Harper the Socialite

Harper’s first two weeks at daycare were great—she told me—she's very advanced. My first two weeks back to work were wonderful. I love being with Harper, but I don’t think I was cut out to be a stay at home Mom. I didn’t realize just how much I missed coming to work until I came back. Because of my high blood pressure, I had been on desk duty since January, so it had really been almost 7 months since I had done my normal job. It was great to see some of my long-time patients and just to get back into the swing of doing music therapy.

On Friday (July 31) Harper and I headed up to Radford in one car while Kevin followed behind us in another. A friend from there was getting married the next day, so we went to Roanoke to stay with the Janneys and visit with Cory and Melynda. It was a quick trip, but we haven’t seen each other in a LONG time, and it was great to catch up! I realized that times have certainly changed, as the room was filled with sounds of crashing toys and screaming little boys and conversations centered on Sesame Street (I’m not joking, at one point Cory and Alan were ranking their top three favorite human characters and I believe the comment “Don’t even add in monsters, that’s too hard” was shared). Regardless of the changes, the friendships are still there and that was great to see. Saturday, we drove to Radford to see Ann and Elliot get married!! Ann was beautiful!

After the wedding, I continued north to my parents’ house in West Virginia, and Kevin came back home to Virginia Beach. Thus began a whirlwind week of family festivities. I did take my camera with me, but took very few pictures, as my hands were usually full of other important cargo. I think my parents have some, but Harper might turn one before we get them off their camera, onto their computer, and emailed to me. So here’s a brief rundown of Harper’s busy social schedule:

Sunday: Went to church in Bridgeport and spent the morning in the nursery. Got to meet a lot of people important to my childhood and then went out to breakfast with my parents and grandparents.

Monday: Went to the hospital where my Dad works and Harper met all of his coworkers.

Tuesday: Tried to get Harper to take an early nap – she disagreed. So, we headed to the mall with a tired baby and then spent a little time at my grandparents’ house visiting. We left their house and drove up to Morgantown to have dinner with some of my best friends from high school—Traci, Amanda, and Katie. They loved meeting Harper, gave her adorable gifts, and she spit-up on each of them – typical Harper behavior. After not having a nap, I expected a pretty rough night, but Harper’s easy-going nature emerged and she just went with the flow.

Wednesday: Spent the day at home so Harper (and her Granddad) could catch up on the sleep they missed from being out late the night before. My parent’s friends (Avah and Jerry) came over for dinner to meet Harper. Jerry has lots of jokes to share, and Harper just smiled and laughed every time he talked to her.

And the week is only HALF OVER.

Thursday: Back to the hospital in the morning to meet some more people my Dad works with, and then an early nap to get ready for the night’s events. Michael (my brother) and Maria (his girlfriend) got into town, and we went to Buckhannon for my cousin Julie’s wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.

My brother decided he needed a little playtime after a long drive in from South Carolina.

Friday: Good old blueberry pancake family breakfast, a little sesame street, and Harper was down for another early nap in preparation for Julie’s wedding that afternoon. My Mom was helping direct people down the aisle and I was reading in the ceremony, so Harper got to spend the majority of the time with her Granddad. She did great until I began to read and she heard my voice, but wasn’t real sure where I was. Of course Julie looked gorgeous, and the reception was at a local winery and was BEAUTIFUL!!

Saturday: Trip to Blackwater Falls and Thomas, WV. Ate lunch at the purple fiddle, walked down to the falls, and Harper was in and out of her carseat probably 10 times throughout the day. We then went straight to my grandparents for dinner, and the reality of a sleepy, cranky, fed-up baby began to reveal itself. Harper slowly began to fuss just before dinner, and had to be held/rocked all through dinner. Then came the carseat again and she exploded. My easy-going, incredibly tolerant little girl had reached her breaking point and she cried the entire 30 minute ride home. Nothing could console her, my Dad had a migraine, and everyone felt a little tense after being in a car with screaming for 30 minutes – my apologies for all who had to endure Harper not at her best.

Sunday: Up early to travel home! Harper slept for the first 5 hours of the trip and just began to wake up when I saw signs warning of traffic ahead. So, we got off the interstate and took a little lunch break (for her, not me) for about 30 minutes. We then sat in 30 minutes of traffic to get past Williamsburg and another 45 minutes of traffic to get through the tunnel. This made the trip last from 8:30 that morning until 5:00 in the evening. Harper was as tolerable as could be, and only cried a little at the tunnel traffic – and at this point I thought about joining in with her. We got home, unloaded the car, ate dinner, and went down to the beach for our church’s baptisms—what a night!! I was tired, she was tired, but it was definitely worth going down to be a part of the celebration.

Harper was an angel all week (minus the car incident, and I can’t say that I blame her), and I feel so blessed to have a child that is healthy, happy, and sleeping through the night. Everyone continues to say, “She’s so happy!” or “She’s always smiling and laughing” or “Look how alert she is!” and I am just proud to know that I get to be her Mom. J

Last Hurrah

We spent our last weekend before I started back at work in Charlotte, NC visiting Kevin's brother and his family. Patrick and Tricia had a little girl in January, so she is about four months older than Harper. It was so fun to visit with them and see how much Anne Louise has grown!! Harper really enjoyed meeting her cousin, as you can see by her enthusiasm in these pictures!

Shortly after we got there and the babies had a chance to get acquainted we had a delicious dinner and just laid low on Friday night. Anne Louise was offering to share her napkin with Harper, who was more interested in the flash of the camera. Thanks anyway, cuz.

Saturday we spent the afternoon on Patrick and Tricia's boat on Lake Norman. Harper wasn't completely thrilled to have to wear such a cool life jacket, but she got used to it pretty quickly and once the boat started moving calmed down easily. Both babies took a nap on the boat and the rest of us spent time swimming and enjoying the beautiful day.

When Harper woke up we thought we'd try her in the lake. Since they don't make swim diapers or bathing suits small enough for her, she went in redneck style--diaper and sunhat. She cried a little at first but then got used to the water and actually smiled a couple of times. Eventually the diaper filled up with so much water it was getting way too tight, so she went au natural the last few minutes of her swim, which I'm sure she enjoyed knowing how much she LOVES to be nekkid.

Saturday night Tricia's sister Caroline watched the girls (she's a SAINT) and the four of us went to The Melting Pot for a little restaurant week dinner. The food was great and the company was even better! Unfortunately Patrick started to come down with a cold/sinus infection towards the end of the evening and wasn't feeling to great the rest of our trip.

 So Sunday we just hung around the house and had a little photo shoot of the cousins in their matching outfits (courtesy of Tricia).

On the way home we met up with one of my best friends. Heather and I have known each other since the fourth grade and she was one of my maids of honor in our wedding. Harper loved her (as you can see), but Heather had to go back to work so we had to make sure she was fully protected from Harper's typical spit-up routine. We had a great lunch and I know we will have many more times with her!! :)

     Today was my first day back at work and Harper's first day at Ms. Sally's. I had a great day at work and running some errands (sans baby), and Sally said Harper did just great! Two naps, two bottles, and two poops--it doesn't get much better than that folks.

I should post more often

After writing this, I realize I should post more often so I don't end up writing a novel. I will try harder next time, until then, a novel is what you get!  

Harper is doing great! We went to the doctor for her two month check-up and immunizations last Tuesday and the pediatrician told us she was perfect! She weights 10 lbs. 7 oz now and is 22 inches long. This means she's in the 37% for weight and 39% for height to which the doctor said, "Can't get much closer." So she's growing well. She did great with the shots too. She got three different ones and was quite a trooper. Of course she screamed, but she calmed down pretty quickly and honestly has cried louder when she's hungry or just overtired and cranky. Hopefully this trend of being a tough girl continues!

She's getting close to sleeping through the night. She goes to bed around 9 or 10 and still wakes up around 3am or so, but now only needs a quick (maybe 5 minute) pat on the back and her pacifier back in her mouth and she'll sleep again until around 6, when I'll feed her. She then goes back to sleep for a few more hours, usually waking up for the day around 9 or 10am. She has finally started to nap in the afternoon as well. This didn't happen until she was about 7 weeks old, but I think these 3 hour afternoon naps are FANTASTIC!

She is getting much more interested in her surroundings. She loves to lay on the playmat and look at her animals, and she is really beginning to enjoy her mobile. Now when she hears the clicking of the dial I turn to make it run, she begins to smile and even giggle some. She loves to talk and woke me up the other morning babbling to herself. I almost went to get her, but wanted to see how long she would go on until she started to fuss. This monologue lasted about 30 minutes before the crying started and I went in to get her. When I leaned over her crib and she saw my face she began to smile and coo. This was definitely the most pleasant way I have woken up in atleast about 11 months.

Kevin's birthday was June 21st and fell on his first Father's Day. We had a great celebration of the day at Aunt Kathleen and Uncle Pete's house. We continued the birthday celebration a week and a half later with Tommy, Ruthie, Andrew, and Natalie on the Werwath's boat for a sunset cruise and dinner at Chick's while Harper spent the evening with Kevin's Mom.

At the end of June, we took a little vacation to Deep Creek, MD for a family reunion on my side. Harper loved meeting the rest of the family and spent a lot of quality time with her Grandma and Granddad. She even had the audacity to poop all over Granddad. This has happened to me numerous times so I am pretty unfazed, however, I hear my father was not quite as easy going. I happened to be in the shower and didn't get to witness the event, but if you know either of my parents, I'm sure you can picture how it all unfolded. I imagine it was something like this: 

              Jackie: HAHAHA 

              Jeff:Quit laughing and get me something to get this off!

              Jackie: (More uncontrollable laughter)

              Jeff: Seriously, this is ONLY pair of shorts I have

              Jackie: (laughing, tears, and probably darting to the bathroom from laughing too hard)

This was Harper being eaten by a whale at the playground at UNO's Pizza.

I remember playing on this elephant when I was little, so I couldn't resist the picture!

This was after our family dinner on Saturday night.

Harper had an eventful first fourth of July weekend. She got to meet her cousin Ashley and had her first pool experience at the condo where Ash was staying. Let's just say, she was much more fond of Ashley than she was of the pool. 

This is Harper modeling her new BEAUTIFUL dress from Aunt Leslie. She, Ash, and Martha just got back from Puerto Rico, and brought this with them. She's got to grow into it a little, but it's sooooo pretty and I can't wait for her to wear it for something special!

On the fourth, we spent the majority of the day at home, but headed out in the evening for dinner and fireworks on the beach. We were far enough away to see all of the fireworks from various streets, but able to still hear the ocean in the background. Harper stayed awake for the fireworks and was wide-eyed as the colors unfolded in the sky above her. After they were over Harper fell sound asleep and Kevin and I spent some time just talking on the beach--a great end to a great weekend!

Kevin headed out on Sunday morning for the Jeremiah project and he will be spending a week with 15 middle school students repairing houses for people in Winchester, VA. It was very strange for him to go without me (I've been going on these trips as long as he has), but Harper and I are getting along just fine.

Time Flies

Although time seems to go slow in the moment, looking back I can't believe Harper is already 5+ weeks old! The past couple weeks have been moving right along! She is doing really well. Her last visit to the pediatrician was on May 28th (4 weeks old) and she weighed 8 lbs. 10 oz. She had gained 13 oz in 13 days, and the doctor said that was great! So, we don't have to go back until she's two months old--which is only in 2 and a half weeks! We've been out and about running errands, going grocery shopping, etc., but when we're home she's been spending time checking out the world from her playmat, her bouncer, rocking chair, or in her favorite place--my arms. She definitely enjoys being held above all else, but is tolerating time on her own more and more.

It's hard to tell if she's laughing or screaming in the picture, but I promise she was laughing! Well, as much as 5 week olds laugh. She was more squealing with a HUGE smile on her face! Thankfully, she and Bailey are still getting along great.

Bathtime is much more enjoyable now. Usually she just looks around, but occasionally we'll get a smile or two.

Last Friday a few of my high school senior girls graduated! Norfolk Academy and Norfolk Christian had their graduations May 29th, and Kevin, Harper, and I went to both. This is Crystal who graduated from Norfolk Academy.

It was a busy day, but Harper did fantastic, and it was great to be there and see these girls! This is Kim and Kristen. They both graduated from Norfolk Christian along with Megan and Emily.

Harper also got to meet her new best friend. Our really good friends Woody and Justine had a little boy, Emerson James Woodward, on Thursday June 4th. Emerson and Harper will be going to the same daycare and I'm sure one day will fall in love and get married--maybe ;).

Today, we took a trip to the beach. Harper had been before for a walk, but not for a full afternoon of fun like this. My friend Meshell gave us this sundome, and it's great! It definitely made the trip more enjoyable for all of us.

She wasn't crazy about the water, but I think what we've learned from bathtime is that it takes Harper a little while to get used to things. I'm sure she'll be surfing before summer is over!

Long Time No Post

Well, clearly I've been pretty horrible at updating this thing. I think everyone knows this through emails, phone calls, facebook, etc., but if not, Harper has arrived (three weeks ago)!! Everything went very well. I went to the hospital at 7:30am Thursday, April 30th. They broke my water at 8:00am, and (sparing the details) Harper arrived a healthy 8 lbs. 2 oz at 5:51pm. 

Kevin, Harper, and I are all doing well. We're getting a fair amount of sleep, and overall she's a happy easy-going little girl (though she has her dramatic moments). We have an another appointment with the pediatrician on Thursday to recheck her weight, but so far he feels like she's perfect (and I would agree)! We've had many visitors and gifts and wonderful time with family in the last few weeks, and to sum it up I'll post a few pics.

This was shortly after she was born 

All snuggled up tight - This lasted for all of 2 days. . .now she busts out of any swaddle we put her in - even the kind that has velcro to hold it shut.

Right after she got home from the hospital. She looks so chubby in this!

Kevin and Harper taking a nap in the sun. She had to take daily sunbaths to help get rid of some jaundice. She doesn't look like she minds it much :)

This was her first real bath. You can see it was quite traumatic for her! She's gotten used to them since then, and now only cries when we take her out of the water.