Our Summer To Do List

Our Summer To Do List

o   Make a friendship bracelet

o   Play card games

o   Picnic day

o   Park day

o   Library day, pick a subject and find a book about it

o   Swim

o   Sock puppets

o   Go on a hike

o   Board games

o   Craft day, lay materials out and see what you can make

o   Paint in a ziplock

o   Practice writing your name, maybe in shaving cream

o   Paint a picture

o   Decorate a canvas bag

o   Play kitchen,  make cupcakes and have a pretend birthday party

o   Make a treasure map and see if you can find some “treasure”

o   Visit a museum, and draw a picture about what you saw

o   Dot art

o   Make a list of outside items (a stick, a leaf, etc), collect and put in a jar to study.

o   Pick a relative and draw them a picture. Mail it to them and talk more about the post office.

o   Playdough

o   Go to the zoo

o   Play red light, green light

o   Go exploring in your neighborhood, take a magnifying glass

o   Parking lot with a cardboard box and cars

o   Pool noodles with cars to race

o   Have a dance party

o   Bake cookies and decorate them

o   Put googly eyes on a piece of paper and let your child draw the rest

o   Make a coloring book

o   Whiteboard and dry erase markers

o   Practice counting with buttons or beads

o   Dig in the mud

o   Make up a song and preform for someone

o   Read and keep a list of what you read

Flying with a Baby

FLYING WITH A BABY

 

 

 

I am not a flying expert. I still lose my cool. I yell at my husband because there is no one else to yell at. Lord help us all if I ever fly alone with my babies. I would probably complain to the flight attendant or to the person next to me. They would be in for a real treat.

All this to say, I am not an expert. But we have flown quite a few times with babies and children. We have done short flights and long flights. Twice we have flown internationally (13+ hours one way). We’ve flown with babies, toddlers and preschoolers. We’ve flown in sickness and in health. And somehow, we survived.

As I said, I am not an expert. But here are a few tips on flying with babies/toddlers/kids.

 

1.   Attitude

This is definitely the most important. As I write this section on attitude I have probably made at least 5 sassy comments in the last 10 minutes. Some of them under my breath.

Regardless, to fly with children and/or babies, you have to be unflappable. Decide that you will not be rattled. Nothing will break you. You are unbreakable. The TSA agent may be on a major power trip? Who cares. Car seat lost? You got this. You will make it through this. You can handle anything this airline or child throws at you. And if you freak out, take a deep breath and promise yourself a treat later. Or maybe then. Mine is starburst. I get a starburst anytime something goes wrong. Can’t be mad eating a starburst. You can’t unwrap it if your fingers are shaking.

Babies and children sense tension. When I cry or get upset, my three year old starts wailing. If I get upset, my body is so tense. Babies sense that, too.

 

2.   Baby wearing.

I absolutely love baby wearing. And when traveling it is a MUST. It makes things so much easier. Hands are free, and baby gets to see if you have a great carrier that they can face out in. Or they can sleep facing in. My carrier pick is the Beco Gemini. But do your research and wear what works for you!

 

3. Plan, plan and then stop planning.

Depending on what age you are traveling with, you will need an assortment of gear and activities. Think what your child loves. For my daughter, she loves to color and play with stickers. Go on amazon and find books about airplanes and traveling. Make sure you have a paci clip if you are the paci type. My son needs some sort of rattle and he’ll drop it a bazillion times and he is happy. Do some google and pinterest searches for airplane toys/activities. Have a few surprises up your sleeve.

 

THEN, you stop planning. You just hope. You pray if you are the praying type. You hope that you have packed enough goodies. And when all else fails, let them draw on you.

 

4. Emergency Bribery

Have an emergency stash of suckers and candy. You are not a bad parent. For me, when traveling, all bets are off. I refuse to let my daughter have unlimited sugar, because if I completely change her diet, then we will be in the airplane bathroom all day. But I do have a sucker stashed in my bag.

 

5. Make Friends

Make friends with your other captives, I mean, co travelers. Don’t be afraid to walk the aisles.

I have found that MOST people don’t care you have a baby there. Most people don’t mind and most people just want to talk about their grandson/granddaughter/neighbor’s kid/dog-walker’s third cousin. I have heard some pretty random stories. Almost everyone has a baby in their life somewhere. Some want to talk about said baby. I indulge them.

 

Now, about the others that DO care. You know, the stink eyes. The people glaring at you as you try to try to calm your kid down or struggle to nurse your baby. For me, my policy has always been I don’t care. I am going to do my best to keep my baby/toddler/kid quiet, but I make no guarantees. I am not going to apologize for my baby acting like a baby. I am sorry they are screaming. Trust me, it is harder on me than you. I have to DEAL with it. It is ON ME. I promise to do my best, just like everyone else is doing their best. And if you don’t have kids, and you think that you’ll never bring them on a plane, you are straight delusional. You never know why kids/babies are on that plane. They could be going to a funeral. Let’s all be nice.

 

Well, there you go. Those are my thoughts. Take them or leave them. Love them or hate them. Share then or hide them from your newsfeed.

 

Safe travels!

 

 

Andrew Ryan Harms-- Birth Story

Our sweet Andrew Ryan came into the world ON HIS DUE DATE. We were induced, sure, but it was still his due date. I love the punctuality. And I was very ready. The anticipation was killing me.

We got to the hospital at about 7am and met Alicia and Nicole, my nurses. They started my IV and started getting all the paperwork done. They moved me to a cooler room after about an hour, and I was so thankful. I was the only one "in labor" at the hospital. That was kinda nice. I was ready to get the show on the road but apprehensive about the how and how long it would take. I watched New Girl on Netflix and tried to relax. Ryan even got a nap. Haha.

They gave me pitocin and my contractions took a long time to get regular. Also, they had trouble tracking them with the machine. So it took a long time. Dr. Karns came and broke my water after they got more regular and I was dilated 7-8. Pretty soon after that I had my epidural, which was more painful than last time. For some reason. But it was glorious after. Sigh.

After 5-6 hours, I finally dilated to a 10. It was getting so late! My nurses that I LOVED were nearing the end of their shifts, and I hated thinking they might leave. They kept assuring me they would stay, but I knew that offer woudn't last all night. They said if they left it was like seeing a movie and missing the ending! The night nurse came in, so I had three amazing nurses. I mean, wow. Makes me tear up thinking how wonderful they were.

I pushed for 2 or so hours, with a pause in between because the machine didn't track my contractions for a little bit in between. Pushing with an epidural is so difficult because you really cannot feel what you are doing. I knew my family was waiting to meet Andrew, and I knew my nurses had families to get home to.  I did my absolute best. And after about two hours, Andrew emerged! Screaming in perfect rhythm, a little blue and just precious. He was bigger than Lylah, at 8 lbs 2 oz. They laid him on my chest and I just remember Ryan saying "You did so good, baby!" and kissing me over and over. Tears were in his eyes and the euphoria set in. I held A and nursed him and it was absolutely wonderful.

After some skin to skin, breastfeeding, and loving, lots of family came in to see him. Lylah came first, and she was so excited. She kept giggling. She got right in bed with me and gave Andrew pat pats and kisses. Sweet, sweet moments I will never forget. Then she got to have a cupcake. She just sat over on the couch and ate it in peace. Everyone was ohing and awing over Andrew, and I was getting so loopy. I am not sure I made any sense or if I was talking too much. I looked rough, too. I am not sure why I didn't ask for a mirror, or just run a brush through my hair.

Our family left so we could get some rest. I actually was able to sleep, for a about an hour at a time, that first night. We had a great hospital stay, and Andrew is/was such a good eater right away. Everything felt different, but familiar.

Andrew's birth was a fantastic experience. I know that sounds weird, but it was wonderful. Every person at the hospital was kind and helpful, and I could not have had a better experience there. I can't believe we have two kids, and how much we love this little man already. We thank God for giving us another beautiful child. He is already such a tremendous blessing!

Lylah-- 2 year old pictures

Newsletter-- 24 months

Dear Lylah,

You are 25 months today, so I guess it's time to write your 24 month blog. Oops. I kept meaning to write it, honest. We had a crazy two months filled with visitors, parties, church events, school, and lots of other stuff. Time really does fly!

Showing off your dance moves when we were trying to take a picture! :) 

You are just growing and changing constantly. You are so tall, and your hair is getting so long. You are in the 97% for height at 95% for weight. You are just starting to look more and more like a kid and not a baby! This gives me such a rush of conflicting emotions! I miss my little baby, but I love watching you learn and grow into your own little person. You give me moments of sweet snuggles and you are so loving. But then other times you just want to do everything YOURSELF. You are definitely teaching me to be patient.

Right now you are very into your baby doll. You love to "mother" her. It's so cute. You say exactly what I say to you, to her. I'll hear you say "You want a snack, baby? Ok. How about cheerios? Ok. Sit down and you can have cheerios." Or you'll say "First we'll change your diaper. Change your diaper baby. Lay down. Then we'll take a nap, baby. Ok?" It's just so funny.

here's a video of you after you put your baby down for a nap:

Last month you started school. You are at the Presbyterian Preschool two days a week, and you love it. I love it, too! You have brought home so much art work. I need to get a big cork board to hang all of it. You go to school with your friend Elizabeth, and you love your teachers!

Your favorite places to go are school, church, the library and the park. You really like to go anywhere if I make it sound exciting. You are an okay shopper. If you have a snack. But hey, me too!

 Trying to kiss the gorilla at the zoo. 

 Finally liking bubbles in the bath. Which is fun! 

 "Can I get some service over here?" 

 You love to be outside!

 We had a great visit with your cousin, Olivia. You were pretty sweet with her. You loved to give her "pat-pats". You didn't really like it when she played with your baby toys. We were constantly on guard because you would try to get on the play mat, especially if Olivia was playing on it. Olivia is so sweet and it was so fun to see you together. Can't wait to see you grow up together!

Lylah, we love you so much. You have enriched our lives so much and brought us so much joy. It's crazy. I feel like my heart has grown...doubled! Tripled! these past two years. I can't imagine not having my peanut. Thank you for being you!

Love,
Mom and Dad

Lylah 22 and 23 months-- Newsletter

Dear Lylah,

I had to combine these two months because time just got away from me! You keep me very busy! You are constantly on the go. And always talking. You speak exclusively in sentences now. Everyone always comments on how much you talk!

This month you've decided you want to learn the sign for EVERYTHING. We'll say something...and you'll say "Mommy sign....." And I'll say (if I don't know it) "Hmm, I don't know the sign for that. Do you?" And you will make something up. And sometimes I think you are right! Or just really good at making up signs. Daddy spends a lot of time looking up signs.

I wrote down a few of your "phrases" that I NEVER want to forget. :)

basketball= backet-ski-ball

puffs= pups

ladder= climb up

sunscreen= ice scream

library= ly-baby

oatmeal= oh-meal

Here you are doing "No More Monkeys Jumping on the Bed" :)

This month you've developed an irrational fear of flies. If you see a fly buzzing around the house, especially if you are in your chair eating, you haaaate it. You will cover your eyes and say you are "Scared of the fly!" It's gotten a little bit better, but let's just say we keep the fly swatter handy.

You love a good trip to the park, and a trip to the ly-baby (library). You especially love the library when they have popcorn and a movie. You've made friends with certain cashiers at Walmart, and love going there to see Carol and Mindy. That just shows how often we go to Walmart. HA! Too much. Wish it was Target! Come on, Stillwater. Work with me here.

You've been taking swim lessons which you LOVE. It's the same parent and tot class you took last year and it's pretty fun. You are a little fish. Here's a video: (This is at GrandMama's neighborhood pool, not at swim lessons)

During class you always want to "Swim this way" and go away from the class. You have your own ideas on where you want to go. You love doing the Hokey Pokey and Humpty Dumpty. 

We had a fun 4th of July in Perry, where we saw the Harms side of the family. You saw some fireworks, and played with Cousin Mary. You LOVE Cousin Mary. You have so much fun with her!

Summer has been good to us! Lots of swimming, play dates, visits, park days, family and friends!

One new thing you've really started doing is singing. You sing lots of songs....quite the variety! You love Taylor Swift, and demand her songs in the car by name. And you love to sing them randomly throughout the day. And you also will randomly pick up radio songs, and sing them later. It blows my mind! 

You also love your "Bible Music" and request it frequently. Your favorites from your CD are "Lord's Army" and "Into my Heart". Last week we were driving to swim lessons and you started singing along to "I have decided to follow Jesus." It was the most special moment. Brought tears to my eyes, and Daddy and I loved it. Sweet, sweet girl. 

I caught you today singing to your bear and putting him to sleep. So sweet! You know "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" is your night-night song!

You are a GREAT eater. Like, really good. Too good. You can PUT AWAY the food. Mommy has recently loosened the reins on the foods you can have. You've eaten pizza, a hot dog (the horror!), cookies....I mean, I can't believe myself. One day I will read this and think it was silly that I cared about that...but oh well. First child.

You love a good tickle! I hate this game, because I am so ticklish, but you love to play "Get Mommy! Get Lylah! Get Daddy!" Daddy is not so ticklish, so he gets lucky. But I usually wind up squealing!

We love you so much, Peanut! You make our lives so full and so fun. You are friendly, loving, demanding, energetic, loud, and amazing. I can't imagine my life without your sweet smile and your sweet requests for "Hug. Kiss". Thank you for being you!

Before we know it, you'll be TWO! 

Love, 

Mom and Dad

Newsletter-- 21 months

Dear Lylah, 

You are just getting so big! My back pain is definitely proof. I know you are 28.8 pounds because I had to take you to the doctor yesterday for your awful rash that I don't want to talk about because I gave it to you with my fever blisters and sharing my water bottle. I've already said too much. 

This month has been the month of "Lylah do it!" You say it all the time. Even if we aren't doing anything for you, but it's clear we're thinking about it. 

You want to put your shoes on by yourself, scoop your food by yourself, put your clothes on yourself....everything. You are definitely getting more and more independent. You get frustrated when you can't do something, and will eventually ask for help. Then you say "Lylah do it!" again, and the cycle continues. 

You talk ALL day. And recite lyrics. And your numbers. And letters. Here you are "singing"...

You often say things that I am about to say. Apparently, I have certain phrases I say constantly, and you pick up on them. For example, if you crawl into one of the kitchen table chairs, I say "Are you sitting in that chair?" And you'll say "like a big girl!" Because I've said that before. Or after you get aspirated, you say "All done! Did so good." And recently, if I ask you to say hi to someone, you say "Being shy." 

Every time you play the piano, you say "DA DA DAAAA". Always. 

You are obsessed with the Barbies and Barbie car I found at a garage sale. You also love puzzles, books, stickers, coloring (although sometimes it turns into "Mommy do it" and I end up coloring), pulling your puppy around, and anything with Elmo. Except TV. Too stressful, apparently. Anytime Elmo leaves the screen you cry. Maybe one day.

I love this face!

This month school ended, so we are adjusting to having no where to be. :) It's been kinda nice, actually! We just got back from Austin, where we met your cousin, Olivia. 

You really surprised us with how well you did on the 8 hour car ride, and sleeping in the pack'n play. It was in the biggest master closet ever at a rent house, but still. You were amazing. I was so worried for nothing. And you loved Olivia. She is precious!

Snuggling with Daddy

You love to be tickled, and your big tickle spot is under your chin. So cute. 

A little bug watching. . .

Being outside is your absolute favorite thing. You love to color with sidewalk chalk in the front yard, play with your car and blow bubbles. In the backyard, you love to swing, step in holes the dogs have dug, and take their toys from them. And you like to throw tennis balls for the dogs to chase. They don't go very far yet, but we're workin' on it. 

Peanut, you are just too much fun. You are loud, funny, demanding, cuddly, loving, friendly, sweet and  active. We cannot imagine our lives without you! 

We love you so much! 

Mom and Dad

Lylah-- 20 months

Dear Lylah, 

20 months old! You are SO close to being two, and I can't seem to fathom that. You are just such a funny, sweet, silly, smart little girl. 

Things about this month I don't want to forget....

--How you call strawberries "strawbabies" and blueberries "bluebabies". 

--Love to say the ABC's, minus a few letters occasionally. "ABCFG....menenopeeeee!" You love to say your letters and numbers with Daddy. 

--You love to take your temperature and call it "mer-da-der". 

--We were at the park and you were climbing, and I opened my mouth to tell you to slow down and you said "Don't go too fast!". Wow. 

--You love to say "How 'bout...." Because apparently, I say that constantly. 

--You want to "sungle" constantly. "Sungle Daddy. Hold Daddy." 

Sleeping: 

This month you have been sleeping LATE, which I love. A few times this month, you slept until 9, and it was amahzing. (Which is totally a word my iPhone recognizes now.)  You take a good nap at 1, and it's usually 2-3 hours. Occasionally you'll nap for an hour and then roll around in your bed and sleep off and on. And talk. 

You've started waking up and instantly being on the go. You used to want to be held and "sungle", but now you want to be put down and you are on the go. It's pretty cute. You look like a mini realtor. You point out pictures and rooms, and head to the living room to play. 

 Here you are counting: 

Playing: 

Above is one of your new favorite games. You love playing in your bed. You like to put your bear "to sleep" and say "night night" and pat him. Pretty cute. And you love to put all your animals in your shopping cart and "go shopping". And when you put them in your cart you say "Get in there!". 

Still love outside, and have recently discovered sidewalk chalk. I'm starting to trust you to play in the front yard more, which is fun, cause we have great neighbors. And the weather (hopefully) should continue to warm up, so we should do this more! :)

We LOVE you!

Love, 

Mom and Dad

Newletter--19 months

Dear Lylah, 

This month I have felt like you are so big. You are growing up so fast! I want time to slow down, but at the same time, it's fun to see you learn new things. The bigger you get, it seems the more fun you have experiencing new things. 

You definitely have a mind of your own, and are developing more and more independence each day. As I slowly figure this toddler parenting out (uh, trying to), I have found you enjoy when I explain things to you. And most of the time, you seem to understand. Ish.

It's fun to hear the phrases you've picked up. The ones you say are things we say a lot. It's so funny to discover what you say all the time! "Dirty Hands" "Yucky Now" (when something falls on the floor) "It go?" (Where'd it go?) "Come on!" "Ryan!" (Apparently I saw this a lot, because L does, too...)

Here you are the zoo with your BFF, Hannah!

We went to the zoo, and you talked about it for weeks. Rhino! Hippo! Duck! Hannah! Loller! (Stroller)

You love going to church, and to MDO. You love to name your teachers and the kids in your class. 

Daddy said the other night at dinner that in a few months, we are not going to be able to get a word in edgewise. And he is so right. You talk constantly. Here's an example: 

Daddy: What did you do today? 

Lylah: Park! Asher!

Daddy: You went to the park with Asher!

Lylah: Swing! Slide!

Daddy: You went on the slide and you played on the swing? Fun!

Lylah: Bye bye park!

Daddy: Then you said "Bye" to the park?

Lylah: Yeah. Car! Car! Bye Asher!

Recently you started saying "Throw fit!" and throwing yourself or whatever you are holding down. This cracks me up. And for some reason, it helps. Once I say "Okay, you throw your fit", you are fine. And sometimes you walk for a little bit and proclaim "'Nother fit!". 

You still love to eat. You were sick in the middle of the month, and I knew you were sick because you didn't really want anything to eat...even grapes. That was not fun. 

When you are not sick, your favorite things are grapes, broccoli (I know...crazy), corn, a few bites of an apple slice, cheese and recently ham. You ask for ham all the time. 

I'd have to say being outside is one of your favorite things.  You love going to the park, and you love running around in our backyard. You love the puppies! You prefer Sadie, but Parker likes you more than Sadie does. You will throw a fit if you only see Parker, and scream "Sadie! Hold you! Hug!" until you come around the corner or into the garage. 

Your other favorite things would have to be reading books. I literally read you books allllll day. You would be happy if all we did was read books. You love your barn, your new tunnel, and your car. And recently you are obsessed with your belly button. :)

You are such a fun, happy girl! We love you!

Love, 

Mom and Dad

Beaver Creek 2013

Ahhhh, Colorado.



End of February we went on a family ski trip! We were in Beaver Creek, Colorado. We had a blast! We were there for an extended weekend in a condo with this view right up the road.

Gorgeous!

L loved the snow. So much she would throw a fit if she had to go inside.

 The group before leaving. Fun times!