Sitting-Up

Although Harrison has been spitting-up for some time, he has recently started to sit-up! This isn't the greatest quality picture, but it definitely captures the moment. He seems to really enjoy himself, and we could not be more proud of the little man. And sitting-up is much more enjoyable for everyone than spitting-up.

Happy Halloween!

Today at daycare, all the kids are dressing-up for Halloween. As you can see, little Harrison is a jack-o'-lantern (aka, pumpkin :0). Not a scary jack-o'-lantern...a very happy and smiley jack-o'-lantern.

REAL FOOD! Sort of…

After 5 months of formula, Harrison had his first experience with rice cereal today. He has been sucking down 6 and 8 ounce bottles like it was his job for some time now, and it was really fun to watch him try to figure out how to eat something more substantive. Amy did a wonderful job of getting Harrison to suck the food off the spoon, and in a matter of minutes he was swallowing like a natural and even opening big and wide in anticipation.

It seems like every day he is doing something new. Whether it’s eating food, grabbing tufts of the dog’s hair, or trying to sit-up in the stroller to look around on our walks, it is all truly amazing and everyday feels like a blessing.

It’s been a really hectic month with family commitments and illness. We feel terrible that it’s taken us this long to post, but as you can see in the most recent Flickr postings, Harrison has had lots of happenings with his very special grandparents.

Wow, the last two weeks have been busy! Harrison is STILL growing and is getting really heavy! Major developments include: rolling over, grabbing, and making even more noises. He is starting to really enjoy hearing his own voice and spends a lot of time "singing."

Harrison's social calendar has been booked too. He had his first KU football tailgate over Labor Day weekend. He seemed to really enjoy hanging out with his fellow Jayhawks, including his cousin, John! Harrison also enjoyed a nice visit that weekend with his great-grandparents in Wichita.

Last weekend, our old friends Max and Julie were visiting from Chicago with their daughter Betsey. We got together with them and with Amy and Damien and their kids and a good time was had by all. Lots of action with 5 kids! Emerson was especially helpful with Harrison, always on hand to "re-bink" when necessary!

Next on the agenda: figuring out what to be for Halloween! While I think we all know the answer to that question, if Tom has any say, we are open to suggestions!

Lake Trip

We spent last weekend at our friends' house at the Lake of the Ozarks. It was Harrison's first trip to the lake and a welcome getaway for the whole family. Big thanks to Todd, Ali, Ryan, Jane, and Steve for your hospitality. We loved spending time with you all!

Pictures from the weekend are now on Flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51095697@N05/

Sleeping Through the Night

The month of August has been a very busy month for our family and we can hardly believe that it is almost September already! Amy went back to work and had to leave Harrison for the first time in order to go to Washington D.C. for meetings for a few days. Fortunately, Tom had things well under control on the home front and he and Harrison were able to do some serious male-bonding while Amy was away! Amy apparently had to leave in order for Harrison to decide it was time to sleep through the night!!!

We are so thrilled and amazed at how well he is adjusting to our new schedule and what a great sleeper he is. The little man really thrives on his routine, which we have worked on for weeks, so that he goes to bed at about the same time every night with the same bedtime routine. He has grown to love bath time, which we do before bed, and then we cuddle up for a nighttime story and lullaby before "lights out." He is now to the point where he begins to fade about halfway through Peter Rabbit and is regularly sleeping for 11 to 12 hours at night! He still has some nights when he wakes up for a bottle, but those are becoming fewer and farther between.

We still have not completely phased Harrison out of the swaddle, but most nights he wiggles his arms free at some point in the middle of the night. One of the cutest things he now does when this happens is to lock his hands underneath his head while he sleeps. It has become his "thing" and we just melt every time we see him in this position!

Sunday Dinner

Tonight, we had dinner in Kansas City with family. Harrison was a superstar as usual, and really enjoyed seeing his cousin, aunts and uncles, grandmother, and great-grandfather Bobby! Harrison and Johnny especially enjoyed catching up and got to be doted on by everyone. Harrison was thrilled to be loved on by Aunt Katie and Uncle Brian because it had been awhile! We made it back to Lawrence for Peter Rabbit and 8:30 bedtime, and can't wait to do it again soon!