8 Things

Okay, Trishy tagged me and asked me to share 8 things I love about Harlie - Here goes:

1. Her smile - I know every mom says this, but it really is the best thing! I love the way she raises her eyebrows and her eyes get so big when she's smiling. It really melts my heart.

2. I love that she loves to be left alone sometimes. This is just one of the many things that remind her of me. She loves attention, and she loves being around people, but she also loves to lay by herself and just kick and squirm, especially when she's naked (okay you funny guys and gals - the naked part does not apply to her mommy)!

3. When she talks - She started cooing at us at a very early age, probably when she was only a month old. She loves to talk and ooh and ahh. Everyone that got to see her as Baby Jesus this Christmas Eve loved how she just talked and talked. Another thing they say she does like her mom. A total blabber!

4. Her attentiveness - Harlie has been a very alert baby right from the moment she was born. I remember them tossing her on me in the hospital as soon as she was born and I saw these two wide eyes staring back at me. The first stranger I ever loved!

5. Speaking of when she was first born... I can still picture her all swaddled up when the nurses would bring her to me. She was always so awake, and so peaceful. I love the memory of her first days.

6. Her predictability - I know this may sound so boring and silly, but I love that she is such a scheduled girl already. It may mess us up sometimes, and she may change schedule at times and create total chaos, but for the most part I know what she'll want and when she'll want it and it makes it so much easier to make her happy. She eats at the same times every day, naps for the same 3 hours every afternoon, and sleeps for the same 10 hours every night. She may sway a little here and there, but she's so predictable, and so great!

7. Her chubby thighs... and cheeks, and feet, and arms, and hands! I love those little rolls that appear, and I love kissing those cheeks and feet. She was cute when she was born, and she was so skinny, but we really love her with that extra weight on there. It makes her even more squeezable!

8. I love that she loves me no matter what. New moms make mistakes; all moms make mistakes. And I know I've made my share already, and I still will make some more. But even after I've forced her to have Tummy Time, or a bath, or I've squished that mean hat on her head one more time, she still loves me. I can tell it by the way she looks at me, and the way she rests in my arms. They were right when they said having a baby changes your life. I just didn't realize how right, and how good it would be.

Can't Get Enough of My Everyday Life!

We haven't done much of anything lately, but that's just fine with me. I admit it. I LOVE being at home just hanging out. But it does create a bit of a photo shortage. My dear sweet friend Jen has offered to help me get some 3 Month photos of Harlie, though, so once we take care of that I'll be sure to post a few. For now though, some of our everyday life:

A man and his dog have such a special bond...

...and so do a little girl and hers!

Harlie is not so good at "Tummy Time." She would rather suck on her hand when she's down there than attempt to roll over. She's a little late in that area I'm afraid.

The kitties are still here - and usually sleeping as most cats do.

Harlie sure does like playing "Patty Cake" with Grandma and Uncle Scott (or "Cute Uncle" as I'd like her to call him)

More to come when we get those photos taken!

Time Flies

I can't believe Harlie is almost 3 months old already! I know I need to take some more professional shots of her, and I swear I'm going to do it soon. I've been really sick the past week or so, so it has slowed me down, and one thing after another keeps coming up to keep me from what I want and need to be doing. Mike is back into his busy swing of things, and I have been having a lot of wedding consultations - yay! We are getting into a good groove, though, and I actually have at least 3 hours to myself in the afternoon while the baby sleeps, so I should be able to catch up on everything. At least the house is getting cleaned now. Anyway, I don't have many new photos, but I'll post what I do have below:




Another pretty winter sky. I saw this one early one morning before everyone else was up, and I snuck downstairs to get a shot before the sun came up the whole way. I had to throw a coat on over my nightshirt and run out in the snow in my barefeet, praying the neighbors wouldn't see the crazy barefooted woman in her underwear. But I got the shot and it was worth it!



Harlie and her Aunt Jen - they look so much alike!



They look so innocent when they're still!



She has mastered the art of batting at toys!

Happy Harlie-Days!

We LOVED our first Christmas with our little angel. She may not understand it yet, but she's already quite spoiled! She even got to play a special part at our church's Christmas Eve service. Didn't she make the cutest baby Jesus???

Our little Spikey is still a major part of our lives, and here he is with his Daddy. The two men in my life!

My work has picked back up, but it's still a little slow as it always is in the winter months. Our first wedding isn't until some time in April, so I'm really going to enjoy this time at home with the baby. Mike started back to school this week, and he goes back to work next week, and we're going to miss him bunches, but he's one step closer to being done and we're so excited for that.

Mikey loves both his little ones.

I know there's no resemblance there, but just humor me and tell me there is!

My two babies!

I have a feeling this will be her favorite spot when she gets a little older. But don't worry - Daddy was right there holding her up until seconds before I took the picture!

Harlie and her third cousin Taylor. So cute!

6 Weeks!

We can't believe our little bundle is 6 weeks old (almost 7 at this point). She is such a joy and learns something new every day. She has learned to smile and laugh, and even play a little. She still absolutely loves being read to, so we try to make that a part of every day. She is loving her big brother, Spike, and he is returning the feeling. I swear I have to yell at him 10 times a day for trying to give her kisses. She has certainly developed a personality, and although she may look exactly like her father, she has Mommy's stubborn attitude and desire for independence. We all spent our first night together on the couch last night. Our power was out for 12 hours and it was mighty cold around bedtime, which happened to be around 9:00 because there was nothing else to do in the dark. So we all bundled together on the couch in an attempt to keep warm - even Spike needed a blanket! He is SO not an outside dog anymore. We're hoping Harlie doesn't remember tonight how nice it felt to sleep in our arms last night, because it's not happening again unless it's under similar circumstances!

I'll post some photos of the past few weeks so you all can enjoy what we're so blessed with.

Loving her Rainforest changing table, because she can see the mobile perfectly.

Playing by herself on a blanket - one of her favorite things.

Looking so sweet in two of her Christmas outfits - yes, she has more than 2 - what did you expect with all these people to spoil her???

First smile right before 5 weeks, and a more advanced one at 6 weeks

Some totally unrelated but hilarious photos of Cassius and Spike - Spooky was hiding from the flash of the camera I think.

Thanksgiving

We had an even more wonderful than usual Thanksgiving this year. Harlie's new cousin, Dakota, came to visit (along with her Mommy and Daddy who we also love) and she was just a blast for all of us to play with. We have been blessed with the most wonderful family in the world and for any of you reading, we love you SO much.

Harlie and Dakota in their matching "First Thanksgiving" outfits. Adorable!

Happy Harlie-Ween!

Hey everyone!

I've decided (after a few of you came up with the idea) that I should start a blog so that you can see what's going on with us in our busy lives. Also, I am currently unable to update my website (easily fixable when Mikey has time, but that isn't in the near future) and I have been asked countless times to please spread around some photos of our newest addition. So anyway, our little Harlie arrived a few weeks ago and we are so happy. We had to induce labor on Halloween around 8:30 a.m. and she came 10 sweet hours later at 6:27 p.m. She weighed in at 6lbs 8oz, and measured 19 inches long. Such a tiny little thing! Labor was easy for us, and I'd do it again in a second if it meant bringing home such a perfect bundle. We've taken quite a few photos these past weeks, but I'll post a few of my favorites, including some from her very first "professional" shoot at 10 days old. Enjoy!

one hour after birth - she was so wide awake and content!

she's already getting used to the camera flash - our little model!

I'll be sure to keep you all updated on everything. Cousin Dakota comes to visit tomorrow and she'll be here for a few days, so we'll definitely have some new photos soon!