Unfiltered

Okay, today sucks.  Harper got her first cold.  She has been sick for the last few days, and now I seem to have picked up her icky sicky.  The first day H wasn't feeling well, she slept much more than usual...however, today she is on the mend and is wild as ever.  And, with a lingering stuffy/runny nose and cough, she is unable to rest.  She was up at 5:30 this morning (after waking nearly every hour last night) and has only taken one 30 minute nap...uhhh....and since I'm at day #1 of the sickness, all I want to do is lay in bed and sleep.  Thanking my lucky stars that today is Sunday and Josh is home.  I haven't spent a Sunday in bed since before Harper was born!  It would be a lot nicer if I was feeling not so sickly...

Well, when it rains it pours.  Mega-teething, a cold, and blowing through developmental milestones...Harper's sleep has gotten worse than ever.  Worse than when she was first born.  Worse than her 'rolling over and getting stuck' phase.  I feel so alone--like I am the only mom in the world with a 7 month old that doesn't sleep through the night...or like there's something I need to do to fix it.  I know that's not true.  But it suuuure feels like it.

At least she's so cute...

Day 1 of sick--surprisingly sleepy!  And so adorable.

HeeHee, look at me!

Harper's First Christmas

And a merry one it was!  Harper made out like a bandit.  Clearly she's been a very good girl the last 7 months, and Santa delivered!

Looks like we got a visit from Mr. Clause!

Little Miss is changing and developing so quick, she was due for some new toys.  Perfect timing!

For Me?!  You shouldn't have!

Playing in her new tunnel from Gramma!

Playing with her new walker from Auntie Arial!

Christmas Dinner at Uncle Joe's

Well, Christmas has come and gone, and I hope you ALL had a very beautiful holiday spent with loved ones.  Last year, I really could not wait for Christmas with our new baby.  Not gonna lie, it was harder than I expected.  It was fun this year, but mostly just for us.  I suspect future Christmases will feel much easier and infinitely more fun as Harper grows!  As they say, the best is yet to come.  Also, predicting next year's Christmas morning will be preceded by a solid sleep...no, my Christmas wish for a full night's sleep did not come true this year...but I'm still hoping maybe she was holding out for a "Happy New Year" gift?!  Well, now poor babe has her first cold...so we'll see how it all goes down.  Poor thing.  Teeth, colds, yuck!  We all need some serious rest and TLC.  So, on that note, "to all a good night!"

Christmas Eve Eve

It's almost here!  I am not ready for Christmas to come and go.  So, we are jam-packing all the Christmas cheer into these last few moments before the real deal!  Last night, Harper, myself, Josh, my mom, and my dad went to the River of Lights.  I had never been before.  Wow-that place is a little kid's dream!!!  I can imagine being about 5 and just dying from the anticipation and FUN of this very 'merry and bright' Christmas event.  Oh what fun :-)

Lobo Shoutout!!

Warming up by the fire

7 months

Hold up!  Can you believe it's been 7 months?!  

Indeed, Harper Jane turned 7 months on the 18th!  She is truly cuter than ever, plumping out quite nicely, and has her own distinct personality.  Already, I can see some of her traits-it really is so wonderful to watch your child emerge into a little person with their own behaviors/likes and dislikes/quirks.  I have loved witnessing it all!  It truly is amazing.

Personality:  One of her most distinct traits is her willfulness.  Well, what did I expect with a May baby?!  Their sign is 'the bull' and they are known for their stubbornness.  I'm sure this will serve her well as she grows.  Additionally, she is so physical and active.  I have no idea if this will stick with her as she matures, but, wow.  She is a rough and tumble little girl!  She moves all over, pulls up on everything, falls down, gets up, falls down gets up, cruises around.  I suspect a walking little goober will be in our no-too-distant future.  She also loves being around people.  Even in a sour mood, it's surprisingly turned around in a crowd of people.  She seems to always prefer the company of others right now.  Maybe a little extrovert like her dear daddio.

Foooood:  We are still breastfeeding!  Hooray!  It has been my goal from the beginning to make it to a year.  I think we're going to make it!  I actually adore our breastfeeding relationship now.  It is h-a-r-d at first, but I am so glad we have stuck it out during the hard times.  So worth it today.  And she barely spits up these days-hallelujah.  We are still experimenting with solids foods and have yet to find something she REALLY likes-with the exception of watermelon.  Who doesn't like watermelon!?

Teeeeth: Harper has one fully visible chomper!  One of her bottom two front teeth.  The one right next to it is beginning to emerge, but still not completely visible.  Teething has been tough for us.  Just another one of the many challenges of baby-hood, but I know that this too shall pass.

Talking:  She is just full of jibber jabber and babbling.  Funnest thing!  I love her baby talk!  So bizarre though, she does this growly/monster-like voice a lot.  Very weird and extremely funny to anyone listening.  Kinda sounds like Froggy from The Little Rascals...I've never seen another little one do this.  What is that about?!  Hilarious.

It's been a huge adventure thus far and we are just enjoying the ride!  It is so true, that quote that goes something like: babies make nights shorter, days longer, houses messier, checking account smaller--love stronger :-)  Happy 7 months!  It just keeps getting better...

The Magic of Christmas

***I just read another blog about moving forward during these times of tragedy and hardship.  She quoted a book that she had read on this subject in the past, and how important it is to "lean into joy" and not fear these moments of loss that we all will feel personally at some time or another in our lives.  Such a great reminder.  Feel the joy that we have NOW, really feel it and delve into it!  It makes us so much stronger when hardships do arise.  So with that, here is my post I wrote last week: The Magic of Christmas!***

It really is the most wonderful time of the year!  For me, the reason I love Christmas *so* much is because of the magic my family created around the holiday when I was a child.  Yep, my mom was gaga over Christmas spirit too and definitely passed it on to me.  Some of our Christmas traditions were typical for the American family (i.e. going to look at Christmas lights, putting up the Christmas tree, opening presents) and others were absolutely unique to the Howells (i.e. going to see a movie on Christmas eve, eating a delicious New Mexican breakfast on Christmas morning).  I love traditions.  I'm just one of those sentimental people.  A big part of Christmas, to me, is sweet nostalgia and reliving those memories from years past.  I am so looking forward to carrying on my family's traditions with my own family now, and also creating new ones.

Apart from these things that we did every year, there was also just that intangible feeling of Christmas.  A feeling of love, abundance, family, wonder...with a touch of what I can only describe as magic.  Intangible magic.  Like a fragrance.  Now, I think I have been waiting my whole life to finally have the opportunity to create the Christmas magic for my own children.  I never was one of those girls who was planning my wedding my whole life; however, I  am one of those girls who has been planning for my entire existence how I can spread Christmas cheer with my children.  Oh yea, I've been banking ideas for 27 years, people!  I am over the moon with excitement to give my children the most magical Christmas experience, just as I had.  To me, it has very little to do with the jolly man that comes down the Chimney on December 24th...it's much more about the love, wonder, and magic you feel in your heart all December-long.  While Harper is too young to comprehend the excitement of Christmas this year, it's only the very beginning for our family.  I very much look forward to fostering that sugary, cinnamon-y, peppermint-y, snowy, glittery, wondrous, Christmas-state-of-mind with Harper for years and years to come.

"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store.  Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more."

Incomprehensible Sorrow

I am so full of grief hearing about the events that transpired in Connecticut on Friday...Friday morning, I wrote a draft post that I entitled "The Magic of Christmas."  However, since the horrific events of Friday, I feel that it does not portray my current state of mind...really, no words are sufficient at this time to express anyone's sorrow and disbelief over this tragedy.  The past two mornings, I read the news unfolding from this horror, looking for answers.  But there are none.  And there never will be.  Although it did not affect me directly, I am really having trouble processing it all.  I think the whole world is.   It is truly incomprehensible.  I will post my "Magic of Christmas" entry another day.  But, I feel that I just had to say something about the Sandy Hook tragedy, since that is what has really been on my mind that last few days.  I am brought to tears every time I even begin to imagine what the families must be going through.  Especially during this time of year which should be so magical and joyful.  Why, why, why?  Just incomprehensible sadness and sorrow.

ZoMBiE MoMbiE

Okay, not really that bad...today!  Today was actually a lot better than it has been as far as restfulness.  Saturday was horrendous, prefaced by several other horrendous days.  The sleep in the House of Herbert has been scarce.  Lots of teething going on which means many nighttime wakings.  Man oh man, the days that follow those sleepless nights are the roughest.  For all of us-mom, dad, baby, and even doggies.  I told Josh the other day that I wished I was a vampire, because vampires don't need sleep :-)  But alas, I do need it, and my sleep tank is running on fumes lately!  The best Christmas present ever would be a full night's sleep-like 8 straight hours....awww....a girl can dream right??  Hey, I guess you never know what Christmas miracle Santa might bring.

But despite the exhaustion, life carries on!  Thankfully the dark circles under my eyes were a little less prominent today, because we shot our Christmas card.  One of my favorite things to do this time of year!

Last year's card..!  Awww!  Anxiously awaiting our baby (didn't even know if it was a girl/boy yet!)

Previous years, wrangling our dogs into the 'perfect' shot was an adventure.  Imagine the adventure now with two giant dogs AND a baby!  It was fun!  And funNY!  I had to get creative.  Can't wait to send them out next week.

Outtake from our Christmas Card 2012 extravaganza!  Cutest Clause I've ever seen!

A Very Good Day!

Despite the fact that all of us have been going through another little phase of not the best sleep (average long stretch is only 4 hours right now-ouch), today was a great day!  I woke up completely exhausted.  This new sleep routine Harper is currently doing was really starting to wear on both Josh and myself.  I felt that I was just too tired to just sit at home and play in the living room all day (like we normally do).  So, I made myself busy!  When Harper woke up we went on an errand run, then played at home a little, then met Josh for lunch.  I was still feeling so tired and just didn't want to go back home for the next 6 hours, so I decided to make a spontaneous trip to the zoo!  Just me and Harper girl!  It was awesome!!! One of my favorite trips to the zoo ever.  Honestly, there were probably only about 10 other people in the entire facility.  It was practically deserted!  So nice and quiet.  And, the animals were more active than I have ever seen.  The gorillas were running around the enclosure, thumping their chests, and wrestling with each other.  The Orangutan was playfully swinging and climbing in her fort.  The seals were all actively swimming by the viewing windows.

Harper, checkin' out her seal friends!  Can you see him in the corner of the window?

The lions were ACTUALLY awake and roaring!!!  I don't think I've ever seen them outside of their catnap :-)  And the polar bears were taking a dip and having a nice massage on the tree in their cage.  So cool.  The best part though was that Harper is now able to actually see and enjoy the animals.  Not so much when they're just sitting there, sedentarily munching grass...but she loves to see them move around (i.e. the apes!).  It was so fun today.  And the weather was just perfect.  It started as a sleepy, grumpy, stinker of a day, and turned out to be amazing!  Such a pleasant surprise.

Now finishing it off with an interesting 'breakfast for dinner'- beer, a waffle, and some bacon.  What a combo! ;-D

Merry and Bright

Impromptu photo shoot this evening:

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star!

Thankful: Day #30

Wow-I can't believe November is already over.  Thirty Days of Thanks went by so quickly.  I have enjoyed this exercise so much, I am absolutely going to continue it!  If not on the blog, definitely in LIFE.  Counting your blessings daily keeps everything in perspective.  Even on a 'bad' day, there is SO MUCH to be thankful for.

Everyday, I am thankful for:

A loving husband.  He knows me and loves me inside-out, bones-to skin, fingertips-to toes.  We are in perfect balance together.  Anytime I am in the dark, he always knows how to show me the light.  He is a true 'diamond in the rough' and makes my life infinitely more FUN.

The ah-mazing creation that is our daughter.  Creating life is the coolest thing.  It really is something that makes me speechless.  It's just impossible to find the words!  I will never forget when she was born, the first time I looked in her eyes...I saw myself.  Myself as an newborn.  As Anita Diamant said, I "beheld myself as an infant in my mother's arms."  I looked into her eyes, and I understood motherhood.

My wonderful parents.  Wow wow wow.  I am so thankful for my family.  They are the American Dream.  They work hard for what they have.  They are humble.  And they worked hard so they could provide the very best for me.  Something I am now determined to do for our family.  They are completely unselfish.  Both of my parents are simple, non-extravagant people, and I am proud of that.  They have instilled so many important values in me: the value of hard work, finishing something you started, doing things yourself, doing things well the first time, education, family, caring about other people...just a few.  Things that I will always carry with me.  Things that have shaped me as a person.

My friends, to me, that are family.  As a girl without siblings, my friends ARE my family.  I cherish them as if they were my own brothers and sisters.  My friends that have been with me throughout my adolescence.  Co-workers that grew to be friends at EAD.  My friends that I met through Pi Beta Phi.  Nearly all of my bestest friends came from here.  They are girls that watched all of my dating adventures, girls that healed my heartaches, girls that I shared an itty-bitty closet-sized room with, girls that I have laughed my hardest with, girls that have shown me the wilder side of life, girls that stood by my side at my wedding, girls that I go to the movies with, girls that I meet for breakfast/lunch/dinner dates, girls that have seen me grow from a girl to a mom.

Awww....Love and light, my heart is fullllll of thanks!  Happy December 1st, loved ones!