Harrison and his backpack

Harrison received his very own backpack for his birthday from one of our neighbors. Now, it is an essential accessory wherever we go. He fills it with all of his little toys and baby doll. No longer are we using grocery bags for toy storage in transit.

Age TWO Stats

Our little two-year-old is picking up on new words daily. It's so exciting to see! Here are some new words he can say, and their respective pronunciations:
1. "bice" for bike
2. "mmmm" for cow
3. "tookie" for cookie
4. "Eliyah" for Eliza
5. "Chaaase" for Chase
6. " mine" for milk
7. "beh" for bed
8. "pah" for iPad
9. "hah" for hat
10. "men" for amen
11. "ow" for cat

He prefers to have his little doggie, big doggie, baby doll, and a few toys in his bed for naps and bedtime. I still sing him a collection of songs before I put him in his crib. By the last song, he usually cuts me off and says "Bye." This kid knows when singing is over and sleeps to needs to happen.

If he really wants cookies, which is usually always, he asks, "Tookies? Yeah?"

He can count to three, using three methods:
1. "Aye, Two, Aye"
2. "Two, Two, Two"
3. "Aye, Two, Yeah"

He likes to participate in family prayer by repeating any words he knows how to say like mamma, dadda, nona, grandma, etc. He always helps us finish the prayer with a resounding "men!"

If he really wants to go to the pool, he says, "Pool? Bubbles? Yeah?"

He has been playing with toy figurines that we have inherited from loved ones. He carries about seven of them around at one time. One of them is a plumber he calls "Dadda" and another is the little mermaid (Ariel) whom he calls "Momma."

He is starting to put two words together, like "Hi, Momma" or "Daddy, hi."

He loves loves loves school buses, trucks, buses, and motorcycles. We go on early morning walks and he is enthralled by what he sees driving down the street. We wave to all the school buses that go by.

If someone mentions basketball, soccer, football, etc., he looks up at either Jonny or me and says, "ball!" He loves playing with any type of ball and is thrilled when someone is talking about sports.

Sometimes when we tell Harrison, "I love you!", he responds back with a resounding, "I, too!"

If he wants to be included in something, be it eating cookies, playing with a ball, or drinking milk, he says "too?" This "too" means "mom, may I please have some?" He is so well mannered.

Some fun favorites:
1. Favorite book: We're Going on a Bear Hunt (he also loves to act it out by being the baby on dad's shoulders)
2. Favorite toys: Mini school bus, random toy figurines, and baby doll
3. Favorite snack: Belvita breakfast crackers or cookies
4. Favorite drink: Milk
5. Favorite thing to do outside: Play at the pool
6. Favorite outfit: American flag bathing suit
7. Favorite movie: Cars 
8. Favorite songs: "The Wheels on the Bus", "Baby Beluga", and "Itsy Bitsy Spider"

He can keep himself pretty occupied playing with his toys.

Harrison Turns Two

Our little guy turned two! I coached him all week by telling him that his second birthday was on Friday and that we were going to eat cookies! He knew that it was a special day if momma was talking about cookies. No birthday cake, in this household we prefer cookies for our birthday! The first thing he said on Friday morning to me was, "tookies!" We woke up before the sun to open up presents and send dadda off to work. Then Harrison and I took a walk to the grocery store to buy cookie mix and a birthday balloon. He was so excited. After a good cookie taste test, Face Time with loved ones, and a shower, we were off to downtown to celebrate with dadda. Here we are at Grand Park enjoying lunch and cookies. We even had milk for dipping!

Posing in front of city hall.

Halfway summersault

Just look at those baby blues! 

Harrison received a gift from Jonny's coworkers and he insisted on carrying it around downtown whilst on dadda's shoulders. 

After saying goodbye to dadda, we then drove to the California Science Center to see the Endeavor. It was very inspiring and humongous.

We walked through all the exhibits we could get our hands on. I loved following him everywhere, watching as he explored. Harrison especially enjoyed the tide pools and sincerely wanted to jump in. 

 After our traipsing through the Science Center all afternoon, we drove five miles to dadda's office (which took 45 minutes) and then made our way home. We kept him up past his bedtime to scoot on his new scooter and do a late night swim in the pool. What a special day! The next morning was a continuation of the celebration. We woke up to scooter rides around the neighborhood, reading cards from loved ones, Face Timing with family and friends, and smiling at the discovery of a $20 from Grandma Kristi and Grandpa Rick.

Cue that sly smile

After Harrison's nap, we made our way down to Zuma Beach. It was a perfect day for the beach.

My two studs

We went to the beach with the Moss family. Their son, Will, is just a few months younger than Harrison.

Proud parents with their two year old! 

Then we came home to more scooter rides and snuggles. Jonny and I feel so blessed to be this blue eyed baby's parents. We are proud of the little boy he is becoming and adore his little personality.
We love you Harrison!

Harrison Snuggles

I was on the phone with a friend and Harrison came up to sit on my lap. He then snuggled into me while I caressed his sweet face. The cute guy fell asleep for an hour! I love holding a sleeping baby, especially mine.

A boy and his baby

Harrison loves babies. He snuggles, or tackles, any baby that lets him. During our trips to Jackson and SLC, he borrowed, or stole, his cousin Riley's baby doll. We couldn't get it away from him. Poor Riley went a full week with its absence until Nona found the exact same baby, albeit clothed in blue, on Amazon. Harrison was thrilled!

*Jonny had a similar baby doll as a young child and it became his sidekick whenever he played cowboy. I think Harrison might be following in his dad's footsteps.

4th Anniversary

I got home from Salt Lake just in time to celebrate our 4th Anniversary. We had a nice candlelit dinner at home on August 22. 

Then, a week later, a family in our ward graciously took Harrison for two days so we could have some time away! We went to the beach, attended the temple, tried a new restaurant, and relaxed. It was so nice. 

This is the place

Following the Clayton Women Summit, we were all pretty tired. But, on Sunday morning, we got up to attend my parent's new ward. Riley and Harrison were snack pals.

The rest of the week was spent having fun with cousins. We went to the Mormon History Museum. Harrison was personally escorted by his cousins. 

Here he is giving a General Conference talk at an exact replica of the stand in the Conference Center.

We went to Antelope Island on another day. 

The morning of our departure, we all took an early morning hike in the hills above my parent's house. Here are some of the spectacular views.

Later, Uncle Andy and Harrison enjoyed some "tookie time." 

Then we all jumped in the jacuzzi for one last dip before we left.

These cousins were sad to leave each other. Luckily, only a one hour car ride separates them!

The little man was out cold upon landing.

Jonny was waiting for us just outside the Long Beach Airport terminal with a plate full of "tookies!" We were both thrilled to see Dadda after two weeks apart. Two weeks is way too long!