{the blog}

Pinterest Post: Painting with shaving cream

2012-03-08T00:09:00.002-06:00

Painting with shaving cream...do you love this idea as much as I do?

I got this idea off a Pinterest link to make Easter eggs, but this paint can also double as bath tub paint. We also tried Bacon & Eggs in a toast cup, Skinny Baked Mozzarella Sticks, Chocolate Chip Oreo Cookies, Rice Krispie Cupcakes, Healthy oatmeal peanut butter chocolate chip snack bars & Baked Corn Dog Nuggets in the past couple of weeks. The mozzarella sticks were amazing and the corn dog nuggets turned out pretty good. On the dessert side the Oatmeal peanut butter bars were ok, the Rice Krispie cupcakes were pretty yummy, but after the frosting dried, they weren't half as yummy. The biggest disappointment came from the Chocolate Chip Oreo Cookies, absolutely nothing more than a chocolate chip cookie, not that there is anything wrong with chocolate chip cookies, but I was expecting something more...apparently I had my hopes set to high. I am hoping to pin more real food and less of that yummy chocolate stuff! I'll keep you posted if I run into anymore winners!

Now on to painting!

Challenging Myself

2012-03-05T22:06:00.000-06:00

There is sometimes in life that we all need to challenge ourselves...For me, aside from the challenges of parenting a two year old, I challenge myself with photos.

Last August I probably had my greatest challenge ever, photographing Harrison by a stream fishing. He was 21 months at the time.

I asked my dad to make me a home made fishing rod and headed to my home town of Stockton to a park called the Arches or as we local people call it, "Farmer's Park."

As a result I ended up with this shot, quite possibly the best shot I have ever taken.

I posted this photo back in August, but I am posting it again because I entered it in a photography contest at our hospital. The hospital is re-doing patient rooms and are looking for local pictures with some scenery, something calming. I am even more excited, because they are looking for a photo for the pediatrics area!

This is the first contest I have entered in more than a year. I usually think entering photography contests are a waste of time, but I thought I might as well give it a whirl and see what happens. And this post gives me another excuse to say, "I miss summer."

Aside my this week's linked 52 post I will most likely be MIA. I have a bunch of photo sessions coming up and a small wedding ceremony to finish editing aside from pulling somethings together for the March of Dimes Walk, being a mom and working my full time job, it's going to get a little crazy! So, I'll see ya, when I see ya!

But, I will leave you with this expression from tonight's shaving cream painting. We had a blast! I will post more photos when I get there, so this tease will have to do for now.

ten little piggies

2012-03-03T22:32:00.001-06:00

A bit of everyday happiness:

Avoiding nap time...

2012-03-02T23:57:00.000-06:00

So it's one of those days that nothing seems like it has gone right...

To rewind and relax this evening, I decided to sit down on the couch and veg out after a girl's night out grocery shopping only to find nothing on t.v., not even "House Hunters" on HGTV, which is almost ALWAYS on. I flipped to TLC, nothing worth watching so a blog entry is what you get.

Nap time was so interrupted by having to pick Whitney Dog up at the groomers today. I was sure this kid could hold out long enough while I showered and threw my sweats on to pick her up...Nope, he was out cold when I stepped out of the shower. I had to wake him to get dressed (we are naked potty training with the exception of a long tee). It was a quick trip to the groomers, we only live a few miles away, so I thought I could plop him right back down when we got home. This was obviously not the case. I read him a story, that didn't work...I told him I would be right back---30 minutes later he came walking down the stairs. So off to his bedroom we went together....after an hour of flip flopping and I said to him..."OK, do you want to try to take a nap or take photos?" (both which he equally dislikes). He shot up in his little bed and headed to the studio. No way has this EVER, EVER, EVER happened.

He was an angel! He did almost everything I asked him to do (like he read this morning's linked 52 post or something). I only wish I would have had more prepared or set-up, but every time I do that all, it back fires!

I can not WAIT for summer...I am beginning to think I mention that in every single post...but for a studio session, this will do!

I have plenty more practice shots lately that I need to edit. I got this new wood floor drop last weekend and a minty green back drop that I needed to see how each photographs for upcoming client sessions.

He had a ton of enthusiasm during this little take...but the sucker helped him focus on camera and he even shared a few licks with me.

A nap wasn't accomplished, but showing off this 2012 team Baby Harrison tee was.

FYI: He went to bed at 7:15 tonight.

Linked 52: Spirit

2012-03-02T00:01:00.002-06:00

This week's linked 52 post was a piece of cake...no need for props, bribery, or pleads from mommy to look at the camera and smile. I am pretty sure I probably have the hardest two year old ever when it comes to taking photos, however I am sure my friend/photographer Jenna would disagree with me saying hers is harder.

Apparently I like to challenge myself on a daily basis with Harrison. If I am able to photograph my own son, I can photograph anyone I have determined.

Over the past weekend we spent a couple days at an indoor water park, which isn't exactly camera friendly, but at a moment I lugged the camera out (which I refer to as a weight) I caught this moment which captures the "spirit" of happiness.

This has to be one of my favorite photos of my two boys of all time.

Check out the other photographers participating in Linked 52: Stacey, Michelle, Heather, Tracey, Andrea, Jenn, Jessica, Amanda, Kristin, Sara, Tracy, Lesli, Janet, Naomi, Rhonda, Rose, Carla, Lena, Heidi, Veronica, Amy, Liza, & Heather

27 Months (yesterday)

2012-02-29T22:19:00.000-06:00

Our little boy is well on his way to 2.5 years old in just a couple of months. I have mixed feelings about all this growing up stuff... Tonight he walked around the house in the cutest Mickey Mouse underwear you have ever seen. Underwear! I swear this is not my kid---there is no way I have a kid old enough to start potty training.

I have a friend who has a little boy that is also going through potty training right now too....today she sent me a text that her little boy woke himself from his nap to go poop and she added, "only you would understand this excitement as much as I do." This is so true---I honestly think this is one of the greatest excitements I have in life...Oh how you can totally tell I am a mom. Over our mini vacation I had to change my FB status update that read, "Harrison pooped on the potty, vacation success."

Obviously this whole potty training thing won't be completely smooth. He is still having accidents at home (maybe 1-2 per day). He doesn't verbalize when he has to go pee (only poop). At home we let him run around in his underwear and freely let him go on his potty as he desires (sometimes he asks to go on the BIG potty). Sometimes he is OK with us asking him to use the potty other times, he gets mad when you ask him. Daycare is another story---potty training is not happening there. He will sit for them, but that is far as it gets. Honestly I think if he didn't go back to daycare after his 6 days at home, he would already been potty trained. Being at home makes a HUGE difference. I am hoping our 3 day weekend with kick start him back into full potty training mode.

I've probably already talked too much about potty training...but hey, that is the news at the Kelley household.

I finally decided that I will end monthly blog updates (like this one) when Harrison turns 36 months (I just hate saying 3, it sounds so old). There will be plenty of blog entries, but probably not focusing so much on the monthly changes.

This month:

Favorite Food: Cheese
Favorite TV Show: Mickey Mouse Club House & Chuggington
Favorite Animal: Sheep
Favorite Color: Green
Favorite Toy: (Old) Digital Camera (and no, I am not making this one up)
Favorite Game: Elefun and Elmo Letters on the I-Pad
Favorite Phases/Saying: "What's that?" "A bite" and "No more monkey's jumping on the bed."
Favorite new word: Sully (that's one of our cats)
Favorite Books: Llama, Llama Books (the author really needs to write more) and "The Little Blue Truck."
Favorite Song (to sing): "Twinkle, Twinkle" and "ABCs"
Favorite Number: 2
Favorite weight: 25 lbs (he has been at that number for 4 months now)
Favorite Holiday: Christmas (he still asks where Santa is on a daily basis, apparently Santa left a lasting impression. I hope the Easter Bunny can shake the Santa thing).
Favorite helpful thing to do: washing things
Favorite habit: still using a plug (pacifier) and home and carrying around his "key, key," blanket everywhere---we have a Linus on our hands
Favorite time to wake up: 6:40 am on the dot
Favorite new skill: blowing bubbles in milk
Favorite thing to do with daddy: Count trucks and buses driving in the car
Favorite thing to do with mommy: bake (and have "A bite")
Favorite naughty thing to do: running away when asked to do something
Favorite thing not to do: sleep through the night
Favorite new trick for mommy and daddy: Reverse psychology
Favorite memory of the month: Mini vacation to Great Wolf Lodge

I think I could probably create a whole blog for the changes that occurred this month. It's been a roller coaster of potty training, an explosion and imitation of words, a whole lotta love and lots and lots of tickles. I seriously need to get his tickling on video---it's SO adorable, but then again what doesn't he do that isn't adorable?

I snapped these during bath time tonight for this post. Bath time has to be my FAVORITE time to photograph him.

Bubbles. Splashing. Smiles.

Amazement with bubbles.

No...he didn't cut himself shaving, it's a battle wound from daycare.

He loves these lotion smiley faces after bath time.

Great Wolf Lodge (Wisconsin Dells)

2012-02-28T21:17:00.000-06:00

I can't believe how much of difference it makes going from one to two years old. I am trying to put together in words just how awesome this last weekend was together as a playmate, mother and family of three.

Honestly I look at this kid some days and say, "Wow is this really my kid? He is so huge." I love his eagerness to try new things...and can't say enough about his temper and behavior in public. We can FINALLY go out to dinner again and not worry about him making a scene (well as often anymore) . He is getting to be such a good listener and honestly I love when other kids misbehave and cry around him, this is only because he looks at them with curiosity and then he glances at me for a little praise of "goodness," seeing that he is behaving. Damn I just love, love, love this little boy!

Over the weekend we spent the weekend at the Great Wolf Lodge in Wisconsin Dells with the Raadt family who are co-workers and friends of ours. They have an adorable little boy Micah who has the longest curly eye lashes you have ever seen! Micah just turned one in January.

We stayed Friday and Saturday night and got home later on Sunday. For me...I turned the weekend vacation into a 5 day vacation from work. Doug took off Monday, so he had 4 weekend, but all in all Harrison beat us both in taking 6 days off of daycare.

I didn't realize how many photos I took on our weekend stay, but it was FAR, FAR more than I anticipated, imagine that. :)

Here are some photos from recapping our mini vacation. As for a BIG vacation, we are thinking of taking Harrison on his first cruise ship in a few months. But, I would love to buy a boat, so do we save up to buy that? Doug grew up on a lake and I grew up spending the summers at my grandparents home right on the river. We both have so many good memories of growing up with water, we would love to have Harrison experience a piece of us. I am SO indecisive about things sometimes... I am sure this is one of the many things and I am Doug loves about me.

Now, enough words---here are some (or a lot) of peeks from the weekend.

Yep, this kid still loves to taste water.

Splashing with Daddy

He went down these slides all by himself!

We added a little Mickey Mouse :)

Apparently someone had too much fun...

Apparently both boys had too much fun... Kristi and I came back from riding a few water slides and found this. ADORABLE!

We stopped back at Buffalo Phil's restaurant again this year and look who made an appearance.

For those that don't know Buffalo Phil's---food and drinks comes delivered to your table on trains like this. What two year wouldn't love this? Heck, I am 20 something and still get a thrill out of this.

Love this next photo (bubbles)---I even included myself in the mirror.

After dinner and before story time at the tower Harrison and I (and Mr. Bear) enjoyed a sweet treat from the sweet shop.

We also had fun outlet shopping. Harrison cruised around in a car stroller rental that had been abandoned by someone (yeah, saved us $5...nothing wrong with being thrifty, heck we are already at a outlet). I made my co-worker Amy happy and traded in my "mom purse" for a smaller grey/powdery blue Coach purse. Harrison ended up with some adorable green Nike's and of coarse a trip to Baby Gap.

Stay tuned for my favorite photo from the weekend that I will post on my Linked 52 post on Friday. The theme this week is "spirit."

I am also due for a 27 month Harrison update (can't believe in just two months he will already be 2.5 years old), for now I am going to curl up my man and watch, "The Big Year." Talk about the BIG YEAR we are already having...I have to say it again, we love this little boy, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE him!

Linked 52: Romance

2012-02-24T08:24:00.001-06:00

It's time for a linked 52 post. The theme this week is romance. I didn't quite know how I was going to capture "romance" with a two year old. I want to find a way to include Harrison is every linked post, so I asked my co-worker if she had any ideas... I tell you, my co-worker Amy is great, so has so many ideas and not to mention she has an endless supply of props in her basement and she isn't even a photographer! I am so jealous. The table and chairs and Cinderella Minnie Mouse all curiosity of Amy.

A two year old version of romance:

I had the original idea of setting this up in the studio, but if you read my last post I am more about natural. We played restaurant in the kitchen, serving Mickey and Minnie (who have a long going romance) Mickey waffles.

Isn't he the cutest waiter you have ever seen?

And the flowers, a niced added touch to "romance" and another oppertunity for me to photograph them before they dry up. (Thanks boys for the Valentine gift).

(blowing kisses)

On Tuesday evening we were in urgent care with pneumonia---now look at this smile. LOVE.

Now ever since we played restaurant, Harrison is insistent that Mickey & Minnie join him for his meals---I caught a glimpse of him this morning setting up the table again as my husband is starting breakfast.

We are off to Wisconsin Dells water park (indoors that is) for the weekend! Happy Friday!

Check out who else is participating in linked 52: Stacey. Michelle, Heather, Tracey, Andrea, Jenn, Jessica, Amanda, Kristin, Sara, Tracy, Lesli, Janet, Naomi, Rhonda, Rose, Carla, Lena, Heidi, Veronica, Amy, Liza, & Heather

Light

2012-02-23T14:16:00.000-06:00

I am TRYING to branch out in the photography world, doing something different once in a whole. I love color, clarity and lightness. I guess you could say I am a wimp when it comes to trying new things.

I follow quite of few blogs these days, but two of the blogs I follow capture natural light like no other. The thing I like about these blogs is that they are about real life, capturing real moments of every day. Honestly if I didn't have to shoot in a studio I never would, it feels unnatural---I am outdoor kind of girl. I am missing summer and LONG days of natural light that accompany it.

Our house is old, 100 + plus years. It has caricature---you probably have seen the old wood floors in many previous posts. We have 9 foot original windows and original woodwork, but what we don't have it light. Both of our main entrances have porches which hinder natural light from coming in the house and the position of our house only allows light to flow in our kitchen and dining room in the early morning and about mid morning we have some light in our bedroom. Needless to say the flash gets a work out in our house. So---why am I talking about all of this light? Light is the most important thing when it comes to photography.

This morning I tried to challenge myself with the sun streaming into the kitchen window during breakfast.

Practice with light:

Of you scroll down to the I miss summer post---that was my other attempt to branch out. See, I am trying!

Pneumonia

2012-02-21T22:05:00.001-06:00

I am sitting here in Harrison room listening to the humidifier bubble between coughs and I am consumed with the smell of Vick's Vapor Rub.

We were doing so good! The last antibiotic was more than six months ago...and oh how good that feels to type that!

If you read my post from last night, you know I already had a gut feeling something was lurking around the corner. This was the third day I picked up Harrison and he was running a low grade fever. Today it was 100.5, not terribly elevated, but enough for daycare to call and inform me.

After calling Doug, I decided I would take him to urgent care, just to see what they had to say...because this cough has gone on long enough not to have him looked at.

The wait time when we got to urgent care was 45 minutes---thank goodness I stopped home and grabbed the I-Pad so he could play Elmo. Waiting wasn't too bad or seemed too long, but boy the nurse we had just didn't understand a 2 year old. I tried to convince her that she wasn't going to get him to stand on the scale. So after several attempts she weighed us both and subtracted his weight. Next she was insistent we get his height and him stand up to the wall. "OK lady, I have a sick child, the last thing he is going to do is go stand up against that wall and get measured." I said he had his height taken about 2 months ago and he was 31 1/2 inches long---I've doubt he was grown that much taller since then. FINALLY she gave up! Next we need to get his 02 level---this was even better. She attempted to get a reading on his finger, which I said he wouldn't let her do. We have been to the doctor too many times I know this child inside and out. I asked if we could use his foot instead. Her response was, "well, he will just kick it off, here let me ask someone else that might have an idea how to get a reading." A much friendlier nurse came in and said, "why don't you try his foot?" See lady...maybe I do know something! The friendly nurse took his temp. and then the not so friendly nurse tells me she is doubtful it's pneumonia, it's probably and ear infection. I said, " I am doubtful it's that, he has tubes and I would have seen drainage. She went on to say just because he has tubes he can still get infections and I wouldn't know. This is where I looked at her and said, "you know what I don't think this is an ear infection...he has had 14 of them before I think I know what I am talking about (8 after tube placement)." I also wasn't a fan of the way she looked at me, like I couldn't control my child. I will admit, Harrison doctor's horribly---he hates it and I don't blame him---52 days in the NICU and I don't know how many follow up visits, hell I would want out too. In fact on our way in tonight he looks and me and says, "no, no."

We get to see a doctor, not Harrison regular doctor (who I love), but this doctor did a really good job and most of all he listened to me. When you have a premature baby, just because he is two now doesn't mean he is out the woods. After listening to Harrison lungs he said that there is definitely some pneumonia stuff going on..."I would like to see a x-ray of his chest, but I would have to send you over to the hospital to do that and I don't want to make you do that or put him through that," he said. The doctor decided to treat this as pneumonia without the x-ray to confirm. I am so happy we didn't need to put him through another chest x-ray. The last one was horrible, it took two assistants and Doug and I to hold him down. This was such a relief I probably could have kissed the doctor. The doctor also suggested another coarse of steroids to help his lungs a little more.

So why this bottle of chocolate syrup? It was the doctor's recommendation to try to get Harrison to take the steroids---the taste isn't all the bad of the steroids, but the after taste is horrible. The chocolate is supposed to coat his mouth so the taste isn't as bitter and then he is supposed to take the medicine. It didn't go over well tonight... The antibiotics we put in yogurt and that seemed to do the trick.

Harrison is still running a fever tonight, so he will stay home with daddy tomorrow and rest up....he needs to be good as new by Friday when we leave for our trip to Wisconsin Dells.

Despite all of this---Harrison remains in a pretty good mood which is welcomed with opened arms. I called my mom tonight and she said, "It's probably because he is just used to being sick." That is probably true. He is truly our little trooper!

I have to share some sweetness from our bed time story just before I started this blog entry. We read "Green Eggs & Ham." On the last page of the book when same tries the eggs and ham, Harrison pretends to scoop the eggs off the page and pretended to eat them. Then he thought mommy needed some too---I burst out laughing. Next we read the book, "Bear Wants More" (guess it was a night all about food) and Harrison tried to feed Bear eggs and ham from the Dr. Seuss book. I've done my best to describe the moment, but certainly it can't do justice to actually being here to see this.

To end this post with smile, Harrison also brought home some new art work and insisted that it be hung on the refigerator.

Mickey Mouse (everything)

2012-02-20T21:36:00.000-06:00

It's all about Mickey ALL THE TIME.

I guess Harrison is taking after his Auntie Potter who has been obsessed with Mickey since I can't remember when...

Auntie Potter is always creating something fabulous. After returning home from our trip to the beach (see the post below) we were surprised to find Mickey Mouse brownies on the counter and home made Mickey Mouse waffles in our freezer.

Harrison hasn't been feeling well for the last two weeks plus with upper respiratory stuff. Surprisingly he has been in a good mood but having a lot vomiting and coughing spells (we are affraid he might be on the road to pnemonia again), so too see him so excited to actually eat something was welcomed. He had not just one Mickey brownie, but two (with a few bites of help from mom and dad, ya know just to make sure they were safe for consumption :)

LOVE THESE FACES!!!!

Telling Whitney, "No."

Be sure to check out the other two new posts below from earlier tonight.

I hope to actually do an update on Harrison's speech, health etc.---but photos were easier to post tonight!

I'm a MOM

2012-02-20T21:16:00.002-06:00

So I used to be fashionalable...can't say I there now days---but I have a lot of good intentions if you have checked out my fashion board on Pinterest. Though I may not be as fashionable anymore---I don't wear mom jeans quite yet.

One thing I have noticed a lot lately are moms who take their children to parks, zoos, and children muesums in tall steletos or boots with high fashion tops and over the top jewerly. Hello moms, we are there to play with our children, not win a fashion contest. Seems these days moms care more about what they look like than actually getting down any playing with their children. I pride myself in not being one those moms.

Here is little vintage photo reflection on my thoughts:

Real mom's wear comfy pants and tennis shoes. This is my wardrobe when I am not at work. After all I want to be comfortable when I get down on the floor to play.

Real mom's actually play with their young children, not gossip on the park benches .

Real mom's go down the same slide a dozen times and have enough electricity in their hair after to light a light bulb.

Real mom's dress in layers and head to the beach on a warm winter day.

Real mom's go on hunting quests to find sticks to dig in the sand with.

Real mom's capture shots like this.

February 19th, a sunny 41 degrees, yep folks we live in Minnesota.

This was the last take from our beach excursion. Just something I love about this photo.

Pinterest: Noodle Painting

2012-02-20T19:39:00.000-06:00

It's time for another Pinterest post and this one like many others this one promised a mess!

Who would have thought spaghetti noodles and finger paint? I pinned the idea from HERE.

I wasn't sure how this would go over especially with the texture of the noodles and paint. At two years old a lot of children have aversions to sensory and some children don't like to get dirty. Harrison was a little hesitant at first, but after a little reassurance from me he dug right in. This is definitely the most fun we have both had painting. After snapping a few shots I dug in too.

Love these two faces--he's getting so expressive!

After noodle painting we baked a batch of peanut butter mini chocolate chip cookies---so yummy I thought I would tease you with this photo:

Happy Monday!

I Miss Summer.

2012-02-18T00:16:00.000-06:00

The best part of my Friday....a little boy, 43 degrees (in February, in MN) and screeches of excitement!

The only thing perfect about any of these photos is the MOMENT. The color, clarity and light, not great. Sometimes the not so perfect photo is the right photo.

I miss summer. I miss the fun of getting out and enjoying the warm sunshine and capturing moments like this! Honestly the next few photos I posted are probably some of my favorite photos that I've ever taken of Harrison. Sometimes I get caught up in the photography stuff and need to let loose once in a while.

To try to get a two year to cooperate for indoor studio shots takes practically a miracle. For Harrison's Valentine session I snapped well over 100 photos and walked away with 3 winners. Today I snapped 10 shots and 6 of them were winner worthy and minus the stress of TRYING to get the shot.

This next one I am pushing Harrison on the swing and have the camera hanging around my neck and I just clicked a few and was surprised with this. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE.

My advice after this post is to go get your camera out (leave the cell phone as a phone)----charge the battery, clear the memory card and start shooting. My friend Jenna gave me the best advice ever while I was on maternity leave...so all you new mom's listen up! She said, "As long as dress the baby in cute outfit and take a picture, if that's all you accomplish in one day, that is okay."

It's A Preemie Thing GIVEAWAY!

2012-02-17T23:07:00.001-06:00

Have you had a preemie or know someone that has? It's A Preemie Thing is having a GIVEAWAY for tons of stuff! And I mean TONS! The only requirement is that you have to have had a preemie.

It's A Preemie Thing is a site devoted to PREEMIES! Yeah for the love of preemies! The website you can visit is http://www.itsapreemiething.com/ The family that started It's A Preemie Thing had a preterm baby boy at 29 weeks the day before Harrison was born. Their little boy Spencer has has some other obsticles, but is doing well. Our boys are flourishing and share the similarity of sleeping rarely through the night.

This year I am taking part in the It's A Preemie Thing GIVEAWAY giving a photography session to a family. My good friend and photographer Jenna Sefkow is also taking part in the GIVEAWAY.

Now...all you do is need to do is get signed up by clicking HERE. Good luck!

Speaking of preemies---have you signed up for Team Baby Harrison yet? Less than 60 days until the walk! Click TEAM BABY HARRISON to join us! We are excited to be putting together a raffle for the March for Babies for the Winona community March for Babies walk this year, you won't want to miss that!

Linked 52: Body Parts

2012-02-17T00:11:00.000-06:00

It's another week for a linked 52 post and oh how I had a blast with this week's theme, so get ready for a photo explosion.

Pucker up!

This next one is an absolute favorite---trying on a new tongue

Check out the work of the other talented ladies from Linked 52: Stacey, Michelle, Heather, Tracey, Andrea, Jenn, Jessica, Amanda, Kristin, Sara, Tracy, Lesli, Janet, Naomi, Rhonda, Rose, Carla, Lena, Heidi, Veronica, Amy, Liza, & Heather. Let me know if I forgot to include someone!

And...Happy Friday!

Bubble Bath

2012-02-17T00:09:00.001-06:00

I honestly think I could fill an entire album of bath tub photos of Harrison. There is just something about luke warm water and bubbles that sends this little boy into cuteness overdrive.

If it isn't already hard enough to drag Harrison out of the tub some evenings, discovering he can blow bubbles in the water just gave him another reason to become a prune.

Someday he is really going to hate for these shots---not sure what he is doing here, but one thing I do know, he is pretty darn cute.

Lovey dovey kind of day

2012-02-15T21:51:00.001-06:00

I had wanted to do this post last night...but I after finishing editing a client session I fell asleep on the couch watching "House Hunters." I guess not that romantic lovey dovey stuff you were expecting, but after a long day at work we went out for pizza, ran some errands & bath time the night was gone.

For those that don't know me well, Valentines Day is my favorite holiday. What's not to love about love?

Speaking of love... I love this photo from Valentine Day last year.

Here is the Valentine we sent out this year---LOVE (and what a changed little boy)

Harrison and daddy spoiled me with a new necklace, flowers and this home made Valentine's Day card...

The card easily melted my heart---I showed it to everyone that came into my office during the day and yep---it's also show cased below.

Mommy's Valentine

Mommy's flowers.

And let me please explain the "Love, Harry & Doug." Last week while we were at the mall we went past the Toll House Cookie concession and there was a GIANT cookie with an old camera on a it and flim and the cookie read, "Happy Birthday Harry." I insisited that Doug get me this cake for my birthday at that time not realizing it said "Harry." Words can not describe my huge dislike for the name Harry. I remember telling everyong that we were naming out son Harrison and peoples first response was either, "Oh Harry," or like "Harrison, Harrison ford." I would take Harrison Ford over Harry any day. Apparently Doug thought he would be "cute," and put it on the card. I guess it was cute...apparently he was listening to me when I was talking about the cake---let's see if I get that cake when June 12 rolls around. And WOW! Look at these flowers! SO, SO BEAUTIFUL.

I had to also capture a couple of photos of some of Harrison's Valentine's he got. There were so many cute ones, these two were my favorites!

The first idea here came from Pinterest, my co-worker's daughter made the heart mold from old crayon's they melted into a mold. Harrison handed out Mickey Mouse Valentines, but I neglected to take any photos of them. Next year Harrison and I will be fulfilling a pin from Pinterest and that's all I am going to share about that now.

Love this second Valentine---how adorable. What a super cute idea!

Cupid brought Harrison a Mickey Mouse Valentine Book along with a Mickey Mouse lift a flap book and the book, "Llama, Llama Nighty Night." We now own every single Llama book minus, "Llama Llama Wakey, Wakey." Harrison was also loved by his Grandmas and Grandpas.

We hope you shared your Valentines Day with the ones you love.

Date Night.

2012-02-13T20:54:00.000-06:00

Doug and I went out and celebrated Valentines Day Saturday night. Date night is so much different than it was nearly 10 years ago. Most conversations these days consists of potty training, discipline, who's picking who up, when was the last diaper changed, what's for dinner, how was your day...

Well Saturday night was Valentines night and how we tried not to talk about the everyday parenting stuff---but, it's like we were magnets drawn to it, hard to go off the coarse of life. I can't say we were very successful talking about "other stuff." However, we did manage to buy a lottery ticket with 4 quick picks in hopes we would become millionaires. Well, you haven't seen a millionaire post because we didn't hit the jack pot, but at least it sparked conversation.

As you can tell, Doug and I don't go out very often as just a couple, it's usually a double date or with a group of friends if we do make it out the door. It's kind of crazy how you forget how life was before you had kid(s).

I can't imagine how boring our life would be without children. There is only so much that you can talk about, there is only so much of work you care to share (or even care to remind yourself of)... Nights like tonight remind me just how lucky we are to have our family of 3 or 6 if you count the furry ones.

Date nights may not be the same as they were 10 years ago...they are better. We get to spend the time discussing the silly things he does and how much richer he makes our life. We get to discuss and plan our spring and summer trips and things we want to do as a family.

This boy and girl that met almost 10 years ago are still a couple, but we also a family. Nothing feels better to be so in LOVE with each other, our son, our family.

Happy Valentines Day to you and your love(s).

Linked 52: Quiet

2012-02-10T00:04:00.000-06:00

There is no quiet in the house when you have a two year old around, that is unless that two year old is resting or doing something they aren't supposed to be doing.

We needed to find inspiration for this week's QUIET post and found that here:

I give you QUIET (well for a minute anyways).

Be sure to check out the other photographers of LINKED 52: Stacey, Michelle, Heather, Tracey, Andrea, Jenn, Jessica, Amanda, Kristin, Sara, Tracy, Lesli, Janet, Naomi, Rhonda, Rose, Carla, Lena, Heidi, Veronica, Amy, Liza & Heather.

The Journey

2012-02-10T00:03:00.000-06:00

A peek at my Valentines gift from my two favorite boys.

Prematurity will always be in my part of my life---I won't be able to run or hide from it, but in all honesty given the choice I wouldn't change anything about Harrison, including his prematurity. Harrison has taught me so much life, made me a better, giving person. I am now a team leader for March for Babies Team Baby Harrison. I am part of two March of Dimes committees helping to support and create teams to help raise funds in the fight against prematurity. God knew what he was doing when he gave us Harrison and we are so blessed.

The journey necklace above came from Peekaboo ICU. Each bead helps tell the story of our journey in the NICU. The necklace isn't complete yet as it's missing the gestational bead as well as jaundice bead and few other I want to add as they become available.

The beads:

Purple Heart: The Preemie Purple Pendant is in honor of the million babies born too soon this year and the 12 million more struggling to survive. This pendant has a 925 silver charm that embodies the bracelet and a hand crafted purple glass heart that dangles below. The glass has been hand carved and the etches represent the struggles, strives, trials, and triumphs that make up the NICU journey.

Apnea/Bradicardia (black/white): Because premature babies brains and lungs are immature; apnea, (periods where breathing stops) occurs in approximately 85% of babies born before 34 weeks gestation. Apnea may be accompanied with periods of bradycardia, (or “bradys”) where the heart slows down. Stimulation usually helps the baby start breathing again, and NICU monitors make sure that these episodes are caught right away. Premature babies will grow out of this with age. This bead represents the ups and downs that come with having apnea and bradycardia and the emotional and physical struggles to overcome these obstacles.

PDA (red/pink roses): Before birth, the baby's blood is oxygenated by the placenta, not the lungs. The ductus arteriosus allows blood to flow from the heart out into the rest of the body, instead of going to the lungs to pick up oxygen. After birth, when the baby begins to breathe, the ductus arteriosus should close to allow blood to flow to the lungs to become oxygenated. In preemies, it may remain open, causing Patent Ductus Arteriosis( PDA) A PDA, which occurs in 8% of infants born between 30 and 32 weeks and more often in younger preemies, causes abnormal circulation. Medication, surgery, or just time may be needed to help close the ductus. This bead represents the PDA and the treatment that goes along with resolving this preemie condition.

Turquoise: symbolizes strength, protection from harm. Turquoise is the color of communication, self-awareness and initiative.

Kangaroo (silver): is a symbol of intuitive action and human connections. The kangaroo represents the importance of parent-child bonding in the earliest stage of life. Kangaroos bring extraordinarily strong warrior energy. This warrior brings strength and aids in self-empowerment. The kangaroo often comes into your life when things look grim and support and hope are needed. Science has proven that “kangarooed” babies thrive. Preterm infants that have this skin to skin connection with their parents gain weight faster, cry less, have a more stabilized body temperature, sleep better, breathe better, are often more alert, and have more stable heart rates.

Butterfly (silver): is a symbol of grace and eloquence and represents the transition into the world. The butterfly fearlessly leaves the safety of its cocoon to meet a new world in a new form, trusting its untried wings to allow it to fly. The butterfly is the perfect symbol of NICU graduation as the preemie makes their way into the world with faith and guidance; emerging strong and ready to fly as brilliantly as the butterfly.

Bee (silver): is the symbol for all the painful and unpleasant procedures that are endured along the NICU journey. (IV sticks, central lines, blood draws etc.)
The bee represents success and is a symbol of accomplishing the impossible. Aerodynamically- the body of a bee is too large for its wings and should not be able to fly. The bee’s wings need to work extra hard in order to accomplish this amazing feat. The bee teaches us that we can accomplish what seems impossible by having dedication, enduring the pain along the way and working hard, and gaining strength to get there.
Like the preemie, the bee is extremely sensitive to touch and sound. The bee works hard to pursue its dreams with incredible focus as it fertilizes its aspirations. The bee teaches us with endurance we can accomplish anything. The journey, although long and hard sometimes, will bring you a new sense of strength and the wisdom to know that you will make it.

Hearts barrel (silver): “The love of a child is life’s greatest blessing.”

Respiratory distress (blue/black bead): affects as many as 43% of premature babies born between 30 and 32 weeks, and almost all babies born before that time. Full-term babies make surfactant, a soapy like substance that helps keep the lungs inflated. Without enough surfactant, premature babies’ lungs don’t inflate well. Preemies may need artificial surfactant, or may need help breathing while their lungs mature. The bead design represents the air exchange within the lungs with the light blue circles representing aveoli that are expanded as the air moves in. This bead represents respiratory support needs while in the NICU.

Reflux (tan/brown): affects up to half of premature babies. In preterm infants, the most common causes of reflux are immature muscles and abnormal breathing from chronic lung disease. If the lower esophageal sphincter is weak or underdeveloped, it can remain open when it should be closed, letting the stomach contents flow back up the esophagus. Typically a preemie will grow out of this condition over time. This bead represents the preemie’s fight against this very uncomfortable and difficult condition.

Aniema (red/pink): Premature infants often are anemic, which means they don't have enough red blood cells. Normally, the baby stores iron during the later months of pregnancy and uses it late in pregnancy and after birth to make red blood cells. Infants born too soon may not have had enough time to store iron. Preemies may also become anemic from blood loss before or during delivery, a mismatch of the baby’s and mother’s blood types, the need to take frequent blood samples to preform necessary laboratory tests, or an inability to make enough red blood cells to keep up with the preemie baby’s rapid growth rate. This bead represents the struggles with anemia, the constant and sometimes continues blood draws and the need for blood transfusions.

ROP (white/green): The eyes of premature infants are especially vulnerable to injury after birth. A serious complication is retinopathy of prematurity or ROP. ROP is abnormal growth of the blood vessels in the infant’s eye. About 7% of babies weighing 1,250 grams or less at birth may develop ROP. This bead represents the preemies eye exams and the courage and strength needed during these uncomfortable and sometimes painful exams. The white bead represents the complete energy of light with green dots as it is believed that green symbolizes healing powers for the eyes.

Heart with foot prints (silver): Preemie imprints on the heart.

Holiday (white/red swirls): Spending the holidays in the NICU can be very difficult both emotionally and physically. This bead represents the time spent with your preemie as you celebrate Christmas together for the very first time.

Celebration (grey bead): Celebration of overcoming obstacles.

This is only a short list of few pf the the 20 + diagnosis Harrison had due to his prematurity.

I still get very emotional about his birth and hospitalization. Some days while I am driving in the car, my mind replays moments from those days. Some days I can't kiss him enough or hold him tight enough.

Today is a special day. Today is Harrison due date. Gestational wise, we officially have a two year old! As a reward Harrison tinkled in the potty for his first time yesterday morning!

I wish I could put into words how thankful I am, how much each day means to me, and how much this whole experience has changed my life.

I invest myself so much into March for Babies because its a contribution, a way to give back what I can to have this amazing little boy.

If you haven't signed up already to join our team, please do. If you can't make the walk, donations can be made online. If you don't have time to raise money, but want to walk, that's fine too (it's great to show support in numbers). I encourage you to sign up; do it for Harrison.

To sign up for March for Babies or to Donate: click HERE.

Cookie Cutter

2012-02-08T20:50:00.002-06:00

What did I do before Facebook, blogging, ETSY, and now Pinterest?

Pinterest has so many ideas---SO MANY!

Here is the latest pin: Cookie Cutter Painting

No paper required.

Embracing a toddler, embracing messy.

Pinterest Post: Sugar Cookie Bars

2012-02-06T21:31:00.001-06:00

Another pin from Pinterest.

Between cookies, pasta, birthday cake and sugar cookie bars---there isn't a whole lot of room in our tummys for all of this food at our house, so we made treats daddy could take to work.

The cookie bars ended up being a 5 out of 10. The problem with my bars is the thickness. I didn't have the right dimension pan that the recipe called for....If I recall correctly it wanted something like a 16 X 22 inch. I ended up using a 10 X 15 pan. The only other size I had that came close was 18 X 24 and I was afraid the bars would come out too flat using the bigger pan. So either thick or flat, these bars were doomed from the very beginning.

Harrison and I busily baked while daddy was out enjoying the Super Bowl game on Sunday. Way to go GIANTS!

Yep...totally in love with the shot on the left.

Helping with clean-up.

Guess clean up didn't last long....on to cuteness.

We missed a lot of in between with this Pinterest post....but check out this ABC post and you will totally know why.

Want to know a big fat secret?
I cut these bars with a pizza cutter. The recipe called for it and it worked perfectly...I am trying this with brownies next!

Want the recipe? Click here.

Baby

2012-02-06T19:21:00.000-06:00

Remember Harrison's tea party from last June? Some things aren't just for girls you know...

Harrison likes his babies---correction, loves babies. He is quick to point them out, especially when we are out in public. The word "baby" is probably one of the most used words in his vocabulary.

I have been looking and looking for a baby doll for him for sometime now. You see growing up, I had some pretty cool baby dolls, so my expectations were high. However, I quickly found I had to lower my standards. Have you been down the doll aisle lately? What is with these babies these days? None of them look real and honestly the coolness of them wasn't even a five and not to mention I only found one baby boy doll out of at least 100 that was male gender.

Well anyways... I FINALLY found a realistic baby doll that met my criteria. The baby opens and closes it's eyes makes noise while drinking the bottle and sucking on the pacifier, it can cry when you set it down and when it's laying down it makes breathing movements. Now...that is closer to cool. We even dressed the baby in some dino jammies and made a girl baby into a boy baby.

I had better luck finding boy clothes...less luck finding a boy stroller.

Saved the best for last---LOVE.

The Potty

2012-02-05T22:12:00.002-06:00

Hope.

Reverse psychology is wonderful thing. Thank you to my co worker Amy for suggesting that I use it for getting Harrison to do things we WANT him to do, that bring us to the potty.

During bath time Friday evening I took a look at Harrison and took a look at the potty (collecting dust) and thought, "tonight, I am not taking "no" for answer when I ask him to use the potty." At first I made it a game... I pretended to sit on it and told him that "it's my potty." You see to Harrison, in his eyes EVERYTHING is his. "Mine" is his favorite word. So in saying this too him, this prompted him to get me off his potty and he sat down on it. I about died. For the past 5 months Harrison wouldn't even sit on the potty, barely touch it---I had to reevaluate the situation and convince myself that this really happened. And no, he didn't actually go to the bathroom, but he sat down, a HUGE accomplishment. We are using lots of positive reinforcement, LOTS of high fives. Harrison just eats up these praises, hopefully this isn't short lived.

From Friday on, he has done WONDERFUL with sitting down. I think he has been on it a good 8-9 times. Only once since Friday has he been a little hesitant and that was this morning (and I think it's because he was still tired). He has yet to actually make pee or poo on chair, but once he gets more familiar with awareness, that will come. And for Doug and I, we need to work on better timing, in 2.5 days it's hard to learn his signs and when to actually take him. As Harrison speech improves, this should improve as well. Tonight he walked in to the kitchen and looked at me and said, "I pooped," and then he walked away. I guess thank you for the announcement?

Tomorrow begins "sitting" at daycare. I am trying to be optimistic that he will cooperate the same for them as he does for us. What actually causes me some anxiety about this whole potty training process is public outings. So many of the toilets these days flush automatically, which can scare the heck out of a child (heck, depending on where we are, it can surprise me too).

Hopefully this is a beautiful beginning to a diaper-free household.

ABCs

2012-02-05T18:58:00.001-06:00

There is a few things I need to do:

#1. Learn to work the video mode on my camera.

#2. Keep the video camera charged.

#3. Get a new cell phone. (The video/sound quality is horrible and memory cards don't work in the phone anymore, so I have to send them to Doug to upload them for me---thank you hun :)

Well anyways on with the ABCs. I don't know if Harrison read my Speech post, but it seems in the last week things have picked up immensely in the speech department and whatever this is I LIKE IT (a lot). In the last 2 days he started humming "Twinkle, twinkle," and ABCs. Tonight Doug went to a super bowl party and I decided to stay home and Harrison and the two of us would hang out. I am so glad I decided not to go---not only was Harrison in a awesome mood, but I got to hear him SING the ABCs for the first time tonight. He can sing A-G without missing any letters and then he throws in some letters for the rest, I think his next set will me L-M-N-O-P, he is almost there! The video doesn't do justice for what I heard tonight, he was kind of drowned out by Scout (the fridge phonics).

Hard to believe this phone had the top of the line photos and video just 2 years ago. The first photo of Harrison ever was taken was on this phone being his surprised arrival.

Enjoy.

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Happy Birthday Grandma!

2012-02-04T22:37:00.000-06:00

If there is one thing Harrison knows how to do...it's baking.

So when I asked him if he wanted to help make Grandma's Birthday cake? It started something like this:

A little messy...or a lot messy.

Just a little lick...

Helping Grandma make a wish & blow out the candles. Celebrating 6-1 or sweet 1-6 depending on how you look at it.

The newest Nelson (Lucy Dog) gets in on the action.

Linked 52: Sleep

2012-02-03T00:18:00.000-06:00

It's 5:30 am Wednesday morning...

Someone should still be sleeping, but instead he strolled into our bedroom. I fixed him up with a bowl of Lucky Charms and a Mickey Mouse DVD and I hopped in the shower.

At least someone is still getting some sleep...

Be sure to check out the other photographers participating in Linked 52---love the variety and all the talent! Stacey, Michelle, Tracey, Heather, Andrea, Jenn, Jessica, Amanda, Kristen, Sara, Tracy, Lesli, Janet, Naomi, Rhonda, Rose, Carla, Lena, Heidi, Veronica, & Heather.

Groundhog Day 2012:

2012-02-02T18:30:00.000-06:00

Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, which means 6 more weeks of winter.

Changes

2012-02-01T23:03:00.002-06:00

I thought the only photo from our mini Valentine session that I got the other day was this one:

Turns out I got this one too...

And look at these changes!

and some more Mickey LOVE...

OK... Mommy

DONE.

A Letter

2012-02-01T17:18:00.000-06:00

The best part of today, the best part of this week is finding this letter among bills in our mail box.

Happy Wednesday!

Speech

2012-01-31T23:55:00.001-06:00

Frustration.

Comparison...something we all shouldn't do, but we all do whether we admit it or not.

Today was one of those days you take a step back and ask yourself if you are doing as much as you can as a parent?

Over the past several months I have blogged several times about Harrison's language development. The answer we always get is to give it more time. Well, time ran out tonight. Honestly we are so frustrated, obviously not at Harrison, but at this whole system. It's just like when MA denied giving us assistance with Harrison's medical bills because he weighed too much at birth. Apparently 3lbs, 52 day NICU stay wasn't sick enough.

We think it's all backwards. The reason Harrison didn't qualify for speech therapy several months ago is because he wasn't old enough for therapy to be billed. Yep, it's all about the money. So, here we have been waiting and waiting and waiting. And like I mentioned in the paragraph above, we wait. Harrison was assessed by a Birth to 3 language specialist in November, he was currently 3 months behind, not enough to qualify for therapy again. So we wait, AGAIN. Harrison is due to be reassessed in February again.

Today I had a moment. A moment that has been replaying all day. It probably sounds silly to you, but hit me hard. I met a mom and another little boy (in Harrison's class) outside the door and put their coats away. The little boy turns to Harrison and says, "Hi Harrison," and he turns to his Mommy and says, "Harrison shirt is yellow." That little boy is 4 months younger than Harrison. In reality there has been several moments in the last few weeks that I just brushed off. Here is another example; Late last week I was later dropping off Harrison to his class and almost all his classmates simultaneously said, "Hi Harrison and hi Harrison's mommy," when we entered the room.

I still have a lot of people asked me how old he is, and when I tell them 2, they greet him and there is maybe a smile from Harrison, but nothing else. And to clarify, he isn't a shy child. I get the impression that everyone is looking for him to say something back to them---maybe that is just me overreacting, I don't know anymore.

What I would give to hear Harrison greet his peers, what I would give to end his/our frustration with communicating...and what I would give most is to hear him say he loves me."

Doug and I will be looking into therapy through Gundersen this week, something has to be done. I am no longer accepting a 15 word vocabulary for a 2 year old, nor am I accepting "maybe he is just quiet," and we are no longer excepting the "wait and see approach." I would much rather tackle a smaller problem than wait until that problem gets bigger and then try to tackle that then.

We are also looking into teaching additional signs. Hearing loss has been ruled out 3 times.

On happier note---check out the March for Babies tab at the top of this page (right under the blog header). I finally updated it, YEAH. This is my second year on the committee for Winona County March for Babies walk. Great things are happenings this year, we have a few new teams already and donations are coming in for the day's event, it's fun to be part of the behind the scenes of a very good program.

Have you been a part of Team Baby Harrison in the past? Come back and help us make 2012 the best year yet! Click HERE to join us!

Oh and if you haven't checked out last night's post, scroll down, you won't be disappointed!

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.