The Harris Family

Hello!!

2009-04-06T17:43:00.000-07:00

Ok I realize its been, well forever since I last posted so I am writing to give you a little change of scenery when you visit:)

So I kind of have an excuse. Tony and I are so happy to let everyone know we are expecting Baby #2 October 1st! Some of you may know by now but we have been telling slowly but surely, just for precaution I guess. Thia ultrasound was at 8 weeks. I'm 14 right now. I know you can't see anything but he/she looked like a gummy bear.

As for foster care, we found out I was pregnant a week before we got our official license to foster/adopt. God really knows how to mix things up! We decided to obviously put things on hold but are thinking about doing a little respit care. Which is basically babysitting foster children for other foster parents while they are gone or if they may need a little break for a day or so. This means it wouldn't be an indefinite or permanent placement. We are thinking of doing this only in the 2nd trimester, which we are beginning now. So pray for us in making all of the different adjustments.

Dean has been great. Although he is well into the terrible twos as they call it. Man, this is crazy stuff. No wonder people are driven to addiction. ok I'm only joking but its tough stuff. He is really trying to figure himself and us out. Luckily it seems to only become full blown out right scream sessions in the privacy of our own home. In public (most of the time) he is satisfied with chatting with people and eating fruit snacks all day.

Which brings me to another issue. Fruit snacks!! Who invented fruit snacks anyway, yes- they are yummy, yes- they are non messy, yes- they are delightful for all ages but why are they like crack for my son??!!?? He can't get enough, he will finish one and be ready for the next. It's insanity people. The good thing is that I always know when he's asking for them. His voice gets really sweet and quiet..."Mama? pease, 'root nacks' pease mama? pease?" .... then, big smile... another big smile, "pease?"

Yeah no wonder all of the suckers that babysit him hand them over one by one to him:) I love you all, but you're all enablers!

Well as you can see we have been busy with planning for a new baby and getting through the two's, (its not all bad, this is what we signed up for... again) so please forgive me for my lack of motivation in my blogging. I try:) These pictures were from my Mom's 60th birthday lunch. She loved the surprise scrapbooks, thanks for writing everyone!!!!!!

Cousin Miriam
Aunt Da:)
Look at her surprised face... I love it:)

Snow Days

2009-02-01T18:13:00.000-08:00

So we all bundled up and played in the snow this week. Dean loved it! Last year he was not impressed with it but this year he loved the 'noballs' and sledding! We went sledding with our neighbor Zach aka 'Yak' to Dean. We actually just went to the drainage easment in our backyard. I know, pretty awsome huh?:) Anyway it was a big enough hill for us to have fun on.

p.s. Don't all of you Arizona people feel like you're missing out on such fun... haha:)

He was throwing snowballs at Tony.

This was earlier that day, Tony went out to shovel the back steps off for the dogs and Dean saw me get the camera out smf posed for a pic with daddy.

He just liked to sit in the snow and watch Zach throw snowballs at Tony.
It looks like they are going so fast down the hill.

We got a family pass to the Cincinnati Children's Museum with Dean's birthday money and we've gone several times already and he loves it there. There is a huge netted area that they play with thousands of balls, making them go into tubes and throwing them into buckets and shooting them out of pipes. It's fun.

This part is the water area. He is usually here for a while. I have learned to pack a second whole outfit for him to change into after this area. There are many other areas for him to play in and also other museums to walk through. It's really a cool place to go, especially when the weather is so cold.

Well I hope you all stay warm and safe.

The New Year

2009-01-15T17:52:00.001-08:00

Well, I can't believe we're two weeks into 2009. I hope this year brings lots of happy times for everyone. It sure has brought a whole lot of frigid weather for us so far and more to come! Oh well, what can we do?!

So i'll begin by saying Dean is now officially 2 years old, I can't believe how times flies yet I can feel every bit of his two years added onto my life:) I know it's only going to get crazier though... this is a shout out to all of my friends and family with multiple kids! Hooray for you!! Seriously.

Anyway, here are a few pics of the last few weeks...

He is enjoying his very own kalotchy cookie. If some of you don't know, this is our family cookie. Its been a tradition in my dad's family for years. We like to pass on those traditions, especially if they're sweet:)

This is before church on Christmas Sunday. He is so handsome in a sweater vest:)

So, yes we did take him to see the real Santa and not just the Chic-fil-a cow Santa. He actually told him he wanted a 'choo-choo'.

And guess what he got, a choo choo:) He loves it. He actually had a terrible time sleeping after all of the Christmas activites and traveling that one night he was up and upset and a little drousy that I could hear him muttering '...choo choo, mama, choo choo'. Its really cute now but it was not too much fun at 3am. Thank goodness he has for the most part overcome the sleeping troubles!

Here we are visiting Daddy on Christmas Day! We had dinner at the firehouse with him. Dean loves the wee-oows. Another cute story was last night we Dean and I were ready to pray at dinner and Tony was working, Dean grabbed both of my hands, as usual, and started praying " mi, mi, mi, mi... dada wee-ow wee-ow. Mamen!" Translation: "Thank you Jesus for this food. Bless it to the good of our bodies, and be with daddy at work. Amen!" His first Prayer all on his own!! It was so sweet because I always say the prayer and add to be with Daddy at work and he might add the wee-ow wee-ow but he said it all and he was praying just for Daddy. It just makes my heart swell:) Daddy was happy:)

Christmas Celebrations with the Families...
Dean got so many gifts from Nanny Pappy and Maw Maw, not to mention all of the Uncles and Aunts!!! He is so blessed to have family like he does!
Nanny and Dean in the tent he got for Christmas! It's been one of his very favorite gifts.
Uncle Danny and Aunt Jenny
Uncle Dray
Opening gifts at Maw Maw's house.

He got a shaving kit for Christmas and Daddy is showing him how to use it.
Here is Dean on his 2nd Birthday!
Yay!
Opening presents at his party!

Digging in to the cake... yummy, thanks Ginny! He just couldn't help himself.
I just thought this was cute. Olivia and Dean in the beloved tent.
Finally able to relax and watch a little Handy Manny. :)

I probably should've just used a slideshow but too late now:)

Awww, don't tell me you're sick of being sick of Thomas the Train:)

2008-12-22T22:12:00.000-08:00

Ok Ok so its been a while, maybe a very long while. I apologize, we got extremely busy, as we all do, and I just didn't have the energy to post. I know, believe it or not I may not be the super mom you all thought I was... ha! So here I am at almost 1:30 am thinking to myself 'hmm... maybe I should update the blog'. So if any of this sounds a little off or odd to you nevermind it. I will try to be better, maybe I'll even make it a New Years resolution. No I better not, I don't think anyone has good luck with those.

Ok so here it is, Dean is doing great. He is growing big and tall just like he is supposed to. He has been getting colds lately but I guess its the season for those. He has caught on quick to who Santa is (basically anyone with a red hat on), he likes the O-H...I-O chant and then ends with "Go Butt-eyes!" I love it! Its so funny! He is talking much more and we have our own language as most parents have with thier toddlers I suppose. He also has to hold our hands during the mealtime prayers and at bedtime he folds his hands and bows his head but his eyes are looking upward. It is so precious.

As some of you may know, Tony and I have felt led to be foster parents. We have gone through training and are in the homestudy part of the process right now. We could really use your prayers to help guide us and support us. This is something new for us and our whole families. We are really excited and believe God has a great plan for our family.

Now, on to the pictures...

When we went home for Thanksgiving, Dean found Drayton's ear protection.

Hanging with Pappy, watchin' some football.
I love Uncle Ty
Snuggle time in the chaise lounge.
Unfortunatly, this is the only Santa Dean has seen this year. I know its pathetic but we are going ot try to go with in the next day or so. Its the Chick-fil-a cow.
Tony and I took Dean to an inflatable indoor place called Bananas. It was a blast! There were about 8 or 9 huge inflatables that he could we could just run and jump and have fun on. I think we all had a great time.
Weee!
He was posing really cute at dinner onw night last week and I caught a couple poses.
Love it!
Dean is learning how to play the piano with cousin Bella.
Using Uncle Rick as a personal recliner as he watches Polar Express for the 5th time in a row... for real.
Great Grandpa and Maryann with the little ones.

So Are You Sick of Thomas The Train Yet???

2008-11-01T16:40:00.000-07:00

I know, I know it's been a long time! So I'm here to fill everyone in. It'll try to be short and sweet, no promises. So, in order...
Dean picked out a pumpkin and this is what he chose, he likes to try to pick up very heavy things for some reason. And he grunts while trying, it's pretty funny.
Dean also got his first haircut. We went to a place called Big League Cuts. All of the chairs had t.v.'s and they turned cartoons on and he was an angel. I don't even think he knew what was going on until we got up and paid and were walking out the door and I asked if he got his haircut and he smiled (with a sucker in his mouth) and pointed at his hair and said 'yea'.

And now for the trauma of the century.... Dean got his first stitches. Yes, as if any of us are surprised but still I was hoping for a little older.

Dean and I were at my Grandma Kitty's house waiting to meet my mom when Dean tripped and hit his head on the corner of her display cabinet. It bled and he cried for what seemed like 5 minutes and then we got him calmed down so I could look at the cut, I decided it was too bad and he would probably need stitches. I think I handled myself pretty good for my first 'situation'. So we were off to the ER where we met Mom and Teresa. Dean, believe it or not, had a great time, he was playing and waving at the nurses and other patients... until the shot and stitches, of course 3 hours later. Poor Dean, it was so sad to see him held down screaming for me and I couldn't do anything for him. But as soon as he was finished he immediately stopped crying and wanted some juice. Needless to say he got anything his little heart desired for the next few days.

I just want to point out that only when Tony is at work do these situations seem to occur. So the one person I know can handle stressful times is of course working, yes he may be 'saving lives elsewhere' but non the less not with me. I will however spare you the before picture you know I had to take to show Tony how bad and yucky it was:)

See he is peacefully watching his personal tv with his goldfish and bear at his side.

This was after the whole event as we waited to be discharged. This was at about 9:15pm and is way past his bedtime of 8pm. I know you all are cringing with this next picture but I had to post it. There are 4 stitches.. poor, poor Dean. He's a trooper.

So since last Thursday when this all happened he has had them taken out at his pediatricians office which wasn't even a glimpse of how bad it was getting those bad boys in. So I think its all over... for now. Ugh.

So now we have Halloween. Dean loves trains so we decided to dress him like a train conductor and our friends had a costumes for it so we were in luck. Dean wasn't crazy about the hat so he wouldn't wear that but in his defense he did still have the stitches in. So I snuck it on a couple times to get a picture or two and then let it go. We went to our church's Harvest Fest which was fun, mostly because we didn't have to be out in the cold and walk around to get candy. The parents and grandparents sit in a huge circle and the kids go around and get candy. And they have snacks and activity's for all the kids.

yea thats a box of raisins in his hand not candy. I was so proud he chose them over candy... for a second until he saw what good stuff he got from all of those nice people.

This was Trick or Treat night as we handed out candy. Dean loved watching the kids walk up and get candy. He kept giggling as each kid came up and then when they left he would say 'byyye' and wave... even when they were across the street. It was so funny. I even had to feed him his supper outside because he wouldn't come in to eat.
Ok so now I will try to keep up with everything. Sorry it took so long.

Thomas the Train

2008-09-13T12:28:00.001-07:00

A day out with Thomas. Dean just kept saying "choo choo". We went with some friends of ours and their daughter. We rode on Thomas for a 25 minute train ride and then they had entertainment like live music, a mini corn maze and a huge Lego Thomas the Train along with other trains to watch and play with. Dean isn't a huge fan of Thomas per say but the trains he loves. I think I am thankful because their merchandise is crazy expensive. Although we did buy him the balloon.

Pete and Olivia

We were all sweating to death. See Dean's rosy cheeks. We had his Ohio State jersey on him but had to take it off.

The big Lego train. It was pretty neat.

The big caboose that sits stationary, it might have been his favorite.

Summertime

2008-09-11T21:51:00.000-07:00

We went to Young's Dairy the other weekend and had fun with the family. Dean liked it all I think, as you can tell.
Daddy teaching Dean how to swing... as a lefty.

So Dean got a little bored with the miniature golf and found some water to play in.

He wanted to play 'baybal' like Daddy too.

Grandpa and Mary Ann playing Cornhole. I'm sure they're better than me.

Tony and I went to the Reds/Cubs game on Saturday with some friends of ours, Nate and Devon. We had awsome tickets, 7 rows behind the Cubs dugout. Tony was so funny, he was like a little kid again! Cubs won and we were happy... sorry Devon.
It was so close I actually got really into the game:) We can't wait to take Dean next year.

...and then we took a day to relax:)

August Catchup

2008-08-27T21:13:00.000-07:00

This month has been so busy, so here is an update of photos:)

Well, Dean got quite the present when Nanny and Pappy decided to get him his first truck at 19 months. As you can tell he enjoyed riding it. He rode for it for an hour straight. And actually his feet can't reach the pedal so we had to stack bricks on the gas so it would just drive and he could steer and we would walk along side him. He loves it... Thanks Nanny and Pappy!

While we were up visiting, Dean made Uncle Dray get his guitar out to play for him and teach him a few things, he was so fascinated.

Uncle Rigo had to get his hugs in too.

So Tony played softball with the church team last week and Dean and I went to cheer them on. Dean loved it! He played in the dirt with his buddy Evan and watched 'bayba', as he calls it, and his very own daddy was playing. What more could you ask for?:)

A Grandma for each hand...awww.

Grandma Barb got Dean this Elmo chair and the Handy Manny so when he was sitting in his chair I laid my head on his lap. And anyone who knows Dean knows he LOVES my hair. I mean it, he really loves my hair. So I sat there for about 20 minutes and he was just playing with my hair and relaxing.

Tony and I went out for our 5th Anniversary last weekend. We went to our favorite restaurant and then stayed at the Westin downtown Cincinnati. It was sooo nice. Do we look excited?:) It was really weird being away from Dean for the first time overnight but he was in good hands with Grandma Barb, Great Aunt Bonnie , Great Uncle Rick and Cousin Miriam.. thanks guys!!
This was the view from our room. There was live entertainment so we went down and checked that out and had a cup of coffee. How often do we get to do that?
Fountain square and our hotel was behind it to the right.

Dean's 18 month pictures

2008-08-07T12:53:00.001-07:00

Our Little Vacation

2008-08-05T14:33:00.000-07:00

We took a family vacation for a couple days to Brown County, Indiana last week. We had a good time, just the three of us. Dean had fun swimming in the hotel pool (especially since there was an older girl there to stare at). We also went to Brown County State Park, which was really beautiful. We went to the shops there and went to some unique and tasty restaurants. We had the best homemade ice cream and candies. We had fun:)

One of the first things when we got there was to go 'mining'. We got a big bag of dirt and got to sift it to find lots of precious gems. It was pretty neat and we knew Dean would like playing with the water and stones.

The view at the park was so pretty. This one doesn't do much justice but you can still see it in the background a little.

And this was Dean after he got pretty comfortable in the pool.

Here we are in front of the candy at the candy store there. Dean is in aww.

Dean saw the big dog and just had to give it a big hug. He must have missed our heathen dogs too much.

Dean was having so much fun swinging at the park especially when Tony would jump off the swing beside him, he would laugh hysterically.

Here Dean is acting like he's kicking us and knocking us down and he gets a real kick out of it... pun intended:)

Presidential Candidate?!

2008-07-31T21:59:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I try not to share too much about my stand on government issues but this candidate sounds like a winner to me!

Hey, you have your opinion and I have mine:)

A Trip to the Fair

2008-07-27T18:55:00.000-07:00

We went to the Butler County Fair on Saturday evening with some friends of ours, Pete, Shari and Olivia. We had a great time and so did the kids. First it was the merry-go-round and boy let me tell you Dean was a fan of that, I'm talkin' a full fledged tantrum when we couldn't spend all night on there. So then we thought to distract him and get on the pony ride, it worked. And then of course since it was Shari's birthday I had to go on the Pharaoh ship with her. It went super high and let me tell you that we are really getting too old for these things.

Congratulations to the Hulshult Family. The new addition has arrived!! Hello little Andrew!

He's a Natural

2008-07-18T18:17:00.000-07:00

Dean and I visited Tony at the Firehouse yesterday and it was an old station that still has the pole so Dean had to try it out. He loves going to visit Daddy at the firehouse... wee-ohh wee-ohh, is what he says when I tell him we are going to see Daddy. He can't get enough of the firetrucks. He loves to sit in the driver seat and open up all the compartments on the side and check out the hose on the top.

Zoo Babies

2008-07-13T16:58:00.001-07:00

Tony, Dean and I met with our friends, Lacy, Brandon and Conner at the zoo last week. We all had a lot of fun and got to hang out a little since they live in Kentucky and we both have small children it becomes more difficult to get together. Here are a couple pics from there. Dean and I got to feed the giraffes too!

Hello, Conner

Feeding the giraffes.

Uncle Rigo and Aunt Amanda got to be with us on July 4th... and thats always fun!

Boys will be boys!!

2008-06-26T11:09:00.000-07:00

Well, last night I was flipping through a magazine and saw Dean heading over to the dog's water and food bowls, which is not uncommon, he continued there and back and I turned around to see him with a wet head. I dont know what got into him but he is grossed out by nothing! To make matters worse he had already thrown some of the dog's food in the water bowl before he bathed himself in it, so he not only has slobbery water on his head but soggy dog food pieces.
Oh, how I know Dad is having a ball watching this!!

We're Back in Action!

2008-06-25T10:19:00.000-07:00

Ok so we couldn't retrieve any of my stuff from the old hard drive. I know, I am trying not to think about it and move on but at least I have been doing this blog for long enough that I have most of my very favorite pictures on here. If any of you have any great pics of Dean let me know and maybe I can copy them. I have decided also to make a scrapbook for Dean. I know its mostly for me but who doesnt like looking at a whole book about themselves later in life? Well I know I have a lot of catching up to do so here goes....I've got to warn you, it's a long one. So here's Dean on Memorial Day. We went to Houston Woods with the Hulshults. Here's Daddy and Dean being silly at lunch, and Dean with his mouth full... surprise, surprise. Dean just got a new sand and water table that he just loves so he puts the sand in the water. And yes I know, it is a Cincinnati Reds outfit and no Tony didnt know I had it on him... Go Cubs. Here is Dean at Miriam and Shawn's Rehearsal dinner, it was great because right outside was an awsome playground that Dean spotted right away. This was in one of those playhouses. Daddy lending a helping hand. So we have realized that Dean is not a patient child, not unlike many other children, but when I am fixing dinner he likes to pull up a chair and watch/help. Well not only does he like raw tomatoes but we discovered he likes raw corn too. here he is chowing down.

Here's Tony, Dean, Uncle Nate and Cousin Brayden on Father's Day. We went to play with Ginny and Evan and Sarah one afternoon and Dean loves their new swingset. THis is the first time he has worn and actually kept sunglasses on. He's so cool. We have come to the conclusion that we can no longer buy anything without sharing with Dean. Tony stopped and got an icee the other day and Dean pretty much claimed it as his own. I suppose he is going to force us to eat better since we can't sneak anything past him.

Dean has started to bat his eyes and we all think its funny so here he is, being cute.

Crashed:(

2008-06-06T11:02:00.000-07:00

Well I havent been blogging lately because my computer crashed! Yes, I have already had a melt down...or two. All of Dean's pictures and videos are on there and my church newsletter stuff, not to mention everything else I have done for the past 5 years. I think I have reason to have a bit of a break down. Anyway, it is still under construction so there is no telling when I will be back in business. But fear not, I am still taking tons of pictures and videos (probably more now to make up for it) so you will be caught up hopefully soon.

Updates

2008-05-21T19:38:00.000-07:00

Well it's been a while so I have lots of updates to share. First off we had Mother's Day so it was a nice day spent with the family.

Great Grandpa is feeding Dean some whipped cream... as you can see Dean is a big fan:)

Just one of the guys hanging out on the couch.

Uncle Rigo sharing a leaf with Deano.

Ok so the other day Dean was standing on a chair at the kitchen counter as I was making dinner. And as usual he always needs to know what is going on, and he wanted to see the fresh tomato that I had in my hand so I handed it to him and got busy doing something else and turned back around, this is what happened...

Now on to this weekend. Mom and Natalie came down Thursday for the big Trenton Yard Sales on Friday and Saturday so Dean got to spend some quality time with the Gmas. Unfortunately Dean developed a fever Friday evening and it had spiked to 104.8 degrees so we saw the Dr. right away and he explained to us that it was a virus called Adenoid Virus. It causes a very high fever, a rash all over the body and diarrhea. Well the good news is that it was just a virus and the bad news was we didn't have any medicine to give him and we just had to 'ride it out'. He was just pitiful, it was so sad to see him with a bright red rash all over but he was a trooper though. Rigo and Amanda came over Saturday and played with Dean and watched movies to help distract him from feeling so bad. Thankfully he is now over it and back to normal again:) I know I'm happy:)

Ahhh... Happy again:)

Mohawk Madness!

2008-05-02T17:33:00.000-07:00

Well it is obvious that Dean inherited Tony's naturally curly hair (he looks just like Tony's 1 year picture). I think it's adorable but Tony feels for him. Anyway, the weather must do a number on it because his hair just curls in the middle. I call it his faux-hawk. Its pretty cute.... ok so I helped it a tiny bit, but it really does curl like that on its own in the front and sides.

Happy Retirement Pappy!

2008-04-29T17:56:00.000-07:00

Deano loves his Pappy...

especially when he gives him first taste of the cake:)

Nanny dancing with Dean at the party.

Tony and I had to stop at Home Depot yesterday and it was the first time I let Dean run free in the home improvement store and he went nuts! He loved it, there was so much to get into in such little time. Here he is deciding which hook to get:)

Ginny and Evan came over tonight for dinner and Dean and Evan were just running back and forth into the kitchen and back to the couch. They would just laugh together. It was really cute.

A Little of Everything

2008-04-29T17:26:00.000-07:00

Dean is enjoying a trip to Young's Dairy.

Uncle Dray and Dean checking out a bird.

Here is Dean at the Cincy Zoo, they have a train ride and Dean LOVES trains so we had to ride it. I have a membership now so you will probably be seeing lots more zoo pictures throughout the year. And if anyone wants to join us I get one free guest too:)

Dean and Daddy watching the Rhino roll over.

They have about 4 or 5 peacocks that are loose so we got to see one with all the feathers out. Dean just stared at him.

Cheese!

2008-04-17T20:56:00.000-07:00

I just had to post this one.

I think his favorite word is CHEESE! Obviously he says it a lot.

Warm Weather!

2008-04-17T20:21:00.000-07:00

Well after being cooped up all winter, Dean was ready to get outside! He has been loving the warm weather. We have taken trips to the park and playing in our new sandbox and writing with his sidewalk chalks on the driveway. He is having a blast but I am exhausted already.
Watching the neighborhood kids play

The camera loves him... or does he love the camera?!

Tony in his Class A uniform.
And Dean in his Class A hat.

Daddy and Dean look like they are up to something.

Where's Dean?! I love how he peeks, like we dont see him at all.

Indy Children's Museum

2008-03-27T18:00:00.001-07:00

We went to the Children's Museum with the Hulshult Family and had so much fun last week. Dean loved it all and I think we could've stayed and played for days if it was up to him. He got no nap that day but that was ok by him. He got to see Curious George, dinosaurs, a huge merry-go-round, and soo much more. Here are some pictures and a video. We will definitely be going back sometime.

More like Curious Dean

Hey Good Lookin'

Happy Easter

2008-03-23T17:37:00.001-07:00

We had a very busy Easter at church. Melinda Doolittle sang and Shayne Graham, kicker for the Cincinnati Bengals, spoke his testimony. My friend Shari and I were fortunate enought to be the ones to assist Melinda and her friend Kelley. I can tell you we had a blast, she was sooo sweet and so fun. We rode in the limo to pick them up from the airport and hung out with all of them in the RV. That was pretty exciting for two stay at home moms from Ohio. Dean loved her too since she danced with him, I wish I had gotten a picture but I didn't want to act too pathetic:)

This is my friend Shari and I in the limo on the way to the pick her up. I know, it's rediculous how giddy we are.

Dancing Machine

2008-03-10T18:36:00.000-07:00

We had spaghetti for dinner tonight and decided to give Dean the chance to feed himself dinner. So we gave him spaghetti and a fork and let him go for it. I did take his nice shirt off first though. I swore I would never let my child do this, but... never say never. I couldn't resist I guess. He had fun, as you can tell.

Well, Dean made up some sort of dance that he has become pretty good at these past few days. I thought you might like to see it. Nevermind the nakedness, it was bedtime.. and just after the spaghetti.

Snow Day!

2008-03-08T19:31:00.000-08:00

We had about 10-12 inches over the past two days so Dean watched so curiously out the back door as the dogs jumped and ran in the foot of snow. So we decided to bundle him up and let him see the fluffy stuff up close. He pretty much just stared at it and sat on it and well... was pretty unimpressed with it. Anyway I got to do the Mommy thing and dress him up like a marshmallow. I think he was diggin' the snow suit though.

A Visit from The Grandmas!

2008-03-04T17:51:00.000-08:00

We were at Target with Grandma Barb over the weekend and just sat down to get a drink and he was so happy so I got my camera out... imagine that. And yes there was some nose picking but I thought I would spare you that photo:)

Dean likes to rummage through the spice cabinet. It's great until I want a certain spice and have to dig through the trash or his tool box.

Nanny and Dean watching the 'deer' out the back window. (A fake hunting deer the neighbors had out)

Happy Birthday Grandma Barb!!!

Nose Picker!!

2008-02-23T21:58:00.000-08:00

Well this is what I get when Daddy starts teaching Dean how to be a boy. And wouldn't you know they are both so proud. I have to admit it is pretty funny... now, until he does it at the wrong time in front of the wrong people. Until then, pretty funny.

He was trying on my big sunglasses with his stylish mohawk.

Brutus is so kind to share his bowl with him. He looks thrilled doesn't he?

Firefighter Dean

2008-02-14T20:38:00.000-08:00

Dean and I visited Tony at the firehouse the other day and I just so happened :) to have my camera handy and thought I would snap a couple of Tony and Dean with the fire gear. So cute!

Cook, Lover and Zookeeper

2008-01-31T17:07:00.000-08:00

Well here is our little man in the kitchen helping mom with... of course chocolate chip cookies (why else would he be so interested?). He heard the timer go off and ran over to the oven and grabbed the ove-glove in the drawer to the left and then grabbed the oven handle like he was going to just walk over and pull them out like we do. It was pretty funny, then he kisses the glass like he just can't wait another second to taste them.

Mom, Drayton, Rigo and Amanda came over on Saturday to hang out and of course Dean was spoiled with attention and food:) They always say 'the way to man's heart is through his stomach' and he is proving that theory. You should see his stomach, wow.

Dean and Olivia at the church nursery.

We have also taken a trip to the zoo. We went last week with Ginny and Evan and had a great time! Check us out.

Our little Toddler

2008-01-25T20:22:00.000-08:00

Well, we have a toddler on our hands. I think since he had his own party he feels entitled to have his own 'everything'. We have experienced the dreaded tantrums, separation anxiety and individual personality. All of which every strong young boy should go through but seriously, can we take on one at a time please. He is teething too, so I do have to give him that for an excuse but that's all I've got.

He is randomly laughing out loud for no reason sometimes. He just looks at me and laughs with an open mouth and just grins. It is amazing how everything is starting to make sense to him. He is learning so much every day. He is now completely off the bottle and nighttime is actually a very pleasant time for Tony and I to read books and cuddle with him. I love it. He is definitely growing into a strong personality but I wouldn't have it any other way.
Naptime!

I'm too sexy for my clothes. Too sexy for my clothes, too sexy, yea!

How do I look?

Check out my new ride. Thanks Nanny and Pappy!

Party On!!

2007-12-31T18:23:00.000-08:00

Well the Holidays have passed and we have a room full of toys to prove it! I know its out of order but I have to start with Dean's 1st Birthday!! We had a great turnout and he had a blast. He loved all the people being at his house, he is such a ham. He was non stop, and when I say that I really mean it, he didn't have any naps yesterday and didn't crash for the night until 7:30pm. He was lovin' life. Now, Tony and I, on the other hand are completely pooped!

Now for Christmas, We got to celebrate about three times, with both Tony and my families and then just us on the day after since this year Tony had to work on Christmas day. We had a great time with all of our family and friends the Christmas.

We have had a very blessed 2007. We thank God for a great year. We have watched Dean grow and have all of his 'firsts' and it has really been so much fun. We have moved in to our new house and are really enjoying it. We miss Great Grandma Callison so much but we think about her all of the time and I know she would be proud of the family. I think of what a fun spirit she had and I know that she and Dad are having a great New Year, so there is no need to worry about them. We'll have sauerkraut, pork and mashed potatoes New Years Day, as we do every year for family tradition.
I'm sure we'll have another fun-filled year in 2008! We hope everyone has a great New Year and we love you all very much!!

Ready For Christmas!

2007-12-20T18:31:00.000-08:00

Well, it's almost Christmas and we can't wait! Christmas comes then the BIG 1 year old Birthday party on the 30th, then New Years then of course the Championship game on the 7th. What a busy couple weeks we are looking forward to. We are already cheering for Buckeyes in our Mardi Gras beads!

Santa made a special trip just to see Dean and his friend Evan on Thursday night. He was a little shy to go to Santa and then a little scared. I think the facial hair threw him off a little (you would think it would run in his blood... Grandpa Dean).

And then of course we have to take time out for Elmo and Sesame Street.

Nanny and Pappy Visit

2007-12-07T20:47:00.000-08:00

Ok, So we have a little catching up to do. We have had a visit from Nanny, Pappy, Uncle Nathan, Aunt Jenny, Cuz Dalton and Brayden, then there was Thanksgiving of course and now through the Holiday Season. Dean has been a busy little boy. He loves the Christmas tree and the Santa that stands literally as tall as he does. He also has a new Sesame Street couch that he just loves to climb all over.

ROAR!!!

2007-11-04T20:42:00.000-08:00

Here's our scary lion! He had so much fun at the church's Harvest Fest. He loves that balloon. He was so interested in it that he would not let it out of his site. We had to tie it to his tail in case he let go.

We went to West Jeff on Monday and Tuesday to get some stuff done at Mom Barb's (Grandma Barb) and Mom Natalie's (Nanny). We spent the night with Nanny and Pappy and Dean spent the whole day hanging with Nanny and napping with Pappy. Uncle Dray taught Dean how to ride his toy trucks, it was so funny! We had a good couple days and when we got back we spotted a new tooth. That makes 5 teeth now! That explains all the drool.

Cowboy Dean!

2007-10-23T20:48:00.000-07:00

Great Aunt Mary and Great Uncle Jim decided to come visit for the day on Saturday so we went to Barn-N-Bunk. They had a cowboy reenactment so Dean got to learn from the best of them how to be a cowboy. He even saw his first 'shoot out'. I think it scared us more when the guns went off than it did Dean, he didn't even flinch... now that's a real cowboy. He even got to hang out with them.
Then we went to the tractor where he looks like a natural. And he took his first hayride with all of us. He had a great time and was turned around the whole time, watching everything go by. We had lots of fun with 'Myrtle' and Jim.

A Day with the Dogs

2007-10-19T19:48:00.001-07:00

I thought I would take some pictures of Dean and the dogs playing out in the yard. Dean payed little or no attention to the dogs playing all around him because he was so interested in the grass, rocks and sticks (and really anything else he could get his little hands on). He has gotten more used to crawling on the grass and even standing up from sitting position and walking. I think it's because it had rained earlier and the ground was finally soft enough that the grass wasn't poking him every time he touched it. Brutus and Louie had fun throwing the ball with Tony too.

Pumpkin Patch

2007-10-15T15:51:00.000-07:00

We went to the pumpkin patch down the road on Saturday to pick out a couple pumpkins and Dean loved watching the people more than playing with the pumpkins. I love how he looks so interested in every move others make.

9 Month Pictures

2007-10-15T09:49:00.000-07:00

We had Dean's 9 month pictures taken a couple of weeks ago and thought I would share a few of them. Some of you may have seen a couple but I added a few new ones.

Hey Everyone!

2007-10-14T18:15:00.000-07:00

Well I thought maybe since most everyone is doing the 'blog' thing, maybe it would be good to keep everyone up to date on The Harris Family (mostly Baby Dean). Special thanks to The Newell Gang for helping me get started:)
To start off, we moved in late July to Trenton, Ohio that's a little North East-ish to Hamilton where we lived for 4 years. I can't believe it's been four years since Tony and I were married! Wow, time flies when you're having fun! awwww, sweet huh? Well anyway, since moving we have been trying to get everything situated and settled and not to mention raise a 9 month old. We have been really busy, but having a lot of fun.