Fun in the Sun

Wow. I really don't mean to go so many days between blogging! It's the same old song. Just busy :)

This is not blog or picture-worthy, but yesterday my folks and I cut down majorly overgrown landscaping in front of the house. Our house is painted brick and needs to be painted again.

Now with the foliage gone, all of that sticks out like a sore thumb. It's ok though. One thing at a time. Isn't it so funny how you can fix one thing and then it makes everything else around it look terrible?


Today, we went out on my dad's boat for the first time! There is a history that goes along with this boat. He bought it several months ago from a man near where he works. In the process of cleaning it, he found a huge bag of white, powdery substance. We never really knew what it was. We have an idea though. Now it's called the drug-boat :) Again, no pictures because I had my hands full!

I did manage to snap a few pics after we cleaned up and went to lunch. The weather could not have been more beautiful.



Miss Hollin pretty much never wears shoes.

Harper enjoyed sitting outside and trying to get out of his photo being taken.


He held out until just before his french fries arrived. Pa Pa didn't mind helping him out :)


Hollin has known how to roll over from front to back for sometime now. This week, she really mastered rolling from back to front!

Now, I can't get her to stop sleeping on her side or stomach. I think I am going to buy her a crib bumper. I had one in Harper's crib. This time around, I went with my mommy senses and pediatrician and decided not to have one in hers. They just scare me. I did just get an Angel Care monitor, so that will give me more peace of mind.

She has been the sweetest little thing today. I have learned that this baby loves to be on the go. She seems to do much better if we are out and about. I ran errands all morning yesterday and she was so content. What can I say? Baby girl loves to shop.




Later on, my dad hung a few things in Harper's room. I tried to get him to notice. He is such a little man. Could really have cared less about the pictures on the wall.


Tomorrow, we are off to church to celebrate a baby dedication. Maya has a vet appointment and I'm sure I will be doing more things in the house. I know I promised office pictures some time ago. I have not forgotten. You have my word that I will post them tomorrow! :)

Good night,

Our Easter 2012

Easter this year seemed to creep up on us so fast! We decided to go to our church's Sunrise service at 7am. I had my doubts that we could make it, but we did.

The Lord was looking after us this particular morning because I was able to get both babies dressed in 10 minutes. Harper didn't throw a tantrum and Hollin kept on sleeping during wardrobe change, haha. We didn't wake up until 6 and the service started at 7. Needless to say, we were rushing.

Here is my stinker trying to open candy at 6:20am.


I was in such a rush to get out the door, I had to do Hollin's Easter bucket later in the day.


We arrived at the service just as the choir was singing and it was so awesome to hear the message as the sun was coming up. It was held at Airlie Gardens, in front of an oak tree that is estimated to be over 400 years old.

My parents went with us this year, which was so nice. I have photos of them, but my mom is not a fan of being on my blog haha. So here is a picture of Harper and dad.

And here is little Hollin with her wonky bow. I tried 3 times to make a headband with it, but it just didn't work.

After the service, a few Sunday school friends and I organized a little Easter egg hunt. Most of the photos I took were blurry (seriously, I'm so annoyed with myself. My hubby seems to think it's my vision because he takes the clearest pictures ever.) I borrowed these from my friend's facebook.

Here is Harper hugging her little girl, Eliza. She is not quite 2.

Probably one of my favorite pictures to date.

The moment quickly passed when Harper lost his balance. They both went tumbling and well.....


She was a good sport. And so were her parents. Thankfully.

Harper apparently had to use the restroom, so we left not long after.


I wanted a family Easter photo, but this was the best we could get.


We headed over to my father-in-laws house for a quick brunch. Hollin fell asleep so sweetly in Jimmy's arms. Love these two.


I sort of stopped taking pictures as this point. A week of non-stop going and party planning on top of getting up so early kind of hit me all at once. I ate, socialized and then came home to crash.

Every year at this time, I am humbled by the magnitude of Easter's meaning. It makes everything I piddle with seem so insignificant. It doesn't really matter if my photos are blurry or if we can't get a good family photo. As a mom, I absolutely want to preserve these memories in photos the best I can, but ultimately, it isn't that important. What's important is that we recognize what Jesus did for us and to live for Him each day.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter.

John 11:25-26
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. (NIV)

Hollin is 5 months old!

Hollin, you are 5 months old!


You are such an active little baby. Anyone who is around you or holds you usually comments on how busy you are.

You are still pretty demanding, but I think I have gotten used to it :)


You are wearing size 1-2 diapers, but the 2's fit better. Mommy is just trying to use up what she has.

You are very talkative! So much more than big brother was at this age.


You love to put your feet in your mouth.


We think you may be teething, because you keep one hand in your mouth all of the time. Mommy doesn't feel a tooth, but you are very drooly.


You recognize all the people you love. You still light up if anyone pays attention to you.

You are so good with your hands!


We bought you a little swing for the back porch and you love it so much!


We just celebrated your first Easter!


Mommy tried so hard to get great pictures of all of us, but it was kind of difficult this year.

She may dress you and Harper up and try again.

Last year at this time, mommy was pregnant with you and wondering what Easter would be like this year :)

You are taking anywhere from 4-6 ounces at each feeding. Sometimes you want even more! You don't care for rice cereal at all and I haven't really forced that or baby food. You are content with milk at the moment. Mommy gave you bananas today though and you got really excited as the spoon got closer. You almost ate the whole container!

You laugh when your brother is crying or being loud. You also think that Maya is funny. All she has to do is walk by and you laugh.

At night, you still usually wake up once to eat. You go from silent to screaming. There is no lead-in. A few nights ago, you slept through the night and that was nice.

You are wearing 6 month clothes. Mommy sure is having fun dressing you still.

You love your swing, but don't really care for your Boppy or walker. You are still pretty wobbly. You get really frustrated when you are in either of them because you slump over and drop whatever toy you were holding.

You nap every 3 hours or so, get your bath at night and are asleep by 7:30pm.

You still love to be held and don't want to miss anything that is going on.


You are such a sweet-natured baby. It's so funny to mommy to see how much more vocal and emotional you are than your brother was at this age. You two are so different. You keep me on my toes!


Mommy, daddy and brother couldn't love you more!

Three

Harper James, you are 3 years old today. I'm not sure how 3 years has gone by so quickly, but it has. Daddy and I love you to pieces. You make us laugh every day. The things you say and repeat keep us on our toes.

Your big party is in a few days and I will share more pictures and details then.

I love you sweet boy.


You will always be my first baby.

Early Easter Festivities

Yesterday, Harper attended his first preschool Easter Egg hunt!

I really wanted Harper to wear the bowtie he wore on Easter last year, but he just wouldn't have it.

What a handsome little devil.


After listening to them sing a few bunny songs, the hunt was on!




My sweet girl had a great time watching her brother, too. She lights up when she sees him. It's the sweetest thing.


Here is our little ham with the rest of his class.


I'm so thankful for little activities like this. They create so many wonderful memories for the both of us. Now if I can just keep him from fighting other kids over the eggs........

:)

The Help is Here

There have been lots of fun things going on around these parts, but the MOST fun thing is....

My mom is here!!!!!!!

She officially moved to the coast yesterday and we are so happy to have her. If you haven't been following along, catch up here.


Today has been easy-breezy. I can't begin to describe the difference it makes to have an extra set of hands around. Of course, the babies have been perfect little angels today, but they always do that to me :)

Mom wouldn't let me take a picture of her, but she's here and we're having a great time.


On a different note, Harper had a great time a few days ago at the Police Department's "Demo Day!"






Hopefully the only ride he'll ever take back there.




And just for my documentation, Harper watched me make coffee a few days ago and begged for some, so I gave in.


Um, he LOVED it and wanted more! Mommy said no :)

Happy Monday,