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.

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.

A Christmas Style Boutique Bow

I've ordered a few bows for Harper off Etsy, but I've really wanted to learn how to make boutique style bows. So I found this blog - she has videos on You Tube on how to make all different kinds of bows. For my first boutique bow I tried I used pinks, greens and reds to make a Christmas bow for Harper. I think it turned out well for my first one of this kind! Anyway - check out her blog and videos on You Tube to learn how to make these bows. They are pretty easy!

Harper's Birth Story

It occurred to me I never shared how Harper graced us with her presence. The week before labor day weekend I had been having some high blood pressure numbers and what I considered pretty bad swelling in my ankles. I had kind of a bad feeling about what the doctor would say about me teaching (I was only two weeks into my new school year)...so I put off calling the doctor until Thursday afternoon. She wanted to see me. Friday afternoon I took a half day and went to see my doctor. The nurse came in, blood pressure was high, very high - she had me lay down for 15 minutes in the dark - the doctor came in, blood pressure was even higher. She told me that was it - no more work for me. Some people may love the idea of bed rest - not me. I wanted to use all my maternity leave for AFTER Harper was born - not before. You see, I was still 4 weeks from my due date and the idea of laying around my house big and pregnant for 4 weeks wasn't real appealing to me. So I followed the doctor's orders and went straight home (NOT). I went to school - I had to get things in order before I left for good. Lucky for me, I'm a planner and I had pretty much prepared almost everything my sub needed already.

I laid around the house all weekend - taking my blood pressure twice a day just like the doctor ordered. Sunday evening I started having elevated numbers. I called the doctor and she told me I better go in to the hospital to make sure the baby was ok. This was 11 o'clock. Got to the hospital and after about an hour and a half my blood pressure went down and they told me we could go home. We got home to a confused Samson around 1:30.

We were pretty tired.

Then at 5:50 I wake up. To my water breaking - although at the time I wasn't sure that was what it was. So I called the doctor again - back to the hospital. So at 6:30 that morning the nurse told me I was going to have a baby today, on Labor Day. Crazy I know. In LABOR on Labor Day. You have no idea how many times I heard that that day.

Harper graced us with her presence at 9:14 that evening, after a long day for Mom and Dad. She was amazing from the moment we saw her. Will was so proud of his little girl - they even stamped her foot print on his hand.

I'll never forget that day and I can't wait to share it with her one day. I love our little girl.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween - from our front porch to yours!

Harper's Nursery

So when Baby Harper made her arrival four weeks early - I hadn't posted pictures of her room yet. So now you get to see the slightly lived in version. Here is the door hanger my friend Katie made for Harper. It has all her birth stats on it and hangs outside on her door.

Remember the bow holder I made this summer?
This part of the room still needs a little work. I need to buy a few more picture frames and reorganize the shelf. I was going to get around to that in the last few weeks before she was born - but she had a different plan : )

Changing station

Another shot of the changing area.

Crib Area

Another shot of this corner of the room.

Chair and window area.

These are two things that my grandma had made that were passed down to me. I decided to frame them and put them up in Harper's room.

I hope you enjoyed your small tour of Harper's room! I think she is one lucky girl.

Our Beautiful Baby Girl - 3 Weeks

Happy 3 Week Birthday Baby Girl Harper

Happy Birthday Harper Lynn

Harper Lynn Hubbard - born 9/5 - weighing in at 6 pounds 4 ounces and 20.25 inches long. She is beautiful and we are in love.

Auburn Newborn Tutu

In honor of yesterdays Auburn win, I decided to start making Harper's Auburn tutu. I had bought the tulle a while back and just had not gotten around to starting it yet. I followed this tutorial. It was pretty easy and only took me about an hour and a half. Harper will now be ready for all the game days this football season (whenever she decides to maker her debut) and also she will wear this for when my friend Katie does Harper's photo shoot after she is first born.

Bird Room Wall Project

So Harper's room kind of has a theme - it's birdies. I fell in love with the Penelope birdie bedding from Pottery Barn Kids when my friend Megan was pregnant and I was in the store buying part of her crib bedding. I always said, if I get pregnant and have a girl and they still have this bedding then I am buying it for my baby girl.
Well, I did get pregnant...and found out I was having a girl...so, naturally I registered for the birdie bedding. I just love it. It's girlie, but not super girlie. We have tried to do a lot of things in the room in greens too, so if our next child is a boy - I can do the dino themed room I have always dreamed of for a little boy.
Awhile ago I had seen this artwork that someone had done on some website (probably Etsy) that went along with the Pottery Barn Kids Penelope bedding. Well, I decided to make my own. I needed something to go above the changing table. So last night, after we hung Harper's curtains and sheers, I was standing in the room staring at the blank walls. I'd been picking up lots of little things for the walls in the last few months that I thought would match. I was walking around holding things up on different walls and trying to decide where to put what. That was when I remembered the birdie art.
So today I ventured out, bought two pretty basic espresso frames and purchased an assortment of scrap paper from Michaels. Then tonight - I got to work - I crafted some pretty simple birdie art for above Harper's changing table. Will worked hard on hanging some things I had already purchased on the walls. Now, I have only two walls, I mean, projects left.

Sneak peak of part of Harper's room...I'll post lots of pictures when the whole thing is done.

Our First Child

Ok, so Harper isn't our first child.

Samson was our first"baby". It's not a secret that I'm a dog lover - - and I LOVE this dog. And, even though I don't think he would ever admit it, I've turned Will into a dog lover too. He loves Samson as much as I do. We love lounging in bed with Sam on Saturday mornings. He waits for the invitation from Will and then jumps into bed and lays on Will's chest to get scratched and get his belly rubbed.

People keep saying that once the baby comes your dog does not matter anymore. Well, I know that nothing will probably be like my love for Harper - but I could never imagine Samson not mattering anymore. Every time I go into Harper's room to wash something or put something away, Samson follows me in and curiously walks the perimeter of the room. After a few minutes of rolling around in the center, he finds his way under her crib and lays down. This week I was putting something away in the closet, so naturally the door was open. I turned around and saw Sammy, sitting very sweetly in an empty bin in the bottom of her closet. He sat in there for about 3-5 minutes (long enough for me to snap a few sweet pictures of him) - sniffing her clothes that hung above him and trying to steal a toy or two out of her toy bin.

I know that my love for Harper will never be the same after she is born, but I can only imagine I will grow to love this little man, my first baby, even more as I see how much he loves her already just by watching him in her room. I'm sure Will and I will get lots of laughter, and even frustration, watching Sammy adjust to life with Harper - but I know that Samson will always have a special place in our hearts.

Harper's Baby Shower

I was so lucky this past weekend to have a dream baby shower. It was literally everything I could have ever asked for. My sisters, Mandy and Julie and my best friend, Megan, hosted a spectacular shower. It was perfect. I was so lucky to receive many beautiful and generous gifts. I got a good mix of cutsie girl clothes and accessories and practical things that every mom needs. I even got my diaper bag (which I LOVE). Enjoy the pictures of Harper and my special day.

Mailbox Decor

Front Door Decor - Adorable Wreath with "H" onsie for little Miss Harper

Close Up of Harper's Onsie

Shower Invitation on Display

Julie, Me, Mandy

Kerns and Me

Me in front of a few of the gifts...I wish I would have taken a picture of all the presents, they were so beautifully wrapped - Harper and I were spoiled. We are very lucky to have such wonderful friends and family. I couldn't be more thankful after this weekend.

Harper, Amelia and Me

Adorable Punch with Pink Ducky Float

Wine Glasses with Baby Girl Charms (for those who could partake in the alcoholic beverages)

Banner Kerns made for Harper with a Cricut Machine

Beautiful Hydrangea's on the Table

Decorations were Everywhere!

Harper and Amelia's Best Friends Onsies (Amelia broke in one of Harper's toys this weekend, so they better learn to share right away!)

Amazing Diaper Cake adorned with Bows, Toys and Hats

Mantel Decorations

Harper wouldn't be my child without some DINO clothes!

Beautiful Door Hanger my friend Katie made for Harper's Door at the Hospital

Again, I can't thank my friends and family enough. Everything was just so perfect. I couldn't ask for a more beautiful shower and generous gifts. Thank you everyone!