Pictures or lack thereof ....

I bought myself a new toy a few weeks before Christmas, and as a result took very few pictures since, as the toy is an HD Camcorder. So I had been focused on figuring it out, to be ready to record Harper's first Christmas. The only problem is, the recording file sizes are huge, being in HD, and I haven't figured out how to upload them to the internet yet. Well, working the camcorder, I didn't take very many pictures, about 8 to be exact. Luckily, Jay was around to cover for me on the photo front. Harper didn't really understand what was going on, but she was great at church on X-mas Eve, and seemed to enjoy the chaos of Christmas day, although she didn't figure out the opening of the gifts part. Next year should be a lot more fun for her. To the pictures:

Firsts

We had a big week, she started eating Cheerio's, Harper's first plane trip, first Thanksgiving, first picture with Santa, and she added to that by really crawling for the first time, and she can pull up and stand now too. The big event was going on vacation, as Gina's cousin and his family moved out to Colorado Springs in July and invited us, and Jay and Lesley, out to spend the holiday with them. I was ecstatic to return to Colorado, as I had not been out there since 1999. Our trip included lots of outside time, visiting the Garden of the Gods, hiking Cheyenne Mountain, going to the zoo on the mountain side, and a day in Boulder. Harper did really well on the flight out to Colorado, but was a little fussy on the return. I would like to say it was because she, like her dad, did not want to leave. The one unfortunate thing is that Harper really loves sleeping in her stroller, so we didn't get enough photos of her at the zoo or Garden of the Gods. Still, a massive photo post below.

Harper not so sure about Cheerio's at first










The view from Joe & Kathleen's house




The Sink in Boulder, the ceiling really is only 5 inches taller than me




Harper and I outside my old dorm, my room being the basement window by the stairs


On the patio at The Broadmoor


One of many deer seen on the trip, no zoom needed


The Springs Zoo has 17 giraffes you can feed, Jay actually put a cracker in his mouth and let one take it.


Jay & I at the top of our hike, looking down on the city

Happy Halloween

Yesterday was very exciting, as it was Harper's first Halloween and Grammy's birthday. Harper really isn't old enough to go trick-or-treating, but that didn't stop us from dressing her up and taking her out for pictures. We also bought a costume for Shelby, only because of our past history with squirrels at the new house, as I hate putting clothes on a dog. Shelby was a good sport, and Harper enjoyed the walk, as we only went to a few houses of people we know in the neighborhood, since Harper wouldn't eat any candy she got.

Harper & Grammy


Harper's first trick-or-treat


Shelby playing with the kids


Look at that cute costume


Shelby was not happy about the costume, but especially the mask

The big photo update

Harper is now eating food 3 times a day, and we haven't come across anything she doesn't like yet.


Harper loves the stroller insert that Gina bought to keep her warm....


But wasn't so happy upon waking up.


Looking cute and loving it in her new sweater dress



She has been jumping for months, but this was a new one.


At the Memphis zoo sea lion show


Her new winter hat



And the matching mittens

Milestones

On the one hand, I can't wait for Harper to start crawling, walking, talking and all of that. But I really don't want her to grow up yet. I miss the days where she would sleep on my chest, and could be just held all day long. Now, she is getting so big, always trying to talk, still loves to jump and is developing so quickly. In the last six weeks she has rolled over from her back for the first time, and is starting to say mama and dada, just not knowing what it means yet. I have been neglecting to post because I don't want to miss anything, and she actually plays now. And she is still cute as a button, even though more and more she is starting to look like her dad.

First trip to the Farmer's Market


Luckily still loves bath time, as does Coal, who tries to help


She loves playing with her blocks........


And wears herself out with them.......


But prefers to sleep on our walks.

Two-fers

I have been waiting to get a picture of Harper showing off her two front teeth, or as we have called them her two-fers. Well, Uncle Jay came over to do a photo shoot two weeks ago, and one of the samples he showed us finally caught them. I was so excited. And then on Saturday we went to Rock N Romp and Uncle Chip caught an amazing shot of Harper and her blue eyes. Shannon jokes about how Harper has the paparazzi following her around. We love all the pictures that are getting taken, as we are not very good about taking them ourselves.

Week 1 of daycare

Well, we all survived Harper's first week of non-family daycare. I have to admit it was odd leaving her with random people, but we survived. Harper was very happy when we left her, always a good thing. Gina was fine until Harper started slobbering all over the toys, then had another kid come over and play with them when Harper was through. I guess some germs are good for her, right?

Mom & Harper before we leave for day 1


Miss Marci, her teacher


All the excitement really wore her out

Daycare

For the last 2 months, we have been lucky enough to leave Harper with my parents every day while Gina and I go to work. Between days that we had off, and the days my parents were out of town, they ended up keeping her for 45 days. Since my mom works part time, Grand Daddy had to keep Harper for 22 of those days either by himself or with cousins Grace & Morgan. My dad had a little going away party planned for Harper. Gina and I have been trying to talk Nana & Grand Daddy into keeping her longer, alas, Harper's first day of random people keeping her comes tomorrow morning. I have a box of tissues at the ready for Gina.





On the homefront, Harper is not too keen on sweet potatoes, but carrots, peas and squash have been a hit. We try and take a nightly walk through the neigborhood, but even if we didn't, she makes such a mess eating that she always gets a bath before bedtime as part of her routine. She loves the water, be it the bath tub or the pool.