This is the way we drink our milk...

...we drink our milk, drink our milk. This is the way we drink our milk, so early in the morning!

Hummer for Youth

This was just too good not to pass on...

Our neighbors, The Atkins, started a church here in the upstate a few years ago and Ryan and I started attending shortly after Austin was born. The Atkins are an amazing family whom we have had the priviledge of getting to know over these past 2.5 years we've been living in Greenville and they are working so hard to spread God's love and His word through their ministry.

Recently, a 2003 Hummer H2 was donated to the Atkins from a church supporter and they were told to do with it what they wished! As a family with 3 young children and another one on the way, the logical thing to do would be to keep it for themselves...but they felt that this generous donation would be better suited for a higher purpose.

So, The Atkins and Discover Church are holding a raffle and the winning ticket holder will receive a Hummer for Christmas!! Tickets are $100 for the first one and $50 for each additional one. All proceeds will go towards funding a Christian teen center in Simpsonville, SC for area teens.

To learn more about Hummer For Youth and to purchase your raffle tickets, please visit: http://www.hummerforyouth.com/

To learn more about the Atkins and Discover Church, visit: http://discoverchurch.org/

16 weeks!

As of Saturday I am officially 16 weeks pregnant! Things seem to be moving along so fast this time around and I can't believe our new little peanut will be here in only 6 more months!

I had another doctors appointment this morning and everything is going smoothly. All the genetic tests we've had done to date have come back negative, baby's heart rate is consistently staying around 155-165 bpm, my blood pressure is great (so maybe I can avoid that nasty hypertension problem this time around), and get this...I haven't gained a single pound!! By this point with Austin, I think I had gained about 5-7 lbs. so I'm hoping that means I'm on track for a 15-20 lb. weight gain instead of the 35-40 lbs. I gained with Austin. I think it's much easier to watch what you eat the second time around because you realize that all that weight doesn't just magically melt off once the baby arrives like it does in celebrity world. In fact, when I got pregnant again I was STILL struggling with those last stubborn 15 lbs. Ehh, the story of my life!

At the end of my appointment I finally got my H1N1 vaccine (mom, I know you'll be proud) since my OBs office had some in stock. It's my first shot since I can't even remember when and I was shocked that it was relatively painless. So, yay for no swine flu!

Anyway, on to the bigger news....we will find out the sex of baby Harris #2 on December 7th at 9:30 am! Only 3 more weeks, I can't believe it!!! I'll be 19 weeks which was the earliest they would let me schedule the ultrasound and I can't wait! I'm so ready to know if Austin is going to have a little brother or a little sister and so is Ryan!

So, with that news, take a look in the right column of the blog to vote in the Baby Harris #2 gender poll!! Can't wait to see what y'all think it is!!

Into the wild!

Today Austin turned 13 months old and we thought we'd celebrate the occasion (and the gorgeous day) with a trip to the Greenville Zoo! Being from Columbia, I have become accustomed to the large and diverse Riverbanks Zoo, but I like the Greenville Zoo even though it's much smaller. You can see the entire thing in about 1.5 hours and it's not usually very crowded. The animals are in smaller enclosures and you can see them up very close which is a wonderful thing to experience. Of course, the fact that they're in such small enclosures does bother me, I have to admit.

Austin enjoyed looking at the animals, the big ones he could actually see, that is. I still think that mom and dad enjoyed it a bit more, but I have a feeling he'll be a big fan in a few more years. He did, however, really enjoy getting down to walk around the zoo himself, and since it wasn't so crowded, we let him. However, he got a little too excited at one point and took a minor spill on the concrete and got a little scraped up. He was such a big boy, though, and was back to his happy self in no time, but Ryan and I felt extremely guilty! I had to keep reminding ourselves that he's an active boy and he's going to fall down more than a few times in his life....especially if he's anything like his daddy! I just don't think I'll ever get used to the injuries, even the tiny bumps and bruises give me a sick feeling in my stomach.

Anyway, it was a fun trip and a great way to spend a beautiful afternoon. Happy 13 months Austin! You're just growing up right before our eyes!!

That's a pretty large hand print!

Admiring the giant elephants, my favorites!

The reptile house...probably our least favorite exhibit...which I'm sure will end up being Austin's favorite!

This one is for Ryan, he's completely freaked out by snakes!

The Lion King!

Whoa! Glad we were behind some thick glass. This guy looks hungry!

Austin was most amused by the tall giraffes.

Looking for the orangutan family!

Again, very glad this guy was behind glass!!!

What's a trip to the zoo without gazing at a few goats?

Go Tigers x 2!!

Not only did our Tiger football team have an AWESOME win today against the Pack from NC State...but let's talk for a minute about our Clemson's basketball team! I am so proud of and happy for our basketball program and I look forward to receiving those season tickets in the mail almost as much as our football ones. What a long way they've come in the last few years and I've really enjoyed watching them grow and win over these past few seasons. I am definitely a member of the OPP (Oliver Purnell's Posse)!!

Friday night was the season opener against PC and we were so excited to take Austin back with us to Littlejohn to watch our Tiger basketball team for the first time since he was only 4 months old. Austin was such a trooper even though he was up quite a bit past his bedtime, he loved watching all the action and had a fun night. He even boogied along with the pep band and clapped when the Tigers made a basket. I think we've got a little sports fan on our hands!!!

Success!!

Austin is off of formula for good and on to organic whole milk!! Hooray for the bank account!!

Ok, so I'm a little late with this, but I wanted to post about it anyway in case any other mommies out there have the same type of problem I had. At Austin's 12 month visit it was recommended to me that I go ahead and make the switch from formula to whole milk because infant formula can apparently be harmful to a toddler and with the nutrition he was already getting from his 3 meals a day, he just didn't need it. I figured the switch would be simple since he transitioned from breast milk to formula with no problems...but I was wrong!

My first mistake was that I tried to give him straight milk in his sippy cup, which he just plain refused to drink more than a couple ounces of. Considering my boy could probably beat some seasoned college students at a chugging contest, I was baffled when he only took a few sips and tossed his cup to the side. So, then I tried it in the bottle and he certainly drank more, but still wouldn't take all he needed. I was frustrated by this point and convinced I'd be buying expensive toddler formula until he was 2. Finally, I sought out some advice and was told to mix a few ounces of formula with his milk and give it to him in his bottle to see how that worked. He took down that mixed bottle with no problems...and I breathed a sigh of relief!

We mixed his bottles for about 2 weeks, gradually using less and less formula than before. Two weeks ago I gave him a bottle of nothing but milk and he chugged that think like it was a delicious sugary drink! Success!! Now he will drink straight milk out of his sippy cup without any problems and he takes about 16 oz. a day. He would probably take more if I gave it to him!

And another great tip for those bargain shoppers out there, we LOVE the Kirkland brand organic whole milk you can buy from Costco in a 3 pack for around $9....and it insures we have about a 2 week fresh supply in stock at all times. Also, because I'm not a milk drinker, I'm not sure if this is because it's whole milk or because it's organic...but a carton of this milk we buy will stay fresh (if unopened) for about 2 months at a time!!

I am seriously loving the milk transition now! Goodbye formula!!

So, to recap real quick, if you're having trouble making the switch here are my tips:

1. Give your child the milk in whatever he prefers to drink out of the most. Austin still prefers his bottle so he was more willing to drink milk from a bottle instead of his cup.

2. If they initially don't take to the straight milk, mix it with a few ounces of formula or breast milk and gradually reduce the amount used until it's nothing but milk.

3. Finally, something I forgot to mention earlier, if your child is used to room temperature or warmed formula/breast milk...try heating the milk up in by setting the bottle or cup in some hot water for awhile. DO NOT microwave milk because not only do you risk burns, but microwaves can change the composition of milk and eliminate some of the good vitamins and minerals.

Cuteness & a Question

Just because I think they're cute, here are 2 more pictures of my adorable little boy. I took them yesterday when I was trying to get him to smell the flowers for the camera. :)

Look at those 2 bottom teeth! This is probably the best picture I've gotten of his 2 bottom ones so far. Here we are at almost 13 months old and still only 4 teeth to speak of. The way this boy drools and chews, however, there have got to be more ready to make an appearance any time now!

By the way, I want to take a poll...who thinks Austin is ready for his first haircut??

I know he's getting shaggy but I just don't know if I'm ready! It took him so long to grow all this hair to begin with, I hate to chop it all off! Not to mention I'm wondering how in the world I'm going to get him to hold still long enough to get a sharp pair of scissors near his face. Who thinks I should just go ahead, suck it up, and cut it...and who thinks I can get away with waiting a few more months?

I'm really curious to hear some opinions!!!

Smell the flowers

I think I've mentioned this before, but one of Austin's favorite books is Pat the Bunny, and in that book there's a page of scented flowers and you're supposed to smell them. Austin has been able to do all the activities in the book for several months, but on that particular page he would always kiss the flowers instead of trying to smell them.

Not long ago, he finally caught on, and now every time we ask him to smell the flowers, he does! Even without the book around, as soon as we say "smell the flowers," he wrinkles up his cute little nose and starts sniffin'! It's so precious and I can't help but kiss those little pursed up lips every time he does it!

Guilt...

Lately my posts have been very upbeat and happy...and well...why shouldn't they? I am very blessed in my life right now with a caring and hard-working husband who loves me, a precious and beautiful baby boy and another miracle on the way...but lately I haven't been feeling as thankful as I should and I haven't been able to shake a certain feeling that has been creeping up on me quite often these past several weeks. I guess every now and then I feel I need to blog about the bad along with the good, and this is the bad, this has been my struggle for the past several weeks...

Seeing as how Thanksgiving is coming soon, I should be counting all my blessings, but instead I've been wallowing in a horrible feeling, a consuming feeling...the feeling of guilt.

To put it out there straight, I often feel guilty to be pregnant again.

I feel guilty because I got pregnant again so easily and I've made it almost 16 weeks with no complications while so many couples I know have struggled with infertility and heartbreak.

I feel guilty because we are close to completing our family while many of our friends have yet to even begin.

I feel guilty when I talk about myself and my pregnancy instead of focusing on Austin.

I feel guilty when I don't talk about my pregnancy or even forget to tell people we're expecting again.

I feel guilty that I sometimes wonder if there's anyway I can love another baby as much as I love Austin.

I feel guilty because Austin is still a baby who deserves and will need my constant attention.

I feel guilty because with a new infant in the house he may not get all that attention he needs and deserves.

I also feel guilty that with so much attention being demanded by my 18 month old, that my newborn will in turn not get the attention he/she deserves.

I feel guilty that I may not be able to split myself between our 2 children evenly and someone will feel left out.

I feel guilty that our family will not be able to get up and go like we are used to and like we do now.

I feel guilty that due to my severe decrease in sleep come May, I may not be the best mother I know I can be.

I feel guilty that our 2nd baby might not get as much attention as Austin did growing up as an only child.

I feel guilty that I might have spoiled my first child (since he was an only child) and he will not be ready to share the spotlight once the new baby arrives.

I feel guilty that my husband might not always have a home-cooked meal or clean house to come home to because 2 children will require so much of my time.

I feel guilty because I don't know if we're ready, but ready or not, baby is coming!

I feel guilty just admitting that I feel guilty!

Yes, these are exact thoughts that run through my mind several times each day. Even though I know that this is what we want and what we believe is right for our family, I can't help but feel this wave of guilt every now and then and go through these thoughts in my head and wonder if it's just me or if other mothers have felt the same way before.

So far, being pregnant for the 2nd time feels entirely different than the first time around. I was so focused on being pregnant last time and this time I am so focused on taking care of a 12 month old that I sometimes forget to focus on me and this new little one. I also think that having a child makes you more selfless and therefore I've just become less focused on myself than I was before regardless. It also doesn't help that I don't yet really feel or look pregnant and since I've done this once before (and not too long ago) it's not quite as exciting and new since I know what to expect.

Maybe due to all these crazy hormones I'm just having trouble focusing on the good...focusing on the the things I am most thankful for, like our fertility...something I will never, ever take for granted. To conceive a child is truly an amazing gift and one which God has generously bestowed. I am oh so thankful for my hard-working and providing husband who makes it possible for me to remain a stay-at-home mom....a career choice I am very passionate about and thankful for. It's not an easy one, and it's about to get 10 times harder, but it's what my children deserve.

And finally, I am so thankful for family and for the fact that Austin will have a sibling so close to his age to grow up alongside and bond with. Someone once told me that in this age of technology, having children close together was a surefire way to combat the lazy child syndrome. Austin and his brother or sister will have a permanent playmate and will grow up together experiencing many of the same things at the same time. They will not have to be raised on electronics or TV because they will have each other and that is what's important. It may be a little harder for us in the beginning, but it will be better for everyone in the long run.

So, with all these wonderful things to be thankful for...why do I still feel guilty??

Tigers beat FSU!!

Yesterday was such a fantastic day for Tiger Nation as well as the Harris family! Austin got to spend the evening with his grandma while Ryan and I headed to one of the the most beautiful places on Earth to witness one of the best games in recent Clemson history. The entire campus was buzzing with excitement after a beautiful and rain-free day of tailgating, and the game was no less exciting!

We enjoyed spending a few hours just chatting with some great friends and while we were so ready to watch our Tigers play, we almost hated leaving such great company. So much, in fact, that we almost missed kickoff! We did, however, make it just in time to see Dabo and Lucas Glover lead the team down the hill to the sounds of 80,000 screaming fans.

The first three quarters were touch and go, but the 4th was completely dominated by the Tigers, which had the entire stadium rocking! The atmosphere was electrifying and the crowd was going crazy! They played "We Will Rock You" after Clemson went up 33-24 and the whole stadium was singing along, it was amazing and had the fans as well as the players so hyped up. Oh, and how about that C.J. Spiller!!!! Spiller for Heisman!

Clemson beat the Seminoles with a final score of 40-24 and everyone rushed the field to cheer and congratulate the team. It reminded me of the 2001 season when we beat FSU for the first time in Death Valley, that's a game I'll never forget and I'll probably remember this one for a long time too!

Ryan and I got home around 1am and while I passed out on the couch almost immediately, Ryan continued to watch the game all over again on DVR. He was so excited he could hardly sleep! Now we just need to beat NC State and Virginia for a chance at the ACC championship. All I can say is GO TIGERS!!!

(FYI-very unlike me, I completely forgot to bring my camera to the game, so photos are courtesy of CUTigers.com)

Some Updates

I know I've been a bad blogger this week but it's been beyond my control. My laptop AND my backup laptop have both decided to call it quits...within hours of each other no less! I guess you know what I'll be asking for this Christmas!! In order to use a computer at all I have to wait for Ryan to come home with his work laptop and so this is my computer time for the week and I'm choosing to blog since it's been an exciting few weeks around here!

First of all, I'm starting to feel the baby move a little and I forgot what an amazing feeling it truly is. Since it's still so early, I can't feel it all the time, but usually after a glass of cold water and some relaxing on the couch, the little one makes him or herself known. I go back to the OB on the 15th at which time we'll schedule my anatomy ultrasound and we'll finally have a date to look forward to on the calendar so we can find out the gender of our sweet new little one!!

But moving on, lets talk about the first sweet baby in my life and how he's all of a sudden decided that he wants to talk!! I thought that he was going to be a late talker since by his 1st birthday he wasn't saying anything consistently but mama and dada...but these past few weeks have been amazing and he says and does something new almost every day!! I'm truly loving it!

Just in the past few weeks he's started saying ball, book, night-night, bye-bye, here go, and as of Tuesday, he's saying Lucy (our dog's name)! He tries to mimic a lot of the words we say now, but those are the only ones we can distinguish. He knows a lot more words than he can (or will) say and he can point things out in his books if I say their name. He loves to point to the banana, Elmo, apple, bubble, baby, Big Bird and Abby Cadabby whenever I say their names and he will also point to many other things and loves to just listen to me repeat what they are. I can just see those wheels churning in that little head of his. He'll be reading his books to me in no time!!

He's also caught on to several phrases recently, too. Whenever I say "let's go eat," he walks over to me and holds his arms out waiting for me to pick him up and put him in his booster chair. When I say "let's go night-night" he also holds his arms out and waits for me to pick him up so we can head upstairs. Every morning I tell him "let's go wake up dada" and he always gets a huge smile on his face and starts heading for the bedroom repeating "dada, dada" the whole way. He will go get a book or his ball when I ask him to and he will chase Lucy around the room when I ask him to go get her. Ryan and I also play a game where we "go get" Austin and whenever we say "I'm going to get him!" he starts running from us. It's so, so cute!! One of my favorites (thanks to Pat the Bunny) is that whenever I ask Austin to "smell the flowers" he wrinkles his little nose and starts sniffing. I love it! And whenever I say "Is there a baby on my back?" he climbs on my back for a piggy back ride!

I am honestly amazed at how fast he's learning! I look at him sometimes and I really can't believe how much he's grown and what a sweet and smart little boy he's becoming. Most of all, I can't believe he's mine!!! I feel truly blessed to be the mother of such an awesome little guy!!

And for those of you who don't even look at my posts unless there are pictures attached (yes, I know who you are!), here are a few snapshots of my little nugey from the other night (he was particularly attached to his rainbow slinky that night....), in his dinosaur costume, sitting in his booster like a big boy and enjoying some Cold Stone ice cream!!

Happy 75th!

Yesterday was Austin's Grandpa Harris' 75th Birthday!! We celebrated the big milestone this evening with a delicious steak and potato dinner. Yum!

Happy 75th Birthday Grandpa Harris and here's to many, many more!

The men outside with the grill

This little guy is always a source of entertainment!

Austin serenading us with some after dinner music

Saying bye-bye to Aunt Gay

Austin loves his Grandpa!

Trick or Treat!

Here are some pictures from Austin's 2nd Halloween! Of course, he was only 16 days old the last time around, so this was our first real celebration of the holiday. We trick or treated at some of the close neighbor's homes....mainly just to visit and show him off in costume. :) Then we came home to hand out treat bags of our own, have dinner, relax and then ended our night at grandma Jo Ann's door begging for just a few more treats! What a fun night!

Happy Halloween everyone!!

Hydrating before the big event. Doesn't he look adorable in his boy-tights! Don't worry, they're for costume purposes only! :)

Daddy helping the puppy dog put on his suit!

Here he comes, almost ready to go!

Austin and Lucy getting really excited about trick or treating and seeing all the little kids!

Strapped in the wagon and ready to go for a ride. Plenty of room left for candy!

Time to go!!

Back at home....Austin's favorite treat of the night, a purple glow bracelet!

Austin & Mommy! (I dressed up as a Clemson fan, original, I know!)

Mom, that was fun, can we go back out?

The sweetest little puppy dog face!!!

Last stop of the night...waiting at Grandma's door for some final treats!