It's a Boy!

Hi Everyone!
Ty Reed Harris was born Thursday, March 12th at 5:31 am. He weighed 8lbs, 8 ozs, and is 19 inches long.
The universe was smiling on me, and provided me with a short labor- only about 5 1/2 hours.
We arrived home on Friday afternoon, and have been busy with 2 kids!!
It's still a little weird to think that we have 2 kids now.... Avery has been home with us this week, as it is her spring break.
That has been interesting... she has been bouncing off the walls! Not to mention she is adjusting to life with another person taking up the attention. Overall she has been amazing with Ty though- she loves to hold him, and loves looking at him. She is always wanting to "see his eyes".
Justin has been home as well, he finally fell victim to the "layoff"- though the timing is perfect, It's been great having him home helping out. He has really saved my sanity.



Otherwise, we've been home doing what you do with a newborn- feeding, changing diapers, scrambling to keep it all running smooth... Our friends have been amazing! They have been bringing us meals and helping us with all sorts of things. We feel truly blessed to have a healthy baby, and a vivacious big sister, and so many amazing people in our lives. We count our blessings every day!

We are planning a road trip to California sometime in the near future- with Justin and I both off work, why not? So perhaps we'll get to visit with some of you out there sometime soon. We'll be in touch...

Cheers!
Krista, Justin, Avery and Ty

Is it done yet?

Okay friends,
Here is your one and only shot of "the belly"....
My mom is here for the "big event" ( that we are clearly still waiting for) and got a little crazy this afternoon. Yes, we painted the belly-and I must say- it was so much fun!!! Hopefully the child will take it as an ode' for arrival. Let me tell you I am a little tired of lugging the kid around, and more than ready to meet this little person. So everybody do a baby dance!!!

In other news....
There ain't much news..... Life is pretty much "as usual"- except for the fact that I have been not working for a whole week, and am going a little stir crazy waiting for the babe... My mom arrived on Friday, so we have been busying ourselves with the projects like you see above, and playing with Avery in her last days as "sole sister".It's been pretty fun! Justin is thankfully still employed, which we are blessed and thankful for everyday..... We are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel on winter (thank god) because cabin fever has captured Justin and taken his brain to sea-faring lobster-man land. Let's hope his brain is present when we need to get to the hospital.

Anyway, that's about it for now, hopefully next post will include Harris baby#2!!!
Wish us luck!
K

Snow fun!

Hello Friends,
Well it seems nearly another month has passed us by... We have been very busy getting ready for our impending arrival, and having some special together time with Avery. With only 5 weeks to go, we are very excited ( and a little nervous of course) about how our lives are about to change yet again.

In fact, we had a small taste of those lovely sleepless nights that we have not missed just the other day. On Sunday, we Checked our American-ism in Hailey and headed up to a Yurt ( for those of you that are unfamiliar, it is like a tent for snow camping) for the night with two other families. We headed up and had lunch at Galena Lodge and hung around until the others showed up and then had a great time sledding and playing in the beautiful weather, as it has been unseasonably warm, and they tend to have an inversion up there quite often. We hiked up to the yurt in the early afternoon, and did some more sledding, playing and settling in. Here are a few snow angels.....




We started a fire (which was quite finicky considering we had 3 firefighters on hand) and unpacked our mounds of gear. Soon it was time for dinner, and we had a special visit from a local bunny- he really was dressed as a bunny- though it was more the oooohhhhhh scary kind of bunny (delivery from the lodge) that got the girls all in tears. Before we know it it was time for the longest sleepless night I've had in quite some time.


Imagine:
Sheet of plywood+thick yoga mat= Bed
2 very pregnant gals+ 3 two year olds= ZERO Sleep
Husbands=Very tolerant
= Now I can say I did it, and don't need to do it again anytime too soon.

Needless to say I was very happy to sleep in my bed last night. But please, don't get the wrong idea- We had a really great time, and I would personally miss the Superbowl for it anytime. I think Justin would agree ( though the teams playing may factor in a little)

In addition, we also have a fearless skiier on our hands. On Saturday we took Avery to Dollar Mountain with one of her other friends and they went skiing. She rode the Quarter Dollar chair and Everything!!! She did so AWESOME!! She had a great time, and wanted to keep going ( until the novelty of candy on the chairlift wore off and the lure of hot cocoa inside the lodge kicked in). But she did great, and had a great time too- so at least we'll have one person in our family with an affinity for snow.


Other than that I have been making Justin do projects around the house in preparation for #2. We painted Avery's room and re-arranged it a bit, hung curtains, got some things out of storage ect ect... It's really amazing how quickly you forget about all the "Stuff" that it takes to have a baby. Carseats, bouncy seats, slings, bath seats....oy vey!
Anyway, we'll keep you posted on any news of relevance.
Cheers!
K,J & A

Hello 2009!!

Hey Friends,
I know, I know, it's been near ions since I have posted, but we have been quite busy....

Avery enjoyed her first memorable Christmas. Snow, tree, Santa and all. It was really fun for Justin and I to see here really getting into it. As you saw in our last post we did cut down our own Christmas tree, and if I do say to myself, it was quite a fine tree. It didn't even have that Charlie Brown look that many of the cut-em-yourself kind have.

On Christmas Eve we went up to Sun Valley Resort and watched the Nutcracker on Ice, which was really quite amazing. I felt like we were in a movie. The snow was falling quite heavily, and the Ice Show was really fabulous. Avery loved it. It was really magical, and something that I think we will remember for a long time.




Christmas morning we woke up to about 20" of snow. It was really beautiful, and Christmas-y, and charming....for about an hour. No really, it was beautiful, but it did make for a lot of snow moving- or lack there-of (for some family members that shall remain nameless...). I baked some coffee cake and once the snow issue was dealt with everyone came over to open presents. Avery had a great time opening her gifts, and kind of realizing that "Santa" had come while she was sleeping. The hit of the season was the Barbie cash register, mirror, barbie-berry(which she has been sleeping with) and barbie car keys ( it was really funny- she said Where's the car?). Justin and I got a new Mac Laptop which we are loving.


The rest of Christmas day was spent really just hanging out, since we weren't cooking, which was nice. We went to Dinner at Sun Valley and enjoyed the food, and not doing dishes!! I think I want to do that from now on!!! It really makes it so much more enjoyable.



Justin Avery and I left for California on the 28th, and spent a few days thawing out. We had great weather and enjoyed going to the park, visiting the Long Beach Aquarium, and going to Santa Barbara for the New Year with some friends. It was really fun. We celebrated the New York New Year, and called it an early night- at least Avery and I did. Justin is a whole other story.






From Santa Barbara we drove back thru LA and onto Yuma, Az to visit Justin's family, and go to his Grandma Carol's (Avery's Great Grandma) 80th Birthday. We had a great time in Yuma just relaxing and visiting. Avery really hit it off with Grandma Carol. It was really adorable.





Debra and I were introduced to Wii Fit. It was quite hilarious figuring it out and doing the different kinds of "exercise". Debra finally mastered the Hula Hoop, and I worked my pregnant tooshie off doing the "dancing". What' s so funny about the Wii fit is that it doesn't really feel like you are doing exercise-so you just keep playing, until the next morning you wake up and your Glutes hurt so bad you can hardly walk. Lesson learned there....

On Sunday we drove back to LA, and headed out Monday morning. Our direct to Sun Valley tickets landed us in Boise ( of course the one time we have direct tickets...) due to the weather,and on another( we got bussed to Boise on the way out too) very scary 3 hour bus ride to Sun Valley Airport. The good news is that we made it.

We arrived home to another 6"inches of snow in the driveway, and a harder than cement snow mound at the end of our driveway courtesy of the snow plow. We nearly high centered the Yukon trying to get over the snow-bump if that gives you any idea. Not exactly the best welcome home present... but what else can you do but cry? Yes, I did. And curse the snow, and the snow plow for it's lovely deposit.

This last week since we have been home we have just been getting back into the swing of things, and doing some home projects in preparation for baby # 2. I have about 8 weeks to go. So, that's it for now. Keep you posted!

Cheers to 2009!
Krista, Justin and Avery

Santa Claus is coming....

Hello Friends,
Here I am again apologizing for my lack of posting. It's been almost a month since our last post....but at least I have lots to share!!

It has been a very bust month! We went to California for Thanksgiving, which was really nice, despite the fact that we ate way too much!! We had a really nice time in the beautiful weather, and playing in the warm California sun. We hit the beach a couple of times, but it was even for us a little too chilly to brave the water. Except for Justin of course, as he would not miss an opportunity to get some surf time in.


We have really been doing much of the same...work, ect. While trying to get ourselves geared up for Christmas. We went a cut our Christmas tree down last weekend, which was really fun, mostly in part because we didn't have to trudge through the snow to get it. After much searching we found the perfect tree, and Avery even helped to cut it down!




Avery got quite a thrill sitting next to it in the car.


Last weekend we also went to a local nursery that had an open house of sorts. We got to see Santa Clause, go for a horse drawn sleigh ride (minus the sligh, plus wheels), and Avery's favorite part was the Candy Cane that Santa gave her.





Did I mention that we went sledding too? We went to Dollar Mountain where they had a bunch of man-made snow and went sledding after we cut our tree down. Avery definitely takes after Justin in her affinity for speed. She has a blast going down the hill at top speed.


Needless to say it has been busy. It has finally snowed, which as most of you know, is not our favorite thing, but our local economy is very thankful. It didn't snow a ton, but something is better than nothing, especially for the ski reports.



I am nearly 7 months pregnant now, and am feeling(and looking- as you can see from the picture) quite large... maybe I should get a santa suit myself. Justin has been working away trying to get a job finished for some clients in time for Christmas. Unfortunately he got sick at the end of last week, but he is back to his old self now.

We are now just in Christmas mode, which is really fun. Avery loves to watch the Polar Express, and to listen to the book on CD while reading the book. We have been concentrating on the fun things about Christmas, making santa projects, baking cookies and the like. Avery loves Santa Clause, but REALLY DOES NOT KNOW THAT CHRISTMAS INVOLVES PRESENTS (grandparents please note!!!) I think that this is our last year of that.

This year we are focusing on the spirit of Christmas. It seems that the world and our nation is going through so much right now, we are focusing on the important things. We are thankful every day for all of our blessings, we have our health, a warm home, our families, friends, and food to eat. What else do we really need? Nothing.
Anyway, I hope that everyone has a great holiday and in case I don't get to posting before then, Merry Christmas, or Happy Holidays- whichever you prefer.
Cheers!
K,J& A

Mohammed Ali...?

Hi Friends,
Again, I must apologize for the delay between posts, I have just been out of the swing of things a bit...
Anyhow, It been less than dull around the Harris House...It seems that Avery has given a new meaning to the term "bruiser"- as in-she has been giving them. Yes, I know, It's nearly impossible to believe that my sweet angel child has been acting more like Mohammed Ali, than child of any sort.... She has been practicing her fighting skills on me, Justin, her friends, and anyone else unlucky enough to be in her path. Needless to say, the last few days have been less than joyful. In fact, I think torture-some is a bit more accurate. I'm just glad she didn't take up an affinity for David Beckham while wearing my Cowboy boots- that could have been really ugly, especially for Justin!!

While Mohammed is away, and Avery is around- we have been having some good fall fun. We Spent Saturday unloading wood, and doing some other chores. As you can see, Avery was a tremendous help as she sipped on her tea between supervising Daddy put wood on the porch, and harassing the neighbor's cat. Did I mention the Glamour Girl that visits? Yes, jewels, shades, a good novel, and some gummy bears, and I tell you, the little miss is in heaven.... I'm really in for it.
Have I mentioned that she is a Gemini?
Insane mother? check back later...


Other than the usual drama, we are getting excited for Thanksgiving, and heading down to LA for the occasion. Justin has been torturing himself (as usual) by checking the surf at any available moment, and watching surfing and Scuba diving videos on YouTube. All I can say is that there better be some surf.... Otherwise, I'm not sure he will be on the plane home with us.
All the while, I'm feeling quite large these days, I'm past the six month mark, and due to the latest dealings with Mohammed Ali, I have found myself thinking.... what the hell was I thinking?.... All I can say is the this one will NOT be a gemini, thank god, because I'm not sure I could handle 2!!
I hope everyone has a fabuolus holiday!!! Cheers!
K

We're Back!!!

Hi Everyone,
After what seems like a long departure, we are back!!I apologize for the long delay in a new post, but Justin's humid trip to Costa Rica was less than fabulous for our laptop.Let's just say that it beeps well, and has moved to the computer abyss.

Our trip to Cost Rica did not go quite as planned, but it turned out fine, so that's all that really matters I guess.
To start, I didn't go to Costa Rica, my doctor advised that I not go, so I went and spent the time in LA with my mom, which was really great. Justin did however go with his Dad, and well, had a wet time. It rained for nearly 7 days straight. It was a 100 year event in Costa Rica, and the country was in a state of emergency when they got back. In fact, I think that they are lucky that they got out. Had I gone, and wanted or needed to leave. I couldn't have. The roads were closed, and it was a rainy mess. To top it all off, Justin's dad got sick, and Justin barely got any surf. All I can say is.... I'm so glad I didn't go!!!


My time in LA was great. Avery went to preschool with Debra a few days, and I did yoga, and enjoyed the warm weather and sunshine. I actually read a book- usually something I never have time to do. Needless to say I had a great time. We also did a few tourist-y things with Avery that were really fun. We went to the Santa Monica Pier with Avery and rode the carousel, and Avery did a few of the other kiddie rides which was really great.




Upon our return, it was back to work. And now, all of a sudden it November!!! We had a great Halloween, as you will see from the pictures. Avery started out the day (and went to school as) a Black Cat. However, by the time it was "trick or treat" time, she was over the kitty. We managed another cute "costume" for the evening. Geisha girl?? 2 year old geisha girl- not to sure about that, but who knows. Anyway, she looked cute, had a great time, and got wired on candy-so I guess thats all that really matters. I am proud to say that by some small miracle, we averted the sugar-induced tantrum/metldown that I fully anticipated to endure. Phew!!! Now, I just have to ditch the rest of the candy while she isn't looking...




So that's pretty much it. We are sitting here in the dark like everyone else.... why do we change the clocks again? I promise to post again before New Years.... we are working on another laptop, so it will be a little easier to be at the computer.
Hope everyone is well!
xoxo
Krista, Justin and Blackie (aka Avery)