SpRiNg TiMe*

It has been SOO nice here lately! It's been in the high 60's to 70 this week. I really don't mind winter, and this winter has been so fun with all the snow and rain (for me anyway, I love that kind of wet weather!) but I definitely get a mean case of spring fever usually around my birthday time, so I was so excited when we could hang up our coats and sweaters and head out for a fun day out in the sun! Harlo and I had our first trip to the park as a mommy-daughter couple =) It was so fun to just sit and chat with the other moms (well, my sisters..) and watch our kids play (well, their kids play, mine just sat and watched) but it was still really fun! Harlo had kind of a rough morning, but as soon as we got out in the sun she thought it was so neat!! it's the first time she's ever really been out and not all snuggled tight in her carseat with a blanket covering. She loved it... Maybe there's hope that she'll take after her dad and like nature, and not be an "indoor girl" like her mom =) Either way, I'll be happy! We got Harlo's spring time outfits that she's finally fitting into, the big huge lady! There's nothing better than the first hints of spring!

Harlo, mommy and maizee at the park

Little Lady in her sassy spring outfit

It was even nice enough for a little mani-pedi action =) Harlo very much enjoyed her first pedicure! (she was asleep for the manicure, which made it possible) I also couldn't get a picture with both of them at the same time, so these will have to do. Aren't they so cute?!

So it was pretty much a perfect day! It would have been nice if Daddy could have spent it with us, but hopefully the good weather will keep up through the weekend! Oh! Harlo giggles now...

You guessed it, only at her DAD.

a horrible, terrible, no good, very bad day!!

So... the moment I've been dreading every since seeing those 2 lines on the pregnancy test has arrived...SHOTS.

Never in my life did I imagine how hard it would be to see my daughter in pain... just the sweetest, smileyest, rolliest little lady... with gigantic, horrifying needles in her legs :(

She really did extremely well, it was the longest 5 seconds of my life, but that's all it lasted and she stopped crying as soon as it was over. Luckily Brady came and held her, I thought she would need him, but it turned out I needed the moral support more than anyone! Brady passed her to me when it was done and she had saved a little whimper for me like saying "mommy, that really hurt!" and I lost it... who knew mommyhood would be such an emotional job? Well about 10 minutes of settling ourselves down we left the doctors office and she was completely fine for the rest of the day! Poor little lady... she didn't even see it coming...

On a lighter note.. our lady bug is growing like a weed! She weighs 10 lbs 4 oz now and is 21 1/2 inches long. She's doing great on the charts.. we're so grateful to have such a healthy baby!

Harlo is really the cutest thing ever... I know I'm her mom, but seriously! She has the cutest smiles in the world, which she mostly just saves up for her daddy! She's such a fancy lady we just love having her around! I can't think of anyone else I'd rather hang out with all day! She gets more fun all the time. We can't wait to watch her grow and learn more and more!

20th on the 20th

happy birthday to me

we had fun!

the after-dinner party

us in our stripes!

thanks for the sweet cake al&al

Harlo helping me blow the candles out =)

So yesterday was my 20th birthday and I had a way good day! I woke up to a smiling baby and Brady had to go to work :( so after my usual morning of trying to get ready in between motherly duties, we met Ruth and Charlie for lunch at Pasta Factory becuase they were leaving town. For dinner we went out with my dad and sisters and a couple friends to Red Lobster then to Ali's house after for cake. It was such a nice day! thanks everyone who spent my special day with me! Here's to the golden year!

Valentines Weekend

We had a really good Valentines this year!! Last year I lived in Texas and Brady and I couldn't be together, so this year was really our "first" valentines, and of course, Harlo's first Valentines... Valentines is probably my favorite holiday just because you don't have to do much to make it special, and it's just a day to do fun lovey things. We try to act like it's valentines everyday around here, but the real deal is definitely fun!

To start off the weekend, Harlo wore this ADORABLE outfit my good friend, Marianne made her. Marianne actually crocheted this whole ensamble!! She gave it to me for my shower and I was so excited to put her in it, it looks so cute on her! Thanks Marianne!
Gran stopped by passing through town to give Harlo her little Valentines tricker, we only stayed for about 2 minutes but it's always fun to see Gran. She'll be here next weekend for Harlo's blessing =)

Renee and Ryder came to town surprisingly and we were SO excited to see them!! Last time Renee and I were together Harlo and Ryder were still in our bellies and we were complaining about how uncomfortable we were, so this was SUPER fun to actually get our babies together! Ryder is such a little doll and we're so glad he's doing so well!! Besides the fact that he's so tiny, you would never guess he just recently got out of the hospital, such a trooper!! As you can see, Harlo had such a fun time, she didn't want to leave! =)

Valentine Kisses for Itty

Valentine kisses for us =)

Brady got me (and Harlo;) really cute flowers for Valentines with a REALLY cute card! =)

Valentine Kisses for Harlo who is sick of having a photoshoot in the kitchen! ha

Our 'Brady Lady' on her very first Valentines!

After such an eventful weekend, Harlo and I were exhausted!

All Grown Up!

Well.. not completely grown up, but close!! Harlo, my sweet little tiny baby is getting so big... She is offically out of her newborn diapers! what the heck?! Her newborn clothes are still fitting (this week at least) but I can't believe it. You don't realize that they're really growing until they're growing right out of their belongings!
So, as if that wasn't enough, it just occured to me that her 2 month appointment is coming right up and that I should probably start doing tummy time... well this morning I put her on her tummy (for the very first time) and within about 15 seconds she ROLLED OVER. I about died... let me remind you that she is 7 weeks old! So not only do I have the cutest baby around, I have the strongest as well ;) (She MUST be Brady's kid, because she didn't get her athleticism from me by any means!!) S0 that is all... My child is growing too fast for her own good and I'm just struggling to keep up, which is funny because I swear that's what my dad still says about me... I guess you never catch up! But really, didn't I just BARELY bring her home from the hospital? I thought I'd have at least a year before she grew out of those diapers... =)

Sweet Aunt Marj

Last week while my mom was in town we went over to Aunt Marjie's house. She is so dang cute, I could just eat her up! I am so glad that Harlo got to meet her and I hope Marj sticks around for a while so Harlo will remember her. We never had grandparents and Marjie is my mom's aunt, but she let us know what a true grandma was supposed to be like. We would go visit her all the time when we were kids, we loved it! She'd send us home with a pair of her house slippers (which we thought were SO cool) and a quilt she had recently made. There was never a birthday that passed without a mailed card from Aunt Marjie with a sweet little note in it and 5 dollars. If I could just be half the aunt she was to us, I would still be the best auntie ever! I am so glad we got these pictures while we were there, I will cherish them forever!

Marjie thought Harlo was just the cutest thing ever... truthfully, she gives Harlo a run for her money =)

How sweet is this? Tiny little ladies.. Harlo and Marj TOGETHER weigh 88 lbs.

4 Generations... Aren't we all just fabulous?! ;)

A few quick pics!

HARLO ELLE

My little Kisser!! In her cute little outfit Gran got her on her visit here last week.. which I will have to post pictures of later! (notice the nicely folded laundry in the background that Gran left behind!)

My grown-up lady with her cute outfit and first pair of fitting SHOES! This was her on superbowl sunday, apparently she has my genes in "love of sports"... just thinking about it makes me want to lay down and take a nap!

I always loved when girl babies have that cute curl on top of their little heads, her hair is still pretty short, but we're working on it!! Doesn't her little "curl-hawk" look fabulous? These days, we've left out the curl, and her faux-hawk looks darling with her bows... I'll have to post a pic later of our latest hairstyle!!

Multiple Blessings

Feeding and Reading is my new favorite past time! While I sit in my chair every 3 hours feeding Harlo, what better to do than read a book. My latest book I've read is Multiple Bles8ings by Jon and Kate Gosselin (jon and kate plus 8) It is such a great book! I think every mom, dad or Christian should read this book. It is a great heartfelt story about faith and love in an unexpected journey. It is very inspirint and uplifting and an absolutely perfect book for me to be reading with my 6 week old bundle. If Kate could survive through the birth and up-bringing of 6 little ones, then I can surely do it with 1!
I feel compelled to notice all the blessings and little miracles that have been happening around here lately. It has probably been this amazing journey to motherhood that brought me so much closer to God, but since Harlo has been here I try not to miss even the seemingly miniscule blessings and miracles in my life (like getting the chance to wash my face and brush my teeth before my husband gets home!) Everytime I look at my daughter I feel so overwhelmed with love and faith in our Lord that I get to live the life He has planned out for me. Harlo is my proof that everything, indeed, does happen for a reason! The last 2 years of my life have held the best of times and the hardest of times. I am so greatful for the ups and downs that brought Brady and I closer together as a couple and stregnthened me as a person and prepared me for this wonderful life of motherhood. Everything good and everything I've ever done right in my life (which until now, seemed so small) I see everyday in my daughter.
One of my very dearest friends, was just involved in a scary car accident. Looking at the pictures of the car and the damage done you would really wonder if the person made it out alive, and through God's grace, she and her precious 27 week old fetus walked away completely unharmed. I am SO thankful for her friendship and the role she has played in my life and even more thankful that she sits at home today with a kicking baby in her belly a snuggling baby in her arms. It's so easy to forget to remind the people in my life how much I appreciate them and how thankful I am. Marcie's accident brought that to my attention and I have made it my personal goal to remember to do and say those small things that mean so much.
Another one of my closest friends had a sweet little baby boy last week about 5 weeks early. He is a tiny 5 lb 2 oz miracle and he is getting stronger everyday. I wish I could be with her physically in Vegas right now, but I am here with my own family to care for. She is never out of my thoughts and prayers. This wonderful title of being a mom brings you closer to a much more emotional side of you with a whole new slate of worries and fears, but also a whole new stregnth that can get you through any pain and hardship. I know she will make it through these next few hard days with little Ryder still in the hospital and will soon get to experience the joy of snuggling up to that little baby in the home she has so eagerly prepared for him.
I must always remember what a miracle Harlo is and all the many blessings we lived through in the process of getting her here. I was once told that childbearing might not be my strong point, and each and everyday I am so thankful that I was able to experience all of this, being spared much of the stress of worrying if I would ever be able to. This has been the best 6 weeks and 4 days of my life, and honestly the best 2 years as it all started that wonderful January day that Brady walked into my life.
I've got to go wake up and feed that little miracle before her daddy gets home, so to everyone in my life: Thank you for being a part of this wonderful time. I appreciate each and every one of you and all the help and support you have given me over the days, weeks, months, or years. God bless you all!