10 Months 2 Week Pictures

Uhm, Wasn't Me!


Double Trouble


Spring Time


Workout Anyone?


Buddies!

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10 Months

This last month has been like no other. You are not only mobile but you are figuring everything out, it seems, like every day.

The amount that you have progressed is pretty amazing. It really does seem like every day you are figuring out just how mobile you can really be. It started off with crawling, one robotic hand and leg movement at a time...it has since progressed to you pulling yourself up on everything, including the dog!



You have quickly figured out how to walk between furniture and are even getting so brave as to reach further than you probably should...sometimes grabbing what you reach for other times falling a little short, usually leading to a tumble and some tears.

You love standing up on your own and seem to celebrate it each time you push yourself up. It is funny to watch each time because it is like a hundred new experiences each day. Your curiosity is amazing and it seems like you have to touch and feel everything. You wave your arms around every time you see something that fascinates you.



This past weekend you participated in your first swimming class at the YMCA. You seemed to really like it towards the end as you slowly got the hang of it. You even went under water without crying...you were stunned and we both thought you were going to let out a big scream but you held it in like a super star!



You're personality seems to come through more and more each day. The funny little things you do are countless, but the best seems to be when you try to mimic mom or I when we stick our tongues out like frogs. Sometimes you just open your mouth moving your tongue inside, other times you manage to stick your tongue out every 3rd or 4th attempt.

You also have started to learn how to dance. It is actually quite cute. When mom was out of town we started listening to the iPod when you were eating. You started doing a little move, almost a shimmy in your high chair. You like to bounce up and down when you are standing up playing and almost clapped your hands just a few days ago.

We can officially count 7 teeth now! It seemed to take forever to get just one and now it seems like they have come in bunches. It is pretty funny to look at you because it looks like you have little chicklets stuck in your gums, but soon you will have a mouth full of teeth.

The thing that most amazes me is the amount of words that you seem to understand. You definitely know what doggie means, and you know when you see one. When we are outside and you see one you stop and wave your arms and say "Da" "Da". You also know your name and look when we call you. You keep saying dada and we are trying to get you to associate that with me. Just in the last few days you have started making mama sounds so now the race is on to see which one you associate first!

This is all an awesome experience and the last few weeks have seemed like a blur. It is truly fun, even if it is exhausting being your mommy and daddy.

Spring, On the Move, and Silly Hats!

Springtime at the Park


Swing Time


Wheee!


Mail Time!


Speedy Delivery


Uncle Rob Will Never Let Me On the Boat With This Hat!


Rubber Ducky

On The Move

It's official, on Friday I got a call from Bets that went something like this:
Me: "Hello"
Liz: "Ah, your son is crawling towards the dog's bone"
Me: "You mean he's crawling?"
Liz: "Uh, yeah, I think we are going to be baby proofing this weekend."

So as many of you have told us, our lives are about to change for good. Here is a video I shot this morning (Saturday) of the little man on the move...just to make sure I have proof that this is actually happening, enjoy!

Oh, watch Riley towards the 1:35 mark

9 Months

Every day you seem to be more and more like a little boy. I love coming home to you every night because I feel like I am seeing a new child each day.

This past month has finally brought about some new teeth! It seemed like they would never come but finally one broke quickly followed by a second tooth. You were quite a slobbery little one when they were breaking and you had a few rough nights, but when they finally broke and you were able to sleep through the night you were like a whole new child.

You are close to crawling though you still hate to be on your tummy. You have the rocking motion down and will raise a hand or knee, but you just don't seem to want to put it all together.



The same thing for walking. You still love to walk around the house and at times that is ALL you want to do. We bought you a new toy that looks like a mail cart to help you walk around the room but you had one fall on it and you are gun shy ever since. You are learning how to walk just holding one hand, but you are still very hesitant to go too far.



Your voice seems to come in stages. You really find it when you are cruising around the house. It's like you are concentrating really hard and you have to talk yourself through your walks. Sometimes though, you just seem to go on "rants" when you squeak and squawk for long stretches of times.

One of the greatest things is that you are starting to waive goodbye. It started first with just a little wave of the arm that we guessed to be a waving motion. It has since turned into a stiff arm movement up and down and a big smile whenever mom or I leave.

One of your favorite activities is to look out the window. Whether it is the bay window in the kitchen or the front or back door you like to stand and look outside. You like to lick the cold glass and mumble as the cars pass. You could probably stand there for hours on end if we let you. It certainly is a blessing on those occasions when you want to fuss late in the day.

We are excited and nervous to have you moving about. We have invested in our baby-proofing gear and have already started installing some of it.



You can see more pictures like this one by clicking here!

8 Months Three Weeks

On The Move


Love at First Site


Beep Beep


Who Needs Toys When You Have Socks and Tupperware?

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A Promise

I know we are heading down a new path, a path that leads to your crawling, walking and talking, a path where you start to experience the world in a new way, and I am excited for that journey to start. But one of the most beautiful things so far has been to see you experience the little things that the day brings. The way you smile when your mom or I get you up in the morning, the way that your eyes light up at the painting in the kitchen, even though you have seen it a thousand times you get excited with each new look at it; like you are experiencing those vibrant colors in a new way each time. Seeing the way that you touch a cold door or window as we watch the goings on outside makes me smile and make me realize that one of the best things about being a parent is watching you experience your world. Seeing the beauty in all the little things in life as you learn them one by one.

So, I want to make you a promise. I want to promise you that I will let you have those experiences. I will try my best to not ruin the little things in life, to you let you have those experiences as untarnished as I can. I will make that promise to you if you can promise me one thing; to keep your child like amazement forever. Keep looking at the world as a new experience each day, and simply take in each new moment with those wide baby blue eyes twinkling at the beauty of it all.

If we can promise each other that, I can't wait to see you experience life.

The Best Half Hour

It's not the longest part of my day but it is by far the best part. That moment when I walk in the house and a little head peaks over the couch or over his exersaucer and that big toothless grin appears. The time when mom, dad and Harrison, all get to play on the living room floor. When Harrison giggles as he shows me how he can "walk" or as I tickle his tummy and and "toss" him in the air. That half hour between being home and bed time when we can laugh and giggle like there isn't another care in the world and if there is, I really don't want to know about it!

8 Months

I can't believe that four weeks have passed already. I feel like the time is going faster each week, faster than we can really keep track of. These last four weeks have brought out more of your personality, your ability to move, your ability to learn and pick things up and your coordination.



You are truly our child as you seem to have a stubborn streak that only your mother and I could bring about. The best example of this stubbornness was trying to get you to drink out of your sippy cup. When we first gave it to you you made us hold it for you which was fine. But when we would make you hold it you would put your arms straight out like a bird and open your mouth with the cup sitting right in front of you. You would start to whine or just keep flapping your arms until one of picks up the cup and puts it in your mouth for you. You have since gotten better about this but every once in a while when you are crabby you refuse to hold the cup.



Your stubbornness is offset by your incredibly sweet moments. Even though you love to see everything that is going on, when you get tired or get unsure of what is going on and you need a hug, you just throw your little hands up in the air in our direction waiting to be picked up and loved. The best moments are putting you to bed, when you are so tired you just cross your arms and lay your head on our shoulders as you stand on our laps after drinking your milk, giving us stories to relay to each other each night.



You are quickly becoming closer to being mobile. You love to have us walk you around the room and your coordination is getting better and better by the day. You are also starting to get up on your hands and knees and rock your little bottom back and forth. We first noticed this when we would get you up in the mornings. We call you our little dinosaur because we'd find you in your crib on your hands and knees and your little back and neck arched looking around like a brontosaurus looking for leaves.

You are very enthusiastic about banging your blocks on other blocks and banging things on your high chair, this seems to be your new thing as you quickly discovered that two things clanging on each other make cool noises. You also like to play with balls and watch them being thrown up in the air or rolled across the floor. You find great amusement in them and laugh and squeal with delight as we toss them your way.



Your personality is starting to shine through bit by bit everyday and we love to watch you grow and progress. Your laughing and squealing brings us such happiness and the best moments are when we all sit in the living room play together.



Your mommy and I can't wait to see what other adventures await as you start to crawl and walk, and as your personality really starts to shine through. You are a rock star, even if only in our hearts. We love you baby boy and cherish each incredible moment with you.

One of those Days

You ever have one of those days where it's barely noon and you feel like it's five o'clock? A day where no matter what you do your child won't stop fussing, not really crying but just a constant hum of malcontent? A day where you want to ship your child to Mexico but you know your wife and the authorities would probably frown upon that decision? Where right when you get to your very wits end your child looks at you smiles and puts his arms around you like he just needs a hug to make it better, and you melt and feel bad for having that thought about sending him to Mexico? You could say I am having one of those days.

Official Diagnosis

Harrison had been a little stuffy and congested the last few weeks. We were afraid that he might be getting another ear infection since the last time he had one he was acting the same way.We took him in about a week ago but everything came back fine. The Doctor told us to watch for sleepless nights, continued runny nose etc. and to bring him back in if any of those things persisted.

Well this week has been all out hell. Harrison has been waking up at least three times a night usually between 2:00 and 5:00 AM crying and screaming. He has been congested in the morning and he hasn't been eating well. He has progressed with his vegetables and cereal but he is still only eating a couple of spoonfuls each time, so when he wakes up at night we have been reluctantly feeding him because he acts like he is a starv'in marvin.

After the fifth straight night of this we decided to take him back in to the doctors just to make sure nothing was wrong.

I took him in today, list of questions and issues from Liz in hand. I sat there explaining to the doctor what was going, reading from my list, trying to answer her questions as best as I could trying to get to the bottom of his "issues".

Me: He wants to eat in the middle of the night when he wakes up
Dr: You should give him more cereal during the day and that will fill him up more.
Me: Yeah, he won't eat more than a couple of spoonfuls
Dr: You might try mixing in some Applesauce
Me: Yeah we tried that and it didn't seem to help much
Dr: OK...hmmm, how is he sleeping during the day
Me: OK, sometimes
Dr: You might try putting him on a routine for naps
Me: Yeah, we have been trying but when he wakes up at night his routine is thrown off
Dr: OK, you can also start pushing back his bedtime to later in the evening and try feeding him before he goes to bed.
Me: Ok, we started doing that a little bit each night
Dr: And he is still waking up?
Me: Yeah
Dr: OK, well his ears are clear and everything else looks good...official diagnosis...Stink Pot!

Great!

Weekend Pictures

Splish Splash

Waking Up


Goofy


Internet Genius in Training

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Seven Months

Oh Mr. Harrison, every time we think that things are getting smoother you find ways to keep your mother and I on our toes. It seems like month 7 has been one filled with peaks and valleys.
You are still struggling with your sleep. This month though it was because you decided that you would tumble around your bed like a sleeper in the dryer. We have been awakened at all hours of the night with jolting shrieks. One would think with your shrieks that the crib had fallen down upon you or something crazy, but no, it is because you have woken up and found yourself on your stomach. When we enter your room you look like a baby dinosaur on your hands and knees with your little neck stretched out, looking around trying to figure out what is going on.



The peaks however have been tremendous to watch. You are sitting up now on your own. It only took a few tries for you not to topple over and we were so excited when you got it. You now just like to hang out and play with your toys, though when you do fall over it is pretty cute. Most of the time you fall over, get a look of shock on your face and then just lay there, resigned to your fate.



You are reaching for everything. The sweetest thing is when we hand you off to someone (even between mom and I) and you reach back for one of us with a goofy little grin on your face. You are amazed by anything that moves or shines. You love to look at the pictures that are hanging on the bulletin board or on the fridge. You still like to see where your doggy is, almost to the point where you stop eating just to see where he is.



You are also taking baths in the big boy bath tub and love it just as much as you liked the baby tub. You had one little spill in the tub and caught a mouthful of water. At the time you screamed like crazy but it seems to have had little effect on your bath time fun.



We are keeping our fingers crossed that you will start eating soon and that you will straighten out your sleep schedule. Other than that you continue to warm our hearts with every little smile and every step forward in your development.

Old Time Hockey

I posted this on my other site but figured it might be appropriate for this site as well. If you are interested in reading it just click here.

Watch out below

I have to write about this, mostly because I can't stop laughing about it. I like to think that I am getting this whole parenting thing down but every now and again I get sent back to reality and usually rather quickly.

So I picked Harrison up the other day from the sitter's and headed home, trying to get him bathed and fed as quickly as possible because he was cranky and tired. I rushed home and threw everything in the house and quickly ran to get the bath ready. Because he is now getting his baths in the big bath tub, I have yet to get the water temperature down on the first try. So thinking I had the right mix of hot and cold I went in to get Harrison undressed. As I was undressing him, because he has a tendency to pee on me, I kept singing a little song called, "Don't pee on daddy" an ominous song looking back on it now.

We got into the bathroom to get in the bath and I realized the bath water was a little cool, so I turned the heat up and I started stirring the water to mix up the cooler water. So there I was, sitting on the edge of the tub contorted with one arm in the water trying to mix the hot with the cold and one arm holding Harrison, as he was leaning over trying to play with the curtain. All of a sudden I heard a sound like water hitting my jeans, I started laughing and asked Harrison if he had just peed on daddy. Well, as I looked down I realized it wasn't pee. He barely got my jeans but it was all over the floor and bath mat. So I quickly held him high up in the air, like if I do that it will all go away, anyway, there I am holding him up like Simba in the Lion King over Pride Rock, looking at the floor, not really sure what to.

So I quickly set him in the water, afraid that there was more to come, and started trying to figure out how I could clean it up without letting Harrison drown. I thought about running to get paper towel but the whole time I am thinking, two inches, thirty seconds, two inches, thirty seconds a baby can drown in two inches of water in thirty seconds, so I knew I didn't have time to run to the kitchen. Meanwhile the stench was killing me, so I started trying to get my jeans off. Because our bathroom basically opens up to our laundry closet I quickly grabed some old rags and wiped up the floor. I started the washer and threw the mats in, mind you, I am hedging between the washer and the tub making sure that Harrison is still sitting up afraid to get too far away. I started kicking my shoes off and tearing off my jeans to get undressed and get them in the washer as well. The whole time H is looking at me with his fist in his mouth like I am some kind of crazy man.

I finally got everything in the washer and got Harrison washed, as I am walking out of the bathroom I looked at myself in the mirror, I have a wet baby still looking at me like I am crazy, no pants on, my t-shirt and a blue tooth in my ear flickering a soft blue light, just another modern dad, giving his kid a bath.

Harrison Showing Off

Harrison helping with the laundry



Just playing



The Showdown



Ol' Blue Eyes

A Reprieve

I know most of you come to this site to see updates about Harrison and not to read my rumblings about other things. So, I have launched a new site where I can explore other topics, mostly about how life and sports come together. If you would like, head over to Hockey Skates and follow along. I will still continue to post here about Harrison and his life and of course post all of his wonderful pictures!

Like A Drug

It had been a few weeks since the first time we introduced Harrison to Baby Einstein, the popular baby video series that up until a few months ago was thought to make your kid a genius. We needed to do some major cleaning since the holiday had effectively made our house a disaster area, so we strapped H into his seat and threw on the video, saying a little prayer we would be able to get a few things done before he absolutely went crazy.

Well, it was like drug to the little guy. He started screeching the minute the video kicked on and was leaning so far out of his chair that we thought he might tumble completely out of it. We were shocked and thrilled. We would each stop every once in a while from what we were doing to just stand and laugh as he got more and more excited. We even started it over once and were able to get more done.

The funny thing is that these things look like they were shot in someones basement with a hand-held camera, a slinky, a wire hoop, hand puppets and a bunch of flashing lights. But at least he likes it. Granted we won't be sitting him in front of these very often, but at least we know what keeps him entertained in a pinch.

New Year

A new year, a time for new hopes, goals, and resolutions, but also a good time for reflection and thanks.

Looking back at where we were a year ago it just amazes me. A different job, a new child, a greater marriage, and hopefully a better person. Of course the most amazing thing is Harrison and the laughter and smiles he has brought us, but this year has been pretty awesome and we are very fortunate with all that we have.

I also want to say thank you to everyone; friends and family, co-workers and colleagues. Everyone who is in our lives is special and we appreciate everything that you do for us.

I am excited for 2008, the challenges, the victories, the losses, and the ties. Especially the losses and ties, because after all it is the losses and ties that bring about the greatest lessons, right?

So be great in 2008 and I look forward to sharing more with you here.

Monumental Moments

So on Sunday (December 30th) Harrison discovered that he could sit up by himself! I would like to think that it had to do with me teaching him the intricacies of having a wide base, which I explained will help him in hockey, but I think it had more to do with Harrison having a superior set of Abs, either way he is now upright.



This of course makes mom a little sad because he is quickly growing up and isn't her "little" baby, but we were both very excited when this happened. You can see more pictures of the great moment and other new pictures here.