Tuesday, September 09, 2008

Friday, September 05, 2008

Rain, Rain Come Again...

So I have to preface this video. The day before we shot this it was raining out and the rain was hitting the Chimney. You could hear the rain hitting the metal outside through the fireplace and H was absolutely enthralled by it. We gave him his bath that night and as soon as he was out he raced back to the fireplace to hear THAT noise.

We shot this the next night. It had just begun raining and he was obsessing over hearing the sound and wanting more (that is the sign that he is making). It is a little long - three minutes - but we thought it was pretty cute at how intense he was about listening to the sound and how he wanted MORE!.

Monday, August 25, 2008

Parenting

As a parent you can't really tell you if you are good, you hope that you are doing a good job, but you'll never really know for a a good twenty years or so...at least that's my theory. But as H has started becoming a little boy, and as we find ourselves trying to teach him and lay the groundwork for the years to come, I find myself learning new things everyday. So here a few of the things I have learned:

* It's OK to walk outside with your barefeet
* Sometimes it's ok to cut across the grass
* Letting out a shout, just because, is good for you
* Laughing at nothing at least once a day will make you smile...even if you are crying at that moment
* It's OK to fall down, it's even better when someone is there to pick you up
* Naps are good
* It's OK to cry
* If you can get applause for eating sweet potato's, standing up, signing, take it, and run with it!
* Your mom and dad will always be there for you...even when you don't think they are, they are probably three steps ahead of you

Thursday, August 21, 2008

14 Months

I swear that you are going to think that your birthday is a week or two later than it really is if you go by my blog posts, but I am trying to stay as caught up as I can. I am also hitting a small dilemma, I've always said that I wouldn't be one of those parents who rattles off their kids age in months after a certain point i.e. "Harrison is 22 months", so I am trying to figure out the best cutoff - I think a proper time is a 18 months because then I can just say a year and a half.

Anyway...14 months. You are at an a difficult age now. Not because you are difficult - anything but - but more so because you are at a stage now where you are mobile, mobile to the point that you are almost running. And you are so inquisitive that you are constantly on the move - trying to pull up on things or pull things down to your level. So its difficult because you are quickly becoming this little person but you can't tell us what you want. You can't verbalize all of these new things that you are seeing and touching so it is hard for you because you can get frustrated so easily when we don't know what you want.

IMG_1738

It is a fun time to be a parent. I am seeing myself as less a caretaker and more Sherpa. Strange analogy, I know, but it works. I see us guiding you more often now. Trying to show you how to manage certain things, like getting off the couch or a chair. Trying to show you that maybe taking a header off the couch isn't such a good idea and that if you just slide off backwards on your tummy, your feet will hit the floor first and not your head. And to see you pull it off for the first time without help is so rewarding.

IMG_1917

You are also figuring out how to just be by yourself. Not that we are leaving you alone often, but the other day as I was trying to get your breakfast ready I couldn't hear or see you. As usual I went to "Oh, Crap, what is he doing" mode. I quickly went to the last spot I left you - your room - and found you just flipping through your dog book. Content, talking to yourself like you were reading. It was so cute. I actually walked away quietly so as not to disturb you...only to slowly peak around the corner again just to watch you one more time.

IMG_1813

Your mother and I can literally watch you for hours with smiles on our faces. One of the greatest joys, now that you are slowly (or quickly, depending who you ask) gaining more and more personality is watching how you play with Riley. You regularly wake up and reach out for him as he comes into your room. You actually walk up and pet him or throw your arms around his neck and lay your head on his back. It's amazing, at least to me, because it was just this sudden shift of acknowledgment on your part. Like, I have a dog, and I can pet him, and I LOVE him!

Watching how you play with mommy is also adorable. It is great to see her scoop you up and watch your face light up. Or seeing you run over to her with something in your hand, like, "LOOK, PAPER!" "It isn't it amazing!" It's like you have to share everything with us and it just makes us laugh and melt all at the same time.

You met your cousins in California and it was great to see you guys together. You weren't quite sure of what to make of them at first but you slowly warmed up to them and they to you.

IMG_1679

Sharing was a new concept to you, especially with two year olds. Negotiating who got to play with what was like brokering a truce between waring countries at times, but it was a great experience and absolutely fun to watch you play with your cousins. We are already making plans for "California Camp" and "Indiana Camp" when you all get a little older.

The Next Generation

This past month has gone by so quickly. They seem to be flying by faster and faster now. We are trying to expose you to many things now, even taking you to the State Fair! You loved the animals and every time the big John Deere tractor drove by you had to point.

We are excited to see the fun we will have as summer turns to fall and to continue to watch you continue to grow up to be a little man!

IMG_1806

Friday, August 01, 2008

Soccer Mom

"So Kiburz, you ready to be a soccer mom now?"

"Ah, Lucas, I'm a hockey mom, NOT a soccer mom!"

That a girl!

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Sign of the Times

There are moments in your life when you realize that you are entering a new phase. There are the obvious moments, like when you graduate from school, get married, have a child. These moments, while defining rarely sneak up on you. They are moments that despite their huge implications, are manageable because you have time to prepare, understand them, and accept them.

Then there are the other moments, the moments that sneak up on you subtly, like a summer cold. You're fine one minute, the next you're not quite sure what hit you.

IMG_1912

I am not sure how it happened. One minute we were talking about gas prices and the next minute we were comparing fold down seats, automatic sliding doors, and DVD systems (we opted out of that trap).

IMG_1907

Now, mind you, my experiences with minivans center mainly around those sweet old Dodge Caravans. The sticky sweet feel of vinyl trimmed seats, the long road trips spent on a cooler next to the door. Not because I wanted to, no, because I was the only one who wouldn't complain the whole way. So my view was either the back of the headrest or the flashing landscape out the sliding door window.

So, yeah, I guess this van is an upgrade to those vans and not because of any of the features. Rather because at least I know whatever happens, I'll be driving or sitting in the passenger seat and not "riding cooler" across the great American landscape.

IMG_1911

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

13 Months

This last month has been an fast paced month. It seems like you are catching on more quickly to things...and developing your curios and mischievous side.

IMG_1991

You have started talking more. You have moved from saying "Da" for everything and have started forming more word like sounds. You now say "haaat" for Hot, "up" "hi" "Dadda" "Mamma". You are also learning how to use your signs. You are very proud of yourself when you use "more". The first time you really did it to signify that you wanted more of something you stopped after you did it with a huge smile on your face, like "Look what I just did". You still smile each time you do it, and sometimes you do it to signal that you want something, but either way it is pretty damn cute!

You are moving around much better. You still get off balance when you are tired but for the most part you are much more stable. So stable in fact that you have discovered a new game in which you stand in the middle of the family room and start turning in circles getting yourself dizzy. The whole time a huge smile is spread across your face as you discover a new sensation.

IMG_1959

Your curiosity can sometimes create hailstorm of tears as you still need to touch and play with everything. Now that you can communicate a little bit you become more agitated when we don't respond with the proper item that you are pointing to. Like we should know what a point and DA means. You love to put lids on things and play with straws, more specifically, dip the straw in and out of the water. We love that you are curious, and it is awesome to watch you struggle with something for a few minutes and then see the joy on your face as you figure it out.

Grandpa K teaching H about Scotch

You've been sick the last two weeks so you have been a little run down, but you have been slowly getting back to your normal self. Tonight as I was putting you to bed you started attacking me with your sloppy wet kisses and wide open mouth, that's when I knew my little man was almost back!

IMG_1852

You can see all pictures on our Flickr page

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Sunday Morning Walk

Heading outside before anyone is up. Little bare feet touching the cool concrete.

Tiny footprints trailing you as you walk through the puddle left from the early morning rain.

Ten steps one direction, stop, turn, twenty the other way and ten back. 1/2 a block. Stop. Turn. Turn around again. Going nowhere and everywhere.

Holding your hands up in the air, grabbing nothing, pointing to everything. The breeze picking up, hitting us in our face. Stopping, smiling. A huge smile now as your hair stands up from the cool gust of air. Might as well be a burst of life blowing right through you.

A Stick. Pick it up. Show it to me, like it is the best and only prize in the world.

Turn it in your little hand.

Move it towards your mouth. "NO, not in your mouth." A look like, "I wasn't really going to, dad." Again to the mouth - "NO."

Put it gently back in the grass, like your sending it back home. Pick it up again, because you aren't quite done yet.

Twenty more steps. Up the neighbors driveway, scoop you up.

Down the sidewalk again. A bird cackles. STOP. Turn, turn some more. Where is it? Point, point again.

A Stick!

Scoop you up...I think it's time for a bottle and a nap.

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Dire Consequences

"No, Harrison, you don't need another chocolate chip cookie"

"*Whispers* Here you go, just a little bite"

"Honey, I said NO"

"He's not, daddy's having a cookie"

"That's why he has chocolate all over his face? You can't start undermining me already, you start now, next thing you know he has a pregnant 15 year old girlfriend"

"Wait, I gave him a bite of a cookie and now he has a pregnant girlfriend? H, stay away from cookies...and girls"

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

One Year Old

IMG_1763

So it's official, you are a whole year old. We still can't believe it, and sometimes mommy still makes comments about how you aren't her little baby anymore.

You have a very distinct personality and it is becoming more and more apparent each day that you might be a little strong headed. You have started to point to everything you see and want to touch it all. You also love to be outside playing and sometimes get a little upset if we come inside before you are ready.

IMG_1688

You LOVE to stand up in the bathtub and no matter how much we say no you will try to stand up at least a half dozen times before you start with the big old crocodile tears. You like to test us on other things - like opening the entertainment center cabinets - you are going to be mischievous but we are as prepared as we can be I guess!

We had a great birthday party for you at our house. Your mother worked very hard to make it a great event. The theme was "Sailboats" complete with a mini cake for you and a larger cake for your guests.

IMG_1709

IMG_1710

Speaking of guests, you were able to meet your great grandparents, GG and Grandpa Lucas, my dad's parents. It was the first time they met you, you were a little leery at first but warmed up to great grandpa after he taught you how to "pat the cake, roll it, and THROW IT IN THE PAN" which you absolutely loved. You also took a liking to your great aunt and uncle - my Aunt Lannie and Uncle Dick.

Throwing it in the pan!

You have started taking anything, a play phone, a shovel, a dog, anything and pretending that it is a phone. You walk around holding the object to your ear and your other hand to your other ear, like you are trying to hear. I am not sure what that says about your mother and I's phone habbits, but you have picked it up somewhere. This has reminded of the Harry Chapin song, "Flowers are Red" because I hope that you continue to use that imagination, that ability to grab whatever and make it a phone - and I hope that as parents we let you foster that imagination without killing your curiosity.

IMG_1860

You absolutely love animals. You have learned to make a panting sign when you see a dog and if you see Riley or your stuffed dogs you start making the panting noises. If you see a dog when we are taking walks you have to stop and point and pant. It is amazing really , you can hear a dog bark from seemingly miles away and you have to stop and find it before you can move along. Your mom and grandma K took you to the zoo on your actual birthday to pet the elephants and feed the giraffes, which you apparently loved.

IMG_1921

You are still a little mini mite - as I like to call you. You were in the 5th percentile for weight tipping the scales at 18 pounds, 13 ounces. 50th percentile for height at 30 inches. You might be small but you are healthy and you sure are an active little man, so we really aren't that concerned...though the likely hood you are going to become a middle linebacker for the Boilers and the Packers seems to be a little further off than I had wished :).

Your mother and I can't wait for you to start talking and to see how you progress each day. Your going to be a crazy little man and we get glimpses of that each day. One year down and we couldn't be happier at how much fun we have had with you. Sure we have had some rough days, but we have been blessed with such a happy, healthy, beautiful boy. We know we are lucky and we are thankful each day that we have you!

Baby Smurf

You can see ALL our Birthday pictures here!

Monday, June 09, 2008

Things I've Learned in One Year of Fatherhood

- That it's not about the lack of sleep it's about the interrupted sleep

- Even though you just changed an incredibly wet diaper, there is still more and it will get you the second you take the old one off

- The time spent washing bottles and baby clothes will roughly be the same amount of time you used to spend exercising, reading, watching t.v. etc.

- For the first six - nine months you will wonder when he will start moving, after that you will wonder why he won't stop moving

- That you ABSOLUTELY. MUST. TOUCH. EVERYTHING. YOU. SEE.

- That saying NO for the first time will break your heart and it barely gets easier the 2nd and 3rd time

- You realize that NO is good for both you and he

- That mommy is a saint for being a milk vendor for the first 8 months

- Somehow no matter what mom and I are talking about it will eventually come back to you and how cute you are

- That what you didn't know today is only temporary because you seem to learn something new everyday

- That coming to get you out of the crib and seeing you peek through the crib slats is one of the only reasons I don't mind getting out of bed at 6:00 AM on a Saturday

- That toys seem to reproduce nightly

- Riley really cherished being the only "child" and now resents your mother and I

- He doesn't resent you so much, especially now that you feed him from the high chair

- That I can't think of how you looked when you were first born, and that makes me a little sad

- That I know now, no matter what I do in life that it will never compare to being a father

- That I am scared everyday that I will screw this up

- I am comforted everyday knowing that your mother will be there to save me (and you) if I do

- That I can't wait to teach you to do so many things - and I am not sure where to start

- The best way to end a day is putting you to bed and kissing your sleepy little head good night

- Picking you up from the sitters is absolutely fantastic because you walk over and grab me around the neck

- That you have brought your mother and I closer than I could have ever imagined

- That I am thankful everyday for your sweet little soul, and I can't wait to see what lies ahead for our family

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

11 Month Pictures

This is the first month I haven't written an update - I feel terrible. But I am putting up pictures and will have a 12 month post before his birthday.

Enjoy all the pictures by visiting our Flickr page.

11Months
11 Months

IMG_1797
At The Zoo With Pappa Roger and Grandma Lis

IMG_1778
So Excited!

Attack of the Naked Baby!
Attack of the Naked Baby!

IMG_1838
Goof Ball

IMG_1706
Walking and Talking

IMG_1700
Quack!

Thursday, May 08, 2008

Laughing so as not to Cry

I have waited to write this because I haven't really known what to say. But one of the reasons - as I've stated before - that I started this was to give you context of your life, the events that make you, well, you.

Someday when you are older your mom and I will tell you about a very rough stretch in our lives. When mommy lost her grandmother and we lost a baby, all in the matter of two months.

When we found out about the baby it was very difficult. You were actually with us - I'll never forget trying to keep you amused with your squishy turtle book while looking at the ultra sound monitor looking, hoping, for a heartbeat. I remember being glad that I had you in my arms because I could focus on you and not really on what was going on.

It was an odd feeling driving home. I was still in shock and had so many different feelings, but the biggest was being hollow - not empty - just hollow.

I was trying to figure out how I could be angry and sad and hollow all at the same time. But I was also trying to figure out how I could have these feelings knowing that I had such a wonderful little boy sitting in the back seat. And that is what brings me to you.

The only way that I can figure why this happened - and what I keep telling mommy - is because you needed your own angel to watch over you.

You will never know how much of a role you have played in our ability to get through this tough stretch. I have often looked at you with tears in my eyes thinking about your little brother or sister and have been quickly moved from tears to laughter.

Your wonderful little soul. Your ability to look at us and make us laugh or smile with a little noise or a dance or a "Da, Da", has been a blessing that your little heart will never know.

So, I just want to say thank you. Thank you for being you and for being such a wonderful boy. Because through all the times when we could have cried you have been able to bring us laughter and joy. It isn't always easy, but without you this would have been a million times harder...so, in those moments when what we really want to do is cry, we can laugh. Laugh at the beauty that is you, and that is our wonderful family.

Thanks,
Mom and Dad

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

10 Months 2 Week Pictures

Uhm, Wasn't Me??
Uhm, Wasn't Me!

Double Trouble
Double Trouble

IMG_1714
Spring Time

Workout Anyone?
Workout Anyone?

Buddies
Buddies!

See more pictures by clicking here

Thursday, April 24, 2008

10 Months

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!

Pull Ups

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.

My Boy!

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!

Little Guppies

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.

IMG_1708

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Spring, On the Move, and Silly Hats!

IMG_1864-1
Springtime at the Park

IMG_1853
Swing Time

IMG_1859
Wheee!

Just Cruising
Mail Time!

IMG_1847
Speedy Delivery

IMG_1833
Uncle Rob Will Never Let Me On the Boat With This Hat!

IMG_1826-1
Rubber Ducky