Potty Trained!

Folks, it's official.  My boy is potty trained. 

We went on a family vacation to New Hampshire in the beginning of July.  The entire trip, Harrison was asking to use the potty.  I was fine with it at the hotel (I think that potty was clean), but at the public beach, I was not fine with it (I KNEW that potty as not clean).  We talked for a few days about how when we got home he was ready to be a big boy.  He literally told be he was ready.  I told him that if he learned to use the bathroom like a big boy, I would get him a fish....I mean, what is one more living thing around here :)

So, we got home and settled on a Sunday and Monday we hit the ground running.  Day one was tough.  Enough accidents that I questioned if this was a good idea.  But by Wednesday, Harrison was dry all day!  It was amazing how quickly he caught on.  By Friday, I was so proud of my boy that we packed up and made a trip to Feeders Supply.

Harrison got to pick out his fish all by himself.  He picked a blue Beta fish and named him "Orange".  And yes, my son does know his colors.  Here is his reasoning....Elmo has a fish named Dorthy and Dorthy is orange.  Therefore, he wanted to name his fish "Orange".  I could never tell you how much I love this kid and all of his crazy genius little thoughts.

I think we are both pretty proud!

One Year Comparison

Here it is, the big "one year comparison".

Here is Harrison (literally) demolishing his first cupcake!

Harper was a bit more ladylike....

Happy Birthday Harper

I mean, it's only been three months, but what the heck.

My sweet girl turned a year old in May.  It was not the picture perfect party I had planned because I got sick.  Really sick.  So sick that I canceled her first birthday party.  To say I was bummed is the year's biggest understatement. I mean, I had been collecting and making pinwheels for three months!  I know Harper will never know the difference, and if I am honest, the only one I felt I was letting down was Pinterest.

Harper is just as awesome as she is beautiful.  She is spunky, snuggly, sassy, smart, social, silly, and sweet.  She is tough to keep up with, so adorable that discipline is difficult, a hugger, mommy's shadow, a daddy's girl, she mimics her big brother and loves on her baby dolls.  She has a smile that will melt you, a precious rat tail (this deserves a post all in its self), the most adorable button nose, and the most awesome eyes that will serve as one of her most valuable accessories. 

At this point she was still one of the easiest going babies anyone had ever seen.  A constantly happy, easy going, love on everyone kind of girl.  I mean, she is perfect.  My little Harper Love. 

I love you so much, my sweet girl.

A picture is worth.....

A thousand words does not even begin to cut it.  Kendra (our precious babysitter) took some amazing pictures of our family yesterday at a local park.  She is an incredible young lady that is just as gorgeous on the inside as she is on the outside.  She loves Jesus, her family, photography, and my babies.  I mean, what else could I ask for in a babysitter?!?  Kendra may still be in high school, but she has a natural tallent when it comes to photography.  She captured some pretty awesome moments with my sweet bambinos.  Take a look!

Cup o' Joe?

Don't worry.  His recipe for coffee is a bit different than mine.  His is approximately 50% water, 40% milk and 10% coffee.  He really does love the taste of coffee though.  But with his special morning blend, he can feel like he is sharing a moment with Mommy, with out me hyping him up on caffeine!

What's up with Harrison?

Why, I am so glad you asked!  I tell you what, this kid gets even more awesome with every passing day.  He is at such an incredible age.  He is talking/questioning up a storm.  His imagination is uncontainable.  His sense of humor is never dull.  And he amazes me with his memory.  This kid forgets NOTHING!  Everyday he uses a  new word or phrase that either leaves me with my jaw dropped or doubled over laughing.  I can not even tell you how much I am loving this age!

Here are some of his loves right now:

• Baseball.  Man oh man, does this kid love baseball.  He loves to watch it on TV (wearing a hat and glove, holding a ball and bat of course).  He loves playing it (he is always the batter, mommy is always the pitcher, daddy is always the catcher).  He loves running the bases at the fields in the park.  And he just plain loves to talk about it.  It makes me smile....Daddy too, but I think he is still secretly hoping Harrison's first love will be soccer :)
• Bambi.  He LOVES Bambi....Well, Bambi the movie.  Thumper is his favorite character.  He has given up his afternoon naps, but he loves quiet time in his room and sometimes gets to watch Bambi in his "fort".  Random Bambi story:  One night we were driving home from my parent's home and Harper fell asleep in her car seat.  When we pulled into our driveway, Harrison yelled "Wake up Flower, Wake up!!".  I looked at Matt and said "How precious is it that he calls her flower!".  About 10 minutes later, it hit me that that is a line from Thumper in Bambi.  It still made me smile.
• Getting the mail.  He loves to listen for the mail lady every day and walk to the mailbox to get the mail all by himself. 
• His sister.  Yes, he is rough with her.  And yes, he does not appreciate his train tracks being destroyed.  But he loves his sister.  He loves to "read" her books.  He loves to hand her her baby dolls (he will even poor them tea from Harper's tea set).  He loves to be the one to greet her when she wakes up from her nap (in fact, he makes me stand in the hallway).  He knows how to make her laugh the hardest.  If you ask him what his job is, he will respond: To protect Harper. (I've been working with him on that for a while, but I think he believes it now :)
• Toast.  He. Loves. Toast.
• His Daddy.  Yes, it is pathetic...he cries every morning as Daddy leaves for work.  He asks all day long to "Go see Daddy at his house" (I tell him everyday, it is not his house, it is his work).
• Outside.  He lives outside.  I swear, he would sleep outside if we let him.  He will spend hours exploring our back yard, jumping through the sprinkler, conquering his swing set, and tending to my flowers.

Do you see the heart they shaped?!?  Love it!

A little Pop Lovin.....Instagram Style

Do you believe me when I tell you "Pop" was her first word?

Happy Birthday Nonni!

Yesterday was Nonni's birthday (and her 40th wedding anniversary!!).  This day was cause for some serious celebration so we opened our home, turned on some sprinklers and I whipped up a coconut cream pie (her favorite!).  And boy did we have fun celebrating our Nonni.  My mother in law is one special lady.  She has loved me like a daughter from day one.  I am so thankful for her big heart, selflessness and love for my babies.  It melts my heart to watch how much she absolutely adores not just my two, but all six of her grandbabes.

 

For her birthday, Matt and I filled a jar with 58 reasons why we love her.  Yes, I know it is sappy, but we had fun doing it and I think she is enjoying it.  She decided to read one a day :)

 Here is a picture of Sherri (aka Nonni) and Billie (aka Gimpaw) with all six of their grandchildren.  Since Matt's sister lives in Florida, the most recent picture we have is from Christmas.  Look at how much they have already changed!

So you think you can dance....

I got the mooooooooves like Jagger Harper :)  This kid is a dancing machine!

We're Back!

Holy Moly.  It has been so long....THREE months to be exact.  We have been so busy living life, that I have not taken the time to document it.  It has been nice spending the extra time playing baseball in the back yard, or going on walks, or chilling with my husband on our patio, or sleeping.  But I would be lying if I said I didn't miss blogging.  So much is happening in the life of my little ones.  They are changing so quickly.  I want to press the pause button on my life.  I know I can't, but man....it is so fun right now.  Yes, I am exhausted (all of the time), but I am having so much fun with these precious little people!  Here is a little peek at my sweet ones enjoying summer time.

Cute doesn't even come close

 

The future Brad Pitt??  Oh my, I sure do have a cutie on my hands!  Don't you think?

Girl Scout Cookies?

Yes Please! 

Were you this excited about your first Thin Mint?