Thursday, September 27, 2012

16 Months

Well I have to say, this is a first...I'm blogging while you are in the bathtub :) *You are not by yourself, I'm sitting right here*

I feel like you have changed a LOT this month.  You are everywhere!  Literally everywhere, into everything and at times I find myself getting frustrated then I think back and how I longed for you to eat 1/2 tsp of breast milk (yes, a 1/2 tsp) and then I am quickly reminded you are our miracle!

         

You probably weight just under 23 pounds.  You are still in a size 3 diaper and 12 month clothes.  You are now finally in a size 3 shoe!  Which you have been wearing every day and are doing so great in them!  You are talking all the time.  Your new words are Monkey (followed by "OO-OO"), open, puppy, up, Abby (this one is new), woof-woof, baa baa and nigh-nigh (night-night).

You still only have 5 teeth.  We are brushing your teeth every night before bed and you LOVE it!  You know out routine and you will go to the bathroom and stand.  When you are ready for bed you will say "nigh-nigh" and head to your room, that's when we know you are tired!
Your first taste of a popsicle!  Cici has her wisdom teeth out and she stayed with us for  a few days of rest and she shared her popsicle with you!
You are still loving school!  Your teachers kept marking 'Helpful' on your daily take home sheet and then we noticed you would start cleaning up your toys at home!  This school thing is paying off ;)
You are really turning into a toddler, if you have something you're not supposed to (the remote, our phones) we will ask you for it and you will say "No, No" and run the other direction!  :/
Little had her baby shower for "Baby A" at Pawnee Bill Ranch in her hometown of Pawnee, OK.

You have stayed pretty healthy these last few months.  You have had some allergy problems but you are taking Zyrtec everyday so it's helping.  Poor girl, going to be like your daddy.
First taste of cookie dough :)

It just amazes me to look at you and see you growing up.  I remember the days we would rock in your NICU room and I would wonder when you would crawl, walk and talk.  Would you be delayed?  Would you have long term effects?  Would you stay small your whole life?  
You have really figured out how to ride your dinosaur here the last few days!


One thing I know is that after you were born I have never prayed for something so hard in my life.  You are the answer to my prayers. 

I LOVE this smile!

You love to give kisses!  And I will take them as long as you are giving them :)


Thursday, September 20, 2012

Daddy's and Daughter's






I can not take credit for this, I wish I could but I can't.  But I do know that reading all of these I can't wait for Harper to grow up and her and her daddy experience these things (well not all of the things).  There is something about a daddy/daughter relationship that really just melts my heart.  Harper loves her daddy, he is the only one who makes her laugh the way she does, he is the only one she will go pounce on when he's laying on the floor.  Her daddy is her world!




50 RULES FOR DADS OF DAUGHTERS

1. Love her mom. Treat her mother with respect, honor, and a big heaping spoonful of public displays of affection. When she grows up, the odds are good she’ll fall in love with and marry someone who treats her much like you treated her mother. Good or bad, that’s just the way it is. I’d prefer good.
————————————————————
2. Always be there. Quality time doesn’t happen without quantity time. Hang out together for no other reason than just to be in each other’s presence. Be genuinely interested in the things that interest her. She needs her dad to be involved in her life at every stage. Don’t just sit idly by while she adds years to her life… add life to her years.
————————————————————
3. Save the day. She’ll grow up looking for a hero. It might as well be you. She’ll need you to come through for her over and over again throughout her life. Rise to the occasion. Red cape and blue tights optional.
————————————————————
4. Savor every moment you have together. Today she’s crawling around the house in diapers, tomorrow you’re handing her the keys to the car, and before you know it, you’re walking her down the aisle. Some day soon, hanging out with her old man won’t be the bees knees anymore. Life happens pretty fast. You better cherish it while you can.
————————————————————
5. Pray for her. Regularly. Passionately. Continually.
————————————————————
6. Buy her a glove and teach her to throw a baseball. Make her proud to throw like a girl… a girl with a wicked slider.
————————————————————
7. She will fight with her mother. Choose sides wisely.
————————————————————
8. Go ahead. Buy her those pearls.
————————————————————
9. Of course you look silly playing peek-a-boo. You should play anyway.
————————————————————
10. Enjoy the wonder of bath time.
————————————————————
11. There will come a day when she asks for a puppy. Don’t over think it. At least one time in her life, just say, “Yes.”
————————————————————
12. It’s never too early to start teaching her about money. She will still probably suck you dry as a teenager… and on her wedding day.
————————————————————
13. Make pancakes in the shape of her age for breakfast on her birthday. In a pinch, donuts with pink sprinkles and a candle will suffice.
————————————————————
14. Buy her a pair of Chucks as soon as she starts walking. She won’t always want to wear matching shoes with her old man.
————————————————————
15. Dance with her. Start when she’s a little girl or even when she’s a baby. Don’t wait until her wedding day.
————————————————————
16. Take her fishing. She will probably squirm more than the worm on your hook. That’s OK.
————————————————————
17. Learn to say no. She may pitch a fit today, but someday you’ll both be glad you stuck to your guns.
————————————————————
18. Tell her she’s beautiful. Say it over and over again. Someday an animated movie or “beauty” magazine will try to convince her otherwise.
————————————————————
19. Teach her to change a flat. A tire without air need not be a major panic inducing event in her life. She’ll still call you crying the first time it happens.
————————————————————
20. Take her camping. Immerse her in the great outdoors. Watch her eyes fill with wonder the first time she sees the beauty of wide open spaces. Leave the iPod at home.
————————————————————
21. Let her hold the wheel. She will always remember when daddy let her drive.
————————————————————
22. She’s as smart as any boy. Make sure she knows that.
————————————————————
23. When she learns to give kisses, she will want to plant them all over your face. Encourage this practice.
————————————————————
24. Knowing how to eat sunflower seeds correctly will not help her get into a good college. Teach her anyway.
————————————————————
25. Letting her ride on your shoulders is pure magic. Do it now while you have a strong back and she’s still tiny.
————————————————————
26. It is in her nature to make music. It’s up to you to introduce her to the joy of socks on a wooden floor.
————————————————————
27. If there’s a splash park near your home, take her there often. She will be drawn to the water like a duck to a puddle.
————————————————————
28. She will eagerly await your return home from work in the evenings. Don’t be late.
————————————————————
29. If her mom enrolls her in swim lessons, make sure you get in the pool too. Don’t be intimidated if there are no other dads there. It’s their loss.
————————————————————
30. Never miss her birthday. In ten years she won’t remember the present you gave her. She will remember if you weren’t there.
————————————————————
31. Teach her to roller skate. Watch her confidence soar.
————————————————————
32. Let her roll around in the grass. It’s good for her soul. It’s not bad for yours either.
————————————————————
33. Take her swimsuit shopping. Don’t be afraid to veto some of her choices, but resist the urge to buy her full-body beach pajamas.
————————————————————
34. Somewhere between the time she turns three and her sixth birthday, the odds are good that she will ask you to marry her. Let her down gently.
————————————————————
35. She’ll probably want to crawl in bed with you after a nightmare. This is a good thing.
————————————————————
36. Few things in life are more comforting to a crying little girl than her father’s hand. Never forget this.
————————————————————
37. Introduce her to the swings at your local park. She’ll squeal for you to push her higher and faster. Her definition of “higher and faster” is probably not the same as yours. Keep that in mind.
————————————————————
38. When she’s a bit older, your definition of higher and faster will be a lot closer to hers. When that day comes, go ahead… give it all you’ve got.
————————————————————
39. Holding her upside down by the legs while she giggles and screams uncontrollably is great for your biceps. WARNING: She has no concept of muscle fatigue.
————————————————————
40. She might ask you to buy her a pony on her birthday. Unless you live on a farm, do not buy her a pony on her birthday. It’s OK to rent one though.
————————————————————
41. Take it easy on the presents for her birthday and Christmas. Instead, give her the gift of experiences you can share together.
————————————————————
42. Let her know she can always come home. No matter what.
————————————————————
43. Remember, just like a butterfly, she too will spread her wings and fly some day. Enjoy her caterpillar years.
————————————————————
44. Write her a handwritten letter every year on her birthday. Give them to her when she goes off to college, becomes a mother herself, or when you think she needs them most.
————————————————————
45. Learn to trust her. Gradually give her more freedom as she gets older. She will rise to the expectations you set for her.
————————————————————
46. When in doubt, trust your heart. She already does.
————————————————————
47. When your teenage daughter is upset, learning when to engage and when to back off will add years to YOUR life. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
————————————————————
48. Ice cream covers over a multitude of sins. Know her favorite flavor.
————————————————————
49. This day is coming soon. There’s nothing you can do to be ready for it. The sooner you accept this fact, the easier it will be.
————————————————————
50. Today she’s walking down the driveway to get on the school bus. Tomorrow she’s going off to college. Don’t blink.
————————————————————

Friday, September 7, 2012

First Day of School

My plan was to take a picture of you on the front porch but it was SO sunny I moved to the back porch.  I wanted to make sure that I wrote down all the things you were into and interested in and compare them each school year and see how you've changed.


 These are your teachers Miss Ashlea and Miss Alma, you sure do love being in their class and playing with all the toys.  I have peaked in on your during your music time and you are just dancing and bopping along to the music!

When I picked you up they had great things to say about you and that you had a great day!!  Except that you only slept 30 mins....

Miss Eryn sent this to you on your first day of school!


15 Months

I feel like you have really grown up these last 30 days.  You are talking so much more, you are so animated and just so happy!

-You weigh 22.4 pounds
-You are still in size 3 diaper
-You wear 12 month clothes
-You are 30 1/4 inches long
-You talk A LOT!!  Dada, Dog, Momma, No, Uh-oh, Done, Thank You, Nana and you just jabber and jabber and I don't really understand most of it but you sure do have a lot to say.
-You give high fives, you are pointing to more things, you throw your paci's out of your crib (every night)
Chloe's Birthday at Build A Bear

Stuffing your bear

Tada!!

Loving your new classroom!

Looks like we will be getting you a kitchen for Christmas!

You are....


 WALKING!!!  Not all the time but about 70% of the time.  You are working on sit-to-stand

 You are into....

You have 4 1/2 teeth (see the one poking through?)

 You love to...

 You can sign...
'More'

'Please'
 You and Gizmo LOVE to look out the front door and see who all is driving and walking by

 You can...
Close the door




We love you Harpy girl and you make us laugh everyday!