Pizza Anyone??

Let me start by saying, life with our baby girl has been anything but dull. Yesterday Pete and I decided that we would start a little Sunday family tradition (first mistake right there- can't start traditions when your only family member is 7 weeks old;)- I should have known. So, brace yourself: our first family thing was going to be not ONLY going to church all together, BUT to ALSO try going to lunch afterwards. Oh ya... we were reaching big with this new idea ;), but maybe we reached TOO far......

So, Pete and I begin to get ready for church (giving ourselves 1 1/2 hours to get dressed and feed Harper). NOT enough time... I was doing make-up in the car and we were STILL 10 minutes late! Regardless, we got there and mass was smooth sailing- Harper LOVES the music at church- puts her right to sleep!

You're reading this thinking, everything sounds great to me... and that's exactly as we thought too so we tried Sunday tradition part 2: lunch. We got there and Harper was due to eat soon after so I went to the ladies room to change her before her bottle. I get in there and am already grossed out by I am SURE the disgusting amount of germs in there, but tried to man up- Harper needs fresh pants! Well... she is poopy so I take care of that when she starts peeing everywhere... I mean the fountain is just a coming up and over the diaper, onto her adorable church clothes and saturating the diaper pad below.... grr. No big deal, I change her into the only extra thing I brought: pjs and clean up, pack up, and return to the table. My wonderful husband ;) offers to feed her so I can eat, so I begin... and we're on bite 3 when there is a massive explosion.... in Harper's pants.... and then another one.... and THEN another one. LOVELY, but no problem we can go right back to the bathroom.... but wait I have NO diapers (yes, mom of the year... still in training:)). So, without a clean diaper our first Sunday tradition would have to be cut short. We asked for a to-go box for the pizza (which had only had 3 bites taken out of it), paid our bill, and were on our way... with Harper not so happy at having to sit on her own garbage- NOT how she thinks a lady should be treated :(- sorry sweetheart!!!

And THEN...

.... we pull out toward a stop sign before turning on our road when the car in front of us starts backing up slowly and laying on his horn. What in the world???? He continues to back up until HE is now behind us, waving his arms, pointing to our car, and mouthing something.... but Pete just brushes it off, pulls up to the stop sign looking to make sure we weren't rolling over glass or anything. Then the guy just LAYS on his horn, gets out of his car and comes over to us. Pete decides we better acknowledge this guy now... he looks to mean business. That's when we realized, after this guy had walked alllll the way over, that he had been TRYING to tell us there was a box of PIZZA on the roof of our car.... I was SO embarrassed but what a good Samaritan: Thank you kind sir for saving our lunch!!!

Needless to say, all was well again as soon as my face regained its true color after turning 3 shades of red, we got home, scraped the poop from Harper's bottom, legs, and back (oh ya- got to love it), and I diligently stocked the diaper bag with LOTS of diapers and wipes.... never again, never again... oh, I'm SURE it will happen again ;)

A couple pictures from our "Staycation"

(you know, instead of vacation- ha- ya, I'm a dork).

We really enjoyed our time with Daddy home ALL week!! It was wonderful to see Pete's parents- thank you Tom & Darla for helping make us a beautiful kitchen table!!! It was also wonderful to enjoy allllll the home-cooked meals from Peter Lee's kitchen... geesh am I going to miss all that good cookin' when he is back to work!!

Another Adventure with Emma

Another once upon a time.... according to our dog, Emma.

Today, we decided since the rainy weather has temporarily subsided, that we would clean and organize our garage!

Well, we had the access door from the laundry room to the garage open and of course the garage door was open as we took things out to the driveway. Well, Emma I THOUGHT was asleep inside the house. So, after a couple hours of cleaning we came into the house and Pete's phone was beeping. He checked to see he had a voicemail from HomeAgain (the lost pets company) telling us that a family in Arkansas had found our dog.... EEEK! Pete was like, where in the world?? Anyway, we looked on my phone and sure enough there was a message from a family a few blocks away who had found Emma. Get this: she walked a few blocks away into our neighborhood into a stranger's living room! They were moving and turned around to find Emma in their living room- lovely.... I was so embarrassed! I was so glad I had the HomeAgain and name tags around Emma's neck... as who KNOWS where she would have ended up!!!

Well, Pete and I drove over to get there and the woman couldn't have been nicer, although I turned bright red as Emma is literally DRAGGING this poor woman toward our car on her leash.... my goodness! As we were talking, and I was giving a million thank yous, they told me they thought Emma had come from Joplin, MO where that devastating tornado was as she still had her Missouri rabies tag on- they fed her and gave her water- holy cow I just couldn't hardly believe it!!!!

Needless to say, Emma is home safe and SUPER muddy from her Arkansas adventure and I just can't stop lovin' on her- feel like she was lettin' us know she feels left out since Harper has been home... but ultimately, HOW did she get past Pete, myself, and Pete's parents and wander down the street....

...I guess that will be a mystery ;)

Harper Meets Grandpa & Grandma!

This week Harper got to meet her Grandpa & Grandma Lee!!!! She was so excited to meet her other relatives! Pete and I were so grateful that they took the time and energy to come down here and visit with us: what a fun week!!!

It was so funny to watch Darla as she realized just HOW much our little girl is JUST like her son- from her eyes, to her mouth, to the goofy faces she makes- my daughter is ALL her Daddy!!!

Harper got a little something new! She is awake more and more these days, so this play gym helps to keep her stimulated and also gives Mommy and Daddy a chance to "play" with her in any way we can!! She really seemed to like it!!

A little time with Grandpa.... do you think she's enjoying her time with him???? I think... YES!

Harper and Daddy enjoying some time in the sun- Ha!

Although we did see a little sun this week, it was a little crazy with the thunderstorms and tornados all around us. We were blessed that here we just saw a few crazy thunderstorms, but couldn't believe the tragedy in Joplin, MO only a few miles away.... our thoughts and prayers are with all of those families trying to find their way in this catastrophe....

Thank you so much, Tom & Darla, for the wonderful visit. We appreciate all your love and "handy man-ness" of your visit.... can't wait to see you all again in a couple months!!!!!

A Special Visit...

My mom and sister made the 10 hour long drive down to good 'ol Arkansas so Harper's other aunt, Abby, could meet Harper for the first time! It was so fun to introduce Abby to her niece... I think she learned a few things:

Newborns are NOT born with teeth, therefore they cannot snack on Goldfish crackers or cereal between meals- major bummer ;)...

they cannot crawl or get up and move....

they burp and toot A LOT- not so cute...

it's really not a good idea to paint her fingernails...

but they CAN make funny faces and still be entertaining ;)

Abby- THANK YOU for all the laughs... I loved it!!!!

"Only an aunt can give hugs like a mother,

keep secrets like a sister,

and share love like a friend."

Abby was a baby whisperer: morning feeding withOUT spit up- whohooo!!

little up close and personal with Miss Harper... i love those glistening lips ;)

Cuddle time with Aunt Abby

Harper was read her first bedtime story...

The Cat in the Hat

by Dr. Suess

(a vintage copy Abby had bought for me when I first started teaching... Daddy picked it out as it is one of his all time favorites. It was pretty cute to watch them together :))

Thank you Abby for a wonderful, but TOO SHORT trip- you were great to Harper and I loved catching up!!! Thank you, Mom for the new goodies for Harper and for yet again being AMAZINGLY supportive....

I love you both so much!!!

5 Weeks Old!!!

Harper is 5 Weeks Old!!!

We can't believe it's already been over a month!! Life with Baby Girl has definitely been a learning experience, but SO fun!!! This week was quiet, but even then, we still have some moments to share ;):

Yep- this is still my favorite! Wish I taped this moment so you could hear the cooing/grunting that's going on: she's a little bear cub, but so far her coo-grunt= contentment so I'm cool with it ;)

Pete is convinced that even when she's 12 I'll still be trying to cuddle with her on my chest. I say, "Hopefully I won't be forcing her to cuddle with her Momma... I'm sure she'll have an attitude by then and she'll think I'm gross"... ok, that makes me tear... lets hold off on the teenage attitude for as loooooong as possible!

Cuddle time with Daddy...

it's funny- she can be fussy as can be but he picks her up and talks to her and POW- she is out!

I was SOOOOOO excited about this- she was asleep in her crib.....

ya- she lasted 4 MINUTES in there!!!!!! First she decided she does NOT like to be swaddled (you would be so proud, Shawn ;)) and then decided sleeping by herself was just not cool....

....as soon as she got to Mommy and Daddy's bed she was out- just needed some Mommy sniffs I think ;)

Even still- I WILL win at getting her to sleep in her crib- I WILL, I WILL, I WILL ;)

(hopefully before she's out of diapers- ha!)

and YES I did move her right back to her bed as soon as she was asleep- I'm trying not to spoil her TOO much!

and THIS my friends is how you know when Harper is happy and full

head back, mouth open, signal grunting.... oh ya, that's the stuff ;)

Last but not least, some sniffs for Mommy. I can still manage to get her baby Harper smell.. over the smelly iron formula smell and everything- LOVE HER!!

1 Month Old

I can't believe my baby is 1 month old today!!! It has been a crazy, exhausting, and rewarding month; wouldn't change a moment for anything. Harper has taught us a thing or two about newborns: they grunt pretty much non stop, are their own timers (she's up every 3 hours on the dot), and just really prefer to be held all day long ;)- maybe these are just Harper things... even so, it has been fun to learn her!

Below are a few pictures from today. We met up with a few ladies that I work with... we all had babies within 6 weeks of each other (ya, the school was going a little crazy trying to cover 4 maternity leaves at one time- oops, hehe!!) But back to the kids...definitely don't think they have any choice then to be friends- pretty sure there will be a few play dates in their future;).

My 2011 Angel

Harper just hanging with the boys

She just loved laying out on the blanket- lounging in the sun

The four of us with our little ones... thank you girls for a fun morning!!!

Last but not least, we started tummy time this week...

ya- someone decided it was a good time to take a nap- hehe!

A Week of Firsts...

This past Friday, Harper turned

3 Weeks Old!!

It has been a week of firsts....

First week Mommy & Daddy took care of Harper all on their own

(ahhh- this means no Mom to bail me out!!!! We didn't have too many meltdowns... and for the most part LOVINGLY ;) helped each other learn the first beauties of parenthood: spit-up, blow outs, more spit up, and unknown causes of fussiness mixed with sleep deprivation)

First playdate- mommy (I mean Harper ;)) had 2 play dates with friends!

First real bath- High five for Harper finally losing her umbilical cord... I was SOOOO excited not only about no longer needing to alcohol wipe her little "worm" but more importantly about a real big girl bath!!

A few snapshots from Week 3 with little Miss Harper...

I'm Three Weeks Old today... and crackin' a sleepy smile

Harper's very FIRST play date

Tynison came over to spend the afternoon with Harper- ya, they're going to be best buds ;)

Her First Bath!

You can't tell too much from the pictures, but she was so relaxed (she would have smiled if she did those things... hehehe)- I think she may be a waterbaby just like her mommy!!!

I've dubbed this our favorite... I just love her cuddled up on my chest

...ya, ya I may be spoiling her, but this is my one thing I just don't think I'm willing to give up anytime soon!

Playdate Numero 2!

Ryann is SUCH a big help with baby Huh-puh (that is totally how she says it;)- can't get enough of listening to Ryann talk! She was so sweet- wanted to hold Harper's bottle, hold her hand, rub her head, and even tried to get her to play with her toys- so cute!!!

Well, week one of Mommy & Daddy doing their duties with baby girl all on their own was a success- baby is still alive and doing well ;). We are loving and LEARNING parenthood, but wouldn't change it for the world- ya.... sleep is over rated;)

I hope you all have a wonderful week!!