Pool Time & Puppy Love!

Sunday we had a great time hanging out in the pool.  The weather was beautiful and not nearly as hot as it has been for the last couple of months, and there was a light breeze. It was so relaxing to be outside and not be sweating to death!  Mimi came over for a few hours and was excited to see Harper in the pool!

We took some great pics and I had to share...ENJOY! 

 Sophie the Giraffe went swimming too!

 Poor Marley was missing out on the fun!

 HQ loves swimming with Daddy 

Harper & her beautiful Mimi 

Fun pool day!

Harper is really starting to notice Marley now and it's so cute. She's becoming a big fan of the "Smooch Pooch" and Marley thinks she's pretty cool too...

 Harper put her hand on Marley's paw...so sweet!

The look of love!

Marley is a good little guard dog too and loves laying close to her baby sister. :-)

Have a great week everyone!

~Kasey

Harper is 5 Months!

5 whole months have passed since Miss Harper Quinn Johnson graced us with her presence in this world on March 16th.  With each month that passes, I feel more and more honored to be her Mother.  See below for her 5 month pics:

This Month in pictures...

 Enjoying story time with Curious George!

Sweet outfit and such a big girl sitting up so well!

 Sporting her Jeggings from Mimi - what a cute Tushie!

 Sweet PJ's from Grandma & Grandpa!

 School fun - hanging out in the walker!

 Fun Sunday morning...

 "Mom, what is this stuff that you're feeding me?!?"

First time for rice cereal - BEAR DOWN by the way!! :-)

 On second thought - I think I like it! It's yummy! 

 Lovin' on Daddy. So precious.

I know this is my boob, but I just had to show y'all - 

she's so sweet with her little hand on me! This is a regular view for me and 
I can't get enough of it!

(And thankfully not too revealing to post!)

Fun family time with the Browns & Coco, Popo & Aunt Mikael! 

You love your Aunt Suz & Uncle Trey!

We went grocery shopping and you loved looking out in the Baby Bjorn for the first time! 

We surprised Daddy with this cute U of A outfit!  BEAR DOWN!

Lovin' on Daddy after his trip to San Diego!

Dear Harper,

Wow! Happy 5 Month Birthday big girl!  You are growing up right before our eyes.  This past month has been a really fun one.  You are really laughing and giggling up a storm right now and the littlest things can tickle your funny bone. We love that about you! You especially love being raised in the air above our heads doing "Super Baby" and even get a kick out of a little toss in the air!  It makes the whole family laugh to see you laugh and we love the happiness that just pours out of you on a daily basis!

Other than giggling, you've started something else that cracks us up -- and that is GROWLING!  It is so cute to hear your growl and grunt to get our attention.  I read that babies do it because they like how it feels in their throat but I think you do it now because you like to see us laugh and imitate you! Ha! It never gets old hearing a funny noise coming from you!  You're the cutest growler we've ever known!

This past week we started rice cereal.  You had really been staring at the foods we have been eating around you so I thought it was time to try some food to see how you like it.  You LOVE it! You're really getting the hang of the whole eating thing and I can't wait to introduce other foods after you turn 6 months!  It's a little messy when we feed you but I love how you look with rice cereal smeared across your face...you wear it well my dear!  :-)  (Can you tell how I think pretty much everything you do is AMAZING! I'm a proud Mom!)

Sister Kylie is having a hard time because she hasn't been able to hold, touch or kiss you for the last 4 weeks!  She had her chicken pox vaccine and it's a live virus so she has to keep her distance.  Poor sister!!

You got to meet some more of your relatives on your 5 month birthday! Uncle Trey, Aunt Suz, and Cousin Hayden came in from Austin and got to love on you.  They were so happy to finally meet and hold you and had so much fun with you at Coco & Popo's house! 

We've really started to be stricter about bed times and our routines.  It's hard because Daddy and I just LOVE being with you all the time, but we know in order for you to get good sleep, etc. it's important for you to go to bed and wake up at the same times every day.

Right now we typically give you rice cereal at about 7:00pm. Then we start our routine with a bath at about 7:30.  You still love bath time so much and are getting kinda big for your tub!  You love playing with your rubber duckies and I can't wait until you are sitting up the whole time and splashing away with me!  After bath, we dry off and I give you a little massage. They say this helps you to calm down and I think that's true but I just love the bonding we share during this time.  We look into each other's eyes and I give you a good little rub down.  It's so relaxing for me too!

After that we're into PJ's and I try to read you a book. Sometimes you're too sleepy at that point so I don't get to but it's always the goal! Our favorite books right now are "On the Night You Were Born", "Guess How Much I Love You" and "Curious George".  We have lots of other books that we read too but these seem to be our faves.

After reading, I swaddle you all snug with your arms out and then feed you one last time.  You've started putting your hands on me as if to say "This is MY milk" and it's so cute.  You're staking your claim to Mama! I love watching you drift off to sleep. You're usually asleep by 8:30 or 8:45. As far as nighttime goes, you are still waking up a couple of times a night and I'm trying my hardest to get that down to one time only.  I am beginning to think that you just love being with me or Dad and you don't really NEED to get up, but you WANT to!  Some people might say you're a little spoiled, but you know what, I am cherishing this time because I know it will be over before we know it!

One more thing that I love that we're doing now is our morning songs. You wake up between 7:00 and 7:30 am. When I come get you out of your crib and see your bright and smiley face, we sing "Good Morning to You, Good Morning to You, Good Morning Dear Harper, Good Morning to You!"  :-) and then we follow it with "You are my Sunshine."  It's such a fun way to start the day, and even though Mom can't carry a tune, you love it!

It brings tears to my eyes when I think of my love for you. It's ENDLESS and it grows stronger by the second.  I am so incredibly happy and lucky to have you in my life.  Daddy, Kylie and I love you to the moon and back.

Yay for 5 months, you're almost half a year old! I can't believe it!!

I love you so much my Angel,
Mom

Summer Fun!

To start the weekend off, we threw a surprise shower on Friday for Miss Shannon who takes care of Harper! Of course, I didn't end up getting a picture of the guest of honor, but these two girls were the cutest in their dresses and hair bows! 

Harper & Lyla are best buddies at school!

On Saturday, we had a fun visit with Uncle Tay at Mimi's house! He was in town from Austin/Nashville and came for a visit! Harper wore her "My Uncle Rocks" onesie and they were like two peas in a pod. Tay loves that sweet girl and she thinks he's pretty cool too :-)

I'm seeing a trend around the Johnson household. It's a laid back approach to life. My hubby and daughter both have the bug...hopefully they'll rub off a little more on me! :-) CUTENESS!!

We've had so much fun with Harper this summer. Despite the 108 degree temps, we've been able to get in the pool later in the day when the sun is going down and we can put our sun shade over the pool.   Harper LOVES the water.  She loves to take in all the sights and sounds, look at the sun reflecting off the water and kick her chunky little legs in the water.  It's just the most precious thing you've ever seen!! 

 Tummy time on the float!

 This face just  melts my heart.

Look at that cute tushie! 

I am sure this might be a blackmail photo one day when she's older! hehe

This face makes a Monday not so bad! She's having a blast at Miss Shannon's today! :-) We love our updates on our sweet girl and appreciate Shannon more than we can even describe! Can't you just imagine what she's thinking? I just can't wait to hear her sweet voice and for her to be able to tell us what she's thinking.

She's 20 weeks old and so close to being 5 months! We can't believe how fast the time goes.  More to come soon!

-Kasey

SHOTS and Rock & Roll!

Friday was not fun for our two girls...they BOTH had to get shots, although Harper had the worse end of the deal. She had to get 3 shots in her thighs and take one oral vaccine.  Kylie had to get her chicken pox vaccine so she had it easy with one quick easy shot.  


One HORRIBLE factor about Kylie's shot though is that she has to have "limited contact" with Harper for 6 weeks since the vaccine has a live virus! Talk about torture! No kissing or holding for quite a while.

So the girls got in some last minute snuggle time...

Waiting for their names to be called at Dr. Thai's! 

"Mom, I'm not so sure about these shots coming up!"

Harper had a great appointment.  The doctor was very pleased with her progress and we  decided not to start rice cereal until 6 months because she's so healthy and seems to be getting all she needs from me! Thank you God!

Here are her "stats" at 18 weeks so I don't forget:

Weight: 13 lbs 8 oz (in the 43%)

Height: 24.5 inches (in the 54%)

Head: 16.75 inches (in the 85%) 

(She has a big noggin like her Mama!)

After the doctor, we dropped Kylie off to her Mom and headed home to watch Uncle Taylor perform LIVE on YouTube from Burbank, California at the Warner Bros. Studios. We were so very proud! It was such an awesome moment and Harper loved the music!

I just can't wait for our little nugget to be able to dance to the music. I know she will be adorable and love dancing while her Uncle sings!

Saturday I had a Stella & Dot Trunk Show and got to catch up with my friend Courtney who I've known since Junior High. Her daughter Izzie is almost 16 months and she's about to have her 2nd baby in September! Busy girl!

Sunday was a lazy day filled with movies, snuggles and Bloody Mary's (well, for Jeff anyway!)  Marley literally tried to lean over and lick the straw...she thought this drink looked as good as I thought it did! Yum!

Jeff grilled steaks and made an awesome dinner complete with baked sweet potatoes! My fave! We watched the Bachelorette Finale and were so happy Emily chose Jef...I mean, how can you go wrong with a guy with such an amazing name?!? (Love you honey!)

Finally, our girl had her Austin vibe going with her onesie from 

Tay & Meliss...such a cutie pie. 

Hope everyone has a great week! 

~Kasey

One Year Ago Today

One Year ago today I came home from work on a Monday evening and wasn't feeling quite right. We were trying to get pregnant and I was aware that I was possibly a day or two late but didn't think I was pregnant.


Jeff was cleaning the pool and I decided to take a pregnancy test before taking my shower just to know for sure.  I took the test and as I sat and watched the little clock blink on the test, I was preparing my self to see "Not Pregnant".  I started doing things around the bathroom to help the time pass more quickly and kept glancing over and still seeing the blinking clock.  The whole time I kept thinking, "it's going to be negative, it's going to be negative..." because I SO badly wanted it to be positive but I didn't want to get my hopes up!


I finally thought enough time had passed and I went back to check the results. I bent down to look at the test and it said PREGNANT!! I was in shock.  I was so happy!! I went out to Jeff to see how much time he had left on the pool and he said 10 minutes or so.  I went back in and tried to think of a creative way to tell him.   But then...I couldn't stand it. If you know me well, you know I'm NOT good at surprises or waiting to give gifts, etc.  Once I have something for someone, I want them to have it.  This news was not going to stay in my mouth for one more minute.  So, I walked outside and came around the corner.  Jeff said when I came around the corner I looked like I'd seen an angel. He said my whole face was lit up and it was unmistakable.


I told him I needed to talk to him and he new immediately. I told him we were going to have a baby! We laughed, hugged, cried and couldn't wait to tell our family and friends.


Another fun, err interesting aspect of the timing...I was 6 days away from leaving on a 17 day program in California and I'd be out of town for 21 days total.  That made things a little challenging in terms of last minute doctor appointments.  I told a few work friends the news so they'd know why I couldn't help lift boxes, eat our normal deli lunch buffet or stay up late just to chat.  But, overall it was great and tiny "peanut Harper" and I enjoyed this view for the next 2.5 weeks!  

The trip was great and it helped the time pass during those first weeks when you're scared to move, trying to learn what you can and can't eat/do, etc.  Jeff and Kylie joined me after my program was over and we had a great time.  I felt pretty good although food was starting to taste funny and I had a little nausea, overall, I'd say I was pretty lucky with my early symptoms! 

We took this picture to commemorate Harper being so tiny in my belly so she'd know she was there with us... I think I was 7 weeks pregnant in this picture.

When we got back we had our first doctor appointment and got this fun first picture of our girl. (Although we had no idea she was a girl yet!)  

 This is really grainy but you can still see the general small little "peanut" in the picture and the words...

"See you in March!"

Our lives changed forever on July 18, 2011 and March 16, 2012 and we are so blessed to have our sweet baby girl! 

Much love,

Kasey

Harper is 4 Months!

Happy 4 Months to our sweet Baby Girl!

From this (at 4 days old)...

To this...

 

It's crazy how fast four months can pass.  It seems to pass faster now that I am back at work.  This past month has been busy (as usual) with lots of fun for Harper and our family!


Harper got to enjoy her first 4th of July (also Grandma's Birthday) and saw her first Fireworks, which she loved and wasn't scared a bit! Of course, we had to have an outfit for July 3rd AND 4th :-)

 Fun on July 3rd...

 Harper's Birthday Message to Grandma!

So much fun on July 4th at the Hobbs' House!

I was luckily off for almost two weeks and it was great to be off right away after coming back from maternity leave.  While I was off, Harper and I had a great time! 

We spent a day at the mall with Sister Kylie and Aunt Mikael.  The girls were showing you the best way to shop...and you got to meet Sammye, Coco and Popo's new pup. Kylie and Mikael are getting so grown up and both love Harper so much...she's going to be one spoiled little girl with so many people who adore her.

We had her first day at gymnastics which was a blast! Kate and Ashley were there and we got some great pictures of the girls...

This past weekend, we took a dip in the pool and as usual, Harper loved it.  
Especially with hew new froggy float!

Look at that cute swimsuit and her chunky knees!! LOVE!!

Harper loves her snuggle time on the couch with Daddy. He's so in love with his newest daughter and is always jumping at the chance to hold her, change her diaper or feed her when he can.  He's had a couple of one-on-one times lately while I've had girl time and he loved it so much!

Lastly, this has been Harper's favorite sleeping position for the last several weeks. We just love it and it cracks us up every time. It looks like she's on a beach some where or in a hammock just chillin' :-)

Life's a beach! At least for this little one! :-)

Now for my monthly letter...

Dear Harper,

I just can't believe you are 4 months old. Our time with you has gone by so quickly and I'm starting to understand how my parents felt when they said that children grow up too quickly...it's SO true! 

You are the most amazing baby. Yes, I know I'm your Mom so I might be biased but I really don't think so. You are so happy, expressive and easy to be around.  Your smile can melt anyone's heart, your coo's and gurgles are the most precious thing ever and we could all snuggle with you for hours!

This month you've gotten much more vocal and it's the cutest thing ever. It's like you are having a conversation with us or trying to tell us about your day.  You've also found your feet and you love to grab your toesies.  You're also very strong and holding your head up like a champ, standing every chance you get and pulling yourself to try and sit up! STRONG GIRL! You've had so much fun going with me to Baby Boot Camp where I work out and we sing and act silly and loved going back to Infant Yoga since I was off work.  You also had your first day at gymnastics which was so fun!

Mimi watched you for a full day when I had to work last week and she had a blast! She loved getting to spend an extra long time with  you and can't wait to do it again.  I loved you being at Mimi's because I could sneak away at lunch and see my sweet girl! 

You've been taking longer afternoon naps and sleeping through most of the night, usually only waking up one time around 3 am.  You also started sitting in your Baby Einstein jumper and love playing with the fun toys and blinking lights!

You missed your friends at Miss Shannons while you were gone, but we stopped by and played with them one day and Miss Shannon said you and Lyla were talking up a storm on your first day back...if we could only understand what y'all were trying to say to each other!

Sweet girl - your Daddy, sister and I love you so very much.  You are such a blessing and it's hard to even remember what our lives were like without you because you bring so much love and joy into our home. 

I'm the luckiest girl in the world to be your Mama.

Happy Four Months Darlin'!

Mom

Mom & Dad love you to pieces!!