Yep, We are Still Here!

Dear Family and Friends, we are still alive.  We have been extremely absent in our blogging... but for good reason.  We didn't fall off the face of the Earth, but we did move from the Metropolis of South Jordan to the rural countryside of Saratoga Springs (ok, so it's not that country, but it is a bit more rustic than So. Jordan). We began tossing around the idea of moving in early October.  Things moved much more quickly than we planned and by Nov. 2 our townhouse was on the market.  We sold the town-home and closed on our new home on Dec. 31, 2012.  So on January 1, 2013 we moved into a new home (New home for the new year).  We had help from family, friends, and neighbors and really appreciate everyone's efforts.  We have basically unpacked all our boxes and now we are working on putting up pictures.  It is so nice to have a home that we can grow into.  It is a new home, so we will have to put a yard in in the Spring and eventually finish the basement.

And now to catch you up on Abigail.  She is now 7 months old!  It is hard to believe how much she is growing.  She has become very good at rolling from her tummy to her back, which she quickly does any time Mommy or Daddy try to do Tummy Time with her.  At about 6 1/2 months she started sitting up unsupported and is now quite adept at sitting and reaching for toys.  Abigail's first vowel-consonant is DA DA DA DA (still no MA MA MA MA).  Abigail is also quite the food connoisseur.  Mommy makes home-made baby food and Abigail opens her mouth wide when she especially likes a certain food.  One of her favorite meal time activities is blowing razzes in her food...

We had a wonderful holiday with family.  For Thanksgiving, we had dinner with the Harris/Johnston side of the family.  We were able to see Papa and Gram and (Great)-Great-Grandma Luella.  Here is a 5 generation picture with them:

Alison's sister Jenni got married on Dec. 21, 2012, so we drove to Boulder, CO to participate in the exciting event.  Abigail did wonderfully on the long car ride and we enjoyed celebrating the marriage of Jenni and Noah.

We arrived home on Dec. 22 and geared up for Abigail's first Christmas.  It was strange to not put up our own tree (since we would be moving the following week), but it was still a wonderful Christmas.  We were able to spend time with all of our various families.  Abigail loved unwrapping presents (mostly in an attempt to eat the paper).

Abigail meets Santa

Abigail loves her toes and wants to play in the snow

Now that we are settled in to our new home we will try and post at least monthly to keep you updated on Abigail's growth and other exciting family events.

4 Month Adventures... and Halloween

Well, Abigail is now 4 months old, as of Oct. 20th. At her 4 month pediatricians appointment, she weighed in at 13 lbs. 3 oz. and was 24.5 inches long.

This month has been lots of fun as Abigail has more of a personality developing.  She smiles lots and lots, especially at mommy and daddy.  She has not quite figured out how to laugh, but when we tickle her or give her raspberries on her tummy, she will grin really big and let out a loud AHHH. Speaking of raspberries, that is Abigail's newest trick.  She also LOVES to babble and squeal.  She is really discovering her voice.  One of her favorite times to talk is when she wakes up in the middle of the night.  It is so darn cute to hear her talking to herself in her crib.  She is sleeping really well.  She usually goes to bed around 7:30 or 8:00 PM and doesn't wake up until 4-6:00 AM, then goes back to bed and wakes up for the day at 7:30.

We have had some fun adventures too.  We still go on walks frequently with our friends, but as it gets colder we either go later in the day, or have to forgo the walk all together.

We also took a Fall drive up in the canyon.  The leaves were beautiful.  Abigail was asleep the whole time, but it was still a fun little family outing.

Abigail and mommy have also had a few outings with friends.  We went to the Church History Museum, where they have a special kids section (only until January though).  Abigail had fun looking around and watching the other kids play, and Alison had fun visiting with friends.

On another occasion, we went to Gardener Village to see the Witches and other Halloween decorations.  Abigail loved riding in the carrier and being able to see everything.

For Halloween the Harris' love to wear coordinating costumes (Our first Halloween while dating Alison was a butterfly and Steve a butterfly catcher; next Halloween Steve was a dog and Alison a dog trainer; and last Halloween, Alison was a cat and Steve was a scratching post).  This year we were Lions, and Tigers, and Bears ("Oh my!").

We are excited for many more adventures to come with our wonderful Abigail Mae!

3 Months

Abigail turned 3 months old on Sept. 20th.  My how the time flies.  She is growing up fast.  She is already 23.5 inches long and can no longer fit in 0-3 month sleepers.  We got some cute family and 3 month pictures taken to document another month in her development.

This one was Steve's idea :) 

Look I am sitting up! (Well, mom is helping a little in back)

In addition to being blessed this month and attending the Brigham City Temple open house (see previous blog), Abigail experienced her first BYU-Utah Rivalry game (well sort of).  Steve and I were decked out in our blue and red, and of course our "purple baby" was in purple. (Not the greatest resolution for the pic)

The game started late, but we tried to go to our neighborhood big screen showing.  Abigail lasted about 30 minutes before spitting up everywhere!  I brought her home and got her to bed.  Steve stayed til half time, but then decided to come home so we could all get to bed.

Abigail is becoming much more alert and aware of her surroundings.  She loves going on walks and looking around at the world.  We try to go on a walk every morning with our friends Sara and Chase (Chase is 1 1/2 weeks older than Abigail).  She usually rides forward facing in her stroller now like a big girl.  When she is not, she often tries to sit up in her carrier.

She is still batting at objects and loves to hit the sun on her play gym to make music play.  In addition to batting at objects, she is grasping toys (usually if they are placed right by her hands, but some times she will reach out toward them). She is even trying to help hold the bottle.

She has also discovered her hands!!! She loves sucking on them.  I think she is bound and determined to fit her whole fist in her mouth.

Abigail is tolerating tummy time a little better, though she still doesn't love it.  She is not rolling over yet, but she is sure trying to move.

We love our little girl and love watching her grow and reach new milestones.  We are glad to share some of her progress with you.

Last but not least, here are a few Bloopers:

 Trying to take a pic of her slippers

Crazy hair 

The face she makes when we make funny noises (such as Steve's Chewbacca growl) 

Breakdown at photo shoot

Baby Blessing and Brigham City Temple

Abigail Mae Harris was given a name and a blessing on September 2, 2012.  She surprised us Saturday night by sleeping from 9 PM to 5 AM!  So we were all pretty well rested when we woke up for church.  Abigail cooperated very well during the blessing (something I think every mother and father worries about when their child is the center of attention in church).  Steve gave a wonderful blessing with many special promises including health and strength, the ability to face the challenges in this life, a desire to learn the gospel, a knowledge of the Plan of Salvation in order to keep the commandments and live righteously, choosing a husband with similar desires and entering the temple to be sealed, and being an example to siblings and others.

Abigail looked beautiful in her dress.

We were so happy to celebrated this occasion as our little family. And we even had matching outfits :)

We were grateful for all the family and friends who were able to make it too.

It was such a special day and one that we will always remember and cherish.

On September 10, 2012 Alison and Abigail went to the Brigham City Temple Open House with their friends Valerie, Mike, and Dallin Hatch (Steve had to work late, so he wasn't able to come).  Heavenly Father definitely had a hand in making everything ideal for the best experience possible.  Abigail ate and napped when she needed to in order to be awake, alert, and happy as they walked through the temple.  Though she is too young to remember this experience, we hope she was able to feel the special spirit of the temple and that it reminded her of being in the presence of God not too long ago.

On a side note, Alison broke down and got the new mom hair cut.