I'm not quite sure how I'm going to get through this post...as I'm looking through old pictures of my toddler, it is quite emotional to see how he has grown in his short little life. In ways, I miss him so much even though he is snoozing in the room next door. I miss his baby days, and I know in a year or 2, I will miss the days we are living right now. I love, love, love my new 2 year old. I still can't believe God decided I would be fit to be his mom, let alone be a mom at all. And I'm so thankful!
Well, first things first, right? Just so I don't forget, we went to the doctor today, and Harrison's measurements are...drumroll, please....
Height: 35 3/4 inches, 90 % (whoa!)
Weight: 28 1/2 lbs, 50 % (and he wasn't weighed on the baby scale, he actually stepped on the big boy scale, unbreak my heart!)
Head Circumference: 48.5, 50%
Our camera is still on the fritz, so i still have no pictures for you from the last few weeks. Fortunately, a few ladies got pics from the party, but they are not the greatest. I will post more as I get good ones!
We did have a ball yesterday at Animal Kingdom. It was a first time for all of us. It was so sweet for me and Brett to think that we have been to so many places that Disney has re-created in that park. They did a really great job at mimicking an african restaurant scene and streets in Asia. I still can't believe all the places we have been together. It has been such a privilege, and I can't wait to take Har Bear along to more!
2 years ago, I was holding a little 1 day old in my arms! I was thinking, "oh, I love him so much" and "how am i going to do this?" all at the same time! I still have those same two thoughts running through my head daily. But, life changed forever and my heart began walking outside of my chest on May 19, 2008. Okay, so at first it was just a blob in my arms, but you know what I mean!
On May 18 at 6:30 am, I woke up to go to the bathroom finding my water had broken. I couldn't believe my first baby was coming almost 2 weeks early. Yet, in Harrison fashion, although he was ready to come into the world, he took his sweet time and didn't make the grand entrance until 7:37 am THE NEXT MORNING! 25 hours later. One day I'll document all that went on in between. It was not bad at all, (well, the epidural wearing off for an hour and a few times getting sick, pushing off and on for 4 hours, but other than that...) it was just long. And I remember the last moments before he was born, looking up at Brett, whose glasses had fogged because he had begun to shed a tear or two, and the doctor putting him onto my lap after the last push and me being the very first person in the entire world (except the ultrasound tech) to see that we had a son! It was thrilling, and has been ever since! Well....most days!
But, let me tell you about what that little Turkey is up to these days. He, like Forrest Gump, runs everywhere he goes...he even has his own personal Jenny by the name of Colbie who he loves dearly and runs to her and kisses and hugs her EVERY time he sees her. He has 16 teeth and is working on the 2 year molars, does not eat like a champ (although he used to--either he's getting picky or just doesn't need as much food), loves to snack, loves juice, fruit, milk, water, crackers, cheese, deli meat, and most things we give him. Harrison recognizes people and places now! When my mom calls, he says, "Nana!" He is also fond of Brett's dad, Pa. He still loves his 2 blankets ("babies"), his stuffed frog, his new train ("ju ju"), says: please, mama, dada, down, up, move, NO (that's a favorite), hi, see you, bye bye, moo moo, wa wa, car, truck, tractor, leaf, book, and a lot more. He learns a new word everyday! He is total boy running around wanting to wrestle and play and hide, but he has a very sweet and tender side to him that wants to share and help when he can tell someone is sad. I am very excited to see his little personality come out. He takes 1 afternoon nap anywhere from 2-3 hours (but he consistently skips about 1 nap a week--oh, the horror) and sleeps from 7-7 every night. His favorite thing is for all of us to be together. He still loves waving at cars, picking up leaves, barking at dogs, and his giggle melts me! He is a total flirt and works that to his advantage. He's also a complete goof, but the poor guy never even had a chance with us as parents. He has ridden thousands of miles in the car and flown tens of thousands on airplanes...his number of flights still being 25, with a trip to London waiting for him this summer. His little passport has more stamps at age 2 than mine did at age 22!! As he moves into toddlerhood, he is a tad more challenging and defiant, but listens well for the most part. He snuggles after nap time, but other than that, I'm lucky to get to hold him once a day (unless he needs carried somewhere). He is very inclusive, not wanting to leave anyone out...which usually means we have to put all 800 stuffed animals on the couch rather than just 1 or 2, but fortunately, he's great at cleaning up, something he has not learned from Mommy.
I love, love, love my little Harrison Case Dooley. Being a mom is truly the hardest and best thing I've ever done. It's such a privilege that I hope to have again one day. We have had the best time celebrating our little guy--it's so ironic that on his birthday, I feel like the one with the greatest gift. Thank you, Lord, for our precious boy!
But, things have changed, and so has he! Here's a few pictures from our shindig at the playground!
The Birthday Boy got a little wet from running through the Splash Fountain! 
But, things have changed, and so has he! Here's a few pictures from our shindig at the playground!
The Birthday Boy got a little wet from running through the Splash Fountain! 
My Dad surprised us! On Friday afternoon he called as soon as I had put Harrison down for his nap and he asked me where I was. That's weird. I told him I was out back on our patio trying to get some sun while the little man was sleeping. He said, "okay, I see you!" and drove right into our driveway. I was so happy. I hadn't seen the old man since Christmas, and seeing as we won't get to see each other for 2 years come August, I will take all the family visits I can get! Isn't he so cute?
We laughed a lot...
and made weird faces...
and laughed some more, and ate lots of cupcakes, and he had no idea it was all for him. It was such a simple and glorious time.
And I am so grateful for my 2 year old boy. The second year flew by waaaay faster than the first, and I am having so much fun. The days are long, but the moments are sweet, and I can't wait to see what year 3 will bring. Happy Birthday, Harrison Bear. Your life has given us joy we have never known until you!
My Dad surprised us! On Friday afternoon he called as soon as I had put Harrison down for his nap and he asked me where I was. That's weird. I told him I was out back on our patio trying to get some sun while the little man was sleeping. He said, "okay, I see you!" and drove right into our driveway. I was so happy. I hadn't seen the old man since Christmas, and seeing as we won't get to see each other for 2 years come August, I will take all the family visits I can get! Isn't he so cute?
We laughed a lot...
and made weird faces...
and laughed some more, and ate lots of cupcakes, and he had no idea it was all for him. It was such a simple and glorious time.
And I am so grateful for my 2 year old boy. The second year flew by waaaay faster than the first, and I am having so much fun. The days are long, but the moments are sweet, and I can't wait to see what year 3 will bring. Happy Birthday, Harrison Bear. Your life has given us joy we have never known until you!
