Rockin' the pony

Harper has this really thick, long, beautiful hair.  It's been getting in her eyes lately, but I'm not ready to cut it just yet.  So the other morning for church, we thought we'd try an updo.

She is seriously my favorite little thing in the whole world!

Family Day

Last weekend, we had no plans but wanted to get out of the house.  Before we had little miss priss, we used to go to Grapevine and shop, walk around, eat, and spend hours just hanging out.  So out we went, with baby in tow.  

We went to Bass Pro and looked at all sorts of toys for Cody.  Watched the fish swim, which held little interest for her.  Let her play with the huge shark and the Carrousel.  Of course, the best part was running around playing with all the stuff on the shelves.  

Afterwards, we walked around Grapevine Mills for awhile.  Snagged some baby clothes on clearance.  Tried on 4 different pairs of shoes for Harper (none fit - they are still too chubby!).  Cody and I shopped a bit at the Banana Outlet.  Harper tried to crawl out of my dressing room a few times, while I was still undressed of course.  

Last, we had dinner at Fuddruckers, a favorite of Cody's.  Harper had some of my burger and some fruit.  That wasn't enough for our little fatty, so she also had a few fries and even some of my chocolate chip cookie.  It's unconditional love when I even share my chocolate chip cookie.  

First bite of cookie

Hmm...What is this goodness?

Must get every bite!

Mama - is that more cookie I see in your hand?

We had a great time and for a bit it seemed like old times.  It's nice to finally be able to enjoy a bit of our sane, quiet old life with our sweet new one.

Meeting Baby Victoria

My friend Jill recently had another little girl.  That's 3 in a row for her!  Baby Victoria is so precious and I was so excited to finally meet her.

2 days old

2 weeks old - Harper didn't even seem to notice a baby.  

Victoria came over with Jill for a little bit.  When she started crying, Jill rocked her seat to calm her down.  A few minutes later, Harper tried it out and was such a good helper.

Sweet Summer in July

July has been hot but fun.  After Harper's party, I gave Cody 2 full weeks to finally enjoy summer.  He could easy do nothing all day and not get bored.  I don't think he's ever uttered the phrase "I'm bored" in his whole life.  I, on the other hand, am getting antsy.  It's a little too hot to go outside with Harper most days, so we either go shopping/run errands or we play all day inside. 

Going to run errands.  My keys are her FAV.

Sitting in the front is for babies.

Loving the attic ladder.

She has found a new level to her love/hate relationship with Maggie.  She likes to pet (smack) Maggie and chase her around the house.  Her new favorite place is Maggie's dog bed.  She loves to climb on Maggie (while on the bed), who promptly leaves and lets Harper enjoy the space all to herself.  She also has started to try and fake Maggie out while she's eating.  She holds her hand out with food in it and when Maggie gets close, she pulls her hand back and laughs.  Sad for Maggie, but super funny for Harper.  

Since it's summer, we are spending lots of time with family.  Kristi motivated me and we signed up for the 4th of July 5k.  We were a little late getting there, so we ended up running almost a mile just to get to the starting line.  Ugh!  I swear I would have run the whole 5k if it wasn't for that!  Afterwards, we went to breakfast with the fam and the sisters spent the day (and night).  Cody, Taylor and Carleigh went to watch fire works (which are better in person than on youtube, so I'm told) and I enjoyed some time to myself.  The next day we went to Hawaiian Falls.  Harper loved just walking around in the water park.  She is still too little to really enjoy it but she did go down a slide (with help) and climb the play area.  

We have had lots of playdates with friends.  Harper is so cute when she plays with people her size.  She likes to watch them and see how they play and what they do.  Then, she runs to me like, did you see that?  It's definitely good mom time for me, too.  

Playing with Taylor's Ipod.  She is a dancing FOOL now.  She bounces up and down, which I call her "drop it like it's hot" move.  She also waves her hands in the air (copying Taylor) and likes to kick her feet (copying Mickey Mouse in the hot dog dance).  She smiles so big now anytime she hears good dancing music.  

Birthday gift from Jill.  It sings, lights up and moves.  Yes!

We are still trying different things when it comes to Harper.  We gave milk a couple of weeks and she seemed to continue to get fussier with each passing day.  So now we are trying almond milk and she seems to like it.  We are definitely at our wits end trying to switch her to the sippy cup.  She loves her sippy cup, with water or juice in it.  She loves milk, in her bottle.  She absolutely will not drink milk out of her sippy.  We have 14 different sippy cups, we have tried 1/2 milk 1/2 formula, we have tried forcing it.  Nothing has worked.  She ended up going 9 days without drinking anything and got dehydrated.  So, hopefully we can try again next month and she will be ready to switch.  This seems to be a battle that she is winning for now.  For food, there's no worries.  She LOVES food.  She is gonna be such a cute fatty.  It doesn't matter what time it is, this girl will eat.  

First mexican meal at El Chico (beans, tomatoes, tortillas, and guacamole).  She LOVED it.

First taste of spaghetti sauce.  She LOVED it.  

She is playing with tons of toys lately.  She got a new baby doll from Kara for her birthday and carries it around all the time.  She likes to hug it and gives it a big kiss.  Her kisses are full blown, open mouthed, with tongue, and oh so much fun.  She likes to walk around with a bowl and spoon pretending to stir whatever she is cooking.  She likes to walk around with laundry in her hands.  I'm not sure why she does this, but I find bits of clothing all over the house.  Shoes as well.  And she still loves to read books, watch MMC, and always wants our cell phones or remotes.  

Playing in the sprinklers because it's HOT!

Happy Summer!

Playing at the Park

We went to the elementary school down the street from our house and played at the park this week.  It was cloudy and not too hot so we actually got to enjoy being outside for the first time in weeks.  This park outing was special for me.  For about a year before we got pregnant, I was ready to have a baby but Cody was not quite there yet.  So I would go running and somehow always end up at the park on my way home.  I would go swing and talk to God.  I would ask Him for guidance, and peace, and to change Cody's mind.  :)  But I would also talk to my sweet baby.  And tell her all the things I was thinking and looking forward to.  So taking her to the park for the first time was very memorable for me.  

She is finally big enough to run around and play on everything.  She went up and down the whole thing multiple times.  She went down all slides (that's not as much fun for now).  She was even able to climb up the rock wall (by herself).  Then, she learned to crawl up the steps and spent the rest of the time there.  Taylor and Carleigh were with us and had as much fun as Harper.  Sadly, we are not between the ages of 5 and 9 (which is who the playground was made for) and we all left injured.  All I know is that when you hit 30, you can't always do the twisty things on the high bars like you could when you were 8.  

Harper's 1st Birthday

Part 1: Missy Prissy's Birthday Day - Getting Ready

Part 2:  Look Whoo's Turning One! - The Party

Look Whoo's turning ONE!

This little girl is 1 year old!  Time to party!

My friend Ana and her little girl, Ellie.  

They are going to be great friends and roommates for the 

Fightin' Texas Aggie Class of 2032!

Lily, Amanda, and Lexi

Staci, Me, Lexi

Cory and Jessica

Sisters - Carleigh, Kristen, and Taylor

The McCools

Taylor, Carleigh, Cody

As much as my sisters and my husband love me, I think

they love each other way more!  Cody is the grown kid who

always wants to be crazy with them.

My dad and my Uncle Mike

2 (Not funny) Joke-Telling-Peas-In-A-Pod

Birthday Girl and Mama

Singing Happy Birthday.  

This smash cake was a mess.  I made 3 before I finally gave up and

stuck with this last one.  I tried a "baby friendly" one first.  No good.  

Then, I tried cool whip icing.  Then, I just used a box mix and store frosting.

When her party was 2 1/2 hours away, I just decided that this one was good enough.

It seems like she didn't care because it was sugar!

Still Undecided.

Trying to show her there was cake beneath the icing.

 And 100% sure she loves icing and waving to all her 

fans singing and clapping for her.

Grayson getting some cake.

Harper's admirers.  Quinlan and Tristan both enjoyed taking some swipes of icing.

Taking her to get cleaned up in the water.  

Playing in the water table and getting the icing cleaned off.

Sweet friend Avinley playing in the water.

I asked Katharine where the water had gone because there was none left in 

the tub.  She explained that Avinley had dumped it all down her and it was 

now residing in her very full diaper.  

Grayson

Tristan, Grayson, Lydia

Playing Cornhole by walking on the boards and putting them directly into the hole.

Poor Lydia wanted to really play and those silly boys wouldn't let her.

Cheesing it up with her friend, Kinsley

Harper and Lexi

Cousins "getting" each other.  So cute!

She got $1 for being 1.

Opening presents.

Taylor and Carleigh 

After the party, they got Cody's bow and arrows and shot down all the balloons.

Who knows?

But after all that work, a little crazy seems about right.

It was such a fun party.  Harper had a great time.  She loved hanging out with all the people her size.  And it was nice to visit with friends and family and be excited to have made it 1 year!  

Happy Birthday sweet Harper girl!