Harper's First Birthday

I've been a bad blogger again.  I really try to keep up with this thing.  I like looking back at all my posts from the last few years and seeing how much our family has changed.  Harper turned a year on September 5th.  It's so crazy that she is already over a year old.  I had fun planning her party and finding cute things to do on Pinterest.  Since Harper was born on Labor Day, we decided to just have everyone over for some Labor Day fun.  We kept the party pretty low key, and it turned out really fun!  Harper had more fun watching all the other kids play with her gifts than anything else!

Harper and Mommy in front of her Month by Month Wall

Harper, Mommy and Daddy

Post Fourth

Hello blog world.

I hope you had a wonderful Fourth of July.  The Fourth of July has always been one of my favorite holidays.  As a little girl one of my favorite memories was going to the fireworks tent just outside the St. Louis County line to buy our "illegal" fireworks.  We would put on our own "show" in our backyard.  We never really bought big fireworks, just cones, fountains, spinners and sparklers...bottle rockets - the basics.  I loved watching my dad set them off every year. 

As a teacher, I am lucky that I get to touch on the American Revolution in social studies.  It is my favorite thing to teach about every year in social studies.  I think it is amazing how our country came to be - that those colonists fought for freedom and won it - against all odds. 

Four years ago Will proposed to me on the Fourth and we watched fireworks together on the hill outside our apartment.  It was such a fitting thing on one of my favorite holidays - and it was just so us.  We've had a lot of low key Fourths since then.  Last year I was pretty pregnant and this year Harper was still not old enough to stay up for any large fireworks shows - plus most of them were cancelled anyway with the dry weather we have been having.  I look forward to a few years from now when Harper and I can be in the backyard with our sparklers that her daddy lights for us. 

Harper, Daddy and Mommy

Firecracker Harper (bow made by Mommy)

Every year after the Fourth summer seems to quickly draw to a close.  I  know I have over a month of summer left technically, but by this time I've usually attended several teacher workshops, been up in my classroom and been making stuff for school - NOT this summer - and I'm starting to feel a little nervous about that.  I love being Mom, but I also still love teaching.  So, after I post this, I'm going to make my teacher to do list.  Even if I don't start crossing things off right away, maybe it will help my anxiety about being behind schedule this summer!

Bad, Bad Blogger

I've been bad again in blogger world.  It always happens about this time of the year.  During the summer I get back into it then.  Last summer was full of relaxing at the pool, crafting and getting ready for baby.  This summer has been all about BABY so far.  Harper is enjoying having her mommy home from work.  

Harper turned 9 months last week, hard to believe.  Her 9 month check in with the doctor went well.  She is 20 and some odd ounces, putting her in the 75th percentile for weight.  She is 29 and 3/4 inches tall, which puts her literally off the charts in height.  I guess she'll be tall like her mom and dad.  Harper isn't a fan of textures.  I've been trying to add in finger foods, but she isn't really into anything besides puffs.



Easter came and went since the last time I blogged.

Harper has been enjoying her baby pool and visits to the neighborhood pool too.

Harper and Mommy on my first Mother's Day with her.



Harper and Daddy at the Zoo.

My little Auburn cheerleader.  This outfit was a gift from another Auburn Alum.  It was went to fit her in time for football season, but we had to wear it while it still fit!

My goal is to be better about blogging this summer...

Happy Day

Harper wanted to tell everyone to have a HAPPY DAY! You see Harper has big news, well big in baby world, she is cutting her first tooth. She isn't so happy at night, but during the day she is still her same old self. This first tooth is coming in on the bottom...and I think there will be a second one soon after, based on what I feel under her gums.

We went shopping on Friday for spring/summer clothes, I bought all 9 month sizes. Well, let's just say I don't think the 9 month clothes stage will last long. I thought some of them would be a little big and she could grow into them for summer - but this little chunker proved me wrong. They all fit perfectly, which will give Mommy another excuse to go shopping again in a month or so for the 12 month sizes.

6 Month Flashback

6 months ago tonight I had been a mommy for almost 24 hours. 6 months ago feels so long ago, but also just like yesterday. After 15 hours of being in labor, I was exhausted and out of it, but I still remember meeting this little bundle of joy. She was so beautiful. I remember how proud Will was of her (and of me). It was a very special moment, followed by another very special moment - I enjoyed a Coke on ice. That was the first time I had had a Coke in months (because of gestational diabetes). Harper was born exactly 4 weeks early, on Labor Day - our little premie (although for 4 weeks early not so little at 6 lbs. 4 oz.).

Now Harper is a thriving, happy, 6 month old baby girl. Harper's stats from her 6 month check up yesterday - 26 3/4 inches long (90th percentile in height) and 16.75 lbs. (70th percentile in weight) - pretty good numbers for being born 4 weeks early. It's looking like she'll be tall just like her mom and dad.
We also had a meeting with our Parents as Teachers representative on Sunday. Harper can sit for long periods of time on her own without support. She can pass a small toy from hand to another. She loves to "talk" a lot and she knows her name. It's been so fun watching her change over the last 6 months. I can't imagine how much more she will change before her first birthday.

We love this little princess and are very proud of her.

Flour Sack Towel

I've been out of blogging for a while. Busy with work, baby, house, laundry etc....but I did have time to finish one of my flour sack decorative dish towels tonight while Harper played.

Happy 5 Months Baby Girl

This is Baby Girl Harper at 5 months. Hard to believe she is 5 months old. All day today I kept thinking what my life was like before her. I can't really remember it to be honest. All I know now is our family of four - Samson included of course. Now that Harper is "easier" - sleeping through the night, eating well, etc...I have time (and energy) to just take it all in and enjoy her. Not that I didn't enjoy those early months, but lets face it - interrupted sleep doesn't make for the best Mommy mood ever. Now, I enjoy it all. Every play time, every snuggle, every bottle and every bath. Now I get it. I was never one of those sentimental baby types. I didn't stop and stare at other peoples babies in the grocery store. I thought people who posted picture after picture of their babies on Facebook were annoying. But I get it now. They are your life. Every time I look at her I can't help but think how beautiful and amazing she is. Tonight I was laying on the floor next to her and Samson came and layed in between us. She started squealing with happiness and grabbing at him. He just layed there and put his ears down and let her have fun with him. He "groomed" her feet while she fiddled with his fur. It was the sweetest thing I have ever seen. I'll never forget it. So, moms out there, cuddle with those babies - because we all get how sweet and special they are.