Life with Harper - Month 2

Looking at the pictures, it doesn't seem like we did a whole lot during Harper's second month...I think that's when it really sank in that we had a baby!  We did have great weather, even though it was technically winter still and we went on lots of walks.  We also started to see some personality come out in this little girl.  I think my mom is right that God knew just when new parents would need to see something other than crying and sleeping around this time and Harper definitely delivered with some really cute smiles.  She did still sleep a lot though :).  

This was  a regular outfit for Harper girl - love the baby leg warmers

Bundled up for a walk on a pretty day

Yes, Harper started sleeping on her tummy for naps and she loved it!  Slept great.  So glad Hon was here to experiment!

This was one of the first days when she really started "coming alive" and smiling at us.  She's also looking at the fan - see next picture...

 This was a regular occurrence for a while, she loved the fan in our room and could study it forever

We loved her sleeping smiles and Justin happened to catch one, I miss them already

We broke out the activity mat and she seemed to like it, now she loves it!

We made a short trip to GA for the first time and this is the only picture I got...but she did great on both legs of the trip.

Life with Harper - Month 1

Saying that adjusting to life with a baby is challenging is an understatement.  I thought we had this thing "in the bag" so to speak.  Boy was I wrong.  Not that it was hard per se, but just NOTHING I could have ever imagined.  And Harper has always seemed to be pretty laid back, so it wasn't even like she was a difficult baby.  Even after babysitting/nannying for a good part of my life, that is nothing compared to being with a newborn who depends on you for everything, every second of the day, and NIGHT.  I think that was the hardest thing for both Justin and I, the nights.  We like to sleep, I think more so than the average person and our sleep was definitely interrupted.  BUT, we made it.  We made it to the other side of 1, 3, 5 am, and whenever feedings and we still love her like crazy.  Here is a little recap of what happened during Harper's first month of life, although honestly, I might not remember much of it if it weren't for these pictures :)

Our first moments together

Daddy and his girl for the first time



7 lbs. 13 oz.  18.5 in. long

(only putting this in here for the sake of documentation)

Our first family of 3 photo...can't believe she's actually here!

All the grandparents were there, waiting to meet Harper

Granddaddy got to hold her first, lucky!

I could do a whole post on everything Mo did to help us get ready for Harper's arrival, seriously the definition of Best Friend.  I don't know why I'm still surprised that she was at the hospital by 6 am, waiting to meet Harper as well. Love you, Aunt Moey!  (Blake came later too :) )

The Malones came to meet Harper that night, sweet cousins meet for the first time

Blake and Julie meeting Harper for the first time

Chad and Leann came that night too

Wonderful Dr. B. checking in on us the next morning

Finally home with our sweet girl, introducing her to Maybel.  That was fun!

Lots of visitors came to meet and love on Harper

Harper and GeGe

Granddaddy and Hon were here for a week after Harper was born, they were awesome and helped so much!

Terah came to meet Harper, too.

Uncle Cam came to visit

Uncle Luke got to meet Harper unexpectedly when he came to town for work.  He couldn't believe his Ruthie had once been this small :)

See, Blake did come visit too (and met Harper in the hospital, just didn't get a picture of it)

Elizabeth's first match-maker baby...she introduced Justin and I

Bathing Beauty - it didn't take too long for Harper to get used to taking baths.  Now she loves it!

Daddy got 4 weeks of paternity leave and we LOVED it.  He and Harper got a lot of snuggle time in.

Harper's first Valentine's Day in her outfit from Hon

 Otter Creek Baby Blessing and Dedication 2012

We got to dedicate Harper to the Lord with our church family and all of our family present.  It was a wonderful day to celebrate her and her life

All the Tenery's came to visit and meet Harper President's Day weekend

Finally, all 3 granddaughters together at last!

For Harper...and us

So, Harper is almost 6 months old and we haven't blogged since the day after she was born.  That's pretty sad.  Oh, we had good intentions of everything we would do once she got here, but most of those have not come to fruition.  Blogging is one of them.  But it's time.  We need to make use of the technology around us and document life with this wonderful little girl.  And wonderful it is, especially now that she is sleeping through the night :) (and has been for several months now!)  She is growing like crazy and I want to make sure I've kept track of all of it.  I am making notes on a calendar of important milestones and recording in a baby book, but this would be a great way to record the fun, every day things that we are doing as a family.  So here it goes, we'll see if I'm eating my words when the next post is several months from now.  Let's hope not...

Harper - 1 month

 Harper - 2 months

 Harper - 3 months

 Harper - 4 months

 Harper - 5 months

Hopefully month six will be a post all it's own.  We'll be on vacation when she turns six months so hopefully, I should be able to find time to blog then.  I can't believe how much she has changed already.  I am so crazy about this little girl, it is unbelievable.  I really do thank God for her EVERY day.  I'm so glad He saw fit to give her to us.

She's here!

I am updating the blog with my daughter sleeping in my lap. Life doesn't get much better than this. She was born at 10:52 am yesterday, and weighed in at 7 lbs 13 oz.

We have pictures and video to sort through, and we will hopefully be adding them here shortly. Katie and I are doing good, got lots of rest last night, and will be going home tomorrow. Thanks for all your thoughts, prayers and notes of encouragement on Facebook and Twitter. We are definitely feeling the love! Justin and Katie

40 weeks

2 days late, but here is my lovely wife on her due date. We both want to meet Harper so bad!