Where is the man I married?

Byron and I dated for quite a few years before we got married, and I would have felt comfortable saying that I knew him very well. In fact, getting married was not even the huge transition I expected it to be, since we knew each other so well there were almost no surprises as we began our married life. However, people do say that spouses can change over time, "letting themselves go," if you will. Well, it has happened to me. This is a sight I never expected to see:

He didn't even stop reading when I got out the camera. I was not being stealthy.

I am the book worm in the family, and I hold that title proudly. You might wonder why I'm not more happy and excited about Byron's new-found interest in literature. And in theory, I would have welcomed the change. However, I now have new understanding of why Byron gets irritated when I become immersed in a book and never want to stop reading. It is boring for the other person! I was forced to reduce myself to pestering, tickling and talking nonstop about nonsense in an effort to hold his attention. A failed effort.

So I eventually decided to be the bigger person, and settled down to read a book of my own. But when Byron finished reading his book, I realized my folly - I had unleashed a monster. Now the pestering, tickling and talking nonstop was directed at me. As a result, I have concluded that it is much more amusing when you are the pesterer and much more irritating that the pesteree. How something that is so endearing, humorous and silly when I do it can become quite the opposite when Byron does it is a mystery to me.

And the worst part is, I'm the one who got him the book and encouraged him to read it!! So for anyone out there hoping their husbands will change, improve or begin to share more of their interests, please, just enjoy the status quo.

Called to Serve!!!

My little sister Renee got her mission call yesterday!! She was so patient and accommodating so that everyone could be there; the East Coaster's were finding out at 1 AM!! But with all of the web cams and speaker phones and conference calls, all of the family was listening when she announced she was going to SINGAPORE!!! And speaking Indonesian! WHAT??!!

I'm so excited for her that I almost wish I had been on web cam. Here's a little word picture for you: Harrison was already asleep and I didn't want to wake him, so my usual use of verbal volume was not an option. Instead, I involuntarily opted for excited body spasms on the bed. Poor Byron thought I was having a seizure as I silently threw my legs and my body in the air, time and time again. I just couldn't contain myself. I'm so excited for her.

She is going to be such a super missionary. In all seriousness, I'm actually getting emotional right now just thinking about it. Renee has always been good at setting her mind to something and consequently becoming brilliantly successful at it, and I’m sure teaching the gospel will be no exception. All of her great qualities are going to be so appreciated by her companions and by the people she teaches: her love of fun, her infectious happiness, her easy laugh, her consideration for others, her determination and her love of the gospel (just to name a few). I'm sad she'll be so far away, but I know she is going to do such a good job and bless so many people's lives. I have to stop blogging now so that I can cry for a little bit. And then go call Renee and take advantage of her while she is still here!!

I love you Renee and I'm SO proud of you!

Family Photo Op

People have been telling me to blog more. You might be sorry. This is quite lengthy and probably boring, unless you are a member of my family and love having your picture splashed on the Internet.

When Harrison was first born, Byron and I were a little sad that we didn't live closer to our families. We worried that he would grow up missing out on how fun his family was, because we would be living so far away. Let's just say, that is not turning out to be an issue. Just in the last two months Harrison has visited all of his extended family on both sides, (except Nikki, Karl and Lisa - but we're coming to Portland this weekend!!) on multiple occasions. Here are some highlights...

A visit from the Hansens. And although this is supposed to be a blog focusing on Harrison, I can't resist the opportunity to show my nephews all trying out Harrison's stroller...

We had to test out the claim that our stroller takes up to 70 pounds. And now we know it does.

Harrison of course saw tons of my family on our trip to Utah.

Harrison loves Granny Tanny and Grandpa Harrison, even when they are not quite looking their best.

Starting with the oldest sibling in Utah, Tracy, who is currently using Harrison as practice for her upcoming Thanksgiving baby. Yes, I am aware he has crazy eyes in this picture, but it is the only picture I got of Tracy. The pregnant are so darn camera shy.

Next up, Jamie, who gets a double photo op for making Harrison look so good. The better you make Harrison look, the more pictures you get posted on my blog. Unfortunately, this threat does not hold a lot of weight, as my posts are so few and far between.

I love how Harrison is looking at the camera, knowing that he has been caught sucking jewelry, which is strictly forbidden. Aunt Jamie is such a softy.

Harrison even got some face time, miraculously, with his incredibly busy, rock star aunt, Kendra. She showed him the sights of the local Walmart. Look at the wonder in his eyes!! If he could talk he'd be saying, "Why don't we have one of these at home mom?!!"

And here they are practicing their very serious "model-staring-off-into-space-look." And that's not just funny blogging, we actually said that as we were taking the picture.

Uncle Lance. I don't know how he does it, but he and Harrison always look so handsome in every picture I take of them. People would think I favored one sibling if I put all of the awesome pictures up that I have of those two together, so I'll limit myself to two. For now.

Aunt Renee. Harrison loved seeing you in Utah, but he wishes you would visit more. Is it wrong to hope you get your mission call to Los Angeles??

Aunt Brooke. Who also gets two pictures, but NOT because she makes Harrison look good. Actually, these photos are going to be a lesson in photo etiquette for her.

1) Putting a toy on Harrison's head does not make him look good, Brooke.

2) Neither does giving the camera your sexy look. But you do look nice.

Uncle Trent - Thanks for coming out to visit us!! You've inspired us with your ability to eat great quantities of frozen pot pies (you left one in the freezer, for next time), drink incredible amounts of soda and stay up until just before Harrison and I get up in the morning. Also, you've shown us that even grown up 17 year olds still love their cartoons (as do law students, Matt.) We loved your trip and it made us excited for you to come again next summer. I love this tradition!

Back the the Williams', Harrison with his Aunt Sheri and his cousins. It's hard to tell how much fun he has with them, right?


Harrison also took his first trip to the Cabin!! He loved it, except for the part where he screamed every night at 2 in the morning. Sorry everyone!! This is also the only picture of Byron and I on this blog. I'm the one in the teal sweatshirt. Funny, Lance.

Simple quiet fun at the Williams' house. What started as a calm bath with cousin Kylie.

And resulted in a family party, including a co-ed bath.

And finally, Harrison's only uncle who resides in the great state of California. We love having Matt down to visit. He came down once with Lance and once with Trent.

I love the full spectrum of smiles here: closed mouth, teeth; open mouth, teeth; open mouth, no teeth, drool. I'm sure you see the family resemblance.

That should help.

Harrison loved hanging out with his uncles and he wants to be just like them. However, he has yet to perfect the sexy turned-body, head leaned on elbow look that these two have obviously mastered.

And we loved getting a visit from Uncle Shad, Aunt Stef and cousin Mia. We had quite a few cute pictures of them together, but for some reason this one is my favorite. Every time Harrison squeaked at Mia to initiate a conversation, she would burst into tears. Literally, fat tears rolling down her cheeks. Eventually, her crying would confuse him to the point of tears as well. So being the good parents we are, we grabbed our camera. Then comforted the kids.

We love our families and although our summer has been packed with traveling and with visitors, (including our trip this weekend to introduce Harrison to the Pacific Northwest and his Aunt Nikki and Cousin Omi!!) we always welcome more!!

Hard to please...

We took Harrison to the Los Angeles Zoo this weekend with some friends and their baby. His first trip to the zoo - we couldn't wait!! However, we may have been a bit eager in taking a six-month-old to the zoo.

The pictures tell it all.
Harrison played it cool with the flamingoes.




He kept his composure with the giraffes.



He didn't even crack a smile for his friend Izzy (let's be honest - he wouldn't even look at her.)

What was his favorite part of the zoo?? Being lifted up on his parents' shoulders.

We had a great time, but next time we want to entertain Harrison, we'll save ourselves the trip across town in traffic and the cost of admission; we'll just put him up on our shoulders at home.

One final note, we are enjoying these toothless grins while we have them, since they are almost gone. Harrison has his first tooth coming in, so soon we won't even recognize our baby with his sparkling white smile.

What a week!

Harrison had quite a week of firsts this past week!!

He went swimming for the first time, so we had to document every step of the process.
Here he is in his lil' swimmers, eager to hit the pool.

Next step: he has his swimming suit on!! And, if I'm not mistaken, he is practicing his balance for surfing maybe? I think the happy look on his face is that he is looking at his favorite new toys: his feet. Next picture: post sunblock, pre-dip.

Finally - he made it in the pool!! He loved it so much. He was kicking his legs underwater and splashing around. (Thanks for the hat, Aunt Sheri!)

Harrison also had a visit from his cousins this week!! His Aunt Chanda and Uncle Cory and their girls, Alesha and Kylie, came down to LA to visit. He was a great baby while they were here and he showed them all the fun LA stuff to do!!



He took them to The Griddle (only the greatest breakfast place ever!) where the pancakes are probably bigger than Harrison is. It was his first time to go there too, and he loved sitting up in the booth like a big boy (hence the huge open mouth smile!) He tried drinking out of my water glass while we were there, so for once the huge wet spot on his bib is not all entirely drool!

He also went to the beach for the first time. He's been out to the beach before, but this was his first trip to have his swimsuit on and to be introduced into the ocean. However, Harrison had other ideas. After one second out in the sun with his Aunt Chanda, he wanted to be under the umbrella with his mom, where his eyelids promptly started to droop.

This was as much as he was willing to open them, before he drifted off to sleep.

He spent the rest of our beach day wrapped in towels out of the wind and asleep in my arms. Can you even SEE him in this picture?? Why oh why did we spend so much time sunblocking every inch of his body???

As if that wasn't enough fun for the week, Harrison also went to The Getty for the first time. I've never been so proud of my son - he's going to be a museum lover!! He spent the entire time at the museum in the following position:

I'm not kidding and that picture is not posed. He just wanted to see everything and could not stop looking around. He seems very relaxed in the museum environment, wouldn't you say?

Here's the family enjoying the gardens outside.

He's more than an art appreciating little child, however, he has his mischievous side.

See how innocent he looks in this picture. He was just plotting his move.

In one quick, lightning-fast movement, he went from happy baby to chewing on his favorite thing - my hair. He's a fast little sucker (pun intended.)

We are exhausted from all of the fun (and Harrison from acting like an angel while we had visitors - he even slept through the entire night once while they were here, what a show-off) but we love having visitors! So please come visit, if only so Harrison will sleep through the night to impress you!

Harrison can speak!!!...sort of

Harrison honestly believes he is communicating when he makes these noises. You'll notice that his eyebrows even move to further accentuate the point he is making. I have a few theories behind this squeak-speak of Harrison's. It is either some sort of high-pitched whale language or (more likely) baby dinosaur language. Either way, it is adorable. Those who don't know Harrison don't realize he is happy when he is making these noises, so I continually get strange looks from passersby who think I am just allowing my baby to cry, while watching him with a huge smile on my face.

After I filmed this little clip, I let Harrison watch it on the camera. He was quietly enthralled and then his face broke into an enormous grin - someone was FINALLY speaking his language!! He proceeded to squeal responses to the camera, relieved to finally have a conversation in his language.

Ladies Man? You Decide...

This is Harrison. After receiving Harrison's first and SECOND pieces of personal mail from adoring female peers, I began to consider the facts.

Clearly, he is self confident and comfortable with his body, two key elements in a "ladies man."

Also, he has spent a great deal of time with females his age (always supervised, of course) but not always fully clothed, case in point:

He initiates physical contact with young ladies, quite comfortably.

Another point in his favor - girls (even babies not yet a day old) enjoy being with him despite his unsightly acne.

Lastly, and possibly most convicing: I have indeed witnessed him staring soulfully into the eyes of an older woman.

I am saddened to reach the conclusion that I am raising a little ladies man. And although he appears to be somewhat of a "player," he will no doubt be quite a gentleman, thanks to his dad's influence!!