Memorial Weekend

This past weekend was a BLAST!  I mean really...I can't remember when Chris and I did anything fun for Memorial weekend.  His wonderful aunt and uncle invited us out to their house.  They live out at Possum Kingdom.  Chris has been out there before but it was a first for Miss H and I.

On the drive there we were reminded of the horrible FIRES that spread across the area last year.  It was so weird to look at the hills of trees...some as alive as nothing happened, others chard and trying to regrow.  The neighborhood where his aunt and uncle live was hit pretty hard.  Actually one whole side of the neighborhood was just ashes...still.  You would look and think it was all rocky and such, but really it was the ash left behind from where a house once was.  All of this was just so sad, but yet you could see all the new progress of rebuilding and regrowing life.

We were so lucky to not only spend time with his aunt and uncle but his two cousins and family too.  I loved getting to be with the girls (Becca, Wendy, and Robin) and relax all day.  Okay well as relaxed as you can be with a 4 month old.  Miss H loved getting to play with Carson too.  Carson celebrated his first birthday while we were there.  What a fun little monkey party he had.  The guys got to enjoy a wonderful WiNdY round of golf too.   The weekend went way too fast...as most do!  I am so glad we ventured out there for the weekend.  Thanks Wendy and Jimmy Joe for the wonderful time.

Here are our many pics..... Did I mention Miss H even got to enjoy her first swim in their pool.  Day one of  testing the water was NOT successful...she SCREAMED! She wouldn't even let me stand next to the pool holding her.  But by day 2 she was in the water enjoying life.

Day one....I was just sitting next to the water.  She was not even touching it!!!  

 Day 2 much happier!

 Oh geezzz me and my "mom" swimsuit please ignore that! But our attempt at a family pic, Miss H was not participating. 

 She had to watch the water the whole time she was in there.  She is such a little analyzer. 

 The family with the birthday boy!

 The cute monkey cupcakes Becca created from Wendy's cupcakes

Carson with his cupcake......mmmm....

 Just some pics of the family with Miss H!

Miss H enjoying the outdoors after swimming!!  Hope you all had a wonderful holiday too. 

Visitors...

This week and weekend we were vey busy.  I'm sure you could tell since I was a couple of days late with Miss H's monthly update. To begin our busy week Chris' sister Melissa was in town.  Sadly she was here for work purposes and they kept her very, very, very busy.  But we did manage to squeeze in 2 trips to see her.  I wish we could have spent longer with her but she was in meetings from 8 am til 5 or later...poor her.  Nothing is worse than a vacation but not getting and free time. Anyway, Tuesday we managed to head over to Dallas and had dinner with her and Whitney (his other sister who lives here).  It was so great getting to catch up with her.  Then on Sunday night we got to enjoy dinner again with her but also with Chris' aunt and uncle who live close by.  I loved letting Miss H see all her family.  Chris' aunt and uncle had not seen her since she was born so that was fun.  We had the best time....I'm just sad Melissa and her family live all the way up in MAINE!!

Then my dearest of friends from college is getting married next month!  Mom, Abby, and I helped host her wedding shower here in town.  That means Queen Tia and Prima Little Bear came to visit for the weekend!!  WOO WOOO!!  Mom came in on Thursday to help gather things for the shower.  Queen Tia and prima couldn't come till Little bear got out of school.  It was "clay" day at school and she didn't want to miss her opportunity to work with her clay project.  I totally get that! But once everyone got here we had a very busy weekend.  We spent all of Saturday in Dallas.  Man was it a long day for Miss H but she was a very good trouper.  We did some shopping and lunch before the shower. (I'll have shower pics later thy are on Abby's camera)

Then after the shower we of course had to visit American Girl!  Little Bear had something she needed fixed...plus she loves that store!  I was very shocked when we only walked out with one item!!  All though she is eyeing a new baby bringing her total baby doll count to like 46 when she gets it!  I think that would be like 8 American Girl babies too.  Finally to top off our busy night we ate with my sister and mother's good friends who live in the area.  WHEEWWW! Long day but so much fun!

Miss H is 4 months

Harper you are FOUR months old!   

This month you weigh 13.11 pounds.  You are now about 25 inches long! You are a growing girl and we couldn't be happier.  The Dr. said you are still keeping a  beautiful and round head.  You are still wearing size 1 diapers. 

Here are a few things you are really loving this month:

Smiling: You are still such a great smiler.  I love that when other people talk to you you let out the cutest smile!  It's your way of saying hello.  You are such a great little smilier...I don't know many babies that wake up with such a huge grin.  I love that you are the happiest girl around. 

Talking: Let's just say you are not shy about it.  You are a talker baby.  You can talk and talk to anything from me to your toys.  I love to hear all your new noises you are making.  You have the sweetest voice around.  I can even catch you talking or making coo'ing sounds in your sleep.  It is probably the cutest thing ever...and a sweet sound to hear over the monitor.

Awareness:  You are now very aware of what is going on around you.  You have become aware when other people hold you...sometimes your not 100 percent sure but normally you go to anyone.  Not only are you aware of the people around you...but you have found a new person in our house.

WINSTON: You now are fully aware that you have a brother dog.  You love to watch him roam around.  You have even begun reaching for him.  Sometimes if he lays too close you can grab him...he is still pretty sure you are cool, but I worry that soon he will realize you are going to be after him!  I think you will be the best of friends.  Winston is very protective of you, he dislikes it when other dogs come near. 

Sleep: Welcome to your CRIB in your BEDROOM!!  Yes, sweet baby girl mommy has moved you out to your room.  You sleep pretty good. Most nights you sleep about 5 1/2 hours for the first stretch.  Then you need a little snack and back to sleep.  You normally only wake up 2 times at night!  Your mommy is happy you are a good sleeper.     We have got a nice little night time routine going so bed time is pretty good.  Naps are going well.  You typically take 3 but on days we are busy our out and about you get a solid 2.  No matter if you have a nap or not you are a sweet baby! We couldn't be more blesses.

Your hands:  You are still so in love with your hands.  Not only are you a pro at getting them in your mouth this month.  You have become so skilled with your hands.  You can now find the toy you want and get it to your mouth with ease.  It is crazy to watch how quick and easy grabbing toys is now that you are bigger. Not only do you love to grab toys...but Mommy's hair still proves to be your constant hold.  If I am holding you, you are holding my hair.  I have to warn people when holding you to watch their hair!

Your legs:  You LOVE to STAND on your little legs.  You really like to be held up so you can stand and talk.  You have become such a pro that we have introduced the saucer!  You really enjoy standing and playing with all the toys around you.  You have even mastered a few.  

TOES: Guess who found their toes this week!  Yep you have found them and are trying to master the toe in mouth move.  It is so cute to watch you sit and hold those toes.  Now if only you could figure out the easiest way to get them in your mouth.  Bath time will never be the same between you trying to eat your toes and the kicking and splashing that now goes on.  Yes, you realized if you kick your feet in the water....it splashes everywhere, it's pretty cute.

Rolling over: Yes mama, you have learned to roll over.  You can roll from your back to your tummy.  Rolling over and your first night in your crib all happened on the same day.  You are a busy little one.  The first time your rolled over you did not like it...you cried.  Not sure if you cried because you were shocked to be on your tummy....or if mommy and daddy's yelling of excitement scared you.  But now you can roll over and not be so sad.  You still are not doing it all the time, but you do roll over at least 1-3 times a day.  

GIGGLE:  You had your first giggle this month...man was it cute!  You are such a cute little giggle girl.  I can't get enough of it.    

Things you are almost doing:

Crunch time: You are still trying like crazy to sit up.  You have gotten much better at it.  If you are leaned on a pillow now you can pull yourself up...but quickly fall to the side.  In your car seat you try to sit it up when just chilling out.  

You are almost saying words with mmmmaaaa and daaaa's...Every once and a while I will hear a mama or da in your talking.  However, you mostly make cute coo's and such cute sounds.  I know soon enough you will be saying daa daa like a crazy woman!

Food:  Thank heavens your Dr. and I are on the same page...ha ha ha!  Well anyways, no need to be trying baby food until 6 months.  This made your mommy so happy...I'm just not ready for you to be big enough for food.  Thank you Dr. Mercer for not pushing food until 6 months...

You had a few FIRST this month! 

• You slept in your room!
• You rolled over and giggled
• You found your toes. 
• Your first Rangers game.
• Your first visit from your Aunt Melissa.  
• Your first hotel stay! 
•   





Auntie Melissa

• You had a few 2nd's this month too! You had your 2nd car trip.  You slept the whole way to Austin what a great little trooper.  Then you had your 2nd visit to see your Queen Tia, Uncle B, Prima Ems, and Primo B.  We surprised them...and man where they shocked! 

Your favorite toy is Sophie:  

I think you love her because she is easy to move around, squeaks, and taste pretty good! We don't leave the house without her.

Your also loving your blankees.  You love to hold them and pull them up to your face.  You always travel with your blankee, it keeps you company in your car seat.  When you are super tired and can't fall asleep mom will let you hold your blankee (but quickly steals it away once you are asleep...no sids here)

I feel like this month was a big one.  You hit many huge milestones and have only continued to grow.  I know you are going to be 1 before I can even blink and that makes mommy so sad.  (don't worry I've already started planning her birthday) I have loved every month thus far, but can tell that these next few months are going to super fun.  Daddy loves playing with you now.  He can always get a smile out of you even if you are hungry or tired.  You just love your daddy...and have him wrapped around that pinky already!  The Dr. told us you couldn't be more perfect and well we pretty much agree.  I know I say this every month, but your an amazing baby!  I don't know many 4 babies that travel or go with the flow as well as you.  We love you all the way to god and back!

And for the monthly comparison....

3 months

Oh heavens...

Ever have one of those days?  You know a day that you wish would just end and you could start fresh...well I did this week.  My day was Thursday!  This past week was actually very challenging in different ways.  Miss H was fussier than normal at the beginning of the week, then Thursday topped it off!

Let me set the scene: Wednesday night I was cleaning up the house getting things ready for Miss H to go to bed.  Chris was holding her so I could finish up a few things...then it was off to bed for all of us.  Well, Bob (our cat for those of you who don't know her...yes her) was prancing around Miss H's room with me as I put up some laundry.  Next thing I know WINSTON is in full force sprint to attack poor Bob.  Did I mention they still after almost 2 years are not BBFs.  Winston wants to bark and play with Bob and Bob wants to have nothing to do with him.  As he is charging at her he slides on the wood floor and hurts his leg....(insert loud yelping from dog here).  I stop screaming at Winston to not attack Bob and pick him up as fast as I can.  Then yell to Chris for help....well he has Miss H.  I say lay her on the floor.  It is then that we have to pop Winston's knee back in place.  Now we have a pup who is only using 3 legs....just great!

On to Thursday: I already had a vet apt for Bob at 2 so I told Chris he would have to deal with the Winston issue... I mean I can't do dog, baby, and cat all at once!  He took Winston in the am and left him to be seen by a dr when they were free.  Our vet is pretty popular so we often do this.  Miss H and I get up and begin our day, which started out lovely!  Come lunch time we met up with Chris who said Winston had to have x-rays...I figured as much.  Then said they would call him back when we should go chat with the dr about it.  After lunch Miss H and I run some quick errands and head home.  Once home we get notice that the house is going to be shown at 3.  No problem we will probably still be at the vet with Bob.  We already had a showing at 6 that night so it would all work out right?

1:30 arrives and I speak to the vet, they want to chat about Winston when we come at 2 for Bob's visit.  Great now we will have all animals and baby at the vet at the SAME TIME!!  Thankfully Chris randomly drops by the house I tell him he as to go too so we can talk about Winston's knee.  He was fine with that but had a meeting at 2:30 he had to be at.

2:00 we arrive at vet and I ask if we can chat about Winston first since Chris had to leave.  Sure no problem...Well we get in find out that poor Winston is going to need some major knee surgery (cha ching cha ching cha ching).  However, it is not immediately needed just some time soon.  Basically his tendon no long sits on top of the knee bone and they need to cut it deeper so it can sit back in there.  Needless to say his knee will pop in and out till we get it fix.  GREAT! He is only 3 years old, really!!
Bob's check up goes much quicker.  Then we head out to pay and they go to get Winston for us.  Chris realizes he really needs to leave because it is now 2:30.  So he is paying and we hear.....the dreaded noise from Miss H.  You know that noise that occurs when major pooping is going on.  I say oh no she is pooping. Chris is like well it will have to wait for a moment.  Next thing you know......I look down to no longer see her cute little leg but poop everywhere!

This poop-tasterfe is worse than the car blow out...and it just kept coming.  Great now I have Miss H in her car seat that is now covered in poop.  Bob in her kennel in the bottom of the stroller and Chris holding Winston on his leash.  But Chris had to leave!  I looked at Chris and said this CAN NOT WAIT!

Bob, Miss H and I hit the bathroom quick....I try cleaning up the poop mess as best as I can in as little time as possible.  Of course Miss H is just enjoying life and not really helping out as I was trying to hurry.  You know she is putting her legs out straight not bending them, or keeping them bent not letting me wipe her up.  It was a DISASTER in there...Bob just meowing away in the stroller and Chris talking with me through the women's bathroom door.  I threw paper towels in the car seat buckled her up then we were out.  Now to drive home with a dog, cat, and poopy baby!  Oh and guess what time it was now almost 3.  Do you remember what was happening at 3 at my house....A SHOWING!  I rush home and as I pull up to the house it occurs to me- I THREW MISS H"S PANTS AWAY IN THE TRASH AT THE VET......no I did not mean to, I was in such a rush everything on the changing table went in the trash...PANTS included!  AHHHH

No time to worry about that I had to get the animals in the house and Miss H semi cleaned up before the people arrived to see the house.  3 trips into the house and all animals and people are inside... Now to clean up the car seat and Miss H before the people arrive.  First things first get the car seat pad out and in the wash to soak.  Number one rule to getting baby poop out: wash off poop and soak asap.  Then to Miss H's room for a baby wipe bath and a new outfit!  All of this is done as I keep looking out the window for the people.  If there was a camera in our house I am sure someone would have had a blast watching this whole ordeal go down!  Geeze....Finally I got the wash machine full, poopy car seat pad soaking,  baby cleaned, and back in her car seat ready to leave.  As I open the door to walk out...the people pull up.  Perfect timing!  I apologize for just leaving and welcome them in.....Now I can finally worry about THE PANTS!

Miss H in her cleaned up seat with a new outfit ready to go, again! 

Miss H and I truck back up to the vet, thankfully some where in that mess I did talk with Chris.  He called the vet and asked if they could look for her poopy pants.  HA but they enjoyed that phone call.  We walk back in and sure enough the nice nurse had found them and pulled them out.  That was probably the best part of the who ordeal.  I didn't have to dig in the trash full of poo to find the pants covered in poo.  Bless her heart for doing that! Next stop for Miss H and I was HAPPY HOUR!  Yes, this breastfeeding mommy needed a DRINK after all that!  My 1 glass of wine was so delightful and much needed.  That is only the 2nd time I have had an adult beverage since Miss H was born...and man was that time worth it!  I am thankful for a few things on the AWFUL day!  1) That we still have the car seat coushin in our car seat as it took the poop and not the car seat it's self 2) I have dear friends who will meet me on a moments notice for a drink and chatting 3) that Miss H is so easy going when messes like this occur!

Mother's Day

Wow I can't believe it was exactly a year ago from this holiday that we found out we were going to have our sweet baby.  Yes, last Mother's day was the day I found out I was pregnant....crazy to think back at that now! You can read about that here.

Now here I sit with the most yummy little girl in the world.  I couldn't be blessed with a sweeter baby every. I am truly lucky to be the mother to Miss H.  She shows me the true meaning to life...and I am so thankful for that.

To my mom: Thanks for helping me become the woman I am.  Thanks for showing me that women can do anything.  I hope that I can be as amazing to Miss H as you are to me.  I am so thankful we get to spend so much time together now in our retired life!  I love you and can't wait to celebrate with you next weekend!

Surprise trip to EC

I love this picture of them loving on their cousin.

Mom and I had pretty much done all the shopping we could do at the Country Living fair, so Sunday we packed up and headed out.  Originally we were going to just head back to my house, but soon plans changed.  Mom mentioned going to my sisters....so I looked to see how far or close we were.  My sister lives 4 hours from me, so I was thrilled to see that we were only about 2 hours from her house.

Now the problem was...Abby's family was on a cruise and returning that day.  I told mom that the ship would dock early because it would want to leave with new people that evening.  Sure enough as we were just wrapping up packing my sister calls.  She said we are back!!!  Mom and I planned to surprise them.  Then she and the kids began the pressure....hey your close why not come see us, we haven't seen Miss H in forever, the kids want to see you auntie....and on and on it went.  I kept telling them we needed to finish shopping but would call back around 5 when the event ended.

Mom, Miss H, and I all headed out.  Of course the drive there Miss H did not sleep one single bit...she was a little fussy.  But hey who can blame her she has been traveling all over Austin and the Travis Expo center for the past 2 days!  Also my phone kept going off with text from Abby and my brother in law.  I just kept telling them that we were shopping and we would see later on.  The funny thing is my bil texted litterally 10 minutes before we arrived at their house in EC.  I gave him some bs about mom buying something...and on we went.

When we arrived we snuck in the back yard.  Then I had to do some handy doggy door work...stuck my arm in to unlock the back door.  Man were they SHOCKED when we came busting in!  Everyone was super excited. We loved visiting them.  Our stay was not as long as we would have liked, but they will be here next weekend!  After 2 days in EC we headed back home....thus ending our tour of Texas and putting us back home for some routine in Miss H's world!

Miss H just playing away not sleeping on the drive

They couldn't wait for her to wake up to play with her.

Cousin B got lots of time with Miss H because it was not his school day

Enjoying breakfast with Little Bear before she heads to school

Miss H and I with my sister and baby noodle! 

Miss H kissing her soon to be cuz baby noodle

Cuz B putting a tower on Miss H's butt to knock off..

Daddy so happy to have his baby home!