By the way...

Olivia and I have been married for 27 months! It is our 27th monthaversary. I have a habit of celebrating every month how long we have been married, usually by taking her out to dinner. Today's celebration might just be going to Church.

Wally is growing, he is an eating machine! Consequently, he has made some awesome poops. I will be posting pictures soon that show some of our most recent baby purchases, including a baby wrap carrier, one size fits all and it has sequins!

Well, off to get ready for Church!

Settling in...

We are starting to get in a routine with Harrison. He is eating more and Olivia is doing quite well. Right now both are asleep. I am not tired (crud, it is only 9pm). I thought I would give a quick update on things.

Today we took Harrison to his first doctor's appointment. He passed with flying colors. He turned bright red when the nurse took off his diaper to weigh him. He weighed 7 lbs. 12 oz. He left the hospital at 7 lbs 6 oz. so we are gaining. You should have seen him yell, though. The color of his skin was red enough that I would have thought we dressed him in a WSU outfit, seriously, he was mad.

Last night we (Harrison and I) stayed in the new glider-rocker (thanks Grandma Holly and Grandpa Brent) until midnight. This is one nice chair, pictures will be forthcoming. Anyhow, we rocked for about two hours while Olivia took a much needed nap. Then we all laid down for sleep and Harrison woke up. Apparently he woke up every hour until 5am. I slept through all of those except the 5am call. Olivia handled it like a trooper, the only time she needed my help was with the 5am problem. Harrison slept better today and we even watched a movie tonight: Benny & Joon. That is a classic, Depp did a great job in that film.

Things are going good and we are slowly getting adapted and learning lots each day. This may sound corny, but this is one of the neatest things I have done. I hope all is well for all of you who are far from us, we miss all our friends that just left Moscow, as well as all our friends whom we have not seen for a long time, that goes ditto for all our family.

This weekend is Yard Day at Grandma Marj's. I wish I could be there, it really is one of my favorite traditions. There is nothing like getting together as a family and working. It is quite enjoyable.

Hiccups?

So it was 4 in the morning and Olivia was feeding Wally, however, he just wouldn't latch on. So I took him and started tapping the air out of him. He promptly began hiccuping. This is probably the cutest set of hiccups I have ever heard. Sorry I didn't get audio, but next time, maybe.

We will be checking out of the hospital today and going home. Sorry about not being very contactable, we have been trying to feed/rest the last 24 hrs. and it has been a trip. I promise we will catch up with all our voice mails.

Olivia is sore and stiff, but otherwise pretty good. Wally is getting this eating thing figured out. Risa has been a huge help. Nothing like experience to help see when a baby is full of air/won't eat, what a good grandma!

Thanks for all the support, verbal and otherwise. Thanks for your continued prayers. We hope Wally's cousin, Austin, gets feeling better. We love all ya'll!

Pictures!!!

The News

Harrison Walbridge Larsen was born at 10:25 am, P.S.T., after 2.5 hours of serious and intense labor. Olivia was such a tough girl! She missed a really good opportunity to beat me like a red-headed stepchild, she never did, nor did she cuss at me, even when I said "Well, this ain't as bad as I thought it would be."

He is 20 inches tall, and 8 lbs. When the nurse handed him to me I told her that he was probably 8 pounds, since he felt about the same as my 1895 Marlin 45-70. I was spot on.

Risa was here for the whole festivities. She was extremely helpful when Olivia was trying to feed for the first time. I was way out of my league. I mean, getting a calf to take a bottle is nothing to trying to get a little feller to start feeding.

His picture will be coming soon to the Gritman Stork Report.

All is well and we will have more news, and pictures, soon.

Morning Update:

No baby yet. However, things are still progressing. Will keep posting as things change...

Update:

We are in the hospital. Olivia just got done with the epidural. I was helping her and all was well, then I woke up. I dozed off for a few seconds, notice, that was not fainted, I fell asleep. Olivia didn't notice and when I woke up things were done. She is resting and we are gonna see some action soon. She is at a 6 and the nurse, Sally, just put down the rubber sheets. We are gonna have a baby boy here before morning. He must be his daddy's boy, since I like to work at night... More to come soon.

Here's to Mom:

Happy Mother's Day to all Mom's.

Olivia is ready to be a mom, but Wally is not ready to be out yet. Olivia's feet and legs are swollen and she cannot get comfortable at all. Poor girl. We got pre-registered at the Hospital and took a tour of the facility. Quite the deal. I hope we get to return to the hospital soon, for Olivia's sake. Of course, the nurse giving our tour said that the baby knows when it is time and there is usually good reason why they do not come until they are ready.

I know Olivia will be a great mother. She has good examples: Risa (Olivia's Mom), Lois (Olivia's Maternal Grandma), Holly (my Mom), Jean (my maternal Grandma), Marj (my paternal Grandma), Devonie, Michelle, Lindsay, Pat, and all our other friends and relations.

Be thankful for your mom today.

The Importance of Listening and Remembering

Often what I write on this blog is just me blowing off steam and making light of things. Today is not one of those days. Today is a bit more serious. Today is about listening and remembering.

Remember is probably one of the most important words in the English language and most definitely one of the most important in the Book of Mormon. Remembering is so vital to staying true to the faith and honest. One who remembers can reflect on things learned prior to the moment of need. If you remember where you came from and Whose you are, it is easier to live righteously.

Listening is important. Listening is more than just hearing. It is paying attention to what is being communicated. Communication can come from others or from the Holy Ghost. It is important to hear those words and then act on what is being said.

Today I had the opportunity to talk to Grandpa D. I miss him dearly. I grew up with Grandpa. Mom and Dad would drop me off and I would tag along with Grandpa all day. We had frequent trips to Milner, to town and good fishing trips. One of my favorite memories is when we rode the Oregon Trail together, Grandpa driving Freckles and Rainbow and me riding Tiny. What a time. I remember helping him around the house and in his shop. I love that shop and the smells of it.

Our conversation today was different, and I wish I would have said less and listened more. Usually we joke together and laugh a lot. Today, he seemed serious. Today, Grandpa was sharper in his speech than I have heard him in a long time. He asked me if there was anything I wanted to know from an older brain. He told me how much he loves me and that many people love me. He said that I need to stop trying and just do good. He also told me that he expects big things from me. He asked about Olivia and told me to tell her how much she is loved. He also told me that I would need to tell the baby how much he is loved by all of his family. He said he has finally got his head on straight, I told him it was about time, he said it was about time for me to do the same.

I wish I could have talked to him longer. I wish I could be there. I miss my grandpa. I have said this before, but I know that it is true: All that I am I owe to my family. Grandpa has been a huge part of my life. He and I have spent countless hours talking about life and how things are. He taught me how to serve the family and what it means to have good relationships with all the family. He used to tell me when I would depart from his home: "McCord, be a good boy!" I hope I can remember and listen to that advice.