Greetings from Little Harbi

Wow - no update since March 2nd! It's about time and alot has been going on. Brock is growing like a weed and now not only walking - but climbing on to furniture too - in fact Jay and I often have to "hide" the coffee table to keep Brock off of it. Brock is also talking alot more - he has several words - that at least mom, dad, and daycare can decipher - including (drum roll please) kitty cat, doggy, mamma, da da, cheese, bye bye, hi, elmo, meow, see ya, and tonight as we were reading he even said elbow - a book on body parts :).

We've had our share of Spring colds - and Brock's little brother.... or sister... has been keeping mom under the weather a bit - I guess it is payback since I had no morning sickness with Brock. Baby dos is due August 20th.

We are also enjoying cousin Hannah who is now two months old - and is absolutely beautiful. Laura and Ross are great parents and doing very well. We have gotten to spend some time this Spring with Aunt Heather too - during the week of Easter she was back as it was the same time that Grandma Jeanne had her knee surgery (keep up those exercises!). Aunt Heather and I even made Easter dinner - quire a feat since my cooking skills usually consist of pb&j or cereal!

We also had an unexpected trip to Omaha the beginning of May as Grandpa Tom scared us all with news that he had a stroke. Thank God, the effect was limited to loss of use of his right leg for a brief time (he was walking on it later the same day - and he has been golfing and is back to work after taking a week off (per doctor's orders). We feel blessed that the impact was not greater and will all take into account what is important in life - family & spending time together.

On the Davis side of things, Jen spent some time with her mom during a weekend trip to Kansas City with friends, and Jay missed Brock and her so much that he crashed the party (actually - he was already in MO for a golf trip that got snowed out - in late April!) So he made himself useful by coming to KC and watching Brock so Jen could have some quality shopping time - Brock is not a shopper - neither is Jay, unless it's for golf clubs of course :)

This coming weekend the Harbi's will be heading to Fort Dodge IA for Jen's cousin Brady Douglas' hs graduation.

We are looking forward to a really fun summer - of swimming, music (Brock is taking some music classes) and time with family & friends. Stop in if you are in Des Moines!

Brock Walks!

Well Brock has been working on walking for months and has finally mastered the skill (sort of) . While he still walks like he's had a cocktail or two (which we can assure he has not!) he is definitely on the go! Unfortunately I left our camera at Uncle Ross' house a few weeks ago and between two weeks of snow storms we haven't had a chance to get it. So as soon as we do look for updated walking video of the Brock Man!

Two weeks ago we went to Omaha to visit Aunt Heather - it was a fun trip full of eating and movies, and a bit of shopping of course.

With the bad weather we haven't seen Grandma and Grandpa Davis for a long time, and haven't seen Grandpa and Grandma Harbison for a few weeks.

In March Brock will be moving to the toddler room with several of his other classmates. No more baby! We are also looking forward to some springtime weather. Enough snow already!

We can't wait for the arrival of Ross and Laura's baby - due date March 5!

Finally Brock will be a big brother himself come August - most likely to be a surprise whether boy or girl.

Take care and love & kisses from the Harbis

A Brock Update

Brock has had a great 2007 so Far! He has been enjoying all of his Christmas loot (Thanks to grandma and grandpa Harbison and grandma and grandpa Davis, and to all of our other relatives and friends who spoiled him!)

January has brought many new activities to Brock's life. He now enjoys playing with cars and trucks; is having fun climbing on chairs and anything else he can reach; and he is starting to walk 5 - 10 steps at a time (which means many more bumps and bruises, but since he's all boy - he doesn't seem to mind). We have had a healthy '07 (knock on wood) and look forward to warmer weather. Iowa had a very cold January and a lot of snow - we shouldn't complain, but will anyway!

We were happy to see many of you during the holiday and look foward to getting together with those we haven't seen in awhile.

Take care and check in for some Brock walking and dancing videos to come soon.

Santa is Coming, Santa is Coming!

Brock is truly enjoying his second Christmas season and has provided mom and dad with lots of surprises. The best one of all has been seeing him take his first steps! Brock has also had a busy holiday social calendar with "school" parties, the Up With Down Holiday Party, and he also attended his second Adel Lyon's Club Christmas Party with Grandpa Tom.

Jay, Brock and I have truly had a blessed year! Jay switched jobs (twice) and loves his current job with Gardener & White. The company is based in Indianaoplis, IN, & Jay's office is in West Des Moines. He works for Jim Annear and is primarily handling setting up investment and retirement benefits for companies in Iowa. Jen is enjoying the start of her fourth year with the Iowa Academy of Family Physicians, and is looking forward to the start of the 2007 legislative session. And, as mentioned Brock has had a great year - experiencing all of his firsts - learning to sit on his own, stand, cruise, talk (hi, bye, kitty, yea, get it), eat homemade ice cream and cinnamon bread, and now taking steps!

We have enjoyed sharing Brock with all of you, and receiving your support throughout this past year!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,

Jay, Jen and Brock "Little Harbi"

Hi everyone! It is hard to believe that Turkey Day is just around the corner. We have been busy (as usual) since Halloween. For one Jay started a new job with a company called Gardener & White - with Annear Benefits based in West Des Moines. He began on November 1st.

Brock and I got to meet up with some families that we've met because of Down syndrome. We had a get together in Cedar Falls, Iowa with nine other families. It was a lot of fun - check out the montage at right under our links. While we were in Cedar Falls Jay was hunting with Grandpa Tom and friends. It should be noted that while Dad got one pheasant - so did mom - check out the picture above. Yes, while driving to Cedar Falls Jen hit a pheasant when three flew out across the highway. Jen had a friend and her two kids riding with her and Brock, and they were on their way to meet their new friends when the incident occurred. Laurie was pretty sure Jen got one of the birds. Well, by the time we found the Chuck E. Cheese meet up location, we had forgotten about the pheasant incident, but Jen did phone Jay to say that she'd gotten a pheasant! Later that night Jen shared the story with some of the families at the get together (mind you this was after traveling around Cedar Falls to get some snacks for the get together as well as parking right outside of the front doors of the Holiday Inn Hotel in Cedar Falls for the night. The next morning our at the group breakfast in the hotel, one of the husbands asked Jen if she had checked her car after she hit the bird? "No, I guess I didn't, why?" "Because you have a pheasant sticking out of your car grill!" YUCK!!!! - It's true there was a pheasant in my grill!!!!

On a better note - Brock had his first request to appear in an ad and therefore had his first professional photo shoot as a "model". Jen's hairdresser (also Brock's) asked if she could use Brock for promotional purposes, Of course! So when we get the head shots back we'll share them before sending them off to Hollywood - tee hee!

Love Jen Jay and Brock

HOWDY PARTNERS

Brock was a little cowboy for Halloween, although he didn't get too much use out of his outfit. The weather in Iowa went from 70 to 40's Beggar night in Des Moines. So Brock only visited our neighbors. I got a few photos of him at the daycare party - he wasn't to thrilled with sitting still.

Brock has been working really hard and has been working on standing independently. I'm posting a little movie to show off his moves.

Also in breaking Harbison news - Jay has a new job!!!! He is now an employee of Gardener & White. His new office in is Urbandale, Iowa and he started today (11/1/06). He's off to train in Indianapolis. We are all so excited for this opportunity.

Pumpkins, Buddies, and Fun

Brock participated in his first Buddy Walk on September 23 in Des Moines. Brock had over 30 people sign up on his behalf with many of them joining him and mom & dad for the day. A video showing the walk and other activities as well as attendees can be found under the links section so check it out! A special thank you to Aunt Heather who drove over from Omah, Karen who came from Oklahoma City, and Sandy who drove up from Kansas City to be at Brock's first Buddy Walk.

Time has flown by since the BW, we have been busy with family fun - including a trip the pumpkin patch, a trip to Omaha to see Aunt Heather and Joanna, and many fun trips to see Grandma and Grandpa Harbison.

Here are some photos of Brock enjoying the fall weather.

Fall Fun

Brock attended his second ISU/IA tailgate - that's right he's two for two! While he's a split fan - he ended up wearing hawkeye attire for the big game (as it was in Iowa City this year).

He had a great time tailgating in the RV parking lot and made lot's of girlfriends.

This coming weekend (Sat Sept 23) is the Buddy Walk for our local support group Up With Down. We have about 30 people signed up on our team - so check in for pictures soon.

Brock Enjoying the End of Summer

Hi everyone, it has been awhile since our last post, we have been busy! Brock's first birthday is already a month ago, and he has been learning lot's of new things during that time. At the top of his list of accomplishments is learning to walk with a walker toy! I will be posting the video under our links section.

Brock's communication skills are also increasing. He is jabbering a ton, and last night Jay thought he heard Brock say Pittsburgh! Of course Jay is a Broncos fan, so there might be problems here (hee hee). He is also waving bye bye and hello, and likes to say up! In short, he is doing fantastic!

Just this week Brock moved up to the mobile infant room at school, so he is once again the "baby" of the room, but most of the kids are ones he started with in the infant room - so he has many friends who have welcomed him.

We have been volunteering for the upcoming Up With Down Buddy Walk, to be held Saturday, September 23, in Des Moines. If you are interested in walking go to www.upwithdown.com and select Buddy Walk from the menu and register! Money raised goes to support the National Down Syndrome Society, Up With Down Family Support Group, and efforts to educate people about Ds, provide research, and advocate!

Thanks for checking in on us and Little Harbi!

Happy First Birthday Brock Davis Harbison

Wow - what an awesome year! Brock Davis Harbison joined the world on July 28th, 2005. From day one he has had Jay and me wrapped around his little finger. We are so proud of him and all that he's accomplished his first year!

Brock has brought us endless joy and love and we are so looking forward to our family's future!

Thanks to all of you who have been a part of Brock's first year.

Happy 4th of July

Brock enjoyed his first fourth of July by enjoying everything Americana - he went to the Des Moines Pops Concert at the State Capitol with Granda Jeanne, Grandpa Tom, and mom and dad; he enjoyed spending time with Aunt Heather and Uncle Ross at Grandma and Grandpa Harbison's; and he then spent a night in Harcourt with Grandma Linda and Papa Damon where he got to go to his first parade - the annual Gowrie 4th of July parade. He loved the flag that he got at the parade.

Brock is doing great - he has learned to go from belly to sitting up and also pulls himself up. Which means the crib matress is being lowered. He is also enjoying his first 2 teeth (bottom front) and chomping up a storm - somtimes on mom and dad!

We are really excited for the month of July as Brock turns one on July 28th! Dad also has a birthday July 24.

Take care!

Brock on the Move

Hello from Brock and the Harbisons! We have had a very busy June and we are not even half way through the month. After spending Memorial Day in Denver with our relatives the Jackson's (attending Adam Jackson's HS Graduation). While in Denver we also got to meet some cool friends we met on-line - Carmen, Judah and Jaemen Morales. Jaemen also has Ds and is 5 months older than Brock. It was great to meet them in person!

We were on the road again the first weekend in June. Brock's first trip to Carthage, MO, where Brock's paternal great grandparents were raised and many still live. Brock got to meet several of his relatives for the first time including his great-great Aunt Rosie. While in town we attended Josh Carter's wedding and stayed with cousin Ashley.

So after a few car trips - mom, dad, and Brock mostly hung around home this weekend. Which was great - Brock got to work on his latest moves which include pushing up to hands and knees and rocking, rolling, rolling and more rolling, and self-feeding. Brock enjoys all sorts of foods, and of course ice-cream.

This week we will all be traveling again. Brock will be spending the weekend with Grandma Linda and Papa Damon while mom and dad head to Omaha for Aunt Heather's birthday.

P.S. Grandma Jeanne and Grandpa Tom are in Hawaii on a cruise. We hope they are having a great time!

Gator Wrestling

Wrestling must be in the genes - as many of you know Jay was a wrestler (and has the ears to prove it!) and Brock is already showing his interest in the sport. The other day I walked in his room and he had his alligator by the tail - there was a lot of rolling, and unfortunately it appears the alligator pinned Brock (so for now his record is 0-1).

Brock had a wonderful Dedication ceremony at church and afterward our families got together at the Harbison's to celebrate both Brock's Dedication and Mother's Day. Next week we are off to Denver for cousin Adam Jackson's High School Graduation. Congratulations Adam!!!!

Busy Brock

Hello everyone - hope life is treating all of you well. There have been so many things going on in the life of little harbi since our last post, so where should we begin??? First off - Brock got tubes this week, and was a champ through the whole procedure. Daddy kept him entertained prior to going under the anesthesia (no needles - so that was great) - he was groggy waking up - but recovered beautifully and even let mom take him shopping that afternoon.

Brock continues to favor rolling as his preferred method of moving - he can roll from one end of the room to the other (espeically to get Moesha or Cosmo the cats). We are also working on hands and knees as directed by our therapist Julie - however as she tells us - do you like doing push ups? Well Brock doesn't either - but we will keep at it. Brock also enjoys pulling himself up if he has something to grasp - so mom and dad have learned that certain toys can't be left with Brock alone, or someone will end up hurt - and it's usually not the toy!

Brock is now 9 1/2 months and continues to grow and enjoy new foods - last night he had refried beans and rice and veges at his favorite Mexican restaurant Monterey's. He also enjoyed some fried ice cream.

This past month has brought a lot of fun times with family - celebrating Grandma Linda and Papa Damon's 40th wedding anniversary, enjoying time with Grandma Jeanne and Grandpa Tom as Grandma Jeanne recovers from knee surgery. We have also enjoyed Uncle Ross' grilling and time with Laura. This weekend we get to see Aunt Heather and Aunt Joanna and many friends and family as we have a get together at the Freiermuths and also celebrate mother's day.

Brock will also be dedicated on Sunday at the Adel First Christian Church! We are excited to celebrate this special event and mother's day with family.

Spring is Here!

Brock is really enjoying his first spring. Last week's weather even gave us a taste of summer. Brock has had some really busy days over the past week. He has spent time with Grandma Jeanne, Grandpa Tom, Papa Damon, Grandma Linda, Aunt Heather & Uncle Ross. He also got to see the Gallentine's, Aunt Jean and Uncle Roger, Aunt Marilyn, Karen and Jim Wright, Joanie, and many others.

Last week Grandma Jeanne had knee surgery, and she's doing great. Brock visited her at the hospital, and today she's on her way home. With Grandma in the hospital, Aunt Heather came to town, and Brock got to spend some fun time with her!

Last Friday Brock and mom traveled to Harcourt, IA where Brock participated in his first Easter Egg Hunt (ok - so maybe he was more of an observer this year)! Brock enjoyed getting his picture taken a million times by mom, with Easter bunnies and in his new Easter duds. He also got to help celebrate Grandma Linda and Papa Damon's 40th wedding anniversary on Sunday morning April 16th with a surprise brunch brought over by the Gallentines!!!! We are having a family party next week, and Brock is looking forward to seeing even more family and friends.

Brock was very happy to have the return of his daddy this weekend. Dad had been on a golf trip to the Ozarks in Missouri with friends. Mom called it his mental health break from the job search!!! Anyway - he had a great time, but was glad to be back home.

Easter was great - we had a very good meal at the Karen & Jim Wright (our holiday family), and Joanie. Aunt Heather, Uncle Ross and Granpa Tom all were there, and we then visited Grandma Jeanne at the hospital. She was happy to see us, and even happier to see some real food that we snuck in!

Finally - we may have some good news to report on the Harbison job hunt soon - so keep your fingers crossed!

Finally A New Post!!!!

Hi everyone, sorry that it is has been so long since we've posted. We have been busy traveling, playing, visiting family and just having fun.

Brock is now weighing in at a whopping 16 1/2 pounds and is 26 and a 1/4 inches (remember he was 5'4 and 18 inches when we left the hospital). He is also eating three meals a day including real green beans and carrots and also likes bananas. Brock has a lot of new activities he enjoys and is working on hand and knees crawling position. In fact Brock has so many excersises that he's considering making his own work out video.

Over the past few weeks we've been to Fort Dodge to see family, have had visits from Grandma Linda, Pappa Damon, Grandpa Tom and Grandma Jeanne, and today Aunt Heather is visiting. Needless to say, Brock has been absent from daycare quite a bit!

Here are a few new photos. Including one of Brock with his Aunt Marilyn.

Kansas City Pictures

It's Hard Work Being Such a Little Guy!

Well it has been awhile since our last post, due to Mom's work, Brock keeping his mom and dad busy, and life in general! As you can see in the photo Brock is working himself pretty hard!

Brock continues to thrive and grow. He is sitting on his own really well and loves standing while holding on to something. He has also begun to notice the cats, and Moesha is very pleased with that. She even lets Brock pet her (or in some cases grab her hair)!

Two weeks ago Brock had his furthest car trip yet, when he and mom traveled to Kansas City to see Sandy Gallentine. Grandma Linda, Aunt Jean, Lewanne and Karen (all the way from Oklahoma City) made the trip. Brock was a super shopper and all-around great traveler!

Above are a few new pics.

The Hunk

Well Brock the Hunk made a full recovery from Rotavirus making his way back to daycare last week. Brock continues to provide his mom and dad, and all he sees with lots of smiles and love. He is sitting on his own for over a minute at a time and is enjoying all sorts of toys. He especially likes toys that play music. Brock has also been perfecting his ski-jumping pose, (ask Jay if you wonder what it is!). Brock wants all of you to mark your calendars for Saturday, September 23, 2006 for the Buddy Walk which will be held at 10:00 a.m. at Valley High School Stadium. More details to come!