Harper is 7 Months!

I'm clearly a little late on posting this but I've been so busy!  Last week was full of lots of action, so bear with me because there will be a few posts to take care of!

But first off - HAPPY 7 MONTHS TO OUR HARPER QUINN!

This past month has been so much fun as Harper continues to grow and learn so many fun new things!  

Here are her 7 month pics...

Here are some of the highlights from Harper's 7th month!

 Play date with Kate, her BFF!

 Standing like a big girl at school

and already dressing like a little diva :-)

 Snuggles with Momma while Daddy is out of town...

Wearing her Halloween bow that big sister Kylie made! 

 Morning smiles and snuggles in Momma & Daddy's bed

Happy girl at Miss Shannon's! 

Met Uncle Eddie who came to visit from California with his son Jackson! 

 Fun bib from Uncle Tom and Aunt Stacy!

 Big girl sitting up at school!

Loving some carrots!

Our first temperature drop! It got down into the 50's so we bundled up! 

She is learning how to drink out of a sippy cup and LOVES it!

BEST BUDS!

 Got geared up for the big TX/OU Game. Even though the Longhorns lost, 

we had the cutest cheerleader EVER!

Tried out our Halloween costume at the gym for a fun baby class.   

 All dressed up! 

 Fun at the Arboretum with Momma and Mimi!

 The Kellys were there too so we had to get pics of the girls who just happened to be wearing the SAME outfit! It made us laugh because Ashley and I always showed up to school wearing the same outfit - not on purpose.  I guess great minds think alike :-)

 I am so thankful that Harper and Kate will grow up together - 

what a special thing to have best friends have babies so close together!

Daddy went out of town for 12 whole days during the last month, and that was tough! We had fun but missed him oh so much! Here are a few pics from the airport... "Reunited and it feels so good!"

 Back in her favorite spot - asleep on Daddy's chest :-)

Now for my monthly letter...

Dear Harper,

I didn't think it was possible for a tiny human being to get any cuter, funnier or smarter...but, it happened!  You are such a bright spot in our lives.  From the time you wake up to the time you go to sleep, you are just happy, funny and FUN! Daddy and I comment all the time about how amazingly fun, easy and just all around awesome you are! You are so easy going and content in any situation!  

This past month, you've started practicing like a big girl with a sippy cup and you love it! You're still mastering the skill but you love drinking water and get so excited when Daddy or I gives you the cup.  You've had all of your veggies including green beans, peas, squash, carrots, sweet potatoes and avocado.  You've also had bananas and apples and we're on to pears next! So far your favorites are sweet potatoes and squash.  You weren't really a fan of green beans at first although you're starting to like them more but avocado was a no go! We'll try it again soon but you were not a happy camper when we gave it to you! It has been so fun seeing how you react to each new food. Sometimes you'll get what I call a "rigor" like you tasted something bad or surprising. Other times you'll get a big grin on your face and grunt for more! You are such a good eater!

You are growing so fast - we are going to be childproofing the house very soon because you're about ready to crawl! You can stand up holding on to things by your self, and you scoot yourself backwards when you're on the floor on your tummy! Look out world, Harper is almost on the move! 

One of my favorite parts about you is your laugh. You think almost everything is funny.  Especially when I make silly noises like "bomp!" or when I pretend to hit myself with something.  You love peek-a-boo and you love it when we sneak up on you - you think it's just hilarious!  You also love to laugh at Marley. You'll just look down at her and crack up! She loves you so much but she also loves to lick you to death so we have to keep an eye on the pooch these days! Pretty soon y'all will be running buddies and she'll never leave your side.

Harper, at least once a week we read this special book called "On the Night You Were Born".  It's such a sweet book and every time I read it, I thank God for the greatest blessing that he could have ever given me.  Here are a few of my favorite lines...

"On the night you were born, the moon smiled with such wonder that the stars peeked in to see you and the night wind whispered, "life will never be the same", because there had never been anyone like you, ever in the world."  Harper, You are such a unique and wonderful little girl and you are going to make such a mark on this world, and I can't wait to see all the surprises you have in store for us!

"Not once had there been such eyes, such a nose, such silly, wiggly wonderful toes." I love looking at your sweet face baby girl. You are the most beautiful angel Momma and Daddy could have dreamed of!

"For never before in story or rhyme (not even once upon a time), has the world ever known a you, my friend, and it never will, not ever again.  Heaven blew every trumpet and played every horn on the wonderful, marvelous night you were born." 

Harper - the world got a little sweeter the day you were born and it continues to as we see more of your personality, sweet disposition and calming presence.  We love you so much and are so blessed to be your parents.

Love you Schmoo Boo!

Momma 

Harper's 6 Month Stats & An Update!

I'm a little behind in posting this but better late than never, right?  We went to the doctor on September 21st for Harper's 6 month check-up and here are her stats:

Weight: 16 pounds 7 ounces (54%)

Height: 26" (54%)

Head: 17.5" (91%!!)

Waiting to get weighed at the doctor. Sitting up like a pro! 

Our girl is super healthy and is doing everything that a sweet little 6 month old should do.  We were also pleased to hear that they think her umbilical hernia is completely gone! Woohoo!  She had to get 3 shots again which included round one of her flu shot. Those shots just don't get easier...it just breaks my heart to see the look of sheer pain and shock come quickly over her face when they are giving her the shots.  I try to scoop her up as quickly as I can each time and she's usually done crying shortly after but it's still tough to hear her so upset.

The next day was a BUSY one!!

We started out the day at 5:30 am when we woke up to make it to the Plano Balloon Festival. It was a blast and so beautiful.  As you can see by the pictures, we all let the slight chill in the air push us to dress like it was full-on Fall! Not quite, but it was still nice!

 Daddy loving on his sweet girl

 Kylie and da Smooch Pooch soaking in the view!

 J's Girls...

Harper loves her doggie! 

 Pretty balloons taking off

 Harper was the only smart one who remembered her sunglasses!

Marley was so happy to be included in the fun. She was a popular pooch and everyone wanted to pet her! 

This is how we all felt by the end.

After the balloon festival, Harper and I ran some errands and she sat like a big girl in the shopping cart for the first time. She LOVED it and was taking in all the sights and sounds.  She was also getting stopped by every single person who passed us because she was just so cute and happy!

That night after celebrating upcoming birthdays with our friends, Harper and I went to visit Uncle Tay and the rest of the fam at a shower for Taylor's good friends Garrett & Lexi.  (Daddy went downtown to watch his Arizona Wildcats play with his buddy Tommy) Taylor and Preston were playing and as soon as he saw Harper and finished his song, he called me up to give his sweet niece some lovin'...too precious. I love how Taylor is such a proud uncle!  

Hopefully Harper will get his musical talent...and NOT mine!! :-)

 Mimi had fun dancing with her girl!

Coco was excited to see her granddaughter! 

I changed Harper into her PJ's and she decided to sport Uncle Tay's Antone's Hat before we headed home for the night. :-)

Unfortunately I didn't get pics of everyone that night but it was a good time!

J and I ended the weekend with the home opener of the Dallas Cowboys, and they actually won! (Shocking I know!)  We appreciated the free tix from the Freeds, enjoyed hanging with friends and most importantly got in some good Mommy/Daddy adult time! :)

Awesome seats! 

That's all we know for now! Before you know it, I'll be posting about our girl's 7 month birthday unless I get really motivated and post again before then!

Kasey

Harper is 6 Months! (As of yesterday)

HALF.A.YEAR. Are you kidding me? I cannot believe that half an entire year has gone by since our sweet girl was born.  On one hand it seems like it has just flown by but on the other hand, it's very hard to remember a time when our sweet angel was not with us.  Funny how life works like that.  

As I mentioned in my previous post, we celebrated Mimi's birthday yesterday along with Harper's 6 month birthday!  It was a fun day and we just loved on each other and celebrated 2 of our favorite girls of all time!! 

Here are her monthly pictures...

Move over lambie...this is my photo op! 

 

Such a happy girl!

Her outfit from earlier in the day... a special day requires 2 special outfits!

Our pretty pretty princess 

I could eat those cheeks with a spoon!!

Some other hits from this month...

Sitting up like such a big girl!

 Excited about a buggy ride with Lyla and friends!

Big Sister Kylie was so excited to spend time with you after she got 

off "quarantine" from her chicken pox shot!

 Sweetest face!

Trying to ride Marley like a horsey! 

 Harper had her first "groupie" experience with The Wild Feathers

Sweet girl on my Gran's quilt - her Great Grandmother...

she would have loved you oh so much! 

 This pic is the overwhelming favorite pic of the month.  L.O.V.E. You look so grown up!

 I know this is a little blurry but I included it because it shows your sweet excitement! 

You love to kick your legs and wave your arms when you're so happy and excited!

You love pool time with Daddy. You also LOVE to grab faces these days! 

Mama has to stop wearing dangly earrings because you've almost ripped

them out a dozen times!

 I love your eyes, you have so much wonder and curiosity in them! 
(In the pic with me you were starting to get tired and sick of the photo shoot!)

You love your Dad so much!

Dear Harper,

I can't even begin to describe to you how you have changed our lives. It's amazing that 6 whole months have gone by in what seems like the blink of an eye.  You'll hear me say this a lot as you grow up I'm sure and you won't fully understand until you have a child of your own one day. I'll keep reminding you though because I will want you to cherish every moment in life...just like I cherish every single solitary moment with Y.O.U.

This has been a big month! You are sitting up completely on your own. You can still get a little wobbly at times but for the most part, you are an independent sitter! We are so proud of you!  You've also started rolling over at night and sleeping on your tummy.  Big girl.  I remember when it used to freak me out when you would roll over to your tummy but you're so strong and smart, I don't mind you sleeping on your tummy because it makes you so happy.  (and it helps you sleep longer which is a great thing for Mama!)

You are also talking up a storm. You've started saying your "da da da" sounds and we could swear that you are talking to us sometimes.  We ask you how your day was or what you dreamt about last night and you babble away just like you were carrying on a conversation!

You love your rice cereal and we have increased you to 3 tablespoons!  You love it and want more but I am cautious about feeding you more until we see the doctor on Friday.  I can't wait until you can start trying new foods! It will be so fun to see what your favorites are!

Over the past month, you went to your first friend's birthday - Miss Myka turned one and had a fun party!  You had a blast and looked adorable in your outfit. Everyone is always saying what a cute baby you are - and we agree!! Speaking of being cute, you're also in a Gerber contest to try to win money for a college scholarship and possibly a chance to be in a Gerber ad! All of our friends and family are voting every day in hopes that you'll win! You're already a Gerber baby to all of us though :-).

You also celebrated your first Labor Day with some fun cookouts with friends and also got to meet your Uncle Taylor's band - the Wild Feathers!  When they are big rock stars one day you can look back and say "I met them when I was almost 6 months old! I was their youngest fan!"

You are loving school as usual and have had fun taking buggy rides and sitting and starting to play with the other kids more! Miss Shannon had her baby girl Geneveve in the last month and you are excited to have another friend! She is so tiny right now but soon you'll be gabbing it up and playing with her too!

You are sleeping much better at night which makes me so happy.  The trick is to keep you up  just a little later.  They say most babies will sleep longer if they go to bed earlier but that's not the case with our little night owl! We keep you up until about 9 and you're out like a light until about 5 or 6.  Thank you for giving me some extra rest. 

Bath time has gotten more fun since you started sitting up! You love playing with your toys and kicking and splashing around. We also listen to the Children's Indie station on Pandora and it's such a fun and relaxing part of our evening.

Well, don't want to make this any longer even though I could go on and on about all the things that you do that excite us and make us love you even more - though I don't think it's possible to love you another ounce more because our hearts are overflowing with love and adoration of you, our sweet angel baby.  As Daddy says - you are a GIFT - and we thank God daily for the blessing of being your parents.

Happy 6 Months my "Angel Bucket"!

Mom

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today one of the sweetest, coolest, most caring and loving people on the planet was born.  54 years ago to be exact, although to look at her, you wouldn't think she was a day over 40! :-)  (Which would be impossible since I'm 30!) 

Anyway, I feel even closer to my Mom (if that's possible) now that I am a mother myself.  I'm always asking her things like "Did you freak out when I got pregnant?" or "How did you handle it when I moved out of the house?"  I ask her these things mostly because I CANNOT imagine Harper being a grown woman...it just seems like it will be so hard to let her go chase her dreams and start a family of her own and trust that she will be ok without us. But, my Mom did it with grace and has supported me through every step in life, so I know I will be able to!  Luckily, I've got a LONG way to go before that happens, although with as fast as time is flying, it will be here sooner than I want it to.

We celebrated Mom's birthday yesterday with some burgers, cocktails and Cowboys.  The food and company was GREAT...the Cowboys? Not so much. :-(  The two downers for the day were that it rained and we couldn't get in the pool and then of course the Cowboys losing was a bummer.  But, we had a fabulous time anyway!  Mimi had a great time loving on her granddaughter who was celebrating her 6 month birthday yesterday! 

Harper wore her fancy clothes just for Mimi!

 Mimi is so silly tickling Harper's back with her chin!

 Reading her card from her 2 granddaughters

3 Generations :-)

Also, another special person was born on this day too - Sweet Melissa! We love you and miss you and hope to see you again soon! XOXO

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!! WE LOVE YOU!!

~Your PROUD daughter