Notice something missing?

Before

After

*both pictures by my talented sister Nessa

The Sunday after Thanksgiving, in Wendy's nursery class at church, her teacher had all the little kids go around and say things they're thankful for. What was Wendy's answer?

"I'm thankful that my gap closed!"

It was something I noticed while helping her floss her teeth a couple nights prior to that day. Only the daughter of a dental hygienist.

Yo Gabba Live!

Today we got to go to the Yo Gabba Gabba Live show in LA! And it was "AAAAWWESOOMMMMME!!!" to say the least. Harvey slept in my arms most of the time and Wendy was a little nervous we were going to make her go up on stage to do one of Biz's Beats of the day. It wasn't without reason because it was offered to her and brave little Harper was super excited about his chance to go up on stage. She kept leaning over to me and saying, "Mommy, I don't really like Biz a lot. Maybe I just wanna stay here with you." Once Biz's Beats were over (and she had a fist full of cotton candy) she relaxed a little and let herself enjoy the show. Her most favorite part, though, was the after party. My most favorite part was just sitting back in awe and watching this phenomenon that my uncle Scott created. I was sitting next to him wondering if anyone around us realized they were sitting next to the man who dreamed this whole thing up and brought it to life. Being surrounded by thousands of people all decked out in Gabba gear, screaming and singing along and all the celebrities that are fans... it's surreal.

asd

Happy Thanksgiving!

*Our family on Harvey's 1st Thanksgiving

I thought about doing a list, but it would take too long. I have SO much to be thankful for. All the love, support, health, joys and freedoms in my life are overwhelming. I love Thanksgiving and the opportunity I get to step back and realize all that I've been blessed with in my life.

abd

asd

6 Months

*don't ya just wanna squeeze those chubby little arms and legs!? Cuz I do.

Harvey at six months:

• weight: 22 lbs!!!
• has discovered his hands. He will gaze at them opening and closing in slow motion like they are the most fascinating things in this world. I love watching him take it in.
• has also discovered his feet. Every time I put him on the changing table, he curls his chubby little body in half and grabs his toes. Sometimes, if he's lucky, he can get them into his mouth. It should probably gross me out or something, but I love it so so much.
• has developed some super sensitive skin. Baby eczema, bacterial infection/rash, dermatological fabric allergies, constant diaper rash, blah blah blah. not fun.
• still the most laid back baby ever. If all my kids are this easy, I might have 5 or 6 of them.
• My favorite thing about Harvey at 6 months: his baby babbling. He's constantly talking and it kills me. I could listen to him all day. It's usually a single sound over and over: Ba ba ba..., ma ma ma..., da da da...., fffffff, screaming or the "motor boat." I remember why I wanted Wendy to stay that way forever now.

It has happened... again. Ryan got an iPhone... again. Last time he got one I have to admit, I hated it. I hated talking to myself all the time and his delayed, "...Huh? Did you say something?" I hated the glow that ruined my perfectly pitch black room at night. I hated the extra $30 a month on our already overpriced cellphone bill. I hated how he couldn't function if it wasn't working or was lost for 5 seconds. I hated this unnecessary object that took all of my husband's attention. Seriously. We have a desk top and a laptop, why would you NEED to have the internet in your pocket 24/7? Honestly, I had visions of throwing it out the car window.

But this time around, for some reason, I don't mind so much. Maybe it's that he's not as obsessed. Maybe it's that I love watching Wendy laugh over and over again at the "Talking Tom" app. Maybe it's because I have reaped the benefit of having the internet in Ryan's pocket on more than one occasion. Maybe it's because I secretly covet instagram. Okay, I admit I was wrong. Maybe I might kinda want one some day.

Our Very Hungry Halloween!

For Harvey's 1st Halloween, I knew I wanted him to be The Very Hungry Caterpillar. It's one of my favorite children's books and so appropriate for my happy, chubby, HUNGRY little boy. (Have I mentioned that my father-in-law calls him "Starvey Harvey"?). I found some great ideas here and here, bought some yarn and sent it to my amazingly talented grandma. She whipped this little number up for Harvey and mailed it back to me within a week. And since this may just be the last year Wendy lets me sway her into a costume of my choosing, we made it a family affaire. She was the butterfly, Ryan & I were pears and strawberries.

*i LOVE how she's kissing his hand...

* ...and i LOVE how he's grabbing her tutu.

*this face reminds me of another little baby I knew, back in October of 2008

Wendy was a trooper, going for the whole butterfly thing. We found a pet caterpillar over the summer and watched it morph from bug, to cocoon, into a very ugly moth. She also helped me make her antenna, so those were the selling points. We did have SEVEN opportunities to dress up this year (1.Charlie's spooky dinner, 2. Yo Gabba Halloween Wrap Party, 3.Sloan's 4th BDay costume party, 4. My parents "trunk-or-treat," 5. Wendy's pre-school Halloween parade/party, 6. Our "trunk-or-treat," AND 7. the REAL Halloween trick-or-treating) ...so there were a couple times she decided to be something (or should I say, "someprincess,") else. I have a feeling I won't be so lucky with the family themed costumes next year. Or maybe I can just hope Wendy doesn't want to be a princess and we can base our costumes around her instead.

*Yo Gabba Season 4 Wrap Party

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

May yours be safe and full of Reeses snuck out of your child's stash once they're asleep :)

5 Months!

Harvey at 5 months:

• weight: 2o lbs 14oz - 97th percentile
• length: 28 in - 96th percentile
• head: 17.7 in - 88th percentile
• in the grab-whatever-i-can-reach-and-put-it-in-my-mouth phase. especially loves to try to eat: his fists, fingers, blankies, and my hair
• simply ADORES his sister, even after all the abuse. his face lights up when she talks to him in her silly baby talk voice. she can get him cracking up so easily by jumping on the couch or making fart noises (yes, i admitted it) (i know boys are boys, but isn't he a little too young to think that's funny?)
• has rolled over once, from his tummy to his back on his left side
• My favorite past time with 5 month old Harvey: right before i lay him down to sleep, i sit in the rocking chair and sing (or try to sing) "You Are My Sunshine" to him. He always stops squirming, lets the pacifier drop out of his mouth, opens his eyes and smiles a wide open smile at me the whole time i sing. When I'm done his mouth searches for the pacifier, his eyes close and he's out.

*i gotta give a shout out to my little helper. notice how he's smiling big in every picture but not quite at the camera? yeah, that was all her.