In a split second...

I grab my phone and hit the home button. This picture graces the lock screen. And my heart flutters. I still cannot believe that I am their mommy. They belong to me. Two precious girls, incredible blessings. They have completely captured my heart.

In that split second after hitting the home button, I am reminded of how much love I have in my life. I simply cannot be more grateful. I never knew my heart could be so full. I am so blessed. Jonathan and I are so blessed. I love my sweet little family more than words could ever describe.

Practically "Pikasco"

Last weekend, Hallie celebrated one of her ballet friend's birthday at one of her favorite places--Practically Pikasso ("Pikasco" if you're Hallie).  She looked forward to this party the second she got the invitation and talked about what she might paint.  The party was super sweet with a delicious cake and adorable cookie favors!  Hallie painted a cute little owl and had the best time!  Hallie loves painting, so this party was right up her alley!  Thanks for a fun birthday party, Lily!

Look at this adorable cake!

Delicious!

Harper slept through most of Lily's party. :o)

My little artist and her owl. :o)

 Working hard...

The birthday girl and her mommy!  Two beautiful gals!

Hallie and Ivy (another ballet friend)

Water Shower

Jonathan's work showered us today!  We were given a lovely baby shower for sweet Harper.  They were very sweet to welcome Harper with so much love!  We enjoyed yummy cake, delicious punch (seriously--I think it was the best punch I've ever had!), and cookies!  Yummy!  We were blessed with several gift cards, some precious outfits, and lots of diapers and wipes!  Yay!  I think the best gift was from the Maintenance Utility workers--they gave us three large packs of wipes and two sets of ear plugs!  LOL!  We said that it was the perfect gift since Harper likes to exercise her lungs while getting her diaper changed. :o)

My sweet girl.

Hallie had a great Labor Day...her sweet daddy took her to Hawaiian Falls Waterpark so she could use her free ticket. She had a blast...and he had fun simply because Hallie had fun. She was very tired and after watching a movie, she was fairly ready to get a bath and get in the bed. Jonathan told me their discussion about what to wear to school. She would ask him what he thought she should wear and upon his answer, she would get that item. Shorts, skirt, or dress? Skirt. What color shirt? Pink. And he said she Lao everything out. When I went in to kiss her goodnight once more...everything was ready for tomorrow morning. I just pray sweet Hallie is ready.

Will you join me in praying for her? She absolutely LOVES school...but she hates (HATES) lunch time. And she had this problem at her old school. We know it will eventually resolve itself, but for the time being it is quite unnerving. We are guessing she gets a little apprehensive about being in such a large room with so much noise and very little adult supervision since the teachers have duty-free lunch (thank goodness...although I could easily lose 20 pounds if I had to eat in the cafeteria with my students on a daily basis. When we ask her why she dislikes lunch so much, we get the same answers: it is loud, it is so long (the teachers would all beg to differ!), it smells yucky (agreed), all the kids eating their food is gross (also agreed), and so on. I pack her lunch daily...so it's food she likes, but it goes uneaten until I pick her up. So often times, it is wasted. We want her to be comfortable and enjoy lunch. Please pray that her nerves would be calmed, that she wouldn't dread going to school just because of lunch, and that she would be able to eat her lunch so she can have energy the rest of the day.

Back to her sweetness...she is ready for school tomorrow! :o) She even has her cool shell necklace she got from the waterpark and her Big Sister charm bracelet hanging on a hanger. :o) Hopefully she will have a pinktastic day!

One Month

Pictures of my sweet little Chunky Monkey!

When You're One Month Old (iPhone style)...

...your life is documented via iPhone. :o)

...you get to wear super cute BabyLegs and a cool sticker on your shirt.  But your Mommy also puts really big bows on your head.

...you can scream really loudly and get said bow taken off your head.  Just like that. :o)

...you're loved on by your big sister. :o)  A lot.

...your mommy compares baby pictures with your big sister.

(Hallie is actually about 6 weeks old in her picture.)

...you get to snuggle on the couch with your daddy.

...you get to chat with your Nonna on FaceTime.

...you get to read bedtime stories with your daddy and big sister...and stare at the really cool lamp.

...you get to be amazed by the book your big sister wrote and illustrated. :o)

...and you're also the subject of your sister's photography endeavors. 

Sweet Harper--I cannot believe you have been in our lives for a whole month!  All those weeks we prepared for you (even though your room still isn't ready...that's OK) and prayed for you seem like a complete blur now that you're here in our arms!  I cannot imagine our lives without you!  Here are a few things that describe you right now...

*You are extremely vocal--lots of baby noises.  Especially grunting.  Daddy says he's going to go downtown and legally change your name to Grunter. 

*You have some tummy troubles (hence the grunting, maybe).  I've cut out all dairy.  I had to do the same thing with Hallie.

*You nurse very well for about 20 minutes every 2-3 hours.  You love to eat.  

*You have slight reflux and have to sit upright for 30-45 minutes after every feeding.  Really, I use it as an excuse to hold you even longer before putting you down for your nap.  You can't be spoiled for at least another two months. :o)

*You weigh 9.76 lbs and have the chunkiest, sweetest little cheeks.

*You HATE diaper changes.  Most of the time anyway.  And that's quite unfortunate b/c you get your diaper changed A LOT throughout the day.

*You sleep for 3 hours at night and then wake up to nurse and go right back to sleep.  You have one four hour stretch of sleep during the night.

*You can track objects held in front of you--your favorite object to track right now is Hallie's red elephant Ty Beanie.

*You seem to love your big sister, Hallie.  Or at least you're very patient with her million kisses. :o)

We love you so much and cannot wait to see what the next month has in store for you!  You are such a blessing to us!