Sweepy Baby

Over the past 9 months I have taken countless sleeping baby pictures of little miss Harper.  Seeing her sweetly sleeping is one of my favorite things in the entire world!  Chunky cheeks smushed, pouty lips, stuffed animals and blankies snuggled...I could watch forever.

Sweetness and Cuteness Overload...

On another subject--diving season is FINISHED!!!!!  We survived 12 hour days and several one-day weekends for four long months.  I was tearfully dreading diving season once it turned fall in Albuquerque.  I really didn't know how we would both do it...it's hard every year; but this year, with a baby?!  I was skeptical if we'd all three make it out alive.  But as the season went on, Harper and I attended several practices, almost all the meets, and were really having fun and got to know all the divers pretty well!  It turned out to be an amazing season for all the kids and of course, Josh.  Yesterday was the State meet and his divers kicked butt.  So, not only did we survive, but it really ended on a high note.  Still, so glad it's done!  Time to celebrate!  Woowoo!

Park Date

We went on an outing to the park on Sunday with our friends and their sweet babies!  The weather was gorgeous and the company was perfect, too!  Here are some photos from our park date:

Nine Months of Harper Jane!

Big girls like me only sit up now, Mommy!
You can't make ME lie down for your silly photos anymore--mwahahahaha!

NINE MONTHS!  It really is a magical age.  I am loving every minute of it.  She is just so adorable, sweet, and bright.  Our days together are so so fun.  She is developing so much--I feel like everyday she is doing something new.  Whether it's making connections with language, playing with a toy a new way, or advancing physically--everyday it's something different!  So, what IS going on these days?!

Weight/Height: We have a check-up on Thursday, so we'll know these things for certain.  But, weight, probably around 18 pounds...and height, I dunno...pretty tall!  She's wearing some 12 month stuff now in addition to her 9 month clothes.

Language: She's not much of a talker yet, but she loves to point at everything!  She jibber-jabbers in her own wonderful baby-talk.  She can say all the main consonants, and right now she loves to stick her tongue in and out while making a noise that sounds like she's saying 'giggle giggle giggle.'  The one word that I do think she is making a connection with now is 'dog.'  She will point at Mitch or Mia and say 'daw.'  She also waves her arms around when she is either excited/happy or upset because she WANTS something!  Yes, she is quite opinionated already!  We are still signing some basic signs but she hasn't quite caught on to do them herself.  But, she knows what "mamma's milk," "more," and "all done" mean.

Teeth: Still just those two cute bottom teeth!  Where are those other toofs?!  Stay away, I'm not complaining :-D

Play: Harper has loved to take things out of boxes/containers for a few months now, but recently she's interested in putting things into containers or on other toys.  She was even 'stacking' a block on top of another block the other day.  She also loves to pull several of our DVD's of the shelf and then stack/shove blocks into the loose spaces.  Pretty clever, if I do say so!  She also loves to play peek-a-boo, look outside while inside, and put toys on her head :-)  I'm telling you, nine months old is SO darn cute!

Mobility: Okay, if you saw the last video, you know she's working on walking.  She can walk while just lightly holding onto something with one hand.  And she can stand for a while without assistance.  But, she's super fast at crawling, so that's obviously her preferred mode of transportation still!

Food: We are still breastfeeding!  And she is eating lots of solids now.  She won't necessarily eat large servings, but she has tried lots of foods and likes them!  Favorites right now are yogurt, eggs, waffles, apples, pears, mangos, sweet potato fries, noodles, and little 'puff' snacks.  Yum!

Other Cute Stuff:  She will sometimes give mommy or daddy a kiss when prompted.  This consists of a wide open mouth latching onto our cheek!  Wet baby kisses are the besssst!  Our friends also note that she is getting much more hair on her little baldy blond head.

HAPPY HAPPY NINE MONTHS, BABY!!!

Pics from a beautiful park day with our best friends!  More photos to come!! :-D

Happy Valentine's Day!

Yea, it was two days ago--I feel like I haven't had a moment to write and complete an entire post in weeks!  I have several posts started and unfinished...this post included was sitting in my 'draft' section.  So, yes, it was two days ago--but I'm finally able to finish it and post it today!  Phew!
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Happy Valentine's Day to you all!  And especially to my most sweeeet forever Valentine, Josh!  We've got an unbreakable bond, a solid marriage, and a very happy companionship.  I love love love you.  We don't do grand, romantic gestures often-but Valentine's Day is a great excuse for some theatrical expressions of love!

I made these cookies today...((thanks again, Pinterest!))  I've never made sugar cookies before on my own.  Wow, it was a lot of work!  Especially with a baby around.  It was another "I Love Lucy" moment for me in the kitchen today.  OMG.  It's a long story--for another post--but I pulled it off in the end!  I'm just now getting 'good' at cooking--baking is a completely different story!  But they came out so cute (sort of).  One of those instances when 'it's the thought that counts' trumps my 'first grade penmanship' frosting job.  My favorite was "I love you more than...Harry loves Ginny."  And Josh attests that they are the best cookies he's ever tasted.  Alright then-success!  We also had a delectable lunch date with the three of us at our favorite New Mexican spot, Duran's, and exchanged some gifts.  All is good on V-Day 2013.

But, when it all comes down to it, our love for each other and our family is in the small things.  Those small, thoughtful acts are what really make up the framework for our loving life.

*making each other a meal
*bringing each other coffee in the morning
*a back rub
*a phone call or text message
*a love note on the bathroom mirror
*remembering to buy you a delicious brew at the grocery store
*giving some 'me' time (that's usually yoga or a shower for me, and running for Josh)

I love you for those little things everyday, Valentine.  Xoxoxoxoxo!  Of course, the lovely turquoise earrings Josh gave me for the holiday don't hurt either!  Love you :-D

Okay, enough mushy stuff!  Check out Mz. Harper.  She is well on her way to being a little Frankenbaby Zombie Walker!

Searching for SPRING!

Okay, I know it's still February, but I am definitely looking forward to the warmer weather of springtime.  Warm weather makes it so much easier to get out of the house!  And, as a mom, getting out of the house daily = fun, and mental sanity!  Well, despite it still being a little chilly, we went to the park a couple of days ago for a swingin' good time :-)

Weeeee!