They go hand and hand in our house!
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
Book Worm
Prime example of why I call him my book worm. He managed to reach his arm out of his crib and pull all of these books in before he fell asleep. He was slightly crabby when he woke up. Perhaps it was because he only gave himself a 2x2 area to sleep!
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Playing in New Mexico
While the boys fed ducks (an ENTIRE loaf of Wal-Mart bread)
and made a new friend,
Harper, Great Grandma and Grandma played Harper's favorite game. This game does not have a name. All rules are written by Harper. She tugs at someone as to say "hey look at me" 
then she gives her scrunchy face saying "I made you look." 
It isn't a game of peek-a-boo (she is less than impressed with peek-a-boo unless played with her brother). It is her own game and it makes me smile to see this side of her personality.
Tugging at Great Grandpa's Heartstrings
Harper found a way straight to her Great Grandpa's heart while we were in New Mexico. I believe this is a mutual love!
Friday, July 22, 2011
Harper's 1st Birthday
How is it possible that my baby girl, Harper, is one? Why is the first birthday so bittersweet? I am so proud of how far we have come, but clinging onto everything. Wondering if this is the last baby moment...knowing this is my last infant of my own to hold. I am tearing up as I write this so it is time to move on.
We were in New Mexico on Harper's first birthday for a very special 65th wedding anniversary celebration for Grandpa and Grandma Lauwereins (more of that to come). We started the day with a trip to the city pool to soak up sun and spend time together as a family. Then we discovered that mother nature followed us from Oregon to New Mexico. It was raining. However, it was hard to be upset (even though it ruined our plans) because the people in New Mexico were praying for the rain to battle devasting forest fires. So we went to Subway for lunch and met many locals, including firemen, thanks to our talkative two year old! He was telling everyone that it was "Harper's Birthday" (make sure to use your best southern accent when you read that). After lunch we returned to the hotel for a swim in the indoor pool.
I have enjoyed watching Harper's personality develop over the past year. She is very loving. She loves to hug and kiss and snuggle. I always prayed for a snuggle bug and God answered that prayer (he also reminded me to be careful of what I pray for because she wanted to be held 24/7 for her first 6 months of life!).
Harper is also a tease. She loves to make people work for a smile. I love watching people work/squirm in the grocery store as they try to make her smile. She holds on tightly (enough to leave bruises) to my arm, but eventually will flash a smile.
We are so thankful to have Harper. It was nearly a year ago that I was released from the hospital, but told my daughter had to stay. Nearly a year ago that every doctor and nurse kept saying "you are so lucky you came in, honey." Nearly a year ago that I learned to trust my gut and to respect my motherly instinct. We are blessed to have her and I won't be able to celebrate her birthday (or her Grandma's) without thinking these thoughts.
Happy Birthday Girls!
After the family swim, we had nap time and then it was time to PARTY! In honor of her birthday we hosted a Happy Hour (yep - a happy hour for a first birthday) complete with appetizers, beer and a drink called Pink Panty Droppers (Inappropriate - oh yes, but we could not come up with a new name after we read that one on the internet.) We invited the entire family (around 25 aunts, uncles and cousins) to celebrate with us. Harper enjoyed Uncle Rick and the view of the party from his arms.
It was a busy and LOUD room!
There were even a few gifts for Baron. Lucky boy!
We sang Happy Birthday to Harper.
She ate every single crumb from her Red Velvet cupcake.
After the party, we discovered Baron had convinced each of us 2 times to have a cupcake for a total of 4!
This picture makes me giggle. This is Harper's personality. Like I stated earlier, she won't smile unless she truly wants to.
I had to put in a picture of Harper with her baby doll. She loves this baby. She hugs it and kisses (licks) it. It is amazing to see her natural drive to nuture at such a young age.
After the Happy Hour 1st Birthday we went out to dinner. It was a late night, but our 1 and 2 year olds were rock stars. Bed time was a little rough with both kids and us in one hotel room. Harper was having a particularly hard time until Baron started singing "Happy Birthday to Harper, Happy Birthday to Harper, Happy Birthday my Harper, Happy Birthday to Harper." She quieted down, I teared up and we all went to bed.
Happy Birthday Harper! We love you soooooooo much!
We were in New Mexico on Harper's first birthday for a very special 65th wedding anniversary celebration for Grandpa and Grandma Lauwereins (more of that to come). We started the day with a trip to the city pool to soak up sun and spend time together as a family. Then we discovered that mother nature followed us from Oregon to New Mexico. It was raining. However, it was hard to be upset (even though it ruined our plans) because the people in New Mexico were praying for the rain to battle devasting forest fires. So we went to Subway for lunch and met many locals, including firemen, thanks to our talkative two year old! He was telling everyone that it was "Harper's Birthday" (make sure to use your best southern accent when you read that). After lunch we returned to the hotel for a swim in the indoor pool.
I have enjoyed watching Harper's personality develop over the past year. She is very loving. She loves to hug and kiss and snuggle. I always prayed for a snuggle bug and God answered that prayer (he also reminded me to be careful of what I pray for because she wanted to be held 24/7 for her first 6 months of life!).
Harper is also a tease. She loves to make people work for a smile. I love watching people work/squirm in the grocery store as they try to make her smile. She holds on tightly (enough to leave bruises) to my arm, but eventually will flash a smile.
We are so thankful to have Harper. It was nearly a year ago that I was released from the hospital, but told my daughter had to stay. Nearly a year ago that every doctor and nurse kept saying "you are so lucky you came in, honey." Nearly a year ago that I learned to trust my gut and to respect my motherly instinct. We are blessed to have her and I won't be able to celebrate her birthday (or her Grandma's) without thinking these thoughts.
Happy Birthday Girls!
After the family swim, we had nap time and then it was time to PARTY! In honor of her birthday we hosted a Happy Hour (yep - a happy hour for a first birthday) complete with appetizers, beer and a drink called Pink Panty Droppers (Inappropriate - oh yes, but we could not come up with a new name after we read that one on the internet.) We invited the entire family (around 25 aunts, uncles and cousins) to celebrate with us. Harper enjoyed Uncle Rick and the view of the party from his arms.
It was a busy and LOUD room!
Harper met her cousin, Michael, for the first time. 
Michael met Uncle Rick...aka "the fun uncle!" Or should we say "the trouble maker"...
There were even a few gifts for Baron. Lucky boy!
We sang Happy Birthday to Harper.
She ate every single crumb from her Red Velvet cupcake.
After the party, we discovered Baron had convinced each of us 2 times to have a cupcake for a total of 4!
This picture makes me giggle. This is Harper's personality. Like I stated earlier, she won't smile unless she truly wants to. I had to put in a picture of Harper with her baby doll. She loves this baby. She hugs it and kisses (licks) it. It is amazing to see her natural drive to nuture at such a young age.After the Happy Hour 1st Birthday we went out to dinner. It was a late night, but our 1 and 2 year olds were rock stars. Bed time was a little rough with both kids and us in one hotel room. Harper was having a particularly hard time until Baron started singing "Happy Birthday to Harper, Happy Birthday to Harper, Happy Birthday my Harper, Happy Birthday to Harper." She quieted down, I teared up and we all went to bed.
Happy Birthday Harper! We love you soooooooo much!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Typical Summer Evening
This is our summer routine lately.
Wake up from afternoon naps and jump in the pool!
Dad comes home. We check the garden.
We eat a delicious dinner on the deck. Then relax (she was actually copying her daddy).
Dad comes home. We check the garden. We eat a delicious dinner on the deck. Then relax (she was actually copying her daddy). Thursday, July 7, 2011
Monday, July 4, 2011
Happy 4th of July
We have become good friends with our next door neighbors this summer. Rob and Monica moved in almost 2 years ago and we've always talked to them from our back deck while they BBQ on their back deck (houses are built entirely too close these days!). The friendship has evolved into backyard BBQs, game nights and even more talking over the fence. In the meantime Baron has formed a crush. He talks about Monica ALL THE TIME. She is a teacher - a natural born teacher - and has so much patience with Baron. They picked out fire works this year and told Baron they needed his help. It just happens that Rob is a fire fighter so I felt pretty safe! Baron had a great time, but turns out he doesn't like any of the loud/screachy fire works. That is fine with me (and all of the dogs in the neighborhood!).
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