Hey, it's Harrison.

Yes, I'm aware that my son is two weeks old already and I've yet to put up a post about him. Harrison, it doesn't mean we don't love you, it just means Mom and Dad are busy and haven't been getting a lot of sleep and... well, your Dad's a slacker.

So where was I? Oh yeah, November 16th, we woke up early to head to the hospital to get the baby out of Mommy's belly. And what a belly it was.

We waited for the operating room, and boy was it a lot less stressful than last time. Harrison was out in a jiffy. No fuss, no muss. Unless muss is the same thing as mess, because he was actually a little bit messy.

So unlike hippy dippy Seattle, down here in the Greater Los Angeles area, they don't pull the baby out and then plop it down on the mother to let the natural child-rearing take its course. No, here they send the little away for tests and other health related things.

I think he's going to be a hand/thumb sucker.

So all there is to do for Mom is wait. Luckily she had some really good company.

Even Antonio got to get up and head down to peek in the nursery at his new brother.

But finally, Deb got to officially meet Harrison Patrick Rodgers.

Believe it or not, she even let me hold him.

Look at this gorgeous boy.

All the grandparents were in town, so everybody got to meet Harrison right away.

But you know the person who was the happiest to meet Harrison? Antonio. He loves his little brother. And he is already a great big brother.

In the end, Deb was great, Antonio was great, Harrison was great, I stayed out of the way, and we welcomed a new member of our family.

The boys have a lot going on in their lives, so there will be a lot to post about.

Last Day

Antonio,
Today is your last day as our only boy....and we just want you to know how much we love you and have enjoyed all of our four years with you growing. learning and becoming the beautiful boy you are. Tomorrow your new brother will come and we are so excited to see how you blossom into the amazing big brother we know you can and will be.
You are the most amazing gift to us and we love you more than we can ever say.
Mommy and Daddy

Antonio's Halloween

Antonio's School Parade:

And Antonio tries Smarties for the first (and probably last) time.

Four Years Goes Fast

Antonio turned four on September 19th. It was a pleasant 80+ day in Burbank so what better way to celebrate than a party in the park, with water balloons of course!

Grandma and Grandpa were here for the fun and got a little wet too!

Antonio did the most throwing, Eric (his friend and therapist) got the most wet, and mommy had the most bounces off her belly.

There were over 100 balloons and they went quick!

And of course then it was time for CAKE! And singing!

"I'm going to see what the blue one tastes like..."Then of course, after eating cake at 11am, the birthday boy has to throw up at the table and then take a little quiet time.

Then its time for presents!
Mamma and Bonk gave him a game called "rock, paper, scissors" - it is a card game and he took it literally and went and got a rock, paper and scissors....

And most exciting to mommy and daddy was sharing with Antonio all about soon to be arriving baby brother who Antonio is now very excited about and loves already.

For a little guy turning four it was a great party and a great day. The present opening lasted till the next weekend :)

DISNEYLAND!

Antonio had his first trip to Disneyland on the last day he was 3.

The jury is still out if he liked the Teacups or not.

Yes, it was his favorite ride!

It was a big day - Grandma and Grandpa were visiting and we had big plans! He was so excited, overwhelmed, surprised and more and a lot of the day was spend like this - in a stroller partially covering his eyes. Disneyland is join-attention heaven and over stimulation heaven all in one.

The number one thing on Antonio's list was meet Mickey! He was SO excited to meet Mickey. After this the ice was broken and he was ready.
So we hopped on a Yellow Submarine and went to look for Nemo! This is a great ride for anyone, even pregnant people and grandparents.Then we had to hit the Playhouse Disney stage show which Jeff calls what Antonio were to see if he took acid....it is a lot of cool for a kid. Mickey, Handy Manny and Pooh all in one show! After that it was time to find more characters.

Like Eeyore - Antonio was very concerned that he still had a tail...thankfully he did.
And of course Tigger, who he couldn't wait to tell he loved him!

Since Grandma and Grandpa came we actually go a picture of the three of us with Pluto! So fun to meet Pluto.

At the end of a very long day, he was still smiling and talked ALL the way home with enthusiasm. He was that commercial "I'm too excited to sleep"....fun day!

Guess who came to play today - Elijah!

Antonio was so excited to see Elijah at his house and all and all did pretty well sharing his toys with his cousin. Sharing is still tough for these guys but luckily they love each other.

A Family Reunion

Last week was America's Birthday, but more important for Antonio, it was a trip to Washington to see all his family and even meet some new family. Thanks to Deb, Antonio has a HUGE family!

This trip he packed his backpack and headed out to our favorite Alaska Airlines.

On the 4th we took the boys to the Anacortes parade where grandma and grandpa were walking with the Shell Fire trucks and Great Auntie Dorothy and Deb's cousin Jenny were riding with cousin Zachary.

Both boys thought it was way too loud at the parade and spend most of it like this.

Deb's snuggles weren't enough for Antonio so he picked up Elijah's arms and wrapped them around himself. They were so sweet snuggling together.

Deb's cousin Jen and her husband Steven came with Zachary (one month younger than Antonio) and Baby Emma (just one year old) along with Aunt Dorothy and Uncle Bob from Texas for the week.

At first Antonio wasn't so sure about cousin Zachary but in the end he was so happy to play with him! And was fascinated with "petting" baby Emma.

It was amazingly hotter in Oak Harbor than in Burbank so there was a lot of water play.And eating outside.... At night Antonio went to stay at Mamma's house, which he really enjoyed. Mamma had some great books that he hadn't read before and he was thrilled to read them. And surprise all his grandparents that he actually CAN read.

And every night he slept so well! It was a great trip.

Happy Birthday, Mommy!

You are the best Mommy a boy could have. I love you.

P.S. - Daddy loves you a lot, too.