Pumpkin Patch 2014

I truly look forward to Fall because it's the start of a season full of our family traditions.  

As much time as Adam spends rolling his eyes at me while lugging pumpkins in the seventy degree heat, uphill...he looks forward to it every year as well.  

We've been taking Aidan to pick pumpkins at the same farm in Mooresville for 8 years and I feel like we have it down to a science now.  

I can remember walking through the patch in years past and wondering if the next year we would have a new baby with us.  And now it's been two years since Kellan has joined us and my heart still wants to jump out of my chest when I see the two of them picking pumpkins together.  Adam doesn't mind one bit he has more to carry.  

Aidan has been really under the weather this weekend but after being rained out last weekend, he had been dying to go this weekend.  So when he rolled out of bed with a slight fever and a bit of a cough, I just figured we could always turn the car around if we got there and he wasn't up for it.  A little fresh air is just what he needed. 

Pictures! 

Aidan-yrs 0-7

Kellan-yrs 0-1

Happy Fall Y'all! from The Harvey's! 

First Grade-Dear Aidan

Dear Aidan,

It's your first full week of First Grade!  

I was always so nervous starting a new school year.  Afraid I had forgotten a school supply, wouldn't be able to find my classroom, that I wouldn't have any friends.  

Being a kid is scary sometimes.  To venture out away from Mom and Dad and figure it all out on your own. I remember those days.  

It's might be just as scary being a parent.  Watching your baby walk through the front doors of school and praying you'll find that classroom and that you'll make tons of friends.

I hope learning comes easy and you pay attention.  

I had set myself up for a rocky start to the school year because you were so unsure when you started Kindergarten.  But you rolled out of bed, rushed to get dressed and out the door and when I pulled up to school, you didn't want me to park and walk you in.  You said to get in the carpool line.  I barely got a kiss as you jumped out of the car. 

I'm so proud of you Aidan.  So proud that you have a big heart.   Proud that you put yourself out there.   Proud that you are already braver most days than I have ever been.  I'm proud I get to be your Mom.

I can't say this enough.  Your journey in this world is so important to me.  For Daddy and I to get to see you grow is the biggest gift we've ever been given.  Thank you for letting us love you through it all. 

You are so special to us. 

Cheers to First Grade!

Love, Mom and Dad

Kindergarten Letter
This is sweet too...

Aidan is Turning 7!

In 5 short days my first baby is going to be 7 on the 7th!  I've been a Mom for 7 years!  That's bonkers to me! These years have FLOWN by! We've had so much fun. 

We are celebrating his birthday by having a big bash at Bank of American Stadium.  Home of the Carolina Panthers.

Adam and I sat down and thought out loud about our 7 Favorite Things We Love About Aidan...  

 

(In no particular order)

 

1.  He's laid back.  Go with the flow is a good mantra for him.  He can and will do whatever. 

 

2.  He wants to be everything when he grows up. And he reminds me daily there is nothing I can do about it.

 

3.  He's incredibly artistic.  He has dozens of journals, notebooks, index cards that he draws on daily.  He draws pictures for everyone.  

  (This is a drawing of me from Mother's Day)

4.  He's crazy about his baby brother.  We do not force Aidan and Kellan's relationship at all.  Even at 5.5 years apart they play together and get along far better than we could have even hoped.  He's very vocal about how happy he is he has a brother.   

 

5.  He's comfortable in his own skin.  Aidan is what he is and he never apologizes for it. 

 

6.  He's a lover.  He responds well to hugs and kisses and lots of snuggles from anyone.  But especially his parents and brother and my parents.  You can find him curled up in his Daddy's arms most days and he loves to climb up on the sofa with his Grandpa and watch movie trailers on the iPad.

 

7.  He gets attached.  Aidan unconditionally loves everything.  Even our sectional sofa that we sold on Craigslist.  He balled like a baby when the buyers came to get it.

 

 

There are so many more things we love about our first born.  He made us parents.  He brought us closer.  He's brought so much joy in to our lives it's immeasurable.  We are grateful for Aidan every day.  

Happy Almost 7th Birthday Baby! 

Kellan vs Aidan

Everyone in the world tells you when you are having your second (third, fourth, fifth....) child that you cannot compare one to the other.   That's always an obvious piece of unsolicited advice people give you but it is so true.  Especially in the case of my boys.

When Aidan was born I am convinced God had mercy on me.  I was a new, young Mom and that baby was an angel.  Sure we ran in to our fair share of issues.  He didn't like to sleep in his crib at first, he had a terrible latch ( I honestly can't think of anything else) but there were quick solutions.  He slept in his swing in our room for three months and I bought a nipple shield.  Those were our biggest worries with Aidan as a baby.  And each year it got better.  He loved the car, we never had to baby proof, he liked to travel, he was a typical boy but a good listener, I can't think of a time he threw a tantrum.  He was/is an absolute joy.  We have our days but overall he made me think I could keep having kids until the end of time if they were all like him.   He's the best snuggler too.  The best!

Then Kellan came along.  And don't get me wrong.  He's a joy too.  He makes more people smile in a day than you could ever imagine.  My heart explodes every morning when I get him up and I miss him so much when I put him to bed at night that I actually wake him up most nights to hold him longer.  BUT...the child should be the picture under the definition of boy in the dictionary.  In the South we like to say "he's a HOT MESS". 

Kellan's day in a nutshell looks like this: 

WAKE UP

Roll back and forth on the changing table while Mom and/or Dad try to change his diaper/get him dressed, fights his way to the floor to take off to look for Aidan. 

Resembles a tornado while standing in Aidan's room. 

Every object that Aidan owns goes out of the bins, baskets, buckets over his shoulder and on to the ground.  He laughs while Aidan sighs.

Accepts his breakfast only in a standing up position.  Will not sit in a high chair.  Periodically eats if you are willing to chase him around with food on a fork. 

Continues in to the Master Bedroom where he clears off the nightstands and pulls all the blankets to the floor.

Next up, Living Room. 

All toys out of the basket, over the shoulder on to the floor.  Climbs sofa removes everything on console table in to the back of the sofa cushions. 

Off the sofa out to the Laundry Room.  Eats cat and or dog food, opens washer and dryer and tries (sometimes succeeds) to get in one or the other. 

Two hours have finally passed and he can take a nap.  Talks himself to sleep while untying all of the bumpers on his crib, Sleeps 2-4 hours and wakes Happy as a Clam. 

Same routine as the morning.  Wrestles us on the changing table.  Once his diaper is on he all but jumps to the floor. 

Aidan, Aidan, Aidan.  WHERE IS HE???  Looks in every room.  Found um!

Repeats entire routine of trashing every room in the house except this time he's going to play with every electrical outlet he can get near and pull a lamp or two off of a table.  That's a NEW hobby.  

Sees Daddy watering the grass.  Stands at front door and SCREAMS BLOODY MURDER until his father sees him.  * A laugh would do the trick too but noooo....must scream.* 

Daddy opens the front door, he rolls out.  Screaming again, now from injury due to not wanting to wait for anyone to help him down the front steps.

On a mission to run right over to the neighbors house and right up their wheelchair ramp.  Every time.  We go get him, he goes right back. 

Adam and I stupidly think it sounds like a brilliant idea to take the brothers for a milkshake.  Aidan skips to the car with a smile on his face, Kellan wants to wrestle to the ground. 

Screaming in car seat.  Calms down but don't make eye contact.  That makes him scream. 

Get milkshakes.  Wants to hold the 5lb chocolate milkshake by himself.  Not happening.  SCREAMING. 

Back home. Probably tries to break the house key off in the lock. 

Put him in his crib (door open) for some quiet time while we make dinner. 

Unsuccessfully tries to climb out of the crib or up the wall.   We are watching from the kitchen. 

However! he does squeeze his chubby little wrist through his crib slat and reaches as far as he can to stick his fingers in the outlet behind his crib.  OF COURSE. 

Dinner is ready and we're chasing him.

Bath time.  Tries to take his life several times by drowning.  Gives Aidan and his parents a heart attack. 

Laughs while we are still crying and empties bath tub on to the bath mat with shampoo cup. 

Wrestling again on changing table. 

Pumps half the bottle of lotion on to the area rug while I turn to look for PJ's in drawer. 

Put him to bed.

Talks, unties bumpers, bangs his bottle on wall then throws it, squeezes chubby wrist through slats to try to electrocute himself real quick and then finally passes out. 

There is no other way to say this.  He wears our asses out.  But he's soooooo  CUTE!!!!
And we really are having the best time with him!   He couldn't be more different than Aidan but we love them both the way they are.  Kellan is busy, busy, busy. 

Happy 15 Months Kellan

There is so much less pressure doing 3 month posts instead of monthly. 

I don't care what anyone says...15 months old still makes you my BABY!

 

You are the happiest baby.

 

You have 8 teeth now.  4 on top right in the front and then your two front teeth and two molars!  You have the best time trying out new foods. 

 

You have had a few ear infections the past couple of months but you never make a peep!  I only knew you had them because when you woke up in the morning you had gunk on your eye. 

 

You are walking like crazy!  Daddy took you to the park with some other Dad's and babies this evening and when I stopped by to say "hi" I was so surprised at how well you were getting around.   You almost hate to be held now because you want to be on the move 24/7. 

 

You are still crazy about Aidan.  He is so patient with you and loves to share his toys.  You two go in to his room and play quietly for hours.  I have to check on you to make sure something hasn't happened.  But there you guys are, waist deep in a bin of Lego's.  Aidan creating ships and robots and whatever else he makes with those things and you taking fist fulls and tossing them on the floor.  It keeps you happy.

 

You said "Mama" and "Dada" pretty clearly but you actually look at Daddy and say "Dada".   It's basically the cutest thing ever.  He is your favorite.  If I'm holding you and Daddy walks by, you all buy leap out of my arms. 

 

I tried to teach you baby sign language like I did with Aidan but you basically said you didn't have time for that and just whined until I gave you what you wanted.  You are pretty vocal so it all works out. 

 

You are getting better about your sippy cup.  It's not your favorite but you will take it.  You also don't ever want to drink anything but milk.  We've tried just about everything but there is no sign of you giving that up several times a day.

Your little personality is coming out so much.  If Grandpa hadn't already gifted Aidan with the nickname "Hap" (short for Happy), you would definitely get it.  You love to talk to people but you are shy at the same time.  If someone new comes up to see you,  you rest your head on my shoulder with the biggest smile.  It's perfect.
 

You play Peek A Boo with us all the time now.  You pull your blanket up over your head, wait a few seconds and the pull the blanket down with the biggest toothy smile.

You had your first hair cut!  You were so good.  Aidan sat in the chair next to you and had his hair cut at the same time.  I think you were so excited to be doing the same thing as him.  

You love your uncles.  Uncle Bobby came by one day last week and I let him wake you up and get your out of your crib.  You looked at him funny for a second and then went CRAZY.   You were so excited to see him.  You are the same way with Jordan. 

You are crazy about Nana and Grandpa too.  Anytime we are at their house, you whine until I put you down and then you walk right over to Grandpa and put your hands up for him to hold you.  He kisses you on the side of your neck under your chin and you giggle so hard.  If he sits down, Aidan crawls right up next to him and you sit on his lap. When you see Nana you get the biggest smile.  She feeds you and feeds you and feeds you so she is one of your favorites.  I think she's one of the only people you actually kiss.  Daddy and I always comment on how lucky you and Aidan are to have such wonderful Grandparents in them.  They love you so much!

We are still so smitten with you every day.  Daddy, Aidan and I comment about how perfect you have been for our little family.  God knew what he was doing.   You tear apart everything in this house and we just laugh at how cute you are.  Throwing toys over your shoulder and destroying everything in your path and it just makes us love you more and more everyday. 

Happy 15 Months baby boy!


Reuniting with Aidan after you two had been apart for the day.

 

 

Mommy smooching you.  This was followed by tears because I like to smother you.

 

A rare moment where you sat still.

 

Walking in the park. 

 

This was when you walked right up to Aidan and threw yourself in his arms. You love your brother.

 

 

Testing our your new Freshly Picked moccasins. 

 

Goldfish crackers for a snack in the car.  It would be too much to ask you to just eat the fish.  You have to play with all your food. 

 

So curious.

 

Swing! You aren't a huge fan. 

 

 

Checking on your big brother when he wasn't feeling well.  It was crazy how in tune you were to him not feeling well and how concerned you were.  You wouldn't leave him alone.



 

Playing on Aidan's floor before he gets home from school. 

 

Same.  Just an even cuter picture. 

 

 

French fry eating.

 

Car seat snuggles.  Everything you do is just so sweet, I take pictures of the most mundane things!

 

Ok, So not always happy...



 



 

Another very rare moment sitting still watching cartoons with your big brother.  This never happens.  We didn't think you even knew about the TV. 



Last picture...we watch you sleep at night.  We can't help it.

Playing Catch Up

If I had a dollar for every time I've apologized for neglecting this blog...I would literally be a few dollars richer than I am now. I apologize here, I tell people in person when they ask me why I'm not keeping up and I say it to myself over and over in my head.  

The truth is, I made a New Years resolution this year.  I never do that.  But I needed some time away from my computer and phone.  My kids and my husband needed more face time.  And they deserve it.  So I've been taking a break.  It's been good.  I'm nervous I'm not documenting our time enough here but the real time memories we are making have been some of the very best.

But I want to catch up.  

So try not to be bored to tears when you are reading posts from life events that happened months ago.  

I've got to start somewhere.  

Xo

Halloween 2013

I'm literally laughing that I am so far behind on blogging that I'm posting about Halloween!  It's January! 

I have been dying for the day I could dress Aidan and Kellan up as a "tag team" for Halloween.  Adam and I went back and forth for weeks on what we would dress them as.  Full disclosure: I was way more in to this project than Adam.  He said "yes" to everything!

Maverick and Goose

Batman and Robin

The old man and the boy scout from the Movie "Up"

Fish and Chips

We (I) decided on a pirate and his parrot. 

I knew I wanted to make their costumes.  That's my new thing.  Making my children's costumes.  I was so pumped about it.  I was thinking about it day and night.  Ha!

I bought a rainbow boa and hot glued it to a bright blue long sleeve onesie for Kellan's parrot costume.  I had a hat that was Aidan's when he was a baby and so I just took some of the leftover boa and glued it to that.  I had planned on putting some yellow tights on him but as my luck would have it,  it was a pretty mild night when we Trick or Treated so we were able to let him show off his legs.

For Aidan, we (he and I) brainstormed big time.  We ended up using a white polo shirt and an old pair of his jeans.  I cut the jeans below the knee and we covered them in black and brown shoe polish to make them look "dirty".  I had a wide black leather belt from probably eighth grade that I wrapped around him twice and we stuck a pirate gun in his waist.  I gave him a smokey eye and threw on his Pirates of the Carribean hat from Disney.  Added a couple of gold chains and voila! He was my little pirate! 

Adam was sad to have to work on Kellan's first Halloween but my brother "Uncle Bobby" stepped in and came with us.  Trick or treating is not easy with children.  You have sore feet, costume malfunction, wanting to stop at every house to eat all your candy, the stroller/wagon to push and a baby to juggle.  But even with all of that nonsense, it's still so much fun.  And my brother was such a big help.  We got a few good laughs out of how many people thought Kellan was a chicken.  

I'm already thinking about next year! 

Aidan's Indian Vest

Aidan had to have an Indian vest made for a pre-Thanksgiving pow wow at school.  His teachers were pretty vague about what they wanted us to do.  They suggested we use a brown paper grocery bag and sent home a sheet of paper with some Indian "signs" on it.

I had creative freedom over this one.  I honestly started to get crazy.  I was thinking about buying a piece of leather and sewing it in to a vest.  Ordering real bird feathers.  

Then I came back down to Earth at Harris Teeter one morning and picked up the paper bag.  I wanted Aidan to actually get to do it.   

Between this vest and our Thanksgiving placemat, I was loving all of our craft projects. 

Finished project...

And a snapshot from his Thanksgiving "play"...

Aidan's Asthma

Let's start at the beginning. 

{Literally} 4 years ago, when Aidan started getting seasonal colds he would wheeze for month's afterwards. 

I mentioned it to our pediatrician every time we saw her for years.  She would always brush it off and

tell me that in a few years we would test him for allergies.   I would leave feeling defeated.

Then as he got older, he was wheezing all the time and he started having a constant cough. 

Every night he would wake up with coughing fits.  It peaked in the Fall/Winter  Spring/Summer change of seasons. 

He coughs until he gets sick to his stomach.  EVERY. NIGHT.

Since starting Kindergarten in August, he has probably missed 5 days of school because he wakes up coughing, gets sick and cannot get back to sleep. 

There are a lot of things I am tough about as a mother but I cannot stand to see my child suffering and then push him out the door to school a zombie. 

Our pediatrician was not seeing a problem with that.  "Kids sometimes cough until they get sick" was all she ever said. 

So first things first, we switched pediatricians. 

And after one appointment and listening to Aidan breathe, they immediately referred us to an asthma/allergy specialist in town. 
(About twenty five minutes in the opposite direction of our house but whatever)

We were able to get in to see him 2 days later.  They knew Aidan had been suffering for years and it was time to get him some relief.

The second we met the Dr. I knew we were in the right place.  I loved that he spoke to Aidan. 

He asked Aidan to tell him how it feels when he runs/plays and when he wakes up at night coughing. 

He asked me what I observed on a daily basis and then checked with Aidan to make sure we were all on the same page.   He was attentive when I pulled out the list of questions Adam wanted me to ask him. 

He showed Aidan diagrams of his lungs and explained to him what Asthma was and why he thought he had it.

Then he laid out a dozen options we could choose from to treat Aidan.

Our Dr. looked at me and said "I want to tell you, I see so many mothers that don't have the backbone to stand up for their children and push forward to find an answer to a problem because they are afraid of a diagnosis.  Aidan's asthma is going to be a constant battle and it's a lot of work to stay on top of.  I really commend you for being brave enough to keep asking questions and getting this done.  I promise you I will get this kid healthier for you." 

And then he hugged me and I cried.   

I felt such a weight lifted off my shoulders that Aidan is going to start feeling better.  And I don't have to walk around with the guilt that he is missing school.

He prescribed us SIX prescriptions,  wrote letters to the school nurse,  drew out diagrams for treatment plans,  had the nurse schedule us a follow up for the week before Christmas and sent us on our way. 

Aidan is excited.  He knows he's going to feel better. 

That night when Adam got home from work, I cried again.  It's heartbreaking to think that Aidan may have something that limits him to certain activities or allow him to keep up with his friends during his childhood.  But more than anything, I think I finally let myself be a little bit emotional after YEARS of being tough and watching Aidan hurt without having an answer for him.  I have felt so much guilt over it all.  When he would get up in the middle of the night and cry from getting sick over and over I felt helpless that I couldn't help him.  We knew every night when he went to bed he was going to wake up at some point coughing and long after Adam and I would fall back asleep, he would be up hurting, alone.  It was so unsettling.  I'm glad I stayed on top of it.  It's going to be a battle and some work to keep up with but it's always worth it when it comes to your kids.  I'm so glad we finally have an answer!

Update: Aidan has been on his twice daily inhaler for about 6 weeks now.  His coughing almost stopped completely after just a week!  The circles under his eyes are getting better and overall I think he feels so much better! 

My handsome, sweet boy. 

 

Just a small addition to our medicine cabinet. 

Pumpkin Patch 2013

I'm laughing at how many posts I have sitting in my drafts that I have yet to publish.   Yes, the blog has been neglected.  Better late than never, right?  If I had a dollar for every time I've said that...I could pay someone else to keep our memories!

We made our annual pilgrimage to Mooresville, NC to our favorite pumpkin patch at Carrigan Farms.  I love it up there because the family that owns the farm is so nice and we know the routine there. 

I remember last year being pregnant and annoying Adam and Aidan by saying no less than 100 times..."Next year we will have the baby with us".  And this year he was.

 

Kellan slept on the ride there so he was a little bit sleepy when we first arrived.  Adam popped him in the Ergo and bundled him up until he woke up. 

 

 

 I'm constantly reminding Aidan that he is my "first baby".  I love this kid so much.  He never turns me down when I ask for a hug or a kiss. 

 

 

 Hay ride out to the patch!

 

They have a small fenced in area with all kinds of farm animals when you get up to the pumpkin patch near the pond and I'm always such a sucker for the piglets!

 

The search begins...

 

Those look good!

 And I tried to get the perfect picture of the boys on the pumpkin pile...



We let Aidan jump in the bounce houses for a half an hour or so.  It left plenty of time for Kellan to crawl around in the grass. 

 

And for more selfies.  Obviously.

 

 

 

I had to post this collage I made and posted on my Instagram.  It's 6 years of Aidan at the pumpkin patch.  Too cute! I can't wait to do one for Kellan!