Two Years and Five Months Ago...

This little boy changed my life forever. I never knew what real exhaustion felt like, what heart wrenching worry felt like, or what unconditional "I'd step in front of a moving vehicle to save you" love felt like until he came along.

He loves to be held and snuggled. He'll come to me several times during the day with arms stretched out and say, "Hold you me, Mama, hold you me."

He loves Curious George, Toy Story 3, and his pacies. He's most happy riding in his daddy's "truck" and playing outside. He's the best sleeper and the worst eater.

He drives me completely bonkers and makes my heart bust out of my chest like the Grinch on a daily basis. I love watching him grow and learn about this world he lives in. He makes me so proud. I feel so lucky and blessed to be his mother.

My Sweet Garrett,

You are worth every wrinkle, stretch mark and gray hair. As long as I have the ability to lift my arms, I will always, ALWAYS "hold you me". I love you my sweet baby boy.

Mama

Merry Christmas 2010

Along with losing all this baby weight and weaning Garrett from his paci (fat chance), I'm hoping to pick back up on my blogging in 2011. Don't give up on me just yet!

Happy Holidays from the Harrison's!

(Photos by Laura Vandiford)

Having Some Fun With My Doll Baby

Just In Time For Our 7th Anniversary...

My wedding rings are fixed and back on my finger where they belong. The jeweler did such a good job, you would never even know they had to be cut off my finger.*

*The title I first published this post under made absolutely no sense. Once I realized it, I was walking around twitching and wincing so I had to change it. Apparently, my brain wasn't working when I typed it. Ha!

Happy Fall Y'all!

Meet My Photographer

Ahhh yes, good ole 1999. I'm the young chick in the middle. Do you see the fella kneeling down to my right? (my right, your left) Well, his name is Matthew Vandiford. He was one of the 3 guys I graduated high school with. Yes, I said 3. Anyway, he's a great guy. He's funny, handsome, smart, accomplished. I always liked Matthew in school and I'd say I like him even more now.

Why, you ask?...

Because he married this gem! (Laura, I stole this pic off your blog...I hope that's ok!) Laura and I became friends through Matthew and our mutual friend, Leslie. She and I have lots in common and I'm so happy to have her friendship.

Way to go Matthew!

Laura is a pharmacist, wife to Matthew, and mother to Gracie. She has also become quite the photographer since we've met. She's awesome behind a camera and, since we're friends, I get to take advantage of her skills.

Lucky, I know.

Here are just a few of the pics she took of my babies:

I appreciate you taking the time to do this for me, Laura. It amazes me how you do all that you do and still find time to do such awesome favors for your friends. Thank you so much!!

Alaina Month 1

These past 6 weeks have flown by so fast! Life as mother of two doesn't allow me a whole lot of free time. As much as I love scrapbooking and blogging, right now I'd just rather use my free time napping. Hopefully I'll get back to blogging regularly. Hopefully.

Alaina is such an easy baby. She's very content and not nearly as high maintenance as Garrett was when he was an infant. She likes to sleep in the baby swing and just chill on a blanket on the floor. Garrett would NEVER do that. If he wasn't in my arms 24/7 he was crying.

Breastfeeding is going well...great actually. That makes me very happy. We aren't on much of a schedule right now but since I'm staying home with her, I don't feel much pressure to get her on one. She likes to graze all throughout the day but then she'll give me 4-5 hour stretches at night. I'm not complaining.

Alaina has started smiling. It melts my heart. Garrett LOVES her so much. He's a good big brother and helps me out so much. I feel so blessed. I have to pinch myself all the time. I'm looking forward to all the milestones Alaina will be reaching and trying to savor every minute.

Here are a few random pics throughout her first month of life:

Introducing Alaina Lee Harrison!

After 12 hours of labor and 5 minutes of pushing, Alaina Lee Harrison was born on her due date, August 6, 2010 at 11:10 am. She weighed 9 lbs, 9 oz and is 20 inches long.

I'd say 8 lbs of it is in her cheeks :)

We are all so in love with our new addition including big brother Garrett who loves kissing his little sister all the time.

1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18-19-20-21-22-23-24-25-26-27-28-29...30!!!

This beautiful man...my husband, best friend, protector, provider, the father of my children...turns 30-years-old today. I've been lucky enough to share 8 of those years with him.

Justin,

We love you so much and hope that your day is special.

Happy Birthday to the greatest man I know!

Love,

Angie, Garrett, and Alaina (if she ever decides to come on out!)

Alaina Owes Me BIG Time

I forgot just how much a summertime baby makes me swell. I put off removing my rings because I love wearing them so much. Then it was too late. Nothing could make them budge. I tried to ignore the throbs. I dismissed the pain. My finger was going numb.

I had to get them off.

I know these are broken rings not a broken marriage but, when I got back in my car after having this done, I sure cried like it was.

Garrett Turns Two!

My baby boy turned two-years-old this past Thursday. We kept it low key and celebrated with an evening of fun and games at Chuck E. Cheese's. He had a blast!
Happy Birthday Garrett! We love you very much!

Ready For Baby

Our baby's room is ready... her clothes are washed and clean...My body is extremely swollen...
I can't even remove my rings.The hospital bag is packed...
we've prepared Garrett the best we know how...
FOUR more weeks seems like an eternity

when you feel as big as a cow!

We are down to a few short weeks before Alaina's arrival. Please help me pray for a healthy delivery and a smooth transition from family of 3 to family of 4.

To My Babies Daddy

Justin,

Even though this post is a few days late, Garrett and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to praise and honor you just a little. Thank you for being such a good daddy. Thank you for working so hard while you're on the road and sometimes even harder when you're here at home. I hope one day you can relax and take some time for yourself...maybe even before retirement.

Garrett and I love you so very much. I know Garrett loves me too but he makes it very clear on a daily basis who his "favorite" is. I want you to know I'm okay with that.

I'm looking forward to what these next few weeks bring our way. It's sure to be crazy here at the Harrison home with our new addition but please know while I'm a basket case, pulling my hair out and running off of zero sleep, I really couldn't be happier. Not just because I've been blessed with two precious children but because they came from you.

Happy Father's Day. We love you!

- Angie and Garrett (and Alaina too)

Happy Father's Day to my daddy too! Thank you for loving us kids so much. I love you Toby C.!