Uh-Oh

Uh-Oh is what Logan says when he gets hurt and he certainly got hurt. Tuesday night Logan was playing in the kitchen while I was cleaning up dinner. He wanted to play in the drawer where we keep the knives. I told him "no, no." This set off my sweet boy. He became very angry at mommy and decided to throw himself down on the ground to show me how mad he was. Well on his way down, he kicked the door jam with the top of his foot. He cried a lot. Even with comforting he was crying. I thought he was tired so I took him to bed and was laying with him as he was calming down. However he wanted his sock off, and he kept saying "uh, oh." He then starting pulling at and pointing to his foot and he was screaming in pain. Brian came in and we tried to have him stand on his foot, and he would not put any weight on his hurt foot. We really knew that something was wrong. After talking with both sets of parents we decided to wait until morning to take Logan to the pediatrican rather than heading to the ER late at night. It was not a good night for any of us. In the morning Logan was even worse off. I was able to get an early pediatrican appt and my mom met me there to help. The doctor wanted him to have an x-ray, an appt we already had for later that afternoon with Dr. Cullen (an orthopedic doctor, friend of the family). Logan ended up having a small break in the bone leading up to his big toe. He could have gone without a cast, but the doctor felt that he would be more comfortable and heal faster in a cast. Our sweet little boy has a little green cast from his toes to his knee. It is a sad sight. At first Logan was crawling everywhere, then he figured out how to walk with a cast and now he is running with a cast! We are hoping we can get it off sooner than later, he is still very uncomfortable. This is going to be a fun Christmas for him - he loves to open presents and always says "WOW." We want him to be a happy boy on Christmas morning, so we will see what the doctor says on Monday.

Dreams do come true

On Wednesday, December 17 Brian signed papers to take over 49.8% of the Loafing Leprechaun. He now owns two irish pubs. He has always dreamed of owning a bar/resturant and that dream has come true. Brian works hard and he really knows the buisness. We are excited and looking forward to the future and reaping the benefits of being buisness owners! Congratulations Daddy! We love you and are very proud of you. XOXOXO Meaghan, Logan, and Austin



Duluth Pub

Alpharetta Pub

2 Month Comparision

I love to see how similar our boys are. Here are the stats for each at their two month well check:
Logan - weight: 10lb 12oz; height: 21 3/4in
Austin - weight: 12lbs; height: 22in

Looks like Austin is a little bit bigger than Logan was at 2 months. It must have something to do with all the time he spends eating! Time for the picture comparision (incase you can't tell, Austin is on the left in both sets of pictures).


They both smile the same - their eyes always sparkle











They both have those chunker cheeks!

Austin is 2 Months Old!

I can not believe how quickly time is passing. On December 15, Austin turned 2 months and Logan turned 19 months old that same day. We are having a great holiday season with both boys. I keep saying I want time to stop - these are the best days. In a month from today I will be back at work. I know it is only 80 school days until the end of the year and until I am home permanently.
Austin's well check went great. He is a big boy weighing in at 12 lbs! He is so responsive and really getting good at holding his neck steady. He smiles all the time. The only time he cries is when he wants to eat - which feels like every hour! We are loving having another baby in the house. He is such a good baby. Sleeping wise he only wakes up once a night to eat. I can handle that!
Here are some recent pictures of the boys (only one with Logan, he isn't up for taking pictures these days...):

Austin sleeping baby








My sweet boys infront of our tree


Chunker Cheeks


So smiley!


Tired boy

Logan is Talking!

Logan is talking up a storm. I can actually have little conversations with him. He answers questions, asks questions, and is using words in sentences. Here are some of the things he is saying:
When he can't find me he'll say "Where did she go?"
When he finds me he says "Where did you go?"
When looking for his pacifier he says, "Where is ya-ya (pacifier's name)?"
When he finds his paci he says, "I find it."
He refers to our dog Dakota as "good girl" - he actually calls all dogs that!
If I say, I will do it, Logan replies "I do it."
He always wants to know "who is it?" when someone calls or is at the door
Today as Brian was leaving for work he said, "Bye dada Bye"
Some other favorites:
Brush teeth
Baby
Bebe (Barney his favorite)
Of course he has great manners saying dank you for everything and he is starting to say please (pees). When he wants a snack, he goes to the cabinet and pulls out cheerios and asks for a bowl for his cheerios.
I could go on and on, he brings so much joy to our lives. He is such a happy boy, his voice and smile melt my heart daily. He is definitely all boy. Climbing, jumping, throwing...Yesterday my friend Elizabeth came over with her son Elijah, who is 4 months younger than Logan. Logan was definitely showing off, climbing on the ottoman and jumping, climbing in the fireplace (which he has never done), using toys as weapons. I said no more in those two hours than I say in an entire day! They had a lot of fun playing. Logan was a bit rough and I pretty sure he learns that from his daddy and uncles!
Logan is also very sweet and loving. When he wants to give a kiss, he takes out his paci and comes over - it is the best. He used to give open mouth kisses. Just this week he is figuring out how to pucker up! He loves to cuddle when he is tired and still rubs our ears for comfort! Logan loves Austin. He kisses the baby, wants to hold the baby, shoves Austin's paci in his mouth, wants to carry the baby, if Austin is crying Logan is saying in his own way "Austin cry." I love this little boy sooo much. Sometimes I climb into his toddler bed (or if he has crawled into our bed) and hold him - I feel like the mom from the book "Love you Forever." I look at Austin and he is so small compared to Logan now. One thing I know for sure, time goes by so quickly. I am really cherishing every moment (even the not so good ones) with my boys.
Logan is my baking helper as we bake cookies for Christmas!

Thankful for Family

This year I am most thankful for family. The family I came from, the family I married into, and the family that Brian and I have made. The holidays are a busy time of year. Going from one family's house to the other family's house can be hard. Adding in two children can make it even harder. No naps, lots of eating, driving around, disruption in routines, etc. However when we are with our family none of that matters. The memories created is what matters. Having our children grow up with their grandparents, uncles, and aunts (and someday cousins) is what is important. I am thankful that we live close to have two yummy meals and have twice the fun! I can't imagine the holidays any other way. Happy Thanksgiving!

Harris Family Photo Shoot

Brian's grandmother, Grand-Ma Emma flew in from New Jersey Tuesday afternoon. We were able to spend a lot of time with her this week. On Wednesday, my mom in-law scheduled an appt. for us to take a family picture. Austin slept through the entire thing, Logan was 1 1/2 during the entire thing! He did not want anything to do with taking a picture. Our family picture for Christmas cards should be interesting. We tried everything from toys, to candy, to his favorite - jumping up and down. In the end we did get a few good pictures that even included Logan!

Thank You!

I want to thank my dad, brother Ryan, and Brian for giving back. I contacted the local high school, North Gwinnett (that is the high school in the cluster that my school, Sycamore is in and the high school I graduated from)to find out if there were any families that were in need of Thanksgiving dinners. One of the counselors emailed me back that there were a few families that would appreciate Thanksgiving dinner. It ended up being 5 families that were in need. My dad and brother Ryan agreed to make and deliver two meals (from Katie's Cafe - catering business they own) and Brian agreed to have the Pub make/donate the three other meals. Each meal was prepared for four people per family. The meals included a whole turkey (of course), several sides, and dessert. I am so thankful that these guys are always willing to help out. My dad taught us to receive you have to give. Brian and I want to teach our own children that and to start a tradition that will show them a way to give to others that don't have all that we do. My brothers, Ryan and Kevin delivered the two meals prepared by Katie's Cafe and Brian delivered the three meals prepared by the pub. Thank you for making it possible for these families to have a holiday meal and for being role models for Logan and Austin. I love you!

1st Month Comparison

Logan


Austin
It is so neat to see how much Austin and Logan really look alike. It will be fun to compare their pictures each month to see the similarities and differences. Logan has really big features compared to Austin's little bits! At 4 weeks Austin weighed in at 8 lbs 10 oz. When Logan was 1 month he weighed in at 8 lbs 9 oz. Now at 6 weeks Austin weighs 10 lbs 2 oz. Logan weighed 10 lbs 12 oz at two months, in two weeks we will have to comapre that to Austin's weight! I love this:)

Bath Time - Logan 1 Month / Austin 1 Month

Our boys are very similar babies. This is Logan's fist bath compared with Austin's first bath:

Austin

Austin

Logan

Week 5 Update

Austin is a smiley boy! He smiles at our voices and coos. He is so sweet. Logan is a doting big brother. He is always trying to give Austin his paci (even when he doesn't want it). Logan wants to hold the baby, carry the baby, kiss the baby. It melts my heart to see him with Austin. Logan had his 18 month well visit this week. It is hard to believe the my first baby is a 1 1/2! He is doing great and is in the 50th percentile in all areas. No shots at this visit. He doesn't have to go back until he is 2! The boys and I went to story time on Monday. We sang, danced, and listened to Ms. Nicole read stories. Logan had a great time and made some new friends. Then we went and picked out some books and a Barney dvd. To end the morning we had McDonalds for lunch and went home for a long nap. It was such a fun day! I am getting the hang of taking both kids to the store. Today we went to TJ MAXX and to Target. I was even able to get some Christmas shopping done. Tomorrow we will venture to the mall for the first time. I have a few returns and need to look for Austin's Christmas outfit. I think we will be okay as long as we stick to the stores we need to get to. Brian is busy at work but still makes time to play and hold babies each day. I had my 5 week post op visit yesterday. I am doing so much better. My hemoglobin levels continue to rise, my scar is healing well, and only a bit more swelling in my lower abdomen is all that is left! I am also happy to report only being 5 lbs from my pre pregnancy weight - being sick paid off in that area. However the bod may never be the same. It is time to start working out - ugh - maybe once I am sleeping more than 4 hours a night. I am working on getting out thank you notes and announcements. I am sending close to 100, be patient if you haven't received yours yet! We are looking forward to Thanksgiving next week and getting our first professional family of four photo taken! Life is good.

Wiggles

Last Sunday, Brian and I took Logan to see the Wiggles! Brian was able to get tickets from Eagle Rock (beer distributor); so we were able to sit in the Budweiser Suite. However that is not the place to watch the Wiggles. So a guy that Brian knows that works at the arena was able to take us down to floor seats! You can see from the pictures how close we were. Logan even shook Jeff's hand (the Wiggle that falls asleep)! Of course I didn't get that picture - I was too busy watching Logan's face! It was a lot of fun and special because it was mommy and daddy time with just Logan. Uncle Ryan and Aunt Juju watched Austin for us. They did a great job with our sweet baby.

Weeks 3 & 4

Time is really going by so quickly. Austin had his 3 week check-up. He is gaining an ounce a day. This brought him to 8lbs 12oz. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed that day and had a break down in our pediatrican's office. Dr. Peralstein is awesome. I really love her. After this appointment I really felt like the 20 dollar co-pay bought me a short therapy session as well as Austin's check-up! She reassured me that I could mother two children and that I was already doing a good job. After discussing my problems, we went on to the baby! Austin has reflux (per the ENT whom we saw for some breathing issues). So Austin is now on Prevacid to help his belly. He had an eye infection from the stuff in his nose getting backed up. So he was given an anitbiotic for that as well. The ENT felt like Austin's bones in his nose would grow as he grows. I reported that to Dr. Peralstein. During this time, Logan helped me give Austin his first bath. I am really starting to feel better and have a handle on life! I have figured out what I can get done as Logan is eating breakfast and Austin is sleeping. This is only a 1/2 hour, but I can do a load of laundry, pump, unload the dishwasher, clean up breakfast, brush my teeth and my hair , and get Logan dressed. Some days I just enjoy the morning. I sit and hold Austin as he sleeps and have breakfast with Logan. These are the moments that I will cherish forever.

Halloween 2008

Halloween 2008 was lots of fun! Logan was a monkey and Austin was a baby banana. They were too cute. Brian took Logan to a few houses to get candy. He loved it and loved being a monkey. We had pizza & wings to eat. My parents, Brian's parents, and some family friends came over to celebrate. Brian dressed as a 70's pimp for his work party that he went to later that night to award the best dressed with $250.

3 Weeks

It has been three weeks since my last post. So much has happened since then, I think I have been putting off blogging about it because of all the emotions that can overwhelm me when I think back. However I want to remember Austin's birth story and I want to share it. With that being said this may take several days to get posted!

October 14, 2008
What an exciting day it was! Brian left for work anticipating having several days off for Austin's delivery. Logan and I were left to spend some alone time together before leaving him with my parents for a few days. We woke up, showered, finished packing, took a nap, went to lunch with Mimi (our favorite place-Panera), went to Mimi and Papa's to hang out until daddy came to meet us. After Logan and I relaxed my mom took several great pictures of my big belly (one last time) and of me and Logan. When Brian got there she took pictures of the three of us. I have posted these up at Snapfish, but here are a few of my favorites.






After the photoshoot, my mom, dad, Logan, me, and Brian went to eat mexican. After dinner, we left Logan with my parents and Brian and I headed down to Northside. We arrived at Northside around 8:30 and checked into our room at 9:00. After getting hooked up to the heartbeat monitor and IV, we were left to have a peaceful nights sleep; so we thought. The baby's heart rate dropped several times throughout the night as did my blood pressure. So a nurse was constantly coming in and having me turn over and move to get the baby's heart rate up. At 5am the nurse came in to get the show on the road - induction time! I was given an enema (TMI - I know), time to shower, and get ready for pitocin. I was given pitocin around 9am and Dr. Glander came in to break my water shortly after that. I was still only 2cm at this point and the baby had not come down. We knew we were in for a long day. Our family began to arrive around 11am to wait for Austin's arrival. Little did everyone know that would not happen for almost 8 more hours. It was a long, exhausting, scary day. After I had my epidural the problems began. I was feeling all of the contractions, the baby's heart rate was dropping down to the 70's and 60's, I had to wear an oxygen mask, one nurse was convinced the baby was breech and we had to have an ultrasound. He wasn't breeched, just up high. Another nurse had me turning and putting my legs up in stirups to get the baby to go down. The doctor kept coming in and checking on me and I was slowly progressing. At one point we were given a time of 6 or 7 for the baby to come naturally or we would move to a c-section. By 6:30 nothing was changing, I was getting worse, Austin's heart rate was slowing with each contraction. The doctor said time is up and within an instant there was so many people in my room preparing me for a c-section. I was crying, Brian was worried, our family was packing up our things to take to recovery. It was a very scary time. After getting prepped I was able to kiss everyone and Brian and I headed to the OR. Brian couldn't come into the OR until I was completely ready, so he kissed me at the door and said he would see me soon. Brian and I didn't get to see Austin come into the world. My epidural was not working and the baby had to come out. I had to be put to sleep, which meant Brian was not allowed in the room with me. The last thing I remember is the anthestesiologist telling me to think about the beach and I was out. I woke up in recovery asking Brian if the baby was okay with all of his fingers and toes. Austin was okay weighing in at 7lbs 14oz and 20inches long. He had/has a head full of black hair. I asked for my mom but couldn't see anyone until I was up in my room an hour later. Here are pictures that Brian was able to take in the recovery room.



I still can't believe I had to have an emergency c-section. The days after Austin's birth were very difficult. We (me, Brian and Austin) stayed in the hospital until Sunday October 19th. I spent a lot of time holding Austin, sleeping (trying to through the pain), walking to regain my strength, enjoying the company of visitors, and watching a lot of TV! Here is a slide show of recovery at Northside:


As I said we left the hospital on Sunday Oct. 19. These are pictures of us leaving and heading home.






My mom came and helped me with the boys and the house for the first two weeks. I ended up getting really sick with an infection from surgery and bleeding internally which clotted off and was painful. I couldn't do much but sit and nurse Austin. It was really hard on everyone. Thank you to my mom and dad who were there each day to care for me, the kids, and the house. Thank you to my in-laws who came over and helped with boys and whatever we needed. Thank you to my co-workers who brought dinners for the first two weeks - so awesome! Thank you to my wonderful husband who kept it all togehter as I was falling apart.

Austin is on his way!

At my week 39 doctor appt today we were able to schedule an induction. Tomorrow evening we will get a call from the hospital letting us know when there is a bed ready for me. Brian and I will leave Logan with my parents and head down to Northside to get some rest. On Wednesday morning we will wake up take showers and get ready for the doctor to come in and break my water and start the pitocin followed by the epidural! Not sure how long it will take to get me to 10cm and up to recovery; we will update through text or email if access is available. We will send a text pic as soon as we can. Say a prayer for an easy delivery and a healthy baby boy.

Austin - We are ready for you!

We are packed and ready to head to the hospital whenever the time comes. We had several doctors appts last week checking on our baby boy Austin. I was really sick last weekend and became dehydrated, this caused a lot of contractions. So on Monday we went to my doctor and after some fluids the contractions subsided. However the doctor discovered that Austin was breech. So I was given several exercises to practice at home to get him to turn. Well by our ultrasound on Wednesday - Austin turned! I know it was all the prayers and maybe some of the exercises I did that helped him to turn. He is head down as of Wednesday. We went back to talk to my doctor again on Thursday - I am still only 1 cm and the baby is high. So what is a mom to do? Everything she can to help the process along! After a day at work on Friday I went and had my hair done. Then today we spent several hours out buying things for our house and walking! Tomorrow I am going to clean, clean, clean! Maybe this will speed things along. I will be 37 weeks on Monday. I plan on working until Friday. After that I will be home with Logan just hanging out and waiting for our new arrival! Here are some new pictures of Austin's nursery and the house decorated for the fall.

Logan 16 Months

On Sept. 15, Logan turned 16 months. Time is really going by so quickly. We finally made it the pediatrician for his vaccines and check-up (supposed to be done at 15 months - a lot was going on in August). Logan is in the 50th percentile for his weight (25 lbs) and the 25th percentile for his height (31 1/2 inches). Each time we go for a well visit we have to fill out a questionnaire sheet prior to the appt to let the doctor know what he can do (development wise/milestones) - Logan did everything on the questionnaire from talking, walking, to playing and being social. He is such a smart boy! He has brought us such joy and love since the second he was born. We can only imagine what it will be like to experience everything all over again with Austin and to have double the joy and double the love. I can honestly say these are by far the best years of my life.

Papers to Grade

I brought home a lot of papers to grade tonight. I thought they were out of Logan's sight - no chance, he doesn't miss anything!

Steelers Sunday!

Logan is a Steelers fan in his #7 jersey and diaper!

Golfing with Daddy

I don't say it enough, Brian is a great dad and husband. Logan loves his daddy so much. Last Saturday Brian was teaching Logan how to swing a golf club. One more thing I have to say about my great husband, before he leaves for work either in the morning or afternoon Brian always trys to clean up (the destruction from playing and breakfast/lunch) and he has been laying out comfy clothes for me to change into with all the pillows adjusted for me on the bed. Such a great guy! I love you!!!