Splish, Splash! Birthday Bash!

There is nothing my Harrison likes better than water.  Almost since the moment he was born, he's been happiest when he's splashing around in it, so it was only natural that we would have a splish, splash, birthday bash for him when he turned one.  *Not to mention* it's been at least 100 degrees every day for a month, so that played a small part in the decision, too.

We blew up beach balls and inflatable pools until we were dizzy, created a 'lagoon' out of a tarp and pool noodles, and set up every hose and sprinkler we could find to ensure that our baby had all the water he could want.  There was a bubble machine and watermelon slices and balloons and streamers.  No party is complete without a cake, so we had three or four (there was some mix up at the store, so we ended up with some extra cakes--what a shame). 

Many of our friends and family were present to celebrate H.E. turning one.  They brought him all kinds of presents (that Carter promptly stole) and lavished him with all the attention he could possibly desire.  It was a really fun day filled with all the things H loves, and we all really loved seeing his joy.  Cheers, buddy.  This was only the first of many. 

12 Months

Happy birthday, H.E.!

Today our littlest boy turns 1 year old (although technically not until 10:18 tonight, but I guess we'll let him eat some cake before then). 

It has been a tumultuous year, filled with many changes and lots of transitions.  I mean, we've moved twice since the boy was born!  But through it all, our H-man has stayed true-to-form.

From almost the very beginning, he's been a "full-figured" baby who loves to eat.  One year later?  Not a bit of that has changed.  He still charges into each meal like it might possibly be his last.  He's eats almost everything and especially loves green beans.  You can tell when he really likes a food because he makes this funny vibrato-type sound in his throat that we affectionately call "the raptor noise."  Just the sweet way he figured out how to thank me for cooking, I guess.

He's a quick crawler but still a little tentative about standing on his own or walking without a toy or mommy's hands supporting him.  I have no doubt that he will be walking soon.

Harrison is saying a few words now, lots and lots of 'dada' but also a little bit of 'duck' and 'uh-oh' thrown around now.  I'm looking forward to him having a few more words and a few less screams because screams still seem to be his favorite form of communication. 

His bright blue eyes remain blue as the sky.  His white-blond hair is thickening but showing no signs of getting darker.  His hair hasn't shown any of the curliness that Carter's had, but it does seem to have a mind of its own--there's no telling which direction it will be facing when he wakes up each morning.  Most often there's a tuft sticking straight up in the air, arrogantly defying the laws of physics. 

Harrison, I can't believe it's been a year.  You're a good boy for putting up with all the uncertainty and change during your first year of life.  I just know you're going to do great things.  I can't wait to watch, and cheer you on the whole way.  Happy 27th, Buddy.  I love you.

Eleven Months

Happy 11 months, H-man!

This month the boy FINALLY got a tooth.  His dentist/mommy was starting to wonder if he even had any teeth in his head, but finally one poked through.  There might be another one by now, but he really really really doesn't like for me to look or feel for them, so we'll just lump that in with the other great mysteries of life.

H.E. is motoring around like crazy now, and pulling up on any chair, step ladder, or couch that he can reach.  He's gotten so fast that sometimes I lose him inside the house!  On those occasions, I usually find him in the bathroom, trying to crawl into the bathtub, his absolute favorite place on earth.  With his birthday coming up in only one month, I'm trying to figure out if I should go with a typical theme party or just invite his friends to join him for a bath!  He'd probably like a bath party best...

This month Carter and Harrison have really enjoyed playing together, following each other around, and giggling at night instead of going to sleep.  We have them sleeping in the same room now, which means there's a little less sleeping and a little more silliness, but we figure it's all worth it to encourage those brothers to become best friends, too. 

I still love to snuggle that boy, and he still loves his mommy and daddy, but he's getting bigger and bigger and looking more like an almost-one-year-old every day.  I know our days of holding him all the time and treating him like our baby are numbered.  Even so, it is well.  Our H.E. is becoming a handsome, independent, headstrong, lovable, energetic little boy and it is so much fun to watch.

Happy 27th, sweetness.  We love you to pieces.

10 Months

My sweet H.E. learned to crawl this month!  Just a couple of weeks ago he took off and he can't stop.  Now he's already trying to pull up on the coffee table and walk and go to college by himself and all kinds of other things that I'm not ready for.  Poor mommy.

I'm really very excited that he's able to get around a little bit by himself because that boy is as heavy as he looks.  It's no surprise that beneath those sweet, chunky cheeks there lies a big eater!  Harrison is eating like a big boy--he's graduated to mostly table food and can out eat his brother and me most of the time.  I don't know how he does it.  The kid still has no teeth in his mouth but manages to gum down chicken nuggets like a champ.  Where there's a will, there's a way, I guess.

Little buddy is getting smarter every day and learning new tricks and bad habits from big bro.  Sign of things to come, right?  He's a precious little man and even though he's getting bigger he still likes to snuggle his mommy.  I hope that I get to keep squishing and squeezing that boy for a long time, but I sense that my days of him sitting with me are over now that he knows how to move it, move it.

Happy 27th, H.  I love you, baby.

Couldn't help it...had to include this picture.  When my boy smiles, he does it all the way!

Don't beat yourself up

Carter (and probably every other 2 year old in the world) loves to monkey around in my car, scampering to the back seat or front seat instead of getting into his car seat so I can buckle him in. It's a mildly annoying habit in the best of circumstances, but on a day when it's pouring down rain on me and I've already been soaked on the other side of the car while putting Harrison in, it's exceedingly frustrating.

To combat this little behavior, I did a bit of mommy magic and started letting Carter crawl in on Harrison's side of the car, then asking him if he could 'beat me' to the other side of the car. That way, while I buckled little brother in, Carter would rush to his seat, and then I would run around to the other side of the car and pretend to be dismayed when I realized he had beaten me into his chair. 'I beat you!' he giggles, every time.

Pretty smart parenting, right? Well, don't give me the Mom of the Year award just yet.

Imagine my horror when today, at the library, Carter told several people, "When I get in the car, Mommy will beat me!"

OMG. Just sitting at he now waiting on the call from CPS.