The Happy Harvills Get Happier!

It has been almost a month since we got the news. I have waited, not wanting to put any information out there too soon. Joel and I have always been mildly superstitious.

I'm ready to do it. Ready to share some new news with the masses. Joel and I are expecting Baby #2! We still can't believe it and at times, I can't even say the words because I'm still partially in shock.

The answers to your questions:
1. No, we were not trying. Honestly, we always knew we wanted a second child, but we thought we'd wait another year or so before trying again. Apparently our timing was really, really, really good. My doctor informed me that the body has an interesting way of "remembering" how to get pregnant. Its much easier the second time around (so beware!).
2. We're about 8 weeks along. Baby 2 is due 2/12/10. Yes, another winter baby. Brice and Baby 2 will be 14 months apart.
3. I feel like absolute shit. There's really no way to disguise it at this point. I have thrown up every day for the last 3 weeks and have already spent one fine afternoon in the hospital hooked up to an IV for fluids. Everyone that told me that the second pregnancy is easier than the first is a liar in my book. I'm not going to lie to you. Its extremely difficult considering the fact that I have a seven month old and work full time. Joel has been a champion father and husband and really deserves some sort of "Oscar" award for men that do it all and get nothing in return (okay, he gets to play video games while I'm in the bathroom throwing up, but that's not even that great).
4. Yes, we realize that we are in a recession. We know that babies are expensive. We know that this is crazy. We understand that we are already strapped incredibly thin given the fact that we own a home, a condo, make car payments, pay a nanny and so on. But, babies happen and we Harvills roll with it. We figured it out with Brice and we'll do it again.
5. Yes, we're going to find out the sex of this baby. We'll probably be able to do that sometime in late September.

So, that's the news. For my friends and family out there that keep getting my voicemail and no return call, now you know why. I spend the majority of my evenings on the bathroom floor or asleep. I promise that I'll come out of this... probably sometime in the next 2 months. I will begin to answer my phone again. I will begin to go out for dinner again. For now, not so much.

In Brice news, our little man is doing very well. He hit the seven month mark and continues to grow like a weed. We had a great trip to Boston for the Fourth of July and Brice enjoyed getting out and seeing the town that Daddy called home for five years. He was quite the little trooper and did a great job in the hotel too. These days Brice has become quite alert and talkative. He babbles constantly. He loves to walk (with help from mom and dad... or whomever else is willing to bend over) and is a huge fan of the beach. We've been doing daily trips down to the water to dip our toes, splash around and toss some rocks. Brice is now eating three solid meals a day. His favorites are peaches, carrots, peas and sweet potatoes. He's also big into drinking water out of adult glasses... it usually results in more water going on him or the floor, but I love the fact that he wants to do it. I just keep a towel handy!

Brice has really turned into a little boy and I love him more and more with every passing day. I look forward to coming home from work and giving him a big hug and a kiss. I'm glad that the love that I feel for him never wanes or falters. It always grows.

I took some great pictures and video yesterday. I'll post them once I get home tonight!

Brice is 6 months old!

Brice contemplating the football on the field at Bucknell. We enjoyed our trip to Lewisburg to celebrate my 10 year college reunion.
Brice is very serious about his walker seat. If you get in the way, prepare to be run over.
We got a little blow up pool for the backyard so that Brice (and Shamus and Lucy) could stay cool on those hot summer days.
Brice was a huge fan of the pool!

Time Flies!

I can't believe a month has passed since my last update! Life has gotten a little busy yet, but I promise that as the lazy days of summer are not upon us, I will update regularly once again.

Brice is now over six months old. At his six month checkup at Dr. Lialios last week, he weighed in at 20lbs and was 28 inches long. He is in the 90th percentile for both weight and height. He has two wonderful teeth now and it seems as if one or two more are peeking through. Dr. Lialios gave us the go ahead to start Brice on stage two solids, so this week he's been enjoying Gerber chicken. Now, I've tasted everything that goes into Brice's mouth and I have to admit, I really enjoy the sweet potatoes, pears and applesauce. Even the squash is tolerable. The chicken is so foul (no pun intended) though. I have to believe that Brice is so excited for any solid that he isn't picky, but this stuff is pretty gross.

When he's not eating his baby food, Brice is begging for any adult food in front of him. It is like we have three begging dogs now. The other night, he actually tried to sneak a bite of Joel's cookie as Joel was lifting it to his mouth.

Brice has also become quite speedy in the walker seat. We've installed the baby gate so that he can't go flying down our step, but nothing is sacred these days. Dish towels are stolen when he does drive bys in the kitchen, he took the bottle of ketchup out of the refrigerator when I accidentally left the door open and our curtains look like they've been run through the mud. Alas, this is what life with a child is like. There are cherry Tylenol stains on my t-shirts and pear residue on my couch. My cell phone is perpetually covered in drool and there are teeth marks in our leather ottoman.

Brice is really growing up fast though. He now gets so excited when Joel and I walk in the front door and he laughs hysterically when we blow raspberries on his belly. He has an ear to ear grin that lights up the room. I love him more with every passing day.

Since its been so long, I'll post some new pics in a separate post. More updates soon!

Brice swims!

For Mother's Day, Joel got Brice (and Mommy) swim lessons at the YMCA.  

Here is Brice showing off his new swim trunks:

At the pool getting ready to jump in:

Singing London Bridge makes putting our faces in the water more fun:

The aftermath.  Two very sleepy boys:

Brice is 5 months old!

Brice hit the big 5 month mark this week. I took a look at the BabyCenter.com website to get a feel for what babies are supposed to be doing at 5 months.

Here's a down and dirty overview:

1. Your baby now realizes where sounds come from and he'll turn quickly toward a new one.

Check. Brice has been doing this for a couple of weeks now. Ask Joel to make the "Brice face" when there's a loud noise. It is hilarious. Similar to popping a balloon near an unsuspecting cat.

2. You may notice that your little one turns his head when you call him or talk about him with others.

Um, not so much. Perhaps it is similar to the Shamus syndrome where by Joel chastized me for using too many nicknames with our dog, therefore hampering the dog's ability to ever come when called. What's actually happened is Shamus now answers to just about anything you yell out, which is a win-win in my book.

I have a few nicknames for Brice. They include (and are not limited to): Monkeypants, Bricicle (thanks AJ), Lord Stickyfingers (and Lucy has become Sir Licksalot), Birdy Boy, Bricey-poodle (don't ask) and Brice Muffin (sung along to the Oscar Mayer Weiner song). My poor child will probably think his name is Lord Brice Monkeypants Stickyfingers Birdy Poodle Muffin.

3. If you want to engage and entertain your baby, all you need to do is talk to him. At this age, babies don't learn language from the television or radio, so turn them off and use real dialogue instead.

We talk to Brice ALL THE TIME. We also always have the tv or radio on, so I'm not really sure if what we're doing is harmful. This morning, Brice was sitting next to me in bed and all of a sudden he lunged forward and grabbed the remote. He actually managed to change the channel on the tv from the news to Spongebob Squarepants. Should I be concerned?

Other developments:

Brice now has two bottom teeth. He kinda looks like a crazed drooling bulldog these days. Or a vampire in need of braces. Everything goes into his mouth and of course, his favorite thing to eat is our blackberries. Ugh.

This past weekend, Brice had his first servings of peas and sweet potatos. He loved them both and believe it or not, he managed to be much neater with his veg than he has ever been with his oatmeal.

Brice attended his first birthday party for Marissa McNeill, who celebrated her big 2. Ask Marissa to say "truck." Nuff said.

Brice eats oatmeal, take two

For all that did not trust that Brice liked the oatmeal, I present a short film titled, "Brice eats oatmeal, take two."

Spring has sprung!

The sun finally decided to make an appearance this weekend.  For the first time in months, it feels like spring has sprung.  Joel and I went out and splurged on a new hammock for the backyard.  We decided to build a little deck in the back corner for the hammock, a couple of chairs and perhaps a fire pit.  Here's the finished frame... we'll finish the deck next weekend:

Since the weather was so nice, we took Brice for a walk in Central Park.  Here he is listening to some musicians:
Brice and Joel enjoying the sunny weather:
Mommy showing off Brice's big boy outfit (of course, he still refuses socks):