Is It Okay?

I straight-up think my son is pretty. Is that okay at this age? Handsome just seems too old. I might would say Harrison is handsome. But to describe a baby as handsome makes him seem like a man-baby. Just today, I had him in a gown (a newborn gown that boys and girls wear...not a pageant gown, for those of you who may be confused), and I was like, "gosh, you are so pretty." My husband would kill me for saying that.

3 Year Check-Up

We went for Harrison's three year check-up today. When I made the appointment, the receptionist told me that he didn't have to have any vaccinations. So, that is what I told Harrison. When we got there, the doctor told me that he did have to have one. I dreaded telling him, but he truly handled it like a champ. I mean, he cried, but it is so different to give a 3 year-old a shot vs a newborn. I'd take the newborn any day. I called Adam and asked him to put his 4 year check-up in his calendar because he will have four shots and I don't think I can handle it.
Here are his stats:
Height: 39 1/2 inches (90th percentile)
Weight: 36 lbs (88th percentile)

I Choose You...

I don't know if everyone is familiar with the book "I Choose You," but it is truly one of the cutest books on the market for kiddos. I find myself telling this sweet little boy all of the time, "I Choose You," or "I'm so glad it's you." After all that I went through to get this little buddy growing in my body, I would do it all over again, if it meant that he was the end product. He has captured my heart. And I love his zest for life that he already displays...which I thank God for everyday. I'd love for my original OB who told me that he probably wasn't going to make it and that we should terminate the pregnancy to save my tube to see how full of life he is. I'm so glad that the Lord chose him.

Things that are cracking me up...

Life has taken a turn for the funny. In all actuality, I always try to find something to laugh about. Here is what is currently cracking me up in the Brantley House/Life:
1. Wheel of Fortune: we feed Fisher at 7:00 every night. When it is time to feed him, all of us watch Wheel of Fortune too (I do recognize that this fact may be both lame and funny in itself). When it starts to come on, Harrison says, "I want to see what color she wears." Obviously he is talking about Vanna White, who he calls (Nana White). When the contestants guess the letter "H," Harrison says, "hey, they guessed my name." And then when one of us knows the answer to the puzzle and says it aloud, Harrison repeats it. Then when the actual contestant solves it, Harrison says, "Hey, I got it right."
2. The Don Holt Bridge: Harrison is really into asking the names of roads that we drive regularly. Around thanksgiving, we told him while on the way to Charleston that the name of the bridge we were on is called "The Don Holt Bridge." So, now, on the way to Charleston he asks about the Don Holt Bridge. Just yesterday, while we were in Georgetown, he asked and after I said no, he replied, "Mom, I just kidding. This isn't the Don Holt Bridge. This is Georgetown."
3. The Whoopee Cushion: Uncle Matt gave Harrison a whoopee cushion for his birthday. The jury is still out on who laughs the hardest, every time.
4. Older Folks Opinions on Babies: I've noticed that there is a generation that has strong opinions about babies. The one that makes me laugh the most is that babies are always cold. I can't count the number of times that people (familiar and strangers) say to me, "don't you think he is cold," or "get that baby covered up." The idea that a baby might be cold draws comments out of the wood works. I don't get mad. It just makes me laugh. Especially as it is 60 plus degrees outside and he is in an infant seat, with only his face showing.
5. Doing It Like Daddy Does: So, as we were setting up for Harrison's party on Saturday, Harrison declared that he needed to go potty and he was going to go in the grass. I didn't argue as that was much easier. And then he said, "I want to do it like Daddy Does." I had no idea what he was talking about. Then I looked over and he hadn't dropped his underwear like normal. Harrison just barely pulled "it" out of his underwear without having to drop his drawers. I nearly peed my pants. It did seem more discreet except that Harrison had the biggest smile on his face.
6. Here Fishy Fishy: Yep, that is what Harrison says to Fisher on a regular basis. Or "Wake-Up Fishy Fishy!"
7. Nothing is a secret: Harrison is the ultimate repeater right now. Last week, Harrison asked for some of my diet coke. I obviously said no as I never let him have diet coke. Then he said, "Puff said I could have just a swallow." Again, made me laugh, because that sounds just like my mom since she normally announces her "last swallow" before throwing it away or "quick swallow" before getting out of the car. And on that note, Harrison decided to call my mom "Puffy" while she was here. Too funny!

Best. Day. Ever.

Happy 3rd Birthday Sweet Harrison. We just put you to sleep and your dad and I realized that this must be the best day ever in your life. Here is a quick recap:
Monster Truck Jump Castle. The Reed Family. Pinata. Your whole class/best friends. Extended Hang Out Time with the Milling Family. Orange Birthday Cake with Footballs. Lots of sweets. Lots of breaking mommy's rules (which was okay for the day). Cooking on the grill. Roasting Marshmallows. Opening Presents.
Sweet Harrison, I can't believe that you are three years-old. I'm so proud of the sweet boy that you are. I never imagined that I would have such a compassionate and rule-following child (which both, I believe you got from your dad). You are also full of life and energy and want to include everyone on everything. You are a little bit crazy and you like to make people laugh (which I think you got from mommy). My heart leaps for you and I love you more than words can explain. Your daddy and I would stand in front of an oncoming train for you, and we had no idea that we could love someone like we love you. We pray that you will follow after the Lord and lead others to Christ. We pray that you would be a great big brother to Fisher and teach him what it is like to be a godly boy. I pray for your future wife frequently...that you would love and respect her in a way that would utterly amaze her (like your daddy loves me). I can't wait to many more years with you and I'm thankful for the time that I have already had with you. Thank you for filling our lives with a richness that we did not know existed.
PS...your uncle Matt Matt got engaged to Lesley on your 3rd Birthday! Congrats Matt-Matt and Lesley. We can't wait to have her as an official member of the family.

I wish that I had some pictures of Harrison to post, but it isn't that easy any more. He definitely has thoughts about me taking his picture; most of which are negative. I have to start keeping a journal of the funny things that Harrison says or does. I don't want to forget...especially when he wants nothing to do with me later. Just last weekend, I was getting dressed for a wedding and when I walked out he said, "Mom are you a princess?" Seriously...it made my heart melt. I could have looked like donkey, but because Harrison said that, I didn't even care. After I told him that was sweet, he said, "Are you in a show?" I don't know what he meant by that. And then when Adam and I were going to leave, he said, "Mom, I want to give you a hug. I love you." That little boy just steals my heart. On that note, a few weeks ago, I came into the den wearing jeans, my wallabees (my hippie shoes as Adam calls them), and some regular shirt when Harrison asked me, "Mom, why are you going on a date?" At that moment I realized that he really only sees me in "workout" clothes...aka pajamas with tennis shoes. Major fail on my part. I'm sure my husband thinks the same thing.
And I'll just leave you with some pictures of my baby boy, who at this point, lets me take his picture all of the time.

2 Month Check-Up Stats

We went for Fisher's two month check-up about a week ago. I can't believe it has been two months. It definitely goes by a lot faster the second time around. I'm already having a hard time keeping up with his age in weeks.

Weight: 13 lbs, 1 ounce (.5 less than Harrison at this age) in the 80th percentile
Height: 24 1/4 inches (1 inch longer than Harrison at this age) in the 90th percentile
Head Circumfrence: 41 cm in the 70th percentile (all I know is that H was in the 40th percentile for here)

8 Weeks Old!

Holy Moly! Fisher is eight weeks old today! Time is speeding up everyday. We are loving every moment with this sweet boy. As you can see, he is quite smiley. Actually, he smiles a lot more than Harrison did at this age. We had to work really hard for a smile out of Harrison, but Fisher is a cheap smile and I love it. Harrison is a super-happy kid, so the ease of getting a smile at this age is not indicative of their happiness, but gosh, it is fun when it doesn't take much. By the way, Harrison told me two nights ago when I was putting him down for bed that he wanted me to have another baby because he wants two baby Fishers at the house. I think he is alone in that feeling, but I thought it was sweet, nonetheless.

Back To Work

I'm headed back to work. I've actually been working, but tomorrow is my first day on the road. It is a bittersweet feeling. For me, it is harder to leave Harrison. He is the one that is most affected by my absence. I'm excited to get back to work, however. I actually love to work. I have a great job that I wouldn't trade for anything. For me, working makes me a better mother. I know that isn't the case for everyone, but it is for me. Sure, I have to miss out on things and will continue to miss out on things in my boys' lives, but it isn't the end of the world. I grew up with a working mom and yes, there were times that she missed things in my life, but it didn't change how I loved her. I actually remember her making more an effort to be at places for me. When she worked in Columbia and had to be out of town a few days, I remember her driving to surprise me at my school on my birthday. I also remember when she would be working all over the state, she would drive from who-knows-where to come to my volleyball games. Even though she had to work out of town, she was very present in my life. In fact, I would say that she made more of an effort to be present than a lot of moms. I also grew up knowing a lot about the workings of government because my mom worked. If she didn't, then, I may have never majored in Political Science in college. Now, my boys will grow up knowing a lot about chicken and how to effectively market a grand opening (which isn't nearly as cool as what my mom did). Either way, when my boys read back through this one day, and if they have any questions about why I worked, I want them to know that I worked because I love them, and I want to be the best mom that I can be to them. I will certainly miss them while I'm away, but I always leave them in good hands. And coming home is even sweeter now...look what I get to see when I come home.