PO's pics are so good!

My coworker takes the best pics! She captured this one of H when he was in the office for a little visit a few weeks back.

Like mother, like son

Mmmmm, Harrison loves hummus - just like his mom!

The New Shoes

Checking them out, not quite used to the shoes yet...

Finally feeling a little more comfortable wearing shoes and socks...

Now we've come full circle and Harrison, in the new shoes, is making another break for the escalator!

I have gone back and forth on the issue of whether or not Harrison needs shoes. No, he walks great barefoot and seems so cute/like such a baby cruising around on his toes. Yes, he is walking on really uncomfortable surfaces, not to mention bashing his little toes all over the place. No, yes, I don't know...so we finally took the plunge and decided to go for Harrison's first pair of real shoes (Robeez and Crocs don't really count apparently).

All along I had this vision that we'd go to a cute little kids specialty shoe store or even a Stride Rite and an older, wise expert in kids shoes would measure H's feet, watch him walk around, help us through the process and at the end of it, he'd have light little first walking shoes and maybe a balloon. Not so much. After Papa Jim called every single shoe store listed in the Santa Barbara phone book, we found out that Nordstrom was it in SB - if we wanted shoes, that's where we'd have to get them (I guess kids shoe stores are also victims of online retail and pushy bigger shops like Nordstrom carrying the specialty brands that only they used to have). On to Nordstrom, where our very nice but not exactly experienced (was she maybe 17?) salesperson helped us make the best choice: Size 6 (yes, that is correct, size 6 aka huuuge) Stride Rite Owen Oxfords.

The pictures don't quite capture how seriously awkward the shoes on H's feet were but after a few minutes, he adapted and was soon running around the store. But honestly, it was hilarious to see him try to walk with these clunkers on, after being so accustomed to nothing! He now looks like he is about 5 and stomps all around in his shoes. Who would have guessed that one silly accessory makes him look and feel like a completely older big boy? This was one little milestone that definitely affected me and made me realize that he really isn't a baby anymore.

SB

We were starving when we got to town at 8:30 am so of course had to make a stop in IV for breakfast...Freebirds for the boys and Bagel Cafe for the mom. I think Harrison was really intrigued by the fact that people eat gigantic burritos with barbecue sauce so early in the morning (we for sure weren't the only patrons at that time)

Harrison and Harper on Miramar Beach

Time to brush teeth!

Santa Barbara - can't we just stay a little while longer? We had a great time with everyone at Bubba and Amanda's engagement party (and even got to eat Smith's bakery cookies!). And we had the best time visiting Melanie, Harper, Auntie Meg, Mamo and Babo on the beach...definitely made me wish we were all closer and able to play more often. Harrison was in heaven hanging out with Harper, talking on the cordless phones, running around on the beach and goofing off before bedtime. Hopefully it isn't too long before they can do it again!

Happy Birthday to us!

The Suenhos had a wonderful time celebrating everyone's 30th...still unbelievable that we are all 30 this year! We left the kiddies and significant others at home and enjoyed 24 hours in Napa, laying out by the pool (and sipping Bloody Marys and mimosas), eating a fab meal at Ad Hoc (and sipping lots of wine) and dancing at Pancha's (and sipping Bud Lights/Jaegermeister). Can't wait to see everyone again soon!

Elvis

We are a very sunglasses obssessed family so it's no surprise that H would have a pair too (thanks Amanda)!

Matchy match

Crocs

Goofing around with Rose and Hannah at Bubba and Amanda's...it was so fun to have everyone only an hour away from us!

Oh, and of course we had to get a shot of H in his crocs that the Kopers gave me before we even met Harrison, when he was still Baby Z. He is fitting into them waaay before we thought he would (hi, size 4-5 for an 11 month old little person?) but we all know the old "my, this baby has big feet story"...there was just no way our baby wouldn't have big feet!

Arrrgggh

I know, I know, the pirate thing has gone on long enough with this family but Matt found this do rag somewhere and as I was making dinner, put it on the kid. So I look down to see the little pirate who seemed to really like his new head piece!

Just in time for his mom's birthday, aka International Talk Like A Pirate Day.

Discoveries

Mr. Busy discovered the wonders of a hose one evening last week... he is extremely curious but also very cautious about new things, particularly those that make a huge noise or do a major activity like spew water! (Disclaimer: this statement does not apply to animals; young Mr. Z'berg has no fear of animals and literally chases them down to touch, pet and hug!)

I was really surprised at the care with which he examined the thing before of course trying to plant his face in the water stream and drink it. With most stationary objects, Harrison just goes for it and starts chewing, banging, smashing, eating...but he had to inspect and check the whole hose out before realizing what great fun it is to wave water around. Ask me how mad he was when I took him in for a bath half an hour later!

Bonners Ferry

Harrison had been walking for about a week and a half when we got to Idaho but he totally took off and became an official toddler on the trails in Bonners Ferry

Tamina lives close to Canada and Montana so we cruised over to see Uncle Ben, Auntie Karen, Bradley, Tami and the Lairds at Swan Lake in Montana. This is view from the cabin's patio. The lake was freezing but totally fun!

Path in the Kootenai Wildlife Preserve

View of Tamina's valley on our afternoon walk

Bonner's Ferry - this picture really doesn't capture the tremendous variety. I had no idea that we'd see rivers and valleys and meadows and mountains within a few minutes from one another!

Harrison visits his fourth state

Tamina's huge, great, lawn

Happy guy with Grammy and Tamina, one of her longest time friends

Swan Lake, Montana

Harrison went on a little adventure with Grammy Shelly and his mom to visit Tamina in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. It was the easiest trip there and really the only complaint is that we didn't have more time to hike, explore, check out the river, find elk and eat huckleberries and huckleberry products!

The cart

Uncle David and Auntie Toni came to spend a day in the sun with us and brought Harrison a fabulous new treat.  He strolls around the house and yard every day and loves tossing new things in..the cart is currently home to a nasal aspirator, mini basketball, stuffed bird, and blocks.  He has been walking for a few weeks but is so much more quick and mobile thanks to the cart! 

Field Trip

Harrison's field trip to story hour at the library!  The kiddies all sported their matching purple t-shirts which was hilarious.  H was too busy checking out computers and pulling books off the shelf during the actual story but he had a great time dancing and learning new tricks during the more interactive portion of the hour.  

This was definitely the first of what will be many trips to the library - maybe even a summer reading program in Harrison's future, following in his mom and uncle's footsteps...one of our all-time favorite summer activities!