I can do it!

Harrison and I have been hermits this week. I haven't left the house since Sunday (wow-thats scary!) Its just great stay home and cuddle weather I guess! Harrison is babbling to us like crazy! He will be a talker for sure. I have always talked to him all day long since he was a baby, so maybe that actually helped! He was cruising along the outside of the bathtub last night and trying to turn on the faucet (new favorite thing) and Adam went to direct him toward the cold water instead of the hot and he said clear as a bell (with a frustrated tone in his voice) "I can do it!". Ok we realize that it would be completely insane that he actually said this but we both heard it and it made sense with what he was doing! He also says "I do" when I ask him questions like "Do you love daddy" and "Do you want your sippy cup". He usually only says this after those questions so I am pretty convinced he knows what he is saying. He said bubble yesterday when we were blowing bubbles too. I need to start buying bubble soap by the gallon! We put the exersaucer out on the back patio last night and enjoyed the cool weather and our beautiful new view! And a beer. It was heavenly. I am going to attach a video. Haven't done this yet so hopefully it works. Adam taught Harrison how to put his arms up in the air when we ask him how big he is. And then we ask him how old he is and he puts out his finger for 1. He is such an easy study! Anyone who knows me and Adam knows that we will be teaching him all KINDS of entertaining things to do!!!

Christmas in Hawaii

We got the news yesterday that we will be spending the week after Christmas in Hawaii! We will be going with Harrison's great-grandmother, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. I am a little apprehensive about taking such a big trip with a toddler, but at least we have lots of time to prepare. I think if we leave a day early and stay the night in LA, it will break up the flight and it won't be so bad. We will start in Honolulu and take a 7 day cruise with stops in Hilo, Maui, Kona, and Kauai. We are very excited and can't wait to play with Harrison in the sand!

Harrison woke up around 5:30 this morning and we let him sleep with us for the rest of the morning. He is such a cuddly baby. He loves to hug and snuggle. When Adam kisses him, he pushes Adam's face into mine so that he will kiss me too. He seems to like to see mommy and daddy kiss.

He can say mama, dada, pop, kitty, and uh-oh (the cutest thing ever). He is trying to say other words but we can't quite understand them yet. He does the signs for more, eat, and milk. And we are starting to teach more signs now. He likes his brush and comb and will brush his hair and then brush ours. Always sharing!

It takes a village

They say it takes a village to raise a child and Harrison is so lucky to be surrounded by family. I think we have at least 3 dozen family members here in Austin between all the Pughs and Bowns. This weekend we spent time with many of them. On Saturday, Harrison's "Poppers" came over to play and then that night we went to his great-grandmother Meme's house and saw Cousins Scott, Sheila, McKenna and McKayla (I hope I spelled their names right!), Meemers and Poppers, Aunt Hayley (preggers with new cousin Blaine!), Uncle Logan, Great Uncle Reggie and Great Aunt Jenny from Louisiana. Hayley's baby shower was the next day and we also got to see more family - Great Aunt Lynn, 2nd cousin Cooper and Alexandria, Melinda, great grandmother Bama, Great Aunt Terry, Great Aunt Kathy, second cousins Jennifer and Carrie and Casey. Harrison loves being around people so he was in his element and didn't mind being passed around at all! Hayley had a great shower and it looks like Blaine has everything he needs. Only 8 more weeks until Harrison gets to meet his one and only first cousin!

Other than that, Harrison's crib unfortunately was broken by the delivery people so we have to wait another week or so to get the new one. He also has learned how to press the Play button on the radio so he can hear Archuleta whenever he wants.

Love doesn't hurt

We were so happy to get a quick visit from Gyna, Max, and Mia! Gyna and I have been good friends ever since we were outcasts together in an Honors Chemistry class in high school. We passed notes while everyone else learned, but we figured out if we just had lab partners that paid attention, we would probably make good grades. And we were right! Needless to say we were not eachother's partners. Who knew back then that 15 years later we would have babies only 6 weeks apart!

From the moment they got here, Harrison ooohed and ahhhed over Mia. His "happy dance" was in full effect. Unfortunately he also smacked her around a little bit but she later returned the favor. Love doesn't hurt girls! He showed off quite a bit - crawling as fast as he could and whizzing around in his walker, looking backwards to make sure we were watching. He crawled all the way to the top of the stairs and Mia received him with a big round of applause. I said she would make a good cheerleader one day but Gyna insists that she will instead make a good soccer player. He gave her a big hug goodbye. It was adorable. I am hoping they will be friends for many years to come.

Harrison's new crib, mattress, and dresser came today. Maybe tonight we will sleep through the night!!!

Its never too late...

The past few days have been difficult. My baby turned 11 months and that means he will soon be 1, which means he won't be a baby anymore. He's almost walking, he is saying words, its freaking me out!! It goes by too fast. I don't ever want to forget the happy little details of our days together.

In particular, I don't ever want to forget Harrison's David Archuleta obsession. Obsession is not an exaggeration. Sometimes we have to listen to the entire CD 3 times in one day. He cries in between songs. I knew the Archuleta would be on American Idol last night so I had to sit him down in front of the TV for the performance. He was completely fascinated. Giant smile on his face, mouth hanging open in awe, eyes twinkling. It was pure joy watching Harrison. And then....the singing stopped. Harrison broke down and cried like it was the worst moment of his life. Like his heart had broken into a million pieces. I felt so bad for him, but I can't lie. I had to laugh at the insane cutesness of it all. Thank goodness for DVR. We had an encore performance of it this morning. And I feel one coming on later this afternoon.