Farmers' Market

My friend Bri posted a link to Local Harvest: this great site will tell you about any farmers' markets located in your area. It's awesome and it's a great way to support local farmers! I found the Phoenixville Farmers' Market website using local harvest and it sounds like an amazing place. I really want to check it out on Saturday. If we go, I'll write a review for all you locals.

My Super Kids

Last night I had a dream that Libby had super powers. She could shoot fire from her hands and she had gills so she could breathe under water. She had to sleep in a mini-fridge to regulate her body temperature. Man, I hope I have crazy dreams like this after she's born! :-)

When I woke up, Matt had left for his Bible study and Harrison was very quiet. It was 8:30 and I was amazed that he let me sleep in. When I opened his door, I expected a huge mess. Instead, there he was-- perched on his bed reading one of his books. When I sat next to him, he started summarizing on the contents of each page as if he was reading to me. I can't wait to start teaching this little guy to read!

The book was about a surprise party, and I wondered if Harrison remembered that his daddy's surprise party was today. Matt's office threw us a baby shower. I told Harrison about it yesterday, and I was somewhat amazed that he kept the secret. I didn't think that Matt would be surprised at all (he's never surprised...about anything! Which is pretty annoying for a wife who loves to surprise people.) and he was!

The shower was great, and the people in Matt's department were so incredibly generous to us. Libby got a teddy and a gift certificate to Babies R Us and Harrison received an "I'm the Big Brother" t-shirt. Thanks everyone for such a great time!

Our little Birthday Santa

Harrison was a night owl last night. When I arrived home at 7:30pm, he was just waking up from his nap, so I figured one of two things would happen: 1) he would eat dinner and go right back to sleep watching a movie, or 2) he would be up very, very late. When he had a major meltdown due to getting water in a sippy-cup rather than bottled water, I figured it would be the latter.

Yesterday was my brother Shane’s birthday, and while we celebrated it Monday, Harrison and Mommy bought the present yesterday to drop off at my mom’s for him to receive when he returned from a night at the Police concert. We came up with a great themed present to go along with his night of Police, and while I made up the card, Harrison wanted to wrap the presents. I didn’t understand what he was saying at first “I WANNA WAP ‘SENTS!” Finally, he was able to slow down and tell me that he wanted to get wrapping paper to wrap Shane’s gifts. So, we went up stairs and picked out the least feminine looking gift bag we could find, and two pieces of “wrapping paper” or tissue paper, we came down stairs, and I taught Harrison how to wrap a gift in a gift bag using tissue paper.

I then told him that I was going to go to Grandma’s to drop it off for his uncle. “Uncle Shane’s at Grandma’s?” He asked as his brow curled up and his head titled to one side.

“No, Uncle Shane is at a concert, but I am going to leave it for him to open when he gets home.”

With this I could tell his little mind was racing with questions and trying to piece it all together. But then he said something that was truly hilarious and imaginative. “Like Santa?” He said and then smiled, like he knew that what just came out of his mouth was adorable.

Katy and I laughed and agreed that it was kind of like a Santa-mission, leaving a present for someone to open later without us there. Then Harrison indicated that he wanted to play Santa. Despite my urge to reply with a quote from A Christmas story, “No Ralphie, you played Santa last year,” I refrained. I looked at my watch, then at Katy and said, “It’s 9:30...What do you think” Again, Katy thought it a great plan for him to play Santa, then fall asleep on the drive home, so we went along with it.

I don’t know if I ever saw him so happy. He smiled, laughed, and jumped up and down. He was so happy it was cliché. But it showed me in a real concrete way that giving can be so much fun. And that is mostly why I agreed to take Harrison out at 9:30 at night, despite the neighbors looking at me like I was crazy for taking a 3 year old out at such a late hour.

Our mission was successful. Go to Grandma’s, print card, leave it for Shane. Harrison even got a bonus—leftover birthday cake. A little stale, but good. However, I believe this was a mistake on my part. Too much sugar, too late. The thought crossed my mind, but my irrational side said It is so late and he is so tired that he will still fall asleep. On the drive home, I kept looking in the rearview to see that his eyes were wide open. Uh-oh, too much stimulation + too much sugar = up way too late. When we got home, he wasn’t asleep, and he was bargaining for 5 minutes (which is never 5 minutes). It turned out to be nearly 11:30pm before he finally went to sleep. One of the latest nights he has ever had. But, as I think back, being Santa is a very important job and requires one to stay up late. The small price to pay is his Christmas-in-July hangover that my wife will need to deal with today. Merry Christmas, Katy!

So Much for that Craving...

I was craving Bennigan's for lunch today. Oh well...

Bending Down: Reason 101 for why I can't wait for this child to be born.

Today I thought I had timed everything perfectly for Harrison's nap. I would wear him out at "Aunt" Tricia's house while he played with Jayden, run a few errands, and bingo! A sleeping Harrison in the car seat on the way home. He fell asleep as soon as we turned into the neighborhood, and I breathed a sigh of relief. Yes! I can take a nap and maybe have some "me" time to write and journal about all the emotional stuff I've been going through lately. Um. Yeah.

We pull into the parking spot in front of our house. There are men with weed-whackers and lawn mowers in our front yard. Maintenance day. Totally forgot. Harrison miraculously stays asleep. What an angel! I take my keys, my purse, and Harrison's bag out of the car, and I have to make a decision--leave Harrison in the car for a split second to unlock the tricky front door or attempt to unlock the door with a 33 lb three-year-old in my arms. It's hot. I decide to risk it and I pick up Harrison with my arms full and position the keys so they are ready to unlock the door.

I get to the door. I look at Harrison (still asleep), I take a second to give the men yelling across the parking lot a withering stare, I shift Harrison to position him onto my left hip, and I raise my right hand to unlock the door.

I drop the keys.

Less than gracefully (read: about as graceful as one can be while 38 weeks preggers and a sleeping toddler in her arms), I somehow attempt to dip Harrison and squat down to retrieve the keys. Harrison squirms a bit. Still asleep. I grab the keys from the floor and very awkwardly stand up. I get the key into the lock. Turn the key. The key "CLICKS."

Harrison wakes up.

Now, as I take a moment to write this, Harrison is protesting his nap by shouting down the vent that links his room with the kitchen (our intercom system). I told him that he can't leave his room until he takes his nap, and I'm really surprised that he's actually listening to me about that. I'm going to go check on him now, but I just want to say I really don't want to be pregnant anymore. Come out Libby... please???!!!

Dazed and Confused

My doctor from last week must have written a note in my file: "Cries at the mention of a C-section."

My doctor this week was a major advocate for V-BAC. He was encouraging and friendly towards the idea. He told me that my chances were good (still 60%) and that Libby was much smaller than Harrison, so the delivery may have a completely different outcome.

For the past few days, I have been trying to come to terms with the possibility of a C-section. So I mentioned the idea of scheduling one next week on the day I turn 40 weeks pregnant. Dr. Mansfield said it was possible, but that I should wait until my appointment next Friday to make my decision. He also scheduled another ultrasound to get more information about Libby's size and weight so that the decision making process is an informed one. Last week they gave me a paper on V-BACs and repeated C-sections that I have to sign by next Friday to let them know I have committed to a decision.

The paper says that V-BAC has less risks than a repeated C-section, but that if I have to have a C-section during labor that is even riskier. So next Friday, if Libby doesn't show up before then, I will have to make the decision of whether I should have them break my water or go in for a C-section. The reason for my title--I have no idea what to do.

Thanks to everyone who has written and has offered their prayers and support. My prayer for right now is that Libby will either come on her own time before next Friday or that the information we get next week will clarify which is the best and safest choice for me and Libby.

Middle Name Scrabble

As Matt so aptly put it: "It's like we've been playing scrabble for the past three days..."

I really want a middle name for Libby that honors both my sister and my grandmother. My sister's name is Wynn and my grandmother's name is Mildred Louise. Matt totally squashed the idea of two middle names and so we've been trying to think of the perfect combination of the two names. We think we have it! But, it's going to be a surprise. HA!

Hey, we gave you the gender and the first name... we have to have something to tell you. :-)

Love,
Katy

Breakfast for Dinner

The Comber family likes to have breakfast for dinner nights. Breakfast is Matt's specialty and sometimes he likes to give me the night off.

This morning Harrison knocked on our door to say "good morning" and told us he made something for us. He brought in an Ikea storage container and told us it was a pizza. The pizza was called a "Macaroni and Cheese" pizza. After we pretended to gobble and swallow the delicious invention, Harrison made a "Breakfast Pizza." Toppings included eggs, sun (yes, he said sun. As in the bright star our planet revolves around), pepper, cheese, sauce, salt, more cheese, special cheese, more salt, and more cheese. What can I say? The kid loves cheese.

The breakfast pizza sounded so good (minus the extra salt) that Matt and I decided to research recipes on how to make such a concoction. The recipes we found were basically the same and I was surprised to see that so many recipes existed.

The recipe I settled on was from Cooks.com which I pretty much followed to a tee. I substituted cooked turkey bacon for the sausage and added bell peppers and onions. I also doubled the amount of cheese per the request of you-know-who. It was AWESOME! For an added bonus: the slices are super filling, so we have leftovers for breakfast tomorrow.

Middle Naming (by MJC)

Today was a great day for our family, although it started off rough. I left for work a little earlier than usual, needing to put in some extra hours. This seemed to upset Harrison, who cried, "I miss Daddy" for nearly an hour after I had left.

To help calm him down, we decided that Harrison and Mommy would come to Bala Cynwyd to have lunch with Daddy and see his office. So we went out to lunch at The Adobe Cafe in Manayunk/Roxborough and had a great time as a family, then went to work with Daddy, where Harrison got a new puppy friend, and little frog, and got to meet some new people. Everyone there loved the treat of seeing the little Comber, and his mommy too.

Harrison and Mommy then went home to get a visit from our friend Susan who came bearing gifts as well-- a blanket for Libby and a dog dressed as a Phillie (and now known as Chase Utley). Soon afterwards, Aunt Reen and Uncle Jim took Harrison to the Kimberton Fair! He rode in a race car. on a helicopter, on a horse of the merry-go-round, and even won a prize fishing-- his very own Pink Power Ranger, despite Reen and Jim insisting he get something a little more boy friendly. Sure enough, he wanted the pink "super hero" so that is what he came home with.

While Harrison was at the fair, Mommy and Daddy had their last "date" before Libby comes. We went out to downtown Phoenixville, walked around and ate at Molly Maguire's Irish Pub. We enjoyed good food in a nice quiet corner of the restaurant. We discussed what Libby's middle name would be. This is our latest controversy-- will it be Wynn or Louise? Or, as Katy suggested, both. Two middle names? After Harrison wasn't even given one middle name, only a middle initial? (We couldn't decide on the many names we liked beginning with the letter J and decided that he can chose what the J stands for when he is older).

So how about combining Wynn and Louise into one name? Out came a piece of paper as we wrote down as many different combinations imaginable-- from Luwynne to Wylie to McWynn (combination of Wynn and Mickey, Katy's sister's name and her grandmother's nickname). We left with a piece of scrap paper filled with very odd looking name combinations. We did decide on one thing-- if the baby is born on July 29th, my oldest brother's birthday, her middle name will be after him-- Shane (or Shayne).

Such is the crazy fun we had on this, the 38-week mark of Katy's pregnancy. We are down to the home stretch. We can see the finish line, but we are not quite sure Libby can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Even if she does come sooner rather than later, we might have to pick out letters from a hat containing W, Y, N, N, L, O, U, I, S, and E, and see what name is spelled out.
Back when we were dating, we used to play a lot of Scrabble, so that may be the best strategy. As long as we hit the double-word score!

Waiting for a new arrival (by MJC)

I'm restless. I am not sleeping much, and when I finally do, I don't want to wake up in the morning and go to work. When I'm at work, my mind is distracted with the thought that the baby is due any minute. I do have a lot to do at work, but I find it very difficult to concentrate.

I've tried to make myself busy when I am up late. I straightened up our room and organized Libby's clothes by size. A pile for NB, a pile for 0-3 mos, a pile for 3-6 mos, etc. The smell of Dreft reminded me of how much I love the smell of a baby. I never realized it was the Dreft until last night as I took the clothes out of the dryer and caught a big whiff. Such a sweet smell, it made me anxious for her to be here already! A little girl. A daddy's girl.

At work today, after hours, I even spent time drafting the email I will send to my colleagues once the baby is born, in the few moments I will have to gain access to the internet when I peal myself away from Katy and the baby following the birth.

I can tell Harrison knows change is brewing. I step into the house and he starts scaling the furniture, hugging me, clinging to me, punching me. Whatever he can do to get attention, he is already doing it. I sure hope he doesn't feel any resentment towards the baby. So far, he has been excited about her coming, and nice to Libby inside Mommy's belly. I'm just afraid that the couple days of Mommy and Daddy being away at the hospital might make those feelings change towards pure jealousy. But I hope that's not the case.

I've been easing my restlessness with my addiction to facebook and Wii. So trendy of me, I know. But anything to keep my mind from worry and anxiety. So as I wait these next 2 or more weeks, send word of how you are doing. Because in a few weeks, I won't know anything else in the world exists besides my family.

Libby Update

So I just got home from an emotional visit to the doctor's office. I went hoping to hear that I was somewhat dilated or that my chances of a V-BAC were high. Instead, I got the "prepare for a C-Section" information sheet and the doctor told me that my chances of a natural childbirth were about 60 percent. Sixty percent is pretty good, but as soon as the doctor told me that I needed to prepare for the possibility of a C-section I started crying.

I know I sound selfish and melodramatic, but natural childbirth is something I've always wanted to experience. When the doctor started talking about the possibility of a C-section, I felt grief. Childbirth is a rite of womanhood--or at least that's how I see it, and it's not that I frown upon women who choose medication or schedule C-sections, but for me, it's as if I didn't birth the child. With Harrison's C-section I grieved over the way he came into the world and celebrated him simultaneously. Talk about an emotional roller coaster.

I guess when it comes down to what's most important, the priority of Libby's health and safety tops my experience in the delivery room, and it's better that I prepare for this now than right before she comes into the world-- whether through the door or the window.

Anxiety Dream

Last night I had one of my crazy anxiety dreams. A strange woman gave me a cookie. The cookie was made of gingerbread and shaped like a little baby. I began to eat around the face of the cookie and I heard Libby crying. I stopped eating and went to check on my baby. Libby's hair and the tip of her ear were missing. I looked at the cookie in my hands and the cookie began to cry along with my daughter. It was the same cry. I woke up.

What was that all about? Matt laughed when I told him about it, but I'm still a little spooked.

Matt's going to Madison, WI today and coming back Thursday night. Please pray that Libby waits for Daddy to come home!

The Reading Philies and the Kitchen Sink (by KAC)

The two aren't related... at all. Except the fact that we did go to see a Reading Phils game the same week our kitchen sink drama ensued. Oh how arrogant I was when I thought I had fixed the sink all by myself. We even went to enjoy the Reading Phils game on Thursday without plumber "snakes" and plungers dancing around our heads.

It was my first game (that I can recall) at Reading's First Energy Stadium. The Reading Phils have a slew of mascots, an unbelievably clean stadium, fireworks after each run, film clips from Napoleon Dynamite and countless other film references to celebrate little victories.

The first inning was about an hour long. The top half was a quick "1,2,3" and then the pitcher for the rival team decided to work on his pitching mechanics by walking the Phils until they were up by nine. They even started to run out of fireworks due to the lengthy high scoring first inning, and after a while, watching the game seemed more like watching a team practice. Thankfully, we went with some great people and had a really fun time talking, eating, and watching the mascots.

One of the mascots was "Recycling Man." No kidding. The guy was dressed all in blue, wore a blue wig, had a blue face, and ran around the stadium collecting plastic bottles from the spectators. Recycling Man has now become a favorite subject in Harrison's drawings, and I'm so glad he has picked a superhero who is dedicated to saving the world one recyclable at a time.

The next night was Friday. I was really exhausted, so I hadn't even contemplated dinner. I turned on the water in the kitchen and as the water flowed down one drain of our double sink, the water level in the other sink began to rise. Matt came home to find me, red faced, in my "plumbing outfit" (read: one of Matt's old white undershirts and maternity jeans) with a plunger in my hands.

Now it's Sunday. My brother-in-law, Jim, and my sister-in-law, Maureen, came over to help most of Saturday afternoon/night and Matt is still snaking and wet-vaccing to unclog a drain that even the Blob wouldn't be able to navigate through.

Other than the plumbing situation, we had a terrific weekend. As Matt became acquainted with our house's water drainage system, Harrison and I worked on organizing his room and his playroom for when the baby comes. I wanted Harrison to have his own space and to become accustomed to maintaining his space and his things, so we took the time to arrange furniture and toys to his liking. It was awesome to see Harrison decide where things should go and categorize his belongings, and I think it was a special time for him to establish some sense of security during this time of big changes.

I would blog about the church picnic we went to today and the other fun times we had this weekend, but the activity in the kitchen has quieted down, so I should go check on my husband. Good night readers!

Heavenly morning (by MJC)

This morning went so well it was heavenly. I woke up early and made croissants for hosting my men's group. I have always said that croissants are a heavenly pastry-- they are like buttery clouds of dough with a golden brown crispiness that melts in your mouth as the air within the pastry breathes across your lips. Ahh, how delicious the start of the day was.

It continued with a great Bible study with the guys and good conversation. After they left, I did something different. I took some time to go back upstairs and sit in bed with Katy as she continued to sleep. I rested my head on her belly and felt the baby swimming and kicking around. It was the most peaceful 5 minutes in a long time.

Then I decided to leave for work. But as I walked towards the stairs, I heard Harrison talking. "This is a shirt," he said to himself. It was a moment that I had a decision. Go on to work and ignore what could be a very adorable scene, or open the door to see what he was up to. I opened the door. He looked up at me and smiled. "This shirt is mine," he said to me, holding up a hand-me-down polo shirt which looked like a 3T version of a shirt my dad had worn back in the mid-80s. And so started a great conversation and fun time with Harrison.

I finally asked if he wanted to go potty before I changed his pull-up and his clothes. "No," he said firmly.

"Do you have to go potty?" I asked, knowing that he would answer no, but still hoping his answer would be different. He refused and yelled as I picked him up and brought him to the bathroom. His yelling and screaming was nearly playful, but at the same time he was refusing and he seemed scared. I said the first thing that came to mind, "Don't worry, the toilet is your friend."

As I stood him in front of the porcelain, he looked at me with a wrinkled brow. "Toilet is NOT my friend!" He insisted.

However, as I got him ready to go, my not-so-talented ventriloquist act broke out with a muffled and high-pitched squeal. I lifted and closed the toilet seat. "Hi, Harrison! How are you!" Harrison laughed then climbed onto the brim. "I'm thirsty," the toilet continued. So Harrison soon started to quench the thirst of his friend and also tried hard to push to feed his friend's hunger (but to no avail). We waited and pushed while reading stories and poems.

"I can't do it! I can't make the toilet not hungry!" he exclaimed after pushing real hard.

"That's okay, Harrison. You did very well. You gave your toilet a drink, and you can feed him later when you get the urge. Just let mommy know when that urge comes, okay?" He nodded, gave me a hug, then flushed. "Gulp! Gulp! Ahhhhhh....Thank you, Harrison," the toilet shrieked as Harrison laughed.

I was so proud of him for that. That he finally warmed up to going potty first thing in the morning, which has been one of the hardest times, yet most crucial time, so they say. But he gave me more hope that he is getting there in his time, in his own way. And he has a friend that he needs to make sure never goes hungry.

One Little Victory Goes a Long Way

Since Matt has had a pretty rough day, I REALLY didn't want him to come home to a clogged sink! Thanks to the internet and my brother-in-law (Thanks Jim!!) I was able to fix everything before Matt arrived home! Hooray! And, now I know how to fix a garbage disposal.

Thanks God for minor victories!

Can I pull my hair out...please?

I clogged the kitchen sink, and the garbage disposal, trying to make a nice home-cooked meal from scratch. Matt's still at work and I'm watching videos on how to unclog a garbage disposal on youtube.com.

On top of that, Matt and I just had a brief conversation on how we are going to make ends meet if I stay at home. I'm trying to believe in God's provision, but it's difficult, and now my meatloaf is burning...

AH! Okay. It didn't burn. But the timer was going off and I'm now in melodramatic mode. I kinda want to cry; thankfully, I have Harrison the Entertainer around. He's amazing. Okay, dinner time.

Re-Birthing Class (by MJC)

Okay, so it wasn't a re-birthing class. It was a child birth refresher course. It happened tonight at 7pm, even though I had totally forgot about it until 5:35pm when Katy called me at work and asked, "Do you know what the date is?"
"Yeah it is July 8th"
"Do you remember what we were supposed to do tonight?"
"Uh..." The date rattled around in my brain until finally something clicked. "Oh crap. The refresher course!"

Needless to say the next hour and a half were very crazy as I tied up the loose ends of a very very hectic day to try to get home quickly enough to make it to the class on time. Tardiness is not an option for me. I'd rather not show than to be 10-30 minutes late. We also needed to find someone to watch Harrison during the class, until 9:30pm. So my mom was the most available, but I knew she had just watched my nieces for a full 11 hours and was exhausted. We tried all other options but settled on dear old Grandma. Harrison does love it at her house. My mom is a true God send at those critical times. Thanks, mom.

I have to say that although this was a refresher course, I felt like we are less prepared now than the first time around. Katy and I still want a natural childbirth, but with the C-section the first time it is as if all the cards are against us, and as if we didn't experience a true birth the first time. But in reality, we experienced a great deal with Harrison's birth. We found that we cannot control what will happen. We can hope, pray, plan, and prepare for the best, but also be ready for the worst. With such a tumultuous first labor experience, we are thinking that God might shine brighter on us this time around.

I definitely found that the weight of what we are embarking on-- being parents to two kids at the same time-- is starting to sink in. It is going to require so much more energy, so much more sacrifice, so much more teamwork and creativity, that we have to be ready for it. I should be ready now! And we have to make sure Harrison is ready for this. Yikes. The little guy's world is about to change!

We came back to pick up Harrison and he was so well behaved that he seemed to glow with perfection, as if he knew that all night I was thinking "I don't think this kid can handle it." I think his subdued, tired, and loving demeanor was a way of him responding to my worries with, "I will be just fine, Daddy. I'm a big boy."

It is hard to fathom how my little girl is going to come into this world. It is hard to envision how the labor will play out and if everything will go as planned. It is impossible to know what Libby's personality will be like or how Harrison will react to it all. It is even hard to prepare fully for such a momentous change in our family. But I'm trying to rely on the One that always remains constant. The One that will give us all we need. The One that helps us when we feel helpless. The One that loves us when it feels like there is no love left to give. The One that keeps things all together. The One that will make my family blessed-- maybe not as I hope or plan it to be-- but as it is meant to be. I hope to trust in that, and to trust in Him.

Our Little Pee-Wee Soccer Player (by KAC)

We just signed up for Pee-Wee Soccer. I can't wait to see our guy in uniform!

Pregnancy Update (by KAC)

Here's a quick update on Libby!

It was confirmed last Tuesday during an ultrasound that we are definitely having a GIRL!! Hooray! She is approx. 5 lbs 6 oz. and her due date is still around 8.8.08. The fact that Libby is at the average weight mark was excellent news b/c that increases my chances of having a natural delivery instead of a C-section.

Matt's mom and Harrison came with me for the ultrasound. It was Marian's first time seeing an ultrasound, and I was so excited to share that experience with her and Harrison! Libby"waved" to them every time the technician showed her profile. :-)

I'm so eager to meet her! Plus, I'm really over feeling so awkward all the time and feeling like people are watching my belly as if it where a time bomb every time I go out somewhere. I do think, however, that I will miss the feeling of her dancing inside my belly whenever I play my favorite CDs and Harrison talking to my belly and giving Libby kisses.

Elizabeth (middle name) Comber, we are so excited about you!

Birthday Withdraw (by KAC)

As Matt and I mentioned before, Harrison just turned three a few days ago.

He had a blast! We celebrated three times over the span of two days. We started his birthday off by baking cupcakes together. Harrison poured the ingredients into the bowl and even broke an egg! We had so much fun baking together, and decorating the cupcakes turned into a messy but great event.

Harrison's first party was with his friends from church and his cousins Isabel and Adia. We went to Markie's Mini-Golf in Phoenixville and they were so accommodating and friendly while we treated Harrison and his friends to eleven holes of miniature golf and cupcakes. If you're thinking that eleven holes is off by seven, you're right! Our party of five toddlers and a five-year-old played all over the course (thankfully, the course was pretty empty) and ran from the 7th hole over the "creek" to the 14th hole and resumed playing. Over all, the somewhat controlled chaos lasted for about half an hour and then it was time for cupcakes and presents.

Immediately following our golf outing, Harrison's Aunt Reen and Uncle Jim hosted a birthday party for Harrison and his grandma, who shares Harrison's birth date, at their house in Chester Springs. The whole Comber clan was there to celebrate. This, of course, meant lots of great presents. Do you see where I'm going with this?

Harrison's third party was the next night, July 4th, and we had a birthday dinner with my parents, my sister Wynn, and her boyfriend Brian. After dinner, Harrison opened presents (one of the presents was the Wii Sport, the latest object of affection for both my guys) and we had birthday cake and watched the movie Cars until it was time to go.

Now, the day after. Harrison experienced major birthday withdrawal. Harrison woke up wanting birthday cake. He looked around at all his new presents and asked if we were going to give him any more. When the answer was, "No, Buddy the birthday is over." Harrison proceeded to gather as many presents as he could--hot wheels, bubbles, a kite, etc. and disappeared into the study. When I found Harrison, he had wrapped all the small toys with tissue paper and placed them into a gift bag so that he could open more presents later. Now, thankfully, the withdraw has receded and Harrison is happy playing and enjoying the gifts from his third birthday.

Thanks to everyone who made Harrison's big day so special!
Love,
Katy

Bio 101 (by KAC)

While my Yankee husband makes me grits for breakfast (amazingly good grits if you can believe it) and my child plays with his new hot wheels, I am going to relay the topic of conversation that occurred this morning as the Comber family discussed the basic difference between boys and girls.

This morning started with a knock on our bedroom door. Every morning begins this way as Harrison lets us know that he is awake and ready to start the day. Unfortunately for Harrison his parents weren't as willing to start the morning.

In my current pregnant state, between my bladder waking me up in the middle of the night and racing thoughts keeping me awake, it was difficult for me to get a full night's sleep last night, and with the recent addition of the family Wii Matt was in the same sleep deprived state this morning. Since pregnancy trumps late night golfing, Matt got up, stumbled to the door, and let in a burst of energy we call Harrison.

Harrison ran to the crib to inspect the latest gifts given to his soon-to-arrive little sister. One by one we pulled out onesies and burp cloths from a large gift bag until we had formed a small mountain on the bed. Thanks to my sister-in-law Holly and her daughter Evelyn, we counted enough clothes to last us the first six months of Libby's life! It was exciting to see the tiny outfits and dresses. Pinks and yellows and greens. Ruffles and terry cloth. Soft pajamas with ducks and giraffes and alligators. It made me feel one step closer to being prepared for this little girl.

Among the gifts for Libby, Holly had also included a book for me about the postpartum stage of childbirth. Entitled, After the Baby's Birth... A Woman's Way to Wellness: A Complete Guide for Postpartum Women, the book gave me another boost of confidence as to my level of preparation. Harrison and I flipped through the pages and looked at all the newborn babes, and when we came across a picture of a boy, Harrison pointed and said, "Adia."

The boy did bare a slight resemblance to Harrison's female cousin, but we decided to correct him. "No, Harrison, that's a boy."

"That's a boy?"

"Yes, see he has a penis."

"Boys have penis?"

"Yes."

"Does Isabel have a penis?"

"No, girls don't have penises."

"What do they have?" Harrison took in this new information, squinting his eyes as he pondered, and then asked sympathetically, "They just have a hole?" Harrison gestured to his bottom. I thought, okay, this is the beginning of a series of talks. Lets keep this one simple.

"Girls have a vagina."

"A ge-aye-na?" Then he laughed as if it was the silliest word he'd ever heard.

"Vagina. Yes. That's one thing that makes boys and girls different from one another."

"Oh." Harrison nodded, pensive at first, and then he asked his favorite question, "Why?"

"That's how God made us." There. A simple, yet very complex statement.

"Okay." Pause. "I'm hungry." Lesson over.

Now I'm blogging and waiting to eat grits with my two favorite guys, and wondering about future conversations. I pray that future conversations about men and women will allow Harrison to grow up as a Man who understands the gift of gender differences, the gift of marriage and sex, the gift of the women God will put in Harrison's life. I pray for Harrison's future relationships and companions, influences and mentors, and for his future wife. That they love and respect each other as equals and partners. That celebrate their differences. That they treat each other as gifts from God and never take one another for granted. That is my prayer and the grits are ready.

Three Years a Father (by MJC)

It was almost 3 years and 9 months ago when I received a call from my wife with an urgent message to return home from watching the football game. If the Eagles weren't losing by five touchdowns at the time, I might have been more hesitant. But I knew it must be something critical. I could hear it in her voice.

As I rushed into the apartment, Katy stood there, still. She stared at me until I stopped and looked into her eyes. "You are going to be a daddy," she said with a quivering voice. She wrapped her arms around me and it took me a moment to embrace her as well. Just the same, it took me some time to embrace the fact that I was to be a father at the young age of 25.

Now, at the age of 28, I have found that these three years have aged me considerably. I had been married only four months before we found out we were expecting, and sure enough our life changed dramatically and seems to have been in constant flux since. There have been times of frustration and times of amazing joy. And even those hilarious moments and those anxious moments seem to meld into the good times.

Oh- and now we are expecting again-- in only 5 weeks.

Harrison is a riot. I hope to remember all the crazy moments and one-liners Katy and I have laughed about for hours. There are so many ways he makes me proud with his love for sports-- especially baseball. The way he can list at least 4 different Phillies. The way he knows that his baseball glove goes on his left hand (but still asks to be sure). There is the way he loves to eat. The way he loves to sing and dance. The way he learned the words to "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" on the way home from the beach. The way he runs, with his head thrust forward and his arms pumping at two times the speed of his legs. The way he can pitch a hittable wiffle ball, and hit a well-thrown pitch. He makes me proud that I once counted that he got a three on a mini golf hole. He always skips 7 when he counts to 10. Whenever he sees the letter "H" he says, "look at my name!" The way, although he tests my patience with his lack of listening, he will always give me a hug and a kiss when I ask for one. The way he whispers "Hello Wibby" to Katy's belly. The way he laughs contagiously. The way he says "Gran-ma" and feels just as at home as I do at her house. The way, after a long day at work or a long business trip he will yell, "Daddy!" and come running to me and clings to my leg.

And so, after three years of all the ways I have fallen in love with this kid, there is yet another one coming to my world, and will win my heart for countless different reasons. I look forward to the day I see her and begin to list out those ways.

A Fish Named Puppy (by KAC)

"I have a story" he says. His big hazel eyes tell me to pay attention. This is important.

"Okay, Kiddo let's hear it."

"I'm not Kiddo. I'm Harrison Comber." I start to smile, but he's serious, so I restrain.

"Okay, Harrison Comber. Tell me your story."

"One day...one day...uh. One day I was a boy. I was a boy and I had a dog and went to the park. There were giants playing baseball against fireworks and the fireworks turned into cows and the cows turned into a cake."

"What kind of cake?"

"A cow cake!" Of course. Silly question.

We were sitting at the park watching a man walk his black lab. It was a beautiful day for a picnic and fun in the sun. Harrison had just discovered the sand volleyball court and was filling a Silo cup with sand in attempts to build a sandcastle sans water and wasn't having much luck when the man and his dog walked by. The dog was just old enough not to be a puppy-- still playful but trained to stay by his master's side. Harrison yearned for a dog. His eyes and his beautifully creative story made that very obvious.

In case the story's intent was lost on his poor mother, Harrison then said, "Mommy, I have a question."

"Okay."

"How bout we get a dog?" His question was more an exclamation and his eyes lit up with possibility.

Unfortunately, due to timing and finances, a dog was out of the question. I had to think fast.

"What if we get a fish, and we name the fish puppy?"

Harrison thought over his mother's proposal. His brows furrowed and his bottom lip shot out a bit as he concentrated. Finally, he laughed loudly and infectiously.

"Okay!"

We threw away the remains of our picnic, emptied the volleyball court sand out of our shoes and headed to the pet store. An hour later, after thorough study of each Beta fish, Harrison selected the pet we fondly know as "Puppy."

This is one of many family stories we hope to document and share with friends and family. I only wish I had started this blog sooner so that we could have documented the beginning of Harrison's life up to this point. Now our son is three years and two days old and is expecting to be a big brother in August. Hopefully I will be more diligent in chronicling Harrison and Libby's adventures in the future. :-)