Fooball!

No, I didn't misspell, it's fooball! This is the opening weekend of the college football season and, for the 16th year in a row, I was in the Big House to watch Meeechigan! While we didn't have a great showing like this, at least we didn't do this. It's been said that the biggest improvement comes between weeks one and two and, if you're a Michigan fan, you better hope this is true. If not, we're going to get smoked at ND (you know, because they're so great)!

Anyway, for the first time since the final game of the 1999 season, Kevin and I did not attend the game together today. You see, things get more complicated when you have a baby! Kevin had a great idea to ask our old friends at Sports Info for a press pass for this game so we could TRY to sell our tickets (turns out there wasn't much demand for Vandy @ U-M). So, I spent the first half of the game watching from the photo deck. It was just like old times - what a view! It just wasn't the same, however, without Kevin so I left at the half, we got good food and headed home to watch the rest of the game.

While I was at the game, Kevin and Harmon hung out on campus. They ran some errands and Harmon had his first lunch on the Diag. Kevin said he was getting a lot of looks from the college girls, Harmon I mean! He was a good boy being out for his first game day in Ann Arbor.

Normally, we'd be riveted by the ND @ Georgia Tech game right now but, for the first time in 13 years, baseball in Detroit in SEPTEMBER means something. Kevin keeps asking me if I had to choose between Michigan football and Tigers baseball this year, what would I do. Easy answer - go Tigers! And, just in case you think I'm jumping on the bandwagon, I just ordered this t-shirt!

Through the years

Today is my friend Tim Frank's birthday. Even though he's a Notre Dame grad, he's one of my favorite people in the whole world. I met him in 1993 when he came straight from ND to work in the U-M Sports Information department (how he made that transition, I'll never know). Since I never had a brother, he was the closest thing to it. After only being at U-M for a year, he moved to Houston to work in public relations for the Rockets. After several years with the Rockets, he went big time and took a position as the Vice President of Communications and Spokesman for the NBA. Even though he's now Mr. Big Stuff, we still stay in touch, he still calls when he's in town and, much to my surprise, he remembers so many things from back in the day. So, in honor of Tim's birthday, here's a photo trip through the years.

This photo was taken at the Johnson sisters' apartment during the 1993-94 school year. I was a junior and Tim just a couple year's older. We look so young!

This photo was taken at the United Center during the 1994-95 NBA season. My best friend, Betsie Simon, and I drove to Chicago to visit Tim and his soon-to-be fiance, Sarah, when the Rockets were in town to play the Bulls.

Kevin and I got married in December (2000), right during the heart of the NBA season, so Tim was not able to attend our wedding. But, since we went through Seattle en route to our honeymoon in Vancouver, we were able to see him as the Rockets were in town to play the Sonics.

During the Pistons playoff run in 2004 (which eventually ended with a title), Tim came to town and got us tickets for several different games, including the championship-clinching game. This photo was taken outside his hotel in Pontiac in May 2004.

This last photo was taken just a few months ago. Again, Tim was in town for the Pistons playoff run and took some time away from his busy schedule to meet us for dinner at Buddy's Pizza in Farmington Hills. This was the first time Tim met Harmon and he didn't even hold his name against him!

So, there you have it. One more thing I should mention. When he left Michigan for his job in Houston, I was devastated. It was like losing a best friend. But, the person who took Tim's place made it all better. It was Kevin! I tell Tim "thanks" all the time!

Happy Birthday!

Today is Kevin's birthday. He is 36 years old. I can't believe I met him shortly after his 24th birthday, back when he basically was just a kid. When it comes to other people's birthdays, Kevin is the best! He never forgets them and always makes sure they are memorable. When it comes to Kevin's birthday, however, it's a little different. He hates when people get him presents and he never wants or asks for ANYTHING. This makes it tough to celebrate his birthday. He also is nearly impossible to surprise, which makes it even tougher. So, we all do what we can do. I guess I should appreciate this behavior as it offsets my constant wanting and asking for everything under the sun. It's a good balance.

Although the birthday behavior frustrates me at times, it doesn't surprise me as Kevin always has been selfless. As long as the people he cares about are happy, he's happy – bottom line. This is one of the one hundred billion reasons I love him so much and one of the reasons he's such a wonderful husband and father.

We don't have much planned for today, maybe take-out dinner from one of Kevin's favorite places. And, we'll probably do a few small things over the weekend (I'm sure there will be cake involved as Kevin loves cake). But, maybe this is just fine because if we had to celebrate him for who he is and all he does, we would be celebrating all year long! I love you so much, Kevin, and so does Harmon and all our family and friends!

Happy Birthday!

Big boys and other things

Harmon had his nine-month appointment on Friday. He weighed in at a whopping 25 lbs. and 3 oz. and measured 30 ½ inches long. He is in the 96th percentile in both categories, which means only one thing – he's going to be a BIG BOY! He is doing very well (aside from the crawling thing) and we feel very blessed. Ah, yes, the crawling. Um, yeah, he's not a fan. He gets what he needs by rolling and, if we MAKE him stay on his belly, he'll either scooch himself backwards or move forward via this funky swimming motion. So, we're close. And, the doctor wasn't worried so I guess I can TRY not to be worried, although it's SO against my nature. The doctor was very pleased with his verbal and social progression, especially after Harmon did patty cake and shook his head "no" for him. And, the doctor noted what a crazy reacher he is – he was all over everything in the exam room. He now can have meat and we can start transitioning him to finger foods. We also need to get busy (b-i-z-z-y, busy) with the sippy cup and also can start transitioning him to eating three meals a day. Looks like our days of eating whatever, whenever are numbered. All in all, a great check-up (no shots, either). We'll see the doctor again, for his one-year appointment, on Wednesday, Nov. 15.

After the trip to the doctor's office, we visited Schneids at Schembechler Hall. We thought we should get one last visit in before football season starts because, after that, we probably won't see him until January (after we lose another bowl game). It was a busy day at the football building as everyone was prepping for the U-M Football Fan Day. There were some bonus visits from some old Sports Info friends and they got to meet Harmon for the first time. There were even thoughts of Harmon providing a buffer in a dreaded meeting with Coach Carr – how can you be angry with a face like that looking at you! As we waiting for that meeting to end, Harmon and I took a look around the recruiting lounge (maybe he'll end up there one day – he's built like a tight end) at all the history – lots of good stuff!

Prior to Harmon's big day on Friday, he was spared from watching some crappy baseball on Thursday as he stayed with Grandma Laura while Kevin and I went to the White Sox-Tigers game. The Tigers lost 10-0 and it was awful. One theory is that the Sports Illustrated cover jinx in full effect. Another is that it's my fault – they've sucked since my Aug. 8 journal entry. Either way, it needs to get better with no more 5-7-3 putouts written in the scorebook! They won yesterday, though, so maybe that's a start and I just need to calm down!

In other news, we finally broke down and bought Harmon one of those little kiddie pools. Only problem is that ever since we bought it, it hasn't been warmer than 80 degrees. Ah, never fear, though, as college football starts this weekend and it's guaranteed to be 100 freakin' degrees as 108,000 people ROAST in the Big House. Speaking of college football, Kevin and I haven't quite figured out yet what's going on for this season. My Mom is available to watch Harmon for most of Michigan's home games but there are a couple of games that are in doubt, especially this week's home opener against Vanderbilt. I might go by myself (I have no in-state girlfriends that are crazy about football like I am) or we may just sell the tickets and watch it at home. We need to decide quickly, though. Kevin will make up for missing the season opener by joining his two best friends in South Bend for the U-M @ ND game on Sept. 16. I'm not hopeful for this game (we haven't won there since 1994 – I was at that game and it was awesome) but you never know. Hopefully, Kevin will be one of the few happy people in maize and blue after the game.

OK, more updates to come this week, I promise. Two weeks between updates is simply UNACCEPTABLE. In the meantime, I'll make up for it with these gems:

Mr. T cartoon (from Saturday Night Live) - Mr. T needs work!

Awesome video of a heat-seeking trash can during a recent storm at the new Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

Some tunes from good ole' Wesley Willis. The "Cut the Mullet" song HAD to be found after seeing those classic mullet shots of alleged (yeah, right) murderer John Mark Karr! His hair looks like a rat's nest!

Lastly, some Mr. T sound bytes for you, here and here. Don't know what the obsession is with Mr. T lately but it's hilarious. I love this line from Rocky III!

Nine months old

Harmon turned nine months old on Saturday. At this point, he's been on the outside longer than he was on the inside! I can't believe he's nine months old. I cannot stress enough how fast time flies by. It just seems that days, weeks and months are going by in the blink of an eye. Although he's officially nine months old, our nine-month appointment won't be until Friday, Aug. 25 (who told the doctor he could take a summer vacation?) so we won't have all the important data until then. However, I can tell you a few of the cool, new things he's doing.

First of all, the boy LOVES to drink water. If you have a bottle of water and you're in a one-mile radius of him, he will find you! A full water bottle even is proving effective in getting him to crawl, although I think he would prefer to skip that whole thing. The whole water thing started earlier in the summer when he and my Mom would go for walks. She would give him a few cap fulls when they were out and about. But, when we were at the Ann Arbor Art Fair about a month ago, he really started to obsess about it. He drank a ton that day and has been drinking a lot every since. And, it's funny, he PREFERS to drink out of the actual bottle – not from his bottle or a sippy cup.

Lately, he's been having some separation anxiety. If Kevin or I leave the room, he cries and cries. Sometimes, he's OK after a bit but, other times, he'll just cry. It's very sad.

He's also a pro at the whole reaching thing. If he wants you to get him or wants to go to you, he makes it well known! All day yesterday, my parents and sisters had fun watching him reach for and go to each other.

And, his vocabulary is coming along nicely. In addition to da-da, he now says ma-ma a ton, in addition to ba-ba and na-na. He'll also throw in a wa-wa once in a while and, over the weekend, he was working on some three-syllable things. This morning, it even sounded like a va-va.

Every day, it's something new and I love it!

Words I hate

On the way into work yesterday morning, I heard a radio ad which included the word "morsel." I turned to Kevin and told him I didn’t like that word and he gave me an exasperated look. He then said, "there are SO many words you hate that you should just make a list and post it somewhere." So, I thought, what better place than our blog. Here is a partial list of words or phrases I hate. I'm POSITIVE there are more but here's what I've got so far (in no particular order):

Morsel; moist; fresh; succulent; veggies; robust; fragrance; luscious; panties; creamy; fixins' (or any other word that is supposed to end with "-ing" but people end with "-in" instead); comfort food; buttery; slacks; ciao; fabulous; medley (like vegetable medley); soft drink, soda or soda pop (it's POP, damn it); brunch (hate the word and hate the whole idea); Italian (with a long stress on the "I" – said like EYE-talian); asparagus tips (can't it just be asparagus?); to die for; hoity toity; narthex; malk (it's MILK); tasty; vehicle (with the heavy stress on the "h"); meal; and scrumptious.

In addition to the words I hate, here is a partial list of other things I hate:
People who chew ice or hard candy; people who talk with their mouths full (like the resident of the White House – as if I could hate him more); people who make mouth noises (sucking, loud gum chewing/popping, sloshing, gulping, sipping, etc.); people who hold their cup of coffee with two hands like it's a damn hand warmer; people who enjoy their food way too much (and make grunting, moaning, "What about Bob" noises while they eat it); people who "want a bite" of other people's food; people who put an "s" on the end of any store, restaurant, etc. (like Krogers, Meijers, Farmer Jacks, Ruby Tuesdays, JC Penneys, etc.); Walmart; Pepsi; and Ann Coulter, Bill O'Reilly and other clowns like them.

And, while we're at it, he's a list of obnoxious mispronounced words:
Chimley (chimney); irregardless (regardless); breafas (breakfast); nucular (nuclear); orientate (orient); lacksadaisical (lackadaisical); athaletic (athletic); expecially (especially); realitor (realtor); supposably (supposedly); expresso (espresso); terrists (terrorists); and strategery (strategy).

Lastly, here are a few words or phrases I DO like:
Cat's pajamas; go bananas; scurvy; jobbie nooner; broad; whore; youngster; choco (for chocolate); poppie (for pop); fool; clown; apeshit; lollygag; shenanigans; antics; creep; Internets/interwebs; and jibber jabber.

OK ... so ... enough of that. If you haven't watched this yet, you should. And, check out this and this, just for old time's sake!

Yes, NCAA 2007 is very realistic

Last week on the mlive.com chat, someone posted this video of a simulated video game for Michigan's first game of the year Sept. 2 vs. Vanderbilt. I remarked how realistic looking it was, from the stadium to the uniforms to the speed of the game. Aimee agreed how realistic it was, especially the part where Chad Henne gets sacked for a 20-yard loss (see :45 mark). I almost burst a blood vessel laughing.

Bless You Boys!

Back in 1984 (back in '82 …), "Bless You Boys" was the theme for the Detroit Tigers. That year, they started the season 35-5, led the division from wire to wire, swept the ALCS and won the World Series. They were one of the greatest teams in the history of baseball! Although I was only 11, I remember loving those Tigers and I'm sure a lot of it stemmed from my Dad. Not usually an emotional man, I remember him running out onto our front porch and screaming like a banshee after the final out of the series. He was so happy – he loved that team (almost as much as he loved his '68 Tigers)!

My love for the Tigers goes way back. My Dad was an amazing baseball player when he was younger so baseball always was a part of our lives. And, when my sisters and I were younger, baseball was about the only sport we could afford to attend as a family. I remember having so much fun going to Tiger Stadium with my family. Then 1984 happened and my passion was further strengthened.

After the mid 80s, being a fan of the Tigers became a lot more difficult. The heroes from '84 were starting to retire and there was no one worth a damn to take their places. The farm system was a mess and the leadership had no clue.

Despite this sad state of affairs, I continued to follow the Tigers and even chose to intern for the team in the summer of 1998. I worked my regular job at the law firm during the day and then spent my nights and weekends at Tiger Stadium. This was a rough time in my life as Kevin and I had split after almost three years together. And, quite frankly, being at the ballpark kept me from going home and crying in my room every night. So, I threw myself into this internship and it ended up being one of the best experiences of my life. Although my experience was a good one, the team wasn't – they finished with a 65-97 record that year. Things continued to stink for the once-proud Tigers and then, in 2003, things got REALLY bad. They had to win the last game of the season to keep from being the worst team in the history of baseball!

They have not had a winning season since 1993 and have not won a title of any sorts since winning the division in 1987. But, all this misery makes this season so much sweeter! As I write this, the freakin' DETROIT TIGERS are 40 GAMES above .500, with a 76-36 record. NO ONE thought this was possible.

Every night, I come home and turn on the TV and see yet another jaw-dropping performance. I listen on the radio when we go on walks at night and when we're in the car on weekends. I leave the game on the radio for Harmon as he falls to sleep at night. I thoroughly enjoy each and every game all the while wondering if I'm dreaming. The way they win is amazing and so dramatic. Walk-off home runs, late inning heroics, someone new – young and old – stepping up every night. Usually, the summer is my least favorite season but I don't want this one to end. I want to re-live each victory over and over because I'm afraid it's going to be another 13 years before we get to enjoy it again.

I'm not sure how it's going to end – it's only August – but there is something so special about this team and this summer. This sleepy baseball town has awoken and it's so awesome to see.

Ma, ma, ma, ma, ma

All the hard work on "ma, ma, ma, ma, ma" finally is paying off. Last Wednesday, I called my Mom to check on Harmon and, as we were talking, I heard an excited "ma, ma" in the background. On Friday, my sisters came for a visit and, when I was in the basement, he said "ma, ma." On Sunday afternoon, we were at Target and, as I was looking at the baby food, he said it again. He also said it later that night when Kevin was changing his diaper and, of course, I was in the other room hanging his clothes in his closet. So, all weekend, he said it but I wasn't in the room with him to see it. Yesterday, though, he said it quite a bit – even when I was in the same room with him! He also throws in lots of "ba, ba," wa, wa" and "na, na" along with the traditional "da, da." Overall, he's quite a chatter monkey!

In other news, YET ANOTHER TOOTH! His upper right front tooth poked through yesterday. He's crazy with the teeth.

Four new Harmon videos

After cleaning out the video camera, we have four more Harmon videos to post:

1. Harmon likes to clap his hands and play Patty Cake. However, he is interrupted by a classic movie moment.

2. Harmon has a blast in his exersaucer, but every once in a while has enough of it and needs a nap.

3. Harmon has the hiccups and is teething on his hand, but that doesn't stop him from laughing at Mommy's antics.

4. And finally, Harmon has fun playing with his toys and Daddy on the floor. If you look closely at about the 1:08 mark, however, there is a rather unfortunate incident for the frog.

Almost football season

Yesterday was Big Ten football media day in Chicago. And, my beloved Wolverines were picked to finish second behind ... Ohio State. What a shocker. We're getting quite used to looking up at the Buckeyes not only in the standings but also when we're laying on the field after missing tackles watching them score touchdown after touchdown. Anyway, here are some thoughts on the upcoming season and the state of the program in general:

To be a fan of the Big Blue ...










... you have to eat A LOT of this:













And, when you have a 7-5 season, you drop three of four games to Notre Dame and four of five games to the Buckeyes AND drop six straight road openers, you NEED a big batch of it to make you feel better:













The hopes and dreams of our entire season pretty much rest on this guy:











Unfortunately, the lower half of his body (especially his ankles) is made of these:













In short, not too sure how I feel about this season. Luckily, my Tigers are playing well so I won't have to focus on Michigan football for a while.

Because it's been so damn hot, Kevin actually wore a short sleeve shirt to work today. It looked so weird to me as he usually has on a long sleeve shirt and tie. As we were going our separate ways this morning, he asked if a red vest would make him look like he worked in a hardware store and I died. Ace is the place for the helpful hardware man!

Birthday Banter

This past weekend, I celebrated my freakin' 33rd birthday. I can't believe I'm 33, I have A KID and a house and I'm married and I have real life responsibilities. Sometimes, I feel like (or act like) I'm 12 years old but, unlike the last few years, I now can blame this behavior on Harmon. I need to act like a fool because he likes it!

So, I got some cool stuff for my birthday. My parents got me some great new clothes (a cool brown blouse and a brown sweater and this awesome Michigan jacket thingie); my sister, Stacey, got me some cool capris and the new Goo Goo Dolls CD; and my sister, Erin, bought me the coolest Moosejaw t-shirt (in cranberry). My sister-in-law, Angela, helped keep me smelling good by sending me the new CK One Summer perfume and my in-laws sent me a check, which I immediately applied towards the big gift Kevin got me. In addition to some framed Harmon pictures, Tommy Lee's autobiography and some awesome Post-Its (from Isabel), Kevin got me the Coach purse I've been lusting over for a couple of months now. After getting over the feelings of guilt (I don't buy myself much anymore – must be a Mom thing), I now am in love with this purse. Love, I tell you!

Anyway, all this birthday stuff got me thinking about past birthdays so I went back through my old journals and found some cool stuff. Apparently, big life events OR Detroit Tigers' games are integral parts of my birthdays, year after year!

2005
We just moved into our new house. Our first night sleeping there was July 26 and, on July 27, I remember be grossly pregnant sitting in Home Depot for HOURS. I had this weird belly button pain at this point in my pregnancy and, on this night, it was especially painful. After leaving Home Depot right at closing time, the rest of the night was spent watching Kevin, my Mom and my Uncle Dave install my birthday present – vertical blinds for our living room. Ahh, yes! I mustn't forget Kevin's awesome gift to me last year – tickets to the MLB All-Star Game at Comerica Park!

2004
In 2004, we actually took a vacation (our last real one). We spent a week in the DC area and it was awesome. On my actual birthday, we spent the first part of the day in Hershey, Penn. (a lot of the time at Hershey's Chocolate World – yummy) and the rest of the day in Gettysburg. It was an awesome birthday and the trip to Gettysburg, although a last-minute addition to the itinerary, was amazing!

2003
2003 brought a new job at U-M, where I had been trying to return since leaving as a student/employee in 1995. I must like it because I'm still there. Also, my parents got me my digital camera thus allowing me to take one hundred million pictures of Harmon!

2002
Ahh, 2002 – our unemployed summer! Kevin lost his job in September 2001 and I lost mine in January 2002. Although Kevin would return to work (at U-M) in August, the lack of money made for a rough summer. He and my family did, however, manage to get me a few small things and chipped in on my Tiffany necklace. I love that thing!

2001
This year brought a move from our tiny, newlywed apartment in Ann Arbor to a larger apartment in New Hudson. Although it was a HUGE bummer to leave Ann Arbor, our four years in New Hudson ending up being great! Sometimes, we really miss that place. It was huge, it was private and we had a fireplace that Isabel would sprawl in front of four hours! Also, my actual birthday was spent with my family at, surprise, Comerica Park watching the Tigers!

2000
This year's birthday was special – I was 27 on the 27th. And, Kevin made sure I always would remember it. I was working at Visteon in Dearborn at the time and he told me to be out in front of the building at 5 p.m. SHARP! So, there I was, standing out there like a goon when up pulls a long, black limo (the same limo we ended up booking for our wedding day). I was hesitant to approach but the driver got out and said he was there to pick me up. I didn’t know where I was going but ended up at the Gandy Dancer for dinner and it was perfect! The whole day was perfect, even though we had to drive back to Dearborn later that night and get my Jeep!

1999
In '99, Kevin still was living in St. Louis but he flew in for my birthday. Over the weekend, we went to the jeweler to look at engagement rings. I had seen a ring in a bridal magazine that I was in love with but I never thought, in a million years, that I would find it in person. But, right there, at Kramar Jewelers in Oak Park, I found it. It was big, it was gorgeous and I had to have it! Kevin had it held and would give it to me the following April.

1998
During 1998, I interned in the Detroit Tigers' marketing/events group and had one of the best summers of my entire life! I worked every game (81 freakin' home games – at night and on the weekends) after working my real job during the day and I was exhausted but it was fantastic. For my birthday, we spent the weekend in Cleveland watching the Tigers take on the Indians and I drank entirely too much, which was the case most of the summer. Also, something about 1998 I would like to forget. On my actual birthday, I accepted the worst job of my career – a project associate position working in major events at Ford Motor Company. I will say nothing more for fear that the memories will haunt me forever!

1997
The day after my birthday, I accepted my first, real, full-time job at the law firm of Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn! What an awesome first job this was! I was working in downtown Detroit, on the 22nd floor of a cool, vintage building and I had an OFFICE with a WINDOW! And, the actual work was great too. I gained some very good experience and, after working with 100 or so attorneys on a daily basis, I decided I DID NOT want to go to law school (I honestly was thinking about it)!

1996
This summer was devastating to me. After dating Kevin for a little over a year, his internship at U-M was up and he took a job at Washington University in St. Louis. He would live there until March of 2000, meaning we would do the long-distance relationship thing for almost four years – sad! The good news, however, was that I spent a lot of time in St. Louis – what an awesome town!

1995
Love those Tigers! Another birthday spent watching my beloved Tigers. Of course, back in the 90s, they still were playing at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull. I miss that old place!

1994
I turned 21 and celebrated at Scorekeeper's in Ann Arbor. I don't remember much. I wonder why!

OK, enough about me, lets get to the important stuff – Harmon! The teeth are coming from everywhere! He cut his third tooth – next to the bottom left – on Wednesday, July 12. His fourth tooth – top left – busted through this past Friday, July 28. And, his fifth tooth – next to bottom right – made an appearance yesterday. Five freakin' teeth now! And, unless I'm mistaken, I swear I heard him grinding his teeth yesterday – nasty sound! Through it all, though, he's been SO good. He'll get a little fussy now and then but some Tylenol and a nap usually help quite nicely!

Happy B-day, Aimee!

Today's is Aimee's 29th birthday. She is nervous about No. 30 next year, so send her your comforting thoughts.

I'm so excited!

Since I've been back to work, the weeks have FLOWN by. Before I know it, it's Wednesday night and I am preparing for Thursday, which, technically, is my Friday.

The best part about Thursday, aside from the yummy Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino Light I get on my way into work, is leaving to get Harmon on Thursday afternoon. The minute the clock hits 5:30 p.m., I am out and nothing can stop me. I all but run to the car and, one day, I KNOW I'm going to get a speeding ticket going over the Broadway Bridge as I'm pretty sure the wheels don't touch the ground. I get so excited to go get him – like a kid on Christmas morning, like a kid the night before a trip to Disneyland. It's such an amazing feeling!

I feel much the same way on Tuesdays. Although Kevin does pick-up duty on Tuesdays, I get SO excited the second I know they are together on their way to get me. I can't focus from 5 p.m. (when Kevin leaves work) to 5:30 p.m. (when they arrive to get me) because of the excitement. I just can't wait to see his little face, to know how his day went, and, most importantly, to get him home and play with him.

I like my time at work as it makes me feel like an actual, productive human being. I also think the fact that I have a career will make me a better Mom in the long run. And, the big bonus is that the time I spend away from him (while I'm at work) makes me appreciate so much more the time I spend with him!

Just what is art?

That is the question Harmon tried to figure out while strolling his first Ann Arbor Art Fair ... well, the first one outside of Mommy's belly, anyway. It wasn't so hot this year, but Harmon still got thirsty at times (see right), and even cooled off in the Ingalls Mall fountain.

Packed away and laughing

Now that Harmon is eight months old, we decided it FINALLY was time to take down the pack –n– play. Although he moved to his crib at eight weeks, we kept the pack –n– play up and running just to use the changing table thingy. Since we didn't buy a changing table for his room, this thing came in quite handy and it had the added benefit of being set up right next to our bed. So, when we were done changing him, we could play with him on the bed for hours on end. Well, I think he finally exceeded the weight limit AND his feet were hanging WAY over the edge so we decided the time had come. Of course, I was sad. But, now a couple of days removed, I've noticed how nice it's been to have our bedroom back. It looks HUGE!

In case you didn't notice in the Cheerio video, Harmon is big into the hand clapping these days. He really started doing it this past weekend and loves to do it all the time now. Must be all the clapping we do whenever he does, well, anything. We've also noticed him pounding on his chest, a la Tarzan during the last few diaper changes. He's so funny!

Feeling guilty about all the "da-da-da-da-da" that is heard around the house 24/7, Kevin has been working like crazy with Harmon on "ma-ma-ma-ma-ma." Sometimes, it sounds like "ma-ma" but other times it sounds like "ba-ba," "wa-wa" or "ya-ya." Who knows! One day, I hope to hear a definitive "ma-ma." In the meantime, though, I'll have to settle for him reaching for me and the beginnings of kisses and hugs.

Although Harmon has favorite toys (as has been well documented with the damn hammer - he thinks it's the cat's pajamas), he gets interested in new things everyday. We were in his room playing Sunday night and he noticed some different toys and it was so cute to see him interact with them. He has taken quite a liking to these two things (pictured) recently.

He loves to bang those balls together like there is no tomorrow and he loves the textures and characters on the blocks.

Since it's been SO FREAKIN' HOT here this last week, we haven't been able to take our nightly walk and I think we're feeling the effects. Usually, Harmon is a fantastic sleeper, going to bed around 9:30 p.m. and sleeping until 6:30 a.m. or so. However, the last few days, he's been walking up around 4:30 a.m. It's not a violent wake up, he's usually playing and talking, but he's awake nonetheless. So, we've had to get up and get him back to sleep. It might also be hotter than usual in the house (why does it feel like the air doesn't even work at all when it's SO hot outside) or I have a feeling that he moves all over the place and then wakes up all freaked out like he doesn't know where he is. Anyway, once we flip him back on his belly, get him tucked back in and rub his back for a few minutes, he's usually back to sleep again. I realize it could be worse but …

Last bit of Harmon news, on Saturday, we stopped by Marshall Field's (soon to be Macy's – sad) to check out a few things. Harmon was in a great mood and, while in the elevator, Kevin and I were laughing about something and he started laughing. Sensing big belly laughs on the way, we continued and he was dying! I think everyone in the depleted upstairs area could hear him! I wish I had that video camera on me at all times so I could record every moment.

If you haven’t seen these commercials yet, check them out. They’re awesome but maybe that’s because I’m a car geek. Oooooooo, the Germans!

Rollin', rollin', rollin'

Harmon barrel rolls across the floor in pursuit of his precious hammer. Can't keep that boy away from his favorite toy!

Harmon sinks a Cheerio

Obviously pleased with himself for what he is about to do, Harmon claps in advance of eating a Cheerio. If this video is any indication, he and Daddy will be slopping milk all over in no time.

Eight months old!

Harmon is eight months old today and I can't believe it. I know everyone says this but it seems like just yesterday we brought him home. When we came home, we were clueless, new parents and now, it's amazing, we kind of know what we're doing!

I was rocking him last night and thinking about the last eight months and how they've changed our lives forever. In particular, I was thinking about how I've changed. When I was pregnant the first time, I remember being flat-out scared. It was a surprise I wasn't ready for and when I had the miscarriage just a few days later I felt so guilty. I thought maybe I was being punished for not feeling happy and excited. The second time around, I couldn't wait to see that positive pregnancy test because that loss made me want a child so much more.

Throughout my entire pregnancy, I worried about the kind of mother I would be. I am the oldest child and there is seven years between me and my middle sister so I've always been a little spoiled and Kevin has continued that as he treats me like a princess. I worried that I wouldn't be able to compromise or, in some case, give up the things I loved in lieu of this little baby on the way. I worried that I wouldn’t love him enough or that I wouldn't protect him enough. I worried that I couldn't do enough to make him smart and successful and, most of all, I worried that I would taint him in some way. But now, eight months later, I am so pleasantly surprised at the mother I've become. I know part of it is instinct but there is so much more to it than that.

Harmon is a dream of a baby. He's so happy, easy going and laid back. He slept through the night right away and is a fantastic eater. He rarely has any tantrums (outside of screaming contests with Mom and Dad) and he smiles at everyone. He adjusts to new things wonderfully, usually with a smile. After all the horror stories I've heard from other people, I feel so lucky to have such a good baby (I think I'm finally believing what everyone tells me).

The most rewarding part, though, is that when I walk into a room, his entire face just lights up. He will smile ear to ear and even giggle with glee at the sight of me. I also love when he reaches for me or, when in the right mood, even will give me hugs. It is so awesome to experience this, to know that he loves me that much.

Not too long ago, he was this totally needy little creature. Now, he has his own personality. He hates to be kissed and he hates when you take his favorite toys away from him. He snuggles when he wants to and he lets you know when he's had enough. He has all these expressions and all these sounds flow from his mouth. It's so sweet to see him blossoming into his own person.

But, not a day goes by when I don't miss him at two months or four months or even six months. I want him to need me forever in the way he needs me now. I forever want to rock him to sleep and listen to him coo and feel his little breathe on my neck. I know I can't stop him from getting older and I know I should live in the present and enjoy every moment (I try to) because, before I know it, he'll be eight YEARS old instead of eight MONTHS old.

I remember all my "mom" friends telling me that being a mother is the best thing in the whole world but I never really thought about it until I became one myself. And now, after eight months which appear to be on fast forward, I totally agree. Being Harmon's mom is the best thing in the whole world!

To see Harmon in action, check out all the hard work Kevin did last night getting videos uploaded.

Harmon TV is on the air!

We finally have figured out how to put Harmon TV on this site, so look for more videos soon. In his video debut here, Harmon says his favorite word over and over. And just in case you forget it, he says it with some feeling at the end! In this clip from a few months ago, Harmon gets Mommy and Daddy all wet in the tub. Some others: Harmon loves to have his tummy tickled, but in this clip he has enough of it. Or does he? Also, he takes after his Mommy from her youth in that it is more fun to stop the swing than to rock in it.