Harrison and GiGi

Harrison has had a blast hanging out with his GiGi (and Momma has very much appreciated having GiGi here!) They have been hanging out playing games, puzzles, reading books, coloring and cooking in the kitchen.  What will we do when GiGi leaves?  

GiGi and her boys

Playing baseball

Weee...

Playing with chalk

Wordless Wednesday

Puddles!

Harrison found a puddle in the backyard and had an 

absolute ball jumping in it.

It kept him entertained for quite some time--until he fell into 

the puddle, completely drenching his clothes. 

Brooks is such a sweet baby and loves to be snuggled.

We have nicknamed him "mouse" because

he makes the sweetest little squeaks.

New Beginnings

While my momma is entertaining Harrison in the backyard with bubbles, balls and sidewalk chalk, I thought I would take a minute to throw some new pictures on our little blog.  We are adjusting to life with two little men (and I foresee we will be adjusting for months to come!) but it's a wonderful feeling to look at Harrison and Brooks and know they are mine.  Excuse my postpartum hormones, they are slightly out of control. :)

Brooks in his adorable bear hat

...so in love

Harrison showing baby Brooks his belly

And getting his nose

But it's not all poking and prodding, he actually liked

giving him some snuggles

Announcing...

Brooks Campbell Ludwig

March 4 at 1018 pm

7 pounds 15 ounces

21 inches long

Well our little man didn't want to wait for the C-section scheduled for next Thursday.  He had a different plan, indeed.  All day yesterday I was feeling pretty crummy, but I definitely wasn't having timeable contractions, so I thought it was no biggie.  Towards evening, I started having a few sporadic, but uncomfortable contractions.  I called the on-call doc, who wanted me to head into OB triage just to get checked out.  Brian and I thought that for sure it was nothing, so we headed to the hospital, Harrison in tow! 

After less than two hours of being on the monitors, it became quite apparent that this was the real deal.  The contractions were coming regularly. I was miserable with discomfort. And then there was that whole dilating thing. So off we went to the OR, where our little man made his big debut, bootie first, of course!  

He is absolutely gorgeous and doing wonderfully! In some ways, he looks a lot like Harrison, but I tend to think he looks more like Brian.  I am feeling OK and recuperating from surgery well.  It looks like we will be here at the hospital for a few more days. 

Now on to the pictures! 

Harrison met Brooks briefly yesterday and truly had ZERO interest in him.  He was more interested in the cables and cords in the room, the giant picture windows, and the nurse call light.  We'll see how he does visiting today...

Rain and Crank=Pure Mess

Harrison is OBSESSED with playing outdoors, which is fine when there's decent weather.We spend hours outside.  But today was one of those yucky days where the weather was less than cooperative for outdoor play.  So instead of staying cooped up inside, I thought we would head over to the local library for some stories and playtime with friends.  He had a blast and I was looking forward to naptime as we pulled in the driveway.  

I literally had to drag him inside while he is wailing at the top of his lungs because he wanted to play in the backyard.  I pulled out all the stops and was so desperate for the prolonged tantrum to stop that I did the unthinkable... I offered for him to play in the sink.  Parenting moment:FAIL. While it did stop the tears, it created the biggest mess.  Water, water everywhere! 

Blooms!

22 days until Spring begins! 

And although this has been the "coldest winter Alabama has seen in a long time" there are still many signs that Spring is around the corner.  Last weekend, our little Ludwig family spent the days outdoors, playing in the backyard, going for long walks, and grilling out.  It's February! And just the other day, look what I spied from my living room?!

13 days until Baby's arrival! 

That's less than two weeks, people! I have finally reached that 'magical' point in pregnancy where everything hurts, nothing fits, and I am just plain whiney.  By this time in my pregnancy with Harrison, he was born, so venturing past 37 weeks is unchartered territory for me!  I see my OB again on Monday, where they will do yet another ultrasound to ensure his head is still poking in my ribs (I can assure them this without an ultrasound!)  And then only one more appointment after that... who is counting?! 

We are ready to meet this little person, who Brian and I both fear will be near 10 pounds!  Even though our sweet little Harrison is not that old, I miss that squishy baby feeling.  

This will probably be my last belly picture, as I haven't found a photo editing program to decrease facial chunk or thigh chub (instead I blur the edges, hoping you won't notice!)  

My Two Boys

Is this picture not the cutest?  Maybe I am just a little partial to the two dudes in it?! 

Total studs!

Weekend Highlights

Check out Harrison and Baby Luds' new ride...

*Brother Wanted*

Cruising.

Thrilled with the ball up his shirt

Bama Buddies' Bday!

Harrison's little girlfriends (and our only friends here!) turned one last week.  Their birthday party was the perfect opportunity to snag another group photo of our Alabama buddies--the attempt failed miserably, but the picture is still pretty cute. 

The gang!

The birthday girls!

 

36 weeks

I had my 35-36 week OB appointment on Monday and our little stinker is still breech.  So we have officially scheduled a C-section for March 11th at 8 am.  While it is still possible for him to turn to a head down position, the chances get slimmer as the days go by.  So barring anything crazy happening (like going into labor on my own!) this baby will be born in 20 days! 

Overall, I continue to feel well.  Limited swelling in my hands and ankles (although my wedding rings haven't fit in quite some time) and my blood pressure and blood counts have been stable.  I continue to gain weight, probably more than my share! I am loving McDonald french fries, root beer floats and orange slushies from Sonic, garden veggie cream cheese with crackers and fountain Cokes!  All of these things are definitely NOT helping in the weight gain area.  Oh well...the baby likes them!  

Babes in the Zoo

The Birmingham Zoo offers a class called Babes in the Zoo that introduces young toddlers to different animals.  Yesterday was "fast animal" day.  Harrison saw a falcon, a ferret, an alligator, a lizard and a guinea pig.  He loves to point and look at the animals.  Here are a couple of photos from yesterday.  (PS nevermind the tired momma in the picture--this whole pregnancy thing is starting to catch up with me)

Axel the Lizard

Twister the Ferret

17 months

It's hard to believe that Harrison is 17 months old already.  He has changed into a little boy before our very eyes.  

What he is up to these days:

-stacking 5-6 blocks and then putting them precisely back into the bag

-stacking and sorting anything (see picture below)

-playing MegaBlocks... he can stack about 8-10 without help

-reading books is a constant activity.  We read nearly 20 books a day (sometimes over and over and over again) Faves include Brown Bear, Mr. Brown Can Moo, Goodnight Moon

-he says "up" "brrr" and "yes" And yes, that's it (for now anyways!)

-loves his Mr. Potato Head

-loves to play outside and push his car around the yard

- puts together 8 shape puzzles (triangle, circle, square, rectangle, oval, trapezoid, octagon and pentagon) 

-can point to his belly button, eyes, hair, ears, feet, hands, nose, tongue and mouth

-identifies horse, dog, cat, bird, pig, duck, mouse

-favorite toons (even though I swore I would not have a TV watching child) Wonder Pets, Max & Ruby and Olivia and HAS to sit in his PBK chair

-loves storytime at the library and dancing to "Beanbag Rock"

-favorite foods- turkey dogs with ketchup, peanut butter sandwiches, peas, clementines, blueberries, Plum Organic's fruit mish-mash (which I highly recommend!)

-helping momma do anything-unloading dishwasher, making juice, vacuuming, scrubbing floors, folding laundry

Mountains of Books

Making alphabet soup

Our little juice maker

Still sick, so nevermind his hair and nose

Likes to wear his hat like Daddy

Waiting for Baby

At 35+ weeks now, we are getting everything ready for the new little man's arrival (who does finally have a name!).  It feels so different this time around. And since we will be moving in July, it seems silly to hang special frames and decorate a nursery to the max.  I feel a little guilty that we haven't made a special "home" for him like we did for Harrison.  Brian and I say that "one day" we will not be moving every year and our boys will have a room totally decked out.

But for now, he has a crib with very cute bedding (biased opinion, for sure).  My mom came down for a few days to bring us our new crib (that I got for a steal!) as I want to keep Harrison behind bars for as long as he will let me! I have some other cutesy little things for his room, but I haven't quite got them up yet (see post below about our lovely illness filled week) 

 

For now, here is a peek at where he will lay his head

I pretty much pink puffy heart L-o-V-e this bedding

Daddy's purchase for Baby

Coming home outfit

Carseats installed-- big brother 'helped'

 

MIA

We've been MIA for a week due to the lovely presence of illness in our house.  Harrison started with a snotty nose and fever on Monday, which landed us at the pediatrician.  We came home with the diagnosis of an ear infection and a prescription for good 'ol Amoxicillin.  I also believe we had the unwelcome visitor of Rotavirus that greeted Harrison for the first time (so much for that vaccine, I guess.) I finally ended up with the nagging cold, so we were out of commission.   

Saving graces for the week of hibernation: a water bottle, 24 hours of Nick Jr. cartoons

and naptime

Two-Timer

Harrison loves his little lady friends, Charlotte and Adelaide.  The girls will turn one next week.  And even though there is a definite size difference between them, Harrison and the girls play together really well.  Here are a couple pictures of the three of them from Superbowl Sunday.  It was a big, fat FAIL on trying to get them all to look at one time.  

Addie, Harrison and Charlotte

Harrison "loving" on one of his ladies

Flying

This picture captures the true boy that Harrison is becoming.  Running after a ball on a chilly winter day and having the time of his life! It looks as if he is taking off like an airplane. 

"He who would learn to fly one day must first learn to stand and walk and run and climb and dance; one cannot fly into flying."  

~Friedrich Nietzsche~

Puppies and Potties

My parent's dog, Lola, has been living with us since December as they purchased a new home in Indy and are settling in.  Poor Lola has been subjected to Harrison's pulling, tugging and general playfulness, but she has been a trooper.  The other day I found him stacking cups on her head, while she just laid there.  I think she was actually falling asleep despite his "lovin" as we call it!

Poor Lola

Leaning in for some puppy smooches

Maybe she's just playing "dead"

So call us naive, but Brian and I bought Harrison a potty.  While we are not completely ignorant, we thought it would be a good idea to start exposing him to the potty and if he potty trains early, we will consider ourselves lucky.  He doesn't show ANY of the readiness cues, but knowing that little boys take longer to train than girls, I thought we would take our chances on introducing it a little early.  Sometimes the smell of his dirty diapers makes me gag, so if I can shorten the time he poops his pants, I will try it!

Harrison--meet potty! (He has his diaper on. No way I would let him chill 

de-panted on my rug!)

And this is what he thought of his new froggy friend