the bump.

I haven't posted anything on this pregnancy besides the announcement itself. So now that our baby girl could come at any second, it's perfect for my procrastinator-timing! My due date is March 9. I have about 2 weeks to go. But I think (and hope and pray) I wont make it there.

This pregnancy has been very different than Leo's. I have had some big health issues that haven't made it easy. Well, that's not really a fair statement. My baby is perfectly healthy and growing. I am still walking and talking. For me, Miss-healthy-no-matter-what, I had some big health issues. I was really sick for the first half, experienced daily migraines until about week 25, caught an awful cough that put me on my butt for 6 weeks, and finally wrapped things up with an excruciatingly painful wisdom tooth infection, resulting in 2 teeth being pulled on separate days. Oh and then comes that little thing called labor! You really have no idea how strong you are, until you have to be. What our poor bodies have to endure sometimes. And it knows how to come out on top.

We are anxious, excited and ready! All our bags are packed, carseat is in the car, bassinet is set up, diaper changing area is fully stocked, baby clothes are washed and hung up, and now all that's left is to wait. I am feeling a little bit stir crazy. Trying to stay busy is hard to do with a watermelon in between your hips. Leo keeps me going, thank goodness for him.

The countdown is on. We are on her time now. Whenever she wants to come out. Then we can get to deciding on a name...did I mention I am a procrastinator?

let's play catch up.

Okay, we had a great Christmas. It was just the 3 of us. A little lonely at times but mostly so fun!

On Christmas Eve we did our pj tradition. This year I made them....yah it didn't work out so well. Leo's were way too small and Braden's were way too short but mine fit just fine! I made them in a hurry while Leo and I were in CA- away from Braden, so that's my excuse. We had a good laugh about trying to squeeze Leo's chubby thighs into those pants for at least one picture. Also, on Christmas Eve we made our first attempt at taking Leo to the movies. Braden and I were nervous but it turned out great. We had lots of treats and even let him have his own sprite...yikes! We saw the movie Arthur Christmas, a silly movie but Leo loved the whole experience. During the previews, Leo would say, "Happen?" after each one ended. I could see he was thinking to himself, "Oh awesome the movie is starting...wait I thought we were going to watch that. Oh cool another movie, this one is exciting.....wait. Huh? What's happening?"

Christmas morning Leo woke up at 6 am! We were opening presents in the dark. This explains the indoor flash and our dark living room. Leo loved opening presents. With every tear there was a big gasp, followed by, "WOW!" And when all his were done, he would sit on our laps and help mommy and daddy open their gifts. So fun!

The day after Christmas we headed into the city. We decided to check out the Natural History Museum. Saying Leo loved it, is a complete understatement. He was running as fast as he could from animal to animal, Braden trailing behind. Watching Leo's eyes light up with excitement gives Braden and I the innermost happiness. If Leo is having fun, then we are too. Watching your child learn about the world and take it all in is an amazing gift to a parent. Truly, that was the best Christmas gift for Braden and I. Our first Christmas in Northern Virginia was one to be remembered.

Let's do an update on my Little Leo. Because I feel like in the past 2 weeks he has become a boy before my eyes. He is 20 months old. He has such a fun personality. Constantly making mommy and daddy laugh. We definitely had some move transition issues. But it seems things are settling down and day-to-day life has set in. Leo loves :

airplanes,

cars,

puppies,

lions,

Buzz Light Year,

movies (favorite being any Toy Story of course),

bubble baths,

dancing (favorite dance song is Boom Boom Pow by Black Eyes Peas- edited version),

bouncing on mommy and daddy's bed,

playing with his new basketball hoop,

learning songs,

singing songs (favorite song to sing is Itsy Bisty Spider),

eating cereal (he is his mother's child),

playing the guitar with daddy (I have to add that this kid can pick out pianos and guitars just by sound!),

helping mommy clean (I am going to enjoy this while I can),

reading books,

helping mommy bake,

and lastly, he loves when all three of us are together.

He is a wonderful boy and he desperately needs a playmate. This unplanned pregnancy was definitely meant to happen. Everyday I am reminded that Leo will love having a little sister to play with. I am so grateful that we are able to provide that for him. It might not be perfect timing for me but it is for Leo.

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 :)