Happy 4th Birthday Harper!

Oops, I did it again.  Almost a year has passed by since my last post.  Thank goodness I take dozens of pictures almost every day, so that I could just scroll through my photo library to reminisce about the days past.  This day though, I want to only reflect on the events of the past week.


My baby turned 4.  That is still sinking in.  Harper Elizabeth is the perfect finish to our family.  I am so grateful for her.  I only very recently heard the term Rainbow Baby, from my beloved Facebook, and realized that is exactly what sweet Harper is to us; our Rainbow Baby.  The baby born after a fetal loss.  I can't look at her without feeling the shadow of her lost older brother that was with us but a brief moment.  I truly believe Harper has a protector in him, a guardian angel of sorts. But I digress.... always looking forward, right? the heart heals....

Harper turned 4!!! She is the most fun spirited little girl!  She is full of emotion, if she is sad -she is "fall on the ground, crocodile tears, the world is ending" kind of sad.  If she is happy, she is "jump up and down, sing from the roof-tops, dance and giggle" kind of happy.  And if she is mad? well- I leave the room for that.  Harper loves playing with Olivia, watching her shows- Paw Patrol, Go Diego Go, Blaze, Mutt N Stuff.. , she loves riding her bike, swinging (she learned to pump on her own this summer).  Her favorite stuffed animal is "puppy".  Puppy has comforted her when she wasn't sure about going to school, when she doesn't want to go to bed, and many many long car rides.  Harper is tall for her age @ 42 inches- she blends right in with the older kids.  She is a strong willed child and can hold her own for sure.  I have often had to remind sweet Harper that hitting and scratching when she doesn't get her way is not acceptable behavior.  I do not worry for one second about her getting pushed around being the youngest.  It's quite often the opposite around here - with Olivia running to tell me that Harper is being a "bully".  Harper is beautiful piece of artwork still in progress.  For all of the drama she can start, she is equally as sweet and loving.  She almost always says her pleases and thanks yous, her " i love you mamas" can melt my heart.  She still requests to be carried, and I will always pick her up as long as I am strong enough to do so.  I know before I know it I will horribly ache to be able to hold her in my arms.  She does have an independent side too, she gets herself buckled in the car, gets her own breakfast with little help from me, and brushes her own teeth.  She needs coaxing to get dressed each day, but i think that is just her stubbornness and the fact that she is NOT a morning girl.  She would love to stay in her jammies each day until noon if I would allow it.

Dear Harper,
    I hope you had the most wonderful Birthday!  I hope you could feel how much we love you and how much joy you bring us.  I can tell that as you grow you might be my emotional girl, but that only means that you will be the one to love the hardest, defend the strongest, and be the bestest friend anyone could ever ask for.  You are a bright, smart, silly, tough little cookie.  Mommy and Daddy and sissie love you head to toe, to the moon and back, and forever and ever.  You are my favorite 4 yr old on the entire planet and I wouldn't change one little thing about you.  Thank you for being such a good girl, and an amazing daughter.  Happy Birthday sweetheart. xoxo
love, Mommy and Daddy

Shhh. Top Secret

I'm so proud of this girl! Today she is going to be the mystery reader for the kindergarten class.






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Shhh. Top Secret

I'm so proud of this girl! Today she is going to be the mystery reader for the kindergarten class.






- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Happy Birthday to my Love

Birthday season in our household always breezes through - I'm Sept 20, followed by Harper on Sept 24 and today was Jonny's turn to wear the crown.  We had a low key day with family, watching some football, eating good food and enjoying being together. I think we are a pretty lucky crew.



I just did the math and realized that it's been 19 years to the day that this sweet boy asked me to be his girlfriend.  It was after a pep rally on the way to IHOP.  Does it get cuter than that?  I decided I needed to rummage through the basement and dig out the box labeled "photo albums" that is way up on the top shelf.  Unfortunately, I did not find the complete collection of our early days together- but I found some goodies.  I apologize for the poor quality of my photo of a photo in terrible lighting, but I think the nostalgia shines through.  - now where are those pictures from HS of us wearing thrift store clothes??

Happy Birthday Jon Paul!  I love you from head to toe, you are the best thing that could have ever happened to me.  I love our history, and I love our present, and I can't wait to keep this adventure train rolling.  I love looking at the old photos, finding the sweet love letters, the mix tapes, knowing that our love just gets better and better, but I love even more looking at the future; and everything amazing that lies ahead of us.  We have what we have because of the foundation that we built, it's forever changing and growing, and not always easy- but its strong, and withstanding of the ups and downs.  Thank you for being awesome, for being funny, for being strong, for loving our girls and making us feel loved and safe, EVERY DAY.   I'm a happy girl because of you, I hope you had a lovely Birthday xoxo



love you honey pie,

xoxo, your B

Roomies

A few days ago we switched Harper from her crib/toddler bed to a big girl bed, and we put bunk beds into Olivia's room. Of course, Harper now sleeps on the bottom bunk. I love the nighttime giggles (as long as they only last a few minutes) #firstroomies #sisters #bestfriendsforever




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roll with the changes

As usual I have gone longer- much longer- much much much longer than I would have liked to, in between finding time to write.  Spring never really showed up, winter just kind of trotted along and all of a sudden it's June and school let out, I blinked my eyes and it's summer and I have a first grader!

I've always struggled with the milestones.  I try so hard to soak in the moments and savor them.  I get very emotional about the "end" of things.  I am repeatedly surprised by how quickly time is passing, and yet I am truly looking forward to the future and all the new adventures in store for us that can only come the kids getting older.  (enter here day dreams of travel plans with both kids in tow- and not being tied to strict meal times, naps,  etc)   Olivia took to school just like we knew she would.  She had an amazing teacher, the lovely Mrs. Jacobs.  She truly learned SO much this year about being a good friend, learning right from wrong- a few inappropriate jokes (thanks bus!) she's shed some tears, broken a bone, learned to READ, to tie her shoes, to add and subtract, to begin telling time, to count her money, to stand up for herself, to adapt, to laugh , to grow......  she is not only a good friend but an amazing sister too.  She shows empathy and compassion, she is brave and speaks her mind.  Yet she is also our sweet and sensitive Olivia.  She just wants to make everyone happy and do her best. 

 Olivia- we are so proud of you and how hard you have worked this year in Kindergarten.  It's hard to believe you are only 6 years old because your little heart and beautiful mind always seems wise beyond your years.  You especially seem mature to me when you are looking out for your sister.  You know how to calm her down, make her happy, talk her into doing what you want- you have the finesse of someone much older than you. Although- you quickly remind us you are six with your vivid imagination, slap stick comedy routines and contagious giggles.  

Kindergarten Facts:

Olivia played soccer, took swim and gymnastics this year.  She was a Daisy in the Girl Scout program and sold the most cookies in her troop!  Olivia auditioned and landed a solo in her schools variety/talent show.  She sang Do Re Mi from the sound of music.  She did a great job, of course I cried- I was so nervous for her and she nailed it!    She won two character counts awards- one for Trustworthiness and one at the end of the year for representing all of the pillars of excellence during the entire school year.  She also still loves the arts, she took a drawing class and in the beginning of the year she was in an acting class where she played the role of Mama Bear in Goldilocks and the Three bears.  Oh sweet Olivia what does your future hold??  You have so many talents, your Dad and I just want you to have fun and know we love and support you for whatever you decide to do!   

The highlights of O's Kindergarten year in photos....

We LOVE you sweet Olivia !!!! 

PINK

Today I am painting with Harper E.  She was so sad to run out of pink.  The other 20 colors in her 21 color set of water colors are just not up to snuff.  I got you girl, lets add some red to the white....  JOYFUL again.  Momma's got you.  Her  tight fisted grip on the paintbrush is so completely adorable, and when she finishes a masterpiece she proclaims "it's all beautiful!"  that is her way of saying- "I'm finished, let's begin again!"  These memories will fade, but I know I won't forget this feeling of relaxed contentment to sit in the afternoon with this sweet girl, nowhere pressing to be.  Sometimes the best days are the days without big plans. xoxo



P.S. Today was exercise day for Olivia. How cute is she?