Six Month Post

Harrison is six months old!

From Week 22

This has been such a busy month! Despite cutting two teeth, Harrison has become so much easier and I finally have started to feel like I am really getting the hang of this whole mommy thing.

From Week 25

Favorite Things: Mardi Gras (particularly the marching bands), animals (Harrison loves all animals especially Lilly), baths and his bath toys, hanging upside down, walking in his walker, toys (Harrison LOVES to play), putting things in his mouth, barking dogs (particularly Winston and Cash)

From Week 23

Favorite Foods (in order of preference): Apples, bananas, pears, sweet potato, squash, & peaches

From Week 23

Least Favorite Things: Green Beans (YUCK!), having his face cleaned, putting clothes on, not getting his way (we have developed a stubborn streak in the last month)

From Week 24

Tricks: Rolling over in all directions, sitting up on his own, standing with assistance, walking with assistance, drinking out of a cup, putting a spoon in his mouth (we still haven’t perfected this with food), “talking” and laughing all the time, scooting across the room

From Week 25

Big Events: This was a BUSY month! Harrison got his highchair this month which has made feeding much easier. Harrison and I went down to Fairhope (by ourselves!) for a week towards the end of this month. Harrison went to two Mardi Gras parades, visited the beach and fed the ducks and seagulls, and enjoyed a swing set for the first time.

Six Month Check Up

Harrison had his six month check up yesterday.

Here are the stats:
Weight: 19 lb 10 oz (75 - 90%)
Height: 27.5 in (75 - 90%)
Head: 45 cm (75 - 90%)

Overall, he seemed to enjoy the doctor’s appointment. He entertained all the other parents in the well baby waiting room by “talking” and shrieking constantly. He particularly liked the 4 month old sitting next to him and flirted shamelessly with her and her mommy. As always he loved the exam table. The large mirror and the paper lined table was a wonderful distraction while we waited. By the time Dr. Miller came in to see him, he had shredded the paper completely and had tried to eat half of it.

We didn’t have many concerns this time to talk with Dr. Miller about. The acid reflux medication seems to be working well so we are going to continue it a little longer. We also got the go ahead to move on to Stage 2 foods (they are still purees but just a little more complex that the stage 1 foods) as well as some soft table foods over the next couple of months.
He had another round of immunizations (1 – oral, 3 – shots). He really did not like the shots this time but the nurse was quick and did a very good job. He cried huge alligator tears but was comforted fairly quickly.

Harrison doesn’t have to go back to the doctor until his nine month check up. He is finished with immunizations for a little while so he won’t have to get any shots next time. I think everyone we came in contact with was happy to point out that little fact.

The combination of a missed nap, the excitement of the doctor and a round of shots really wiped out our little boy. He fell asleep in the car on the ride home and didn’t wake up when I put him in his crib. He took a 3 hour nap and then woke up in fairly good spirits. This morning he seems to be back to 100% and ready to play!

Happy 1/2 Birthday

It's Harrison's half birthday!



We celebrated by going to Harrison's six month checkup (sorry little guy!). More update on Harrison's doctor appointment later.

Another Day of Firsts

Feeding the ducks.

From Week 25

Sinking our toes in the sand.

From Week 25

Swinging at the playground.

From Week 25

Relaxing after so many "firsts" by the Fairhope Pier.

From Week 25

Happy Mardi Gras!

Harrison went to his first Mardi Gras parade on Friday night. Fairhope has several Mardi Gras parades. We attended the Maids of Jubilee parade - those ladies sure know how to have a good time!

From Week 25

My parent's house is just a few blocks from the parade route so we bundled Harrison up and loaded him up in the stroller. After a short walk, we found a family friendly spot to watch the parade.

From Week 25

Earlier in the day we walked around town and my dad bought Harrison a light toy at the toy store. This was perfect entertainment as we waited for the parade to arrive.

From Week 25

I wasn't sure what Harrison would think about the parade. I sort of expected him to cry when he heard the loud sirens and bands. I never expected him to be so excited. He LOVED everything about Mardi Gras. He kicked his feet and jumped up and down as the bands marched by and he really loved all the bright lights on the floats.

From Week 25

I have been to a lot of parades but this was the most fun I have ever had at a parade! It was so much fun seeing the excitement in my little boy's eyes.

From Week 25

What a wonderful first Mardi Gras!

From Week 25

A Very Successful Trip

Harrison and I departed Memphis at 12 on Wednesday afternoon and arrived in Fairhope at about 7:45pm. The journey started out really well. Harrison played quietly as we left Memphis and headed into Mississippi. Shortly after entering Mississippi I noticed that Harrison was being really quiet. I don't know how I got so lucky but Harrison slept all the way to Jackson (3 hours out of Memphis). We stopped for a little break outside of Jackson. I needed to stretch my legs and I know Harrison was probably tired of his car seat. After our little break I gave Harrison his Podee bottle. This little bottle really is a lifesaver for a traveling baby. It allowed Harrison to feed himself while I was driving. After he finished his bottle we stopped for a quick burp break then headed towards Hattisburg. He made it past Hattisburg and about half-way to Mobile before he started getting fussy. The last hour of our trip was filled with fussing and took a little longer than I would have liked since we had to stop several times for comforting. I think we both were really happy to pull into my parents driveway.

Harrison immediately turned on the charm when he saw his grandparents. I thought he was going to fall right to sleep after the long drive but he got a sudden burst of energy when he saw my parents. I am sure he was excited to have so much attention after 7+ hours without much interaction.

I hope our return trip will be as peaceful. I definitely feel more confident about traveling after our trip down.

Wordless Wednesday: Traveling for a Weekend with a Baby

From Week 25

A Sudden Change of Plans

I have never been very good sitting still too long. My mom ran into my old softball coach from when I was a little girl. They reminisced about my softball days. Out of the hundreds (maybe thousands) of little girls that this brave women coached, she still laughed about me coming off of the field chanting "boring, boring, boring."

Just like those little league days, I have been having a "boring, boring, boring" week and since I am not very good at sitting still I decided to take some action. Harrison and I have packed our bags (well we are almost finished packing) and we are heading out sometime tomorrow to spend a long weekend in Fairhope.

I am excited and nervous all at once. I don't know if we will survive the drive but you never know if you don't try! Wish us luck!

Happy Valentine's Day!

A Day in the Park

Not to brag, but we had a beautiful day today. We took advantage of the nice weather and put on our walking shoes. Well, one of us did...the other was sporting bare feet.

From Week 24

We walked up to the park that is about a mile from our house and then did a lap around the walking path. Harrison ate (the Podee bottle ROCKS!) and slept through most of the walking portion. After getting our exercise we decided to lay some blankets down in a shady spot and enjoy the spring-like day a little longer. It was fun people watching and listening to the birds sing. Harrison seemed to really enjoy himself and happily alternated between eating his rattle and blowing raspberries. We hope to make this a daily routine as long as the nice weather sticks around.

From Week 24

Harrison enjoying a warm winter day.

From Week 24

Harrison's view from his blanket - what an amazing day!

Wordless Wednesday: Precious and NOT Precious

From Week 24

From Week 24

Tasty Toes

We were getting Harrison ready for his bath tonight when he surprised us with another milestone...he put his feet in his mouth.

From Week 24

"mmm...these feet are tasty!"

From Week 24

"what?!?!"

From Week 24

"Back to eating my toes."

Before I was a mom I would have never considered this a milestone but according to the baby book it is in fact a milestone. Ah, the things we mothers celebrate :-)

Wordless Wednesday: New Highchair

From Week 23

The Greatest Toy Ever!

We introduced Harrison to a new toy tonight and I think it was a success. This little snail plays a little tune and moves across the floor. Harrison was mesmerized! I was holding him in my lap and he struggled to be free (AND SIT ON HIS OWN!). He was so crazy about this toy that I really thought he was going to crawl after it. Unfortunately he couldn't quite lift his big belly.

In case you would like one of these wonderful toys, here is a link.

From Week 23

"This toys is SO worth sitting up for!"

From Week 23

"Maybe if I try a little harder I can crawl to the snail."

From Week 23

"Maybe sticking out my tongue will help."

From Week 23

"I have got to get that snail!"

Upside Down

Harrison loves to be upside down. Whenever he is sitting in my lap he flings himself back so he is dangling head first off my lap. I am so scared we are going to drop him on his head one of these days. You have to keep a tight grip on him all the time now. He also loves to lay on his back and throw his head back so he is looking at things upside down.

From Week 16

I don't know what to think about this. Is it normal for a baby to want to be upside down so much? Can all that blood flow to the head cause permanent damage? We laugh about it all the time but deep down I am secretly (in a crazy momma kind of way) worried that this is the sign of some serious disorder?!??