The last couple weeks have been really eventful for Lily as well as the family. Last Friday, her Uncle Cody came to visit from Boston. His wife, Meredith, and their baby, Emerson, weren't able to make this trip and I'm sure it made him miss Emmy even more to see Lily. We could tell by the way he played with her that he is a great dad! We can't wait until his whole family comes to visit us in March and the two babies can meet each other. It will be interesting to see if they want to play or if they are indifferent to each other like some babies are. Either way it is going to be a blast to have the whole Harward clan together.

We were also able to go to the Mt. Timpanogos temple to see Tobby's sister, Jodie, and her husband of a year, Kris, get sealed to each other. We are so proud of them. We went out to Los Hermanos mexican restaurant afterwards and the baby had fun getting passed around. She definetly loves the attention!









My grandparents were also visiting from California for Lily's blessing. It was so fun the have them here. They couldn't seem to get enough of the baby. She loved to just hang out with them and look at them. They were able to babysit a couple times for us, since last week I went back to work. I'm so thankful that they were able to come and see their first great-grandbaby!






Lily got blessed by her daddy on Sunday the 9th. She looked so cute in her blessing dress, but alas, it was not meant to last. Unbeknownst to us, she was having the biggest blowout of her life, so far, during the entire meeting. Her dress was wet on the entire right side of her body, so we had to get her out of it. Luckily, I had a backup dress. My mom had brought over a couple of my dresses from when I was a baby, including my blessing dress. We drove home and put her in it and she looked just as adorable in it. My mom was able to clean the dress. Later on that night, we took the pictures we didn't have the opportunity to get earlier.










We had a ward Christmas party on Friday. We decided it would be a great time to put Lily in her Christmas reindeer outfit. I didn't think it was going to fit her. When I bought it I remember thinking it was humongous, but it wasn't that big on her. She was so adorable! After I put it on her and we got to the party, I realized she looked kind of androgynous in it. Everyone at the party kept asking us how old "he" was. Even if she did look kind of boyish, she was still the cutest baby there (not that I'm biased or anything).






Lily has been so smiley and happy this week. She is starting to make "talking" noises and loves to get kisses from Mommy and Daddy. She loves to look right at us and tell us about her day and how much she loves us (at least that's what we like to think she is trying to tell us with her little coos).

Lilybug

Wow! It's December...

Well I can't believe how long it's been since our last post. Things are going pretty well with our little family these days. We've been reading this great book called, "On Becoming Baby Wise" and it has really helped us with Lily. We've got her on a schedule for eating, sleeping, and playing. We've felt the difference in our energy level as parents - cause we're getting more sleep and have a much more content little girl.
Thanksgiving was great this year. We got to have breakfast at Cracker Barrel with Scott, Sherry and Casey Harward (Tobby's parents). Then, after noon we went to the Thomases for lunch and a movie. We watched Live Free or Die Hard which was very entertaining and well-made We took family pictures there, someone from the ward that has a professional studio took them... Of course we just have those taken with our own digital camera by Casey, when he wasn't in the way of the photographer... We'll get a few and then post the professional copy on here too.
We had a scare with a break in a few weeks ago. we must have spooked em, cause nothing was missing, after a thorough search, but the water in the garage was turned on. We had the police come by, but since nothing was missing, they just hadned us a card and told us to be extra careful and learn from this. Guess we're glad we have renter's insurance and other such safeguards in place to help us... but it would be such a shame to lose memories.
My younger brother Casey started working with me as a bike technician and seems to like it. He and I consequently get to spend a lot more time together than either of us thought we'd be at this point. The work is steady and the money is good so he's committed until next summer, but we'll see how long he continues beyond that mark. I hope longer.
We are at a different place now than we thought we'd be too. With the expenses of a newborn baby, we're going to have to think differently for Christmas this year. We'll have to spend quality time together rather than money on each other ~ cause thee isn't any. We're going to pay down debts and hospital bills instead.
In the happenstance that anyone reading this has purchased unassembled bikes or furniture, or grills for a loved one and would like to help Santa Clause get to bed earlier this Christmas (and help us make some money to pay off these bills) contact us. I am a professional assembly man, fast bike technician and repair man. I'd even store the product in my garage (which is perfectly safe now) until Santa can pick it up... I was going to make flyers for this and pass them out weeks ago, but like this blog, I haven't had enough or made enough time.
Lily has gone on her first stroller ride, seen snow, and had her first thanksgiving meal (via mommy)... We love how cute and chunky she's getting each day. Here are some pictures that you might enjoy... Maybe you'll agree?