The Harvell Family: June 2014

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Life Lately...

We have been extremely busy these last couple of weeks! In the last month, we have had a whirlwind of visitors, we have experienced many firsts and milestones, and we have gone on quite a few fun family outings...and when you sum it all up life's been pretty crazy!

I think back to life as a single lady, before I met Eric, and I used to think I was busy. I mean I did have to get up and go to work every day, but other than that there wasn't really anything else on my daily agenda. Then, I met Eric, we got married, and bought a house and I thought to myself - yea that wasn't busy at all, THIS is busy. I have to go to work, cook dinner, clean the house, and then relax on the couch every night and watch a few shows before we go to bed. Fast forward about another year when we welcomed our beautiful, little Addie girl into this world...now this is the real definition of busy. Being a working mom and taking care of a newborn (who I might add was an amazing sleeper...until I went back to work!).. THIS is busy. The kind of busy when you sometimes forget to shower, you sometimes have to pick between eating or drying your hair in the 5 minutes of freedom that you have. Yes, THIS is busy...but, I wouldn't change it for the world. I love our life now, dirty diapers, messy house, short days and long nights. I love every single thing about it!

So here is a little glimpse as to what has been going on in the Harvell household lately...

We brought Addie to her first country concert, Jake Owen on the beach...you can't beat that!

Disclaimer: This photo doesn't accurately portray our experience at a country concert, with a newborn, during her bedtime...I'll let you take a guess as to what really happened.

We spent the day in the Outer Banks with the Feola's and introduced Addie to Aunt Leah!

Too bad Addie wasn't wearing her matching fedora!

The pool has become our 2nd home, no it's not quite the beach, but it's much more baby friendly so it will do for now...

Pap with his 2 grandkids in the pool

Addie even joined in on the fun of the "funny faces" picture

Chillin' in the pool with her daddy

Yes, she makes any bathing suit look cute...chubby thighs and all!

Cruisin' in her float

Napping by the pool...now that's the life! And the cutest flower I've ever seen I must add!

Daddy's girl

Relaxing at Sandbridge with family! Yes, I said RELAXING...Grandma took Addie shopping for a few hours while we relaxed on the beach.

Aren't they silly?

Some of the crew

Perfect day on the beach

Lifeguards on duty!

Look at that stud, I pretty much had to beg him to get out of the water for 2 seconds so that I could take a picture. He loved jumping in the waves!

Bryan's turn to be buried!

Quick photo with the hubby!

Grandma and Addie joined us on the beach for some late afternoon fun.

Eric and Sherry catching some rays!

Yes, we had a crazy, but extremely fun, couple of weeks. Then all of a sudden, school was out for the summer, all of our visitors left (even Aunt Krissy, so sad), and it was just the 3 of us (and Coop of course) left in the house. It was quiet again, but that didn't mean the fun stopped. It's nice to slow down and enjoy our little family sometimes, just us, and that is what we have been doing.

Addie has started to grab at toys and "play" with them which has been a lot of fun for all of us. We spend some time every night just sitting on the floor with Addie and Coop, playing and smiling. Addie loves her new toys, especially her whale activity mat and her Baby Einstein jumper thing (not sure what it's actually called.) She tends to favor her toys that are red and loves to put just about anything in her mouth.

Can you tell someone's excited!

She loves her ocean activity mat!

But I think her favorite new toy these days is her toes! Yes, ladies and gentlemen, she has found her feet! Who needs toys when you have 2 feet and 2 hands!

We bought Addie a new high chair so that she can "join the party" while we are eating dinner. We sit down and eat dinner as a family every single night. Addie has even started eating solids, we started with rice cereal, and next up on the menu is sweet potatoes! A couple times a week, dinner is followed by a family walk...one of Cooper's favorite family activities!

That's what the Harvell's have been up to so far this summer - in a nutshell. Hopefully, the rest of summer is filled with just as much fun, family, and laughter - whether it's a crazy, busy week or a quiet couple of days at home - I am looking forward to soaking up every single minute of my summer with this cutie!

Happy Summer my friends!!!

4 Generations

Everyone knows the saying, "Only great moms get promoted to Grandma" and Addie is lucky enough to not only have 2 wonderful, loving Grandma's, but she also has an equally loving and equally loving Great-Grandmother. Yes, she has 3 women who love to spoil her and a mom who is very lucky that her daughter is surrounded by such amazing women.

When we brought Addie to Pittsburgh for the first time and introduced her to her Great-Grandmother, we knew it was something special. There were 4 generations of Hall-Castello-Harvell women all under one roof and not many people can say that they have that. So we took a picture, or 10 (when there's that many women involved what do you expect?!?) and there you have it....4 generations of women!

4 generations: Addie, myself, Addie's Grandma (my mom), and Addie's Great Grandmother (my Grandma) - March 2014

A look back in time - another 4 generations. Clearly Addie is much more cooperative than I was!

4 generations: myself, my mom, my Grandma, and my Great-Grandmother

Monday, June 23, 2014

Father's Day

Eric is the most amazing Dad to our little girl, so Addie and I couldn't wait to spoil him on his first Father's Day. Even at such a young age, Addie is already a daddy's girl...every day when Eric gets home from work her face lights up and she smiles from ear to ear. She loves him to death!

Chris, Abby, and Jake came to visit for the weekend and it was a lot of fun for Eric and Chris to celebrate being dads together. Plus, we couldn't wait to introduce Addie to Jake...and take lots of cute pictures of the 2 of them! We spent most of the day by the pool, then we had a cookout back at the house.

Addie and I wanted to get Eric something really memorable for his first Father's Day. One of Eric's favorite things to do is to read to Addie, so I bought a book "I Love My Daddy Because.." and added some pictures of Eric and Addie to the pages. We also bought Addie and Eric matching Pirates shirts to wear to the game we are going to in a few weeks. But, my favorite gift we got him were cuff links with Addie's birthstone in them along with a special note. Addie wants Eric to wear them on her wedding day (many, many years down the road!) to remind him that she will always be his little girl!

Overall, it was a great day of family, friends, and fun!

These 2 traded their surf boards for these cuties! Oh how things have changed....

"Addie what is that thing on your head!"

"Jake, is that a monkey on your shirt?"

Cousin love

These 2 were the cutest kids at the pool!

Addie loves her cousin Jake!

"Seriously mom, are you done with the pictures yet!"

"Look Jake if you just sit like this and look away, they usually stop with the pictures!"

Last one I promise...

Friday, June 20, 2014

God Bless Addie

We had you baptized on June 8, 2014 at Prince of Peace Church. We had lots of visitors in town for the special occasion. Some of the Castello's came from Pittsburgh, Pap, Grandma, Aunt Kristen, and Cousin Bryan, Your Mom-mom came from Raleigh, Uncle Brian and Carla made the trip from DC, and your Great-Grandparents came from Ohio.

You were an angel during mass. You slept in daddy's arms most of the time and only woke up for a few minutes when you were baptized. Your dad and I were shocked that there weren't any tears!

We chose your Aunt Kristen and Uncle Brian to be your Godparents. They both love you to pieces!

Hanging out with mommy before the big event!

One of my favorite parts of the mass is that they invite all of the kids to come up during the baptism. There's your cousin Bryan, front and center!

God Bless Addison Elizabeth Harvell :)

Good job Addie girl!

Father introducing you to the church! You did so good!

At the end of the mass they invited us to the front of the church to bless your dad and I.

Silly cousin Bryan!

After mass, we invited everyone to come to the Swan Terrace for brunch. It was a beautiful ending to a beautiful day. We ate tons of delicious food, followed by some family photos in the garden.

The whole crew at brunch!

Parents and Godparents

Pap, Grandma, and Mom-mom. You are spoiled to death by your grandparents!

"When is it time for the kids picture?!" Bryan loves his Cousin Addie!

Smiling with Mom-mom. We missed you Bob-bob, feel better soon!

Pap and Grandma

Your Great-grandparents traveled all the way from Ohio to see you get baptized. Then, they spent a few extra days visiting with us and snuggling with you at our house!