Friday Fog

Because I am exhausted and realize that I haven't updated the blog this week, here is a quick photo of the bean.  More updates to come soon.

The Next Biggest Loser Contestant

Weighing in at a whopping 18 pounds 14 ounces, Harrison is the front runner for the chubbiest kid on the block.  The rolls are endless and he is rapidly outgrowing his clothes.  

At his 4 month check-up, the medical student who examined him asked "WHAT are you feeding him?"  implying that it must be french fries and ice cream!  Nope, he's just a fat and happy kid.  In fact, when people ask how Harrison is doing, my usual reply is "he's fat and happy."  Other than being a ginormous baby, he is healthy and meeting his milestones.  This past week, we have been attempting to feed him rice cereal.  He still doesn't quite have the hang of it, but he doesn't do too shabby.  He is a "chatty Charlie" and is now recently interested in watching Dakota, the dog. Dakota, on the other hand, is more interested in licking the leftover cereal off his face!  

Harrison and I are headed to Indiana this week to visit Jen and Micah, Brittany and Griffin, and family.  We are flying, which I am sure will be interesting, but traveling 6 hours with an infant alone didn't sound any more appealing.  Wish us luck!  Brian has already made plans with friends to have sushi-- I call it his "man date."  

More so than ever, we are looking forward to moving to Alabama this summer.  This Wisconsin winter is a bit chilly... tomorrow (with wind chill) the temperature will be -42!  Although I am sure this summer I will be wishing for temperatures less than 100 degrees!

That's all for now!

A letter

Dear Harrison-

You are just 2 days shy of your 4 month birthday.  It's amazing how much you have changed during these months.  We love watching you discover your surroundings, especially in the last few weeks.  Everything goes directly to your mouth.  You are sporting a bib these days due to your ineffective swallowing!  You love all things with lights and sounds, including your new activity jumper from Aunt Janice.  And of course we mustn't forget the crack star on your playmat.  You tell that silly star stories all day long.  You also love cuddling with your lovey and you keep your bink close during naps (when you decide to take them).  You are working on holding your porky little head and neck up when on your belly (the key words are "working on").  

We love your giggle (or piglet squeal as it sometimes sounds) and your little voice.  We laugh at your babbling and wonder what you are thinking.  We love reading bedtime stories and dream about the little boy you will become.  Each night we tuck you into bed, as we watch you drift into dreams of milk, we think how lucky we are to be your parents.  You are light of our lives and we can't wait to see what you will do next.  

XOXO

Mom and Dad

2008 in Pictures

I stole this idea from another blogger and thought it would be a good post.  What a year!  

January (a rare night out)

February (trip to Indy-telling the girls)

March (new haircut and new belly)

April (girls' trip to WI)

May (our anniversary and it's a boy!)

June (girls' trip to Lake Michigan)

July (baby shower & bedrest)

 August (pee in a jug for protein count-story of the month)

September (the best month of all)

October (Halloween Boo Hoo)

November (baby in the sink)

December (pic with Daddy in front of tree)

"All the single ladies"

Single white male who loves long walks in the Bjorn, warm bottles at midnight, cuddling close, afternoon napping, and classic movies like Baby Mozart and Baby Galileo is seeking all the single ladies.  :)  (We often listen to Beyonce around our house!)

He may be short, round and sporting a mullet, but we think he's just the cutest.  This is our new favorite picture of our "little man".  

Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all of our friends and family!  We hope everyone enjoys the holidays (and stays warm!)  A special shout out to Brittany and Jason--congrats on your little Christmas gift! Welcome to the world Griffin!  Can't wait to get home and meet him. 

~Harrison's Photo Shoot~

Harrison humored me and let me take a slew of photos of him.  We went to a holiday party hosted by our mom-baby group we try and go to once a week.  I, of course, had to dress him up! We don't get out too often, especially now that winter is in full swing (complete with oodles of snow and frigid cold), so we take full advantage of playing dress-up.  I thought these were "blog-worthy!"

This pic is of "the bean" with Hawkeye beanbags for Dad's Christmas gift... we got him Cornhole!  (shhh--don't tell!)

This photo is of Harrison's baby pals Connor and Amelia.  They are all about the same age, but notice the size difference between them!  

And this last one I thought was just cute.  This hat makes him look like a little old man.  Note that he is wearing a drool ridden bib.  He apparently makes spit all day long, which he no longer likes to swallow, so he is a constant fountain of drool. 

Oink, Oink!

Harrison has turned into a piglet before our eyes.  He was 15 pounds at his 2 month visit and although I was shocked, I thought for sure he would hit a plateau at some point.  Well, apparently that point hasn't come yet.  I took him to see the pediatrician today because he has been extra fussy and running a slight fever (all is fine... no worries).  They weighed him and he weighs 16 pounds 12 ounces!!!!  Oink! Oink!  He is the poster child for childhood obesity in America with his rolls galore and chunky thighs.    

                                

Updated-

Well, we made it home.  It turned into a bit of an eventful trip.  Unfortunately, Brian's grandmother passed away while we were in Vancouver and we had to rearrange flights. Harrison and I spent a few extra days in Seattle with my parents, Brian flew home Thanksgiving, and we paid for my mom to fly home with Harrison and me.  Harrison did pretty well on the flights considering the lengthiness of the trip.  The worst part of flying is going through security!  Flying with a child is tough work with all the bags, carseat... and it doesn't help that everyone around you is in a hurry.  I won't be planning any cross country flights anytime in the near future!

We had a blast visiting our friends Todd and Alecia in Vancouver.  What a beautiful city!  We wish we could've spent more time touring, but we are thankful that we made it there period! Brian and I had our first experience playing the Wii at their house, and I think I have now finally convinced Brian that we NEED it!  We'll see what Santa brings.  :)  Thank you guys for having us!

And lastly, here are a few photos of the bean.  Thanks to my Dad who was Harrison's caddy while Mom and I shopped!

What's the dill pickle?

Harrison has earned the nickname "pickle" from my brother, Matthew.  I have no clue where it came from, but Pickle he is. So "what's dill pickle" ... we enjoyed a nice family weekend together.  We were able to do some Christmas shopping on Saturday until Brian was called into the hospital.  Sunday, we headed to Dubuque for a little gathering with the Ludwig's.  Harrison got a bundle of great things and enjoyed all of the snuggles from Grandma and Grandpa.

This weekend will be the first of many airplane adventures for Harrison and his keepers.  We leave early Saturday AM for Seattle.  Remember way back when... I was put on bedrest before a big trip out West... well this is the rescheduled trip.  So we will be in Seattle with my parents for a few days and then head north to Vancouver to meet up with Brian's friends Alecia and Todd.  Any advice for parents flying with a 2 month old?  :)  This could be interesting!  We are looking forward to spending time with family and friends.  Our first family vacation together is sure to be an exciting experience.  Stay tuned...

"I'm Bringing Chubby Back"

Harrison is turning into our own little chunkster.  He is quickly outgrowing his newborn clothes, which makes me sad.  I am already packing away some of his tiny duds.  He has had three chins for weeks, but now is developing a serious case of the rolls.  Brian and I like to compare him to Humpty Dumpty--short and round.  He has his 2 month check-up on Tuesday and I am willing to wager that he is no longer in the 50th percentile.  Here are a couple of pics of me when I was a young (but not so tiny) babe.   I think Harrison looks just a little like his momma.  :)  

 

Home Again

Our trip to Indy went off without a hitch.  Harrison only woke to eat once on the way down and once on the way home.  Brian and I were expecting all hell to break loose once we started the drive, but I think we got lucky.  Brian's interview went extremely well.  The group treated us to a fantastic dinner at St. Elmo's steakhouse.  We left the peanut with Brittany and Jason (a little practice parenting for them as they are expecting their 1st in December).  While it was hard being away from him, it was nice to have "adult" time plus a little wine!  

We enjoyed meeting up with friends Matt and Krista, Dianna, Jen, Drew and Micah, Katie and Adam, and all of my family.  Thanks to everyone who welcomed us and drove all over to meet up with us.  We had a blast and hope to be back "home again in Indiana" in the next couple of years.