A Very Harris Halloween

Halloween was lots of fun this year.  I'm actually not a fan of the day, but there is really no way to avoid it with kiddos, so we make the best of it.  

Well, several months ago, Cilla told me she wanted to be a princess for Halloween.  So, of course, I thought it would be super duper cute to coordinate the kids' costumes.  So, Cilla would be a princess.  We had the cutest purple princess dress.  And Duke would be a frog!  Perfect, right?!?!  Well, when you have a three year old {or any kids, for that matter} not everything goes according to plan.  About a week and a half before Halloween, she decided she wanted to be a ballerina.  What?!?!  The kid won't even put on a tutu and has resisted ballet class every time I have offered to sign her up!  Geez!  I fought the idea and finally, the night before her first carnival, I drug my mommy self to Hobby Lobby.  I did what any loving, compassionate, and overly tired mom would do- buy everything my little princess would need to be transformed into a ballerina!  So, Cilla got a pink, pink, and more pink tutu.  And I still stand behind the claim that my three month old is easier than my three year old!  Duke put on his frog costume that I bought for $7 resale two months prior without one teensy  problem!

All that to say, we still had lots of fun this year.

Love this picture of these two!  Love them so much, too!

My tiny dancer!

 I kind of think he is more of a handsome prince, than a frog.  But he sure makes green and slimy look good!

Cilla and Duke with their Nana and Poppa.

 Poppa is crazy about his little buddy, Duke.

And these are two of our favorite blue-eyed people! 

We had a carnival at our gymnastics gym the Friday before Halloween.  Then we had a little lunch party with some sweet friends, a Halloween party with more friends and trick-or-treating!  Whew!  I'm tired just thinking about it!

Point Two Five

 Our little big guy turned three months old on October 17 and since I was a {teeny} bit late at taking his three month pics, we caught some smiles.  That's right folks, what everyone looks forward to with a new baby- the day they smile back at you and acknowledge that you are sort of funny and that they love you- at least a little bit!  A quarter of a year old.  When you put it like that, it kind of sounds old!

Here is our precious little mister.  I fall more head over heels in love with him every. single. day.  

He still has the bluest big eyes.  The cutest little lips.

The most kissable cheeks.

The sweetest, most pleasant temperament.

 The rolliest legs.  And I love every last ounce of him!

He is called Dukester, Bubba. Brother Bear and Candy Machine (don't ask!) around our house.

 He started sleeping from about 8 pm to between 6 and 7 am shortly after he turned 3 months.  This not only made his parents happy, but it must have made him happy because he started smiling at us!  Such a sweet smile.  And he has a twinkle in his eyes just like his big sis always has.  We have to put the paci in sometimes in the wee hours of the morning.  But, sometimes he goes all night without it.  He still sleeps in the Nap Nanny.  Not sure where we would be without that jewel!

Not sure what he weighs.  But he is wearing 3-6 month clothes and some 6 month.  He's a big boy.  I'm thinking linebacker {wink}!

He loves the swing and is so content in it.  He is content just about anywhere, actually.

He's a great eater, 6 times a day.  We were finally able to drop his middle of the night feeding.

He loves his sister.  He is already watching her every move and taking it all in.  She can do just about anything and he takes it.  

He loves loves loves to watch tv.  Especially football.  I'm not kidding!  It is pretty hysterical and I say that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree on this one.  

Duke, 

We love you so so much.  You light up our lives and I am so grateful God entrusted you to us!  You are the sweetest baby and are such a joy.  I love hugging you and kissing you because I know a day will come, far too soon, that you will not let me!

I love you to the moon and back, my sweet boy!

TWO Months Old

Duke was TWO months old this week.  Despite the craziness, we managed to get a few pictures to mark the milestone!

He cracks me up. 

 I just thought Cilla had the most serious faces as a baby, but he puts her to shame.

 Being two months old is rough on a little man!

 It's tiring to be so cute!

 This one is for Cilla.  She wanted me to take his picture with his giraffe.

 I just love his big ole cheeks!  Sweetness!

Duke Update:

I have no idea what our little buddy weighs but he has grown so much the last week.  He has almost grown out of 3 month clothes!  BIG BOY!

Sleeping, well, we are still working on that!  We are lucky to get a five hour stretch from 11 pm to 4 am.
He is a big fan of the swing.  He sleeps in the Nap Nanny.  And he gets swaddled at night, like it or not!
He eats like a champ!
He still has a lot of blank stares, but he is starting to smile at us.  He has a sweet smile with sparkly eyes.  I am ready to see more of it.
He has enormous eyes and they are so blue.  I would not be disappointed if they stayed that way!
He has had lots of firsts this month.  A birthday party.  First time to church.  First night away from home...and mommy!  His first play date.  His first Razorback gameday.  He has been a busy boy!
He is a little snuggler.  Way more than his big sister ever was.  He would be perfectly happy if you would sit and hold him ALL. DAY. LONG!
He has already acquired a handful of nicknames.  Dukester the Candy Machine (he can thank his sis for that one day!), Bubba or Bubby, and Brother Bear are the big ones.
And that is our two month old in a nutshell!

County Fair

Like everything else in my life right now, this is a bit late!  I am trying my hardest  to keep up with the happenings of the Harris fam or I know I will regret not documenting more!  I already do!

A couple of weeks ago the county fair was in town.  Cilla has been looking forward to it since she got back  from Lake Tahoe with her daddy!  They went to a carnival and rode rides on Father's Day, so she has been pumped at the possibility of doing it again.  The week that the fair was in town was a crazy one.  Lots of rain and lots going on.  But this sweet baby girl was way too excited not to take her!  Her Nana and Poppa stepped up to the plate and helped this overwhelmed momma out!

I'm so thankful they did because she had a blast!  She was literally all smiles from the time we arrived.

 The teacups were her favorite!  She rode the first time with her mommy, then got brave and rode twice by herself!

 I love this picture!  You can almost hear the squeals!

 She and Poppa rode the Ferris Wheel while Mommy, Nana and Brother watched.

 And of course our little animal lover loved all the livestock!  This calf was her favorite.  We joke that one day she will be involved with FFA or 4H and will show her animals at the fair!

Sweet, sweet memories with Nana and Poppa!

Our Big Preschool Girl

Today, Cilla started 3 year old Preschool.  Not gonna lie,I shed a few tears this morning.  Will it be good for her?  Absolutely!  Do I need it?  Double yes!  But there is just something kind of emotional about this milestone!  I was fine leading up to today.  But, seeing the big kids at the crosswalk carrying their backpacks and when I saw the school buses driving to school this morning I just couldn't hold it in any more.  I guess the reality finally sank in.  It's hard letting go!  

She is so so excited about big girl school.  About her class.  Her teacher.  Eating in a big lunchroom.  Having P.E. class.  The playground at school.  I can't wait to hear about all of her new experiences.

 She looks like such a big girl in her uniform.  She chose a bubblegum pink shirt and a navy skirt over khaki because, "I don't like khaki, momma!"  I guess it is not fashion forward enough for her!

Her only reservation was having to get up so early.  She walked in like such a brave big girl, hung up her backpack and sat in her chair.  She went straight for a purple crayon and her daddy, brother and I left her as happy as she could be.  

Cilla Grace Harris,

Your mommy and daddy are so excited about this new chapter and we are so proud of the little girl you are growing into!  You are beautiful on the inside and out.  We love you so much!  I can't wait to hear about all of your fun adventures this year!  You bring us so much joy!

After dropping my baby girl off, I surprising held myself together and went on with my day.  Duke and I ran a couple of errands and he had his first play date with his buddy, Jake which meant I got to have a little time with one of my dear friends, Kelli.  So so thankful for her friendship!

So, Jake did way more playing than Duke, but I see lots of trouble in these two's future!  

We had such a happy first day at school.

Hugs and Kisses

It took Cilla a few days to warm up to the idea of kissing and holding baby brother.  But once she started, there was no stopping her!  Here are a pictures we captured from those sweet first moments....well, Duke might argue that they were sweet!

"It's okay, Brother!"

 So thrilled to get her hands on him.......

and to smother him with kisses!!!

 And more kisses!

I am so grateful that Cilla has already loves her brother so much!

A sweet little story that I want to lock away in the mommy memory vault:

Cilla, although hard-headed and strong-willed, has the heart of a giant!  She is exceptionally thoughtful for a little girl her age.  Just days before her little sibling was born, she decided she wanted him (or her) to have a giraffe of their very own.  Just like her Gigi!  So while we were shopping one day, we found this precious little giraffe that was her gift to her brother!  When he is upset and crying, she gets him his giraffe, just like she likes to have her's!  It is precious and just another one of those little tiny details that God has blessed us with to make my heart happy!

Duke William Harris

He's here.  He's perfect.  And we are in love!

Duke William Harris

Weighing in at a svelte 9 lb 1 oz

21 inches long

He's a fiesty little fella, but oh so sweet!

 The whole family is smitten, but we have an exceptionally proud daddy!

 Even Big Sister is taken by little Duke and is already proudly assuming her big sister role!  She is a lot unsure about the hospital and mommy having to have surgery, but she is so proud of her little brother.  God has answered all of my mommy prayers!

 Big Sis hasn't taken advantage of holding Duke yet, but that will happen in due time.  

 Two precious babies.  We are so so blessed.

Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers.  Mommy is doing well, Duke is doing well, Daddy is doing a terrific job of taking care of Cilla Lulu this week and Cilla is a little tired and overwhelmed but so excited about our newest little family member.

Come and Gone

Cilla had her last day of Kid's Day Out this past Thursday.  KDO is our church's version of Mother's Day Out.  It was Cilla's very last day of KDO, because we have decided to go ahead and put her in a 3 year old preschool program.  She's just growing up entirely too fast.  I can hardly stand it!

Here is a picture of Flint and I with her on "Meet the Teachers" Day back in August.  She had a short bob and was a little unsure about everything.  Now look at her.  Ponytail.  Sassy pose.  And all ready for splash day!

She is with Miss Jilly Bean in the bottom left.  Cilla loves Miss Jilly Bean!  She teaches the kids bible verses to songs.  And Cilla can sing every. single. one!  Then they get a jelly bean after music time!  Our sweet Miss Jilly Bean!

One morning before school with Gigi in hand.  

{early spring 2012}

 Lunch with friends. 

{late spring 2012}

 The fire truck and firemen came to school to visit.  Of course that was popular! 

{Fall 2011}

This year just flew by so fast and I look back and Cilla has changed so much in such a short time!  I am so proud of her!

My heart.

We had a special treat this Mother's Day.  We got to have our very first lunch at Nana and Poppa's new house!  We are so excited to have them in town.

A happy mother's day.

Cilla talks nonstop and says the funniest things.  She always keeps us in stitches.  But, recently she has started telling me, "I love you to the stars and the moon and back!" or "I love you to Heaven and back!" Melt my mommy heart!

My loves!

Three generations.  And so thankful for my momma this year.  She has such a willing servant's heart and has been a lifesafer through all of the craziness in our lives this past year!  Cilla loves having her Nana and Poppa nearby.

My heart could explode.

Being a mommy is so much harder than I ever imagined.  Ever.  I've eaten all of my words.  Even though I stumble many days, it is so much more rewarding than any job I have ever had.  Everyday we grow together.  I am constantly learning more about myself and about God's grace. It is my job to model what it means to love the Lord, to respect others, to love our neighbors, to have compassion, to give unselfishly, to be kind, to laugh, to work hard, to play harder, to pray without ceasing, to have self control, to communicate, to forgive, to have fun, to be still, to be patient, to be a listener, to be thankful, to be loyal, to keep your word, to have a sense of family, to have unfading beauty and a gentle and quite spirit.  How could I not strive for anything less with two sparkly, little eyes looking up to me and watching my every single move!  I am learning to see life through the sweet eyes of child.  That changes your perspective fast...let me tell you! 

And everyday I squeeze my sweet girl, smother her with kisses, and thank Jesus for another day to be her mommy!

I say this every year on Mother's Day, but it is a bitter sweet day.  It always weighs heavy on my heart that Flint's mom, Grammy Cilla, is not here on earth to celebrate with us.  We miss her so much.  Cilla has been asking about Grammy a lot lately and talking about her being in Heaven with Jesus.  I wish she could have known her Grammy this side of Heaven, but it warms my heart to hear her talk about her.  

On a different note we have some exciting news.  Way overdue news!

We are having another baby!!!!!

I am due in July.  So, I am actually 31 weeks and in the homestretch!  It is another surprise just like the first time. We are definitely apprehensive about having a newborn baby around the house again and about having two kiddos, but we are so excited to meet the newest little member of the Harris family!

Life has been passing by in supersonic speed and we have been crazy busy, but I am trying to savor each and everyday with just my Cilla because I know life is about to take a sharp turn in a different direction!  

Razorfest 2012

There has been a lot of hype over the Razorback football team the past few weeks and Razorfest and the spring football game were no exception!  Flint took Cilla this year to Razorfest and I met up with them a little late.  They had a big ole time!  What a difference a year makes.  Last year Cilla was overwhelmed by the mass amount of people and wanted to be carried the entire time.  This year was quite the opposite.  Little Miss was ready to go and do it all!  The monstrous bounce houses did not stop her.  She climbed right up and slid right down and then wanted to cut to the front of the line and do it all over again!

.....and because everything this child wears should have pink in it......we had to find a RED and PINK outfit for the occasion!!!

The morning started with pancakes per Cilla's request.  Daddy and Poppa were her breakfast dates.

I told you the bounce houses didn't phase her!

 All smiles!

Daddy's little Razorback.  

It was a fun treat to see some of our friends.  Cilla loves her Stella!  And I love that her arm is around Stella's neck...literally!  They are such sweet little friends and they have so much fun together.

Cilla also got to see another one of her besties, Anna Kate!  She loves Anna Kate.  A LOT!  She is such a lover.  Her friends hold such a special place in her heart and she is so loyal to them!  I love that about her!

Marci tried to get Anna Kate to go down the big slide with her, but Anna Kate bailed.  So, Cilla was there to step in without any hesitation!

Such a fun day!