Pumpkins and More

Fall is here and Brock & Quinn have been enjoying the season, with a visit to the pumpkin patch and play time in the yard. Jay and I have both been busy with work, so Brock and Quinn have had alone time with each of us, as well as time with Grandma Linda, Grandma Jeanne, Grandpa Tom and Grandpa Damon. We have also had a chance to see cousin Hannah, Aunt Laura and Uncle Ross, and are planning a trip to Omaha to see Aunt Heather. We hope to make it to Fort Dodge before the holidays!

Here are a few recent pictures.

Moving On Up

Well, it is official Brock is now in pre-school. He started after Labor Day Weekend and is doing great, attending special education classes 4 1/2 days a week and pre-school classes the 1/2 days and one whole day. Brock has a wonderful team of teachers and aides that are helping him with the transition process. Brock's pre-school is still at the same center that Quinn goes to which makes it nice. However, Brock now has to be at school by 8:15 a.m.! So Daddy has been taking him in, so that Quinn and I can get a bit of a later start. Fall is definitely in the air, this weekend is the Iowa vs Iowa State football game, go state, I mean go hawks! We are a house divided regardless of what the license plate says:) Finally - here is a little video from Quinn's first birthday party for you to enjoy!

Brock's New Style

I'm a big boy....my new hair style



No longer a toddler....

Brock and Qunn

Cousin Hannah Turns 1!

Quinn and Hannah



Love My Cake



Aunt Heather and Hannah



Aunt Heather and Quinn



Cousin Hannah Harbison turns 1!

Hawaii 08

Christmas 07

Where has the time gone?

Sorry for the looooooooooooong absence in posting! Two kids (now 11 months and a week and half shy of 3); Christmas; New Years (By the way - your Christmas card is still in the box from Walgreen); Jay's company was sold; We went to Hawaii - (all of us, plus Grandma Linda, Gradpa Damon, Aunt Karen, Uncle Kenny ) January 10 - 21, 2008); Jen got a new job - same company Iowa Academy of Family Physicians - the Executive Vice President (the title hasn't gone to me head - I'm my own secretary and still lobbying :); Jay got a new Job Merit Resources - yea for two incomes!; Brock is talking more and more - Jay is a favorite word along with no sissy; trip to Phoenix for Jay with the boys; lot's of time with friends and family; a new job for Jay - www.tworiversins.com - reunited with old boss from Gardner and White - "The Boys are Back in Town"; Quinn is standing independently and almost walking; Birthday season has arrived - needless to say a lot has been happening in the world of the Des Moines Harbis.

Other happenings in the Harbi family - Cousin Hannah turned one; Katy and Aaron Deupree got married (March 08), Grandma Jeanne got a new knee, Uncle Ross and Laura got engaged, cousin Ben Jackson graduated from Chatfield High School, Littleton Colorado; and Aunt Heather Harbison is now a Principal in Omaha.

On the Davis side - Cousin Aydin turned 3; Papa Damon had his hip replaced; cousin Indy played basketball and got a music award and will start middle school in the fall.

Well I guess that sums things up!

Catching Up

Well - the lack of new posts is a sign of how busy life has been in the Harbison Household. Since we haven't updated since October here are some highlights from the last five months -
November: Quinn's first Thanksgiving; spending the holiday with Grandma Jeanne, Grandpa Tom, Aunt Heather, Uncle Ross, Laura and cousin Hannah; Brock talking more
December: Quinn's first Christmas; Brock enjoying presents; Christmas day with the Davis'; Christmas week with the Harbison's (Ia, Ne, & Ok), Jackson's (CO), Duprees (Switzerland)
January: Hawaii - the Harbison's, Davis' and Potts for Jen's work conference - Brock loved the hula girls:)
February: Quinn's first Valentines - both kids in full time daycare, new job for Jen (EVP of Iowa Academy of Family Physicians) and new job for Jay - Account Executive Merit Resources Inc. (if your company needs benefits ins., retirement, or payroll call Jay!)
March: Trying to catch up on life; Uncle Ross proposed to Laura - so a wedding sometime in '07, cousin Hannah turns 1 (March 14); and a new hip for Grandpa Damon and Brock's 3rd set of eartubes.

A Family of Four

Well it has been far too long since I last updated Brock's blog, and as you probably know we are now a family of four. Miss Quinn Currie Harbison joined the family on August 18, 2007. She weighed in at 7lbs 4 oz and was 18 in with tons of dark hair. Brock has been a super big brother - helping mommy and daddy by handing things to us for Quinn (even big toys) and also talking to her while she's in the crib.

After two months, Jay and I are still adjusting to life with less sleep and more to do! We even had our first date night last weekend to celebrate our 3 yr anniversary (10/29/07) - thanks to Aunt Heather for babysitting:) Aunt Laura and Uncle Ross have also helped us out.

Brock continues to thrive, he's now in the 2 yr old room at daycare and is adding new words to his vocabulary all the time. He is still really into Elmo and loves the Tele Tubbies too.

Tonight is Beggars Night - so hopefully before Christmas I will get some Halloween photos uploaded!

Brock Is Turning Two!!

Brock will be celebrating his 2nd birthday on Saturday July 28th! This past year has held so many milestones for Brock, he learned how to walk, climb, go up and down the stairs, has over 30 words, and is in general becoming such a big boy.

As Jay and I can also attest - he is definitely acting the part of a two year old already - climbing and jumping off of anything he can reach, telling mom and dad no, and stomping his feet when he doesn't get his way :)

He continues to amaze us daily with new activities - new words "brush teeth", answering the phone whenever he can get to it first (so sorry for anyone who has been hung up on), and even saying baby!

Speaking of baby - we are under 4 weeks to go for baby #2's arrival. We are excited, and know that Brock will be a great big brother.

Thanks for all of your support over this past year!

Happy 4th of July

Hoping that everyone had as nice a 4th as we did. We spent the day relaxing and with family. Brock participated in his first Waterbury kids' parade, we then had a nice family nap, and then enjoyed great food at Grandma Jeanne and Grandpa Tom's. Aunt Jane and cousin Ben were in town from Denver, so they got to go to the parade with us and on the 3rd we headed to the Iowa state capitol grounds to hear the symphony and to watch fire works. Brock was a trooper - mom was a bit uncomfortable only 6 1/2 weeks til due date of baby #2!

Last month we traveled to Denver to visit the Jackson's, Deuprees, and Aunt Sue Harbison. We had a really nice visit with everyone. This weekend Grandma Linda, Grandpa Damon and the Douglas' are coming to Des Moines to help us do some paiting - can't wait to see the outcome!

Happy 65th Birthday Papa Damon

Click to play | Make your own Smilebox

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.