The Many Faces of Harper and Drew

Show me mad...

Show me fake smile...

Show me complete disinterest...

Show me gangsta'...

Show me LOVE!! 

Man, I love these two!!

2011

So I'm copying this idea from my friend, Julie. I liked going through iPhoto and reliving 2011. It was a pretty stellar year!

January 2011:

At Andrew and Lindsey's wedding. Welcome to the Dickson side, Lindsey! 

February:

Painting Harper's nursery...can you say "Planner"?

March:

With said friend, Julie...I can't wait to watch Harper and Lucy grow up playing together in Austin!

April:

Getting showered with love in Panhandle. Sweet Youngs... (notice my cheeks are starting to puff!)

May:

Scottie's wedding...ready to POP! 

June:

Happy Birthday, Harper Louise!

July:

The hottest summer ever known...

August:

Summer slowly winding down...not much excitement...

September:

Road trip to CO for Anna and Eric's wedding

October:

Sweet little lion

November:

Our Christmas card this year (that got lost in the mail--don't worry, you didn't get left off the list).

December:

BEST PRESENT EVER!!!

May 2012 be as bountiful to you and yours!

Such a Merry Christmas!

Oh, my goodness! Christmas 2011 tops the charts as one of my favorites. Put it right up there with Christmas 2009. Why? Because not only were we in Austin with all of the Dicksons, but my brother and sister and spouses came to celebrate with us. And the cherry on top? Harper, duh!!

There were games a'plenty, lots of delicious food, even more delicious desserts, and lots of "Pass the Baby". Here is a brief recap through pictures...

So here's the story with the naked baby...Harper had a beautiful Christmas dress that I wanted to preserve until right before we left for the Christmas Eve service. She was all ready to go except for the dress.

Everyone was loading up in the cars; Harper would be last (again, waiting until the last minute to put the dress on). Cars are full; dress is going on. One arm in. And puke. Like the biggest spit up I've ever seen. The beautiful dress is covered inside and out, exactly what I was trying to avoid. We split up with two cars going to the church to save us seats. Becky and Sarah are like two bridesmaids trying to save the bride's dress on her wedding day: two blowdryers out, drying like crazy while I'm still trying to figure out why my daughter hates me. Finally, the dress was deemed wearable, we go for dress attempt #2. And puke. I'm not kidding. At this point, I just say screw it, wipe the dress down, put a bib on her and call it done. We made it to church on time, and she sat through almost the whole service without a peep. Oh, Harper. 

This is pretty much how we spent the majority of our time...watching Harper do something. Anything. Like sit in front of the Christmas tree. It was adorable. Ha!

Christmas morning was way more entertaining with a baby around. Even though she didn't care at all about anything but the wrapping paper, the excitement was there for us all. Plus, opening tiny little Nikes and stuffed animals and adorable clothes galore is a lot more fun than not, right?!

Christmas morning with Ogee. Such a snuggler!

Between Neal's family and my own, the games were bound to get rowdy. Bruce got a Four Square game as his White Elephant gift and was determined to play. Forget that it had been raining for 48 hours straight...we'll play in the kitchen!

 We decided against drawing with chalk on the floor, even though Bruce was ready as soon as he opened the box. Blue painter's tape worked just as well! And believe me...it got REAL.

Giggling with Aunt Sarah.

 Family picture Take 1 (more like 15):

Much better!!

 I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! We sure did!

Toms

Like mother, like daughter...

Thanks, Andi for Harper's Toms...She can finally wear them! 

Happy Half Birthday!!

I know I say this every month, but I can't believe it's been SIX MONTHS since Harper was born. It feels like just yesterday that I was pregnant and feeling her kick inside me. Time sure flies when you're having fun!!

This month was pretty tame compared to the last couple. A trip to Austin for Thanksgiving, but mostly hanging out around here (it was kinda great, I'm not gonna lie!). Harper is growing and going these days. She's army crawling wherever she wants to go now. She can get up on all fours and sort of rocks when she gets there, but hasn't quite figured out the real crawl yet. I'm okay with that though, because the army crawl is still pretty slow...once she's crawling for real I'm gonna have a hard time keeping up with her, I think. Here's a little clip...it cracks me up; she LOVES seeing herself in the iPhone. 

Six month appointment was pretty uneventful too. She's 14 pounds, 12 ounces; 26 inches long. The doctor said it was a "perfect checkup." She had three shots and didn't shed a tear! She's such a tough girl! 

She's sitting up like a pro now, and playdates are so much more fun now that she's actually interacting with the other babes.

I am in love with this little babe! The next six months are going to fly by, I'm afraid. SLOW DOWN, Time, SLOW DOWN!!

Alright, a boring post, but I feel I made up for it by including a video. Right?!

A Heart of Thanksgiving

It’s official, the holidays are among us. It’s such a busy time of year, and yet it’s the time of year I look forward to the most. Not because of the presents, or the food (however, I am very thankful for the food), but because of the time I get to spend with friends and family. Yes, there are definitely times when I look at my calendar and wish we had some down time; but as soon as we gather with our friends or our family, I’m instantly convinced we made the right decision to get out of the house one more time. Those moments when I’m feeling tired and run down are replaced with joy and thanksgiving when I walk into the warm and welcoming home of those we love the most. 

And Thanksgiving is my most favorite holiday of the year (again, not all because of the food) because there’s no rushing around crazy packed shopping malls, there’s no pressure to buy the perfect present for everyone on your list, and the holiday parties haven’t consumed all of your time quite yet. It’s simply about being thankful, and surrounding yourself with people you love. Period. (The food is a pretty big cherry on top, though.) 

So what am I thankful for this year?

First and foremost, I am thankful for my husband. I am thankful for our marriage. He supports me and loves me and always makes sure I know how much (it's about two inches less than I love him). He works hard so that I can stay home with our daughter. He makes me laugh every single day. He knows my heart and accepts me for my shortcomings. He challenges me and encourages me to search for complete answers instead of just being content with the simple ones. He helps me be a better version of myself: healthier, stronger, happier. He is an amazing father to our daughter, and seeing his (and her) face light up when he sees her warms my heart every single time. He is my best friend, and for that I am thankful.

I am thankful for a healthy, happy baby girl. Every single day, I am amazed by her discoveries, her happy and calm spirit, her ability to adapt to her surroundings, and the way she’s changed our lives. I am thankful for her sweet cheeks and dimpled chin that she got from me, her beautiful eyes and luscious lips she got from Daddy, and the long eyelashes she inherited from us both. It means she’s ours, and for that I am thankful. 

I am thankful for our families. My sister is my best friend. She has been beside me for the best and worst days of my life. She listens well and knows when I need to cry, laugh, vent, or brag.  I could not ask for a more amazing sister. I do not have the words to thank my sister for everything she has done for me. My brother is my hero. I want to make him laugh, to make him proud, to be like him. He is the coolest person I know. I'm so glad he's my brother. 

Every day I am thankful that Anne and Les opened their home to us all those years ago; that they loved us when we needed it the most. I am thankful for Meg and her boys, for their health and happiness, even when they are faced with life's challenges. 

Sarah, Mark, Andrew, Lindsey, and Lauren are not only family, but they are my friends. I would pick every single one to be a part of my life; I'm so grateful that the people I love so much made that so easy for me. 

I am especially thankful for Bruce and Becky this year. They have supported us, encouraged us, taught us, challenged us, and loved us. They are an incredible example of what a strong marriage, loving parents, and servants of God should look like. 

These people are forever a part of my life, and for that I am thankful.

I am thankful for my friends, both near and far, big and little. Thank you for your hugs, for your laughter, for keeping me sane, and for sharing your kids, your time, and your wine. I love you all. 

For this and so much more I am so very thankful.

5 Months!

Man, every time I sit down to write one of Harper's monthly updates, I'm amazed at all of the "big" things that have happened to her that month. I think to myself, "What big adventures for such a little girl." I usually end each entry with, "I can't wait to see what adventures next month brings you." But in my head, I'm also thinking, It can't get much bigger than this. And then it does!! Month five was pretty darn exciting for one sweet little girl.

She was a lion...

A skeleton...

She went on her first plane ride...

Saw her first snow...

Had lots of quality time with Nonnie...

Met Uncle Rob...

Drove her first car...JUST KIDDING!
 

Drove her first cart...for real. She's a big girl now, you know.

 

On Great Grandparents

How blessed is Harper to be able to reach out and touch the hands that held her mom and dad, that rocked her grandparents to sleep. How incredible is this life that allows us to witness the bonding of two people who are nine decades apart in age, but who see the pureness in each other’s hearts so easily. Harper can look past the wrinkles and ailments, and only see their unconditional love. If only we, the middle generations, could do the same. Sometimes we forget that these family members, the ones who have been around the longest, are just like the newest ones, the babes. Yes, we have to take care of them, feed them, clothe them, remind them of their daily habits; but when they see you walk into a room and smile, it’s because they know that you’re family. And family is forever.

  

Beginning Traditions: The Pumpkin Patch

I never paid much attention to family traditions before Harper was born. Wait. That's not true; I always had to open presents on Christmas morning, not Christmas Eve, and...yep, that's all I can think of at the moment. I'm sure there are more, but as a little girl I don't remember looking forward to certain days of the year because of the traditions that came with them. But I want to create traditions for Harper; ones that she'll look forward to every year. I want Harper to look back on her childhood and remember the Special Day plate, Easter Egg hunts, dates with Daddy, opening Christmas pajamas and a new tree ornament each Christmas Eve, and finding the perfect pumpkin every year. I want her to remember the special memories we created by celebrating big and small days in big and small ways. 

So this week, Harper and I headed to the pumpkin patch with the Corders as a new tradition. Sure, I let Preston pick out our pumpkin this year, but before too long it'll be Harper's turn to wander the aisles and pick out the perfect orange gourd. 

How ADORABLE is Graham in his little lion costume?! 

Preston takes good care of the littles!

Oh, those hypnotizing blue eyes...so precious!

Graham was way more cooperative with the camera than Harper. But some new material for the blog is never a bad idea, right?

I know that Harper isn't going to remember her first trip to the pumpkin patch or her first Christmas morning (or her second or third either), but the traditions are just as much for me as they are for her. I'll look back on these pictures and know that I did everything I could to create a special childhood for Harper. And one day Harper will look at these pictures and know that her mom loved her more than anything.