Happy 9 Month Birthday

Harrison is exactly 9 months old today. He is crawling like a madman, pulling himself up to a stand and doing some furniture surfing. Sleeping like a log this weekend after having his H1N1 vaccine yesterday.

September Already!

Hello all - I have some great pics to add. Mimi and Pawpaw came up from Texas and spent some time with us over the Holiday Weekend, and this afternoon we take the little boy to his first Oktoberfest in Lincoln Square with the Gordons... Enjoy.

Well

I guess I forgot to mention to everyone that this was a monthly blog subscription... With that said, on to the photos! For a quick update, he is sitting up, pushing himself backwards, maybe 2 wks from crawling, and eating real food... enjoy!

Fast Forward to Mid June

It's been way too long - I know. Since last I posted, we have taken our first trip (he was great) he has learned to roll over, he is eating cereal, and seems to be getting cuter. Without further ado, a slew of new photos.

Texas Bound

Harrison's first trip to Texas gets underway tomorrow morning - a flurry of firsts most notably a flight. I am secretly terrified that he will exact vengence on me for all the times I cursed the lap children of others destroying any possibility I had of sleeping on the plane - but like most of the time, I'm sure he will be much better than I could ever possibly imagine.

He squinks.

Love you all very much and just as much or more than that miss you. Distance appreciates when you have a baby, doesn't it? I hope you are all very well.

I have been

remiss.... lots of new pictures, so sorry. We are, everyday, falling so ever helplessly in love with Harrison. We call him squinks, because he, well, squinks.

happy monday

nothing too serious to say - but want to give ya'll some new pics

Happy Easter!

The boys are hanging out this morning. Harry hung out while I did my taxes, and he is sleeping in the living room with me now. We are going out to Lombard for his first Easter get together today, and I imagine he will sleep tonight with visions of being able to eat people food at some point.

He is about the sweetest thing you could imagine, and he has brought us more joy than I knew was possible. Happy Easter to everyone - hope you enjoy all the new pics!

It's Snowing in Chicago today....

All we have going on here to keep us from going completely insane, and tracking down a weatherman to hit in the head with a giant Icee are these photos of our beautful baby boy. He is a pretty smiley little guy - sorry its been so long, but these represent the last couple of weeks pretty well..

Mommy is home - and we are still alive

We made it. Linda got home last night at about 11 and I am having a hard time figuring out who is happiest that she is home. But as Harry is gorgeous, but still not altogether with it, I think it came to down to a dual between me and LuLu. She has been wonderful with him, and has taken the fact that she is not the only child anymore pretty well - but all things considered she got a good brushing today, and is once again walking around with a bounce in her step, so I think I will give her the nod.

Smiley Cyrus

There will probably come a point at which posting pictures of Harry smiling will come to an end. This is not that point.

We are still alive

Against all odds the boys are surviving, and we've even managed to keep LuLu from soiling herself in the house (thanks to a nice assist from our neighbor Mike). Keith and I gave him a bath this morning - and Linda as you are reading this with the rest of our blog nation now - I got in all the crevices, and he smells like heaven.

Just the Boys

Harry and I are batching it for the next few days, while Mommy is out there bringing home some bacon. We miss her, but it is turning into a sort of impromptu Baby Academy for me, which is good. Just went out for a walk with Lu and Harry, and I am very thankful we went for the UppaBaby - its nicer than my first car. Harry is starting to smile - all I could coax out this morning was a smirk - but hope you enjoy it.

Its been too long

I know, I know. Things have been hopping in the West Loop, but we have continued to take pictures even as I have badly dropped the ball on the picture posting front. Harrison turned 6 weeks old yesterday. He is getting bigger everyday, and has lost enough of is new born hair that he now has what we can only describe as clown hair. He has been very well behaved as of late, and Mommy and Daddy would like to say a special thanks to the swing for much of that, as well as Uncle Keith who has helped out more than he can ever know. On the the pics!

Happy Sunday

Harrison turned one month old yesterday, and he is doing very well. Uncle Keith, Aunt Kim and Nieces Abbey and Meredith came over this morning, we had bagels, and a really good time. I am going to post some new pics now, I know its been too long.

Honestly

Good Evening Bloggers:

Linda is out to see Jeff Tweedy with her brother, and I am here alone with Harrison for the first time. He is remarkably alert, and while as fussy as a baby can be expected to be, I am overwhelmed with pride pretty much everytime he does, well, anything. My biggest concern at the moment is that I have not written enough thank you notes. I must send a letter of supreme thanks to Dr's Boatwright and Siletti one who overwhelmed me with her manner, and the other who overwhelmed me with the care he gave Linda, and also some odd ridiculous amount of Dr's family respect when I saw him in the Rush Hospital Au Bon Pain 2 days after Harry was born. Some of this is non-sensical, and proof that a father should neither blog, nor drink a delicious Argentinian Malbec while caring for his firstborn son alone for the first time.

I am happier than I have ever been, and this is the most public forum I can say that in. It can never be said enough.

Picture Problems

There are some issues with pictures cutting off. In the "I'm Number 1" photo, for example, he is actually holidng up his index finger, but pics are compressing a bit much for my liking. Will try to improve, and post more often - nobody likes a stagnant website..

Okay Okay Okay...

It's been too long, I know, for all 3 of you watching this thing... life has been a tad hectic, but wonderful, but I have been taking photos, and will post them all tonight..

On our own

Today was the first day we were alone as a family. It was quiet and pretty wonderful but we will miss having everyone here. Air Force One flew past our apartment this morning - Harrison wasn't impressed, but Linda and I were. I have a couple of more days off, and we are going to try to enjoy them to the fullest. Linda is getting to be a real pro at taking care of business, and he is getting cuter every day.

The Fam!

House is busy with activity. Linda's Mom Pat has been here since Tuesday, and we have eating extraordinarily well. Big P, Kenneth and Aunt Tracy are all here as well. Just going to post a bunch of photos today - my assumption is that they are the big draw here.

Home at Last

We finally made it home yesterday afternoon - important for us to remember - the first song Harrison ever heard was Human or Dancer by The Killers, and it calmed him down from an all out fit during his first car ride. Putting up a few more pics for everyone. Linda's mom is over and making lasagna and starting a 3 pound roast - yum. LuLu has been nothing short of wonderful with our new addition which has been a load off. Beautiful day here in Chicago, with the temperature reaching a sizzling 19 degrees - I may take a walk in shorts later.

We go home today!

The fam is excited to head home. The hospital experience has been good, and made us feel safe, but we are looking forward to not having the litany of staff knocking on the door (especially the sales people with scrubs on - beware!). So happy we get to take him home with us and introduce him to the West Loop. And although we understand that steady sleep is no longer an option the idea of getting even a little sleep in our own bed is downright dreamy.

To answer all the requests...

Circumcision - Successful! He took it like a man, and is recovering nicely. No one actually asked, but wasn't sure how else to Title this post. Wasn't there but have always wondered if they use special tiny instruments. This post is an example of what happens when you blog with no purpose on little to no sleep.

Monday, January 26th 2009

Everyone doing well. I've never been quite so excited to see that someone has defecated. Very happy - but ready to go home tomorrow. Thank you to everyone for the support and comments. Excited for him to meet family and friends soon.

First Day Visitors

Guest list so far - January 24th - Keith Groves, Kim Jorgensen, Abbey and Meredith Groves. January 25th - Grandma and Grandpa Groves (Pat and Dave).

Harrison Arrives

Harrison was born at 9:34AM Saturday, January 24th 2009. He weighed 7 pounds and 10 ounces and was 21 inches long. Early features include a slight chin cleft and a lot of sandy brown hair. He is equal parts sleepy, fussy and beautiful.

The Big Event

We induce this evening. Very excited and nervous - Linda is not surprisingly the calm one. A long couple of days ahead. We are going to spend the day retrieiving various good and sundries to keep us occupied while we wait. I will be taking the computer to the hospital, and should be able to post pics as soon as they are available. No worries on this front, we are going to steer clear of nudity and any pictures of a slimy baby. So excited to meet him - we love everyone and will keep you up to date as things develop. January 23rd has a nice ring to it, but as long as he and mommy are safe and sound, I don't really care.

Due Date is Today

All quiet so far. We went out today and got some new baskets that fit underneath the crib, and then went directly to the Portillo's drive thru. Doctor Boatwright is going to the inauguration, so we are kind of hoping Harry can wait until Wednesday - this would go a long way in helping me not freak out. Linda on the other hand is cool as the other side of the pillow. Still trying to get a hang of this thing, so bear with me.

Will talk to everyone soon.

Hello Everybody

I am trying to get this thing up and running. Due date is January 15th, exactly one week from today. Linda still feeling very good, and Brad is still enjoying this eat whatever you want diet, but his pants are starting to fit funny.

Mommy and Daddy clueless, but excited, and ready to meet Harry.