksgiving day we were driving in the car and Doug puts down his sun visor and photo falls to the floor.
Turning over the photo... Lay this picture.
He said, "I like this photo, it reminds me of how far we have come and how thankful I am."
Sitting on my desk at work is this photo
Guess you never get tired of looking at a memory.
Here is year's worth of memories...
I snapped this photo here, just a couple of hours ago. This is the only visible reminder on Harrison from the NICU
This scar most likely came from his respiratory sticker. It's been so long, I can't even remember the technical name of it. But with time, this is beginning to fade too.
Sweet boy :)
Jammie Fun
Saturday, November 26, 2011
How adorable are these pajamas? Or better phrased, how adorable is this photo? Or best stated how adorable is this little boy?
Welcome to a photo session Harrison style.
No matter what I do or say, I can't convince Harrison to love the camera. "No" is common expression I hear as soon as I take the camera off the shelf. One day he will patient enough to pose for me, but for now I'll take the exercise of chasing him around and capturing him being himself. Love this little boy.
2 years old in 2 days.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
We may still have our green grass and fall like temperatures (which I am not complaining about one bit), but with Thanksgiving already passed, it's time to get the Kelley household up and running for Christmas holiday season.
The Christmas tree went up the earliest it ever has, Thanksgiving night. I am finding myself in the Christmas spirit the most I have for years, maybe it's because I have so much to be thankful for.
The Christmas tree went up the earliest it ever has, Thanksgiving night. I am finding myself in the Christmas spirit the most I have for years, maybe it's because I have so much to be thankful for.
Putting the tree up this year was so much different than last year... At this time last year he was more interested in tasting the ornaments that putting them on the tree.
2010
2011
Enjoy these photos and the several to follow.
Whitney Dog takes a turn...
After putting these up...I realized Whitney Dog and Kitty's still need ornaments for 2011.
And my absolute FAVORITE :)
Harrison's two favorite words...
Thankful.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
We have so much to be thankful for. Not only do both Doug and I have steady jobs, a roof over our heads, an amazing little boy, a Whitney Dog, 2 Kitty's, a fishy and wonderful friends and family is just naming a few things. Taking time to reflect and look at our lives is pretty awesome....and it's something we do more than for Thanksgiving or for the holidays. Our lives have come so far and we are better people for what we have went through and look forward to where-ever life takes us.
Hoping you enjoyed a very Happy Thanksgiving Holiday.
Love,
The Kelley Family
Hoping you enjoyed a very Happy Thanksgiving Holiday.
Love,
The Kelley Family
Real-life captured.
STRIKE
I should be fast asleep in bed as I am pulling an all nighter tomorrow with mid-night madness shopping for black Friday and then watching a toddler ALL DAY (perhaps I haven't thought this through).
One of the gifts Harrison got for his birthday was bowling. Seems like he already has the hang of it,
The set came with cool Buzz light year rug, but it needs a day to straighten itself out from packaging.
Bowling over hand.
Caught you! Here he is cheating!
Check out this bowling stance...
Wait...you need a close-up.
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