my harper girl is

7 months and 3 weeks old

crawling

pulling herself up on the couch, chairs, anything else she can grab

sleeping through the night (mostly)

eating A LOT

so smiley

just like her brother

In less than 8 months, Harper has taught me so much.  In the beginning, she really tested me.  She was demanding and difficult to understand.  She taught me humility and patience.  I also learned how to multitask and prioritize.  She helped me to fix my eyes on what matters most to me.  The first three months of Harper's life we're the hardest three months of my life as I learned to balance the responsibilities of being a mother to two children.  Harper has grown so much.  She is such a sweet sweet child.  I used to only get pictures of her crying, but now she's all smiles with her tongue sticking out on most occasions.  She loves her brother, she's fearless when it comes to our dog Nelly.  She explores and climbs.  She giggles and squeals.  She talks to us, and sounds very similar to Peyton.  I adore her and Peyton.  And I absolutely love that I get to spend my entire summer with them both- everyday. 

you think you know it all

     I haven't blogged in far too long.  My baby girl will be five months old in two weeks!  She has changed and grown so much.  No more colic, thank God!  I wish I could have enjoyed my maternity leave more, but I quickly got a huge smack in the face with the reality of having two children.  While I would never change my decision to have two kids or to have two this close together, it has been the hardest thing I have ever done in my life.  With Harper crying nonstop in the beginning, it was made even harder.  Sometimes I think God did that on purpose to remind me that I really don't control anything.  I think I got a little cocky with Peyton because he's such a sweet and easy going kid.  I guess I thought for a minute that I made him that way.  I try my best to raise Peyton in the way that God intends for me to, but me thinking that I really had anything to do with the fact he was an easy baby... that was all God.  And when Harper came along, I quickly realized that I need to not take credit for things I really have no control over.  At the same time, I can't feel guilty for things I have no control over.  I learned to care less what people thought, because no matter what, if Harper felt like screaming she would scream until she didn't feel like it anymore.  She didn't want to eat from a bottle, so she wouldn't, and I couldn't care if I made people a little uncomfortable breastfeeding her when she needed to eat.  I learned to be more humble and I learned to be more accepting of other people who may have crying children and fussy two year olds.  We're all doing the best we can.  It's too overwhelming to think about the level of gratitude I feel toward God for giving me my children.  They are so special.

     Going back to work this time after leave was actually easier.  I thought it was going to be harder, but it was ok.  I'm come to an understanding that I won't be a stay-at-home mom anytime soon and it's ok.  My job is important and it gives me the opportunity to show God's love through my actions to kids who may never feel that.  Everyday I try to remind myself to be an accurate representation of who God is by the way I interact with them.  I remind myself daily to be compassionate, kind, caring, loving, and patient with them.  I'd be lying if I said it weren't a struggle sometimes.  Even though it was easier this time, life in general is definitely harder, which is to be expected.  It's nonstop from the time I wake up and go to work until both kids fall asleep, which is usually only thirty minutes before I go to bed.  I've learned to set aside the things that don't matter all that much.  I've become best friends with my DVR and learned that it's ok if I don't watch my show the same night it comes on.. or even the same week.  I'm still taking classes, but I'm finally getting close to my masters degree.  Adding classes to the mix, is just adding more to my already full plate, but I know that when I do have "free" time, I'll appreciate it so much more.   I'm also hoping that having my masters will give me more options, so that I have more time with my children in the future.  I couldn't do any of this without Brandon's support.  He, along with God, is my rock.  I love him so so much.  We of course still have our struggles, arguments, whatever, but he is my partner and my best friend and as much as I like to think I've got it all together, I would've been a hot mess without him in my life the last five months.

the peanut to my butter

This is pretty much how I feel about my beautiful boy.  I started this blog just about 1 year ago with the purpose of capturing and documenting moments with my family.  I started by documenting Peyton's 1 year old birthday.  Somehow he managed to turn 2 a few weeks ago.  I'm amazed by his sweet soul everyday and entertained by his silly demeanor.  He's so smart, loving, caring, and kind.  I love him everyday with so much of my heart it hurts.

Happy Birthday Sweet Angel.

 The picture below demonstrates how truly sweet you are.  You hate to see Harper cry.  Not because it annoys you, but because you don't want to see her upset.  When she spits up, you run to get a wipe and clean her face.  You always gently rub her head with your little hands. You rock her and say "shhh Hapa."  I could have never imagined you would be such a loving brother and helpful son at only 2 years old.  You are so special.  I am so grateful to God for allowing me to be your mother.

the last 6 weeks.

     Wow, where have I been?  Harper is now 6 weeks old and it has been a wild 6 weeks.  We have been slowly adjusting to life as a family of four, but I think things are finally beginning to calm down some.

When I say calm down, I really mean- she is beginning to calm down.  Harper has proven to be much more of a crier than we were used to with Peyton.  We've wondered if it's colic, gas, reflux... all of the above.  We've pretty much ruled out everything because she tricks us by actual sleeping at night and not crying... like at all.  I can be assured between around 9pm and 7am she will not cry (she does wake up of course.. she eats and goes back to sleep).   When she's not crying, she is a sweet sweet girl.  He smiles a lot- which I didn't think was possible because Peyton was the most serious baby on the planet.  I told Brandon today that I'm starting to forget what life was even like before she was here.

As for Peyton...    
     Sometimes I wished I had Peyton's patience.  He unconditionally loves that girl so so much.  He has exceeded my expectations for bringing another child into our family.  I worried that he would be jealous or feel robbed of his time with us, or that he would regress and start acting like an infant again.  I feel silly for thinking these things of Peyton.  Peyton has the most loving and kind soul.  He has accepted Harper as his sister from day one and he takes his job as big brother very seriously.  I'm so grateful for that.

I am really looking forward to watching them together and to getting to know Harper's personality.  I feel like I am starting to see glimpses of who is she.  One thing is for sure- she's pretty stubborn....

I don't know who she got that from.

welcome to the world harper

my beautiful little girl

was born on November 12, 2012 at 9:19am

she weighed 6 lbs 15 oz and measured 19 inches

She's perfect and we're so blessed.

Her brother seriously adores her.  He's not jealous.  He rubs her hair and reaches out to hold her.  He worries when she cries and wants to know where she is when he can't see her.  He loves her.

Now that we're home, we're adjusting to having two babies (under two).  It's not easy, but I didn't expect it to be.  I'm just lucky I have Brandon, because I seriously don't think I could do this without him.

Welcome to our world baby girl.

normal around here

We've been busy getting ready for Harper and enjoying the fall.  This year like the last few, we visited a local farm in the area.  Peyton was old enough this year to participate in the activities and run around the pumpkin field.

When we got home, I let Peyton paint his pumpkin.  He seemed like he really liked painting it and he wasn't too messy about it either :-)

Two days before Halloween, Hurricane Sandy hit our area.  It was actually bad enough to close school for two days.  We lost power for a little less than 24 hours.  But things quickly resumed to normal on Halloween.  Unfortunately, that wasn't the case for everyone hit by Sandy :-(

Today is Election Day.  Brandon, Peyton and I went to vote early this morning.  I had the day off, but I had a ton to do to prepare for my leave.  I feel good knowing that Peyton will learn about the election process from a young age (part of the territory when your mom is a social studies teacher).

And today I had my last doctor appointment before Harper arrives!  It's pretty amazing.

34 wks and 21 months

     I turned 34 weeks on Friday!  And... I finally made a decision about Harper's delivery.  If all goes well, she will be here on November 12.  I'm excited, nervous, a little overwhelmed, and a little unconvinced that I'm even having a baby.  I think Peyton's ready... but I could be wrong.  He lays his head on my belly and rubs Harper for several minutes at a time.  He smiled yesterday and laughed when I told him he was going to have his sister here soon!  I hope some part of him really does understand.  I'm ready to be home for the holidays and to not have to worry about work or school.   I still haven't completely set up Harper's room and I don't have everything that I plan to have for her, but as for her room- here are my ideas so far...

I love this dandelion blanket from etsy

I really want this chandelier from etsy and am still debating if it's worth the cost

I'm pretty set on this crib from Ikea

  We bought a dresser from a great consignment shop in the area.  I guess I'm still looking for a rug, nursery art, curtains, and little things like a lamp.  I really wish I had the time (and money) to get it all together, but I've become comfortable with knowing that I don't have the time right now or energy.  It'll get done- eventually.  If I hadn't had Peyton 5 weeks early, I'd think I have plenty of time, but having a child early changes your perspective some. 

     On another note, I'm excited for Halloween (Peyton is going to be Batman this year- he's never seen Batman, but he looks really cute in his costume).  I'm looking forward to visiting the farm and pumpkin patch- and I'll post pictures when we do.  Peyton is exactly 21 months old today and he is just becoming so smart and so fun.  He's still my little boy and probably will be forever.

what 18 months looks like on Peyton

Peyton is 18 months... (actually 18 month, 3 weeks, and 3 days)

And today was his 18 month check up...

The Stats:

Weight: 25 lbs 9 oz- 41%

Height:  34.5 in- 93%

Head: 48 cm- 52%

So, we have a tall, skinny, little man on our hands

 The doctor said he looks great and he's so tough he cried for less than 30 seconds after getting 3 shots in the leg :-/  He's a trooper.

The doctor did say we need to cut out this...

So we will.... try.

I love you my big boy.  Everyday.

Independence Day with my independent boy

This year, like last year, we spent the 4th of July downtown.  This year, however, it was HOT!  So we left for a little and ate dinner in an air conditioned restaurant.  I would say it was a good move.

This was the 4th last year...

Peyton was 6 months old.  Now he's 18 months old and July 4th was a whole different experience.

He's such a big boy!

He rode a pony for the first time!

He played with the petting zoo animals.

 He gave his dad a workout by slowly crawling and then darting out past the "don't go past this line" sign.  Luckily the Police officer was nice about it.

 As it got darker, he waited patiently.... (with the help of food and bottles)

And finally! (at 9:30!) he watched the fireworks with Mama!  He did make sure my hands were around his waist at all times, but he never cried or fussed once :-)