HOLY CRAP ITS BEEN FOREVER!

I have no idea where we have been all these months. I think I haven't posted in forever b/c our computer is full and I haven't been able to upload any new pictures. Pictures usually lead to a post.  All I can say is that summer was fun, fall was fantastic, and here comes winter! It's been fun watching Harper learn and grow.

 Milestones:

Can you believe it?! HE'S ONE!!!! We had a fun 'Stache Bash with our families for his first birthday.  I'll have to post pictures sometime when I can actually load them. We had mustache cake, mustache cookies, pin the mustache on Harper, as well as fake mustaches to wear.

  He is on the verge of walking and talking.  Seriously, you can see he really just wants to take off and especially when there are other kids around.  He wants to play with them so badly!  I am mostly writing all this for myself to remember what milestones he hit at one so skip ahead if you'd like.  :)  He currently can say Mom, Mum (mostly), or Mumum, Dad, or Dada or Dadad, Tito, or more like Dida, Dah (dog) Bah (ball), and make car engine sounds when he plays with his cars. Oh yeah and he mimics the sounds of peek-a-boo with a high pitched squeak then a sound that is similar to boo. Sounds something like "ah ooo".
He can point to Mom's eyes and as of this morning Mom's nose. He loves to take his fingers to your lips (sometimes his own lips) and strum them while you hum to make some awesome noises.  He can clap, play So Big, and patty cake. He loves music and has discovered jumping, thanks to Taylor and Vanessa's Jumping Johnny.  He had to try it out after he saw Sawyer jumping like crazy in it.  He loves pretty much all food, not too picky. He loves to be included, if you are walking somewhere and say "come on Harper" he crawls super fast to catch up. He can nod yes or no, most the time it flows with the conversation which is funny b/c we can't tell if he understands nodding completely.  But, he does it so often we kind of think he gets it, which makes me wonder... how much does he really understand? He is so funny and we love him!

Just like Dad

Harper loves his Dad.  Sometimes, after Johnny gets home, when Harper is kind of in a whiney mood he'll follow Johnny with his eyes as he walks in and out of the kitchen as he's trying to get some dinner.  I'll be holding him while he's whining and watching Dad and you can tell by the look on his face he is thinking "Pick me up Dad! I've been stuck with Mom ALL day."  Too cute. 

Also, when Johnny has a day off and gets to sleep in a little bit, Harper can tell there is someone on the other side of the bed.  (Harper usually gets breakfast in bed, that lucky boy)  He just stares at the lump under the covers until Johnny rolls over to face him and our baby gets the biggest smile when he finally gets to see his Dad's face.   Happy Father's Day Johnny!  Here's to your days off! ;)

He is now 7 months and just getting over the chicken pox.  We have no idea where he got them but he took them on like a champ.  Only had one rough evening because I think they kept him from sleeping all day.  I guess we'll see if he still gets the vaccine in 5 more months.

A-Z

Age: 25
Bed Size: Queen, but I wish it was king.
Chore I hate: I absolutely hate washing my pots and pans.... funny b/c I cook a lot.
Dogs: Tito! Our quirky little Italian Greyhound
Essential start of my day:  Harper whining or crying or playing and I pull him into bed with me and feed him some breakfast haha.
Favorite Color: Green, usually, sometimes red.
Gold or silver: Silver
Height: 5'10''
Instruments I play (or have played): Piano for 8 years, and a short stint with a guitar that is now stored away.
Kids: Our chubby wubby baby boy Harper
Live: Layton, UT 
Mom's Name: De Ann
Nickname: Mern, May ran.... I think that's it.
Overnight hospital stays: Just with the birth of my boy
Pet Peeve: I have a lot... seriously.  Don't get me started, don't even get me started.
Quote from a movie:  " A bundt."
"A bunk."
"No, bundT."
"Buuuunk."
" A cake."
 "Ohhhh it's a kek! There's a hole in this kek."
Right or left handed: Right
Siblings: 4 older brothers
Time I wake up: anywhere between 6 and 7 am.  But, I don't officially really get up until about 8 or 9.
Underwear: Yes.
Vegetables I dislike: Mushrooms, but is that really a vegetable?
What makes me run late: Trying to make sure I have everything, like twice over.  Lately I can never find anything to wear.  
X-rays I've had done:  Ankles,thumb, knees, jaw
Yummy food I make: I'd like to think it's yummy, but I often make some not so yummy stuff, just ask Johnny.  What I do like I usually post here.
Zoo animal: Not sure, I haven't been to the Zoo since I was probably 12.  It is time for me to go again.  Lets just say any animal that makes me laugh.  Monkeys are good at that.

Typical 2

Since I last posted, just a couple days ago, I've been thinking a lot about me becoming that stereotype of a Mom.  I didn't really like it.  But, after more consideration I decided it's just because that is what consumes my life.  I wake up at 6 or 7 every day and if you ask anyone who knows me, that is not something I would EVER do before I had a child.  I spend my days wiping, changing, holding, rocking, tickling, FEEDING, and singing the few children's songs that I know.  And, some days I am a little frustrated (not gonna lie).  Mostly with the communication barrier we have between us.  Harper doesn't really cry too often but when he does I wish he could just tell me what the problem is, it would be much easier to fix.  He has been teething lately so the whining has increased some and he doesn't sleep as sound as usual.  I hope it ends soon because I am more accustomed to my happy baby.  

I've always heard of those Moms who talk to their husband in a baby voice when they get home from work.  Well, I haven't gone as far as that yet but I feel it's very close.  Johnny has been working NON-STOP the past month or so and so the few hours that he is home it is nice to have a real adult conversation (well, if he isn't too absorbed into his phone haha).  I am so happy he enjoys his work.  I don't think he's ever come home upset or unhappy.  

So, back to what I was saying.  I have changed.  There are things I wouldn't have ever done before that I am doing now.  My life has re-arranged and I am happy that it has.  My family is small but it has all of my attention.  Conversation may be a little boring with me, sorry, just a new phase of life that has frankly opened my eyes to a bigger world.  Kind of ironic.  I don't think until you are blessed with a child do you really fully understand why parents are the way they are, or why "typical" isn't so bad - at least, I didn't.

Typical

Sorry, I have become the typical Mom Blogger.... all I do is talk about my kid.  But, with a face like this, how could I not?  He's 6 months now, yes, half of a year has gone by.  Wow.  I need to baby proof our house pretty soon, he's almost to the crawling stage.  I love being a Mom.  Here are a few things we've done lately.  

Played with Dad.

Practiced sitting by ourselves.

Looked for Dad after his run at the Ogden Half Marathon.

Got a new play center that sometimes wears us out.

Tried some new real food.  I think this time was carrots.

Fed some ducks and hung out with our friend, Olivia, at the park.

Learned to swing!

And found out that we LOVE it!

OH AND Harper's first tooth decided to pop up a few days ago so he is a new member of the teeth club.    :)  He would love to gnaw on your knuckle for you.  

I love my growing boy.  He'll be 5 mo this next Sunday :)

Love his flap of baby chub that folds over his knee cap.

This is one of my absolute favorite emails that I got... back when email was facebook.  I was thinking of it the other day and had to go find it.  I got another good laugh from it so I thought I would post it so I could always find it.  And so if you are ever eating breakfast with me, you know why I am talking weird :)  I'm not sure where it came from.  Enjoy

Ten Jew Berry Mud

The following telephone exchange between room-service and a guest at a hotel in Asia was recorded and published in the Far East Economic Review.

---

Hotel:	Morny, ruin sorbees.
Guest:	Sorry, I thought I dialed room-service.
Hotel:	Rye! Ruin sorbees ... morny! Jewish to odor sunteen??
Guest:	Uh ... yes ... I'd like some bacon and eggs.
Hotel:	Ow July den?
Guest:	What??
Hotel:	Ow July den ... pry, boy, pooch?
Guest:	Oh, the eggs! How do I like them? Sorry, scrambled please.
Hotel:	Ow July dee baychem ... crease?
Guest:	Crisp will be fine.
Hotel:	Hokay. An San tos?
Guest:	What?
Hotel:	San tos. July San tos?
Guest:	I don't think so.
Hotel:	No? Judo one toes?
Guest:	I feel really bad about this, but I don't know what 'judo onetoes' means.
Hotel:	Toes! Toes! ... Why djew Don Juan toes? Ow bow singlishmopping we bother?
Guest:	English muffin!! I've got it! You were saying 'Toast.' Fine.Yes, an English muffin will be fine.
Hotel:	We bother?
Guest:	No, just put the bother on the side.
Hotel:	Wad?
Guest:	I mean butter ... just put it on the side.
Hotel:	Copy?
Guest:	Sorry?
Hotel:	Copy ... tea ... mill?
Guest:	Yes. Coffee please, and that's all.
Hotel:	One Minnie. Ass strangle ache, creasebaychem, tossy singlish mopping we bother honey sigh, and copy... rye?
Guest:	Whatever you say.
Hotel:	Ten jew berry mud.
Guest:	You're welcome.

Guess Who's 3 Months!?

He looks so grown up in these first two pictures

Getting better at sitting up

His little white 3 mo. onesies are starting to look like muscle shirts :)

 Blue Steel

It was so warm we had to get out. Tito misses the warmer weather when we get out and do stuff with him.  

Clear skies

Keeping warm in his stroller.  I think he liked getting out too, all smiles most of the time.

"Hi Mom"

Tito perched on top of the couch trying to stay warm in the sun. Looks out the window like this all day if the sun is out.

For My Love

I wish I was creative enough to come up with something like this!

http://flannelanimal.tumblr.com/tagged/Arrested_Development_paper_dolls

I think I should print all these out for Johnny's Valentine's Day present. He can hardly wait for the movie to come out, he can play with these until then.

Remember When

This was a long time ago, but has been on my mind quite a bit the last few weeks. I can't help but smile every time I think of it.

Once upon a time, there was a husband and wife who were serving in primary at their church. They were teachers of one of the youngest classes, called the Sunbeams. They had to both teach because there were so many kids! Each Sunday anywhere from 6-10 kids, ages 3-4 (I think), would show up for class. Half of the time was spent with older children in Sharing Time, they would sing and learn many lessons about being Christ-like.

One Sunday, a different teacher was giving a lesson during Sharing Time while the husband and wife were keeping an eye on the Sunbeams to make sure they paid attention, kept their fingers out of their noses, and hands to themselves. During the lesson the teacher began to cry because she was feeling the spirit of the Lord. She wanted to make sure the kids knew why she was crying so she asked them, "Do you know why I'm crying?"

There was a little bit of a pause and the wife heard one of her Sunbeams begin to answer the question, "Uhh," he said quietly in his high voice. But, she quickly shushed him as she put her hand on his hands to make sure he knew she was shushing him. She knew what was going to come out of his mouth after the "Uhh". Many times she was teaching and would ask this child a question and in efforts to get a good laugh out of his little peers, and because he wasn't exactly sure of the answer, he would reply with the same answer without fail, "Uhhh, poop in da bed?". And, it always started with "Uhh" in his high, little boy voice.

As the wife shushed him he looked up at her and gave a naughty little smirk. He stopped right at "Uhh", awkward moment was averted. No, she wasn't crying because there was poop in the bed, or because she pooped the bed and she wouldn't come to church and share the experience with you if she did. Oh, gosh that kid...

We now often answer each others questions with an occasional, high pitched, "Uhhh, poop in da bed?"

Now that that is out of the way.... We blessed Harper yesterday :)

I couldn't help but feel so grateful for my husband and little boy. I am so lucky to have such a strong, healthy growing baby. If Harper only knew how much we love him and how happy we are to have him, I'm sure he will figure it out someday :). We had a fun time with our family and friends that were able to come. Here are a couple pictures from the day, thanks to my Dad (I didn't take any pictures, stupid me.)

Harper, STARVING, with my Grandpa Eves.

I was hiding a cookie behind my back... haha

THANK HEAVENS!

It cannot warm up fast enough!!!!!

Just more pictures

We can't forget Tito. :)

I love this look, kind of a mischievous little smirk.

He has the biggest thighs.... so cute.

Talking to his Dad

Our Chunky Monkey

You can't really tell from these pictures but he is growing! I should take and post some more current pictures but it's all I have at the moment (when I am actually willing to write a post). He is now 2 months (10 wks to be exact) and I can't believe it. At his 2 month check up he measured in the 90th percentile for weight and 75th for height. When he got his shots I couldn't help but smile because he has this squeal that is so cute and so pathetic it just makes him so much more adorable! He cried like that more in the first few weeks but only does it now when he is really upset, aka shots. He is cooing and smiling so much lately, Johnny and I love to have conversations with him.

Poor Tito is still jealous but I would say adjusting well. Every time we get home he says a very quick hello to us and immediately tries to stick his nose in Harper's car seat to say hello to him.

So I did't really post a year in review post so here it goes.

In 2010:

I quit my job.

Johnny quit his second job.

We started planning for a 3rd.

We both ran the SLC half marathon.

We went on a huge hike down in Zions called the Subway.

Johnny ran the Logan half marathon.

We went camping a few times.

Johnny ran the Ogden Hurt in the Dirt race while his friend biked the other half.

Johnny ran the Pocatello full marathon.

Johnny moved from the night shift to the the evenings :).

We moved.

I had a baby.

He was cute.