Pool time!!

   As my mom says (over and over and over....), "This summer you are going to have so much fun with Harrison. He's just that age... You're going to be busy." Well, she's right. We are having a blast!

Baby Pool
   Number one on my list was to get him a baby pool. I had a vision in my mind (as well as in my wallet). There are a million pools out there though. Finally we found the ONE. Of course I inflated it myself. I almost passed out too but you know, you make sacrifices for your kids. It's awesome! We gave it a try on Friday, June 3rd. Jenny was lucky enough to witness it too!

Exhibit A: The pool mommy made. 

   At first Harrison wasn't sure what to do. We barely put any water in (less than what we use for a bath). Then he got mad. I guess the water was a little chilly. And yes, my mom actually asked if we put warm water in there. Really? How would one do that? I probably should have filled the pool and let it sit in the sun but I was impatient. 

Exhibit B: Screaming baby. Grandma is right! I need warm water people!!

   So we moved the pool into a sunnier spot, took off his hat and splashed the water. Finally Harrison was a happy man. He was all over playing with everything (and trying to climb out). My friend Jenny was in from Chicago so she came over to hang out and watch this first unfold too. 

Exhibit C: Happy baby.
Hmm.. This isn't too bad now. There's a million things to look at and touch!

Big Pool

   Now that we had the baby pool figured out, I was super pumped about taking him to one of the city pools. Side note: Our city pools are really nice. The biggest one has a baby pool, a lazy river, 2 water slides, a big pool, a pool for the diving boards/high dives AND a water play area for kids with a slide and water fountains. I know! Where was this when I was a kid?! Anyway, we took him after Adam got home from work on Saturday, June 4th. All three of us lathered on the sunscreen and off we went. Okay it was after 5pm but still, I don't want to be that bad momma whose baby already has a sun burn. 

   First we took Harrison to the baby pool. He had no idea what to think of it. It's zero depth so he could walk in. Once he got used to the water, he started waving and smiling to the other babies. About 15 minutes later there was the adult/tot swim. While everyone else had to get out of the pool, over 18 and under 2 could get in. So we did. Harrison "floated" around. Splashed. And mostly just kept looking around at all the other people. (It was great people watching...)

   After about an hour or less we called it a day. Our chair was next to the kid's activity pool with all the fountains. Harrison sat all bundled up with his cup of water and watched all of the big kids. 

There's just so much to look at!

   I forget how thirsty the pool makes you. Harrison wouldn't let go of his sippy cup. Once we had enough of the people watching and were dry, we headed home. Next on our summer list: get season swim passes! Like we're really going to pay $6 every time we head to the pool... We're not that crazy!

Just. Can't. Get. Enough. Water.

From our little fish to you, see you next time!

~Emily

Look who's walking!

   At 13 months 1 week and 5 days, Harrison started taking his official first steps. He was at home with Daddy. He wouldn't walk very much unassisted but he would take a couple of steps before losing his balance or choosing to drop to his knees to crawl.

I'm a moving man!

   At the 13 months 3 weeks 3 days mark, Harrison is doing a much better job at standing, taking multiple steps and getting up/getting down without having to hold on to furniture. He loves talking while he's playing. He loves his big furry dog (it makes for a soft cushion to fall on). And he loves any toy that makes noise and moves (yeah....).

I'm taking a water break. 

   We have one week until swim lessons start. I'm worried the water will be cold and Harrison will cry. I'm worried about what all the other moms will look like in their swim suits. Oh well. Harrison and I did go pick out our own swimming pool for our yard. It's super cute, not too big, has toys and was on sale! Ah... summer is here!

Mom on a one week crash diet... That I'll start tomorrow...

~Emily

Lots of baby boys!

   No not us. Trust me, I'd tell you. But there has been a HUGE baby boy boom lately! Let's see from January to now we've had: Baby Drew, Baby Jack, Baby Graham, Baby Conner, Baby Cooper, Baby Dominic, Baby Noah and Baby Westin... Whew, that's a lot for Team Blue and I didn't name all of them!

Westin and I are pretty tight. It's like he knows I'm amazing or something!

   This past weekend I was very lucky that I got to hang out with Westin, Cooper and Dominic. They range in age from 5 days to 6 weeks. I love them all!! I miss the brand new, tiny baby thing. Oh I love my baby boy insanely but he doesn't cuddle or need me in the same way they need their mommas right now. Sigh... It's a good thing I'm friends with mommas popping out babies left and right then:0) I can sneak in on their snuggle time but I also get to leave when the little misters start crying or poop! Yes, I'm a fair weather snuggler!

Mom, of course I still need you. My diaper is stinky!

   Tonight our entire math department visited one of our own, Baby Westin's mom. Westin surprised us all and decided he needed to get out last Friday. Lucky Renee, her water broke at school! (Makes for a great birth story, don't you think?) Anyway, we had a great time catching up, cuddling (with Westin of course) and Harrison busted out a couple steps for the viewing audience! Harrison also got a huge kick out of Saige, Westin's older sister. I love baby laughs!!

Mom, can Saige come over and play? I like her!!

   I'm really looking forward to summer play dates and watching all of our baby boy friends grow! 

Mom of one crazy boy,

~Emily