Merry Christmas.

We didn't get around to sending out a Christmas card this year, so this will have to do. Merry Christmas to you! We hope yours is filled with love and amazing memories. Warmest wishes from the Harkers.

DC, we have arrived.

Leo and I joined Braden in DC about two weeks ago. Since then we have been setting up house, exploring and trying to get over some awful sicknesses. It's all very overwhelming, exciting and sad at the same time. I could write for days about the changes we have experienced. The east coast is very different. In great ways and not so great ways. But after about one month apart we are so happy to be together again as a family.

My mom was able to fly with Leo and I to DC to help set up the home base. Thank goodness for her. Right when we arrived, I came down with an awful cold. She not only unpacked and set up house, but she took care of me and Leo. Maybe someday I can be superwoman like her. I am so grateful to have such an amazing mother. We miss you nana!

Braden absolutely loves his new job. Sometimes I think he is more excited to go to work than come home. He explains to me what he does all day at work and I just nod my head and smile, pretending to understand the economic vernacular spewing from his mouth. It's such a blessing to be truly happy and satisfied with your career.

We are living in the corporate American lifestyle now. As my sister says, "We live for the weekends, and pass each other in the halls during the week." It's so true. Brings a whole new meaning to the acronym TGIF, for me.

This weekend is Christmas, we don't have any big plans except for more exploration of this never ending city. It really is so fun.

We are officially East Coasters now. Please come visit us. We already miss everyone terribly.

16 months

My big boy is coming up on 16 months! Wow. He is growing and learning so quickly. I can hardly keep up. He makes Brady and I so happy. If Braden and I are ever stressed out or upset we just tell each other to go play with Leo, he is the best cure!

At his 15 month check up he weighed 25 lbs. and he was still 50th percentile across the board. Good boy, we like consistency! He is really good at walking on all sorts of terrain. He has yet to master running, thank goodness. His favorite place to be is the stairs! He could climb up and down the stairs all day if he could. We were at Disneyland a couple of months ago, so many exciting things for him to see and do. But what does he find no matter where we were in the park? The stairs! He's the same way at the waterpark, at the playground, and our friend's house.

Braden and I are so lucky because this kid talks! A lot! He can say about 30-40 words and he will basically say anything you tell him to. It's great. Because of this tantrums are not a part of our lives. His favorite words are "Hi!" (this must be said in a high pitch voice and really loud until someone says Hi back to him), "Papa", "Mom", and "Daddy". I love hearing his sweet little voice try to mimic every syllable I say.

He used to be so great with food. He would eat anything I put in front of him. Now, he is entering the stage of picky-ness and independence! NOOOOOOOOO! He must feed himself and he must decide what it is. If he had his choice the only thing in his diet would be cheese! He loves- no, he is OBSESSED with cheese. Every time I put him in his highchair he yells, "Chee! Chee!" Oh gosh, we are in for it. So in this house "cheese" is "the one who cannot be named". Or we just call it "queso". But Leo is such a little mouse, he can see and smell cheese from a mile away. There is no tricking this one.

He loves to point out babies wherever we go. This is great because soon enough he will have one around all the time! I really am so excited to give Leo a playmate. He LOVES other kids. He will scream, "Hi!!!!" to kids at the grocery stores and restaurants. He loves playing in nursery at church and especially with his cousins.

Leo is such a fun little boy. He is a social butterfly. Everyone loves him. But Mommy and Daddy love him the most! We are so excited to have another little Leo to make our lives so much more full!

Summer 2011.

Summer 2011 is over! But we did some fun things this summer. Most of them I don't have pictures of because I was lazy and didn't bring my camera. But Leo and I got to visit family in CA, family came to visit us in Cashmere, Brady and I went rafting down the river several times, Leo enjoyed the water at the pool and the beach, we went camping, took a trip to a waterpark, and hit up the local county fair! It was a fun summer but I am ready for fall! I don't enjoy the heat for very long. And I was really sick for most of it. So bring on the cool weather and happy mommy!

preggo

We are excited to welcome a new baby Harker into our family in March 2012. It has taken me a couple weeks to be able to be comfortable saying that statement. So there I said it and I truly am genuinely excited. For documenting sake I would like to tell the story of how we found out.

On July 4 I took a pregnancy test because there were some signs of something that may or may not be going on. That test was negative (phew!). I didn't think about it for weeks. I went to Southern California to visit family and the whole time I was there I was really tired. I didn't think much of it since I never sleep very well when I am not at home. The last day I was in CA I woke up feeling dizzy and nauseous (oh crap). I tried to brush it off as nothing but couldn't help but question it all day. That night when I got back to Washington, I picked up a pregnancy test, and took it. I didn't even look, I didn't want to look. I washed my hands and walked away, still not looking. Braden looks at me as I come out and he says, "What does it say?" "I don't know, I don't want to look." He runs in to the bathroom to check it out. "Oh, it's negative!" "Really? Good, let me see." I go in to the bathroom to confirm. Men don't know how to read pregnancy tests because it was very clearly POSITIVE! A part of me couldn't help but feel devastated. I love babies and I always knew I wanted more, but just NOT YET! (remember the whole "time clock" thing from my last post... yah) So much for those tiny pills I was taking everyday! I will admit I shed a tear or two. But as the idea has settled I am now excited. Am I ready? No way! But I have nine months to get there and I will. Braden was very excited and has had no problem adjusting to the idea.

Oh and by the way this came three days after we found out we were moving across the country to DC! Great timing. No really, it is pretty good timing. At least we knew we have a stable career before finding out we would also be having another baby!

I don't want to make it seem that this pregnancy is a somber one because it's not. Very, very, very, very shocking though. Leo will have a buddy and playmate. I am happy to give him that. He deserves it. It is hard to imagine Leo as the big brother but I know this mild-tempered boy will be great!

So let the symptoms begin! Migraines, nausea, extreme fatigue, crazy dreams, getting up to pee in the middle of night multiple times, and crazy cravings. Oh what fun!

Leo thinks so :)

finally back to blogging

From one Washington to the other. Hopefully the Obama's make some room because the Harker's are moving to Washington DC! Braden was offered a job with Homeland Security to be an economist. We are super excited for this new adventure in our life. Braden has become a little school girl. He is constantly talking about what the job will entail and how excited he is to get started on his career!

I am terribly sad to be moving away from all of our family but I am praying that we will make some awesome friends over there.

On the other hand I couldn't be more proud of my hard working husband, who is willing to sacrifice so much for our family. We finally get to see that hard work and sacrifice ALWAYS pays off, just not always on our time clock. Heavenly Father has a plan for us and if we stay faithful He will provide the way. We are humbled to be offered this position and are so grateful for the many people in our lives who have helped us get to where we are now.

I have never been to the East Coast. I hear amazing things about it except for one thing.... humidity. I just don't do well with heat, especially wet heat. But those cherry blossoms are absolutely beautiful! And how exciting will it be to be living in the capitol of our country! I am pretty excited. Let the adventures begin!

Oh and here is a pic of this adorable toddler! Who is walking all over the place, changing all the time, and a little entertainer. Love being his audience/mommy.

leo's partay...s

This lucky boy had two birthday celebrations! One on his actual birthday and the second on the Saturday following his birthday.

On his actual birthday we went to lunch at Red Robin with Papa Sendzik, Mommy, Daddy, and Jannica (she is practically an aunt to this kid). He loved Red Robin because there is so much going on and loud music. He tries to meet the noise level by talking really loud and screaming. I think it's hilarious, the people around us might not say the same. The servers brought him a balloon and sang to him. We thought he might get scared, but not at all. He loved the attention. Leo stared at them with his mouth wide open the whole time.

That night I made a little cake for him to dive into. He was apprehensive at first but then got the hang of it. See the play by play above. Once it was time to clean up, he realized how messy he was and did not like that. I wouldn't either. haha.

For the big birthday bash, we headed to Riverfront Park in Cashmere. We had pizza, cupcakes, cookies, balloons, bubbles, presents, and a little bit of rain. It cleared up after the party got started and it turned out to be nice weather. Leo had a great time playing with all of our friends and family that came. He received so many fun gifts! Thanks to all who came! You guys made it fun and unforgettable!

I have a one year old?

My mind cannot comprehend that it has been one year since this amazing event changed our lives forever.

He is changing everyday. Loves to talk now. Even attempting to say some words: flower, more, all done, light, papa, mama, dada, pst. Okay the last one isn't really a word but it's so cute when he says it.

He isn't walking yet but he has taken a couple steps a time or two. When he's ready he will do it.

Sleeps like a champ. Eats like a champ. At his year weigh-in he was at 22 lbs and 29 inches long. Once again, 50th percentile across the board.

We have seen a few tantrums so far. They have thrown us for a loop but we are figuring it out as we go. Oh toddlerhood... deep breaths.

Most of the time he is an easy-going and happy boy. Let's hope it stays that way.

I could go on and on and on about how much love and light this little angel boy has brought into our lives.

Leo, I can't believe you have been with us for one year! Sometimes it feels so short but I feel like I have known you my whole life. We love you forever!

taste the sun.

we went to cali recently for a family wedding. well thank goodness they decided to get married there because we got to soak up some sun, sand and water. we also were able to spend some time with my side of the family!

it was leo's first time at the beach. he was able to explore it all and decide what he liked and mostly, didn't like. the water was too cold and the sand was an odd texture but pure exploration is adventure enough in itself. he loved it. we spent almost everyday outside. how i miss being able to do that.

leo caught up with a couple of his adorable cousins, olivia and elise. these girls are so much fun. leo never needs his mommy when these girls are around. they are extremely entertaining. leo and elise sit on the floor and steal toys from each other, while olivia dances around them. got me to thinking, maybe we he needs a playmate at home besides just mommy and daddy... nah not yet. good thing these girls are coming to visit us this summer!

i miss everything about that place. our visits are never long enough. can't wait to go again.

p.s. there is a little baby that has a birthday in 5 days! and he will no longer be a baby... tear.

11 months.

On April 19, Leo is officially 11 months! I decided to post some random recent pictures of him that make my heart melt with happiness. I am in complete awe of how much an 11 month old can learn and retain. Leo surprises me everyday with something new he has learned. Right now, he likes to go through the alphabet and we help him with the sound each letter makes. His favorites are B,D,G,K,S and X. He can point out mommy, daddy, and baby Leo in pictures. Leo likes to touch his nose and ears, when prompted. This little puppy learns new tricks all the time. He is getting so big! Happy 11 months Leo! Mama loves you.

teaser

the sun peaked out and warmed up the day to almost 70 degrees! we decided to go to the park to celebrate. leo was able to touch the grass, wave to all the passerby's, point at the bikers and go carts, eat bark, and get grass stains. he loved his first trip to the park. can't wait for more sunny days like this one.

one short day in the emerald city

wicked fans? anyone? anyone?

i love me some wicked, but i am talking about the real emerald city... seattle. ahhhh i love that city. we decided to head down there last minute. in celebration of our anniversary but mostly just to get away for a little bit. we visited some amazing malls and went to the seattle aquarium. we had a great time, even though nothing beats sea world.

wohoo for 3 years of bliss. i love my braden. i wont bore you by confessing my undying and forever-growing love for my husband. i prefer to tell him to his face, since he is sitting next to me. cheers.

10 months

10 months!!! wow. we are on the brink of toddler-hood. lately leo has been doing some things that make that very clear. such as experimenting with the law of gravity. he loves to drop food, spoons and sippy cups over the edge of his high chair. he also likes to throw toys.

this has opened my eyes to a new chapter of motherhood, which scares me. for the past 10 months i have been a mother to a baby, which requires providing the necessities of life, lots of love and attention. i can do that no problem. now, here comes the parenting part of motherhood. the part where "no" is more frequently said. leo doesn't quite understand this word yet but he does understand the word "clap."

as i see him grow i feel my brain scramble with ideas of how to learn to parent; articles and books that need to be read, questions that need to be asked and many prayers that need to be said. i hope that leo will be patient with us as we learn what kind of parenting works best for us.

leo's activity and energy levels are increasing by the week. so fun and so exhausting. leo loves to talk and experiment with making noises with his mouth and tongue. yesterday i was in the car with my friend, jannica and her nephew, tobie, who is 4. tobie and leo are in the backseat together and leo is jibber-jabbering away like usual. after a couple minutes of listening to leo, tobie asks us, "does leo speak spanish?" jannica and i busted up laughing. it was a very logical question. tobie could not understand leo so therefore he must be speaking a different language. so cute.

leo is curious; no longer afraid to crawl in to unknown places, open cabinets, open drawers, and open and close doors. leo loves to dance and clap. he knows how to shake his booty. he keeps me laughing and smiling all day long.

thank goodness for this adorable hunky-chunky boy.

9 months.

My sweet baby boy,
I can't believe you have been outside the womb for just as long as you had been inside. I blink and you grow by leaps and bounds. You are constantly picking up new tricks. You mimic a lot of what mommy and daddy do. We love watching you learn and interact. You can click your tongue, smack your lips, wave, give kisses, clap, sign "more", shake your booty, climb up furniture, walk along furniture, crawl ALL over the place and pat mommy and daddy on the back (my favorite). You love to play! I giggle as I watch make your rounds around the living room. Picking up toys one by one as you lap the room 2-3 times.You love to be chased by mommy and daddy. I crawl up behind you as you squeal with excitement, the greatest sound in the world. You have brought so much meaning and purpose to our lives. Practically perfect in every way. Measuring in at 20 lbs. and 28 inches long. That's 50th percentile across the board. A textbook baby is what you are. Which we are so grateful for. We love you to infinity and beyond. (Sorry for all the Disney references- can't help it, it's in my blood) Happy 9 months Leo Thomas!!
Love always,
Your mommy

a great weekend.

We had a great weekend. These are some of the things we did.

went for a drive and enjoyed the view. stopped to take pictures of the view.

took a picture of us and the view.

took pictures of horses and the view.

kissed the baby.

played the guitar.

bit mommy.

watched some awesome fights at the hockey game.

ate some yummy cupcakes for my birthday.

almost took a cute picture of all three of us. leo is laughing in this pic i sware.

(not pictured: spending time with some awesome friends-Blaine, Jaqui, Lane, and Jannica, Leo making a new friend- Cooper, & getting a mani/pedi with Jannica)