My Birthday

I've just turned 26...how crazy, time just keeps flying by!  

This year we have 4 of the 7 siblings living up here in the Utah Valley!  It is so fun to have so many of us living so close together...it's a first in a long time.  Becca, Me, Paul, and Whitney went out to eat at Cafe Rio to celebrate.  It was so fun to be together and for me to spend time with my brother and two sisters!  

Another surprise for me was when Nathan came home in the middle of the day...He was suppose to have a big day at school and work and I wasn't going to see him hardly at all but decided to come home to be with me for a while which was the best thing ever!  I got to spend the day with my honey!!  It felt so wonderful!

That night Harlow and I got dinner ready and took it down to Nathan at BYU.  We also took down my birthday cheesecake the Calabro children (my neighbors) made for me and doorbell ditched it to me :)  It was so yummy! goodness!  Nathan and I ate bites together amidst intense studying for Nathan.  Funny how birthday's change as you grow - though they are different they are stil sweet

Yes, this is a new outfit on Harlow...we go through a few of those everyday :)

Oh! Look up here Harlow!

There we go!

(Family pictures are harder than I thought and I know they'll only get harder and harder as the years go by and our family grows.)

6 Months

Our Harlow Boy has turned 6 months old!!

• Harlow sits up all by himself now, even when reaching for and playing with toys.  When I lay him back he strains his back and reaches out forward to be sat up like a big boy, wanting to see and be a part of everything that is going on.
• He is smiling so big!  and laughing too!  It feels so good to walk into his room, call out for him and watch him turn to find me with a huge smile across his face and to see his eyes light up when Daddy comes home!!  
• When I'm getting him ready for bed Nathan likes to come in and kiss on his boy.  Harlow goes from being 'out' to being wide awake as soon as he hears his Daddy coming!  That little bug gets a huge smile on his face and excitedly wiggles his arms and legs all about :)  When Nathan leaves the room Harlow goes back to nursing but its not long before he turns and stares at the door, waiting for any chance that his Daddy will come back in, which often he does.  So on it goes, he'll nurse then turn to the door, dive his face back into me to nurse again and just as quickly turn out toward the door and just stares - and on that goes.  This all gets me laughing pretty good - so much for getting him down quick.
• Harlow loves to eat - nursing, fruit, veggie's, crackers(...but not the pureed meat he got yesterday, maybe we'll wait a bit longer on that or just combine it with other veggie's that he likes)  He'll fuss and its only because I'm not feeing his fast enough.  He loves eating whatever we are eating.  I need to have quick hands because he pulls things off the table and counters, my bowl and plate are some of his favorite to go after.  He also loves drinking out of a cup.  Its just little sips of water but he loves it...I think he mostly loves the coolness on his lips and the way water feels to the touch.
• He loves it when we sing.  It quiets him down when he's fussing and makes him smile when he's a happy boy.  He likes to explore with his voice too...maybe we've made a little tenor!! 
• No teeth yet
• Not crawling either
• But he does like to turn himself in circles while he's on his belly (like a sundial) and roll over to get himself places and grab toys.
• Daddy loves to have him stand and balance him in his hand!  They are a cute little duo!  Harlow smiling away while his Papa steadies him in his palm.  Nathan would often ask people "So if I balance him every single day will there ever be a day that I won't be able to do it?  If I can do it today then shouldn't I be able to do it tomorrow?"   - we've discovered that yes, there'd come a time when Harlow's mass growth with exceed Nathan's muscle growth in his arm...but until that day we'll be balancing away here at the Andersen house

There are not enough words nor adequate descriptions to convey the amazing feelings of being a parent, particularly a Mom!  It brings me the greatest joy and is fulfilling.  I cherish this time in my life.  Harlow fills my day with smiles and laughs, sweet memories and tender moments.  We don't know how you could possibly love anyone any more than we do this child!  
He is our world!

Big Day

Nathan and I have been married for two wonderful years

Harlow turned 6 months old today

After Nathan got home from work we went to eat at Tacano's for dinner (*not super impressed this time, but still fun). We can hardly believe its been two years since we were married.  What a wonderful life we have!  We feel so very blessed and happy!  haha I remember when we got married and I'd think 'oh my goodness, there's a man in my bed!' and now the thought of having to sleep alone again is horrendous!  I love cuddling up with my honey as we drift off to sleep, waking up to his sweet kisses in the morning as he's getting ready to take off for work at 5:30 in the morning, and spending all the time together that we can.  Nathan makes my world full and bright!  He is my best friend! My  strength!  With him by my side I know I can accomplish anything I set my mind to!  He encourages and uplifts me!  He makes me feel beautiful, important, and special!  

And we are a family!  Nathan and I oooo and ahhh over our Harlow Boy!  The only thing better than being married is being married and having a little angel!  Families are divine and part of God's plan, you can feel that!  Heavenly Father wants us to be happy, to be filled with total joy - that's why He gives us families!  Because that is where true joy lays! 

We grabbed a quick picture as we were all hoping in bed

Oh My Little Harlito

Trying out the Booster Seat!

Our little Harlow is nearly 6 months old!  We can hardly believe our little love bug is so big and grown up :) His back and leg muscles are strong enough to be a 'supported sitter' and he loves the freedom that gives his hands.  Everything goes right to his month and he wouldn't have it any other way.  

**We are getting ready for solids here at the Andersen house**

We brought out the booster seat to see how he'd do and he's a pro already...here in the next few days we'll be embarking on the adventure of feeding our little buddy the messy, gooey, nummy, pureed goodness of homemade (by yours truly) baby food!

...MUCH MORE EXCITEMENT TO COME!!!

Utah Lake

In the summer time I grew up in Utah Lake in Grandpa Ras's boat.  We'd be out tubing, skiing...okay the truth is that I cried in the boat until I was nearly 12... then I got over my fear of there being deadly, man eating sharks in the water and jumped right into the fun with everyone else and had a complete ball!  I love the water and bouncing around out there on the waves!  The memories are probably just as sweet as tubing itself for me.

Some people rip on Utah Lake...sure it's dirty but not more than any other lake and I'm not driving that far when there is a perfectly good lake right here.  I love the lake 

If you think it's dirty then shower afterwards - geez!

Uncle Jeff invited Nathan and I join him for tubing this afternoon.  Harlow went to a babysitter (his second one ever) and Nathan and I to Utah Lake.  It felt great to get in the water and on a tube again.  I came home with a scraped up elbow and knees but those were just proof that I did a bang-up, dang good job at staying on the tube :) 

I love the water, I love my Family, I love my Love