Harrison- Week 35

This week our little boy is 8 months old! WHAT??!!!

Harrison is officially standing up on EVERYTHING and CRAWLING!!! He is getting so much confidence and rarely cries when he has minor falls or tips. He has started to revert to not drinking much formula during the day (I think he is just too busy working on his new moves), consequently, he has been up a lot at nigh again. I was thinking that maybe there is an 8 month growth spurt, too? I hope so! He was just starting to get this whole sleeping at night thing down.

Over the weekend, we watched Jeremiah while Erika was at work. On Sunday, we made a trip to the Mall of America to give the boys a new view. We got there while the stores were closed to walk a little. Then, we shopped and ate lunch (all four of us) at Friday's. At home, the boys perfected standing up and moving around like champs!

I had Monday off from school, but it was not all fun and games! I actually came down with Strep Throat. Luckily, Grandma Gayle was able and, of course, willing to come and get Harrison for the remainder of the day. I was able to stay home on Tuesday to get caught up on sleep/lets the 24-hour contagious period wear off while Harry was at aunt Erika's. I just hope I did not get the boys sick!

Bryan's slippers were a favorite of both boys!




Jeremiah and Harrison after breakfast.



"But mom, I want your camera!!!"



Homemade cantaloupe and peach vanilla baby food. Harrison also tried some cantaloupe in his chewie...he is not a big fan of that thing.


Harrison LOVES his activity table!!!

Hanging out in the high chair after lunch. This is one of my favorite times. He is so happy, and playful, and CONTAINED!!!

VIDEOS!!

Harrison- Week 34

Harrison started eating three solid meals per day over my winter break. He is also starting to try some of the eight month foods. He tried turkey, and had no protest. Barley was another food that passed with flying colors. However, he finally encountered a food that is not a very big fan of. I made prunes, apricots, zucinni and butternut squash this week. He decided that apricots were no good! I have tried to mix them in with some other foods, but he still gives me a very disgusted face. Pears continue to be a top favorite. I think that I will make pears and apples next (maybe I can mix a little apricot in with those favorites).

We have transitioned Harry from his Nap Nanny, or the bed he slept in almost every night, to only sleeping in his crib. We were fearing this transition, but the first night he was only up a couple times. He can definitely move ALL over in his crib, but seemed to find some comfy, even hilarious, positions to sleep in. Next on our list...letting him cry it out. Once he is used to his crib, it is time for him to learn to sleep all night (though I REALLY don't want to, I know we have to).

On the play front, Harry is learning to stand up by pulling up on things. He especially loves the ottoman at Kevin and Erika's. Aunt Erika also says that he is faking us out with the whole not crawling thing (and Bryan and I would agree). He followed her around while she was vacuuming one day, crawling, of course! We have also caught him crawling to get a toy, but most of the time he crosses one leg in front and doesn't move. He has definitely spent more time rocking on his knees, with his tummy off the ground, so I think that it will be coming soon full time.

Playing with mom.


Those ICKY Apricots!!!


Chewing on his teether.


LOVES bath time now, especially since he can sit up in the bathtub like a big boy.



At Grandma and Grandpa's house with the new excersaucer. Also spending time with Grandpa!

Peeking at mom.




Hanging with his puppy.

Harrison- Week 33

Happy New Years!! I have a feeling 2011 will have a LOT more firsts for our little family!
Harrison started out the year with his top front teeth officially popping through (as usual, one before the other). This caused quite a few restless nights and crabby days. I think that his top teeth were more painful than when his bottom teeth came in. Luckily, I was home for a few days to sleep during the day to make up for the lost time at night.

We got together with Bryan's cousins, and their boys. Raef, the oldest, was born in February 2010. Jeremiah was born April 2010. Harrison and Miles were both born in May. It was so fun getting everyone together to see the babies (when we got together last year we were all still pregnant).

Heidi and Dave visited from Seattle. So, naturally, we had to get together with them to celebrate the fact that they were in Minnesota (and that we miss them so much)!! We also got together with Leah, Grace and Alex so they could visit all the babies together!

Over New Year's weekend, we spent Christmas with Bryan's family. Harrison has five cousins, Lydia- 5, Isaiah- 3, Judah- 18 months, Alethea- 18 months, and Jeremiah-8 months to play with on that side. Thought I tried to capture the chaos in photographs, it is really hard to describe the joy of young children playing with brand new gifts with their cousins. I will, again, narrate through the photographs!

One big tooth through...the other coming in!

Homemade prunes and apricots.



Favorite new bath toy from Grace and Alex.





Yearly meeting of the newest 'cousins' on Bryan's side. The 4 boys were born within 3 months of each other!



Visiting with Heidi and Dave.

As always, more interested in eating the tag than the gift. However, I am sure that he will use the walker very soon!!



More gift opening. Many gifts were a hit with multiple family members!



Aunt Holly and Alethea.









Bryan and Judah.
Uncle Joel and Isaiah.
Grandma and Lydia.
Judah and Alethea (18 months already).