Harrison was three before he spoke in full sentences. Affected by a neurological condition called Apraxia, words would come out and then disappear for months. We tried signing for a while but to no avail. The only thing Harrison would sign was I love you by patting his chest three times.
Numbers on the other hand seemed to stick. Harrison could identify numbers that we would write on his Magnadoodle into the hundreds of millions by speaking, and counting came before sentences.
One day, as we did all the time, Harrison and I were counting to 100. Careful always to watch how other peoples mouths moved when they spoke, Harrison was sitting across from me as I counted. When I got to 77 he started giggling. I began repeating 77 over and over again until the little guy was doubled over with laughter.
That same evening when I tucked Harrison into bed I said, "I love you, 77." He responded by patting his chest three times and saying, "77." So in our house "77" and "I love you" are one and the same.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
Top Ten Thanksgiving Moments
10. Making Gooey Butter Cake with all of my helpers while Harrison thought he was sneaking potato chips. Each time Harrison came into the kitchen to grab a handful he would give me a hug and tell me he loved me. Then when his belly was full he said, "This is a special day." (To Harrison there's nothing better than gorging on carbohydrates and not getting in trouble.)
9. John and I were making dinner and talking about some of the fun dates we've had. We mentioned one of our all time favorites which was going to an Aerosmith concert when I was pregnant with Ethan. Ethan, who hears and sees all, pipes up and says, "Mom, that's why I'm naughty; because I've been to a rock concert and I'm only 6 years old."
8. Playing games after dinner in front of the fireplace and stopping to watch Sammie have a bad doggie dream that made her bare her teeth and growl.
7. Harrison asking "What are we having for dinner?" and me replying, "What do you think we're have for dinner on Thanksgiving?" His answer; “Hotdogs?”
6. Ethan and Anna setting the "picnic" Thanksgiving table with their blankies as tablecloths. Shortly before we were to eat Ethan figured out that he didn't want food spilled on his blankies so they quickly disappeared from the table.
5. Watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with the kids. The house smelled delicious; Christmas was in the air; the kids weren’t fighting; and then The Rockettes stood in their famous kick line (this always brings a tear to my eye) and when they parted there stood Santa Claus. I swear you could see the sparkles light up the kids eyes. If that’s not the definition of BELIEVE then I don’t know what is!
4. A knock on the door and our Elf On The Shelf showing up on the doorstep. The kids named him Manny. If you don't have an Elf On The Shelf you must visit their website at http://www.elfontheshelf.com/#/home We can already see a change in the naughtiest of our three kiddos. I'll let you decide who that is. :)
3. Harrison excusing himself from the table so that he could show us a trick that he "learned in the circus." (He ran from the end of the hall into the family room and did a side roll into the Christmas tree.)
2. Asking Ethan what he wants to drink with his dinner. His answer: "Wine!"
1. Anna saying grace: "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America . . ."
9. John and I were making dinner and talking about some of the fun dates we've had. We mentioned one of our all time favorites which was going to an Aerosmith concert when I was pregnant with Ethan. Ethan, who hears and sees all, pipes up and says, "Mom, that's why I'm naughty; because I've been to a rock concert and I'm only 6 years old."
8. Playing games after dinner in front of the fireplace and stopping to watch Sammie have a bad doggie dream that made her bare her teeth and growl.
7. Harrison asking "What are we having for dinner?" and me replying, "What do you think we're have for dinner on Thanksgiving?" His answer; “Hotdogs?”
6. Ethan and Anna setting the "picnic" Thanksgiving table with their blankies as tablecloths. Shortly before we were to eat Ethan figured out that he didn't want food spilled on his blankies so they quickly disappeared from the table.
5. Watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with the kids. The house smelled delicious; Christmas was in the air; the kids weren’t fighting; and then The Rockettes stood in their famous kick line (this always brings a tear to my eye) and when they parted there stood Santa Claus. I swear you could see the sparkles light up the kids eyes. If that’s not the definition of BELIEVE then I don’t know what is!
4. A knock on the door and our Elf On The Shelf showing up on the doorstep. The kids named him Manny. If you don't have an Elf On The Shelf you must visit their website at http://www.elfontheshelf.com/#/home We can already see a change in the naughtiest of our three kiddos. I'll let you decide who that is. :)
3. Harrison excusing himself from the table so that he could show us a trick that he "learned in the circus." (He ran from the end of the hall into the family room and did a side roll into the Christmas tree.)
2. Asking Ethan what he wants to drink with his dinner. His answer: "Wine!"
1. Anna saying grace: "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America . . ."
Sunday, November 23, 2008
SURPRISE
Happy Birthday, PaPa!
This is truly the gift that keeps on giving. No matter where you are in the world and no matter the time, as long as you have your laptop you're always a click away from Harrison, Ethan and Anna O.
We wish you a Happy Birthday today and all throughout the year. In the words of Harrison . . . 77!
This is truly the gift that keeps on giving. No matter where you are in the world and no matter the time, as long as you have your laptop you're always a click away from Harrison, Ethan and Anna O.
We wish you a Happy Birthday today and all throughout the year. In the words of Harrison . . . 77!
Our Favorite Things
Harrison's Favorite Things:
1. Cereal
2. Bowling
3. Oberle Dog
4. Playing Pool with Uncle Jeff
5. Swimming
6. Playing Golf with the Guys
7. Sleeping in Mom & Dad’s Bed
8. My School
9. My Dog Sammie
10. Relaxing in the Bathtub
Ethan's Favorite Things:
1. My Books
2. My Wii
3. Driving the Golf Cart with Aunt Nancy
4. My Teacher
5. Spiderman
6. My Family
7. My Dry Erase Board with Messages from Mom Every Night
8. My Dog Sammie
9. My House
10. My Bed and my Blankies
Anna's Favorite Things:
1. My Blankies
2. My Grammy & My Grandma - "I have two!"
3. Amy
4. My Tea Set
5. My WHOOOOOLE Family
6. Dancing
7. Playing Dress Up
8. Shoes
9. Lipgloss
10. Cupcakes
1. Cereal
2. Bowling
3. Oberle Dog
4. Playing Pool with Uncle Jeff
5. Swimming
6. Playing Golf with the Guys
7. Sleeping in Mom & Dad’s Bed
8. My School
9. My Dog Sammie
10. Relaxing in the Bathtub
Ethan's Favorite Things:
1. My Books
2. My Wii
3. Driving the Golf Cart with Aunt Nancy
4. My Teacher
5. Spiderman
6. My Family
7. My Dry Erase Board with Messages from Mom Every Night
8. My Dog Sammie
9. My House
10. My Bed and my Blankies
Anna's Favorite Things:
1. My Blankies
2. My Grammy & My Grandma - "I have two!"
3. Amy
4. My Tea Set
5. My WHOOOOOLE Family
6. Dancing
7. Playing Dress Up
8. Shoes
9. Lipgloss
10. Cupcakes
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Harrison Charles
"Promise me you'll always remember . . . You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think" said Christopher Robin.
Anna Olivia
"I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean. Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens. Give the Heavens above more than just a passing glance, and when you get the choice to sit it out or dance . . . I hope you dance."
Ethan Paul
There are only two kinds of boys: dirty and not yet dirty!
