Bring them up...

in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Ephesians 6:46

Baby slept through the first 10 minutes of graduation... My sweet brother (Chance) and sissy (Ashton)New Grad feeding York at Amsterdam's in Auburn! Daddy and York at Graduation...

Out of all of these graduates... Ashton was LITERALLY on the LAST row!

(so much for sneaking out early!!!)

It was packed... York did so good!

The "MAN" gown my mother made for York's baby dedication!
It was completely lace and absolutely gorgeous!

York waiting to go to church with his slip and bib on..

Kinda fuzzy... but this is little man sleeping through the dedication!

York on the big screen at church!

The cake and flowers at my house after the dedication...

The delicious cake from Edgars...

(color is bad.. but is was baby blue)

The Holy Bible the church gave York..

The gown hanging in his room...

Out like a light after everyone left... As you can see this weekend was super busy for our family. Saturday was fantastic... we were able to eat at one of our favorite restaurants and visit with family. York was such a doll during the graduation. The only time he even made a peep was during the national anthem which he thought was hysterical! The nursing section happens to be at the very last section in the auditorium. Ashton happened to be on the VERY LAST ROW! So our little plan to leave as soon as she walked turned into enjoying each and every 1,999th persons name before hers. York entertained us as usual and every other person in section 14... nosebleed!

We rushed back to Birmingham to prepare for York's big day... Baby Dedication! We washed clothes, mopped floors, cut grass, spray painted outdoor furniture, spread mulch, cleaned silver, wrapped all of the grandmother's "Mother's Day" gifts, wrapped Sissy's graduation present, made flower arrangements, made brownie-cookies "brookies", etc. (you get the point) Lets not forget... also feeding baby, changing baby, playing with baby, bathing baby.... LIST GOES ON!!! However... Wesley mom picked up the cake, BBQ, potato salad, baked beans, slaw, sweet/unsweet tea, and cheese biscuits. We figured it would be easier warming the food up on Sunday then having to leave church early to pick up the food...and we are lucky we did because it was POURING down rain when we left the church! I finally laid my head on my pillow at approximately midnight! York usually sleeps until around 7:30-8:00am, but he must have felt the excitement because at a sleepy 5AM he wanted to EAT and PLAY!! So that's where our morning began... Our family met us at our home to follow us to the church which is about a mile down the road. My sweet mother made Yorks gown... CORRECTION: MAN GOWN! That is what Wesley insisted on us calling it! Wes was not thrilled about York wearing a "dress" so he renamed it! As soon as he saw the beautiful creation he was no longer worried about what other "manly men" thought! (Kudos to my mother... it is the most beautiful gown I have ever seen) My mom, step dad, brother, brother's girlfriend, sister, grandmother (Goggie), dad, Wesley's mom, Mimi and Grandaddy, and father (Norman) were all in attendance. We decided to only invite grandparents and great grandparents because we did want other's to feel obligated to come on Mother's Day. After a wonderful service and our sweet baby's dedication to our church we headed to our house for a Barbecue lunch. It was delicious and we enjoyed having our family together for fellowship. It was a long but amazing 2 days. One of York's great grandmother's (Momma Jo) who was unable to make the ceremony wrote us a wonderful email ... I would like to share one part with you all.

She writes... May YORK's life be one that:

Yearns to serve God

Only chooses the right path

Reasons with integrity

Kneels in prayer each day

She is so special to us and I always enjoy her kind words and creative mind. I will do everything in my power to see that I teach York to do these things. It was a perfect first Mother's Day but more importantly a day that Wesley and I will remember forever.

It's my obsession.... (Thanks Katie!)

A friend of mine has introduced me to "The Pioneer Woman". I have added it to my blog list for those of you who would like to spend endless hours reading her love story, checking out her recipes, photography, and Much Much more! (PW FULL RSS FEED)

WARNING: It can become an ugly obsession! You will get sucked in ...do not proceed unless you have endless hours at your disposal. I am not sure if I should thank Katie or KILL her!

Baby Pattern Baldness?

York's cousin Emma LOVED holding him.... Lunch with family: Cody, Emily, me, Mimi, York, and Ms. Emma
She is such a good momma!

Shug brought York his toy to THROW! hilarious!

York let his passie stay on his eye like a patch for 10 minutes!

(am I a bad mom for laughing and not removing it?)

Mr. York cheesing for the camera...

Sweet baby Face!

BABY PATTERN BALDNESS...

My sweet little man is suffering from this horrible (hopefully temporary) condition. He had such a lovely full head of hair at birth and now as you can see... NOT a whole lot stuck around! Poor little "old" man! He doesn't seem to mind... and hair washing goes alot quicker.

We have a very exciting weekend ahead. My little sister, Ashton, will graduate from Auburn University on Saturday with a degree in nursing. We are so very proud of her...this is truly her calling. On Sunday, York will have his baby dedication! Just 4 short months ago we brought our frail little preemie home... now he is a healthy WILD monkey! While he was in the hospital, I prayed for hours that he would come home soon, that one day he will be healthy like other children, and ultimately that he will grow to love the Lord with all of his heart, mind, and soul. I try not to take this precious time with him for granted! I want to cherish each minute I have with him. I continue to pray that York will love the Lord and grow to reflect his character. That York will be kind, obedient, responsible, courageous, pure, compassionate, and that he will have a generous sharing spirit. I want to raise a soldier for Christ! Thank you Lord for this amazing Gift... I will treasure each second I have with him and do my best to prepare him for a lifetime of faithful living.

The power of prayer is in the one who hears it and not the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference.

-Max Lucado

OuR CrAzY weekend...

March of Dimes Walk

(March for Babies)With you help we raised over $1,700.00!!
Daddy and York hanging out in the park before the walk began...

Great turnout!

York and I before Mandy's bridal tea...

Mary Thomas came to visit!

Katie and MT!

Playing with a new toy

Gumming the teething ring...

SATURDAY morning was the March of Dimes walk. We had a blast... It was a 4 mile walk in the Highland Park area. We met at Caldwell park for breakfast and games prior to the walk. They had a fabulous turn out. We will definitely make this a yearly event for the Harless family. As soon as the walk was over we drove to Montgomery. We made a quick stop at Mimi and Papa Perry's house. We enjoyed our visit very much! Next... we rushed home to get ready for my cousins baby shower and best friends engagement party. They were both lovely get togethers and York was able to meet some of his cousins.

SUNDAY morning we ate a delicious breakfast at my mothers home. ((I forget how much I LOVE a homemade breakfast until I visit my mom)) We then prepared for Mandy's bridal tea. My mother made the sweetest little outfit for York. It looked adorable on him. The tea was beautiful and Mandy received some wonderful gifts. Finally we hoped back in the car... picked up daddy... and headed HOME!

MONDAY our sweet friends from out of town came to visit. Mary Thomas (6 weeks old) and Katie came over to play. It was so wonderful to catch up with them... the baby is just adorable! She had the most beautiful smocked dress on that Katie wore as a baby. ((I am such a sucker for Baby GIRL clothing)) Good thing I have a boy... because I would be BROKE!

**RECENT NEWS**

We took York to the doctor for his 4 month check up last Tuesday. He is a whopping 14 lbs and 25 1/8 inches long. He is growing so quickly... I think I am doing a good job of capturing every day on camera! ((I'm quite obsessed)) The doc says he is doing great and would like us to begin rice cereal! We have been attempting to have one bowl of rice cereal each morning...However, he is not ingesting much because it mostly ends up running down his face or on me. He has begun blowing bubbles and spitting it out each time I give him a spoonful! He thinks its a pretty funny game. ((By the way...he has started laughing out load and it is so CUTE!!)) The doc told me that it would take him a little while to get the hang of it and then we could progress to some veggies and fruits! We are also getting ready for his baby baptism that will be on Mother's Day! We always have a full plate ... until next time!

Have a fabulous week!

Beach Bums...

We took York to the beach for the first time! We went to Destin and had a fantastic time!Little man in his beach hats! (he now sucks on his fingers... goodbye passie)

Getting ready to head out to the beach!
Hanging out on the beach... under the umbrella, with TONS of sunscreen, zipped up! I was so worried that his perfect skin would get burned... so I went overboard!

He was SO good... we took him down after a bottle and he played and slept for hours!

Laying with my sweet baby! The weather was Beautiful!

Getting ready to head over to Baytowne Wharf! (attempt at family photo)

At Marlins Grill... delicious food!

York wasn't feeling the love for this photo!

York's first beach trip was a huge success! We had the best time and he was a little angel! We basically packed a few diapers, wipes, and bottles and lugged him around Destin! We even made it to the beach with him a couple of times. Like I said above... I was so worried about burning his sweet little skin that I used every means necessary to keep him Lilly white! The weather was beautiful Thursday, Friday, and Saturday (little windy)... Sunday was rainy. The most gorgeous day happened to be Monday when we were leaving... Naturally! It was such a nice vacation and we enjoyed every minute of it! Back to the REAL world now... York has his 4 month visit on Wednesday and I am so excited to find out how much he has grown! He is wearing some 6 month outfits...he is growing so fast! I am also excited to be heading to Montgomery this weekend for my best friends Engagement Party and Tea! We have a very busy week ahead...

Wednesday: York's 4 month check up! YAY

Thursday: Dentist appointment, Friends from Memphis coming into town with their new baby!! (Mary Thomas)

Friday: Little brother coming to visit!

Saturday: March of Dimes walk @ 8:00am, heading to Montgomery for cousins wedding, Baby Shower for cousin, and Engagement Party for Mandy

Sunday: Wedding Tea for Mandy, heading back to Bham!

It is going to be a hectic but FUN week and weekend! Also... last night was the infamous Dave Mathews Band concert!!!! We had a blast! I will say that it was the BEST concert I have ever been to! (Thanks hubby) Wes and I had a wonderful time and were able to spend some much needed time together. We try to do a date night once a week... but sometimes life gets in the way! ((It was also very COLD at the concert... hope the WARM weather gets here soon or I will be forced to schedule another beach trip!!)) Hope everyone is doing well!

xoxo - Evan and York

He is RISEN... indeed!

Easter 2009 Our attempt at a family picture.
Daddy and Baby... after church!
Sweet love in his Easter outfit!

"The Farm"... Wesley's family has a farm in Sylacauga where we gather for all holidays. It is the boy's favorite place... fishing, hunting, four wheelers, food, & fun!

Wesley getting his line wet!

Another pic of the main house.

Hanging out by the fire place on the dock! It was such a beautiful day!

Wesley and some of his cousins "digging in"!

York got "love" from all his cousins... this is Carlton. Aunt Suzie and York rocking on the porch!

More cousin love!! Stephanie and Rachael... (our favorite blog readers!)

York brought a crowd... "look at that sweet baby!" Visiting Ya-Ya for Easter supper.

It was a long day but York was still smiling at the end!

Our day began around 6:30 AM! (showers, baths, breakfast, bottles, burping, changing, dressing, packing, etc) We made it to the 9:00 service with 5 minutes to spare. I cant believe we did it! It was such a wonderful sermon and being my first Easter with a son the magnitude and meaning meant so much more to me. I am constantly in "awe" of how our pastor who has preached about the Resurrection for nearly 20 years can be so innovative. His message was about The God of the Third Day and third day responses from 3 different points of views: Mary Magdalene, John, and Thomas. It was a wonderfully different way of hearing the Easter message and a reminder to us that one day he will come again.

After church we headed down to the Farm for lunch with Wesley's dad-side of the family. The weather was picture perfect and this was York's debut! This was their first time meeting our little rascal. He was passed around about 30 times and everyone stole some 'sugar'. He was such a doll and didn't get upset at all. He loved the attention and enjoyed meeting his extended family. He flashed that sweet smile and 'talked' to everyone. He pretty much stole the show... as he does EVERYWHERE! I was able to actually EAT during a meal time! Wes and I were able to visit and enjoy ourselves while York visited with his cousins.

We headed back home to take a short nap... (Wes and York napped while I repacked the car/diaper bag/feed baby/changed baby/etc) We then headed to Wesley's mom's for dinner. She had a great spread and precious decorations. We ATE AGAIN.... I know I gained at least 3 pounds yesterday. ((Super diet mode this week)) We had a wonderful Easter... although I didn't get to see my side of the family (we have to do every other holiday) it was still a wonderful day. Happy Easter everyone!