Diaper Bags & what not

Diaper bags, oh so much fun..and oh so heavy! But what do you put in there? I've been asked this a lot lately so I thought I'd share will all my mommy- to-be friends what I keep in mine, and why.

Everything pictured here are must haves for us.

• Lotion : A baby with dry cracked skin is pitiful. We put lotion on Harper Lynn twice a day.
• Changing Pad : Seriously, these are a God send when changing a dirty diaper in a restaurant or in a car, especially in case of little accidents.. [ :
• Nose Wipes: We just started these with HL & we love them! They help us keep her little nose clean, and they smell wonderful!
• Wet Ones (Sanitizer Wipes): I use these to clean off the Changing Pad after each use, enough said.
• Tissues: Handy for Harper & for us. We often use the to wipe her mouth after a bottle.
• Wipes: Of course this is a must have
• Diapers: We keep HL's diapers in a zip lock bag for two reasons. 1) It keeps diapers from floating around in her diaper bag. 2) Its a lot more sanitary.
• Scented Baggies: Also kept in a zip-lock bag, but with a slit cut in it so I am able to pull out one bag at a time. Using these bags when HL has a bm helps reduce the smell. These are also awesome when were on the road!

Notice the Zip-lock bag..I use the crap out of them! Gripe water [helps get rid of hiccups, and tummy trouble], Little Remedies for fever, St. Josephs Gas Relief drops, teething gel.{ I put all of the droppers in a separate bag than I keep the meds in..less sticky.} Diaper rash cream -the white tub is also diaper rash cream but prescription-, Q-tips, Petroleum Jelly - used with the q-tips when HL hasn't had a bm for a few days.

This little pouch is the handiest little thing ever! In this pouch is: A hair brush, another bottle of lotion, baby scissors, nail files, nail clippers, bib, medical dropper (this is just an extra), nasal bulb, pacifiers (We always keep 2 extras just in case, because nothing sucks worse then having a fussy baby and no paci.)                                                        

Formula & Cereal. There have been so many times that we have ran out of formula from being out and about longer than anticipated. I now keep a can in my diaper bag & one in my car!

Extra clothes. These are a must! We keep a Jacket, Onesie, Pants, Socks and hair bow. I stack the Pants, Onesie and socks together with the bow wrapped around them, and place them in the zip lock baggie. Keeps them together and clean!

Yes out of all the stuff in my bag I am able to have a few things in there for myself. My planner, lotion, glasses, keys, pens & sharpie, germ-x wipes, chap stick, note pad, inhaler, Benadryl, headache meds. Items not pictured: Wallet, feminine products, hair ties & bobby pins, and a compact. Oh & stamps, I leave envelopes, and blank cards in my car at all times because you never know when you need to mail something, or write someone a thank you note (:

 

I also leave a toy, or two in her bag

 

So there you have it, that's what we keep in Harper's diaper bag. I know I am "the over prepared" momma but everything that's in her bag is things that we actually use.

A day in the life...

Harper Lynn,

 Ever wonder what a day in our lives is like? Well here's a pretty basic description....

      We have began to settle into the sweetest little routine. You generally wake me up in the mornings by "talking" or chewing your hands. On the rare occasion I get to wake you up I take ever sweet precious moment in. You always ALWAYS greet me with the biggest gummy smile ever [hello instant heart melter] and roll around in your crib till I pick you up. Each and every time I pick you up, be in the mornings or through out the day I always give you a hug. You must have caught onto this because you always put your arms around my neck. From there we always do a quick diaper change and then onto feeding. After feeding time, we general play for a bit then go make breakfast and wake daddy up. You sit in your little bumbo in a chair in the kitchen and watch me while I cook, clean, do dishes etc. Something tells me though that this will be a very common element in our lives down the road. You love helping me wake daddy up, and on his most stubborn days I let you go all ninja baby on him (; [I.E. Mommy karate chops daddy with your little arms & legs! ]  You always greet daddy with the same big gummy smile you do me, and he can't help but smother you with kisses. Now from here we eat, clean up the kitchen, basically get ready for our day. Then are day normally goes one of two ways, we either go run errands [most often] or we stay around the house. Most days, even if we don't have to we get out and about and go see someone in the family. You will learn as you grow just how important family is to your dad and I, how much it truly means for us to be close. We generally are home about lunch time so that I can feed you and make us something to eat, and get daddy's lunch packed for work. He normally entertains you right about then. Then sadly he heads to work for the day...and your stuck looking at me and the dog.
     By then though its time for one of the two naps that your guaranteed to take daily. At which time I study my heart out, until you wake up at least. From there we do lots & lots of tummy time, practice sitting up, and of course we talk. All day long actually. We play with toys, read books and sing and dance. You absolutely love to dance around the kitchen, it is precious. You eat about this time for your 3rd feeding of the day, then it is back down for your second nap. This one though isn't near as long so I try to edit or answer emails, basically anything with the photography business. Once you've gotten back up we generally make dinner, play some more then get ready for night time baths. You typically get a bath every other night, and I wash your hair twice a week. You love to splash around and listen to me sing to you. You smile and laugh so much! Once bath time and all its fun are over it is time get you ready for bed. We read at least 3 stories every night. Right now your loving: Guess How Much I Love You, Dr Seuss ABC, and The Elephants Child. But your favorite book of all...? Noah's Ark. I can read it to your a hundred times and you still protest every time I close the book. We have also started Praying with you before you go to sleep, and you absolutely LOVE it! You just babble right along with me (: Once your off to dream land, I try my best to complete any school work I have for the week. Sometimes its easy said than done [ Like tonight I am kind of procrastinating], but I am proud to say..like I promised I would...that after completing my first college class I still have a 4.0! YAY! Here's to hoping I can keep it going. By then daddy is normally coming in from work, and I visit with him for a bit. I normally finish up any edit/workshops while he eats and we watch a movie. By then I am one tired mommy and ready for bed.
      Oh, and I cant forget to throw in the biweekly grocery trips, laundry 3+ times a week, house cleaning, taking care of Shorty, tiny persons temper tantrums, tons and tons of mini hugs & kissed breaks and the million and one other things I seem to do in a day....

I love our crazy busy but beautiful life. I love you baby girl to the moon and back.

                       Love,
                           Mommy

An Update -Finally

Harper- where in this world do I begin. It has been so long since I have written about you and our daily lives. We have been busy of course, but its honestly not a viable excuse. I have sat at my computer nearly a thousand times, but could never collect all the thoughts I wanted to share. You are 3 months and three weeks old now and are truly getting bigger by the minute. You have become so alert and so excited by things that it is truly an amazing sight. Today for instance I watched you select a toy, pick it up in your hands and place it in your mouth. It may seem trivial yes but it was such a cool sight to see. You have also started really recognizing people and their names. I can tell you that we are going to Nana's or Mawmaws or Pawpaw's and you give the same grin you do when you see the actually person. You also frown when I tell you were going to Wal-Mart, which of course I find hilarious. Your also "talking" so much now! Daddy and I were eating lunch a few weeks back and you babbled literally the 30 minutes it took us to eat. You just coo and smile and wave your arms around in excitement like your telling us such an important story. I can honestly say it amazes me how much you've grown already. We know your AT LEAST 14 pounds and 24 inches long. I carry you around like a sack of potato's most of the time because you are so curious and want to constantly look at the world rather than mommy's shirt.

Your first time on a swing. 3.4.13

Daddy on the other hand constantly holds you high in the air proclaiming your an airplane, he's silly you must know, but you always squeal in delight. While you normally downright hate tummy time you have began to tolerate it long enough to play. Currently your favorite toy is a brightly colored pink ball that rattles. You can easily grasp it in your hands (webbed ball) and you love sticking it up to your mouth and licking it, which I know is a new sensory skill your learning. You have also begun to sit up on your own -well for 30 seconds at least. But if your being held you insist on sitting upright, you downright refuse to lay down unless your extremely tired or feeding. Oh feeding, what a new little adventure that has become. You now take 6 ounces every 4 hours with about 2 to 4 tbsp of cereal ever feeding. We are also working on spoon feeding you which is quite a sight I must say, a messy one at that. But these are the moments your daddy and I live for. Now where to begin to catch you up on all the goings on. First your Nana recently returned home after over a month long stay with your aunt and cousin. Jaliyah was very sick and required a prolonged stay in the hospital, during which she had surgery. Thankfully now she is home and is doing much better. Praise God. You were quite mad at Nana when she returned home but thankfully now you are back to giving her your cheesy grins.

In my last post I talked about how daddy sold his truck so that we could pay of my car and trade for something bigger, just a few days after that post and several car lots later we found the vehicle we were looking for. We are now the proud owners of a 05 Chrysler Pacifica aka "the mom mobile". Your dad constantly teases me about my "van" to which I happily sock him in the arm - love punch I swear. To add to the vehicle related excitement your daddy also bought a motorcycle. I am still up in the air about this one but he rides well and is very careful, and that's all that I can ask for. Mommy also finally after 3 years upgraded my camera, to which I am so unbelievably thankful. My picture quality has improved an outstanding amount and I am now able to take better photos of you as well. Lastly on our spending spree ( over a nearly 2 month span mind you) we now have a new washer and dryer. My dryer died a slow and painful death and at the request of your daddy we bought a brand new set, well rent to own but regardless it is ours. Oh my I almost forgot we got a new computer yesterday after my "old faithful" standby that was Uncle Andy's attempted to die several times, in several different fashions and this was a definite no go considering I do all of my schooling online, and need a computer to edit. But enough of that... Finally after weeks of freezing weather ...

On March 4th it was actually warm enough to take the to the park and for a walk in your stroller for the first time. You LOVED it. You smiled the whole time we were gone and got pretty upset when we had to leave due to the wind picking up. We have been on several walks/ park trips since and you love it every time! I have been incredibly busy with photo shoots and school and you have been the utmost cooperative child. You may fuss at times but overall I couldn't be more blessed. You have now been to seven different sessions with me - that is more than daddy! As for school I just completed my first course as a college student. Exciting stuff I tell you. I am still wanting to see what my final grade will be and I am so anxious about it. I will be sure to post it later. Promise.

Speaking of Photo shoots you and I made our first long distance drive on March 16th, we traveled nearly to Memphis that day, but had so much fun in the process. The next weekend, March 22 we took our first real road trip. Poor daddy had to work so we endured off to Tennessee for a weekend full of photo shoots, family and friends. We stayed with these beautiful ladies right here.. & had a blast! It was yours & Laylahs very first sleepover. Precious! Amber and I got such a kick out of watching the two of you play...stare each other down.. and "talk". I hope that you two are as great of friends as aunt Amber and mommy are. I had so much fun taking pictures for Laylahs first Easter, and then getting some lifestyle portraits of them as well. Aunt Amber is a single mom, but I can honestly say I have never been more proud of her. She is one hell of good momma. I also got to see several friends I hadn't seen in years, because of the photo shoots. Which is also nice. We went lunch with aunt Melody right before heading home. She was sweet enough to run out in the pouring ran to get my car, so I wouldn't have to walk in it with you. That is a true friend right there and I love her dearly.

Other than all of the craziness and busy days we have been blessed to celebrate your first St. Patrick's Day and your first Easter. You wore the most adorable outfit for st patty's day, that some so longtime friends of mine had sent you. I swear I took a million pictures of you that day, sitting in your newly acquired bumbo that a sweet lady I had done a photography session for the weekend before gave us. (you love that thing by the way. You sit in on a top of a chair in the kitchen when I cook dinner. You sit in it on top of a lawn chair on our front porch. like I said, you love it.) Easter though was by far more fun. We went to breakfast then visited with Mawmaw and the spend the rest of the day with Nana, pop-rod, aunt Kelly and your uncles Jason and Jessie. Daddy made me so proud by posing in photos with us (he dislikes the camera) but he made me even more proud but taking some awesome photos...I am training him well haha. For now thought we are trying to get back into our routine as I have recently started a photography workshop course, onto of everything else. No matter what that at the end of the day everything your daddy and I do is for you. We love you unconditionally Harper!

Daddy and I (:

 

My favorite photo of us to-date. You look so precious for your first Easter, and I was so proud of you for sitting still long enough to take a picture with me. I love you!

You are truly a daddy's girl. He loves you SO much!

                     & last but certainly not least... Happy 6 months to this Beautiful little lady.
                                           Uncle James, Harper and I love you very much!

A day full of Love

                                                    Today is Valentines Day
                                              Even if you won't remember it ,
                            we wanted to make sure your 1st one was very special.

Our day started off with a little of this

(Which we sent to your Grand & Great Grandparents all 9 of them! )

We then got your dressed & ready for the day. Lets just say removing all that lipstick was a challenge!

We exchanged Valentines Gifts (:

Daddy sold his pick-up truck that he once loved so dearly, but don't worry it's a good thing. Since your wonderful daddy did so we were able to almost completely pay off mommy's car. Once my car is paid off we will be trading it for something bigger! Yay more room for all of us, which trust me little lady we desperatly need. After running to the bank and such the three of us went to have lunch. You slept peacefully while daddy & I ate mexican food ( his favorite...you'll learn this..oneday) We then ran to your Nana(ers) house, visted with her and exchanged Valentines gifts. She made your daddy and I these really neat gift baskets. She is really crafty, and always amazes us with what she can make. You  really do love her so much, you always make the sweetest faces to her ( : The rest of the day fell to our normal routine. Daddy went to work, you and I played, sang, danced (..ok maybe I danced but it made you smile, so that's all that matters) , read books, took a nap, took a bath and just enjoyed our day.

You also took a picture with me, which is becoming harder to do because you like to be a wiggle worm (:

That night you looked like this..



Your shirt & Mommy's chocolates came from Popaw!

                             If your wondering, no you do not sleep in bows,
                                      but I put them on in pictures,

 to hide the one little spot on your head that doesn't have much hair

because you look so darn cute in them

All in all we had a wonderful day, and considering how much you smiled I'd have to guess that you did too. We love you little lady. To the moon and back, and back again.

Love,
         Mommy

Gettin' so big ♥

Where Oh Where Did My Little Baby Go

Oh Where Oh Can She Be

                            Your a whopping TWO Months Old today
                                       & while it breaks my heart
              I couldn't be more proud of you & to be your Mommy (:

 You now weigh over 10 pounds ( 11.5 if I had to guess) & are most defiantly over 22 inches long. We go to the doctor on Monday, so I am sure we will get all of your stats then.

You have changed so much just in a months time. When you were a month old you looked like me, now at two months you are the spitting image of your daddy (Which I love) Your head full of hair is getting longer by the day, and is now reaching past your collar in the back. It's also begging to curl! (: You love to smile & you even have a little dimple on your right cheek. Right now your loving tummy time, being read too, music (classical, praise & worship, and country mostly), cuddling, riding in the car, & mimicking. You loves to stick your tongue out at us, and you think its so funny when we do it back. You are still taking 4 ounces every 3 to 4 hours and are sleeping around 4 hours at a time.

 We have had some big things going on in our household lately & I am so excited to share them with you. Mommy is now a college student, after years of wanting to go, I am finally able too. I am getting my degree in Business with a minor in Marketing with the hopes of growing my photography business. My hope is that I will be able to make a full-time career from my business (& allow you to be my little assistant). I am also planning to accelerate my education so I am able to finish faster, but as of right now I will graduate in March of 2017, you will be 4 years old then. I really want to complete my degree while you are still little so that it will have a greater impact on you, and our little family, but not effect your upbringing. We were able to go to Tennessee over this past weekend where I was able to share the good news with our family and friends. I also had two photo shoots which ended up being my first ones, other than your newborn pictures that I have done since November. After the shoots we enjoyed family time where you got to meet your Great Papaw & GiGi ( great granny) for the first time. You also got to meet Mommy's childhood neighbors Mrs. Geri & Matt, as well as my "Uncle" Rick and "cousin" Ricky. (While they may not be my real uncle and cousin, I have never known them as anything else & you sure did love them. ) You also got to meet Mommy's friends which I loved every second of.

Aunties: Melody, Amber (& Laylah) Drea and Alyssa.

These girls are some of my very best friends & it was so wonderful to be able to sit down together and eat dinner and visit. I have missed them all so much! It was also really fun to have daddy join us for dinner, he was such a good sport to hang out with 7 woman but we all had so much fun. You were fascinated by Laylah, and she was you. We haven't seen Laylah since she was 2, almost 3 months old, and haven't seen these girls since October at my TN baby shower.

Laylah kept putting her little arm around you! Best Friends already!

Aunt Amber showing what us Mommas do best, Multi-task!

Aunt Alyssa & Drea ( :

Aunt Melody ( :

Aunt Amber & Laylah. Its so hard to believe you girls are 4 months apart just like Amber & I are! But its so cool.

Aunt Amber nearly brought mommy to tears this weekend, I will become Laylah God-Mother at her Christianising very soon. Can you believe it? What an Honor! Love them, and all these girls.

One of my photo shoots this weekend was for another one of my favorite people, my old roommate Brooke.  Oh my goodness did Aunt Brooke ever love you. I hate to say I don't have an individual picture of the two of you, but here is one of the entire group after their glamour shots. Aunt Jessica thought you were pretty neat too ( :

Aunt Jessica (far left) Aunt Brooke (far right)

We also got to have breakfast on Sunday with Aunt Kayla, and Aunt Amber and Laylah, but you were a little fussy because you had been held by 16 people the day before and were sore! So we didn't get pictures, but after breakfast we went and visited with Ambers memaw and poppa, who have always been an extra set of grandparents for mommy. Everyone always talks about how wonderful you are!

LITTLE GIRL YOU ARE SO LOVED

We had such a busy but wonderful weekend! It's crazy to me that not only was this your first trip to TN but it was also your first multi state trip. On Friday you and I were in 3 states! AL, MS & TN! But you did fantastic and we were so proud.

         Daddy and I love you baby girl to the moon & back, and back again!

Time Well Spent

After my last post I made drafts of the other letters I had written with big plans of posting the series within days of each other; but other things intervened.

Harpers' MiMi & Great-Granny came to visit us the 19th thru the 21st of January and we had a wonderful time visiting and shopping about town. I noticed though something just didn't seem right with Harper, she began sleeping a lot, and within a few days we noticed a rattling in her chest. I kept praying it would just run its course, but it didn't, it only got worse. After consulting Harpers' Popaw, Great Mawmaw and Nana(ner) James and I knew we needed to see a doctor. The problem was though Harper no longer had a pediatrician; the one we had selected months before little misses arrival wouldn't accept our insurance and with fear it would be days before we could be seen by another pediatrician we opted to go to the emergency room.

 We went to the hospital on January 24th that Harper was born at, hoping to find out what was going on with our sweet girl. After X-Rays, multiple doctors, RSV test, Flu test, an IV (after 2 attempts) we were told we were being admitted. James and I didn't really understand at first what was going on, then an ER nurse told us our baby girl had RSV. My heart sank, the only thing I had ever read about it talked about how dangerous to infants it is, and at 5 weeks old we were so afraid of how her little immune system would handle it. Our little girl is a fighter though, hands down. Treatment would consist of Harper being in a croup tent, and breathing treatments multiple times a day.



Harper was to stay in the croup tent most of the day, and was to only come out for feedings, changes and quick play times. James had to leave for work right after they told us we would be admitted, and I was alone with HL for no more than an hour before Nana, Aunt Kelly & Uncle Jason came to sit with us. I have never been so thankful to see them. I was so scared, and so emotional about the entire situation; now I know there are millions of sweet babies that are so much worse then Harper ever was but it is so hard to see your child, a helpless baby be uncomfortable in any way. I seriously don't know how my sister-in-law dealt with our sweet niece being in the hospital so long, she's a hell of a strong woman, and that little girl is the Miracle that her name suggests.



Regardless though, this was my view while sitting at HL bedside. I felt weak for crying because I knew I needed to be strong for our princess, even with family around me I wanted my husband, and my daughter to be at home, far far away from the cold hospital.

Harper spent a lot of time holding my hand

          Playing with Popaw ( who stayed with us for hours on end. )

Being sang to, You Are My Sunshine, which is HLs new favorite song. Seriously I sang it over a hundred times. & being read too. (Since Harpers wonderful nana brought us some of our books from home, as well as new clothes for mommy [: & took care of Shorty for us.)

                             Cuddling with Mommy & Daddy.

   & after 4 days we began to see the smile return to our baby girls face.

The staff at the hospital was INCREDIBLE they were so helpful and so kind to us, even willing to give us a new room after the air conditioner went out in ours, with a shower in it.The new room was the only one in that wing with a shower, and they knew how desperately I wanted to take one, but just wouldn't leave our baby girl. Harpers Popaw, Nana, Grandpa, Grandma, Uncles Jason and Jessie and Aunt Kelly all kept us company during our stay, and while James had to continue to work. (We love yall!)

Love, Me

I have been on a cleaning kick the last few days and while demolishing straightening my house I found six letters, one I wrote before birth to Harper, one right after; another to myself before her birth, and once again right after; and one to James before Harper's arrival, and well you get the picture. The letters are all on the longer side ( go figure ) so I thought I would post the one today that I made to myself right before little misses arrival. It reads as follows.....

Hey you,

        Yeah you the one who is probably back into our pre-pregnacy skinny jeans, happily trotting around holding our adorable ( I already know she will be ) little lady. Do you remember what it felt like to be THIS BIG? Beached whale is the term I like to refer to the most. Ok, Ok I may be exaggerating just a bit, but the waddling has gotten a little old. I may sound like I am complaining but believe me when I say I wouldn't have it any other way, constant back ache and all. I hope to look back at this letter, and laugh because I didn't realize just how easy I had it, but I wanted to write to myself, and as a reference for Harper when shes 50 about just what it felt like being pregnant. Like I said 50 ( yes daddy and I up-ed the dating age limit! )
         Oh the glory days of morning sickness, 4 months in my case! and strange cravings of pickles & ice cream (not together thank goodness) have only become a sweet memory. I remember the day we found out we were expecting like it was yesterday, the overwhelming gush of love,happiness and fear that struck me all in one whirlwind moment. I still look back and wish I had taken a picture of my pregnancy tests, but the memory is enough for me. The day we found out I was around 4 to 5 weeks along, and I swear the morning sickness didn't start till I saw those 2 little pink lines. I prayed to the porcelain god every day, and quite often. Mexican food became my worst enemy, along with almost anything with any real flavor or spiciness to it. I have lived off of fruits and vegetables and now as we are only 2 weeks away from Harper's due date am I able to eat some of my favorite foods again. I really didn't show any signs of being pregnant before we got the positive results, other than the fact that I wanted to sleep so much more( not to sure why we didn't pick up on that?) I'm not going to say that I at least did suspect it, but was to nervous to confirm it.
        Pregnancy has been a challenge for me more physically than anything, my small frame has led to lots of pain and caused me to carry very low making it hard to sleep, walk or even use the restroom without pain, but God I know it'll all be worth it when I hold my baby girl for the first time. James has had to rescue my out of the tub, out of the floor and out of our bed more times than I would like to admit but I'm so thankful hes so patient with me and doesn't get frustrated that I do have to depend on him so often. I think if my labor has been as hard physically as my pregnancy has that ill be in labor for a half a day or more, but only time will tell.
         Everyone tells me all the time to rest as much as I can because I'll never sleep again, well I barely sleep now anyways so it will be an easy transition ha ha. I have been trying to take it easy lately though and relax and read instead of being super mommy to be and wonder wife fighters of grime and dust and defenders of organization! God I hope Harper thinks I'm as funny as James does, but I highly doubt I will be so lucky! Now as we prepare for Harper's arrival I realize I'm nervous. not scared but anxious. Will I be a good mom? Will I be able to keep up with my wifely duties, make my husband happy, and care for a newborn? How in the hell do I know if I'm ready for this?! Can't I just cross my legs real tight and wait a little longer? ( Ok, just kidding.. Harper needs to be evicted soon :] ) I know my worries are normal, but in invalid. I will be a good mom, because I will try and that's the best thing I can do. & I will learn to balance the juggling act of adding a bundle of joy to the mix, somehow but I will manage. & Yes I am ready for this, God would not be allowing me such a precious gift If I weren't. Now I do have nightmares from time to time that something will go wrong and that Harper wont make it, and that's honestly been a huge source of anxiety my entire pregnancy but I know that I have to leave all my fears and worries in Gods hands, and follow the plan that he has for us. I can not wait till the big day comes and I'm able to hold our baby girl for the first time.
        The anticipation of our new life is killing me, but I know that as my life, as well as James is about to change forever and ready or not here it come. Remember the pain is only temporary, the reward will be worth every ounce of it. & Remember to pray and be thankful that day, and not stress of the little things.

P.S. & kiss that hot husband of ours a few times too & try not to break his hand!!

                                                                                 Love,
                                                                                     Me

Oh Baby! ( :

Holy Moly where has the time gone? Your already a month old! So whats our little lady up too these days? Harper is now taking a 4 oz bottle every 3 hours or so & sleeps 3-4 hours at a time at night. She weights over 8 lbs, and is over 20 inches long; & has grown so much since we've been home shes almost completely outgrown her newborn clothing (in length!) Harper almost always has a smile on her face (unless hungry) and loves to make noises & funny faces at James & I. She likes bath time, tummy time, hanging out in her bouncy seat, snuggling,music and taking naps on mommy & daddys bed; dislikes diaper changes, waiting on her bottle, and hiccups (which she has alot!) We have such a happy & loving little lady and can't believe she is already a month old! We love you Harper!

Starting the year off right ♥

2013 is already off to a good start (: On the first day of the new year we went and visited with your grandma & grandpa to eat lots of yummy cabbage, black eyed peas,succotash & cornbread (Gotta love southern cooking!) While we were there we weighted you, and I weighted myself for the first time since before you were born. You weighted 7 lbs 3 oz & have gained 1 lb since we left the hospital. We also measured you,& your now 20 inches long with a growth of 2 inches! I am one VERY proud momma! All the semi sleepless nights, & 2.5-3 hour feedings are so worth it! As for me I have lost 15 pounds (: I still have a lot left to lose and still have some swelling I hope goes away soon but I am very happy.

(Us on January 1st at Grandmas) You lost your umbilical cord 1/3/13 & I couldn't be happier. I knew it would be happening soon and am very thankful it has. Your enjoying tummy time & diaper changes so much more now too! This also means that you will be able to have your first real bath any day now! & I am super excited about it!! You also went to visit the doctors office for the first time the other day, mommy had an appointment & you slept the whole time we were there. After giving birth I began to have horrible migraines and alot of pain in my back, which we believed to be spinal headaches, after our appointment yesterday we were relieved to know that I actually just have a bruised bone in my back from the epidural. Dr W popped my neck & back and I am already feeling a little better, but I go back to the doctor the 23rd of this month so hopefully by then all the pain will be gone. & for another first..WE . . . YOU & I went grocery shopping all by ourselves! woo hoo. Sounds silly I know but one day, a million years done the road when your a mom you will understand how momentous that really is. Mommy's car is finally in the repair shop! Yipee. We have been driving around your grandpas truck since you were born (daddy's truck has no where to put a carseat.)& I am very ready to have my car back, it'll be so much easier to take you places.On another note your sweet daddy is sick, again : / & I have had to lock him away in our bedroom, ok not lock away but he is being quarantined especially from you. I know your not going to like this though because you sure do love your daddy & love it when he holds you! You get the BIGGEST smile on your face. Hopefully though he will get to feeling better really soon. (: Well little miss I know I didn't write much today, but this headache is getting the best of me. A quick nap curled up with you on the couch sounds like the best medicine to me. Your daddy & I love you so so very much Harper!

2012

Wow what a year this has been, 2012 brought your daddy & I so many wonderful things but more than anything else it brought us you. You are a whole 2 weeks old today, and I can not believe it! I thought I'd take a moment out of our day to say what I would like to see for our little family of 3 within the New Year. . . Firstly I hope our little family continues to stay healthy, I know this is something that is easily taken for granted, especially in the winter when it seems like everyone we know has the flu! Secondly, I wish for only growth in love between your amazing daddy & I and for you to spoiled in it too : ). Third of all, and I say this with lots of love Harper but mommy wants to lose this remaining baby weight! I have big plans to run & work my butt of with the new year, I WILL be running in atleast one 5k, 10k and a 1/2 marathon this year! I making it a promise to myself & to you. & I will be helping your sweet daddy get into shape as well (: Fourth, I wish for growth in careers for both your daddy & I. I love my photography business and I would love to see it grow! & if it continues to do so I would be able to continue to staying home with you, which I would LOVE! I look forward to taking you with me on photoshoots! you = mini assistant ( : Your daddy also has some big career goals and more than anything I hope he accomplishes them, but I have all the faith in the world in him that he will. Last but certainly not least I hope to grow our relationship with God. I cant wait to take you to church and to see you grow-up learning about & loving the Lord. I could go on & on about what i'd like to see for you & for the future but for tonight I am happy to be snuggling with you & your sweet daddy! Your daddy & I love you so much Harper & we cant wait to see you 2013 has in store for all of us! (: P.S.- You have grown 2 inches already! Such a big girl ♥