The Harrison Family

Kirtland & Chicago

2013-06-08T21:29:00.000-05:00

When we got tickets to the BYU vs Notre Dame game back in october, we decided to make a big trip out of it. On the way up to Chicago we made a stop at some church sites.

Such a pretty, simple temple inside and out.

Isn't this view to die for? I love the trees and fresh, green grass. It was so gorgeous!

The next day we visited Chicago!

Our first stop was Wrigley Field. We walked around and even got a peak inside at the field while they had large doors open.

We loved seeing everyone's stadium seats on top of their buildings.

I love myself some hotdogs and isn't Chicago a must if you want a hotdog?! Hot Doug's came highly rated, but I have to say I wasn't too impressed with it. It was good, but not the best hotdog I've ever had.

As we were walking back to the car we noticed this pig with a broken leg. Over the summer when my parents were visiting when Landon was born we went to a local farm. There was a baby goat with a cast on his leg and Beau was so concerned about it! He couldn't stop talking about it and told everyone he met about "the goat with the broken yeg". We even went back later that week when my parents were still here to see the goat again and they had just taken the cast off! He was a little disappointed he didn't see it again. So when we saw this pig "with a broken yeg" we had to get a picture with it.

We decided to do something Beau would enjoy so we went to an Aquarium! He loved it!

This was his favorite spot. Once we found this water feature he was done. He didn't want to see anymore and didn't want to leave. Every time we tried to get him to see something else he would turn around and run right back to it.

After the aquarium we went to Navy Pier. The weather was just getting worse. Cold and rainy. But we were able to get a ride on the ferris wheel, since it was invented in Chicago we had to, before it started raining too hard.

Then in the pouring rain we went to see the bean! I was really disappointed that it was raining because I was looking forward to seeing the bean the most. And all of our shoes got soaked to and from the bean. We had to take hair dryers to them to dry them out in time for the game the next day.

We ate at a famous deep dish pizza, because you can't go to Chicago without getting some authentic deep dish. And it was so yummy!!! I wish I could get more! Chicago was such a pretty place (even in the rain) and I'm so glad that I got to experience a little taste of what it had to offer.

BYU vs Notre Dame

2013-06-05T13:23:00.000-05:00

The next day was game day and everyone was excited! We got up early and toured the campus before the game. As soon as we got to the campus after taking a shuttle from where we parked, we realized Travis forgot the tickets in the car. So he headed back to the car while Beau, Kirtsie, Brad and I tried to make our way to the bookstore which was on the opposite side of campus.

Brad had the great idea of catching a ride on one of these rickshaws! Imagine 3 grown adults, one toddler and a stroller on the back of this bike. This guy was awesome and gave us a tour of the campus on the way to the bookstore. Great way to go!

It was so cold and when we put mittens on Beau it seemed like he didn't know what to do with his hands! He just kept them as still as can be on his legs. So funny!

After our trip, we asked Beau what his favorite part of it was and he said the church. It was really pretty inside!

Beau was going to town on Kirstie's popcorn!

It was a really good game and we actually scored!! It was nice to see our flags fly!

Beau enjoying the Cougar Fight Song!

Touchdown Jesus!

Like I said, it was cold! And it just got colder as the day went on. Some nice people gave us some hand warmers to put into Beau's mittens. Now he really didn't know what to do with his hands, but he enjoyed it!

Why are hotel rooms so much fun for little kids? Beau had a blast playing with the phone, still wanting to keep his mittens on of course. He still asks when are we going to stay in another hotel.

We had so much fun! I'm so glad we went to the game and were able to visit Chicago as well. We missed Landon at home, but it was so good to get away and explore a new place!

Rolling Thunder

2013-05-26T16:03:00.000-05:00

Travis has an obsession with motorcycles and thinks he's going to own one someday. Not if I have anything to do with it! He planned for us to go into DC to check out the motorcycle gathering that happens every Memorial Day Weekend. We listened to old rock songs on our trip. One particular song struck a chord with Beau, Bad to the Bone, and he kept repeating that phrase over and over (He even kept repeating 'bad to the bone' on our way into church the next day!) Our goal was to count how many motorcycles we saw, but once we got into DC it was clear that we weren't going to be able to keep track, there were so many! We had never seen anything like it. Motorcycles and leather chaps and jackets were as far as the eye could see. Beau even grabbed the rough-skinned hand of an unsuspecting old biker dude thinking it was Travis. They both looked at each other in surprise! The biker said he wasn't sure who was more shocked! We hit up a few memorials while we were there and grabbed a bite to eat at our favorite burger place. The weather was perfect! We couldn't have asked for a better day.

Beau wanted to ride a motorcycle so we asked someone if he could jump on one for a picture. That turned into asking almost everyone we saw on their motorcycle if he could get on it for a picture. Beau couldn't get enough of sitting on them.

Landon didn't let go of that flag the whole time we were there. He must have been feeling the patriotic spirit.

Cox Farms 2012

2013-05-06T13:22:00.000-05:00

We went to Cox Farms again this year and had a great time! Beau was in love with all the slides and was willing to do them all by himself. The weather was perfect and a little more crowded than last year, but that didn't affect us too much.

I only have pictures of the sliding that was going on, but we saw lots of animals, played on a wooden train, had lunch and picked out our pumpkins. Landon was a trooper and chilled in his car seat attached to the stroller the whole time. I know next time he will be trying to keep up with Beau going down all the slides! I'm just glad Travis will be there with us to help!

Despite his face in these pictures, he enjoyed this slide.

But his true favorite this year was this slide! We went down probably no less than 100 times! And he may have cut to the front if there was a line - like I said with it being more crowded, it didn't really affect him because he would just cut ;) He loved going down on his tummy and did it over and over until he finally got reprimanded and had to stop.

High School Football Game

2013-04-28T13:28:00.000-05:00

We like going to high school football games and we went last year with the boys. It was a great night! We picked up Chick-fil-A for dinner and ate it while watching the game. Beau has an obsession with hopping/jumping so he jumped around the whole time in between bites of chicken nuggets and french fries. Landon was relaxing and enjoying being out on a nice night.

Cherry Blossoms

2013-04-25T14:02:00.000-05:00

We finally made it to see the cherry blossoms! We've only lived in Virginia for 6 years, so I guess it was about time. The traffic was crazy! Was it worth it? Yes. Would I do it again? Probably, but the crowds were so bad.

It was a lot of fun and was so pretty! We went with our friend who has two boys as well. The traffic was horrible trying to find a parking spot and Beau was getting very anxious to get out. My friend let us get out and met us after she found a spot. Luckily it didn't take too long and they met up with us quickly. While we were waiting for them we found a nice shady spot under a tree and started eating lunch. I'm not sure how much Beau actually ate and how much he fed to the ducks. He threw most of Landon's sea stars (puffs) to the ducks and was biting chunks out of his grapes to throw as well. The ducks surprisingly liked the pieces of grapes.

As soon as our friends met up with us the boys started picking up anything and everything to throw into the water. Rocks, sticks, leaves and even just handfulls of dirt went into the water. I have never seen Beau's fingernails so dirty!

Me and my super photogenic boys.

Landon loves pushing things and especially strollers! He will go up to any stroller and start pushing it. He almost pushed this one right into the water! Luckily I caught it before it went over the edge.

Landon could not be contained in his stroller. He wanted to get out and explore! He ate a few petals, got dirty and enjoyed being outside.

We were trying to have a family picture and this lady just perched herself right next to us on the tree and wouldn't move. I'm sad we didn't get a better picture, but I also really like that you can see Landon staring her down for ruining our picture. SO funny!

Train Show

2013-04-21T15:19:00.000-05:00

We took Beau to a train show over the summer and he was in heaven!! I bought tickets off of a deal website that claimed unlimited rides on a train. Something wasn't right because the only 'train ride' was this train where the kids had to propel themselves and it was 5 bucks a ride! We were a little disappointed about that, but they had plenty of operating train layouts set up. Some of the layouts were beyond amazing! With real looking towns, cars, grass, trees. I wish I took some pictures of them. Beau enjoyed watching them all. His favorite was, of course, riding the train and had the BIGGEST melt down of all time when we left. I'm sure adjusting to a new baby brother had something to do with it. He hasn't had a melt down like that since (thanks goodness)! He rode the train once when we got there and then right before we left and each time the people working had to pry him off the seat. He started crying each time he had to get off! Poor guy!

Water Mine

2013-04-21T13:42:00.000-05:00

On the last day of the pool season we hit up the Water Mine for the first time. And I regret that we didn't go sooner because Beau had a blast and still talks about it even though that was back in September and we only did it once. In fact when we are on our way to their Doctor's office, which is how we went to the water park, he will ask if we are going to the Water Mine! I don't get how this kid can even remember how to go there!! I guess I shouldn't be surprised because he actually knows his way around town and where things are. Probably better than Travis does and that isn't an exaggeration!

Anyway, Beau loved all the different slides and the lazy river. We didn't have the best weather, but that didn't stop him from enjoying it. I'm glad we left Landon because it would have been hard with him.

We can't wait for it to open again because we will definitely go more often this year! I'm nervous about going with two children who will most likely be going in different directions.

Landon's Blessing

2013-04-14T17:17:00.000-05:00

A few years ago we blessed Beau the weekend before we moved from California. This year we blessed Landon right after our week at the beach, while we still had family in town. It was a precious blessing! Landon filled out the blessing outfit a little more than Beau did and Landon was even younger. We missed my family this time around, but we knew they were thinking of us and would have been there if they could!

Letting Things Go & A Baseball Game

2013-04-10T13:16:00.002-05:00

I don't remember anyone telling me how hard having two kids was going to be! I can't believe it has almost been a year since Landon was born! When I think back over the year, it feels like such a blur and I can't believe we have survived. It's been a long, depressing winter with everyone continually getting sick. But the weather has warmed up and we are finally getting out of the house to play and spirits are high.

I just have not felt like myself so I had to let some things go. One was updating the blog. I even had to force myself to take pictures which is something I love to do! But I think I'm up for doing my best at catching up and staying up to date. My mom is dying for pictures!

We took Beau to his first baseball game over the summer. It happened to be the hottest day of the summer! We came prepared though, with water bottles, a squirt bottle and ice packs to try and stay cool. Beau's cheeks get so rosy, red when he gets hot. Poor guy! He loved it though! He clapped when fans would clap and even yelled things that he heard others yelling. We look forward to taking him to more games this summer. Hopefully it won't be as hot, but who am I kidding? We live in Virginia so I'm probably out of luck!

Pumpkin Patch

2012-10-31T13:56:00.000-05:00

We took our annual pumpkin patch picture. It was a little different having two to capture. And getting both of them to smile at the same time was practically impossible. Karen, Katy and Laura met us there to help out, but for some reason Landon was being unusually not smiley. Beau right away grabbed a wagon and loaded the first pumpkin he could lift into it. And then he had to wheel it everywhere we went. He also spotted an owl statue and was so excited as you can tell by this picture!

Love my boys!!

Harrison Beach Week

2012-10-21T22:05:00.000-05:00

This year was interesting juggling two kids at the beach. With Landon being so young, he was pretty much held all day by everyone which was nice.

Even though we went only a couple of months ago, when I think back, it seems like forever ago. We took our usual after church group picture. Travis and I, for the first year, successfully made dinner for our night without any arguments! Beau, on the other hand, tried to pick a fight with anyone in a 5 feet radius. It was pretty stressful for me having him beat up on the other kids so we tried to focus on him having one on one time with me and/or Travis. We went out one morning before everyone made it out to the beach and took him kayaking. He was pretty scared to get on the kayak, but he did it! Once we were out on the ocean, I don't think he moved a muscle, but we saw dolphins and he enjoyed looking for fish. I think he was out of his element and with just having a brother and extra family in town was still learning to cope. I also think he's a little like me where he needs his time alone and can only handle big groups in small doses so sharing a house with so many people he just didn't know how to act. He has since dropped the rude attitude thankfully!

We had a splash contest and a big foot howling contest. There was also a night crab hunt that Beau got to participate in this year. He loved it! Also there were a lot of late nights watching the olympics.

Landon's First Bite

2012-10-17T19:38:00.000-05:00

We finally gave Landon some cereal! I kept forgetting to get cereal at the store so we are only about a month late than when we first gave it to Beau. Despite his face in this first picture, he ate it all and seemed to like it. With every bite though, he would make this funny face. And towards the end he was more interested in Daddy's hand and the spoon! Beau was really excited to help mix it and give him his first bite.

Beau also helped record it on our video camera, although he acted like he was taking pictures instead. We've got to work on his video recording skills. He is too used to the camera.

Beau's School

2012-10-14T21:17:00.001-05:00

Beau started "school" a couple weeks ago. It's just an arts and crafts class through the rec center that focuses on letters and numbers, but we call it school. He is always excited when it's the day to go! He says it's time for high school today! Not quite, Beau! These are pictures from the first day.

Where I've Been

2012-10-05T21:41:00.000-05:00

I think it's safe to say it's been a little while since I updated this blog. My excuse? I had a baby. And it's taken me awhile to adjust. It has been hard and challenging for me and I finally feel like I have my head above water. I'm slowly starting to feel like myself again and enjoying the things I used to. Like taking pictures and talking about it.

I'm also not a big fan of newborns. I like that very short period at the very beginning where they sleep all day and can go anywhere. I don't like the next stage where they seem to always be fussy as you learn their schedules, the things that they like and don't like. I like when we can get into a rhythm, when their personality starts to show and you can interact with them. I think we have finally achieved the stage I like, whew!

I don't want to miss writing down the funny, little cute things that he's been doing lately. He is a HAM! He loves attention and is the easiest boy to get a smile from or a giggle. He always has to be looking at me which is a blessing and a curse. Which is why he's on his side in these pictures. I kept trying to get him to lay flat on his back so I could get a profile shot (I've got a similar one with Beau at this age and I wanted to replicate it), but he kept rolling towards me.

He's started to find his voice-a high pitched squeal. He will be happy, squealing away and Beau will yell "Mommy, Landon is crying"! Beau is very attentive towards Landon and is already concerned with how much he sleeps because he enjoys just having him watch us play. He often says he doesn't want Landon to take a nap when I say I'm going to put Landon down. Beau loves giving things to Landon and I'll often find a hidden treasure somewhere near him or in his seat. What Beau doesn't like though, is if Landon starts sucking on whatever he's given him. He'll yell, "stop sucking on it, Landon!" and he'll rip it away from him. Ohhh, just you wait Beau!

Just look at this kid! He can't get enough of his feet. He sucks on them all day long!

I guess old habits die hard...

because he's been doing these moves since the womb...

One Week

2012-05-25T21:23:00.000-05:00

Landon Turner Harrison

Born May 19th, 2012 at 5:21am

8 lbs 4 oz

20 1/2 inches long

It's been one week since we welcomed sweet, baby Landon into this world. It definitely didn't go how I thought, but I wouldn't have had it any other way. I assumed I would be induced at least a week after my due date since that's what happened with Beau and I hadn't been progressing at all.

I went in to my 39 week check up and I had no change. So last Friday we went about our usual business. We had Little Gym in the morning, then played in the water fountains outside at the shopping center, got some lunch, rode in a train around the shopping center, went home and napped, and then started making pizza for our usual Friday dinner. I usually have it cooked by the time Travis gets home, but I had ran out of cheese so I had to wait for Travis to get home before I could finish the pizza. While Travis and Beau were playing I finished putting on the toppings and popped them in the oven. Eleven minutes later the timer went off and I bent down to get the pizza out of the lower oven, when I felt something release. Travis was convinced that I had just peed my pants, but I know what that feels like (since that happens more than I would like) and I knew I hadn't. I continued to leak fluid as we ate dinner so we talked about what to do next. I knew we had to go in and soon so we packed everything up as quickly as we could and dropped Beau off at his cousins house. I was packing a backpack with my things and Travis was packing a backpack with Beau's clothes. Beau saw each of us packing and started yelling, "where's Beau's backpack?!" Travis got his little backpack and he started frantically filling it with toys! He completely filled it up with as many toys as he could and then he was ready to go. As we were walking outside I watched him take his binky out of his mouth and jam it into his backpack. He seemed like such a big boy.

We finally made it to the hospital and got down to business. I took a long time to progress so they started me on pictocin. Hours and hours later, when the doctor checked me she said he had turned posterior. She was able to turn him and then we were ready to go. They started preparing everything and they started handing things to Travis to put on. Turns out the doctor wanted him to deliver the baby! He got into position and I did one push and he was out! It was super quick! I do think he helped launch himself because I kept feeling him kick my ribs. Quick delivery made for a perfectly shaped head though!

Beau was so happy to see his baby brother! Beau has been such a big helper and truly cares for and loves Landon. Whenever Landon starts to cry or whimper, I hear the pounding of little footsteps running as fast as possible to where Landon is to see if there is anything he can do. His favorite thing to do is put the binky in his mouth. I love my boys so much!

We've been busy taking advantage of having Travis home by setting up the nursery (thought we had two more weeks) and doing fun things as a new family of four.

Here are a few more pics of Landon.

9 Months

2012-04-29T18:23:00.003-05:00

4 weeks left!!! I can't believe it! I had a doctor's appointment on my 36 week mark with an ultrasound to check everything. Turns out Too Buddy is giving us something else to worry about. He is head down, but he's diagonal. His little bum is up under the right side of my ribs and his little head is tucked nicely into my left hip. I always wondered why I constantly felt him digging into that hip and not much movement on the other side. Now I know why! I've got another ultrasound scheduled this week to see if he's moved. Then it's on to manually trying to move him and if that doesn't work, then C-section. Come on little guy, MOVE! It's not like he has far to go so we'll see what happens. I've been trying to coax him to the other side by lying more on my right. Sometimes I feel like he's moved, but then I'll feel him back to his usual spot again. Wish us luck!

UPDATE: I had my follow-up ultrasound yesterday and the baby had his head on the other side! So it seems like he is just going back and forth and my doctor thinks that he will eventually even out. He's not even that much off centered. Phew, I hope that's the case!

My Little Talker

2012-04-26T14:24:00.000-05:00

Beau has turned into quite the talker around here and such a copy cat. He's been copying the last one or two things that I say, among numerous phrases and sayings. I love to hear him talking. He is learning so much and has a genuine sweet spirit.

Some of my favorites...

Dodie - Dory (from Finding Nemo)
I dove you - I love you. He'll say, 'I love you Mama' and then I'll say, 'I love you Beau' and then he'll say it again as, 'I love you Mama Beau' or just 'I love you Beau'.

I found it!
There it is
There they are
Owhyyyyyy?
Hey-O - Hello
Habit - Ribbit/Frog
Another...car, bus, etc.
Hini - Wendy
Calf - Giraffe
Where's Beau?
What's down there?
Package guy - UPS or Fedex trucks
Wee - Playground
Come on!
What is this Mommy?
Carzan - Tarzan
Waffles today
Guess what...Emi's house, Grandma's house

If he wants to take something with him and wants to know if it's ok, he says 'with you?'

He is starting to understand that there's a baby in Mommy's tummy and he often asks to kiss it. Melts my heart!

8 Months

2012-04-17T15:32:00.000-05:00

We are in single digit countdown! It's weird to say that I'm due next month! But...if I go late, I can easily have this baby in June, so it might not be as soon as next month.

I'm finally on some thyroid medication and I'm feeling pretty good. It's either the medication or that nesting instinct finally kicking in. Whichever one it is, I'll go with it.

I'm not looking forward to it heating up. I bought my first maxi dress and I may end up wearing it every.single.day! So comfortable and no adjusting every time I get up.

Happy Easter 2012

2012-04-09T13:58:00.004-05:00

We had a fun Easter this year! Beau did a great job collecting eggs and did an even better job at eating all of his candy. We were able to participate in 3 egg hunts throughout the week.

Here are some pictures from the first one we went to.

Looks like his mind is hurting from imagining all the candy the eggs are containing!

We had an egg hunt at Grandma & Grandpa Harrison's house. Too bad he's been waiting all winter to get in a jump session on their trampoline and that seemed to trump all the easter egg hunting.

If he could see an egg then he would be willing to take a break from jumping and put it in his basket.

Then it was back to jumping!

Unfortunately, the gnats were out in full force and it wasn't that much fun being outside. I guess they were bothering Beau's ears so when he wasn't jumping, he was covering his ears to keep them safe.

Happy Easter!

7 Months

2012-03-10T15:19:00.001-05:00

I'm starting my 3rd trimester and on the home stretch! Which is a good thing because this pregnancy is not agreeing with me. I failed my second screening for the 1-hour glucose test that I took last week and now it's on to the 3+ hour glucose test. I'm in the process of the 3 day prep that I have to do, which basically is carb loading, and then I'll take my test on Tuesday. Hopefully, I don't have gestational diabetes. These next couple of months can not come any faster! Wish me luck!

Laundry Helper

2012-03-04T14:16:00.000-05:00

I am so lucky to have the biggest, little helper around the house. He usually gets upset if I'm doing the laundry and he's not sitting on top of the washer, helping me. He sits on the corner of the washer and I hand him, piece by piece the clothing, and he enthusiastically throws it into the washer while it fills up. He used to get scared if he was still sitting on the washer and the agitator started, but he's gotten used to it and he now thinks it's cool. I'm always a little sad when I have to do a load while he's asleep because he enjoys doing it so much.

6 Months

2012-02-27T21:23:00.000-05:00

I can't believe that I am over half way there! I thought it was about time for a belly shot. I'm almost 7 months now, but here is my 6 months shot.

I kind of can't wait for this pregnancy to be over with! And not just to meet toobuddy, but I've had a tougher go-around this time. I've got hyperthyroidism and have to get my blood drained monthly. I don't mind getting my blood drawn. But when the lab consistently keeps messing up my lab work and I have to keep going back in so it's more like getting my blood drawn twice a month, it gets a little annoying! I should have been keeping a running tally on all the vials they've had to use. One month I counted 10! I don't have to take medication, luckily, at least for now.

And I've been starting to cramp by just doing simple housework or by being on my feet for too long. So I'm hoping the next few months will go by a little faster.

A Sunday Afternoon

2012-02-27T12:59:00.000-05:00

I can't get enough of spending time with my boys on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Last Sunday we tried to find some ducks to feed, but instead found some geese. They enjoyed the bread and so did Beau, who probably ate half of what he threw.

Beau's Birthday Recap

2012-02-22T13:50:00.000-05:00

First off, I've got a vain child. I put this picture up for his party and he got up on the stool and wanted it right in front of him. He was tapping it and laughing. He even started kissing it.

Beau got really good at blowing out his candles. We were having a party with family later that week, but still wanted to celebrate his birthday on the actual day. We put two candles in a brownie and gave him his big present from us.

Beau is obsessed with animals! And I thought he wouldn't love anything better than a party dedicated to his love of animals. So we went with a zoo/safari theme. Here's a version of the invite that I made.

Here is the cake that mimicked the invitation.

I bought some animal flash cards and wanted to string them all up. Since they are 8x10's, I just didn't have room to string all 26 cards together. So I picked the ones I liked, that were more zoo-ish animals and put those up instead.

I wrapped the mini clothes pins with twine to make them stand out a little more.

We had deli sandwiches, yummy salad and chips for dinner. I wrapped twine around the utensils and napkins.

I put the condiments in baby food jars to make more space on the counter for everything else.

Here are Beau's stats:

100% for height

81.26% for weight

The nurse kindly measured Beau for all of his stats then showed us to our room to wait for the doctor. After a few minutes she came back in and wanted to remeasure Beau's height since there was such a big difference from his last appointment. We laid him down on the table and marked his head and foot, then she measured him again. And this time she got an even longer measurement!! When she first measured him she got 36 inches and when she remeasured she got 38 inches tall! Good thing she remeasured! We've got one tall boy on our hands!