Fun New Tricks

Harrison has learned some new "big boy" skills over the last few weeks. Here are our favorites:

1. Walking backwards ("moonwalking," as we like to call it)

2. Running in place

3. Throwing a tantrum while running in place

4. Running in place while hurling himself around Mom's legs to be picked up

5. Scooting down the stairs on his bottom (still a work in progress)

6. Brushing his teeth

7. Using a spoon and actually getting the food in his mouth sometimes

8. Saying "yum yum" while eating something he likes

9. Unlocking the iphone

10. Solving his first puzzle

So much fun right now!

So Much To Do

Harrison is keeping himself very busy these days. To give you an idea, here is list of activities he regularly completes in a 15 minute burst of activity: climb the stairs, ride toy milk truck, empty one drawer, fill one drawer, press 10 buttons, open and close closet doors, throw things, point, chase the dog, pet the dog, more pointing, bang piano keys, and help with laundry.

We're having so much fun watching Harrison explore the world, and helping him make the most of each day! We've posted several new pictures on Flickr so that everyone can see Harrison taking care of business.

Keeping Busy

As you probably guessed, Harrison started walking for-real since our last post. Just in the last couple of weeks, he has started to prefer walking to crawling and he is getting better at it everyday. He has also learned how to strategically fall when he loses his balance, so that helps too! Now that he has walking figured out, it has been amazing to watch his other skills develop by the day. His verbal skills are getting better and better, and we notice him starting to mimic us more. He is also really developing his fine motor skills and seems to really like to organize (Yay, says mom!) He seems to really enjoy putting things in their containers and then dumping them out to start all over again! And, our favorite new developments are the clap and the wave. Waving is still very new, but it is so cute and he is very proud of himself!

We have had a great time this last month catching up with old friends and enjoying these long summer days together. Todd, Ali, and Ryan were kind enough to let us celebrate Memorial Day with them at the Lake, and as you can see from the new pics, we all had a great time. Their dog Callie REALLY enjoyed all the food that Harrison was kind enough to feed her during our stay! Harrison enjoyed his first boat ride and loved hanging out with Ryan.

Harrison also got a chance to stay with Aunt Katie and Uncle Brian one night this month so that Mom and Dad could attend an out-of-town wedding. As the pictures clearly show, they had a lot of fun together and Harrison was so sad to see them go the next day!

It's been a really fun month and we are enjoying the chance to get out of the house more this summer! We are also very excited to celebrate Johnny and Owen's birthdays soon. These boys are all developing such distinct personalities and it is an honor to watch them grow up together.

11 Steps!

Harrison is getting closer and closer to "full on" walking after a couple of weeks of taking steps here and there. Here is a video from this weekend of him taking some steps. And doing some trademark pointing...

Best Year Ever

It's safe to say that Harrison's first "birthday week" was a success. Harrison is incredibly blessed to have such an amazing group of family and friends to help him celebrate this amazing year. In order to celebrate with everyone, we ended up with about four little celebrations. He is so thankful for all of the fun gifts he received and excited to try his new toys out! And, Harrison had his first taste of sugar and we're afraid there is no turning back now. Ice cream is an official favorite! We've posted a bunch of pictures from the past week and hope you all enjoy!

Happy First Easter

Harrison had a very busy and fun schedule this past Easter weekend. On Saturday, he had so much fun hanging out with Johnny and his aunts and uncles for a party in honor of Annie and Mike's baby girl, due this summer. This little girl is going to have lots of "big brothers" looking out for her! Harrison and John were very helpful to Annie when she opened her gifts!

On Easter, we spent the morning with Tom's dad and his siblings after discovering Harrison's first Easter basket. We attended a beautiful mass in Lawrence before resting up for Easter dinner in Topeka with Amy's family. It was a big day, but so much fun! Lots of new pictures from our holiday weekend. Enjoy!

Dinner is Fun!

With the people watching, music, and Cheerios, Harrison was VERY happy at dinner this evening. This funny video shows him bouncing t the music and chomping on some O's.