The Baby Chronicles: Harrison at 2.5 Years |

It’s been a fun and fast past six months since my last update on Harrison’s second birthday back in September. Yes, the COVID-19 pandemic has still been going on so we didn’t do any holiday parties or gatherings with friends, coworkers or even family. That part really sucked and we are so over this madness. Despite all that we tried to make the best of things and focus on what was within our control. It’s been a memorable time with Harrison as he’s developed into a curious, spirited, silly and entertaining toddler. I wanted to highlight some of his milestones at two and a half years old.

Quick facts about Harrison at two years old:

Still Loves: Turtles, trains, his dad’s drone, chapstick, anything to do with water (pool, water table, splash pad, bathtub), his sisters Stella and Peggy, being chased around the house, eating (current faves are eggs, beans and rice, cherry tomatoes, kiwi, pasta, chocolate Pocky, peanut butter cookies, cheese)

New Loves: Going potty! (well, may we love that more than he does! But yes, Harrison is mostly potty trained – we still do diapers at nap and bedtime). Wearing his Thomas the Train underwear, jumping, taking his dishes to the sink after meals, feeding the dogs, playing with our neighbors Valery, Grady and Carson, doing fun things with Pablo, Legos, candles, and READING. We now read books at bedtime and it’s been such a special thing.

Still does not love: Leaving the pool or bathtub, not being able to figure something out, having his hands, arms, face dirty while eating or playing outside, and when Stella or Peggy get the toy during “tug of war” (yes, it’s as hilarious as it sounds). We are also in the “Harrison do it” phase so he doesn’t love it if he can’t do it himself.

September 2020

Harrison was still loving the end of summer by being at the pool and always playing at his water table. At the end of the month, we went to the Outer Banks to visit grandma, grandpa, uncle Tyler and Aunt Kim for two weeks.The weather was great and we all had a blast with Harrison getting plenty of beach and sand time along with visits to the Elizabethan Gardens and the NC Aquarium.

October 2020

We spent a lot of time outside to enjoy the nice fall weather. On rainy days, Harrison would paint or color. He was really into all the things we made with our annual apple picking – especially my apple pie. Grandma and Mumu made a stop on their way to Florida and we all had a great visit. Harrison with my grandma continues to be the sweetest, more heartwarming thing ever.

November 2020

Harrison and Valery continued to play together a lot – it’s actually pretty obvious that they like being around each other because they get excited in a way they don’t seem to with all other kids. Harrison is definitely talking more, using short sentences and latching on to words or phrases we say which is pretty funny. We went to Melbourne, FL for Thanksgiving to see Nana and had a blast. Harrison was awake the entire drive down from Atlanta (and awake and a hot mess the 12-hour trip back home a week later) but he did great the rest of the time. He slept fine in his pack n’ play, loved having his own room at the Airbnb, and had fun playing in the sand and watching Sean fly the drone.

December 2020

We had a visit from Lindsey, Dan and Adeline which was so so so fun. Harrison was immediately attached to and obsessed with Adeline. Came downstairs each morning calling out for her – so cute! He sported an outfit of my brother’s, Christmas pajamas, and a naked booty during his first two days of potty training. He was really into the Christmas tree and decorations. He loved looking at the ornaments and naming them. He also loved opening his presents which was so special for me. We loved having Nana for Christmas.

January 2021

The new year kicked off without much fanfare thanks to the ongoing pandemic. Harrison continued with learning potty training and there were a few rough nights. We cut out pretty much all screens after a period of incessant whiney-ness and it really helped. By the end of the month, he was his pleasant, curious self. And he and Valery were absolute living dolls at her third birthday party. They are such great friends and its so, so sweet.

February 2021

Harrison has really grown this month in his vocabulary and speaking. He started saying “where are you, daddy?” as clear as day. I also started asking him what he dreamt about after his naps and he would start “ummmm…turtle. ummmm…neighbors.” It didn’t make much sense or perhaps was just him wanting to take his stuffed animal turtle to the neighbor’s house and jump on their trampoline. We decorated cards and made chocolate-strawberry cupcakes for the neighbors for Valentine’s Day this year and hand-delivered everything. Harrison is so playful – he loves to be tickled and to “run!” – which is me chasing him until he lays down somewhere so I can tickle him. We still do the “double kiss” at night and he’ll often push my and Sean’s faces together to make us kiss more. He also started to want bedtime books. We’d only done songs up until now but he’s asking for his story books every night. It’s fun reading to him. We’ve limited the number of books which has helped him learn a few stories really well – he loves to read along or even “read” to us some nights.