{the blog}

26 Months (yesterday)

2012-01-29T21:52:00.003-06:00

Call me crazy, but as each month passes I want to write down every little thing that Harrison does...I don't want to forget anything. We are so thankful for every single day.

A story I follow online hit me hard this week. Two days ago a couple lost one of their premature twins Maddi. The twins were born at 24 weeks gestation on October 16, 2011. In honor of Maddi, Harrison and I are tying a note to a white balloon and letting it go on Valentines day. Not everyone gets the leave the hospital with their baby. We will be praying for big sister Izzy. If you would like to read their story and join Izzy's fight click HERE.

What better way to start off 26 months than this adorable photo?

26 things about 26 months

1. Sleeps with his plug and at least 3 blankets.

2. Loves Mickey Mouse.

3. Says, "mow, mow" for vacuum cleaners, lawn mowers, & motorcycles.

4. Surprised me by humming "twinkle, twinkle" for the first time on 1-25-12.

5. When asked a color of something, everything is green or purple.

6. Favorite food is grapes & lunch meat.

7. Starting to use two words like, "Where daddy?"

8. He wakes up every morning with as much energy and the energizer bunny,

9. Loves being tickled.

10. Still uses the signs, "more", "help", "please," "thank you."

11. We have to spell the words "outside" or we must act on immediately.

12. Can zip his coat (with some help getting started)

13. Loves to wear his mittens in the house

14. Word used most often, "yeah."

15. Loves Llama. Llama books---we own every single copy, newest one ordered.

16. Pretends to put make-up on with me in the mornings.

17. Favorite toy: Play-dough

18. One word for potty training: NO

19. Identified the letters H, D, M tonight during bath time.

20. Always eager to help Mommy in the kitchen, knows where the mixing bowls and spoons are.

21. Will practically do anything with the incentive of watching Play House Mickey.

22. Has the attention span of a 2 year old.

23. Can independently put together 5 peg puzzles

24. Still has some separation anxiety issues at daycare drop off

25. Love to catch him dancing when he doesn't know I am watching.

26. Gives the best hugs and kisses

There are just some days that you need to sit back a take a look at your life and appreciate it for everything that it is.

Life is beautiful.

TGIF {first Pinterest post}

2012-01-29T00:29:00.000-06:00

I love Fridays.

For those that don't know me well, I am fortunate to work 4 day work weeks--having every Friday off. I wouldn't consider it a day free from work itself (laundry, cleaning, cooking & picking up after a 2 year old). Despite having to fit chores in for the day, it's also a bonus day that Harrison and I get to hang out.

Harrison loves to help....with EVERYTHING. Honestly on of his favorite thing is to scrub the toilet. Crazy this mom lets him clean it and crazier I post of photo of him doing it. No real every day life should go ignored.

Love his Pjs? Sky diving. They were a $5 steal Old Navy. I love after Christmas Clearance shopping.

After chores comes some fun!

I have done countless posts of Harrison cooking/baking since he was a year old. Seriously, this child will do anything (except sit on a potty) if you mention cooking or baking. Sometimes I don't even need to say anything and he walks out to get me with a mixing spoon. Thank goodness we eat everyday, so there is plenty of opportunities to help out.

Friday Harrison and I created two of my pins from Pinterest. Still don't know what Pinterest is? Click HERE.

AGENDA: Peanut Butter Cup Brownies and Pizza Casserole.

First up? Yummy Peanut Butter Cups.

First: put the ingredients in.

Then, stir

stir...

and stir...

Love the excitement on these next 3 shots.

Shot #1

Shot #2

and shot #3

Hey---you, sneaking in a bite.

Yep...you were caught.

Yes, you with the chocolate smile.

We used a mini muffin pan

and measured the peanut butter.

Next we used a tooth pick to create holes for the peanut butter.

We were both messy with the peanut butter. Turns out to be almost impossible to get the peanut butter in the holes.

Despite telling Harrison "gentle, gentle," things got a little rough.

MMMMMM...chocolate chips and peanut butter chips.

Look at this face of concentration. LOVE.

and...the finished product, YUM.

I don't think there is a face that I don't love...LOOK AT THIS ONE!

Or how about this one?

If you would like the recipe for Peanut Butter Cup Brownies, click HERE (trust me, you do).

Next up...Pizza Casserole.

With Harrison's 2 year old attention span I didn't think he would be interested in continuing helping me with my pins, but he surprised with bountiful energy so I kept the camera rolling.

First the noodles

then the meat

sauce and CHEESE.

I've never met a child so excited about sprinkling cheese.

Want this recipe too? Click HERE.

After baking and cooking, we headed outside to "paint" the snow...another pin from Pinterest.

These are the only two peeks you get, I am saving the rest for another post.

Want to see this pin too? Click HERE.

A great day, brought to you by Harrison, Mommy & Pinterest.

Oh and the excitement won't stop anytime soon, I finally got a portable island for the kitchen---yeah for more counter space!

Oh and we can't forget daddy, he got a 51 inch plasma flat screen TV. I guess we are finally moving up to the 21 century around here. I even agreed to finally get an i-phone (after tax return that is). I have a love/hate relationship with technology---I love it, it hates me.

Linked 52: Tired

2012-01-27T05:00:00.000-06:00

I love sweet, simple and so peaceful shots like this.

If your counting..this next photo currently has four blankets. He is laying on top of two more, grand total: six.

Nap time is a good thing..a welcomed good thing.

And ironic I sit down to post this entry and this is happening right next to me, so here is a tired bonus.

They fight over this snowman blanket everyday---the little one always wins.

Be sure to check out everyone else participating in Linked 52 (and show them some love---all so talented)

Stacey, Michelle, Tracey, Heather, Andrea, Jenn, Jessica, Amanda, Kristin, Sara, Tracy, Lesli, Janet, Naomi, Rhonda, Rose, Carla, Lena, Heidi, Veronica, Heather

My newest addiction (and some pretty cute photos)

2012-01-26T00:13:00.001-06:00

I used to think I could become a professional blogger, keeping up to date with everyday in life by posting photos and words. But then I met Pinterest. Ahh--this a horrible (and I mean horrible) addiction. I thought my addiction to Facebook and ESTY was bad...but Pinterest is obsolete.

For those that don't know what Pinterest is...I suggest skipping this paragraph and moving on---sparing yourself. Basically what Pinterest is, is a collection of contributors that put their home improvement ideas, decorating, wedding, photography, pets, food and my favorite category words (which is a collection of quotes) into photos and sharing those for others to like, create and repin. I feel like such a computer nerd---between editing photos and feeding my addictions. So with said...I am now going to do a Pinterest post a week (yep---more feeding of this big, FAT, addiction). The post will range from a wide variety of stuff from organization, crafts, to yummy foods, and my FAVORITE photography. The ideas and posts will all be from Pinterest. If you want to know more about Pinterest click HERE. If you would like to check Pinterest for yourself click HERE and don't say I didn't warn you!

Now---on to a few photos from the past couple of weeks (which is a rather unorganized collection)

The sweetness behind these two photos has a secret.

Those shots were taken by Harrison.

Seems I was going through a bunch of stuff over the weekend & found the remote for the camera.

We went bowling last weekend. This was Harrison's second time going and he got his first strike...SHOW OFF! :)

FLASH BACK:

I think the strike was well earned...seems he has grown a lot since his first bowling attempt. (March 2010)

We are currently working on learning colors---according to Harrison everything is purple or green, you have to love toddlers.

On top of watching Club House Mickey, we also play with Play-Dough every. single. day. Here is a ever so cute shot of Auntie Potter with her little man (that's not so little anymore).

I guess maybe Harrison should share the spot-light with his sister and daddy.

On Saturday we attended this young man's (Micah) first birthday party.

It's no surprise Harrison enjoyed the cake.

He enjoyed it again tonight during Micah's cake smash session.

Here is a little of the behind the scenes from Micah's session this evening. You could say he is stealing the show, but seriously, how much more adorable can that face get?

This is the first time in months he willing sat on back drop---I am thinking something sweet will have to be incorporated into a session so I can get sweet Valentine photos that I have yet to attempt. Correction---I did one attempt and decided to give up, but I am reconsidering,

He has changed a lot since his first cake smash:

This last one is just a few hours old... He fell asleep during our bed time story.

I can't resist these piggies...10 loves.

2 year NICU Veteran

2012-01-21T14:02:00.003-06:00

January 19 will be a day that we will never forget. This January 19 marked the second anniversary of the second best day of my life.

This date marks the anniversary of long road of fighting.

Here is a poem that means so much to me, I have posted it several times before---but it's worth posting and reading again.

It's the little things that make life worth living,

It's the little things that help us make it through.

I never knew how true those words were,

Until I first set my eyes on you.

I feared because it was too early;

I cried because it was too soon. Yet I underestimated

The strength in one as small as you. You were born a fighter, a warrior;

You would not quit nor move on.

You strove, you fought, you tried, Until your battle was won.

When hope might have faded, When the trial seemed too great,

A tiny child, despite the odds, Fought what was thought fate.

And a little baby triumphed, A baby thought too small to live,

A baby knew that life Is the most precious thing to give.

Need a memory of last year's celebration? Click HERE.

This year we celebrated with cake and Thomas.

A new pillow for a 2 year NICU Veteran

Linked 52: Breakfast

2012-01-20T00:33:00.001-06:00

I made 9 pancakes for dinner... apparrently a hit; this was what was left.

And seriously he ate several more bites after this when I sat down eat. This boy can eat!

I couldn't just share one photo for this week's linked post.

Make sure check out the posts of several other (far more talented than I) photographers from linked 52.

Naomi
Rhonda
Tracey
Heather A.

Black & White

2012-01-20T00:33:00.000-06:00

If you haven't noticed...I am a huge fan of color photos, but sometimes that black and white just blends a photo so perfectly I can't help but LOVE.

Before temperatures in Minnesota plummeted lower than in Antarctica (true fact I learned this morning on the local news) we played outside.

Honest to goodness truth Harrison isn't wearing any socks in these photos and not by my choice I must add. When I buckled him in his car seat to leave daycare that afternoon I noticed he wore his fuzzy Croc shoes without any socks. Hmmmm, strange I thought... a lot of things go missing at daycare, but I must say this was a first without any socks.

When we arrived home I unbuckled him and set him down next to me and proceeded to unload my bags when I heard a shriek of excitement and he ran and jumped into the snow bank at the end of our driveway. He was sock less, glove less and hat less. I tried to convince him to come inside and he made it as far as the porch and sat down---protesting going in. I grabbed his hat, mittens, boots and the camera. We made it as far as the hat and mittens, but the boots laid next to the door as he ran back to heap of snow.

Someone needs to tell this child that winter has came to Minnesota, he insists on mowing the snow. Fisher Price needs to get a move on designing a snow blower.

Whitney dog enjoyed some rolls in the snow too.

They really are best friends.

Anniversary

2012-01-18T21:50:00.000-06:00

Tomorrow marks two years ago that I got to hold our little boy for the first time without a single wire, tube or monitor connected to him. After 52 days in the NICU, we finally got to bring home our 3 pound miracle.

Words can not ever describe the feeling, the urning to have him home with us. For those long days in the NICU, the hardest part of every single day was walking out of the hospital without your baby. I have always wondered why the main hospital door had to be the door where the happy mothers were discharged from the hospital with their babies. Yes, so not only did we have to leave the hospital without our baby, we also had to walk past the moms and their new babies waiting for the car to be pulled up to leave the hospital and go home. There were days I avoided that door, taking the under ground tunnel or some other route out of the hospital to spare my heart some extra grief. For a long period of time I couldn't go to the store or out to a resturant without having an emotional break-down---there were babies everywhere and I was so jealous of these other mommys and their babies.

Harrison's prematurity changed me as a person...as much as I was mad at God and mad at the world for allowing this to happen; I am now a much more giving, patient and thankful being. I have learned the reality that life is unpredictable and whatever life hands you, you make the best of it. It's always easier said than done, but I am trying to find some good in what I deem bad.

Harrison's prematurity encouraged us to join the March of Dimes---with the hope of someday that all babies will be born healthy. In the mean time we are raising money and awareness so that less babies are born too soon.

Harrison, you are God's greatest gift to us. Thank you for teaching me everyday to be a kid again...life's too short not to enjoy all the little moments.

We are blessed. Happy second anniversary home with your mommy, daddy & Whitney Dog.

Lots of love BIG GUY!

It's Winter...finally.

2012-01-16T00:32:00.002-06:00

O.k.---maybe just one more.

Whether we like it or not...(and I don't like it) winter had to eventually make it's way to Minnesota.

Paying a price of shoveling, chapped lips and cold toes is worth it when you capture this.

Notice changes?

2012-01-16T00:09:00.001-06:00

I won't pretend to be tech savvy...I am about as far as it from that. But, I am excited I figured some things out lately. I am sure you have noticed the new header to the page. I can finally embed a link: meaning you click on words and it takes you to a link. Hey, folks for me, that is something I can celebrate. (I swear sometimes technology gets the best of me). I have also added pages, located right under the new header. Be sure to check them out. I most recently added March for Babies and will have the information up soon. This weekend spent accomplishment. I also managed to add some photos to the pages in my photography blog (still have lots of add, but it's a start), shoot and edit a cake smash session, go bowling, sledding, shopping, have a lunch outing, played at Chucky-E-Cheese and organized my closet and jewelry box. I am thankful for my half-day at work tomorrow.

Goodnight.

Smurf blue paper

2012-01-15T17:02:00.000-06:00

On my photography side I had a cake smash session yesterday. (You can view that session by clicking HERE). After cutting off a chocolaty frosting section, Harrison had a blast with the paper scraps. It was seriously the most fun I have ever seen him have with just about anything. This makes Doug and I wonder if Santa was out down by sticky Smurf blue paper.

As much as I always try to have the camera handy---it was packed away in it's home when Harrison met Smurf blue paper, so I will fill you in on what you missed and if I ever find the time to post the video, I will.

First Smurf blue paper was used a a telescope, secondly it was used to hide under, thirdly it was a blanket for Whitney and FINALLY here is frame of photos:

Smurf blue paper was used to jump on, color and fix...

Seems Harrison thought he could repair the destruction.

Thank you Smurf blue paper for these memories.

Finally time to play again!

2012-01-14T07:28:00.000-06:00

If you haven't check out this week linked 52 post, you should: click here.

Now that we are finally on the mend--it's time to start playing and becoming a two year old and mommy again.

Linked 52: COLD

2012-01-13T06:54:00.001-06:00

Another week has flown by WAY too fast. This week's theme for linked 52 is COLD. This couldn't have been timed any better as we Minnesotans just got our second true snow fall of the year (yes, it's January folks)---seems the COLD has arrived and is here to stay. On the upside? Only 67 days until the first day of spring.

If you haven't noticed I've, (we've) been MIA all week---seems COLD has got the best of our family. Runny nose-check, watery eyes-check, sore throat-check, gunky cough-check, days in bed-check. We have been living on orange juice and popsicles and not to mention supporting Kleenex by the boxes.

I snapped this one over the weekend, not ever intending it to be this weeks theme, but as I popped in the memory card to sit down and edit this weeks photos, nothing else fit as perfectly as this one did.

Be sure to check out my other friends participating in linked 52

Stacey
Michelle
Heather
Andrea
Jenn
Jessica
Amanda
Kristin
Sara
Lesli
Janet

Under-the-weather

2012-01-07T23:40:00.000-06:00

It's been nearly three months since Harrison had his last cold and 4 months since his last ear infection (which was some outrageous infection #14). Good health this time last year, this was completely unheard of. Other than having a stomach bug a few weeks ago, he's been healthy and we have so much to be thankful for.

Harrison starting running a low grade temp on Thursday at daycare. Yesterday morning he slept in until 9:30 am. Yes, you read correctly 9:30! And after a successful morning of play he laid down again for another 3.5 hour nap. All this napping got me thinking that quite possibly this wasn't a such a good thing.

He woke up this morning with a cold and it's progressively gotten worse throughout the day. He continues to run a low grade fever, has a runny nose and has a croupy cough and he is just plain miserable. He vomited twice today from the congestion. Tonight, thus far he hasn't slept well.

Even though this is just a cold, it's hard to hear his deep cough a little whimpers and not feel for him.

I snapped a few photos of him resting on our bed this morning. So peaceful and sweet. I can even still hear his little snores when I look at this photo.

The shot is a little grainy but I was not about to turn on the light and disturb him from his sweet dreams.

Feel better soon my "big guy"

Linked 52: Week One: Newness

2012-01-06T18:14:00.001-06:00

I've been trying to figure out what photo challenge (project) to embark on this year... There are so many out there, I guess I hadn't realized.

However, I started reading a new blog over Christmas and it came pretty clear to me I wanted to participate with this photographer and the small group of photographers that post weekly (on Fridays) for this project called Linked 52.

The challenge is photographing the theme of week. To start of the New year the theme is "newness" this week. Every week I plan to incorporate Harrison in the challenge, even if it's only his feet!

WEEK ONE: NEWNESS

What does "newness" mean to me?

Newness is more than brand new pair new pair of shoes, but rather the new places these shoes will take you. Will these new shoes stay clean for long or will they go for a dip in the puddles and mud? Will they get covered in the dust from chalk and pea gravel and go for spin in the washing machine? Will they get scuffed kicking a ball or jumping over cracks? Will these shoes go on long walks and trips to the park? Will they be taken off to dump the sand out of them only to be covered by a glob of melting ice cream?

What does newness mean to you and where will it take you?

Sunset

2012-01-06T14:59:00.003-06:00

This post may not be Harrison related, nor Kelley family related, but I wanted to share some pretty cool photos I took at sun set/moon rise last night.

Due to warm weather during the day and cool temperatures at night, we get colors like this at dusk.

I sometimes wish we didn't always live right in town with so many power lines and houses...This one was taken right on the cornor of Broadway, a block up from the house.

These next two were taken from the end of our driveway. Moon is making an apperance in this next one.

I was hoping for another sunset tonight...but so far we are sunless today.

Mega blocks & Whitney Dog

2012-01-06T14:44:00.002-06:00

You may have noticed an increase in posts lately. Harrison has found it hilarious to be goofy in front of the camera which means I get a ton of super silly, fun photos. Whatever has gotten into him...I love it!

Here is mega blocks knocking over party from Wednesday evening. The children play together well.

Heart Art Project #1

2012-01-06T14:17:00.000-06:00

Valentines Day is my favorite holiday...it's extra special day to celebrate love, what's not to love about that?

I decided to keep up a little tree for the month of February and decorate it with hearts, garland and lights.

The dilemma I have, is that I don't have any decorations to put on it....until now that is.

This is project #1 of our Heart Art Tree.

To be honest...I hadn't planned on taking photos of this, but I have learned to keep the camera handy for the "just in case" moments. I am thankful for that today!

After we painted the hearts Harrison was excited for the glitter glue...turns out the lids pop if you squeeze them too hard.

The camera was whipped out for the glitter explosion that not only happened once, but twice.

I treasure my Fridays home with Harrison, there is no place else I would rather be.

Buzz, Foam, Razor

2012-01-06T09:48:00.000-06:00

I heart the end of the aisle clearance at Target. I picked up this Toy Story shaving kit for a mere $2.48.

And a look of utter disgust...he tasted it.

Guess he thought it was silly...mommy did too.

Did I miss a spot?

Oh the fun we had this week during bath time...there will certainly be more foam shaving posts in the future---certainly one with daddy!

Harrison slept in until 9:30 this morning...Happy Friday!

Hand-Made Goodness

2012-01-02T21:28:00.000-06:00

A couple of post ago, I promised quilt photos.

Harrison loves his new quilt, hand made from Great-Grandma Otto.

I hung the quilt up tonight to snap a few photos of it and believe it or not Harrison decided to get in on a couple of the shots. It may have took a little coaxing to help sit in, but he did it! Those of you who think photographing Harrison is easy, you couldn't be more than wrong, he is one of the hardest kids when it comes doing what he told in front of the camera. I most often hear, "NO."

I guess I should embrace every session, he just wants me to improve and keep challenging myself.

The talent, hard work and time put in to this blanket is absolutely priceless. There is a whole other row of the quilt above this, but only so much fits into one photo.

Doing what little boys do the best, playing.

A bit of Christmas goodbyes

2012-01-02T13:47:00.000-06:00

We may all still be in our pajamas at noon today, but at least we were productive taking down the Christmas tree this morning.

I actually think Harrison had more fun taking down the tree than putting it up, the expressions on the left and right confirm.

A precious keepsake....an ornament made by Harrison at daycare.

Like I just said, he really got into this...

Carrying Whitney's ordament in his mouth. I guess our kids are more a like than we thought.

On the left he is looking to see if there are any ordaments left, to the right he is signing, "all done."

Reindeer feet...can't get enough of them.

The tree has a 10 year warranty...I wonder if the box does too? Duct tape of many colors holds what is left of the cardboard.

Even the artificial trees loose their needles.

Harrison had to say goodbye to Santa....

Here are a few shots of that i took of Harrison and daddy while I was cleaning up the needles and glitter on the floor.

"fixing the engine"

Changing out the wheels

Practicing his fine motor skills.

Yeah....no more tree, more space for Harrison.

First post of 2012, trip to the Childrens Museum & one last Christmas

2012-01-02T00:27:00.001-06:00

I guess you get a little bit of everything in this post, hence the title of this post.

I honestly still can't believe we are officially in 2012 or maybe it's me not wanting to stick to those new years resolutions already. I actually set several resolutions this year, most of them personal, but I will share one of them. The one I am willing to share is dealing with saving money. I don't plan on stocking the savings account to the top, but I would like to save some money. Tonight I started out well by printing coupons off line and cutting them out of the Sunday paper. By no means will I become an extreme couponer, but I see spending a little time clipping coupons and searching the web, worth my time. I am also going to work on a little less, "but Harrison needs this" attitude (which will definitely be my biggest struggle).

We have had busy New Years weekend, which is making me so glad that we don't return to work until Tuesday. Yes, I said W-E. Now that the holiday season is over until Easter (with the exception of Valentines Day), I get to temporarily get my husband back and Harrison gets his Daddy back. As much as I love the holiday season, it's nice to have it done for year and something to look forward to next year.

Before we call the holiday season "finished, " we had one more Christmas with Doug's side of the family on Saturday evening. We all get rooms at a hotel, eat pizza and ride the elevators; it's practically a toddler dream. Harrison also got to play at MOA Nickelodeon World, riding Blues Clues, the Big Rig and Barnyard roller coaster.

What more could a toddler want?

More presents?

Yep. A second Christmas meant more presents. Harrison could hardly contain his excitement. Loading the presents in the car to take the cities was perhaps one of the cutest things Harrison has ever done. After breakfast that morning he got down from his chair and stopped in his tracks. I was kind of wondering why he stopped, when he suddenly threw his arms up in the air (as if he was saying, "touch down") and ran to the kitchen. PRESENTS. We never put any presents under our tree this year, with the exception when Santa dropped off our gifts, so in other words, these presents were in hiding. He was saddened to find out that the gifts weren't for him. However, that evening I think was pretty pleased to take home a bunch of loot. Right now he favoring his new baby puppy---I should clarify it's a toy puppy. He got this fur real pet from Auntie April. It makes puppy noises, opens and closes it eyes and Harrison can feed it a bottle, it even looks like Whitney Dog.

Harrison was on the go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go last night and in light of having a bunch of keeper photos from Christmas day, I didn't chase Harrison around with the camera all night.

I did however, snap this one right before Harrison and I headed to bed for the evening.

He loved Grandma Judy's new video recorder.

Next, Harrison and I headed down to the snack shop to get the proper New Years Eve treat....Chips Ahoy cookies. We purchased two packs, after all tomorrow is a whole new year of resolutions, might as well ring out the 2011 in chocolaty goodness. We grabbed our cookies and cuddle in bed reading "The Little Blue Truck" four times in a row and watching the ball drop from the comfort of cookie crumb filled sheets.

Today, we had a play date at the St. Paul's Children's Museum, or I guess better stated, mom had a play date. I hardly ever get to see my good friend Jenna who lives in the cities and shares the same love for photography as I do. Our little boys are 4 months to the day apart. Jenna also has a adorable nearly 3 month little girl---talk about BUSY, no wonder I never get to see this girl!

I think I have done 3 or 4 posts from the museum in the past, so here are just a few of shots from the day.

Walking on stilts with a freshly painted face, done my Harrison himself. Impressive if I do say so myself!

We were back in the bus again today.

Next we got to see some reptiles, Harrison was practically first in line to touch.

After the turtles Harrison felt like sauteing onions.

On our way home tonight we stopped to visit Great-Grandma Otto. Harrison was a little (or a lot) cranky with napping only about 20 minutes for the whole day...but he was cheered up by leaving with cookies and hand made quilt. I can't wait to post some photos of the quilt. I am hoping Harrison will be cooperative for a few shots with it, regardless I will be posting photos of the quilt.

Tomorrow begins the day of taking Christmas decorations down and resuming to "normal" life again. The next big outing is planned for the end of Feb. with trip to Wisconsin Dells with some friends. Maybe my coupon resolution savings with allow me to save some money for some Tanger Outlet Shopping, oh how I do love shopping!

Goodbye 2011

2011-12-30T21:17:00.001-06:00

I don't think I am quite ready to say goodbye to 2011. There are a lot of people ready to leap into 2012, wanting to just be done with 2011, not me.

2011 brought a lot of happiness for our family. Sometimes life seems rushed whether you are looking forward to a vacation, trying to hurry a crappy week at hoping to fast forward the months of winter to get to the warm weather again. Since we welcomed Harrison into our family, my whole appreciation for life and time has changed.

In 2009 when I was pregnant with Harrison I remember wanting what was supposed to be the expected 9 months to just fly by so we could meet our baby and then after he was born and I wished those 52 LONG days he spent in the NICU would just pass quickly to get him home. 2010 brought us a lot of challenges with Harrison health, his immature immune system held him back. We were told with time, he immune system would mature, so again we wished time to pass quickly.

2011 has been a whole other world. I think we are finally starting to relax and getting to be parents of a healthy child for the first time and it's a pretty awesome thing. I love being a mom, it's the best feeling in the entire world.

In celebration of 2011, here are my favorite 11 photos from 2011.

January 19, 2011---Celebrating one year from coming home from the NICU.

This next one sits in a frame in my office at work.

"You scream, I scream, we all scream for ice-cream"

Looking exceptionally cute at his 19 month session.

So, if I really had to pick, this would be my favorite photo from 2011.

Fishing in the arches with a pole Grandpa Nelson made.

Favorite family photo of the 3 of us. A huge thank you to my friend Jenna who did this session for us while she was very pregnant.

Celebrating turning two. Love the frosting on their faces.

So I kind of cheated on this one, it's one BIG photo.

#10

Both of our children, one is just hairier than the other.

#11

Our 2011 Christmas family photo complete with snow.

2011 may be coming to an end, but I am happy we have 10,000 plus photos to remember it all. If you haven't thought about it already, it's another reason to invest in a good camera, cell phones camera's don't count.

Happy 2011 and well wishes for 2012.

25 Months

2011-12-28T23:53:00.002-06:00

I made a promise exactly a month ago today that I will continue to keep updating the blog monthly about this amazing little boy. Looking back over the months to see all the accomplishments is so rewarding---he is such a miracle.

You know a lot of people told me that babies are fun, but when they become toddlers they are REALLY fun. I honestly couldn't imagine things getter any better, (he was already so much fun and the love of our lives). But, just when you think, life couldn't get any better, it does. The country star Brad Paisley sings a song about this and it couldn't ring any truer.

It's awesome to have two year old.

Our weekends are spent dancing, playing with play-dough, cooking in the kitchen, watching train movies (Polar Express & Thomas the Train), "fixing things" doing peg puzzles and reading books. His favorites book are "Little Blue Truck" and Llama, llama books." We bought him the sequel to blue truck for Christmas. He also loves the author Sandra Boynton--we have several of her books.

Harrison's communication continues to grow steadily. He uses a lot of signs at the same time as he talks. He is doing a good job repeating words if we ask him. We have yet to hear any -W-T-words. I know there are a few more, but of coarse I can't think of them right now. His closest W word would be Whitney. He regularly uses some newer words and phases such as "all clean," "open," "close" "brrrrr," "stuck," "fishy," "Santa," "Whoa," "Oh, no," "Up," "poop," "airplane" and "on/off." He also starting signing "drink" instead of standing by the fridge whining. His vocabulary may be limited, but he can understand almost everything you ask him to do. Over the last few weeks we have also taught Harrison to take our hands when he wants something and take us to it---this has cut his melt downs in half. Such cuteness the other day...He came and got me and took me to the window and pointed out the window at our neighbors porch where there is a giant blow up Santa and he enthusically says, "Santa, Santa." Minutes later he came and got Doug and did the same thing. We have also been working on our ABCs and numbers. He doesn't have a lot of interest right now, but it's not too early to start. In fact the other day I said, "A," B," and Harrison said, "C," "D." So I guess maybe he is paying attention when I feel like I am getting ignored.

Health wise---Harrison couldn't be doing better. I can't remember the last cold he had---SERIOUSLY, not joking! He did have a stomach bug a couple of weeks ago as did practically the whole daycare center. He missed a day of daycare and was back to himself the next day---he even escaped the diarrhea most kids got with it as well.

Grazing. The greatest struggle we have come across is Harrison's constant grazing of food all day long. His primary doctor said that many toddler's fall into this habit. Obviously this isn't something we run into to at daycare, but nights and weekends he is constantly asking for food, and not eating proper meals. This is really our faults---we allowed the grazer to form. In the past week we made snack time, only at the table, he isn't allowed to bring around the house, which would be his preference. He has also got in the habit of constantly having something when we are at the grocery store/shopping. We replaced that constant grazing with a sucker, which he gladly accepts. The greatest challenge will be sticking to our guns on this.

Lovey, lovey. I would say in the past month Harrison's loviness have grown. He is constantly hugging Whitney. He wraps his blanket around her and lays his head down on her. The boy is smitten with his dog. At daycare pick ups I am greeted by more hugs and always get my goodnight kisses.

Patience. I never thought I would say this, but I am impressed with Harrison's patience as opposed to where it was just a couple of months ago. He does a good job listening.

Testing. Harrison continues to test us often, daily in fact to see what he can get a way with. Harrison reads like a text book if you open it up to a toddler section. With testing comes time outs, but he has been able to avoid some of the time outs by straightening out his behavior/actions with the threat of a "time out."This is also another nice relief. As far as physical, his biting has improved, and his kicking has increased.

Potty training. Potty training is nowhere where I would like it to be. It's a fact that most boys are not potty trained completely until the age of 3 1/2. I don't want Harrison to be a part of that fact, but I know if we push him to use the potty when he isn't ready can prolong the potty training process. The problem is, he doesn't like to sit on the potty and when he does sit on it, it's not for more than 10 to 15 seconds and he is back up again. To try to convince him that he needs to sit down is like asking pigs to fly---not going to happen. Though he has refusal to use the potty---he still shows signs of readiness. Tonight he said, "I pooped." So signs are promising. For now, I guess we wait. We are however, going to have him start sitting on the toilet at diaper change times at daycare. He does things for them, that he won't for us, so I am hoping this will be a jump forward for at home.

Separation anxiety. I am only going to mention that it's still in full swing---I just devoted and entire post to it last week. The positive thing is, since that post, he has slept through 2 whole nights (not in a row). Maybe we can make two in a row tonight? I would like to say I am optimistic, but I am not.

I know I am leaving out a ton of details and updates---I went in to this entry prepared and have slowly dwindled away. I guess that's because it's nearly midnight.

Expect more updates throughout the month and another big update next month this time. Harrison is 25 months today---a full fleged two year old.

If you haven't checked out the Christmas, Water Painting, Laser or Christmas Even post/videos, you should or you will be missing out.

And here is a shout out (if you have made it through this whole post)---comment on this thread on FB or comment on this entry or even become a follower. Harrison loves his fans.

Goodnight.

Water Painting

2011-12-26T21:29:00.001-06:00

Since Santa delivered a bunch of gifts yesterday...we were busy playing with EVERYTHING today. Normally Harrison's attention span isn't long (but has increased), but today, it really was the shortest I've ever seen. Maybe that's why nap time landed at 11:30 this morning. He was zooming all over the house, I was exhausted trying to keep up. On top of his zooming, he was being hilarious and instead of saying "no" the moment I got the camera out, he got even sillier. I only wish I could snap photos and video at the same time. I need more appendages.

I'll do the narrations above the photos...I'm too lazy to do the fun side captions, I've edited a gazillion x-mas photos today, so my apology to start.

Santa brought Harrison a painting book that only requires water with the paint brush and the colors magically appear.

Action.

Getting silly.

Getting sillier licking the paint brushes.

A mischievous smile.

A bigger mischievous smile (with a giggle)

Drinking the paint brush water. I guess he likes to be resourceful.

All done.

Puppy Treats

2011-12-26T21:03:00.002-06:00

Thank you holiday clearance. I've been looking at buying this puppy dog treat mix since it hit the shelves at Target. Yeah for half off. I probably would have waited for 75% off, but there weren't many left, so we bought two batches. We baked one batch this afternoon and are saving the other for a rainy/snowy day.

Harrison has definitely been busy with me in the kitchen this holiday season. He really loves to bake and help out in any way that he can. He knows where the mixing bowls are, what ones we use and what spoons we use to mix things up. With plenty of practice he is definitely improving his mixing, pouring, stirring and rolling coordination. I like when we can incorporate something fun into building his fine motor skills.

Oh....and I better warn you, these are some super cute shots.

Look at that face....LOVE THIS.

We really do have one of the most photogenic dogs. Isn't she sweet?

Yep...doesn't get any cuter than this. My favorite photo EVER of these two.

I really appreciate the holidays when I get to spend and extra day at home with Harrison. We sleep in, lounge in our pajamas until lunch, play, nap and play. I honestly don't know if I could ever be a productive stay at home mom, we have too much fun playing.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-26T13:20:00.001-06:00

Santa came, Santa came! Presents, presents---right away!

Harrison had no trouble opening presents this year. None at all.

A remote control toddler fire truck.

Daddy makes a pretty good present too.

The classic Mr. Bucket game.

I guess this one way to open a present:)

I like the little things...

Some Whitney love and wrapping.

Diggers are among one of Harrison's favorite things along with fishys and trains.

Harrison knows a way to his mommy's heart, diamonds :)

Thank you to my sweet boy, who doesn't really need diamonds, he already has mommy's heart :)

Harrison's gift to daddy.

A little flash back...here are creating it. It was so much fun for the both of us. The store owner took this photo on her cell phone and e-mailed it to me, she said it would go perfect with the gift and she was right.

Sadly, two days after we came in to make this there was a fire in the basement and the building/business is a total loss. What makes it sadder is she had only been open for business for the past couple of months. However, our projects were in the kill and the time and were undamaged.

Harrison made a Kitty for Grandma Nelson, she has a kitty collection. I forgot to take a photo of the finished project, but the store owner said it was one of a kind. Check on the work in progress.

And we even made a gift bag for Grandma, complete with his feet and hands.

And since he was feeling so creative, he painted a canvas for daddy to put in his office at work. 100% created by Harrison, I only take credit for writing his name and not allowing him to use the paint on a white canvas.

I love this.

Harrison was very excited daddy got tools.

But, who was seriously thinking when they package this item? It requires a screw driver to open the set of screw drivers and they didn't even leave one out to use.

And the start of the wooden train collection... The Thomas the train starter set was only one of at least two dozen gifts that Harrison received. Some other things he got was a Thomas the Train shake and go---and OMG does that thing fly, a cash register, play-dough, Nemo fishy movie, Thomas the Train movies, Elmo pajamas and slippers, fishy and barn peg puzzles, floor puzzles along with his Ipad and the list goes on and will be added to when we celebrate Christmas again next weekend with Doug's side of the family.

A little dice action from the dollar game at Grandma's house.

Cash register & purse.

This one is getting some FB attention and with good reason. Don't you know all little boys that play with power tools have their own purses? I gifted one of my old purses to Harrison, he is pursed obsessed, if there is such a thing. This kid LOVES purses. In the photo below he has a train blanket, some art supplies, food from the kitchen, a train and some change from the cash register. I guess he also takes after his mom and doesn't pack lightly.

Don't forget to check out the posts below from Christmas night and Christmas Eve. We have even got better about posting videos---2 in one week. Kudos to ourselves. Merry, Merry Christmas.

Laser

2011-12-25T20:41:00.000-06:00

What was supposed to be a the kittys Christmas gift is probably ending up to being one of Harrison's favorite gifts. Who would have thought a cat laser light toy would be the highlight of Christmas gifts?

Enjoy the video below...it's dark and grainy because we didn't have the lights on as we were playing in the dark. We started of playing with the kittys and it ended up like this... Memories definitely made. He had us laughing hysterically.

Merry Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T23:48:00.002-06:00

On our way home from church tonight, I looked and Doug and said, "You know what? For the first time ever (in our 9 years together) we are spending Christmas Eve at home." We have always been celebrating somewhere else.

We can't wait to wake up Christmas morning in our own home. We think it's important that a child wakes up in their own house, their own bedroom and their own bed to find that Santa Claus came, it's tradition. This is the way it was for us both growing up and this is how it will be Harrison growing up.

So...let the traditions begin.

Tradition One: Going to Christmas Eve Church Service (even if it's so packed you end up standing in the back and leaving right after communion ---happened today).

Tradition Two: Opening up pajamas (Mommy & Daddy too) and couple of other fun stocking stuffers.

Balloon fight with daddy.

Obviously getting into this :)

So, I know we should discourage pacifier (aka plugs) usage, but for now...they made great stocking stuffers. Yes, I really did spend $10 on pacifiers.

Tradition Three: Setting out cookies and milk for Santa's arrival. (He maybe too little to understand yet, but a little practice never hurts).

Sadly wish my flash would have fired more for these ones---there are a ton of proud cookie carrying shots that I couldn't save :(

I guess someone needed a bed time snack---but with this much frosting he would be up all night, so on to tradition number four.

Tradition Four: Bed time story.

Harrison and I are reading my favorite Christmas story when I was a child. The title reads, "The Biggest, Most Beautiful Christmas Tree." I used to have every page memorized---almost word for work. The book bares a $.99 sticker from 20 some years ago.

Right now we have four traditions and as the years go on, I am sure things may change and we may add new traditions or re-arrange the ones we have, but all in all, what are trying to instill in Harrison are memories of childhood, things he can reminisce with his family one day.

And... Santa stopped by while we were at church this afternoon and dropped off our family Christmas present.

Harrison's pretty excited that it's and electronic device that we actually let him touch. In fact at first he was a little hesitant touching as he was waiting for us to hold him up with a stern NO.

TOUCH, TOUCH, TOUCH.

Now, I better get to bed...Santa will soon be making a return to the house.

Oh, and if you haven't seen the cookie decoration video scroll down to the previous post before this. It was a memorable experience.

Merry Christmas.

Santa's Cookies (and video too)

2011-12-23T21:12:00.000-06:00

We are WAY behind at house... finally finding the time to bake Santa's cookies tonight! Harrison helped me mix up the batch 6 days ago... About time they hit the oven already!

Baking Santa cookies were supposed to be a whole family affair...but married to a manager in retail during the Christmas season is more like single parenting. So out came the tripod and timer...

I was not about to miss this.

This is quite possibly the cutest apron I have ever seen. I bought it 4 months ago, but I was disappointed to find he already out grew this, I couldn't button the back.

Here I am sporting my own snowman apron I got for Christmas last year.

Yep...we make a pretty cute pair!

Enjoy a few other photos. I don't think we could top the Halloween cookie post, but this comes close.

Harrison was excited by the Christmas tree cookie cutter.

This is what help looks like from a 2 year old. Perfect chaos.

He loves oven mitts...sometimes he wears them around even when we aren't baking anything.

He spilled some flour---totally unprompted he went and got his broom to clean up.

Cookies are ready for Santa...unless they get eaten that is. :)

Rewinding a bit...Doug made it home for some decorating. Thanks to his fancy smart phone I refuse to get---we got this very funny video of Harrison in action. It's a little slow at first...but keep watching!

2011 Christmas Family Photos

2011-12-23T10:56:00.000-06:00

It took me 3 hours to order Christmas cards this year. Not because I couldn't choose what photo to use, but I couldn't decide on what card I wanted. I settled on two of them, because I just couldn't make up my mind.

It snowed for the first time of the season the day before our session. The white fluffy stuff really made these cute.

This next one is my favorite. :)

Harrison wasn't thrilled to say the least that were were taking photos. This is best shot I got of the day, trying to show off his bear outfit, complete with fur hat and mittens.

Separation Anxiety

2011-12-23T10:38:00.000-06:00

I thought we were done with the separation anxiety stage. I thought wrong. It's hit Harrison with vengeance.

I assumed we had passed separation anxiety in infancy to early toddler hood. Doug and I felt like he did pretty well with it. According to experts, "All children go through it (meaning separation anxiety); it's just more visible in some than in others."

Well as I continued to research the condition tends to wax and wane, usually peaking at 18 months and tapering off by 30 months. So---what this means is we are nowhere near finished, especially if we go back 3 months taking in account for the prematurity. That would mean we are 21 months, so in reality it could be another 9 months until we cleared the peak.

Harrison is struggling with daycare drop offs. To but it bluntly---they are ridiculous! The other day I wanted to pretend this wasn't my screaming kid as other parents came to drop off their children, it was that bad!

In preparation for daycare drop offs, I talk to Harrison about going to daycare in the mornings, seeing his friends and teacher and having fun. I ask him if we wants to go, and 99% of the time he will say, "Yeah." I finally got him walking into the building and going down the stairs independently by himself. Together we hang up his jacket and minute we enter his classroom, we have just lite fire to the end of the fire cracker. BOOM...let the melt down begin. It's like this everyday and since I am usually the one that drops and picks Harrison up, I am the lucky one that gets to go through this EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.

This what the experts say to do: Your 2-year-old's trust in you is growing now, and this feeling of trust gives him the confidence to venture out on her own. He may still get upset when you leave her at daycare or with a sitter, but he'll recover more quickly now because he's more secure. Experience has taught him that you'll always return. Of course, knowing you'll come back and accepting your departure are two different issues. So although he's well aware that you will return, he may put on a bigger show when you leave him. Be sure to give your child the attention and reassurance he needs along with a kiss accompanied by a promise that you'll return.

I do what they so to do...because, hey---we are still first time parents... But so far---this hasn't helped at all. I am very glad today was not a daycare drop off day :) Weekends are a mini-vacation from separation anxiety.

Harrison is also having difficulty with new places with I assume goes hand in hand with all this fun separation anxiety stuff. When we go to friends homes, it takes him 45 minutes to and hour for the clingy-iness to subside and for him to venture out a bit. I think he is even getting some shyness which again is probably tied to this all.

So---Separation anxiety has not only affected daycare drop offs and social outings, it affecting sleep too. Oh FANTASTIC.

It's been about 8 days since Harrison has slept through the night. Like clock work 2 am arrives and Harrison lets out his first cry. We try to ignore it, but it doesn't work. Then Doug and I take turns getting him back into bed. Sometimes it's only once a night, or it could be like last night, when it took us 4 times. This is why I have time to write this post---he fell asleep watching Toy Story 2 (maybe he shouldn't have stayed up all night). More information from those experts say, "Your child may feel anxious if you are not there, and so is unable to relax and sleep." They are definitely right on this one.

Separation anxiety, you suck.

CLC Christmas Program 2011

2011-12-21T22:53:00.001-06:00

Monday evening Doug and I attended Harrison's Christmas Program at CLC Childcare. We had a great time! We sat with our neighbor's who's son is just a few months younger than Harrison (awesome they are in the same daycare). I don't think any words would do justice to the cuteness of 3 and 4 year olds reciting lines. We have video that I will eventually get up here.

Doug and I purposely didn't sit in the front because if Harrison saw us, I don't think he would have stayed up on stage and would have came running to us. So, what I got for picture quality isn't great--- I had to dodge people's heads to catch a glimpse of Harrison without him seeing us.

All in all Harrison did a good job. At the beginning all the toddlers from his class brought out a gifts and put it under the tree. Harrison did as he was told, but just when he thought no one was looking, he started to open the present he brought out. (I think he is ready for Santa).

At one point Harrison lost a cotton ball off of his lamb hat and he tried to stick it back on---that's on video. It's pretty darn cute and I am not bias of my own kid (well I am), but this was a cuteness overload.

Next his lamb hat fell off....And here was this little girl to the rescue. She picked up Harrison's hat, not once, not twice, but three times for him.

The crowd at this year's program was double from last years---I wanted to turn around at snap a photo at the HUGE crowd---but I didn't want people to look at me funny. All these kids did fabulous while performing, especially given the number of people there!

Shaking the jingle bells!

I think Harrison saw Mommy in this next one. I also love the funny face of the little girl to the left and to the right the little girl picking her nose.

After the program we were treated to Italian food and yummy desserts.

We can't wait for next year's performance.

Hand-Made is better (made with love)

2011-12-20T23:23:00.000-06:00

Harrison has the best Auntie you could ever know. While Auntie Potter really isn't his aunt, she is like a sister to me and heaven sent for this little boy. When it comes to gift giving for a baby and now toddler, she knows how make the perfect gift. Yes...and I really mean make.

Take a look at a few snap shots of his hand-made ABC book Auntie Potter put together.

The pages are covered in plastic so there is no pages don't get torn...Pictures do not do this book justice. Every single page is put together by stickers, photos, and cut outs. Truly a hand-made teaching tool.

And Auntie Potter included all of Harrison's favorite things---notice the helicopter and Squirrel with the acorns, the train...and I could go on.

And not to mention Auntie Potter hand-made me a calender for my office at work. Each month has a cute photo and decorated in the theme of the months. Another priceless keepsake. Hand made really is better.

THANK YOU! And you ROCK!

White Fluffy Stuff

2011-12-18T14:24:00.001-06:00

For once it isn't freezing outside...in fact we had little to no snow before this snow fall we got yesterday. Harrison had blast playing in the fluffy stuff and we even got a little free labor out of it. These are the only memories of the precipitation we have, the snow has already melted today.

And lastly one of Whitney Dog after a roll in the fresh snow.

Santa Memories 2011

2011-12-18T13:54:00.000-06:00

Meeting Santa in 2011 was very much like meeting Santa in 2010.

Flash back to 2010

Too bad his security blanket had to hide his "I Love Santa" onesie because I am totally seeing the love in this next one. I call named this one the runaway pose.

Someday we he will love Santa....

MAYBE.

Real Life Couldn't Get Any Realer.

2011-12-16T09:15:00.000-06:00

TGIF---which means this awful week is almost complete (hopefully)!

Some days I just wish I was in the 80s commercial featuring Toys R Us, with kids running around joyfully without a care in the world. I love their slogan "I just want to be a Toys R Us Kid." That couldn't be any truer of this week. Sometimes it sucks to be a grown up.

The heading on this entry, couldn't ring anymore true, though I don't think "realer" is a word, but this won't be graded by any English teacher. I am also honest on my blog entries, I don't see a point of changing or making our lives and make it any different that it really is, folks...this is real life. Some days I prefer they weren't memories, but it's part of life.

On with the story (excuse me, real life).

Tuesday night Harrison was in a HORRIBLE mood. He had a crying, tantrum spell for SERIOUSLY an hour. He didn't want to play, he didn't want us to pick him up, he just preferred to hide in his hiding space (which is behind the garbage can) and throw things. I finally managed to scoop him up after several attempts made by Doug. After we cuddled for about 20 minutes he was fast asleep at 6 PM. Apparently he was very over tired.

Later Tuesday evening I started my car and was about to head out the door to do some Christmas shopping and I went to say bye to Doug and couldn't find him. A few minutes later I found him in the basement...and I immediately new why he was down there. Water was pouring out of the main drain pipe and into the basement. There was about 2 inches of water in the corner by the emergency drain spout which was thankfully open and helping significantly drain the water, preventing our whole basement from flooding. I ran upstairs to turn off the washer and the water stopped. Doug checked all the connections and tried to find out what was going on. We tried flushing the toilet, the water overflowed again...we knew we had a problem, a big problem. So at 8 PM we called the only emergency plumbing service which charged $137 per hour.

The plumber arrived about 40 minutes later and minutes into looking he knew what was causing the blockage, roots. Yes, you read correctly....ROOTS. The plumber went to work and we could hear as the machine hit roots cutting through them clearing the pipe...However, that was halted 60 FT in when he said it felt like his hit a brick wall. The plumber tried for several more minutes, hoping he didn't burn out his machine and came up to say, he couldn't fix it and would be back with a crew and camera in the morning. We are hoping this is a city issue right now!

So at this point...any time we run water or flush the toilet water runs into the basement at the flow of a filling up a typical bath-tub...so fast and with force. Thank goodness we have a concrete basement and only use it for storage totes.

The plumber came back in the morning and scopes the tube, which ends as if it's hitting a brick wall. NOT GOOD NEWS. The diagnosis? The pipe shifted under ground and is no longer connected to anything. This is where I say "shit" and many other choice words. The news gets worse...it's 6 to 10 ft away from the city's responsibility, which means this is all homeowners expense. Prepare yourself for this....cost, potentially $10,000 worst case scenario and $6,000 best case scenario.

SERIOUSLY????

Merry Christmas.

The good news? Homeowners insurance sounds like they pick up the cost leaving us to pay a $250 and they pay the rest. Sounds great, right? Yep, sure did, too bad insurance will only cover interior damage (which was none due to the concrete floor and walls) and not this repair. Another SERIOUSLY.

The good news? Yes, actual good news. The repair was made yesterday---a day earlier than expected. It's awesome to shower more than 3 minutes at a time and flush our toilets again (the things we take for granted). The original plan was to dig up the yard, two slabs of cement and possibly the street when this was all said and done. The sidewalk and street were spared, saving us some money. This didn't mean the fix was any easier. When Doug dropped off the check for $3,000 (half down) at the office while they were in the middle of the fixing the pipe. One of the plumbers at the office said, "This is one of the worst root and displacement we have ever seen." Makes your day hearing you topped the hardest to fix plumbers list.

The total cost of this? $5,000 out of pocket. $1,00 less than projected.

Last year it was a water heater, the year before that, Harrison was in the NICU, the year before that was a furnance repair. All in the month of December. We should have known this was coming.

Enjoy a few "memory" photos I had Doug snap.

Oh, and I forgot to mention...they offered to bring us a porta-potty, we declined, but they brought one for themselves.

And the DAMAGE.

All in all the yard looks OK as a end result. There is a heap of dirt which will need to be fixed in the spring and sodded. The lilac bushes are gone, which is probably my biggest disappointment.

Just as I said..."Real life doesn't get any realer."

Thursday I was home during the repair when I would have typically been at work. I wasn't at work because of the repair...I was was home with Harrison.

2 AM Thursday morning we woke up to Harrison vomiting (and need I remind you we can't use our water at this point). He puked on himself, bed, blankets rug...EVERYTHING. After we changed his jammies he puked again. After we cleaned up again, we returned to bed. Harrison woke up his normal self---ate some Cheerios and drink some juice. Being that he was himself I dropped him off at daycare to find the room half empty. The staffed asked how Harrison was feeling. I explained the night before, but we thought it was something he ate. The staff said they had 5 kids out with vomiting and diarrhea. I said I think Harrison is feeling fine and he went to play with some toys as I left. A half hour later I get a phone call that he didn't eat breakfast and had an icky diaper. I picked him up and he was in a good mood. I decided as a precaution we should go to Target and pick up some pedialyte. When we were in the check out line, Harrison lets out a little cough and then pukes all over himself the cart and the floor. I was next in line and I told the check out lady, "we need to go fast, he just puked." She asked, "where?" I said, "on himself," she said, "oh, I can smell it." THANK YOU LADY. I already am embarrassed and feel bad for him, I don't need anything else to make my day. Thank goodness she went fast and there was no one else behind us in line. I just feel bad for whoever had to clean that cart.

Thank goodness that was the last puke of the day. Harrison spent the morning napping and Doug relieved me so I could go back to work to train for my new position. I am so glad I had a highlight/hair-cut appointment yesterday.

Last night was wrapped up with 3 hours of Christmas wrapping and I am working on finishing up sending out Christmas cards. I hope to finish today and I will post our card photos.

Enjoy one last photos of make shift bath night on the account of not being able to use the bath-tub. I felt a little redneck for a few days.

Ginger Bread House

2011-12-12T22:14:00.000-06:00

For as long as I can remember I have always wanted to make a ginger bread house. As creative as I can be...I went with the store bought model, being I have no ginger bread house making experience. Now that we have one house under our belt, the next house makings will be picked out individually.

Oh---and the directions said this was easy, we can't say we agree.

We had to add lots more frosting!

The snowman cookie never stood a chance...

Daddy helped too!

Harrison's idea of yard decor.

Frosting straight from the tube.

TA-DA...the finished masterpiece!

Honestly don't know how this house was still standing at this point, the roof is slowly colasping.

I think Harrison loves frosting as much as his mom does.

AND....I SAVED THE BEST FOR LAST

Santa's WATCHING you!

2011-12-12T16:34:00.000-06:00

So maybe it's the fact Santa and his 8 tiny reindeer are in arriving in just 13 days...but something has happened behavioral wise and I am not complaining...just, um SHOCKED!

For almost a year Harrison has been one of those children you don't want to sit buy while dining out (yes, that bad). In our attempts to take him shopping, went something like this...sit in the cart one minute, try to get out, let him out, he runs away---REPEAT. My shopping trips to Target were limited to half hour lunch breaks. Over the past 3 weeks I successfully took him grocery shopping, dining out 3 times (once alone with me) and a handful of trips to Target and a day trip to the mall. WHEW! I can't believe all of this! And really I don't shop this much (all the time), but I am really taking the advantage of being able to take him somewhere and not be a complete wreck at the end of an outing.

Overall at home behavior has improved too (and don't ask me why). He still has his moments with throwing things and biting, but that usually only occurs when he is over-tired and is rather predictable. Time outs continue to go well---ending each time out with a hug to mommy, daddy or if he was mean to Whitney Dog, he hugs her.

He has become very affectionate lately as well. We find him kissing his stuffed animals and instead of giving us one kiss, he gives multiple making a big smooching sound. It's an overload of cuteness, let me tell you.

On top of good behavior comes more talking. He uses the words stuck, all clean, oh no, owie all the time. He cooks us food from his kitchen and we have played the game Elefun more than I care to count. It's probably one of the best toddler games, but sometimes the Elephant has to hide to give us break!

Everyday Harrison is becoming more animated, we could just watch and listen to him for hours. This morning while getting ready to head down stairs Harrison looked up at me (as if he was asking) and said, "Da Da." I said, "Daddy is at work." A few moments later he looked up at me again (as if he was questioning) and said, "Santa." I guess someone is excited for the upcoming big day! We are pretty excited to instill our Christmas traditions in Harrison. We are looking forward to waking up Christmas morning in our own home with our family of 3. Two years ago we spent Christmas in the NICU---what a change and what a blessing this year. I think there is something with having children of your own that really gets you in the spirit for Christmas.

Speaking of Christmas...This post is supposed to be filled with photos from the holiday train that visited Winona on Sunday. Even though it was freezing cold, we all bundled up to get out and see the train. Harrison had fun riding on our shoulders and listening to the band perform from the train. Santa was even there! But getting back to the lack of photos---it's not the fact the I didn't take any, it's the fact the memory card went missing. On Sunday I had my last Christmas session and swapped the memory cards out (so I used a good one for my paying client) and between that session and today---I don't know what I did with memory card with Harrison's photos on it. I am bummed. I am really bummed. OK...I am really, really bummed. I tore apart the studio in search and with Harrison's room adjacent to the studio, I thought I could have put it on his dresser and thinking like a 2 year old---that card could be anywhere if that is the case. Well, if I ever find the memory card (even if it's two years from now) I will post some photos, it was a really fun time.

We also visited the Lacrosse rotary lights last night. They were AWESOME as always. This is the first year we walked the lights---that made them all the more cool. I did snap a few photos on our way through that I will share once I am done editing client Christmas sessions. I am not sure there are any of Harrison in that bunch---he was feelings less that photogenic and with the temperature reading FREEZING COLD out there right next to the river, I kind of don't blame him! Santa was also at the Rotary Lights. Harrison is okay with Santa from a far, but would prefer to keep him at a distance. Rudolph was there with the ginger bread cookie---Harrison wasn't a fan of either of them.

So---this brings us to Santa photos 2011...

Are you looking for a photo?

Well....no matter how much you scroll this page, there isn't one.

Santa is coming to Walgreens this Saturday and we will see what we will get then...

I haven't got high hopes.

Be Creative

2011-12-08T23:01:00.000-06:00

I am always about involving Harrison in art. And nothing makes a better picture/canvas on the wall than a finished toddler master piece.

Last weekend we were busy making a Christmas tree and reindeer...

There is nothing else I would rather do on a Sunday night. I don't know what we ever did before we had him because he brings out the best in me.

I wasn't even going to photograph this, but Doug came in with the camera and I am glad he did...I love this next one, pretty sweet.

Turned out awesome...I helped with the star and trunk. This will certainly be hung up every year. Awesome keepsake.

Next we moved on the reindeer...

This was Harrison's favorite part, he loved having feet painted and he asked to do it again and again---we are now out of brown paint.

There isn't a finished reindeer project because it's not done yet--when it is, I will certainly post a photo of it!

After all the painting, bath time was called for...He looks so grown up here rinsing his own hair.

What? More paint?

Yep...more paint. This was a belated birthday gift from Harrison's friend Estee.

And yes, he is going to hate the fact I posted photos like this someday...but seriously, how cute is this?

Hard to tell from this photo, but he painted his face too.

And my favorite has to be this candid one...

This past weekend we also took our Christmas card photos...

Here are a couple of sneak peeks that made the card since I couldn't just choose one photo or one card so I ordered a collage of photos and two different cards. What can I say...I am an indecisive person.

I hate to admit I was happy it snow the night before for our session...I LOVE how these turned out.

I will post the couple we managed to get for the cards, once I get the cards out in the mail (if I can wait that long---I am also a impatient person).

I am hoping to get a few more of him in this adorable outfit before Christmas---seemed he didn't want to pose alone on the day of this session and perhaps some other holiday ones (maybe I am pushing that :), though I should have more time too. I am taking the rest of the month off of photography to focus on him our family and the festivities of the holidays. 3 weeks of vacation will well deserved and then I am gearing up for Valentine mini sessions.

Harrison and I are excited to create daddy's Christmas present tomorrow. Night!

Two Year Check-Up

2011-12-02T14:50:00.000-06:00

Do you know it's been 6 months since Harrison was last seen by his primary doctor? Seriously can't believe it. Besides having his tubes check once and meeting with the immunologist---he has been healthy. Last year this time he had 6 ears infections and countless other bumps in the road. It got to the point, I didn't believe he would ever be healthy.

Healthy. What a fantastic word, worth repeating--- HEALTHY. Practically makes you want to get up and jump and scream and I would if Harrison wasn't napping right now :).

The appointment started off really rough to gently put it. Harrison was attached to me like an appendage---he wanted nothing to do with being there. Then I had a flash back to his immunology appointment 2 months prior which isn't something I want to remember (it was that bad). So back to the appointment today. We tried weighing Harrison standing up, sitting and lying down. Yep, none of the above work. Lastly we had to resort to me holding him on the scale and then weighing myself after and subtracting the difference.

Next we were shown to the room and once the door closed Harrison only had one mission and that was to get the heck outta there. Thank goodness so after Dr. Gerhard came in and Harrison was content eating his grapes (his favorite new food). He tried to escape a few more times while I was talking with the doctor.

Harrison passed all of his developmental skills including communication and fine motor skills. He also passed the screening for autism. All good news.

Growth is also good news. Today he measured just a smudge over 32 inches. I can't seem to find the post from his 18 month appointment, which I am sure I did, but taking a look from memory----he almost grew 2 inches during the last 6 months. He is approximately in the 3-10 percentile for height. He gained what I am vaguely remember about 3 lbs since the last appointment, today he weighed 26 lbs 10 oz. He is getting heavy! This weight gain bumped him up from the 10th percentile to the 25 percentile. No folks, he isn't a stranger to food. The lady at the table next to us at Fazolis said to me today, "Look at him eat, you aren't probably going to be able to afford to feed him in a few more years." You would have had to be there today, but it was a cuteness overload when every time the lady came around (he would actually look for her) handing out bread sticks Harrison signed (and said) "more" and as she continued on he signed (and said) "thank you." This was Harrison's and I's first eating out together (without daddy) experience and did so great, we didn't even use a high chair or a booster and he sat like a champ). The best part of all of this eating is that he loves so many healthy foods---grapes, apples, bananas, beans, carrots. Oh and he likes cookies too.

The rest of the appointment went pretty well (minus the flu shot). As Dr. Gerhard listened to his lungs and heart I distracted him by looking out the window and asking him if big trucks were coming or our famous distraction, "where is Whitney Dog?" I am not going to lie, he hated to have his ears looked at (which I don't blame him from his long history with them), but good to know the tubes are still in place and open---doing their job. I asked Dr. Gerhard about Harrison yellow tongue he gets regularly and from what he said and I read online, it's just drainage---which is the only thing Harrison really still struggles with. We did talk about his vomiting which comes and goes and really this can be typical with the drainage issues and with Harrison's growth and overall health, hopefully this will be something in time that will fade as well.

But really, how lucky are we to be where we are now? We are so blessed.
If you didn't already know our story, you would have never known this little boy was born premature.

Do you like the new heading to the blog? Simply stated and ever so true.

Cookies aren't just for Santa.

2011-12-02T00:12:00.005-06:00

I bought this top for Harrison on black Friday (one of very few purchases I made, I may add). I figured he could wear it on Christmas or something...but when I was in the studio last night, working on putting together a backdrop, Harrison decided to put on his super cuteness that made me think that he may just pose for me for a couple. Amazingly enough, I was right!

Here are a couple of keepers...

I honestly think Kemps milk should pay for this one.

A super sweet photo...currently set as my background :)

And testing out the string of lights for Mommy, technically called bokeh. The goal is to look like winter wonderland. They make this sound so easy to do, I can testify it's not. I almost gave up getting it right until I got this one.

Harrison turns TWO!

2011-11-29T18:01:00.001-06:00

http://vimeo.com/32822983 Lets see if this works

TWO

2011-11-28T00:30:00.000-06:00

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).

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!

2011-11-28T00:29:00.001-06:00

*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

http://thekelleysbaby.blogspot.com/2010/11/harrison-1-year.html

24 Month (TWO) Update

2011-11-28T00:25:00.000-06:00

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.

Happy B-Day my Big Guy

2011-11-27T21:59:00.000-06:00

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

Memories last a lifetime...

2011-11-27T21:25:00.027-06:00

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

2011-11-26T19:22:00.000-06:00

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

2011-11-26T17:35:00.001-06:00

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.

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.

2011-11-24T21:33:00.000-06:00

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

Real-life captured.

STRIKE

2011-11-24T00:35:00.001-06:00

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.

It's Party Time!

2011-11-24T00:09:00.002-06:00

Last Saturday we celebrated Harrison's 2nd birthday with friends and family. It was about half the crowd as last year---allowing us to have it at our home this year, which contributed to Harrison's AWESOME mood (kids just do better in their own environment). We can't believe how well he did.

Celebrating turning two was relaxing, we didn't have the chaos of worrying if something didn't go right. I stressed out in preparation for his first birthday WAY too much trying to make his day perfect, such a different story this year.

I also took time this year to take some photos of the details---something I wish I would have done last year.

The flame cupcakes---LOVE.

Food---perhaps the most important part. Puppy chow and fruit kabobs--toddler foods of choice of coarse.

Yummy birthday cake---but not really the design I ordered, it was supposed to be a fire truck, but flames it is.

A quick family portrait.

He decided to feed the cake to daddy before blowing out the candles.

My absolute favorite shot from the day.

Madden---Harrison's NICU neighbor all grown up too!

Harrison's cousin Cecilia being silly!

Meet William, this handsome boy is our neighbor across the street---he will be two in March.

These awesome CARS pjs caught the attention of everybody.

Showing the over-crowd at our home---which only confirms we have out grown our space (or really our floor plan)

Here is Quinn--another NICU neighbor to Harrison. I am glad we stay in contact with a couple of families that we spent so many days with...we all wanted the same thing---to bring our little boys home.

After presents Harrison sat on my lap and looked around the room and I asked him to thank everyone for all of his new gifts...Clear as day he said, "thank you." This made my day. I take pride in two words he using most frequently, "please" and "thank you."

Apparently the Elmo fireman card was a hit!

Thank you to all our friends/family that came, you really made this day special.

Lastly---here is Auntie Potter. We have to thank her for making all the party decorations and what an awesome job she did. Make sure you scroll back up and take another look at the banner, cupcake holders and other decorations---all created by Auntie. Thank You, Thank You! Your pieces of art were definitely a hit! I only wish I could convince Harrison to pose with the banner on my backdrop---I spent more than hour creating the setting and I can't even get him to go near it, not even with cupcake (sadness for Mommy).

Auntie Potter & Harrison
(Oh and blame daddy for changing the camera setting making this photo yellow---with editing, it's the same result, so I give up---but too cute not to share, just bothers me as Doug tells me I am just too picky :)

We will have a 2 year old in 5 short days.

Sneak Peek!

2011-11-19T20:26:00.000-06:00

For those of you that can not wait to see birthday party photos---here is one to hold you off for a bit---or at least long enough for me edit his birthday party photos sometime this week.

Instead of saving the best for last, here is your treat.

Looks like someone may have been digging into the frosting prior to blowing out the candles (and he even shared with daddy).

ENJOY!

Fishy

2011-11-18T14:10:00.000-06:00

We took a trip to Pet Smart to get Harrison an early birthday present.

He picked out two gold fishys.

He also helped pick out supplies.

Then a Pet Smart employee approached me and told me I was not allowed to take photos inside of the store. The employee didn't know why it wasn't allowed, but told me that I needed to stop taking photos.

REALLY? Like no one ever takes photos inside of their store with their cell phones?

Well, due to Pet Smart regulations---there is no more photos for your viewing pleasure.

We did however get Nemo's and Fishy's home together. The fish were released into their new home after Harrison went to bed. In the morning he eagerly helped feed them (a tiny pinch) and we were out the door.

Sadly---we came home that evening to find Fishy belly-up. Sometimes this happens and can be expected, so this why we let Harrison pick out two fishys.

In the coarse of the evening Harrison watched Nemo swim around in and out of the rocks and fed him a tiny pinch of food before he went to bed. I went to the kitchen to finish up some dishes and walked by Nemo and he wasn't swimming---looking closer Nemo was belly-up too.

After further instruction from Pet Smart we are waiting a few days to try some new fish---hopefully a second round will live longer than 24 hours.

Harrison comes up to me and says, "Fishy" and puts his hands up in asking, "where are they?" I told him we can get some new fishys soon.

First Hair Cut

2011-11-18T13:28:00.001-06:00

Milestone: First Hair Cut

Date: November 17, 2011

SO...how'd this go?

Something like this...

He looks thrilled doesn't he?

To ease his fears...Daddy got his hair cut first. Harrison seemed to understand that he was going to get his hair cut too. He sat on my lap pulling at his own hair and I explained to him that it was going to be his turn next.

When his turn came...he didn't want to go.

First we tried to have him sit on daddy's lap.

Next we tried sitting him on the chair.

We tried offering him his blanket, plug, and M&Ms.

Finally he ended up on my lap---but very reluctantly. He also decided neither of us needed to wear a cape.

He never cried, but protested with whines and without a tight bear hug from mom, surely he would have ran away. He wanted nothing to do with sitting still.

For moment there was a smile---a sucker to save the day.

Both his an I's favorite part of his hair cut...

Almost done...

Meet our hairstylist Kristi. Doug and I have trusted her to cut hair for the past 7 years, now we add one more.

How do I sum up this experience?

Let's just say I am happy his hair doesn't grow very fast. When it comes to needing another haircut? I just make tackle that task on my own.

Everyday little things...

2011-11-14T21:39:00.000-06:00

If you have been counting...the is the 600th post!

Think of your favorite holiday or something that you just absolutely love that doesn't happen very often.

For me? It feels like Christmas everyday. To see the things Harrison does is no other word than amazing. Each day he does something he couldn't do the day before.

On Sunday I watched him play at the park. He tackled a huge platform of stairs (without a railings) and pefectly climbed to the top. Two months ago, he couldn't get up one stairs without losing balance. I remember telling Doug he will be 3 or 4 before he can do these stairs." He proved me wrong. And to watching him climb to the top of slides and say, "weee" on his way down hits me like no other. This was a baby born 11 weeks too soon. A toddler that didn't crawl until he was 11 months old and didn't walk until he was nearly 16 months. I observe 3-5 year olds playing at the park that won't even go down a slide by themselves or can't climb those stairs. Prematurity TAKE THAT!

Another Magic Moment

During breakfast over the weekend Doug and I were engaging in a conversation only to look over to see Harrison driving the crust of toast on the table of high chair making automobile noises. I know we shouldn't be delighted with our toddler playing with food, but in the moment all we could do is laugh in delight as his imagination begins to soar.

I love to watch him when he doesn't know I am watching him. This is especially true during Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Sesame Street. He imitates actions of the characters and I finding him mooing at the television. LOVE.

Language (talking) has come hard for Harrison, so with each new word learned brings happiness. The newest word? Fishy. He loves "fishys." Harrison, what does the Fish say? Harrison's response, "bubble, bubble." And Harrison doesn't know it yet, but he is getting a gold fishy for his birthday. He is very in-tune with animals. He often helps me feed Whitney Dog in the morning and if a squirrel feeder or bird feeder goes empty, he is the first one to let you know... We can't wait to see his excitement with his fishy and he will get to feed him everyday.

Harrison's obsession to help out with anything and everything is pretty awesome. Over the last couple of weeks we have touched up paint around the house in preparation for the Realtors to come through . Harrison was excited to be given his own foam brush (without paint that is) and he pretended to paint along side us. Daddy even let him help paint the outside door over the weekend. He was blue, but had fun and that's what counts. We ordered him his very own first set of Craftsman power tool set for his birthday as well. It should have arrived already, but was damaged on shipment, so hopefully a new set by his actual birthday.

Speaking of his birthday, we celebrate this weekend already! The food has been bought and the cupcake order placed. My brother Eric put together a 2nd birthday video and did an absolute fantastic job. I think I have watched the video a dozen times already. I will share it on Harrison's birthday which is 14 days away!

Thursday at 3 PM will be Harrison's first official hair cut...another toddler milestone. At one point I wondered if he would ever get any hair, and now he sports a full head of white blonde hair. I am hoping to snap a couple of photos, depending on this experience goes...it could be good, bad or ugly. Daddy goes first, which should help ease some tension. He generally does alright with his hair, we comb it every morning and plays with my curling iron (unplugged) and tries to curl his own hair. I guess he wants to be more like daddy. I am just wondering how much more grown up he will look once he has a big boy haircut.

I keep looking at this little boy--not a baby anymore. Looking at him growing up so fast is so hard, but at the same time the excitement to what is to come.

And I have to add a HUGE thank you to daddy for taking Harrison a majority of the time this past week. I have been really sick with a cold bug (for what seems FOREVER), but with antibiotics in hand I think I can say I am on the mend, we will see if I get to keep my voice in the morning. I also took today off work to do what the doctor said, rest and fluids. This may have done some good. For those single moms out there, I don't know how they do it--they need more credit. Parenting definitely is a two person job!

Here is a cute photo from the park a couple of weeks ago---it was cold that day.

Have you checked on the "Jammin" post below? My favorite video EVER.

Jammin'

2011-11-12T18:08:00.005-06:00

Rockin in the new car... Never mind the video being sideways---Daddy has yet to figure that one out on his new phone. A new phone and then a new car for daddy? Hmmm.... Well I guess I can't complain I have a brand new camera and I am one of those people who is boy-coting a smart phone.

The video clip starts off slow---but when he gets going with his hands? PRICELESS. This is my favorite video yet. Thank you MC Hammer for the Rockin song!

Oh and BTW this blog entry is only one away from the 600th post! WOW.

LOVE...

2011-11-12T13:09:00.001-06:00

Do I love spending 32+ hours a week at work? In short absolutely not. But what cheers me up is picking up Harrison at the end of the work day---it's the highlight of my everyday.

I especially love when we come home with his art projects. In celebration of Halloween they decorated pumpkins.

What's not to love about this?

Here is a super cute one from our trip to the Children's Museum last weekend. He insisted in wearing the driver's hat--no prompting needed.

And another super cute one from a couple of weeks ago!

Do you love the hat? It was from Harrison's secret admirer--aka Miss Ruthie :)

He drove with a braid in each hand, simply doesn't get more adorable.

Playing in the leaves with Big Sister Whitney Dog.

Though---he doesn't look thrilled here I asked his to show me "touch down."

That's all I can post for now---nap time is over and we have to get out any enjoy this beautiful weather!!!

LUNCH

2011-11-05T12:40:00.000-05:00

Not a whole lot gets eaten when you sleep through lunch! I wheeled him into the kitchen to eat lunch while I cooked only to watch him nod off. He didn't even wake up when I washed his hands and face and scooped him up and put him into bed. This is one exhausted boy!

I guess the hour and half we spent playing outside prior to this paid off. Oh and we baked cookies right before we went outside. It's been busy morning!

“Promise me you'll always remember:

2011-11-05T01:53:00.001-05:00

You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. Christopher Robin to Pooh”

November is World Prematurity Awareness month. 1 in 8 babies is born too soon. http://www.marchofdimes.com/mission/prematurity_wpd.html

We invite you take a walk down memory lane... http://thekelleysbaby.blogspot.com/2010/11/harrison-1-year.html

Please show your support for the March of Dimes by liking World Prematurity Day on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/WorldPrematurityDay

A sweet treat..

2011-11-04T09:52:00.001-05:00

I don't need anyone to tell me I have an adorable little boy.

Here is the proof.

And for some reason he was having a wild hair day...ADORABLE! I can't wait for hair gel & spiking!

Pumpkin Carving & Trick or Treating!

2011-11-01T23:17:00.001-05:00

What the best part of Halloween? Is it he costumes...the candy?

Nope, gotta be the pumpkins (or apples as Harrison calls them)

Here he is waiting patiently to carve them. Cuteness.

Whoa? What's in there?

Love this action shot of throwing the pumpkin guts!

Look! Miss Whitney Dog is checking out the slimy action!

The finished product! Who is this furry lovable red monster?

Harrison did AWESOME with trick or treating. He impressed both Doug and I. It took him a few houses to get into the groove, but by the third or fourth stop he pointed at a house and said, "candy." That's our boy.

Here he is walking up a path by himself. Yes, by himself. Proud this little guy waited patiently outside the doors to fill his bucket with CANDY. He said hi once, neither said or signed "thank you" the entire night. I also tried to perfect "trick or treat" before Halloween and with him, bur struck out...So we started to working on saying "Santa" tonight.

I put the camera away early on (not something I felt like lugging around all night). I wish I wouldn't have though...the next house after this was guy who just retired after 30 years with the fire department. He wore a local fire fighter sweat shirt. The fire fighter was impressed with Harrison's outfit, pretty sure Harrison won best costume of the night! We saw a lot of clowns, lions, tiggers and princesses...We only saw one fire fighter, and that's our little guy.

Well if you can remember in my last post I hopped to get at least one photo of Harrison and Whitney together in their costumes.

This is what I got. Harrison sharing a tootsie roll pop with Whitney

LOVE his smiles.

Fire Dog!

2011-10-30T23:44:00.001-05:00

I am hoping to grab a few more shots of Harrison in his full Fire Fighter Costume tomorrow (which includes his hand made hat) as we trick-or-treat around our blocks and hopefully one (just one please) of Harrison and Whitney Dog together. This is because Whitney Dog is the fire chief! After all she ruled the roost here first before our little monster took over! Speaking of little monster...I went out and purchased a Super Nanny book today after Harrison tried to bite me 3 times and hit and kicked me today---and yes, all after we spent the day at Chucky-E-Cheese, playland at the mall and pumpkin carving. He had 3 time outs today. Oh and he threw an entire cup of bath water out of the bath tub on top of throwing numerous toys throughout the day (he is on a throwing phase). I am thinking a little devil costume might have been a better suit. If he keeps this up, he just may get on Santa's naughty list.

Oh well...

Enjoy some photos of Whitney dog...Harrison helped hold the treats for far more cooperative session.

Do you love her costume? It was fate I found this at a flea market for $6.

Have a safe and Happy Halloween! I promise to share a few photos from Harrison's first pumpkin carving...SO MUCH FUN! Thinking about it just makes me smile and hopefully one of Harrison and his big sister on their candy quest tomorrow.

The Fire Station

2011-10-28T00:21:00.000-05:00

I finally managed to find the time to get to these photos taken almost a month ago. I first said you would have to wait until his birthday to see these, well I changed my mind. I am WAY to inpatient.

Where did the time go?

Harrison had a blast at the fire station and this is where we got a keeper shot for his birthday invite. Yeah---thank you, thank you daddy.

I can just sense Harrison thinking, "Yeah, Mr. Fire Fighter, I am not sure about you."

"Ok...maybe I will like you better if you let me in the truck."

Simply, a cute shot!

Are these not the cutest overalls you have ever seen? (A side from the sock monkey ones) Oh and the cute Minnesota Twins tattoo, he is rough and tough.

My favorite.

A definite keeper.

Last, but most important... Ringing the bell!

This maybe all you get for a Harrison's Halloween costume this year...but Whitney Dog is still waiting to debut hers. I might have to sneak her in for a session tomorrow, Halloween is MONDAY! Oh, that also means we have to buy 2 new pumpkins to replace the ones the squirrels have been eating.

Twenty-Three Months

2011-10-27T23:17:00.001-05:00

O.K. reality check. This little boy I call my "little monster" that runs around the house leaving a trail of popcorn and blankets will be a two year old in exactly one month from tomorrow.

The birthday invites have been sent out. And if you didn't receive one, don't feel bad. I sent out about a quarter of invites that I sent out last year. It will be a more low-key party this year mostly family and very few friends. Harrison never went through a "stranger" phase until most recently, which I am not sure is an actual "stranger" phase or just a reaction to a new place/situation. This is what prompted us for a smaller party with people he knows well so it won't be overwhelming for him.

But cheer up if you are still sad you didn't get an invite... I have attached the invite below, simply because it's too cute not to share. I credit Doug for taking the photo as I was running around in circles and jumping up and down like a crazy women to get him to smile for this photo. We didn't get a big grin, but going back to the paragraph above, this was a new environment that Harrison was "unsure" of. When we left the fire station, we had to pry him out of the fire trucks.

Oh...and I had a super cute personalized fireman hat for him to wear, but with two-two year old sessions under my belt, he is yet to wear it for one photo. Yesterday evening he wore it all around the house. I am pretty sure he enjoys being the hardest two year old to photograph.

Is he not the cutest fire fighter you have ever seen?

I just gave away his Halloween costume as well. The only flaw to his costume is that his fireman boots are 3 sizes too big for him. They were the smallest fireman boots I could find anywhere. Thank you Target, I can count on you for everything; including emptying my bank account.

So what is new at the Kelley household? Well, if you have noticed, I have been a HORRIBLE blogger lately. Over the past week, Doug and I have been doing some touch up painting around the house and cleaning things you clean...well, when you think about it. We finally went to an open house over this past weekend and was pleased with the home. It was one of the first homes in a LONG time we could actually picture ourselves in. We have decided to have a Realtor come look at our house in a few weeks to get a price value for our home if we were to put it up on the market. We are looking more at placing our home for sale (if we do) in the spring. Living without a garage and a yard is near impossible.

These days Harrison is doing fairly well health-wise. Tonight was the first time in two months Harrison made a trip to urgent care. Doug was informed when he picked up Harrison at daycare this evening that his ear had been draining today and lot of "icky" stuff had came out. Doug and I had been debating whether or not his tubes were still in place because he had been pulling at his ears for the last several nights and has been running a low grade fever in the evenings. It turns out there was a huge wax build up way inside of his ear. After removing the wax the doctor could see the tubes and they both and clear and in proper placement. Good news! The only thing we are waiting on is his strep test. The doctor said he has seen an alarming amount of strep in the last week and Harrison's throat was very red. I am not concerned for the strep as every time Harrison is seen by a doctor they always comment on how red his throat is. Overall...his health has improved in the last couple of months. He has a constant runny nose and cough we have learned to live with and he still vomits time to time, but we figure this is just him. As long as we don't have to make trips to urgent care for serious respiratory infections or ear infections I take this time as a much needed relief form sickness. It feels weird to even be typing this. He has always been sick---this is such a turning point in his life and us as a family.

Since we have a healthier child, Harrison's language is picking up. His teacher at daycare commented the other day how much he is talking since she returned from her maternity leave. For a two year old, he is markedly behind, but within the next year hopefully this will be something of the past. Some of Harrison's favorite words include, "car," "bus," "slide," "acorn," Elmo," "nana," (for banana) and "apple." He can imitate a cow, horse, monkey, lion and kitty sound. He can say about 7-10 more words depending on his mood.

Seems these days the boy has mind of his own. This is where time outs come in. I can only hope that they continue to go as well as they are going. From the show "Super Nanny," we use the two minute time out rule (a minute for whatever the age of the child). I set the timer in the kitchen and let Harrison kick and scream and when the timer goes off, I ask him if he is done and 99 percent of the time he says yes and we go about whatever we are doing. I use timeouts for when he won't help clean up his toys or he makes a huge mess and shakes his head no when I tell him that I need help cleaning it up. After a time out, he quickly picks up whatever the mess and is back to himself. I am actually beginning to think he likes time outs, or likes to be in them because it gives him time to vent out his frustrations.

A new behavior I am seeing and somehow Doug is escaping is hitting and kicking me. During these times I now get up and leave the room. Harrison usually comes chasing after me, upset I left him. This mostly occurs when he has to have his diaper or clothes changed. Perhaps Doug doesn't help out with these tasks as much?

For communication Harrison is still signing, but it's becoming more infrequent as he can now say "please," " more" and hums "thank you." He is doing a better are directing you to what he wants, but when it comes to needing help opening something up or reaching something he becomes easily frustrated and melts down.

Eating is going about the same for Harrison. Some days he eats a lot and other days he doesn't each much of anything, a typical toddler. He doesn't like when you feed him anymore. His skills have improved immensely with feeding himself with utensils, but from time to time he will just use his hands and dig in. I won't have a weight/height update for you until after his two year appt. December 2. I am guessing somewhere between 24-26 lbs and for height...I haven't got the vaguest idea.

Right now Harrison loves books. They are all over everywhere. His favorite book is "Going on a Bear Hunt." He can't wait to ROAR like a bear at the end. Sometimes he will sit for the whole story and sometimes he will get up half way through and do whatever. You have to love his attention span! We also play with puzzles and Harrison is obsessed with a row of round candles I have in bathroom. He will take them out and put them back in up to 4 times in a row. Harrison is also getting good and shape sorting. He has two shape sorters and with some direction from me he can get the proper shapes in their holes. Telephones continue to be a pretty cool toy in Harrison's eyes. He has about 5-6 phones and this is one of the toys you can count on seeing him place with aside from books on a daily basis. He also likes to help do things, he helps with the laundry, dusting, dishes, feeding Whitney and mixing up cookies or treats.

Scared? Yeah...most recently Harrison has become scared of toys that move or make noise. Yes, this is so weird and not seemly normal, but look at his parents, we are far from normal! We actually got video of Harrison trying to hide tickle me Elmo and crying when the on switch is on, but he looks so sad to post it with Doug and I in the background laughing---feel like we look like horrible parents. I also bought him a super cool fire truck as a early birthday present that he wants nothing to do with because if you hit one of the buttons the fire truck will move forward on it's own. He is also terrified of those little hamster toys with wheels that roll on the ground. This is all on top of being scared of his musical maracas and musical puppy dog Scout. But he will gladly play with his big musical house, musical cookie jar and 3 of his 6 phones and vacuum cleaner. Seems he is kind of picking and choosing what he is fearful of which made it incredibly hard this year to create a birthday list. Hopefully this is a just another one of those weird phases like when he screamed every time he took a bath for 3 months about this time last year. Like I said, look at his parents...This is normal as any kid could get!

Over the past month daycare drop offs have gotten much, much, much better. Rather than crying each and every single day we leave him there is gotten down to about once a week, which is a huge improvement. There are kids in his room that are older than him that still have less successful drop offs than we do. So we are definitely moving forward in a positive direction--yeah!

Sleep on the other hand needs some improvement. By the time Harrison was 4 months old he was sleeping through the night without any feedings etc. At 23 months, that's a different story. Sleep has been our biggest battle in the last couple of months. Sleeping through an entire for Harrison is about 1 time weekly, two at the max. Going to sleep is a bigger struggle. I refuse to lay on the floor next to his bed until he falls asleep. Doug on the other hand will. Some nights I admit it, we do need to do it, especially when he is congested because there would be vomit everywhere...but I personally have gone to the cry yourself to sleep stuff. Is it working? I don't know. I feel bad sometimes, but I don't want have to lay in the same room as him 2-3 years down the road to get him to go to sleep. I grew up like that and bless my mom for loving me, but I think I needed a little bit of tough love, because at 5 or 6 I still needed my mom to stay in the room until I fell asleep.

Becoming a parent is one of the best things in life. And if you make that decision to never have children, you have missed out on the best form of exercise, patience, determination and love. No one said it was going to be easy... But you take what life hands you and you do the best you can do. I feel so blessed to have this little boy. Sure he causes me stress, sure he is messy/sticky, sure he tests me EVERYDAY, but I wouldn't change one thing about this little boy...

He is perfect the way he is. Momma loves you BIG GUY.

Do I look like my grandpa?

2011-10-21T20:07:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago we brought out the old album at a family gathering at Grandma and Grandpas. It's fun to look back over the years, especially seeing the old black and white original photos from 50 years +.

You be the judge. Does Harrison look like his grandpa?

Mark your Calendars!

2011-10-19T23:08:00.000-05:00

One month from today is Harrison's 2nd Birthday Party (November 19th at 3 PM). I still can't believe he is going to be 2! His birthday falls on a Monday this year. I am taking off work that day, unfortunately Doug can't as a "perk" of the holiday season in retail management. The holiday season almost has turned me into a Bah-Hum-Bug with trying to plan anything around it. I always want Harrison to know how special his birthday is and not to confuse it with Thanksgiving or Christmas, which is the main reason we plan his party the weekend before Thanksgiving and before black Friday when the mobs come out!

I have been super busy with client photo sessions, but I couldn't help but take a break from "work" and work on a few of this adorable little guy tonight.

LOVE these ones on his back--I didn't alter the color while editing...his eyes are just that stark blue. Did I mention I love these?

Mr. Betty Crocker

2011-10-17T00:12:00.001-05:00

I feel very fortunate to get to work a 4 day work week, this means I get to be home with Harrison at least one day a week, untop of the short weekends.

On Friday we decided to bake Halloween Cookies. The overall cuteness was too cute not to photograph. I ended up spending a half hour afterwords cleaning the flour and frosting off of the camera...turns out he is a messy baker, just like his Momma.

So, I am sure you have heard of Betty Crocker...meet, Mr. Betty Crocker.

ENJOY!

He ended up picking up and dumping out this box of cookie cutters 4 times.

Do you love my Mickey Mouse Airplane Apron?

Time to decorate!

Look at the concentration...requires an open mouth for precision.

SPRINKLES!

Tasting the sprinkles. The best part? He helped me pick everyone of the up off the floor after we got done...and if you haven't had a two year old or know of one; one of their perks is to precisely pick every LITTLE thing in sight is a must.

After this---it got a little crazy.

He found out just how good frosting tasted. At one point he was eating 3 cookies at once.

And that concludes this episode of Mr. Betty Crocker in the kitchen.

In Harrison's two favorite words, "ALL DONE."

A little of this, a little of that

2011-10-13T00:27:00.000-05:00

Saturday we made a trip to the Penguin Zesto for a last sweet treat of the year.

Mmmm...Strawberry Milk Shake

And a hot dog!

Super cute-ness!

Saying goodbye for the year, complete with blowing the penguin a kiss.

I love the cute unprompted things he does, absolutely priceless!

Rewinding to earlier in the day, I attempted to get some fall leaf photos with Harrison. He hasn't been keen on any photo sessions of lately and this day was nothing different, so I didn't get my hopes up.

One of my favorite childhood memories is jumping in leaf piles with my brother Ben. The tree in the front yard of our old house had more leaves than any tree I can ever remember.

But for some reason Harrison wanted nothing to do with jumping into the leaves, but Doug and I had a great time showing him how anyways!

Turns out, he liked to have the leaves thrown at him!

Fast forwarding back to Saturday night, Harrison got his "first" hair-cut from Mommy!

The reason you only get to see two photos of the 1/2 hour process is because I told Doug he was making me too nervous and he needed to leave. What kind of person asks, "do you think you will be able to cut it straight?" when you are in the middle of the process.

All in all, I did a pretty good job. I just took some off over his ears and little in the back and one snip to his bangs, oh yes, and I did cut it straight Doug!

Harrison will go for his first real hair cut in probably a month or so. I just took off stranglers, I was too afraid to touch the top of his head He will be taking a pre-trip to the salon in week to watch daddy get his hair cut.