The Holiday Spirit

The Christmas cookies are done, the holiday cards are in the mail and Santa already made a visit to our house.....we are in the holiday spirit.
Santa came a little early this year because we are headed to Rockford to celebrate Christmas and my Dad's 60th birthday with my family. Harrison did not really understand that Santa was coming but he was very excited because Todd and I were making such a big deal about it. When he woke up Sunday morning there was a Thomas the train track in front of the tree and a little pint sized table full of presents. He said 'Woah, choo choo!'.  There have a been a stream of packages arriving this week and now when he sees a present he starting jumping up and down saying 'present, present'....I think he maybe ruined:)  I keep saying, 'Jesus is the Reason for the Season' - I am turning into my mom:).

Harrison is at such a fun age!  Starting to have a few melt downs here and there but overall so fun!  He is talking more and getting really excited about things. This morning I had on a sparkley shirt for our holiday party at work and he said 'ooooh, pretty mommy!'....so cute! 

Merry Christmas everyone!

Back at it...

Here I go again. Getting back in the swing of things with the blog. Things have been a little crazy in our house since my last post. While I typically would not consider myself a 'super mom', Todd and I have been 'super parents' coordinating schedules to make all of our work obligations happen and still have lots of fun. Harrison is at a really fun age -running around non-stop and talking our ears off. We have been in PA for the thanksgiving holiday so I will post some pics when we get back. I am so thankful for our wonderful family and friends! You all know who you are:) Xoxo

To blog or not to blog.....

I have come to a dilemma. I have not written on my blog since the beginning of May - mainly because I forgot my camera on the charger (ugh!) when we went back to Philly and Rockford. Since our return there has been a lot going on with family, work, etc and I have been waiting to get pics from other people. Therefore I waited to post anything to the blog. Now here we are a month and a half later.....no one is really protesting the lack of posts.

I am wondering - to blog or not to blog? That is the question?

I do actually enjoy documenting Harrison's growth and development and sitting down to think about our day to day life....but I am not just doing this for my health. Ya know.

Anyway, input anyone?

Couldn't resist a few recent pics from a trip to the zoo and then to the beach for Father's day (a little foggy in the morning but it ended up being a beautiful day).

First hair cut

Yesterday Harrison got his first haircut. We talked about it at home and even pretended playing with his hair and cutting it with pretend scissors. We came equipped with 'paci' and 'doggie'. But, when we actually sat down in the salon chair it didn't quite feel like home. Carolyn, the hairdresser, was great!  She has four kids of her own and lots of experience - so she got right down to business.  Harrison was a little scared but overall a great sport. AND, we were really lucky because Daddy took a little time out of his busy day to join us. The added support and distraction that Daddy provided was just what we needed:)

Before

During

After

Harrison Certificate

The 'celebration' after - splashing in the fountain

In other news...we have had a busy couple of weeks with a quick trip to San Diego for Easter and then a visit from Nana after that. Here are a few highlights!

frolicking on the beach - edited by Uncle Tony

Hanging on the patio at Aunt Diane and Captain Dave's

Boat ride on Mission Bay - That is Todd's white leg in the picture. Had it been mine you may have been blinded:)

Easter

Easter Sunday at the SD Yacht Club

Hiking with Nana

First hike out of the stroller

The trip to San Diego, while quick, was nice and relaxing. Harrison seemed to love it and Todd and I always have fun visiting Diane and Dave.

My Mom's visit was also really nice. It was great to have her here to spend time with Harrison in his element. He loves having visitors and it is always nice for me to have my Mom around. Love you Mom. Happy Mother's Day!  You are the best!

Only two weeks from today until Aunt Kristi's wedding. We are looking forward to it.

15 months

Harrison went to the pediatrician today to celebrate his 15 month birthday!  Well it wasn't much of a celebration while we were there - this was definitely the most crying that Harrison has ever done at the doctors office. While in the waiting room he was making friends and by the time they called his name he had a girlfriend - but once he realized we were walking down the hall to the exam room he tried to run the other way - and the crying began!  Needless to say, we both survived and he even showed off his talking for the doctor.

The stats -
height - 31.5inches (75%)
weight - 27.5lbs (from the 50% up to the 70% since his last visit - he continues to eat like a horse)

In other news, Harrison recently received a Schneider family heirloom from his Great Grandpa Schneider who lives in Florida. The specially built plywood box housing a beautifully refinished rocking chair arrived late last week. The rocking chair was given to Todd's grandmother when she was a child and now is passed on to the first grandchild of the next generation. What a special gift!  Here is Harrison's reaction when he first saw it - I think he likes it!  Thank you Great Grandpa Schneider for the chair and for all of your work to get it to our doorstep safely.

(P.S. Harrison's hairdo is a little reminiscent of Donald Trump - he was playing outside all day and just recently awoke from a nap - it went from curls to 'fro'. Not to worry we will get that cleaned up before Aunt Kristi's wedding:))

 

That's Murphy's home

Harrison is really turning into a wild man. He is all over the place and I am constantly amazed at how fast he can move - especially when it comes to splashing in Murphy's water bowl, playing with the garbage in the bathroom. or taking off the vent cover and trying throw things down there. Today he was playing outside on the slide and leaned over the edge waving to Murphy on the hill. I about had a heart attack. I guess this is just the beginning.

Harrison is now  - well actually about two weeks ago - officially weened. He seems to have adjusted well. As have I. I must admit it was a little sad at first but it was time for both of us to move on. I have made sure to add a little extra cuddle time daily and that seems to have avoided any issues. But truly, we have been so busy that it seems like it has been longer than two weeks. One of our recent lessons is regarding Murphy's home. While Murphy seems content to share his cage with Harrison at times, we thought it would be better for the cage to be Murphy's haven - where he always knows he can get a little quiet time. Needless to say this has been a feat. Harrison would much rather crawl inside with Murph and close the door so that they can have a little bonding time. We are constantly leading Harrison out and saying 'that is Murphy's home'. So yesterday I built Harrison 'a home' out of a big box. It still seems like more fun to be hanging out with Murphy his home but it seems like Harrison's new home might be helping, at least a little.

March Madness

Harrison and Daddy are bonding over all of the basketball this month (the hours and hours and hours)!