One Month

Miss Harper was one month old yesterday! I just asked Jonathan last night if he ever imagined he could love another child so much. Of course, we both agreed that it's crazy how your love truly just grows and we now are blessed with two precious girls -three including Mollie:). We have really settled into a family of four and are finally getting a feel for our new "normal" and routine. Of course I know that will all be rocked in about 5 weeks when I return to school. Harper continues to be a great baby. In the past few days she has really started to focus on things and give you that look like she is understanding every single word that you say to her. She is eating about every 4 hours and is taking anywhere from 3-4 ounces at a time. She's still a great sleeper at night, usually going 4 hour stretches and only waking once during the night. She is still wearing newborn diapers but we will probably be switching to size 1 in the next week or so. One of her newborn outfits is getting a little snug, and I'm reminded of just how fast she is growing. We went to see Dr. Williams this morning for her one month check up. She was up to 8lbs. 9oz. (30th%), 21.4 in. long (50th%) and her head was 15 cm (75th%). We have been a little concerned that she has a touch of reflux because she is spitting up through her nose, coughing, and often seems to be in pain. Dr. W prescribed us Zantac that we can try. I really hate to put her on medicine since she is so tiny, but Jonathan and I agreed that if he keeps her comfortable it is worth it.

The verdict is still out as to who she looks like. Her hair still seems to have a lighter reddish tint to me especially after it is washed and in the light. I'm also anxious to see if it is curly because the texture is definitely different than Payton's.


Harper went to the lake for the first time last weekend. She was a pretty good girl just hanging out on the porch and inside. Daddy didn't put her on the wave runner just yet. :)


Thankfully, Payton has continued to be such a fabulous big sister to Harper. She loves to help in any way possible, even if it means throwing away a diaper. HA! I have seen very small glimpses of jealousy, but nothing that I wouldn't consider completely normal. For example she sometimes asks to sit in our laps while we are feeding her, or asks us to do something with her when she knows that it really isn't possible at that given moment. I've come to the conclusion that we may actually get Payton to take more pictures for us now that Harper is here. Every time I get out the camera she wants me to take a picture of her now. While I was trying to take Harper's picture with the 1 month sign, Payton kept telling me that she wanted to take a picture with that paper. So far, we haven't seen any resentful behavior and I only pray that continues. We made it to church for the second time this past Sunday and Payton and Harper got to sport their matching outfits for the first time. Jonathan had taken Payton's dress off while she ate, and after getting up from her nap, she looked at Harper and asked where her pretty dress was that matched hers.

Beach Babes

Two weekends ago we went down to Foley to visit Ella and Jennifer. Jonathan made a promise to Payton before we left that he would take her to the beach to build a sandcastle. The two girls had a blast and Harper just soaked in the rays (under the umbrella of course!)





Here is Payton at her first beach trip when she was 5 weeks old. Harper was 3 weeks.

Thank you Jennifer and Ella for letting us come visit!

Donations accepted

We are currently accepting donations to put this monkey in gymnastics...

A mind of her own

We have definitely spent more time at home since Harper has arrived and the daily rain sure hasn't helped. Payton's imagination seems to have blossomed so much all of a sudden. The other morning she spent an hour tending to her babies. I do think that Harper has brought this out even more, but she has always loved playing with her baby dolls. It started by her laying them all out on the table in a row to get their diapers changed. She then placed them up on the couch and fed each one. Finally, it was time for them all to cuddle up on the couch with her and take a nap. No kidding-I don't think she even knew I was in the room for the entire hour that she was doing this. It is just so funny to watch her! Just the other day she started sitting next to me with her Harper (a baby doll) and feeding and burping her while I feed Harper. She tells me that the baby doll is her Harper and that Harper is mommy and daddy's Harper. Goodness I love this child!


This is her playing princesses with the necklaces that Trippi and Lisa brought her back from New Orleans along with the Strawberry Shortcake that she got in her happy meal. Please don't miss the shoes that complete the ensemble!

Already?

The first week of Harper's life has already flown by faster than I like to admit. We've had Jonathan off work, and we have been on the go since the minute we came home from the hospital. I told Jonathan the other day that I would love to just have a pause button on life, because I can't bare the thought of how fast it is flying by. Having an infant again makes me question how in the world Payton is almost two and a half. Nonetheless, we are blessed and enjoying life right now.

Our first public outing was on Tuesday to eat dinner at Johnny Brusco's and enjoy a special treat for Payton at Yogurt Mountain. Of course as any mother would be, I was so anxious to see how Payton would be with Harper. I have to say, so far, so good. She has been a huge helper, loved on her baby sister, and been very obedient. I realize that this could change at any given moment, but for right now, I am so thankful for how everything is going with the adjustment of having Harper at home. We thought a little trip for ice cream was the perfect way to celebrate! :)


We've also spent some time visiting great Bamama. She loves to cuddle on some Grand-babies and we have loved spending some extra time with her.



Here are just a few snapshots during the week.







Harper had her first bath. It probably wasn't great planning on our part because it was very close to time for a feeding. She screamed the entire time! Payton on the other hand, thought it was absolutely hilarious. Harper so far hasn't been much of a crier, and I guess Payton really hasn't heard her. For some reason, she was belly laughing the entire time. I couldn't help but capture her reaction also.





Here she is on her one week birthday!








I can't count the number of times Payton has looked at me over the past week and said, "Mommy, Harper's not in your belly anymore. She's out! She's beautiful!" Every time I get this entire conversation. It's as though she is just reassuring me that Harper is actually here. Just as predicted, she loves giving (forcing) Harper her paci. She will now tell you that she only needs it when she's crying. Payton likes to know exactly where Harper is at all times and what she is doing.

Harper is an excellent baby so far. I feel guilty even posting this, but I want to record things so I remember them. The first night we were home from the hospital she slept from 11-5!!! Jonathan and I kept rolling over checking to make sure the other one had not gotten up with her. I went in several times to check on her and make sure she was okay. I realize that some people may judge me for letting her go that long without eating, but I was so shocked. Since then she has been going 3 or 4 hours at a time, generally eating, and going straight back to sleep. Just like Payton, she loves to be swaddled up and we have even been letting her sleep in her crib. She is eating anywhere between 2-3 ounces at a time and seems to sleep all the time. We went to the doctor for a weight check today and she is exactly 7lbs. I have to give Jonathan credit for being "super dad" as I like to call him. He has helped with feedings in the middle of the night, let me sleep in a few mornings, and helped in every way possible. I realize just how lucky I am to have a husband who is so hands on and helps so much. Today has been our first day flying solo with daddy back at work. I actually didn't have a meltdown like I predicted, but the week isn't over yet. :)

So far, we have settled in well and are loving our new family of four (plus Mollie of course)!

Home sweet home

Since Harper was born in the middle of the night, they made us wait until Monday to come home. I was so ready to get home and have my two girls together. Payton was with my parents, and we decided that it would be easiest if Payton would be at home ready to greet us when we got there. They went shopping for a balloon and ribbon to go out front (along with a Mickey Mouse balloon for Payton) as well as some cupcakes to celebrate Harper's birthday. We were greeted by everyone when we arrived home.
Before leaving the hospital.


Just for fun...here is a picture of Payton in the same dress and blanket when she went home from the hospital.


So excited to see Baby Harper!











Our fourth of July plans looked a little different this year. Instead of spending it at the lake, we ended the day at Nana and Pop's house swimming (well at least for Jonathan and Payton) and hanging out with family. We even drove by the fireworks and parked for about 5 minutes for Payton to watch them. It might have been a little different than usual, but it was a perfect day in my book!