Harrison is Growing

Harrison is still small for his age compared to his peers, but to dear old mom he looks so big. He got as small as 5 lbs 8 oz and now I estimate him at 8.5 - 9 pounds and his head is noticeably larger (daddy has quite the noggin).


This is the most recent picture, taken 3 days ago

Other than size, he has also made some other strides in development. He can definitely see people standing nearby and has come to identify mom in the room (yeah!). At Sunday dinner at grandma Dreslaine's house last week, Harrison was really fussy for her and Zaidy (grandpa Steve) so I picked him up our of their arms thinking he might need to be changed and he immediately stopped crying and started staring at me and even smiled a little. Michael and I have also been able to solicit voluntary smiles from him (definitely not gas related) and his neck control is much improved.

With Aunt Alexis


Hanging out with dad

We set up his play mat (which we refer to as his gym... one of us should be working out!) and he can be happy in there for about 30 minutes, kicking his legs and grasping the rattles we put in his hands.

Last but certainly not least, he has become an official University of Washington Husky fan. He and dad watched the March Madness basketball games together and mom made his onesie using some sharpies. Unfortunately the huskies lost in the second round of play so they will have to wait until football season to start cheering again.

We're Sending the Vet to Hawaii Again This Year...

Winston is three years old and in his short time on this earth he has been under anesthesia five times:

1. Removal of "Cherry Eye" - (eye gland problem) right eye; also neutered
2. Removal of "Cherry Eye" - left eye
3. Removal of 16 rocks from stomach (see picture below; yes, he ate all those rocks)
4. Attacked by Golden Retriever - Repair torn eye lid
5. it's coming... wait for it...

Additional emergency trips to the vet:

• Sick - dehydrated and vomiting


• Hit by a mini van (he dented it but came away miraculously unscathed)

Winston had been about 12 months "Accident Free" and was over due for some major incident. Well a few days after Harrison was born, Michael took Winston to the park for a good run. Unfortunately the park is muddy in February and Winston's leg must have gotten stuck in the mud because he came home limping. Dr. Bowerman diagnosed an ACL injury. If we did not operate on it, Winston would face a future filled with arthritic pain and we couldn't let that happen. We believe a dog should be able to run around and enjoy life, not stay locked up in the house so we quickly made the decision to operate. While we were at it, Dr. Bowerman also corrected his eye lid which had begun curling inward, causing his eye to water and squint.

Poor Winston looked like he had been mauled by a bear when he got home but 10 days later we had the sutures and collar removed and he looked (and felt) much better.

I was ready to post this write up Thursday night but didn't get around to it and perhaps this is why: Friday night we were watching TV and Michael noticed that Winston's operated leg looked swollen. When he examined it, there seems to be a large pocket of fluid jiggling under the skin. I took him into the Emergency Vet and 3 hours later (they were busy and he was least critical) he came home with some antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medicine. Winston is ok but I have to take him back to Dr. Bowerman on Monday for re-examination.

Thank goodness for Pet Insurance. Without it, Winston would literally be a Money Pit.


There are 13 rocks in this picture... can you find them?

Mapel Grandparents Visit

Last week Dale and Barbi spent 7 days with us to welcome their newest grandchild to the flock; Harrison is Dale's first grandchild and Barbi's sixth. Since "Oma" (German for grandmother) has never visited Seattle before, we spent several hours every day taking in the sights allowing us to get out of the house (Harrison and mommy will stay at home 3 days in a row without a second thought if someone doesn't prompt us to get out!). We were so happy to have them visit us and take time out to meet The Little Dude - come again soon! Here is a quick review of our time together:

Snoqualmie Falls (in the mist of a sudden snow down pour!)

Oma, Grandpa Dale and Raina on Queen Anne Hill

Self Portrait (Queen Anne Hill)

You can't visit Seattle without hitting Pike Place Market

Museum of Flight

If this plane wasn't inside the museum, dad probably would have tried to hijack it!

During WWII, women were recruited to fly service planes - these are pictures of Paper Dolls that were distributed to glamorize them. While they did the country a great service , the liberal woman in me wants to puke... I guess I shouldn't be surprised that the govt would distribute this during war time and then send the ladies back to the kitchen post war. Ok, ok, I'm off my soap box.

Dinner at The Metropolitan Grill. Dad and Barbi celebrated their 4 year anniversary this week so they broke their diet splurging on steak as well as chocolate & carrot cakes!

The Troll under the Fremont Bridge. That is an actual VW Bug in the troll's hand!

Gas Works Park on Lake Union, just north of downtown

On top of the Hill at Gas Works Park

Random Harrison Pics

Let's face it... I know you don't really care what I write... you're all just suckers for the pictures! Here are a few random ones...

5 days old with big brother Winston

First trip to The Metropolitan Grill 3/10/09

3/10/09

March '09