5 month update

Harper is getting to be such a little girl. She doesn't just want to be held all the time anymore. Now it is all about being in her jumpy chair, or playing on the floor, or sitting up. She hasn't fully mastered sitting up on her own, but she is getting very close. I don't know what we would do without the Boppy.




About that saying on my dress!!! (maybe my favorite photo of Harper yet)


We were also very lucky that Aunt Carrie came to town and Harper was finally able to meet her. I find it amusing that she has now met Carrie and Shannon, but not at the same time. Carrie was able to block out a night, and Steph and Chip hosted us all, and fixed an awesome dinner, with Sandra making an amazing blueberry pie ... a first for almost everyone. I am sure Chip will post better pictures of the evening on their blog.

July 4th

We enjoyed a great 3 day weekend for the Fourth of July. Harper just loves the water, and we were lucky enough to be invited to the pool on Friday and Saturday. Unfortunately on Friday, I forgot to pack the camera, but luckily our wonderful hosts Sarah & Ted took some pictures that I will post at some point. We had a great time, and Harper went underwater for the first time, and seemed to enjoy it, although it was quite surprising to her. Then Saturday we went to Cindy & Roger's for a 4th cookout, and more pool time. The food was amazing and it was great hanging out with the family for the Fourth. Luckily I remembered the camera for this one.
And today, Harper spent the afternoon with Gina's parents while we did some yard work, cleaned the house, and then I put together her high chair/booster seat combo. Harper really enjoyed the new seat, and just loves being spoon fed now.

Cindy & Roger


Trish holding Harper in her 4th outfit


Gina & Harper in similar bathing suits


Harper's new float


Grandpa Ron


Harper happy out of the pool too


The new booster seat

Food

So after hearing that Harper could start eating real food, we were pretty excited. Sunday night we finally attempted to feed her rice cereal. After mixing it with the milk, it actually ends up as more of a soup. I was anxious to see her reaction and if she would even know how to eat it, when we put a spoon to her mouth, as opposed to the bottle. We were pretty amazed as she easily took to the spoon, even going so far as to grab it and try and shovel the food into her mouth. For now, we are only doing this for her dinnertime feeding, and are not introducing any other foods just yet.

Catching up

So Harper had a big week, her 4 month check-up, first time in the pool, and my first Father's Day. Friday we went to the doctor's office, and wow, has she grown: up to 16lbs, 5oz and is now 24.5" long. However, she was not happy about the 3 shots she received. But we are all excited that she is developing well, and her doctor even said we can start introducing rice cereal to her diet. Harper is laughing a lot, she will now grab for items, can follow a toy, and much more. Gina and I are amazed all the time at what she can do.
Then on Friday night, we went to a pool party. Harper really enjoys bath time, so we didn't expect any issues. And she did not have any issues, even seeming to really enjoy the pool, splashing away more than in the bath. Her bathing suit was super cute too, but since she is growing so much, she almost needs a new one already.
Father's Day became a multi-day event. We had our families over on Saturday to hang out, play yard games, for those willing to brave the heat, and I grilled BBQ pork chops. My niece Morgan told me a great story about Harper being asleep at my parents, and when they played a voicemail I left, she woke up, smiled and looked around for me, then fell back asleep. Then on Sunday, I played golf for the first time in a long time, hung out at Brian & Erin's pool with the kids, then Gina went out and picked up Pei Wei. I received a great book, Why a Daughter Needs a Dad, with a picture of me & Harper along with a wonderful note from Gina on the inside cover. I love being a dad, I have a great wife and mother, and an amazing daughter that made my first Father's Day extremely special.

Harper loves to stand


Just can't get enough of that smile


In her new raft, still a little big for her though.


Splashing her face and Gina




I can grab my toes now.

Back to work

Today was Gina's first day back at work. It is really hard to believe Harper is 4 months old now. And we were both really dreading today. In the end, I think we were over-anxious, as Gina handled the day pretty well. Of course, today wasn't a true test, as Gina's mom came over to watch Harper for the day, and Gina was able to call and talk to Harper. I think it will be a different story when we have to take her and drop her off for daycare, with people we don't know at all, compared to my parents that will be watching her for the next 2 months. Also very helpful today, was that we have friends that also headed back to work today, or recently, after being out on maternity leave, so Gina could talk to them about what to expect. The one thing I am looking forward to about taking her to my parents or daycare, is that I get to wake her up in the morning. Until now, I would only look at her on the monitor afraid to wake her up. And she has the greatest smile first thing in the morning, like hey, you still love me, awesome.

Working the thumb and the jumpy chair


Nap time


Found the thumb


Play date with Taylor Rabe

Sunday Dinner

Gina's parents try and have everyone over on Sunday nights for dinner. Harper has been to several of these family dinners, but we haven't really taken any pictures. Until tonight of course, as it was Grandpa Ron's birthday dinner. Luckily enough, Harper was in a great mood. Also helpful was Aunt Lesley being there to joke with Harper about the mini-van some more. Harper really gets a kick out of it.

Grandpa Ron:


Grandma Georgia:


The grand-parents, mom and Harper:


say mini-van again:


mmmmm, my fingers are awesome

The big update

So Harper just took her first vacation. I was extremely nervous about it, as we were driving to Milwaukee, some 650 miles away. Too say it went better than expected would be an understatement. We left Memphis at 10pm, hoping to capitalize on Harper normally sleeping thru the night. And at 530am, we actually had to wake her up to eat, as we were already stopped and didn't want to chance starting back up and her waking up as soon as we hit the highway again. Then she was great the entire weekend - 4 days of meeting great grandparents, aunts & uncles, second cousins, just about everyone on Gina's side of the family. Even disrupting her routine was not a big deal for her. Then we took the same approach to the drive home and made it all the way to West Memphis before Harper made a peep. I would say the first road trip was a huge success. I am still recovering from driving all 11 hours up, and 7.5 of the 9.5 hours it took to get home. A big thanks to my parents for letting us borrow the mini-van. Gina's sister Lesley went with us and was a big help with Harper in the van, and kept joking that it was Harper's future mode of transportation. Uh, NO! Couple of pictures below, and going to try and load the rest to Flickr or some other photohosting site that will be linked later.

Pre-road trip:





Milwaukee pics:
Great grampa Joe


Great Aunt Marcia


Second Cousin Kathleen


Nap time with Great Uncle Tony


Aunt Lesley and Great Gramma Millie


Great Aunt Sue


Yes, we were that tired when we got home ...


Harper's sweet smile

Happy Mother's Day

Don't worry, I didn't forget Gina's first Mother's Day, we just had a very busy weekend. On Friday night, we went to my sister's house to have my mom's birthday/mother's day dinner. Then on Saturday afternoon we went and hung out with cousin Brad, who had flown in for the weekend to spend mother's day with Aunt Marcia. And on Saturday night I ran to Lowe's and surprised Gina with sushi from Sakura for dinner. Finally Sunday, I cooked breakfast, then Gina went to Banana for 2 hours, before we went to Lesley and Jay's for an amazing brunch. While we there we got a big surprise, my best friend Shannon called because he was in Nashville for mother's day, and was willing to drive to Memphis if we would be around. So of course we said yes, because he had yet to see Harper. All in all, a pretty successful first mother's day from Gina's perspective.

Mom and all her "kids"


My beautiful girls


Uncle Shannon's first meeting

Sweet dreams

Don't miss the actual blog post and photos below. Sorry about the orientation, I couldn't figure out how to rotate it.

Developments

Sorry for the long delay in posting, because there really is no excuse. I don't want to jinx it, but Harper has found a routine, and is sleeping through the night too. We can put her down anytime between 8 and 9pm and she won't get up until about 430am. She still eats just about every 2 hours during the day. But when she isn't eating or sleeping, she really likes to "talk" to us. I think the biggest thing, that really makes us go nuts, is she will smile back now, and will mimic you if you stick your tongue out at her. Unfortunately I haven't been able to snap a picture while she is going it. Gina took some great ones though.

Pretty smile


Sleeping beauty



Harper's first Rock N Romp


In her new outfit today, looking cute