Harrison @ Three

With all the focus on our newest nugget, I don't want to forget Mr. Harrison's entry at 3-years-old.

This kid.... THIS KID.... keeps me on my toes.  

He's full of energy, from the time he wakes until we can finally get him to sleep, which sometimes reaches 10pm.  This guy is running at full speed most of the time, jumping off of things, jumping onto things, jumping on the bed, jumping on the couch, jumping... everywhere.  You get the idea.  I have a heart attack at least once a day when I hear big thud.  I hold my breath until I hear either laughter or crying - usually it's pure laughter and a "Mom! Watch me - that was awesome!"  

Luckily, about 90% of the time, he is awesome - sweet and affectionate. He loves giving kisses and hugs to his loved ones, and is so very protective and precious of Baby Brother.  His teachers say he is naturally sweet to his classroom friends, as well as the teachers' pet.  

But that 10%.... oh that 10%.... is pure toddler terrorism.  

There's several moments he spends in full out tantrum, and then consequently the time-out corner.  

And we've entered the "Why?" phrase after anything that Mr. Smith and I say.

Where I have replied, "Because I said so!" more times than I can count.

He's so smart, and knows his colors, alphabet, and numbers, as well as surprises us with things like moving at warp speed through the iPhones.  He also recited the Pledge of Allegiance the other day, catching me completely off guard.  

He's still a picky eater, and while his school claims he eats "all or most" for morning snack, lunch, and afternoon snack (LIES), it's rough to get him to eat anything but his faves on the weekend, which include cinnamon rolls and all other sweets.  We're big fans of Pediasure around here, and still give him small helpings of whatever I fix for dinner.... to minimal results most of the time.

He is still a huge fan of anything Disney Junior, and now he's branched out to Clifford the Big Red Dog, as well as Paw Patrol and Dora on Nick, Jr.  

He's also a big fan of old gospel music, thanks to Martin's grandfather, Pop, who sings in a men's gospel quartet.  We must always be playing "Pop's CD" in the car, and you can catch H singing such tunes as  "Count Your Blessings" and "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" around the house.  

We love you Big Guy!  

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Psalm 139:14

This scripture has been weaving itself in and out of my thoughts upon Parker's arrival.

While pregnant, I often wondered how different Baby #2 would be and how we would adjust to having another little one around the house.  

Would their personalities be completely different?  And corresponding sleeping and eating habits?

What if they were so different I wouldn't know what to do with this one because those tricks only worked with Harrison and not Parker?

I'm finding that Parker is completely different than Harrison, with subtle differences showing themselves even in pregnancy and these first few months together.

And yet, as his mother, I'm able to comfort and soothe just as well as with Harrison.

Another one of God's designs - mothers.  

They are quite different, actually, but we're adapting:

1.  Harrison hated to be swaddled.  With a passion.  He still kicks off all his covers and blankets.

Parker - loves it so far.  Swaddling usually calms his down and he doesn't "Houdini" his way out of it.

2.  Harrison only wanted to sleep on his tummy; Parker is a good back sleeper.  

Special thanks to the Rock-n-Play for this - where was this with Harrison?

3.  Parker has a bit more reflux and hiccups than Harrison - actually, Harrison never really spit up or had the hiccups at all.  Parker gets the hiccups 3-4 times a day.  Parker also likes to eat "double duty" most times, whereas Harrison only was a "single" eater, which led to more frequent feedings.  

Sigh.  

I guess the most important I catch myself doing is thinking "Wow, well with Harrison we did this.  Or this is just like Harrison!" instead of "Wow, look at Parker doing this for his own first time" like we did with Harrison.  It's a bit harder to take note of the "firsts" with Parker, and easier to make comparisons (especially with a wild 3-year-old running around).  

However, I'm thankful that they are both showing the same sweet personalities, especially with each other!  It will be even more fascinating to watch as they both grow older to see their differences and similarities.

Parker - One Month

I said it before with Harrison, but it snuck up on me again...

Where does the time go?

Parker is one month old!

This little nugget has stolen our hearts with his sweet nature.

He is incredibly laid back - even sleeping through his big brother's wild toddler ways.

Favorite activities include eating Mommy Milk and snuggling.

And our freezer is already full of Mommy Milk... cue the memories of a Dairy Cow.

Weight: Up over 7 pounds as of last week's pediatrician visit - quite  the gain from birth weight!  We are officially in Newborn clothes and out of our Preemie items.

Our arch nemesis right now are the hiccups, which you get 3-4 times per day.

We love you, "Parka Man," as your big brother calls you!

Wrapping Up our Hospital Stay and Heading Home

 Meeting GiGi Mama...

Uncle P and Aunt Suz

with new buddy Kirk...

Sweet co-workers BJ and Ann...

... and Martina

And then it was time to head home!

In daddy's "going home" outfit that Big Brother H also wore.

(Little big... Daddy was an 8-pounder.)

Putting brave faces on as we go to juggling two kiddos!

Can you see our panic?

Parker's First Days

It's always special to capture your loved ones meeting your newest additions, and Parker has been very busy in his first few days!

MiMi, Aunt Anna, and T

Uncle Mitchell and Aunt Melanie

Of course... most importantly.... Big Brother's introduction!

H was beaming.  

"Brought you a sticker, Parka."

Kisses for my big boy.  

PawPaw and DeeDee

And... y'all.  This is reality - our new Family of Four!

Ignore the fact that no one could sit still,  look at the camera at the same time, or that I look like death warmed over - this is us now!

Welcome Parker!

This past Tuesday started off like any other day - 

I was trying my hardest to get over a stubborn sinus/allergy issue, so I was running a bit slower than usual.  

Not to mention that H slept horribly the night before, and Mr. Smith and I were both running late Tuesday morning as a result.  

I mean - you can only do so much at 35 weeks pregnant, people.  

Tuesday was a normal day of meetings and trying to get things wrapped up for team mates at work - "just a week and a half more!" I kept saying to everyone - "let me go ahead and get it done now!"

I left work at 5 and battled the traffic to pick up H at school, then got home around 6pm like usual.  I was starving, so I went ahead and nibbled on a few bites of leftover Tex Mex Chicken Casserole as I turned to fixing the boys some dinner.  And as Martin and H came back in from outside and stood there watching me have a horrendous coughing fit - my water broke.

Like, broke all over the place. Right there in the kitchen, in my work clothes and filling up my shoes.

To which H looked at me and said "Mommy, did you wet your pants?"

And Mr. Smith said - "Seriously, did you just wet your pants?"

"No way this is just tee tee, guys.  It's everywhere. Call my parents.  Whatever it is, let's go get it checked out."

As Mr. Smith called my parents to haul it down to B'ham, I threw a beach towel over the mess and ran upstairs.  Thankfully, I had already packed my hospital suitcase and the baby's, but just needed a few last minute items thrown in.  Mr. Smith worked on entertaining H while packing him a few things in a bag too. 

And, in no time, there were my parents, looking just as wide-eyed as we were.

"I'm 35 weeks," I said, as Mr. Smith and I said our good-byes and kissed H. "They're probably going to laugh at me at the hospital and say you've wet your pants then send me home.  See you in a little bit."

When, in fact, what happened was the hospital telling me I had not only broken my water, but that I was 3.5 cm dilated and in active labor.  

And - even better - since I had eaten those couple of bites of casserole, they couldn't schedule my C-section for at least 7 hours afterwards, putting us anywhere between 1am-2am in the OR.

Mr. Smith and I still decided to be positive - we're good, we said!  We'll just hang out here and watch TV until then.  It's not like I'm having actual contractions or in any pain!

Famous last words.

Both Mr. Smith and MiMi (who had raced up from Tuscaloosa) got to see a very much laboring, contracting, sweaty, and doubled over-in-the-bed-and-trying-not-to-push Mrs. Smith about an hour later.  Which lasted for the next 5 hours.  

Around 12:30am, things got real, as I was wheeled back to the OR for the spinal, and then all was well with the world again.  

Especially at 1:23 am, when Parker Timothy Smith made his debut into our world!  
Weighing 5 lbs and 5.4 oz, with 19.5 inches in length and a head full of dark hair, out he came, crying and just as energetic as he was for the past 9 months.  

Isn't he precious?  

More pics to come, but while this little Pork Chop was napping, I wanted to share!  

We are so in love with this newest miracle added to our little family!  

Easter 2014

We headed down to Tuscaloosa for Easter right after H's birthday party.  

I love keeping our traditions, even if it means things were a little busier than usual!  

Posing with our Family of Three after church.  

It's so weird to think it will be a Family of Four next Easter!

Then, Sister and I couldn't help ourselves but to a little photo shoot with these two.  

They love each other so much, and it's a joy to see H so protective of sweet Elizabeth.

She, in turn, thinks he is hysterical.  

After lunch, it was time for some major Easter egg hunting, courtesy of MiMi's egg hiding handiwork.  

And then someone discovered the chocolates inside the plastic eggs.

In his new white Easter outfit.

I tried not to panic.

Harrison Turns Three!

We celebrated one little guy turning the Big Three last weekend at The Birmingham Zoo - one of H's most favorite places, with about 50 of our nearest and dearest family and friends.  

It was a gorgeous Spring day, and we had a blast!  

If you are 9 months pregnant and looking for someone to handle everything about your toddler's birthday party - the Zoo is your answer.  Our party package handled everything from the cake to decor, from Carousel rides to Train rides for the entire party.  

Niiiiiiice.  

Here's a few shots of the celebration.

Pancake Turtle Petting

The Princess waving to her subjects.

Learning what a ferret is - my facial expression says it all.

Let's introduce the ferret as saying it was the main carrier of the Plague and then walk it around for the children to pet it.  

Ahem.

Waving to his party parade.

Private Giraffe Feeding Encounter - worth every penny.

Biggest hit of the party with the kiddos!

Gorilla Posing before front seat Zoo Train Riding! 

And then... y'all - look at this face.

Pure joy on the Zoo Carousel.

Reading one of his new books with Pop as the party winded down.

And then T and Daddy.

And let's make sure DeeDee reads the new book too!

Happy Third Birthday Harrison!

We love you so much, and what a three years it has been with you!

You are an endless source of energy, laughter, patience, and learning, and I am so thankful that God chose us to be your parents!

Harrison's super cute t-shirt (a tradition now!) is by the talented Annie Poole at AP Creations.  Check out her website!