Saturday, December 19, 2009

What goes around comes around














I hope you think this story is as funny as I do!

Last Saturday, our neighbors Tish and Brent had us over for Dinner and cocktails. Well, once Harper was all partied out, I took her home and put her down. I snuggled into my jammies, started reading an US Weekly and watching a John Mayer concert on TV. I was thoroughly enjoying my Saturday night. Bob stayed over at the neighbors for awhile and then came in to announce he and Brent were going to string lights from one of our other friendly neighbor's home to another across the street for a practical joke. UMMM, OK, if that is what you want to do with your Saturday night...fine by me...I'm staying here with some yummy blankets and I'm sure some dessert to top off the night!

Well, they did and then the next morning Bob went out to clean up his mess and commented that he didn't think our neighbor liked it that much! Oh well, we thought he was a good timer but maybe we were wrong!

So last night, Bob went to the front porch to turn off our Christmas lights on our Charlie Brown trees....at least that's what our neighbors call them. When he came back in, he mentioned that one tree's light were out and we would need to pick up some more to replace them, ok fine.

This morning, I go out side to let Moss out and THERE was the reason for the lights being out. Lovely, tacky Christmas decor strung very tasteful in our entry! I LOL'ed hysterically all by myself and wondered if any culprits were peaking out their window! I really hope you notice that in the picture that one tree is lit and the other is not!

Good timer my bootie, he is a professional....or she!




Harper Rolling Over

Harper 4 months December 16


Harper turned 4 months old on December 16th. Crazy how time flies. She is tons of fun and I mean TONS of fun. She weighs 14 pounds and 12 ounces! Super healthy and doc says right on track. She is a ham already, charming the pants off the ladies at daycare that's for sure. She is rolling over, following Mommy and Daddy wherever we go, likes looking at Moss, and loves when I use the suction bulb to clean out those icky boogies! I suppose it tickles.

We have finally adjusted to somewhat of a routine and loving that she is sleeping well. Even though we eat dinner with the blue hairs, fall asleep during 8:30 PM movies, and get totally excited when you wake up in the morning when it is still dark and find it's 6:15! That makes me want to kiss somebody.....but I don't with that morning breathe:{ Ok, I totally kiss Harper like crazy when I get her up but she doesn't know yet, right?

Monday, December 7, 2009

Harper meets Santa



















Harper met Santa yesterday! He was the sweetest, nicest Santa I have ever met. He commented on her precious cable knit sweater and booties and mentioned his mother use to make them handmade for children and she wouldn't charge for them. He thought Harper had a very sweet demeanor and told Bob and I. This Santa was special and I hope to see him again for the years to come. Afterward we took Harper to a local book store in Nashville and bought The Night Before Christmas, I can't wait to read it to her every year:) It was a wonderful memory and look forward to the many more in years to come.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Decorating for Christmas 09



















Moss and Harper helped Bob and I decorate the tree this year. Best helpers ever!
I am WAY excited for Christmas this year and I suppose it is insanely obvious why!

NO...I have not gone overboard on buying gifts for Harper, whatever would make you think that. I have next year and the year after that and the year after that and so on. Luckily, she will be lucky to pull the paper off a corner this year. But I will have fun opening her gifts:)



























Saturday, December 5, 2009

Thanksgiving 09



















Harper Elle's first Thanksgiving Dinner. I warned her not to have an entire plate of food and then have FOUR different desserts, I told her that's what would happen to her cheeks! KIDDING, that's what happened to Mommy's hips:)

The trip was so nice, Bob and I stayed at a lodge owned by family friend. We had a mini couples retreat and Nana and Poppie loved it because they had her all to themselves. Bob loved the 20+ TV's in this place and I loved the oversized bed that let me go to bed around 8:00 and wake up whenever:)

















Everyone fought over holding her of course, ummm I don't blame them do you?
The boys, Benjamin and Baylen, love her and had a lot of fun making Christmas card pictures for Nana in the leaves.



















Enjoy the pics!

Girls trip to Nashville, November 21st



















My girls came to Nashville to see Harper and we had a blast. Michelle, Jennifer, and Whit rolled in on Saturday afternoon and we basically just vegged out! They brought Harper a bunch of goodies, spoiled her with a ton of hugs and kisses, and we all caught up on each other's lives.
Kelly came over in the afternoon and made a delicious dinner and had complimentary spa treatments from Aveda! A-Ma-Zing.

I'm already missing them, it seems like there is not enough time anymore. So we made the most of it! Love ya....and come back really soon.













Monday, November 16, 2009

Happy Birthday Nana! November 14, 2009













To think...a year ago this weekend is when I "knew" I was pregnant. Bob and I went to Kentucky to celebrate my mom's ( now referred to as Nana) 60th birthday and I was quite nauseous. A couple pregnancy tests later, 9 months of fun, and a whole lot of desserts...this is what I produced. Sign me up for another! Just kidding, don't any of you start getting any ideas, I need to practice on this one a little longer.

Nana and Poppie came in for the weekend and mom and I took Harper to Christmas Village. www.christmasvillage.org Ughhhh...what an experience. Long story short, I do not recommend it and will not be returning. It was like going to a festival, with way too many people, inside not out, and they were mostly women barelling each other over to get to the next monogrammed purse, keychain, or trinket of some sort! No thanks! Don't get me wrong, I like monogrammed items but not like these fools in bright every color you can imagine












Of course we had fun with Harper and making tons of pics. Nana loves putting headbands on her every chance she gets! I do to but I think she likes it a little more than me seeing that Harper got 4 new ones this weekend. She was a little sick for the first time, runny nose, congestion and cough but she is back up to speed now.

Saturday night we went to Dinner to celebrate Nana's bday and we had a lot of fun. One of the characters from Desperate Housewives of Nashville was sitting next to us. She was all of 28~ 29 with a huge rock on her hand, I meant to say hands, and her 60 year old love muffin on her hip at Dinner. They were sitting with her parents and it made for great "live" reality TV....so my mom and Bob thought. My dad and I just thought it was plain creepy. By the way, there isn't a DHW of Nashville but she soo wants to be, you know what I mean?

My mom is getting a big fancy camera for her birthday, so now we will have even more fun snapping off hundreds of pics. Tune in for a slew of photo opps around Thanksgiving.


Harper's first week at school/ November 9, 2009













Making American flags for Veterans Day!


















Is this hysterical or what? I love it......this is the first time I put her in a seat and she loved it!












I told her it was not polite to stare but I guess she was glad to see someone else besides her silly mom and dad making crazy faces at her all the time.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Hello school, goodbye maternity leave.

One week down and only a lifetime to go.

We had an interesting first week at school. We started out with inconsolable crying and refusing to eat, to tear free days, excellent appetites, and bonding moments with new classmates! Harper did really well at the end of the week, she actually started smiling and laughing with her teacher, Ms. Amy. It made us feel so good to pick her up and receive such good news!

Yesterday was my last day of maternity leave and it will be a day I will never forget. We woke up in the morning and went out for breakfast, the three of us. Then Bob went off to work and Harper and I strolled around downtown Franklin for the morning and afternoon. It was the perfect day, the sun was shining, she was so happy, we stopped for coffee and a bottle and grandpa's made over her for an hour.... Ahhh, I only wish I could capture that day in little box and open it up when I need a refresher over the next few hectic weeks!

I could've never imagined this experience the way it has turned out. These last 12 weeks have been exhausting, breathtaking, miraculous, and humbling. It's like having that "first day of school feeling," everyday. I can't believe I get to wake up every morning and take care of such an amazing creature. I know it can only get better but at this point you just can't imagine it. That is what I am enjoying most about mommyhood, you are green to everything...you get to learn something new everyday. Pretty cool!

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Harper Elle's first day













So she survived...as for me...that is another story. Harper Elle and Ms. Amy met on Monday and had an interesting afternoon together. Let' s put it this way, when I went to pick her up she had large bright red circles around her sweet tired eyes. She had a bit of a rough time which had me overwhelmed with guilt.

Today, we tried a full day. Bob and I dropped her off and I'm sure reeked of new parent eagerness of wanting their kid to do okay and fit in with all the other "perfectly happy" babies. We took her in and the minute Ms. Amy said hello, the bottom lip turned down and out came her greeting. I took her out of her car seat and sat her in front of her new friends Kara, Anna, and McKayla. She loves looking at the other kids and for a second I was actually having a good time and the giant blanket of guilt was folded up in the corner. We snuggled her in a swing and she began to drift sucking her thumb and holding her blanket. When we arrived this afternoon, she was happy in her bouncy seat and chillin with all the "perfectly happy" babies. As I read her report card, I quickly learned she had a major meltdown after we left and refused a feeding. Just so you know, she has never refused a feeding if you couldn't tell by my last post's picture. Upon leaving, I unfolded the guilt blanket and wrapped myself as if I were preparing for a snowstorm...I guess in a way I am.....

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Harper 12 weeks and starting Daycare tomorrow:(













Today Harper turned 12 weeks old and I can't believe my maternity leave is one week shy of coming to an end. It has been such an amazing experience and my little bambino and I have truly bonded. I am taking her to her Daycare this week for a couple of days to begin the adjustment. I have no idea how I feel about this so I will just have to blog about the experience as it comes.



















As for her, she is FABULOUS. Can't you tell? She is weighing in at 13# 8oz today! She is sleeping through the night, 8-9 hours, if we would let her. She is sleeping upstairs in her crib and Bob and I are trying to get sleep ourselves. Each sound and movement stirs up the insecurities and away we go upstairs. Nine out of ten times, she is sleeping or sucking her thumb. As far as development, she surprises us each day. She is following us across the room by hearing our voice, tracks a ceiling fan from a mile away, LOVES the swing (and so do we:), cooing and laughing often and loud, stands up constantly and does NOT want to be held in the old fashioned baby hold, and holds on to Mom and Daddy as if she is saying "I love you to." Ahhh....mazing is what it is!

Saturday, November 7, 2009

General Tso's Friday Night

Bob and I were craving something good with a fridge full of groceries and all out of ideas for Dinner. I said to Bob, "why don't I make the general tso's dish I made a couple of months ago." I started digging through my monthly subscription of Everyday Food by Martha Stewart. I love this little magazine because it always has great and simple recipes. I was struggling to find the recipe and thought that mommy brain had gotten the best of me. What would I do now? We were both craving it and didn't want to start the what do you want for dinner conversation all over again. I jumped on Martha's website and found the recipe, in the Everyday Food recipe collection. The only problem....I didn't go back far enough. The recipe was from October 2008!!! I couldn't believe it had been that long, my how time flies when you are having fun!

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Harper puts Mommy to bed













For those of you that gasp at the sound of babies sleeping along side actual human beings...you may want to stop reading now.

For those of you still with me, I have to tell you this story. Last night Harper put Mommy to bed. Bob had to travel to Boston yesterday and it was just the girls at home, Moss, Harper and I. About 9:30, after her last feeding, I spread out her blankie on three quarters of the bed and snuggled in for our so far traditional slumber party while Daddy is away. Harper didn't seem toooo sleepy but Mommy definitely was. Lately, I can lay her down and she soothes herself to sleep with Mr. Ceiling Fan and of course her bestie...The Thumb! I turned out the lights and left the TV on. I began to dose but Harper kept all eyes on Mommy. As the lights would dim during a TV show or parts of a commercial, her eyes would grow to the size of golf balls...showing the whites around her entire pupil. If you have been paying attention, her eyes are gigantic and it's sometimes rare to see the whites! So it started to freak me out and make me laugh so hard at the same time. With her hand barely in her mouth, she would giggle as I would laugh and shake the bed.

This will be filed away as one of my favorites so far.

Happy Birthday Bob!













Bob turned 35 yesterday! Happy Birthday Babe!

Don't you love how his hands engulf Harper! I captured Bob and Harper playing in her nursery. Bob says he doesn't really see it yet, but this picture should be like he is looking into the fountain of youth! Bob junior all the way....

What a neat birthday gift hugh?



















Monday, November 2, 2009

Happy Halloween
















Harper had a blast for Halloween! She sat up and let Nana and I take roughly 200 pictures:)













This Halloween will be memorable and not only for the obvious, Harper's first. I started cooking Shrimp Scampi and the doorbell rings! The first trick or treater popped over at 5:30 and I was nowhere near ready. Nana and I hurried to get Harper dressed, finish peeling shrimp, and slamming loads of oversized Sam's candy into a bowl. As Bob and my Dad walk in from playing golf, we gave them immediate assignments. Wine is being corked, photo flashes are going off, and I managed to miss all the little creatures malling our candy.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Moss' 8th Birthday!













Moss had her 8th birthday yesterday, October 26th! I made her favorite treat, Pumpkin Biscotti. She loves any treats but I have been making this one in particular since the first year we got her. Moss has been with Bob and I since she was 10 weeks old and I can only hope she is around for another 8 years. She is doing awesome with Harper, she never leaves "our" side and is always my support person for all the 2, 3, and 4:00 feedings when it feels like the whole world is asleep. I love you Moss and Happy Birthday!

Sparkling Wine



















Here is the sparkling wine by Sofia Coppola. It would be great for holidays gifts or entertaining. The name is Blanc de Blancs by Sofia.







Monday, October 26, 2009

The Fall












What an amazing week! The weather has been gorgeous so I have been taking Moss and Harper out for daily walks. We stopped for a brief photo by the lake the other day and of course that turned into about a 30 minute ordeal. I'm holding Harper trying to get a few shots with the amazing clouds and Fall foilage and at the same time repeatedly telling my dog to sit and stay in hopes she won't jump in the lake, see another dog, or chase after some bird. If ANYONE saw me, I'm sure they were in stitches or rolling the eyes in disbelief of how crazy moms can be! Mission accomplished, I got a few shots I was going for:)

Friday was great, just like old times. We had our neighbors over for cocktail hour on the patio at Belmonts! You know, my patio that I named after the name of my home, I know, I know, could I get anymore ridiculous sometimes. I popped open this amazing bottle of sparkling wine, it is a white wine by Sophia Coppola. A...ma...zing! Tish and I finished the bottle, we actually didn't share it with the guys! I will post the picture for all to indulge.

I ended the weekend on Sunday with one of my besties, Kelly. I headed over to her house in the late morning in hopes of catching up, coffee drinking, indulging in smut (gossip magazines for those of you who think they may be something weird), and drooling over how sweet our babies are! Well, 6 or 7 hours later, we were at The Cheesecake Factory with a couple kids having meltdowns. Kelly and I are trying to shovel food in while she is manhandling Madeline, her 20 month old and I am fumbling under my nursing cover to feed my 10 week old. It was so hysterical, all we could do was laugh. I told Kelly I was pretty sure at least 2 people caught a shot of the "goods" and she replied it was nothing they haven't seen before! Ahh..what good memories we made. After dropping Kelly and Madeline off, I sang that song, "The Things You Do For Love." It has become my theme song!

Thursday, October 22, 2009

The Red Diaper Bag Stories....Blue Dress












So I bought Harper this fabulous dress in hopes of getting a great photo of her at 2 months old. We did have a lot of fun and will get to see the shots soon. Along the way, I had one of my own "firsts".

After the photo shoot, I changed her diaper and stuck the dirty diaper in my quite expensive diaper bag. I splurged on this bag knowing that it would probably turn into my purse. I spent a lot of time shopping for my favorite fashionable diaper bag, it was one of most anticipated purchases. Well mommy readers, do you know where I am going with this? Yes, I left the dirty diaper in my "fashionable,fabulous" bag. When my guests were in town last weekend, I went to the bag to get my nursing cover and there it was...the dirty diaper from the photo shoot! I thought to myself, what a total sleep deprived, multi-tasking, green green green mommy thing to do! I didn't realize the smell would linger as much as it would because when I finally got situated to nurse her.....the nursing cover had this wonderful aroma. This is only the beginning of my diaper stories I'm sure, stay tuned for more exciting moments from "The Red Diaper Bag."



Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Harper Laughs: Video

2 months post baby is pretty cool





































I've been having a blast the last couple of weeks. Harper is really coming to life and starting to establish a routine. Anywhere from 6-9 hours of sleep a night, LOVING IT! During the day she entertains herself with her mobile, the ceiling fan, her hands, and the bold pillows on my couch.


She is hysterical, she smiles all the time and laughed for the first time this weekend! Bob and I fell in love with her all over again, actually that happens everyday! My favorite babysitters, Nana, Poppie, and my nephew Benjamin, came down this weekend to spend some time with her and I had a girls night out. Kelly, April, Breagal and I went to Dinner and Kings of Leon concert. It was soooo fun and certainly perfect timing post baby! Thanks for the wonderful food and laughs....until next time.




Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Harper 2 month check up

My little sprout is growing like a weed! She had her two month check up and results are in!

Weight 10lbs 8oz, 55% (this number is where she stands compared to 100 kids her age)
Height 21 1/8 inches, 35% (this number means she is remains short but more plump)

That is the good news, now for the awful part! She got three shots and cried harder than I have yet to see.....and so did I! I personally don't know what I'm going to do the next time around, it's not like I can tell her I'm sorry. All those mommies and daddies out there that have the answer, please write in!

Becoming a Mac geek!

I have begun scheduling dates with my new friend Mac! He is very friendly but we need to get a little more intimate!

I am actually becoming a Mac geek, I'm taking One to One classes at the Apple store and I LOVE it! Anyone who is on the fence of buying a Mac, which I had been, there is no doubt which way you should sway!

Saturday, October 3, 2009

We've made it to 6 weeks and I'm loving it!



















Six weeks is AMAZING! Harper is totally coming to life, I'm starting to exercise, I have cooked Dinner more than once in one week, we slept more hours in one night than I did all last week, and I am almost caught up with my blog:)














A few firsts this week:

9/29/09
Following the mobile and entertaining herself for at least 30 minutes
Follows me or Bob when we walk in front of her. Eye contact and returns smiles when you smile
Slept 7 hours
9/30/09
Slept 8 hours and SHE IS SUCKING HER THUMB!













I'm not really sure what I think about the thumb thing. Well actually, it is her way of soothing herself and I am ecstatic about that...soooo....I think I'm great with the thumb thing.














Need I say anymore about how much I am falling in love with her, each day I get to look at this face is one more day I am so thankful I was put on this Earth for a fabulous reason!

Gram made this adorable hat and many more goodies. I can't wait to post some pics and I'm haven't told her but I think we need to set up a shop on ETSY. This is one of my favorite shops and highly recommend everyone to check it out. BEWARE, you will become addict! www.etsy.com


Apple Festival and 15 year High School Reunion September 26th
























































Harper's first Apple Festival, Bob's second Apple Festival (shocking I got him to return after last year's inital shock), and my first attendance to a high school reunion, 15 years!

We had a lot of fun and so did Nana... she showed off Harper watching the parade and got to babysit Harper Saturday night. Bob and I attended the reunion among the other 20ish people that decided to make an appearance. So funny seeing people from high school, most people didn't change physically but there wasn't enough time to catch up with old friends you hadn't seen in 15 years! Thanks to Jaime for organizing!

Friday, October 2, 2009

Harper at 4 and 5 weeks













One month old already, I can't believe it! I guess that is why I am obviously not missing a moment of it!

My favorite smell is her breathe and skin, it ALWAYS smells delicious!
My favorite sound is her rapid breathing right before she eats, it seems as though she is a tiny bit distressed but excited. Also, the sweet cry that she lets out when it appears she's really annoyed but a little too tired to really cry. Bob and I crack up when we hear it.
My many favorite sights is her cheeks jiggling during her carriage rides, when she sleeps she has the biggest smile, her mouth makes a perfect circle when she poos, and when she sucks on Bob's nose as if it is pacifier before she eats.













One of the oddest things I've learned is how fast she can build up a collection of lint in the crevices of her hands and feet. It makes sense in the feet but the HANDS! I almost freaked the first time I found it in the hands, at 2 weeks old, because I felt like such a horrible mom.













I adore naps like this one, you know she is absolutely exhausted and you can turn the TV up as loud as you want! That is....if there were anything GOOD on TV anymore!













This yellow dress is the outfit I wore on the way home from the hospital when I was born! Fits her perfect, at 5 weeks old!



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