Free Samples and Other Cool Stuff

As many of you know, I belong to a web-based word-of-mouthing marketing company- BzzAgent. Right now I'm involved in two promotions, Aveeno Nourish+ Hair Collection for their new line of shampoo and conditioners, and Glade Sense and Spray air fresheners. I just got an email saying Aveeno is offering free samples and a coupon by going to their website, so if you'd like to try it, here's your chance. I've been using the shampoo and conditioner for about a month now and like it.

We also have the new Glade Sense and Spray air freshener device that I'm sure you've seen advertised on TV. I'm not loving it for apartments (it goes off too often), but it would be nice in a home where traffic is lighter in some rooms.

Finally, my most exciting find. Groupon.com goes around to local businesses and gets a deal with them to offer some service or purchase for 50-90% off what they normally charge. The catch is a certain number of people (it varies by promotion) have to purchase it for the deal to be valid. I get emails for Baltimore and of those I've checked, all have reached their quota. So far they are up and running in 35 major cities and expanding to others. There may not be one close to you yet, but if you are near one, it's worth getting the emails at least and seeing what you find. I haven't purchased any yet, but my favorite so far was 20 fitness classes at a local gym for $17 (normally $200). It's definitely worth a look.

A Lot Has Happened

I would have thought that by having a child I would be better at posting on the blog, but it's just not true. Mark's now a little over 8 months old, growing fast, and I haven't posted in almost two months. Shameful.

About a month ago Mark went through a mirror phase. We would take him into the bathroom and he loved to look at his reflection. He preferred to stand in the sink (we lack in counter space) and soon discovered the cool, shiny stopper. Bend at the waist, slide a bit, and wallah! who knew he fit perfectly in said sink. We gave him a few bath toys and he loved it. He's outgrown it now, but it was great while it lasted.


We tried to take Mark out for a few pictures near our house. He thought the cars driving along the road were much more interesting.



Today Bryce and I looked down at Mark and found him talking to himself while holding this book. He loves to read books and HAS to turn each page by himself.



My wonderful friend Cari took some family pictures of us a couple weeks back. She's finished editing them and we're thrilled! She's got tons posted on her photography blog if you want to see the good ones. These two are a couple we just thought were amusing. We're farther away from the water than you think.



And things are good on the home front. Bryce just finished his first class of the year and I got my big work project done (well, at least for the first round). Work definitely keeps life interesting, but I'm still enjoying it.

Mark is considering crawling, but gets easily frustrated. If he's on a bed with one of us, he'll roll and scoot backward to his heart's content, but doesn't seem to like the floor as much. He does love to stand against the coffee table and bounce like a crazy man in his Exersaucer. He's a chatter box---da, da, da, ya, ya ya, and crazy squeals. We love how much his personality is coming out; he's got an opinion about EVERYTHING!

With the holidays, I'll try to be better about posting. No promises.

Caught in the Act

Mark has discovered bath toys. I don't know what this poor pengiun did to him, but he's always trying to bite it's head off and is reluctant to let it go.


You can just see him thinking "Enough with the flash already!".


Things are normal around here. Bryce has his first test coming up so he's busy studying and I'm trying to get a big work project done before October. Mark is doing fine. His little personality is starting to show. He's definitely a Harbertson with how crabby he gets when he's hungry.

We're enjoying the start of football season (go BYU!) and I hope to have a better showing with my Fantasy Football team this year. It's just embarassing when the opposing team has two players on byes and still beats you. That'd better not happen again, Sarah, or count me OUT for next year's McFootball league.