December!

Daddy's shadow directs the placement of the Christmas tree.


With the tree finally up, it's obviously time for a Christmas dance!


Harry has been lining up his trains and cars on any table or surface he can find. We think he's going to be very pleased with the train table Grandpa made him for Christmas.


This picture perfectly captures Harry at the moment -- He always has a car or truck in each hand. And if he doesn't, he is asking "Where red car go?"


Racing Georgia up the slide at the indoor playground.


Sometimes, Harry just needs some "me" time. He'll close the door, sit in his chair with his "Elmo ni-ni" and rock. Once recharged, he's ready to play. "I play trains more!" is a common refrain in our house. He doesn't know it yet, but his New Year's resolution is going to be the ditching of the "ni-ni." (pacifier) It lives in his crib so he only uses it when he sleeps or is sick, but I fear it's going to be tough. He so loves it.


Lincoln Park Zoo Lights

Harry's take on Santa

We've been talking a lot about Santa lately to get Harry ready for Christmas. Harry can identify his picture and talks about him, but I'm not sure he entirely gets it yet. On the way to see Santa today, we talked about telling Santa we wanted "a choo-choo train" for Christmas. Then when we got to the front of the line, Harry was starstruck. He hugged Mom tight for a minute then faced Santa and stared. I put him on Santa's lap and he stared as if he were in a trance. Harry was gripping a Matchbox car, so Santa asked about that in an attempt to get Harry to warm up to him. Luckily Harry has lots of experience saying the word "car," so he was able to repeat that when Santa asked what he wanted. On the way home, Harry gave this report: "I see San-ta Caus. Choo-Choo Train. Car."

For a good dose of cuteness

Go to Georgia's page (link on the right) to see our little man and Georgia giving kisses. (It gets me every time.)

Papa's Racecars

It just so happens that Harry's Papa has a collection of model cars that makes Harry jump up and down and squeal with delight. As I type, he's looking at these photos and chanting "Papa's racecars! Papa's racecars!"



Sometimes, he even convinces Pa to let him see one up close.
"I love you, blue car."


Afterward, Harry is on cloud nine. He even gives baby James a kiss.

Visit with Grandpa and Grandma

Grandpa Bob (Gam-Pa) and Grandma Phyllis (Gam-Ma) came to visit and took Harry to the Children's Museum, where they just happened to have a train exhibit!

Operating a truck with Daddy.

Checking out how a train works with Grandpa.



"I drive train."

More of the Count

Indiana Corn

Playing in Nana and Pa's backyard.

This is what they look like when you catch them on game day.





"climbing" a tree

Testing out the new deck that Pa built.

Running, running, running...

The city boy tries to stand up without actually touching the grass.

A smile from Baby James.

Count Dracula's Halloween

The count joins a Halloween parade with Alice the princess and Sam the lumberjack.



Marching in the parade with Mommy and Beth.


"I'm scary!" (or scared of the other kids in masks.)

Then it was onto Aunt Angie's house so we could pass out candy to the trick or treaters with baby James. Unfortunately, the first trick or treater to visit was the scariest kid I've ever seen -- he was dressed in a black hooded robe with a horrible mask and a 5-foot-tall sickle. He was alone and scared Harry to death. From then on, he didn't like Halloween so much....




The count awaits the trick of treaters. (Notice the neighbors' scary horror movie display in the background...)



Dracula breaks for a snack of his favorite Elmo crackers or "El-mo cack."

Why won't Baby James stop crying? (He did not like his costume very much :)

A Halloween Preview

This is our little Count Dracula. (Notice the recycled ringbearer tuxedo!)

The Boys

Mini-Rob and mini-Lachlan negotiate who is going to drive the car.


Harry will push and Sam will drive.


Whee!


Both wanted to read the truck book, multiple times.


Alice and Harry test out our new alphabet door.

Ella's 24-hour adventure

Ella gave us a bit of a panic last weekend. She snuck out on the back deck while we were out there Saturday night, only we didn't notice. Thus, we shut the door and locked her out overnight. Because she spends most of her day sleeping in various hiding places, we didn't discover our mistake until the next afternoon. Then, we were frantic. She's never really been outside and for those of you who have met her, you know she can be a bit neurotic. We organized a search party (of Frank & Nicki-- Thanks guys!), plastered the neighborhood with flyers and visited the animal shelter. Harry joined in the search yelling "El! El!" from his stroller. About 10:30 p.m. Sunday night, our neighbor knocked on our back door, and in ran Ella. He found her in his grill. Have no idea how she got in there. But she's back, phew.

Aunt Steph and Uncle Joe Get Hitched

"@#$%^&*! paparazzi!"

He did it! Harry walked all the way down the aisle and fulfilled his ringbearer duties. Luckily he was starstruck by the other 4-year-old ringbearer. So when the 4-year-old said "Take my hand, Harry" he did and the two walked all the way down the long, long church aisle. CUTEST THING EVER! Rob and I were both in the wedding so we were unable to take photos, but I'll post some as soon as we get them.

The bride waits in Mom's car outside the church.

Mr. & Mrs. N.

Mr. Harrison waits patiently for his dinner. He made it until the first dance. After that, he marched to the exit and said "All done! Bye-Bye!"


My handsome boys.

Harry is hours past his bedtime and hyped up on cake in this family photo.

Crunchy leaves and other fall things

Who is this little boy? Where did baby Harry go?

Conquering the playground

Chasing pigeons in Lincoln Square


Reading a book with Sofia after the farmer's market

Nice to meet you James?

Although he talks about Baby James alot ("Ba-ee Jay"), Harry hasn't exactly responded warmly to James yet. Here they meet up close and personal for the first time.




Update: This weekend, Harry was very intrigued when James opened his eyes and we told him that James also likes trucks.