Just a snapshot of life in NC

 

Family Photo Booth at Daycare Celebration!

Plug Update

So Harper quickly got used to the "snipped" plug. She still wanted it at night and put it straight into her mouth. I noticed each night when I would peek in on her that the pacifier was lying nearby but she was not keeping it in her mouth throughout the night. I thought this was a positive thing!
Last weekend we traveled to my parents and when we returned home we realized we left her pacifier in the car. When MJ put her to bed, we didn't give it to her and she didn't ask. We are going on our 4th night pacifier free! I will say she's been stirring a little earlier in the morning but that could be due to a variety of things (head cold, bad dreams, etc). Overall I say Operation GROP is a success.

Tie Ball Game!!

Where's the Plug?

After weeks of discussion, we decided to move forward with Operation Get-Rid-Of-Pacifier.  This was not an easy decision and a few things weighed in heavily.  One being Harper's teeth.  And I'm not talking about a few teeth.  At almost 17 months, she's got a mouthful...13 to be exact.  Twelve of those ivories she's had since September.  I swear they all came in together.  One day it was gummy everything the next day a mouthful of pearly whites.

Harper has primarily used her pacifiers for sleeping which has allowed us to keep them discreetly hidden in her bedroom to prevent the judgemental looks from parents whose children "just never took to them." 

My child didn't sleep for the first 6 weeks of her life and I was ready to be hauled off to the loony bin so when the pacifier became a sleep aid I was all about it.

We decided a Friday night was best night to start Operation GROP as it would allow for leisurely days should the nights not go well.  I was home alone for bedtime so here's a excerpt from my poorly thought out script:

Me: "Night Pumpkin.  Here's your lovey. Time to go to sleep.

Harper: "Paci?"

Me: "Paci went bye-bye.  Close your eyes, and dream good dreams and we will get up in the morning to play!" 

Harper: (whimper)

[Lights out, close the door and within .2 seconds...]

Harper: "WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

[25 minutes later... I am sweating and having combat flashbacks from her first 6 weeks of life when I could do nothing to help her fall asleep...the endless crying, I can't take it.]

Harper: "WAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

[I enter the room with scissors, cut a GIANT hole in a pacifier and hand it over. ]

Me: "Paci has a boo boo but here it is."

[She inserts pacifier, tries to suck but all you hear is air being sucked in]

Harper: (whimper)

[She passes out in less than a minute]

END SCENE

Harper-1
Mommy-0

The Mall

So I am not a huge mall person. I can probably count on one hand the amount of times I went to the mall last year (excluding the movies.) But in an effort to "do more" I met a couple girlfriends and their kids at Southpoint Mall on Saturday morning. There is a great kids play area (sponsored by Duke) which has great climbing toys, slides,etc. The floor is padded and the climbing toys are squishy so it's definitely geared to younger kiddos. Harper absolutely LOVED it. We all noshed on Panera and watched our little ones climb, slide, jump and fall for almost two hours. I know Harper had a blast and it was so nice to connect with other moms. I often easily slip into staying home on the weekends so I am proud I got us out in an adventure...even if it was just the mall.

Laurie and Ezra
Kristen riding the high seas with Harper and Owen

Reflection of a Year in One Post

 Jessica told me Sue still stops by...this is for her :)

Blogging fell off my radar over the past year.  It's not that I don't like doing it but I was so focused on Harpers baby book.  I remember being about 10 when I found my baby book and I was SO disappointed that it was blank in so many areas.  I have worked hard to try and stay up with Harpers so the blog fell by the wayside. And honestly after being on the computer for chunks of my day doing notes at work, the last thing I want is to come home and type more.  But the one thing I LOVE to do it take pictures.  I am making a resolution to get to know my camera more and take more photos.  SO since I do document my life pretty well, here it goes...2012 in photos.

  

January and February: Packing begins!



March: We traveled to Spa Neyer to introduce the ladies!



April: We hosted an Easter Waffle Brunch, spent time at the park and enjoyed the beautiful Spring weather.


 

 

May: We moved into our new HOUSE!! The flowers behind us are courtesy of the original owner...so nice!



June: Michael enjoyed a Father's Day with his ladies; we traveled to the mountains to visit Daniel and made a stop at Linville Caverns



July: We hosted a 4th BBQ, attended the Smith Family reunion and spent TWO weeks in Oak Island!







August: My girlfriend hosted a Mom and Baby spa day, we did lots of swimming and most importantly, Michael turned 40!




September: The SWEETEST girl turned ONE!




October: We traveled to Ohio to watch my nephew play football and visit with Great Grandma Range.



November: We did the Color Run in Charlotte and travelled to Baton Rouge for Thanksgiving with the Dunbars!

December: Went to Girls and a Gay weekend (don't worry Jess, no bathing suit pics), Harper had her first major boo-boo resulting in a small scar under her nose, we rode the Santa Train to the North Pole and hosted our first Christmas with 8 visitors!

It was an amazing year...I worry toomuch about the little things instead of sitting back to see how lucky and blessed I really am.  Reflecting over these photos helped remind me. 
Happy New Year!

Photo Update

Life is good in NC.
We go to the farmers market.
We enjoy the sunshine.
We savor weekends with our sweet little girl.
That is all...for now.

Sweet Morning

There is nothing like waking up to this precious face. Time change made her sleep a little longer which was a nice treat!