Going Solo

This week marked the beginning of my solo expedition with Harrison.  Daniel went back to work this past Sunday leaving the baby and I to fend for ourselves!  Its been quite the adjustment (massive understatement.) Since the holiday season is upon us, not only is Daniel heading back to work, but he is now working 6 days a week with approximately 12 hour days. I know its been really hard on him this past week not being able to spend as much time with his little boy as he wants, and I think we are both counting down until the end of the holiday season when Daddy gets to be home with us more!

While Daniel has been working, it has left a lot of time for Harrison and I to get to know one another.  And have we ever.  My little boy is definitely coming out of his shell and making his personality known.  He makes his needs known, but not in the typical ways one would expect from a newborn.  Not one to cry loud and shrill, he is more of a whiner.  This has been easy on the ears, but difficult not to laugh at now and then.  His little churbling noise he makes when he either has a wet diaper or is hungry is sometimes hard to take seriously and he is constantly making me laugh.  Another behavior that has made itself known is his distaste for diapers and his love of doing his duty out in the open.  More times than I'd like to admit I've been peed and pooped on already.  There was even an incident that involved wiping down the walls... ick. 

Other than his lack of concern regarding his bodily fluids, I have been blessed with a very good baby.  Most nights we are in bed by 10:00 pm and he will wake me up around 3:00 am to be fed, changed and soothed back to sleep.  On my lucky days he'll sleep until 8:00 am. On my not so lucky days he wont go back to bed, but we do enjoy a solid afternoon nap together.  This has been most appreciated since I'm on duty at nights too, since Daniel has to be up by 4:00 each morning.

Harrison is also showing development in his vision.  He is now tracking objects and enjoys playing with his black and white toys the most. By playing, I mean staring at them while you hold them over his head, but he seems to have fun with it! His eyes are becoming less and less "cross-eyed" in appearance and he is now able to focus on faces.  His stare is so intense, sometimes I wonder if he's looking into my soul.

While 90% of the time Harrison is a calm and content little boy, there have been periods of "mommy is going to rip all of her hair out."  I have been very lucky this week to have had my mom available to come help.  Even if its just so I can catch a quick nap, take a shower or have someone to talk to for a little bit, the visits have been a lifesaver and I'm incredibly grateful!

With week 1 alone down, I'm starting to get more of a handle on this Mommy role and it is my hope that each week will only get better.  I am having so much fun watching him become his own little person!

First Thanksgiving

First bath!