Annual 4th of July Parade

The Harms Family hosted the annual Main Street 4th of July Parade again this year and we had a blast!
(Can you tell I am way behind with my blog posts?)

Happy 1st Independence Day, Nathan!

Nathan hung out with Uncle Mike during the parade.  It was much more comfortable than sitting in his car seat and stroller with the 100+ degree temperatures. 

This was Tyler's reaction to riding in the stroller.  Needless to say, we elected to walk.  Seriously, child...just tell me you don't want to ride in the stroller. 

Zach always likes to lead the parade down Main Street.

Yes, folks, this is my Grandma!  No one has ever accused her of lacking spirit.  :)

Here comes the band...

Happy little man with his bubble gum stick flag.

Kasey broke out her trombone for the festivities.

Erin played an excellent bucket and spoon. 

Sweating...

Mom and Sandy focused on their recorder playing...

Nancy and her scooter are dressed for the occasion. 

I think Mike and Nathan are thinking the same thing... "How did I get these fools for a family?"

I wasn't sure what role Susan was playing in the band until I got behind her.  She was the holder for Kelly's trumpet music.

There they go...

Watching the parade sure did tucker out Nathan. 

After the parade it was inside to cool off, enjoy a great lunch and of course, play with cars. 

Our family sure is crazy, but we love to have fun!  Happy (belated) Independence Day! 

Distinguished Young Women Competition

Several weeks ago, we hosted a watch party for the Distinguished Young Women Competition.  I know, most of you are thinking - what in the world?!?

A bit of the back story...two of my cousins, Megan and Kasey, represented Missouri at the National Distinguished Young Women Competition (formerly known as Junior Miss) in Mobile, AL in 2010 and 2011, respectively.  A large contingent of family members traveled to cheer them on each year.  The competition always promoted that the finals would be aired live via web cast on the local TV station so we decided since we were not in Mobile, we would watch the competition on the web.  Since we have a TV with wi-fi, the party was at our house.   More info to clue you in (if that is possible with my family)...When we were in Mobile, the family would all draw states, put in some money and hope that if Megan or Kasey didn't win that our "state" would.  Then after the nightly competitions we would sit on the deck of the beach house with a few cocktails and not only would we judge the competition, but we would also perform our version of the fitness routine.  Yes, there is no swimsuit portion of the competition but there is a fitness routine.  It is a riot!  :)  

We had quite a crowd. 

Looking at this picture, it makes me really want to go out and purchase new curtains since having the living room repainted.  It looks a little bare.  I will get on that ASAP. ;)

Tyler was getting into it too.  Don't you love the margarita glasses, beer cans/bottles and the Woody sippy cup all on the same table? 

Susan was the big winner and took home the $$.  I thought I had a real shot with 2 girls in the top ten.  Dang!  Overall, it was a silly, fun night!  Any reason to get together with the fam and enjoy a few beverages is fine by me.   

  

4 Months!

Nathan is 4 months old today! 

Sweet boy!

I love those toes!  This photo highlights to me how much skinnier Nathan is at this point compared to Tyler at the 4 month mark.  I am waiting for the leg roles - I love baby leg rolls. 

Updates:

• Mommy is back to work and Nathan is doing great for Ms. Eileen and Sandy.  He took to the bottle with no issue.  Formula is a different story...one evening I attempted to give him 2 oz. of formula (just curious to see how he would react) and that did not go over well at all.  He made such a face and spit it all out.  Lucky for him, mama is still supplying all of his feeding needs. 
• Nathan is rolling over - from front to back for quite some time now and then just last night he was laying on his back and rolled onto his front.  He did it again this afternoon.  Watch out!  He will do just about anything to be able to watch his big brother play. 
• Nathan is talking up a storm.  He will have intervals when he will blab for 20 minutes or so.  He often does then in the late afternoon/evening and I always talk back to him as if he is telling me about his day.  I have a feeling he is going to be quite expressive - just like Tyler. 
• Sleeping - not exactly perfection this past month.  He is napping much better during the day which makes for a much happier baby, but ever since I started back to work - Nathan seems to think it is appropriate to wake up at 4:30 in the morning for a quick snack and then back to bed.  The good thing is that he does return to restful slumber quickly - usually by 5 or so.   He usually goes to be between 8-9pm so if I could push that back a few hours we would be golden, but that poor little boy just cannot keep his eyes open much longer than that.  Tonight he fell asleep at 6:30.  Ugh!  Hopefully he wakes up or I can wake him before I go to be for the night. 
• Nathan is a mama's boy.  This may sound sweet but can get a bit tiresome.  He will be winning/crying for anyone else and as soon as mommy gets him - he often stops instantly.  Seriously, child!  Let other people take care of you.  Tyler was more of a daddy's boy so I guess it is my turn with Nathan.

Sleepy boy...(hence why he went to bed at 6:30 tonight - maybe he will sleep all night after all).

Enough mom!  So...not our best photo shoot, but it is in the books.

Happy 4 Months, Nathan! 

I will have his stats after his doctors appointment on Thursday. 



Nap Time with Daddy

I feel like every child has a photo like this with their dad.  Our kiddos are no exception. 

Nathan and Daddy

Tyler and Daddy...and the remote!  This was obviously several years ago.  ;)

 

I don't often see photos of mommies napping with the kiddos.  Do you think it is because we don't get naps or because we are the ones who are more likely to use the camera to capture these moments? 

Nathan and his Sophie

Nathan loves his Sophie! For non-parents, it is the name of the giraffe teething toy.

Get after it Nathan. 

Everything he can grasp with his arms or fingers goes in his mouth...from his puppy dog snuggle blanket to any available fingers - his or those of whoever might be holding him.   Drool is on everything too.

Such a happy boy!

More swimming...

Nathan went swimming for the first time last Saturday and was very happy in the water.  Thanks to the Millers for letting us take over their pool and to Uncle Mike for being the host!

I didn't get any photos of him in the water because I was holding him most of the time but he was very relaxed.  He did enjoy getting a bottle from Aunt Susan.

Tyler is getting much more comfortable in the water - I think he will turn into a little fish very soon.  Mommy's swimming standards are pretty high.  My boys WILL learn to be great swimmers. 

The Miller's pool was great with these perfect little cut outs for Tyler to play in.  We cannot wait until Kyle and Maggie move into their new house with a POOL!  I hope they understand how much we will be over - they might end up regretting their decision to buy a house with a pool. ;)

Tyler and Zach fighting for the bucket to see who is going to pour water on who. 

Swimming with Aunt Susan.

Swimming wears me out too, Nathan.



Field Trip Friday - Swimming!

With 100 degree temperatures for the last week Tyler and I elected to simply go swimming on our field trip.  Aunt Patty was nice enough to watch Nathan so Tyler and I could really play.   Tyler deserved some one on one mommy time too!  The city pool has tot time four days a week where only kids 7 and under are allowed.  Plus it only cost $1 to get in for the two hour session! 

Tyler went down the slide about 800 times!  He L.O.V.E.D. it! 

We did finally play with something other than the slide.   I love that he has no problem whatsoever getting his head wet! 

It was a fun, refreshing day.

When we got home, Tyler took an excellent (meaning long) nap and Nathan even got a nice 2 hour snooze in so mom could get a few things accomplished. 

Friday night, GG and Grandpa watched the boys so Jeff and I could enjoy our June date night with dinner out at American Bounty.  Thanks GG and Grandpa!

Owen comes to PLAY!

One of my very dear friends Heather "Cooper" Wade and her cute little family have moved back to STL!  They have been in Seattle for far too long! 

Cooper and Owen came to visit and play this past week.  We were thrilled to have them!  Tyler loved the playmate and I loved the girlfriend conversation. 

Owen was a bit overwhelmed with our playroom and not sure what to play with first. 

I took this photo off Coopers blog.  The boys were really into playing cars and trucks and balls.

Nathan, Cooper and I enjoyed watching.  I wish I had a photo of Cooper as she is due to have her second baby (a GIRL!) in early October and looks amazing.  Tyler kept calling her Maggie and I am not sure if it is because they are both pregnant but it was pretty funny. 

Isn't he adorable?  Owen spent his 18th month birthday with us.

A bit more serious. :)

Thanks for coming to play Cooper and Owen!  You are welcome back anytime!