Family Videos and a Bundle of Joy!

We have been trying to get some of our videos uploaded in an effort to not keep all of this fun to ourselves!  If you double-click one of the videos, it will open up in the youtube website for better viewing.  Check out the other fun videos in the Blog archive to the right. 

Oh, and by the way, the only way to access these videos is through our blog or with the specific web address as the videos are not searchable through Youtube (don't want to air our laundry to more than those that already know about it!!)   Enjoy!

Oh the Freedom of Mobility!!

There must be a quicker way to get what I want!

Makenna's first instrument!

In the jungle...

Enjoying new flavors...and letting us know about it!

August 2010

Cute photos of Makenna...what a doll!!

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Emalie adopts a baby at FAO Schwarz newborn nursery!

As grandma fed baby Makenna, many people stopped to comment on how life-like she looked... it was a clever trick to play in the middle of the toy nursery!

Joseph ordained a Deacon

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Trip to NYC with Grandma Emalie!!

We had a wonderful time while in the Big Apple with grandma Emalie!!  She came out to see us AND to dance and the IZOD center during a NJ Nets Basketball game...guess which she enjoyed most!

Do they get any more cute!?

The st-HAT-tue of Liberty!

Times Square at night

Eating off of the street...

Like kids in a candy store at the M &M.....store!

Making tunes on the BIG piano made famous by Tom Hanks in the movie "Big"

FAO Schwarz and a life-sized LEGO Chewbacca...is Joey having fun?!

Makenna laughing

Now, just try to not smile while listening to this little angel!

They say it's good you forget . . .

. . . the morning sickness of pregnancy, the pain and fear of childbirth, or the sleepless nights.  I didn't even have to suffer through any of the prgnancy discomforts this time, but I honor-with all my heart-the amazing selfless and beautiful woman who suffered those things for me.  Unfortunately though, I also seemed to have forgotten the amazing peace that comes from holding your precious child close to you as you rock her to sleep.  Or the comfort of having her snuggled up to you in bed for a few minutes after an early morning feeding.  How the whole world is ok when she shares her first smile or how your heart turns to soft butter when you hear that first coo!  They bring their love with them, and sometimes I fear that my heart isn't capable of holding anymore love without bursting!!!   So even though I have got piles of laundry to fold, bathrooms to scrub and a shower to take, I am going to forget about all of those things for awhile and rock my baby--because babies don't keep!

And they come with such fun toys...

...that have practical uses, like keeping your ears warm!

Images of Sleep

We haven't been getting much sleep, because how do you sleep through something as cute as this?!  Actually Makenna has been treating us quite well in the night.  We frequently get blocks of 4 and 5 hours of rest.

The great thing about babies, if you watch them long enough, they eventually wake up...and you get to hold them and feed them, and burp them, and change them and burp them again and...

Her cry is no longer a small Pterodactyl-like squawk...she is growing into her lungs and can go from 0 to 60 in a single breath.  Of course, we are giving her great positive reinforcement for her crying, as we all come running when she lets us know she has a burr in her saddle!

Mom and Dad's best present ever!

 Well, we about emptied the memory in our camera taking these and other "present" photos...wanted it just right!  Can you read the words on the tag?  (its in the title!)

Helping Hands

Joey and Emalie helping Makenna stay happy.  As long as she has a full belly, which at times takes 5 ounces!, she is a happy angel.  Joey, what's up with that Rooster tail!?

Can you see the smile...and no it's not just gas :)  Makenna has a pattern where just as she is drifting off to sleep after a very successful meal, she will give a belly giggle.  This morning she giggle through 4 breaths...so cute!  She is also a bit of a tease because she does it when don't have the camera ready to go.  Stay tuned because we are still trying to catch it on video. 

Let the pet names begin!

This is our little Kenna-Bear....Can't wait to show these photos to her dates when she gets older!

Celebrating Grandma Nouche's Birthday

Although I was just a few days too early to share my Grandma Nouche's Birthday, this way I didn't miss out on any of the fun or chocolate cake!  After a while, though, I fell asleep and ended up being a bit of a party pooper...literally!

First Family Photos

As we were pouring over our photos, we realized that these are the first family photos with our new baby sister!  Again, notice who can't seem to stop smiling (that would be all of us!)

Joseph keeps volunteering reminders that we are now a family of five, and that we need to use five seats in the car, and set the table for five and etc etc.

We feel quite a bond together already.  Last evening Joseph, Emalie, and I had to return to Pennsylvania while leaving Janette and Makenna in Maryland until the adoption papers are processed.  That night, I thought that I was the only one aching to be together, but after the lights were out, I heard Emalie crying under the covers in her bed.  I went in and held her asking what was the matter and she said, "I miss mom and Makenna...everytime I close my eyes I can see Makenna and hear her cute little squawk".   It wasn't until after midnight before she was able to drift off to sleep.

Introduction to her new eager siblings

Makenna's birthmother arranged for the placement to occur at her home, which made it possible for Joseph and Emaile to see her and be with us at the time of placement.

What a precious memory to see their faces as they looked on their little sister for the first time. They both have commented that their favorite experience throughout Makenna's birth and placement was being able to see her for the first time.




Emalie could not wipe the smile off of her face! Joseph was a proud big brother!

What an amazing experience, having Makenna enter all of our lives!!

Announcing the beautiful Makenna! She was born at 4:30 pm on Saturday, January 16th to a courageous and loving birthmother. Weighing in at 8 pounds and 2 ounces, she continued with the Harris tradition of doubling the birthweight of the next oldest sibling. She was 21 inches long as well!

Words cannot tell what we have felt. There was a powerful sense of peace with us when we heard that her birthmother was in active labor, and we agree with Joey when he said, "I think that is because Heavenly Father is helping us know that everything will be ok." She is a bright-eyed little thing who came with her own amazing love. What a blessing in our lives!

We have had a wonderful experience with Makenna's adoption...and are still trying to soak it all in while being filled with great love and gratitude for a strong and loving birthmother.