What a Weekend!

We had a great weekend!  We had family reunion Friday and Saturday, and then we headed to St Louis yesterday for a Cardinals game.  We didn't get home until 12:40am today.  Needless to say we're all beat.  I just imported 309 photos from this weekend, and I'm trying to figure out how to tell of all our adventures in a concise manor.  Let's start with Harvey's firsts from the weekend.

*First time in Kentucky (just passing through, stopping for a snack)

Yeah, that's what he thinks of the big KY. Snooze fest!

*First time in Illinois



*First time meeting Uncle Andrew

Throwing up his rock fist to show Uncle Andrew he's cool like him.

Man this kid loves him. And I'm pretty sure Andrew is pretty crazy about him as well. :)

*First time to meet about 400 other people as well.
Little stud. All the ladies are after him.

The youngest generation.

Our generation

Our parent's generation

The sisters.
Seriously, could they be any sweeter?

*Harvey's first night away from mom and dad. He slept with grandpa and grandma Saturday night. So that was also a first for John and I---first night to sleep through the night in over 10 weeks. Quite an accomplishment! Thanks for letting us sleep like normal people again!

*And last, but certainly not least, Harvey's first Cardinals game!!!


I'm pretty sure John wants to blog about this experience, so I don't want to steal his thunder. I will say, this was quite a special day!

Here are some more highlights/fun pictures from this weekend.

We put everyone to work.  Hey, what's family reunion if you can't pawn your child off onto everyone else?  

Harvey and Nolan
Why you gotta copy me? You're such a baby, Harvey!  

Don't touch me! I don't want any of your silly baby cooties on me!

Oh my gosh moooom! He touched me!

Who's a baby now Nolan? :)

What's that Greatie?! The cutest baby you've ever seen?!!

Awww shoot, I'm sure you say that to all your great grandkids!!  But I am pretty cute, I'll give you that.

Ok, there are lots more photos to come! But now I've got to feed a hungry boy.  I haven't had to take care of this kid by myself for awhile. Here's hoping I remember how..........

You Can Find Me In St Loui

We are packing up and heading off to Illinois for family reunion, then we're taking Harvey to St Louis for his first Cardinals game.  He's all ready to go, decked out in his Cardinals jammies. We'll have lots of pictures and stories to tell when we return! 

Peace out! 

A Small Confession

So I must admit, I love to take naps with Harvey.  There, now it's out there. :) 

When Harvey first came home, the only way we could get him to stop crying some nights was to put him in our bed. We called it "The Magic Bed".  We would seriously do everything we could think of to try to get him to calm down, and as a last resort we would bring him to our bed.  As soon as his back would touch our bed, he would stop immediately.  I have no idea how he knew what was going on, but he sure did (probably because he's a freakin genius like his mother).   We absolutely did not want to start this habit, so we only used it in case of emergency.

Then, Harvey went through a phase where he cried from 5:45 until who knows when, although he wasn't quite ready to get up.  So to get him to sleep some more, he would come get in bed with me once John left for the gym.  When he moved to his crib a couple weeks ago, I finally let him cry it out one morning, and now he wakes up for a bottle and sleeps until 9.   

So now he is a healthy sleeper, sleeping on his own in his bed, learning how to self soothe and go to sleep on his own.  While I really am grateful for this, I miss seeing his sweet little face sleeping next to me.  His big blue eyes staring at me until he finally falls asleep. And I realize, there is only a short time left in life where he will still want to snuggle and cuddle with me (not to mention, sleeping with your mom gets real creepy real fast:) ).  So every now and then, I like to go lay down with him for one of his naps.  Yesterday after we went to the park, we came home and rested in the guest room.  He looked so sweet laying there, I had a mini photo shoot with him. 

Our sweet little boy is growing so fast, I can see that everyday.  Someday all too soon, he will grow up to be a wonderful man, and we will be left with the memories of our sweet, chubby baby boy.  In light of that, I took some pictures of some things I never want to forget about him. They are not the best quality for sure, but these are some precious memories.

His tiny little feet, all pink and perfect.

His chunky little hands, and the nice fat roll he calls a wrist.

His chubby thighs.  

And here he is, stretching to wake up. 

There are so many precious moments to enjoy with this kid.  Harvey, life is so very sweet with you.

No News is Good News

So there's nothing really exciting to report here in the Clore household. Harvey is doing great. He's starting to take naps on a more regular schedule, he's going to bed earlier and earlier (and waking up earlier and earlier!), and he is obsessed with his left hand.

Hmmm, wonder if I can get my whole hand in there........

(Gag) Almost......not quite (gag).

I did realize tonight that Harvey is much much calmer than he used to be.  Don't get me wrong, he still has plenty of attitude to spare.  He used to have a few inconsolable crying spells everyday, but now he usually cries when he really needs something. Like when he needs his hat taken off, or when he wants me to stop forcing the pacifier in his mouth. Crazy kid! 

There has been a lot of baseball watching in our home.  Cubs vs Cards this weekend, then the Home Run Derby last night, and the All Star Game tonight.  Harvey loves his Cards (and the big glowing box they're in). 

So, all is well.  We're traveling over the next two weekends, so I'm sure there will be plenty to share very soon! 

Baseball Weekend

This weekend John and Harvey had a baseball weekend. The Cardinals were playing the Cubs, and the games were actually broadcast here. So Saturday the boys hung out around the house and watched baseball, and did whatever else they do when I'm not around (I'm pretty sure I don't want to know). I actually went and ran some errands during the day, and went out with some friends to celebrate Beth, Alli(son) and Ann's birthdays. We had such a good time, and it was so good to get a little break!

On that note, before I show some sweet pictures of the boys from this weekend, I just need to share one of the worst group pictures I have ever seen. I promised (kind of) that it would not end up on facebook. However, I didn't say anything about my blog (you're welcome Beth!).

And no, I am not in fact picking my nose. I was scratching it--there was no nostril penetration.

On to some far better photos.

Mama made sure he was wearing the appropriate attire for his first TV game.
Pujols up to bat.

Yeah, go Cardinals, and stuff.............so sleepy..........

Here are some more from the games today.

Some out takes.......

Poor old Harv looks like he's had a few too many here.

This one will haunt you in your sleep tonight. That's one crazy looking baby!
Hewwo? You guys still out there? Dang hats, always causing trouble!

I think Harvey is even more excited to go to his first Cardinals game this coming weekend. I know we (especially John) are super excited to share this with him! Go Cards!