Merry Christmas

weaning

I'm just about to that point....

I'm trying to wean Ethan from breastfeeding and I'm feeling pretty good about it this time around. When Jackson was little he really pretty much weaned himself starting at about 6-7 months old. Once he got the taste of real food, he didn't want much else except real food and bottles. I was crushed when he didn't need me anymore. I can remember standing in the kitchen telling Richard about how sad it made me and telling him that "He just don't understand." It really is a special bond between mom/baby and something that dad's just don't "get."

Now, Ethan is 7 months old and at his last well child check up, he wasn't even 15 pounds...a mere 2% in the growth percentage. Underweight. While Dr. J didn't come right out and say that I needed to stop with the breastfeeding, he did strongly suggest that he needed more than what I could give him.

So, with that info., Ethan is now on straight formula during the daytime and still breastfed at night. I can't completely give it up yet. I'm not ready to. He's only nursing 1-2 times a day now, so I know it won't be long.

I can remember when I stopped with Jackson my hormones were a MESS for awhile, and I'm so dreading that part of it all this time around. Also, with Jackson I never took the time to remember that last time, because frankly, I didn't know it was the last time with Jackson. But with Ethan, things will be different. I'm going to remember the last time with him. I need that, for myself.

Since Ethan has been on only formula, he's gained 1 pound in 1 week. He's now at 15 pounds, 10 ounces, and he seems happier now too. I needed to do what was best for him and for that, I'm happy!

Thanksgiving 2009 part 1

This past Sunday we celebrated an early Thanksgiving holiday at Granny Vel's and papa Benny's house. It was fun as always, but quite a show with 5 kids aged 4 and under. Plus an older kid....all BOYS. Yes, ALL boys. I don't think we would know what to do with a GIRL....what's that?

Of course, we all had our fill of turkey and dressing and all the sides plus desserts. mmmm, desserts. Here are some pictures from the day.

2 little HOG fans

Papa Benny, Jase, Granny Vel, Jessica and Jonathon

Us

John, Jenifer, Jaiden and Jordan

The Boys

Russell, Angie and Reid

A good checkup

This little boy went back to his pediatric urologist in Little Rock on the 17th. He got a pretty good report. The good news? He doesn't have to go back until April for the same set of tests he had when he was 6 weeks old. They need to be able to compare and see what's the same and what's different.

It was easy when he was 6 weeks old. His kidney funciton test along lasted 60 minutes and he slept through most of that. When he goes back in April, he'll be 1 year old and I have a feeling things will be different....much different.

Dr. R is retiring at the end of the year, so a new ped. urologist will be taking over Ethan's case. Want more good news? This new Dr. does laproscopic surgeries where as Dr R did open surgeries. So, that IS good news! IF Ethan will need to have another surgery in the future.

But for now, he's just keeping on....being a 7 month old baby and doing a good job at it!

a celebration

This last weekend was spent celebrating the marriage of this couple:



My sister, kammy and my new brother-in-law, Jay. They were actually married back in September and just had the celebration this last weekend.

We were all stalking the weather this last week just hoping it wouldn't rain it out, since it was bring held outside. The weather was perfect! The rain held off long enough for people to eat some good BBQ, visit a little, and have some fun.

It was a fall themed celebration (being fall and all, it just fit.) Marsha from Brookhaven Nursery did the arrangements and she really out did herself. Everything was PERFECT!

Jay's mom, Kelly made the wedding cake. I think she did a WONDERFUL job! A perfect cake for the occassion.

Congrats again Kammy and Jay. I'm very happy for you and wish you guys nothing but the best.

Ethan's first Razorback game

Ok, I have to admit, I'm not a HUGE fan of Razorback football. Basketball....yes, and even baseball. But football isn't my thing. It's not that I hate it, I just don't enjoy it so much. That said, we had a chance to take Ethan to his very first football game the other day when Razorbacks played South Carolina.

The weather was perfect and we couldn't have asked for a better day. We got to the stadium a bit late. Something about getting a 4-year old and a 6 month old there too. Anyway, as we were on our way, the jets did a fly by and Ethan started crying. It scared him a little...bless his heart. So, out of the crowd we came and I calmed him down and he was good again.

During the game, he just sit there and watched everything in awe. Sensory overload for sure! Then, about 1/2 time, we took the boys down to papa's and Granny Vel's and Ethan fell asleep there. Then, 3rd quarter we went back and picked them back up.

It was a good day and we can now say Ethan has been to his 1st football game AND that it was a success!

Here is is with me. This is only the 2nd picture I have of us two together, so it's extra special.

Ethan and daddy

Watching the game

Cheering on the Razorbacks

vs. South Carolina

Boxcar Jackson

On the traintracks here in town, there is this train that has been set up here FOREVER! Anyway, I thought it would be a neat place to get some pictures and I kinda like the way they turned out. Jackson especially liked that he was on a train and got to climb up and down the little ladder on the side of the car.

Wordless Wednesday

Last Flag football game

So, Jackson had his last flag football game last week. Who knows who really won. They don't really keep score. It's more of a play for 1 hour kind of thing. But it was good, and I think he had fun this year. It'll be interesting to see if he wants to do it next year as well and if he does, to see if he "gets" it anymore than he did this year.

This is their lineup. WHAT? you can't tell they are lined up? Come on now....this is as good as it gets with 4 year old.

And of course, Ethan had to go watch the last game. Although he did sleep through most of it. It's the thought that counts though, right?

And it was trophy night. Well, medal night. Man, was he proud or what?

superheros to the rescue...

Halloween around the Harris household actually took place on the Wednesday before at a church event. I guess at this age, treak or treating is just that...and it doesn't matter the "day."

This year, we had a couple superheros on our hands. Jackson was, of course, Batman. And every good superhero needs a good sidekick. So, in true fashion, Ethan was Robin. Although I don't know how much of a sidekick he was. He didn't like to keep on his disguise (aka-the mask) at all but was ok with it on top of his head.

The town is a little better today because of these two!

Hope you all had a great halloween also.

Wordless Wednesday

Ethan is 6 months old!

Can you believe it? He's 6 months old already. I was just telling R the other day, that Ethan's time has FLOWN by. I mean really, really just flown by. So much more than it did with Jackson. Maybe because we have another one to look after now too. But man, it can slow down now..really it can.

My little pumpkins

So, a couple weekends ago (when it FINALLY quit raining) I took Ethan and Jackson to the pumpkin patch at Wild Things Farm. We met up with Leah and Laynie and had a good ole time.

First rattle out of the box, I jumped out of the car to unbuckle the kiddos and a goat jumped into the car. Not once but TWICE. Really!

So, after finally getting the kids out the car and getting tickets, we finally got on the hayride. Got to see the horses, sheep, etc. The corn maze would have been fun if we hadn't gotten 5 inches of rain the couple days before. So, we didn't do the corn maze but did get a pumpkin or two.

It was fun and of course we'll do it again next year. Except next year I'll have two running around.