A Trip to Remember....

WOW.... what a week in Indy!! It was my last "hurrah" before heading back to work and what better way to spend it then soaking up the sun and fun in the Midwest!

Grandpa + rocker + cool breeze and chirping birds = 1 VERY HAPPY Harper ;)

Looks like Nana has the magic touch too. On our last visit it was my mom's mission to get Baby Girl to sleep in her bed and she was 100% successful. This trip to Indy was filled with it's own mission: get Harper to sleep through the night and OH YA.... she succeeded!!!!! THANK YOU, NANA.... that will make it SO much easier to go back to work tomorrow!!!!

Our main reason for being back in Indy was to baptize our daughter in the church where I completed most of my sacraments and where Pete and I were married! It was so special to us and was a beautiful ceremony!!

Harper's baptismal gown was the O'Connell gown worn not only by my dad and his siblings, but by me and my siblings.... Harper was the 1st great grandchild to wear it- it looked brand new- thank you SOOO much Grandma for letting us carry on the tradition!!!

....and thank you Kessha and Lonnie for being amazing Godparents; you mean so much to Pete and I and we love you so much!!!!

Grandma Wilson with her 32nd great grandbaby ;)

....this was Harper's "afterparty attire" she was DONE with dresses, bloomers, socks, and most of all being hot so off with it all (I did manage to keep her bow and bracelet own- I mean she's still a lady, right?!! :))

Quiet time with Nana...

Later in the week we got to enjoy some pool time, Cambridge City style!!!!! Harper debuted her bikini and we hit the water..... it was WONDERFUL!!!!

So, lately THIS is how Harper is waking up from her naps- LOVE IT!!!!! I think sleeping thru the night and a couple snoozes during the day makes for a happy girl!!!!!

Thank you EVERYONE who we saw and visited with during our time "back home". We had such a blast and Pete and I felt so blessed to see you and introduce you to our baby girl!!!! Thank you so much for everything!!!!

Until next time.....

11 Weeks!!!

Our baby girl is now 11 weeks old!!! I cannot believe it has been just about 3 months since Harper has been in our lives OR that in just a couple short weeks I will be back to work :(.

I have been working on Harper's newborn scrapbook and Pete and I just got lost in the pictures yesterday. It is truly amazing how much she has grown in changed in just these 3 short months!!

A couple things we have learned about our beautiful baby girl ;):

- the girl loves her WARM 5 oz bottles (pretty sure with the next one we'll be introducing room temp. formula; heating it up takes time and if you don't get the temp right... well, you'll likely just see all that EXPENSIVE milk in bubble form as Harper just spits and drools it back at ya- princess does NOT do cold milk :(...)

- clean pants please: no wetness, no gas, no start of a tinkle, and DEFINITELY no poop and when you change her you will ALWAYS get the biggest Harper smile you have ever seen (pretty sure my 3 month old has manners and is just thanking us all :)- hehe)

- a pacifier and a blankie (I mean burp cloth ;)) in hand make for a wonderful sleeping baby- don't leave home without them!!!

- 70's rock is the jam! She can be 30 min past her bottle, hot, WITH a dirty diaper and be happy as a lark in her carseat AS LONG as there is 70's rock playing... this child can NOT be anymore like her father ;)

- Bathtime: her most FAVORITE time of day. If you don't mind a little spit up (never fails) and a soaking wet kitchen floor from all the splashing it is the best time EVER as far as Harper's concerned, but wait.... don't.... take.... me.... out... WAH!!!!!

We have truly enjoyed the time with our little one. She makes Pete and I laugh SO hard and I think we're in awe of her- she's amazing.

Harper received a package from her boyfriend!!!! I LOVE this little romper and so does she- THANK YOU BENJAMIN!!!

Within the past week, the tongue has been getting its work out. If you hold her- yes your arm will be licked, when you dress her- her clothes will be licked, and when she is playing- her arm WILL be licked.... haha

Bathtime fit for a princess! This is Daddy and Harper's nightly "thing" before settling down for her bedtime bottle. It's so cute and Harper loves it SO MUCH!!!

Lastly, a picture from our monthly playdate! Our babies are getting so big!!!

The babies are all wearing the same onesie with the monogram of a little boy from our school who was born right around them. He was diagnosed with a rare degenerative disease shortly after birth and without us knowing, passed away the day this picture was taken. Miller was loved and supported by so many in our community and our hearts and prayers are with his family during this trying time....

What a Week!!!

What a wonderful week!!! Pete was on vacation for a week and we, sort of last minute, decided to "get back to our roots" and surprise our fathers for Father's Day. It was an unbeleivable week filled with cornhole making, good food, good company, and GREAT sleeping ;).

Here are a few pictures from our wonderful week in Indiana:

My friend, Christy's ADORABLE son, Benjamin, sweetly posed with Harper for a picture. She laid out on his lap and he softly combed her hair with his hand.... ya, it was precious!!

Harper was beginning to hit her "overdue nap" mood, but we were able to get a picture together.... LUV YA, Christy!!!

Happy Father's Day to my incredible Dad. You truly are an amazing person and I love you so much....

....pretty sure Harper enjoyed her time with you outside- gotta love those rockers!!! ;)

And to my father-in-law, Tom.....

I know we didn't get a picture (I think I was too excited to surprise you to take them): thank you for all the kindness and love you have shown Pete and I's little family- we love you SO MUCH!!

One of my grandmother's got to meet Harper for the first time!!!! Looks like Harper enjoyed her visit with her great grandmother.....pretty sure Harper would have let her rub her feet all day!

The Generations!!!!

I ACTUALLY captured a little bit of a smile

(it came during the foot rub from her Great Grandmother- I see spa days in this girl's future:))

Harper's smiles have been while she watches us changing her diaper... I know, it's strange- I SWEAR it's because she can see us so well, but it doesn't make it conducive for picture taking... so it may be a little while before we can "capture" the real thing!

This swing has made its way through my 20 year old and 17 year old sisters- ha! Harper LOVED it so much... it was heavenly!

A bottle with Uncle Aaron- he offered and everything!!!!!! I was impressed ;)

Our last stop before returning home was to a wonderful friend's wedding in St. Louis. Our friends, Shawn and Steve, had a beautiful ceremony....

...Shawn is a teacher I worked with when I taught in the infant room at a preschool; so in true infant fashion 'Ms. Cindy' changed Harper's #2 right there in the church.... I know, that's not very classy, but I just COULDN'T miss their vows- HA!

Thank you, Cindy!!!

Some time with the beautiful bride!!

Good times with Great friends!!!! Miss you guys!!!!

Cheers to a great night and a happy couple!!!

Little family pic at the reception. Harper just LOVED it: she politely slept through dinner and was wide awake for the dueling pianos- she seemed to love it!!

The only picture I could get of the happy couple!!! We love you guys- CONGRATULATIONS Shawn & Steve!!!!

Harper was lovin' those pianos (Daddy was showin' her how to dance;))

And to a very special Daddy, Pete, thank you for being such an amazing Daddy. Harper is a lucky girl... she already ADORES you and I am pretty sure, will forever be a Daddy's Girl- we LOVE YOU!!!!

My little chunky muffin was SO great with the car ride!!!! We discovered that 70's music, pacifiers, cool air, and the occasional Panera stop are all we needed for a smooth-sailin' car ride!!! Will it always be this easy?!?!?! Pretty sure that's a negative ;), but we're enjoying its easiness so we can get back to see all the fun in the Midwest!!

Thank you to our families (especially our moms) for helping us pull off this wonderful surprise.... we love you guys and can't wait to see you again soon!!!

Where There's Water.... there's Harper!

Our neighborhood pool FINALLY opened and oh boy.... we were there on opening day armed with tons of diapers, towels, and enough SPF to whiten all the children there!

We got a few people asking, "How old IS she?!" and although they may have thought 9 weeks was a little young, baby girl proved them wrong- she kicked and cooed as long as she was in the water....

I LOVE having a water baby!!!

She liked kicking her legs in the water with Daddy just about as much as she liked licking her bathing suit.. hmmm.... little strange- I think so!

YAAAAA for the water- Baby Girl loved it!

Operation Swim was a success.....

....so, pretty sure we're going to do all the shenanigans again tomorrow ;)

Daddy & Me

The relationship Harper has with her Daddy just steals my heart (and ok... makes me a little jealous ;)) each day.

The child came out as a spitting image of her father and as she grows each and every day, I continue to notice just how much of a Daddy's girl she really is....

She lights up when she hears his voice, and it truly is amazing to watch them together: she just stares up at him as if learning and listening to everything he says... and of COURSE she has only smiled and laughed with Daddy (I promise I'm not jealous at all ;))

So, here are a few captured adorable moments from my favorites together:

"A child may outgrow your lap, but will never outgrow your heart"

With Mommy, this girl can drink her whole bottle and be wide awake....

when Daddy has her, there is a 2 oz max before she is sound asleep in his arms.... :)

Lastly, I was a HUGE wuss when it came to her 2 month shots yesterday (no kidding, I had to go to the waiting room because I was sure I would just burst into tears as soon as that bottom lip pouted out in sadness :(.....).

But, brave Daddy came to the rescue, holding her hands, and comforting her during the dreadful shots.... he was a trooper and couldn't help calling to check on her the rest of the day and holding her for her the rest of the night- so cute!

So, here she is.... with her first band-aids!

As nervous as Pete was to be the Daddy of a little girl, he has been absolutely wonderful with her.... she will forever be his little "Harpster" :) and I truly wouldn't ask for it to be any different....

...don't grow up too fast baby girl!!!!!

Fun with Friends!

Harper had a fun day with friends... pretty sure us Mommies enjoyed ourselves as well ;)

Hi Mommy!

Closest thing we can get to holding hands- hehe

"Mommy, why do these boys keep touching me??"

Seth: "Harper, ready to blow this popsicle stand?"

Harper: "Yep... let's go! Bye, Mommy"

The Pine Crest Crew is getting so big!!!

After a long day of fun in the sun, baby girl is out!!!!

...of course... had to include a weekly shot of her laying on me- ha!

Hope you all are enjoying this beautiful, HOT weather!!!!