Some more recent pictures

Big Sister checking on Harrison

One day closer to Christmas

Ava's pink tree that she decorated herself. All the ornaments are at the bottom and it even includes some hair bows. Harrison - Day 16

Newbern Christmas Parade - Dec 3rd

As soon as the workers came by to put the numbers in our yard Ava had a fit to watch the parade. It was all she talked about all afternoon and as soon as she saw the band out the window, all semblance of calm Ava was gone. Ava loves to watch bands and see could not contain her excitement any longer. Nana and Pop had come over to watch Harrison while we took Ava to the parade and even though Pop had brought back Sonic for everyone, Ava still couldn't eat. The excitement and promise of getting to see the band was too much.

Finally a few minutes before the parade was set to start, I took Ava over to see the band and talk with them. She got to talk with the drummers and listen to them warm up and see was on cloud 9. She carried her Little Mermaid camera and took pictures of them and just loved it.

When the parade started she took pictures of almost every float, loved getting candy, and waved at almost everyone. Her cute little voice yelling Merry Christmas at everyone was so cute. As we traditionally do, after the bands marched we headed back to our house to watch the rest of the parade and to see the last float which is always Santa. Anne had been inside with Harrison the whole time, but knew we would come get him as it got closer to time for Santa. He was passed out though and didn't even wake up as I put his reindeer fleece on him. He never even stirred as Santa and his sleigh went right by our house. After the parade we watched the remainder of it on TV and then enjoyed some cake made by a lady from church.

I don't know why, but this parade is one of the highlights of my December. I love our house's location for this reason and I was so happy that we got to see it again this year. I also love how excited Ava gets and she will talk about different aspects of the parade for weeks to come. This year's was just as much fun and just as corny as it usually is, but it is one thing I love about small town life.

Ava loving real peppermint.

Harrison - Days 10 -15

Day 10 - passed out even after going outside to see Santa in the parade

Day 11 Day 12

Day 13

Day 14

Day 15 - I just didn't get a picture (already falling down on my job...)

December 1st - Ava

On December 1st Ava put on her first holiday shirt of the season and we set up on of our nativity scenes. Harrison, Ava, and I all cuddled up in the recliner and read the Nativity Story and then Ava helped set up our nativity. We also tried a little impromtu photo shoot in front of the Christmas tree but as you can see Ava has become a huge, huge fan of making silly faces at the camera. She could sit forever and just make goofy faces at the camera.

Harrison - Days 8 and 9

Day 8 - Harrison getting a bath. You can really see how bad his baby acne was (and of course it was more noticeable since he was crying from the bath).

Day 9

Harrison - Days 5, 6, and 7

Harrison - Day 5 Harrison - Day 6

Ava with her Cinderella Hair

Harrison - Day 7 - Nov 30th - after Dr. appt - Also the first time Ava decorated him with jewelry

Ava and Harrison

Harrison - Day 4 - Going Home/Thanksgiving

On the day after Thanksgiving we woke up early and Bradley headed out to pick up the Black Friday deals that I usually go out for. I couldn't sleep because I was excited that we was out shopping and because I was so hopeful about Harrison getting released from the hospital. We were finally discharged at around 11:00.

When we arrived home we rested for a little while and then headed to Joe and Anne's for our Thanksgiving dinner. I was actually under the weather and running a fever from a UTI so I didn't take many pictures at all. I know Bethany was snapping so hopefully I can download hers at some point.

It was a great meal and I wish I would have felt better so I could have enjoyed it more!

Altogether recovery has went more smoothly this time than with Ava. I am feeling well and up to doing things and getting out. However, our doctor has advised against public places until after the holidays. Our nurse cautioned us about going places and then our doctor reiterated those things. The flu is so hard on babies that they advise us to stay home and not go out. So we are taking that advice and staying in as much as possible. We are sticking to mainly family things (as long as no one is sick) and we are planning a quick trip to visit Santa. Other than that I feel like we are quarantined.

Ava has been doing relatively well with all the change. Of course we are seeing some acting out, especially when we have company, but overall, I feel like she is adjusting well. I am having a hard time with both of them just because Harrison is still so small and during the day he wants to be held for the most part. But all is well and I am just enjoying these 2 as much as possible because it already feels like time is flying by. I have been taking pictures everyday so I will be downloading and posting as I can. Thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers and I hope people are still reading this blog!

Getting dressed for the first time and already his newborn clothes don't fit.

Once we began talking about Harrison's "Birth"day with Ava she has been consumed with him having a cake on his "birth"day. So Anne ordered hom a cake and let Ava blow out the candle on it.

With Uncle Johnny

Harrison - Day 3 (Thanksgiving Day)

Thanksgiving Day was the day that we were supposed to get to go home. However, Harrison had a different plan and his jaundice level had shot up high enough that the doctor wanted him to stay another day and receive photo light therapy. I was crushed because I was so ready to go home and I really wanted to get home on Thanksgiving. I decided to stay on as a patient and be with Harrison instead of being discharged to come and go as I wanted. The doctor said that after 24 hours in the light box we should see the level start dropping and Harrison would then be discharged.

In tears I called my mom to tell her we wouldn't be coming home, and they immediately loaded Ava up to come see us. My in-laws decided to wait an additional day for the Thanksgiving meal and also came up to the hospital. We had to spend the day just hanging around my room because Harrison was confined to the nursery in his light box with the exception of feeding times.

It was so heartbreaking to see him in that box. I teared up the first time I saw him. I just kept reminding myself that he was so much better off than babies who were in boxes like that for serious medical reasons and who were on various types of machines.

On that particular Thanksgiving I was so thankful to have our healthy baby who I knew would make it through jaundice and for the wonderful nurses who took such good care of him and provided us with words of encouragement and advice. Even though we spent our first Thanksgiving in the hospital, we were showered with blessings.

Harrison - Day 1 and 2

Day 1 - Ava meeting Harrison for the first time was one of the most beautiful moments. I wish I had my camera with me when she laid eyes on him for the first time. She had a little smirk and shyness about her that was so her and so beautiful. I teared up when I saw her see him. I just wish I had it on film to share with everyone else the love I saw and felt when she saw Harrison for the first time.

Aunt Janice and Harrison

Jonathan and Stacy with Harrison

Day 2 - Gramps and Harrison

Aunt Bethany and Harrison