16 Months & Countdown to Baby J #2

Disclaimer: I forgot to post this at the appropriate time, so ignore the fact that it is a month late. It ws in fact written in time.... :)

We are officially in birthday month for #2!!! Wild!!! He is set to come on February 25th assuming that nothing changes between now and then. So being that it is February 5th as I type this (part of the blog) he is due in 20 days!!! Wowza!

Harrison Update:
- Harrison's vocabulary and comprehension has really taken off. All of a sudden he has just started "talking" like crazy. Sometimes words and other times just gibber jabber. It is amazing to watch! As far as comprehension, it is so cool! You can ask him to pick a snack, throw his diaper away, put clothes in the dirty clothes basket, turn the light on, and so much more! He will even respond to things you say. An example is the other morning he picked up my water and attempted to drink it and instead basically dumped it all up and down his front and back. When I asked him if he spilled the water, he (very pitifully) said, "yeah." Then helped me pick the ice cubes up and towel the water up. It is so incredibly fun! We are just trying really hard to give him words at every opportunity. He points to things a lot and wants to know what they are.
- His current favorite things to say are animal sounds. He has: sheep, horse, cow, tiger, monkey, elephant (arm goes up and everything), dog, & our personal favorite duck (to which he says, "duck duck" instead of "quack quack").
- Words that H says consistently, major parts of his vocabulary... wawa (water), mama, mommy, dada, daddy, puppa (Liuzza), mischka (mickey mouse), bubbles, car ride, ball, shoe, sock, baby, hi, bye,  dat dat (belly button), yay, yum, bless (when you sneeze), cheese, no, yes.
- Words that are sometimes said and other times not... friends names, wuv (love or lovey - wuv wuv), ma/puh/buh (up - we are really working on this one, it is constantly changing)
- Signs... please, thank you, more, eat, & all done.
- Extra bonus that I don't know what to call: he will blow kisses, "jump", wave, touch his toes, turn in a circle, sit down on his bottom (when asked. We are in a major climbing phase).
- Along with this amazing comprehension and vocabulary growth, Harrison has decided to really explore his stubborn side. He very much pushes every limit to the limit. Our biggest battle is being gentle with our friends, he does seem to be getting better. But the occasional hug (turns tackle), and random hitting. The hitting is the big one we are working on. He doesn't seem to care when he is corrected. So we have many many MANY of the same conversations all day long. all day long. It is exhausted, but we do it, and we do it because we want him to understand exactly what his ground rules are. We don't hit, we don't climb on tables, etc...


Baby J #2 Update:
I am well into my weekly checkups now. Last week (week 37) they did a sono to check my fluid levels and that all was good with babe. He looks great. He is measuring 7lbs. My placenta is starting to look old (which I remember with Harrison, but I feel like that was after we hit 40 weeks). My fluid levels are normal again. And lets be honest, I did not cut all sugar out, but cut back about 50%. But yay for all good news! I believe next week Dr. J will check me to see if there is any action happening. In the meantime I just continue to go about business,  chase a toddler, plan and attempt to get everything ready for #2, and all that jazz!

Went on Monday (2.15), got checked, and there is no change from last week. Holding strong at a 2. Dr. Jacoby said don't do anything crazy this weekend bc i'll be in Austin, see ya on the 25th! So all is a go for the 25th at 7:30 am. We are officially 7 days out from being a family of 4! Crazy!



Tomorrow (2.19) we are gonna take H to the zoo for the first time!! So excited! Gotta get all the fun things in this weekend before he becomes a big brother!

15 Months & 34 Weeks

Harrison Fun Facts:

- He is obsessed with belly buttons. If he sees one he gets very excited and says, "dat dat!!!" He has learned that he has one as well. However it is very frustrating when he has jammies on and cannot pick his shirt up to find his. Often his belly is in the way when he does locate his "dat dat" and he looks like he is looking at his pecker.... I die laughing every time!

- 1.4.16 Post Nap Funniness! Soon when H wakes up from his nap he typically needs a bit to wake up. So i rarely change his diaper unless he has poop. Then I must change it. Soon today was a lucky poop day and a diaper changing we a go.... He is ding great and isn't being fussy. sweet! win! Well as I go to put the clean diaper on, he begins to pee. I cannot tell you the last time he has peed during a diaper change. Well he pees all over his chest, face, and neck. He looks shocked! And then starts cracking up, like hysterical laughter.... well then he decides this was in fact not funny and starts crying. I am dying laughing still. Well we calm down, clean up, and begin to attempt the diaper again. Well it starts again, he pees/laughs/cries 2 more times. It was seriously one of the best moments of my life. Man I wish I had it all on video.

- He had a weekend of firsts last weekend (1.15-1.17).... first time sleeping with a real pillow, first time pushing a cart at the grocery, & first time in the church nursery.

- We have entered the book choosing phase! He loves books, especially the same 5. We rotate through reading them or we read all of them. It is pretty fun!

15 Month Check Up (January 20th 2016)

Harrison weighed in at 29 lbs (93%) & stood tall at 33.5 inches (97%). He impressed Dr. O with his verbiage and need to move. He was very friendly and sweet and typically HarBear. Climbing on everything, constantly moving, wanting to read 12 thousand books, etc....

It has been pretty amazing to me to watch just how much my baby is becoming a person. Something clicks at 14m with him and his need to learn, talk, explore, and just generally become a little toddler. I do not know why it continues to surprise me! I just love watching him become his own person. Even is that is a stubborn, rough and tumble, sweet sweet boy!

Baby J #2 Update

- As of 1.4.16 I was 32 weeks and 3 days. We went today for my 30 week sono and checkup. Two weeks late, but got it done non the less! Well Baby is great! Still a boy, still measuring ahead. He is in the 73rd% weighing in at 4lb 14oz. We got to see his face a little because he is head down and face back/side. We also got a picture of his foot. haha! All is going well still and we can continue on course... Dr. J is going to let me go to 39/40 weeks as long as everything continues. We want to laboring because we want not uterus

- On Jan 4th I had my 32 week check up (was 30 weeks, but we kept being on opposite schedules). Baby was measuring almost 5lbs and all was good! Fluid was a little high. So Dr. J wanted a repeat sono in two weeks. There were two possibilities of the fluid level being high... large baby &/or eating too much sugar. Soon I decided to go with the large baby idea and keep on with the sugar. Well two week later the fluid levels have only gone up, so Christopher was right, no sugars for me! I absent from sweets until we know what/if that is causing the fluids. I also begin my weekly checkups next week. Went for a sono yesterday (1.21.16) Baby J #2 is measuring 6lbs now and happy and healthy. We got really good pics of his sweet face! Perfect little profile picture!

Some of these maybe 16M pictures technically.... but hey at least I am getting a post in right!?

so helpful

first night with the pillow

continues to be so helpful

see

first big boy shopping cart pushing adventure 

checking out mommy's new ride

nap "success" with the pillow

obsessed with rolling over the hotdogs

paper everywhere

big boy!

13 Months (Toddler Life) & 27 weeks (pregnancy life)

It is hard to believe that I have a toddler! I still find myself in awe from time to time. However emotional the life of a toddler is, it is that much more amazing and excitement. Everything seems to be a new discovery, a new skill, a new adventure. Don't get me wrong having a toddler (who I will forever call my baby) is a headache and handful in itself. The things that Harrison gets into blows my mind. We were very strategic in planning for a baby when we bought furniture and such. So we have since changed out outlet covers and baby proofed certain drawers and cabinets. But I feel very strongly that I want H to have as much freedom (in the safest way possible of course) as we can give him. We have a few "open" cabinets and drawers that contain nothing harmful. But it is exhausting to constantly have brushes or cutting boards strewn across your house. Because naturally we can't contain the fun to one area. So I have adopted the motto of leave it until the end of the day or pick it up as I go, depending on how pregnant I feel at the moment. He will help clean up to an extent and really enjoys being a helper. But the process of a getting something 100% clean has not sunken in for him yet.

The most amazingly frustrating and amazingly incredible part of having a toddler is their communication. H wants to and does tell you exactly what he wants. He has so many "words" some of which you know, most of which you don't. We are walking a tightrope, if you will, when it comes to communication these days. We strive to give Harrison has many words as we can. We want to help him walk though his emotions and support him when he is angry, upset, & frustrated. So everyday we work together as a family to help our son communicate with words and signs rather than whines and temper tantrums. Sometimes we succeed and other times not so much. But we have seen such a growth in his vocabulary and communication so something must be clicking!

Some of Harrison's communication words/signs are:

- Water = "wuh"

- More = quick claps

- Up = reaching or "puh" (we are really trying to stress this on instead of whining and reaching)

- Eat = hand to mouth

- Milk = "muh" "mmmm" or opening and closing fist

- Puppy = puppa

- Daddy = Dada or Da

- Mommy = Ma or Mama or Mameee

He also says "me me me" mostly when he is complaining and "no" we are not sure he really knows what no means. However he will put a piece of food up to Liuzza's nose and say "no no no"

Baby J #2 update!

Woah, 27 weeks! I can't believe it! I will be honest with y'all, this week I have legit felt pregnant too. I haven't been feeling pregnant and all of a sudden bam, I feel it. I am hoping it is just due to our being out of town and not sleeping well and having to keep up with H as well as traveling. I also have not been to yoga in a week. But I am definitely needing to embrace the comfy pregnancy pants and stop trying to squeeze into my sweat pants. I for sure looks ay more pregnant with this one. I go this week for my 28 week checkup and I think this may be my last 4week gap and then we move to 2weeks between apts. Crazy! I imagine we set up a date for my c section soon. Not gonna lie I am not looking forward to this.... The idea of choosing my baby's birthday just seems to bizarre to me. I sort of hope we just go due date and thats that. It is on my agenda to get the house in shape and go to be early every night as well as get in as many yoga classes and walks as I can. Hoping that will return to be to my "pregnant, but don't feel super pregnant" state!

Pregnancy goal: conduct my own yin practice at home. Even if it is just 10-20m and a few poses. I need to get back to moving everyday like I did with H. I just need to make the time now that I had so freely before. :)

side note.... since typing the above I am now 28 weeks and have officially popped! whah nelly!

when food gets so fun it is on your forehead

byes going on a trip!

seriously. this. was.all.for. Thanksgivmikah

Mexican family night out to diner! Got to meet cousin Eloise!

gobble gobble 

:)

When you have an aspiring chef on your hands...

oh christmas tree! Picking out our tree

28 weeks what!?!

broom obseesed 

I blinked and it was 365 days later!

Happy first birthday to the sweetest HarBear I have ever known!

A little letter to our little boy:

Darling Harrison,

Words cannot describe how much we love you. It has been an amazing year full of love, tears (you and mommy), laughs, falls, bumps & bruises, hugs, kisses, 4 bloody noses (all you my dear boy), love (so much love), learning, life lessons, compromise, adaptability, travel, family, love, high fives, snuggles, frustration, joy, love, and so much more. We could not sum up in a short note just how much this year has meant to us. You made us a mommy and daddy and that is something no one else can do. We could not have asked for a more amazing, smart, gentle, loving, rough & tumble, and sweet boy. We are so lucky you picked us to be your parents because our lives are forever changed thanks to you. We have had to much fun in this short year and cannot wait to make so many more memories with you. Know that we are always here, always here for you. No matter what happens your mommy and your daddy love you so much and support you. We are your number one fans my little love! We cannot wait to see what amazing things you will continue to bring to this world. There are big things ahead for you my sweet, big things! Happy first birthday Harrison Edmund Janes, we love you more than there are words.

Love,

Mommy, Daddy, Liuzza, & Baby J

1 Year Tricks & Fun:

- Touchdown

- Clapping

- Saying hello to Harrison (he waves to himself, open and closing his hand)

- Blowing Kisses

- Blowing air, which then turns to blowing (spitting out) water, which leads to a soaking wet shirt and a silly happy baby

Random Information of this 12th month:

- Harrison has been sort of making the transition to one nap for a while now, but he hasn't quite been ready. I still think he is pretty young to really do one nap everyday. So for now we alternated between one and two depending on what the day has in store, what activities he has, any yoga class I can make, etc... So far this seems to be working well for us. The hardest days are when he takes a 1.5hr am nap from 9/930-1030/11 and then doe not take his second nap. He does great and doesn't fall apart like you'd expect. But I just hate how long he will be awake those days. We usually move bedtime up a little bit. He has been a pretty roll with the punches kind of dude and we are def grateful for that! If i had a perfect day of sleep for H it would be: wake a 7, nap 1130-130, bedtime at 7. Not too much to ask right? ;) Well our schedule these days is generally like this:

+ Wake between 6-630 (occasionally we will get a 645/7 wake up)

+ Pretends to nurse when he gets up, but would much rather play and eat solids

+ 7 breakfast

+ 8 walk the pup

+ on a 2 nap day nap 1 at 9/930 

+ lunch around 11 (on a two nap day lunch is often eaten on the go while shopping etc... bc this is our window of time to get things done)

+ on a one nap day nap 1130/12-1/130. He sticks more to a 1.5 hour nap rather than a 2. 

+ on a 2 nap day nap 2 at 2/230/3. If he hasn't gone to sleep by 315 I go and get him because I do not like him to sleep that close to 4. 

+ dinner is at 530

+ bath 6/615

+ expressed bottle 645ish 

+ book, song, (we need to start saying a night time prayer), in bed by 7. Then he determines what time he actually goes to sleep. but it is mostly between 7 & 715. 

I keep reminding myself that I need to write all of this stuff down because there is no way that I will remember it. And lets be real I am gonna need to look back to figure out what to do with #2. However I have already made a mental note that with #2 you have a lot less time to think through everything, a lot less time to create a perfect schedule, & a lot less time to obsess. So basically #2 gets to be even more go with the flow. As in you my sweet little love with like your carseat unlike your brother. Because I think you will be spending more time in said seat for naps and such. Just going from thoughts and other friends experiences  here.... Ill most definitely report back upon the little bundles arrival and fill you in.

BREAKING News!!! 
We.Have.A.Walker!!!
Sweet little Harrison decided to wait until 6 days before the big day to turn those stepping legs into walking legs. On Thursday October 8th during our daily trip to the park to run the pup, Harrison walked. Chris stood him up like we normally do and off he went! He wanted the frisbee so he went for it. So exciting!! Since then he mostly crawls, but he will walk. He walks from things to and will walk when you put him down standing. I think he keeps trying to figure out how to get to standing without grabbing on to something. The end result is bear crawling, ha! He is so fun to watch and you can see how proud he gets of himself. I can't to continue to see him grow and change!

Baby J Update (20 weeks on Friday October 9th)

 If I am being honest I forget I am pregnant. Poor little love is already being forgotten. I know that sounds awful, and 100% am not actually forgetting about my child. It is just that with Harrison's pregnancy everything was so new, there was so much time to take it in, every kick, every "oh whats this?", every week. It was slow and there was time. It seems with this little bug I blink and I am already half way there. I still cherish every movement, every sonogram, every thought about my little little, but it is a different feeling this go round. I honestly sometimes find myself thinking I am pregnant with Harrison again. Super weird, I know, but maybe it is because it hasn't been that long, I just don't know. With that all being said, before I get daggers and the middle finger, I have had a very easy pregnancy. I cannot be more thankful that my body enjoys being pregnant and that is a gift I will always be grateful for. Am I more tired these days? well yes! do I go to sleep by 930 if I can help it? well yes! Am I hungry all day? double yes, thanks to nursing and being pregnant! However I am also not as active with this baby. I did so much yoga and spinning with H. This time around I am lucky if I have time to get 2 practices in a week and I haven't been on a spin bike since the 3rd trimester with H. I walk everyday, 2x if I can swing it, and have been trying to get to yoga as much as I can. I have to work around the yoga schedule, Harrison's activities, play dates, and Harrison's naps. As if that wasn't enough to juggle, sweet little H has entered the phase of "if I can't see you my world is ending. right now. game over. I can't go on." So my poor little dude has had a really hard time adjusting back into the LT childcare after our few month break. I feel so bad for him but I know all I can do is go with him and let him get as much time there as possible. My goal this week is to go everyday, even if I drop him and just sit and read for 30 minutes. He just needs to go. So I have officially strayed from the topic of #2! Well anyways, we go this week (Wed Oct 7th for our 20 week anatomy scan). This little appointment with either confirm or deny that the Harmony test was accurate in their gender assigning. I am super happy we get to see my little baby this week and I can't wait to watch the little one move around and love life! We are still going to let Harrison reveal his siblings gender at his bday.... we can't wait!!! As I am sure all of our friends and family can't either!
Post 20 week Sono Update:
Confirmation the harmony blood test is accurate... its a (I can't tell you that! You have to wait until Saturday when Harrison reveals it)! :) Sorry I know that is meant to make you wait, but only a few more days and then the baby gender is out of the cake. hahaha see what I did there. Clever! Any way, it was fun to see our sweet little babe. We actually got a good profile few of this one. He never cooperated, he was always head down and face back so we never really saw his features. Well as much as you can see a sonogram features. I don't how many times I have looked at sonos, but honestly beyond the spine, ribs, head, sometimes appendages, and the beating heart it is lost on me. There is so much happening in there it is always so wild to see the sono tech work her magic! Everything is perfect and right where it needs to be with this bundle. Measuring in the 86% and right on traffic for out due date. Most excellent because I want to get as close to 40 weeks as possible. Dr. Jacoby said we are good to keep going as planned and will schedule a C in Nov or October. I have 1/2 more 4wk apts and then it is on to the 2wks. Which is so crazy! This pregnancy is really flying by, it blows my mind! I will be 21 weeks on Friday!


Disclaimer, the above was written well before Harrison's first birthday. I 100000% forgot to post it and add pics and all that jazz. So here is the quick update version: Harrison's party was a hit! So fun! way tooooo many toys! We are so so so fortunate to have such amazing family and friends. It was a day filled with love and we could not be more grateful or thankful to our village. Thank you is not enough!
p.s. we are having a BOY! see video below!

Some photos from his one year photoshoot 

playing in the fountain at the arboretum 

posing with pumpkins 

I wanna be those lovies

Loving life at Play street!

Painting pumpkins and eating paint with Sammie

Cheesin' in the am

He loves apples

Finishing lunch while we stroll the arboretum 

impromptu photoshoot 

I love this picture of these two!

It is a boy!!!

Here is the big reveal.. H needed a little assistance! 

Pumpkin patch fun with Sofia and Bella