~~~BABY, BABY SHOWER~~~

Today Harlan and Mommy went to Tia Ana's baby shower celebrating the upcoming arrival of Alex and Alana. Harlan is soooo excited to be getting new cousins. He had a great day hanging out with the girls at the shower, and was a charmer as always. Here are some of the great pictures from the day.

Harlan with his new cousins-to-be and Tia Ana. He is already talking to them and giving them advice about life on the outside.


Hanging out on the floor and entertaining with his army crawl


Harlan with Aunt Janet who rumor has it got lots of coveted Harlan kisses. She must be a super special aunt!


Conner and Harlan. The only 2 guys in a room full of women had to look out for each other


1,2,3.....and Harlan is the winner.


Mommy and Harlan


Harlan and Aunt Chris looking good.


Darcy and Conner. Two of the coolest 4 year olds around! They have tons of energy and make me feel tired just thinking of Harlan at that age. These 2 were super helpers and played with and held Harlan. They even helped me change a diaper!!


Harlan was fascinated with the balloons!


"Hey grandpa, I am gonna borrow your leg so i can stand up ok?"


Worn out bubby on the way home. (don't worry we were stopped to get gas when i snapped this picture)


Mommy I slept so good on the way home, that I am not gonna make it easy for you to get me to sleep tonight!

And the Winner is........

I finally picked a picture and entered on Regis and Kelly's website. I actually used one that I took today. Here it is....


I believe there will be a chance to vote in March, but I think he has to be chosen first. He is unbelieveably cute so that wont be an issue.

We have decided to retire the ducky tub. Mr Harlan was just getting too big for it and he was learning to crawl out of it. I had seen and heard good things about bath seats so we picked one up today and our first go around with it was pretty successful! He seemed to really like it.



Here he is after his bath modeling his p.j.s. I added this picture bc i think he looks like a little boy in it and not a baby. I know I say it alot but he is growing up fast

Puppy Bowl

So no picture updates this week as Daddy took the camera to take pictures of the snow and Mommy keeps forgetting to grab it out of Daddy's car. But I can give you details of what has been a splendid couple of days.

First of all we want to give love to Tia Ana who gave us a little scare with some contractions last week but is at home now baking those two little muchkins a little bit longer. Harlan had a little talk with his cousins-to-be and it looks like they have decided to behave in there a little longer.

Now on to the superbowl, we didnt watch it. It wasnt the colts, so we spent the time in other ways. Like watching the Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet. Oh how i wish i had a video oh Harlan watching this. Basically it is just a bunch of puppies playing together and with toys. Harlan went NUTS! He is definitely a dog kinda guy. BUt who could balme him, the pups were absolutely adorable.

Harlan is everywhere. He chases balls and toys all over the living room. You cannot take your eyes off of him at all. AT ALL! Yesterday he managed to get ahold of lotion, the kind with the pump, and get the top of it and smear it everywhere. How he got the top off and the pump out i couldnt tell you, but it was a mess. At least he was nice and moisturized!

It is snowing again, wondering how much we will get???

Hopefully more cute pictures later in the week/weekend!

P.S. I put paragraphs in when i type these up i swear. i dont knwo why is doesnt post like that. sorry if it makes it hard to read, but right now i dont have the time to look into fixing it.

watch me crawl!

Harlan is a snow bunny!

It snowed pretty good today with more snow and ice promised for tonight. We bundled Harlan up and let him check out the snow while Daddy did some shoveling. Harlan was less than impressed. It was cold and I think we were keeping him from a much needed nap. He did seem to enjoy watching Riley play in the snow, but then again, he likes watching Riley do everything!

In other news - we have been brushing Harlan's gums for a couple of weeks now. I really didn't think it would go as smoothly as it did. He opens right up for the little finger brush. I think it feels good and the infant toothpaste probably tastes pretty good too. Next time you see him ask him to see his pearly white umm.... i mean squeaky clean gums!
Harlan also tasted his first little bit of meat today. He had apples and chicken (gerber style). He really seemed to enjoy it. It was pretty watery and not a thick texture so it was perfect for him. We are still barely feeding him any table food at all. He does really like puffs and cheerios and is working hard to get them into his mouth all his own. He got one in today but it was stuck to the back of his hand and he put his hand in his mouth, not sure if that counts, but it worked.

Tonight after his bath, Justin and I were on our bed with him and he was all over the place. A bundle of little energy. It hit me, what the heck happened. It is like we literally woke up to the grown up little baby. When did he change from the little peanut that would sit on my lap and chill to this bundle of energy that isnt content sitting still at all. The only time I get to sit and hold my little man is when he is sleeping. What will it be like this summer??

now to pictures

Mommy and Harlan in the snow. I am sure Harlan is thinking, "Mommy, why are we out here, its cold and I'm sleepy."

Daddy with Harlan, taking a break from shoveling.

Riley LOVES this stuff!

Harlan is not amused. He gets that from Mommy. I wouldnt care if we lived in a snow/ice-free state.

After we came in from the snow. Look at those delicious pink cheeks! I think this could be in the running for beautiful baby contest. What so you think???

Finally getting that nap in the carseat while Mommy and Daddy have lunch. Notice the expression - Mommy attempted to feel Harlan's gums while he was sleeping and I guess it annoyed him without waking him up.

Beautiful Baby Contest

Option A

Option B

Option C

Option D

Option E

Option F

The rules are the picture has to be with in the last month and cannot be a professional picture. Let me know which one you like!

What is that on your head?

Oh it is Mommy's headband. It looks so cute on you little guy. I am sure this is a good embarrassing picture for later!

Harlan took his first bath in the big kid tub without yellow duckie. He didnt quite understand that flipping to his belly and crawling was NOT an option in the tub. Mommy and Daddy had to keep on their toes to keep Harlan from flipping belly over.


This is the closest he has ever come to using a paci!!!


Harlan is 8 months old today!!! Can you believe it? Since he turned 6 months, time has sure sped up. He even walked yesterday with Daddy holding on to his hands. It is amazing what he is capable of now. You cant let him outta your sight now without having him confined to something because he will not be where you left him if he has free range. He is a quick little booger too. I dont think Riley is thrilled with this new development but she sure loves to eat the cheerios he drops on the floor, like a built in vacuum. He was pretty fussy today with some poops and pukes. No fever, stuffiness, or any other sign of being sick. Maybe it finally means you know what...but I am not saying the words. He will get them when they come.

I do have to say that Harlan attracts alot of attention where ever he goes. I really have noticed it the last few weeks. Is it me or is he just the most beautiful baby ever.

P.S. I have been asked to enter Harlan in the Regis and Kelly beautiful baby contest. If I can figure out how to upload the picture that is. I am going to cast a few options and I want everyone to tell me their favorite and I will enter that one. Thanks!!!