Homecoming

Meet our beautiful niece, Nicole! Not only is she beautiful on the outside, but she is on the inside too. Nicole is a very neat young lady - she loves to laugh and smile. She is a jokester. She has a big heart. She is a protective big sister ( most of the time). She is a leader - not a follower. So it's no surprise that she is nominated for Homecoming Queen!

In about one hour from Nicole will find out who her classmates have chosen to become Homecoming King and Queen. No matter what the outcome is, we are very proud of Nicole. She IS the winner in our eyes.

GOOD LUCK NICOLE! WE LOVE YOU!

Same Old....

I feel like I haven't blogged about 'us' a whole lot lately. Mostly because we haven't done anything exciting. I have been busy with work and school so Adam has been doing a great job of being Mr.Mom. Here's what last week consisted of:

Reading Books

Watching TV

A Doctor Visit: getting blood drawn :(

4 shots :(


My first day of clinicals!

Running around the house

(the shirt says it all - BORN TO BE WILD)

Oh yeah, Adam decided that we need a SNOW BLOWER! Adam hates winter because he is the one who gets stuck shoveling, so I don't blame him for trying to make the winters a little easier. So last Monday he went 'shopping' and came home with his new best friend - a cub cadet snow blower!

Not else has been going on. I was in bed on Friday night at 8:15 and on Saturday night I think it was maybe 10:00. It looks like we'll be having another uneventful weekend, which is just fine by us! As of now, we don't have anything planned until the last 2 weekends in October. So, visitors are welcome at anytime!

Potty Training

No - Harper is NOT potty training - that would be crazy!

BUT, I did find some useful and FREE resources for when the time comes. I love free samples and follow a few different frugal blogs. I will post the links to the blogs sometime when I have time to look them up.

Click HERE for a FREE potty training kit, which includes:

• free sample of Easy-Up Trainers
• high value coupons
• potty progress chart
• fun stickers and coloring pages
• step-by-step training guide

You can also go HERE for a FREE potty training DVD by Pull-Ups

Even if your child is not ready to potty-train yet, it doesn't hurt to get some free resources while waiting!!! I already have the DVD and I just signed up for the kit.

Portraits of Love

I love hearing about people and/or companies that give back to our military families. Being a previous 'army wife,' I can appreciate the little things that others do or say to make deployments a little easier - if that's even possible.

Right now JC Penny's is offering families of deployed soldiers

• FREE sitting fee
• FREE portrait sheet
• FREE extra portrait sheet shipped over to your soldier

This offer is good through October 31st. How awesome would it be for a husband or wife to get a package containing a professional picture of their loved ones - especially their children! I know there are a few people who read this blog that have family members that are deployed - so spread the word! Click here for more info!

Thank you JC Penny for supporting our troops! You've just gained one more loyal customer :)

Vacations

Right now my parents and youngest brother are in sunny Florida - Walt Disney World to be exact. They arrived in FL on Monday and are returning home on Sunday. They are staying at a resort on Disney's property- which includes passes and transportation to all parks. So far, they've been to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. They also will be going to Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, and driving to the beach one day. I talked to them this morning and they are all tired, but having lots of fun!

While on the vacation topic - Adam and I are going to Mexico from Jan 3-8!!! We will be staying at an adults-only, all-inclusive resort in Cancun called the Golden Parnassus. We leave in just a little over 3 months - so we are both on a workout/healthy eating kick. We'll see how it goes - I HAVE to do something about this baby weight - it's disgusting! You may be wondering why we're randomly going on vacation, so I'll tell you why. Adam got an unexpected check in the mail from the Army for him getting stop-lossed. Stop-lossed is when you serve more time than is stated in your contract. In Adam's case - he was supposed to get out of the Army in August 2007 - but with his tour in Iraq getting extended, he didn't get home until October 2007. Then he had to process out and debrief and all of that technical stuff, so he actually didn't get out of the Army until later. The official date was sometime in March 2008 I believe.

So - long story short - he got paid extra for being stop-lossed and just now got the check. I told Adam he could do whatever he wanted with the money, since he worked hard to earn it. He decided that he wanted to take ME on a vacation - some place warm where we could relax and have some drinks. We are super excited to get away for 6 days!! It'll be great for our marriage. We hardly get any 'couple' time anymore. I'm already thinking about how much I'm going to miss Harper. But she'll be in great hands with her Grandparents :)

One Year Stats

Harper had her One-year well child check today - and man was it sad!!! The poor little girl had to get 4 shots and her blood drawn. The nurse informed us that the last 2 shots were rather big and were going to hurt her more than normal - great! And then after all that pain they had to draw blood out of her arm - so so so so sad! She screamed from the time they were trying to find a vein all the way to the end when they were wrapping her arm - and then some more! I cried too. It was the worst thing ever - I don't know how parents are able to deal with kids that are in ICU's or even the hospital. It broke my heart to see her in pain :( On a positive note, she is very healthy and growing proportionately!

Weight: 22.2 lbs (75%)

Height: 30.5 " (90%)

Diaper Size: 3

Teeth: 10 (6 on top - 4 on bottom)

Clothing Size: 12-18 months

Speech: Still mostly says da-da, but lots of other gibberish - mama - nana- gaga - she kind of says cracker (cra cra); she has learned a few more HELPFUL signs this month - 'more' and 'eat'! It is so nice when she's eating b/c she point at what she wants and then sign 'more.' No more guessing if she wants down or if she's still hungry.

Eating Habits: Harper eats everything that we eat, for the most part. Breakfast is usually grapes, toast, eggs, or a cereal bar. Lunch is usually green beans, cheese, or whatever we're having. Supper is almost always whatever we're eating - chicken, hamburger, pasta, beans, potatoes, etc. She has 2 snacks during the day - usually goldfish crackers or a graham cracker, with a cup of milk or juice. She only has a bottle before bed and if she wakes up in the AM.

Sleeping Habits: Naps seem to be getting shorter - but still 2 naps/day - b/w 1 and 2 hours each. Bedtime is around 7:30 and she will sleep until 8ish - usually having a bottle around 6 first.

Favorite Toy: Fisher-Price Teddy Bear that sings, lights up, teaches ABC's, shapes, numbers and different songs.

Favorite Activity: Getting chased around the house or reading books. Harper loves it when Adam and I get on all 4's and chase her around the house - she runs and laughs uncontrollably!

New Things:

• knocks on doors
• fist-pounds (Thanks Adam)
• opens ALL cupboards and drawers
• flips light switch
• follows simple commands: 'Go get your shoes' 'Bring me a book' ' put your pacifier in the crib' 'take a drink'
• plays hide and seek
• like watching Elmo
• loves to dance
• drinks whole milk
• can point to her toes, tummy and hair when asked

There are SO many new things that this little girl can do - she is so smart! I know I'm forgetting so much stuff, but you get the point. When asked if she wants to eat, she runs to her highchair, when asked to go to bed, she runs to the bottom of the stairs, when asked to go outside, she runs to the door. I think she understands almost everything we say. It is amazing. We love our little girl SO MUCH! It's amazing how much you can love something so little!

School Update

3 weeks down - 12 to go! At least for this semester......

As I was laying in bed last night, I realized that today is my last Friday until DECEMBER that I get to sleep in past 5:15! SICK!!!!!!!!!!!! I hate mornings! Next week I start my clinicals, which are every Friday from 6:30 - 2. Luckily I don't have far to drive as my clinicals are at the hospital here in Clarion! Thank goodness! Our daycare open right at 6 AM - I think there are only 3 Fridays that Harper will have to go to daycare, thankfully.

I'm still managing to keep an A in two of my classes, which I expect to maintain all semester. The classes seem pretty easy. However, in my 'Fundamentals of Nursing' class, I'm getting a B. Which is still good I guess. We've only been graded on one test so far, which was curved - big time! The class average for the first test was a D, which is exactly what I got before the curve. After she added 8 points to everyone's scores, my grade was a B. The professor said that in the years past the average grade for the first test has always been a D - just because the tests are structured much different than other tests and because it is kind of boring material - the rule/laws of nursing - boring!

The tests are going to be hard - they are set up like the nursing boards - which is great practice! However, many of the questions have several answers that are correct, but we have to choose the BEST choice. There are also some 'multiple-multiple' questions - meaning there are multiple answers - and we have to choose all that apply - if we forget one or have an extra - we miss the whole point - we have to have it exactly right. Pretty tricky - on the last test I only got 1 out of the 4 correct.

O'well - I'm ready for the challenge! I enjoy school. My goal is to graduate with honors. So far my GPA for Iowa Central after 3 classes is a 4.0 ~ hopefully I can say the same after this semester!

Birthday Fun

First, I'd like to apologize for this blog being so late - Blogger hasn't let me post anything the past few nights. I'm sure this blog will be shorter than the original version - my apologies. Anyways, Harper had a great birthday weekend. It was full of family, cupcakes, sunshine, and TOYS!

"So Big" now that she is 1

Harper opened up her presents from Adam and I on Saturday, her actual birthday (9/11). She got her very own Elmo cell phone and a little baby Elmo - complete with a pacifier, bib, diaper and a blanket. Sometimes Harper likes to think Elmo's pacifier is her own :)

As you know, the theme of the party was cupcakes! My mom made Harper her very own cupcake to smash. Harper was very dainty and didn't really make a mess or smash the cupcake. She pretty much just dipped her fingers in the frosting and licked it off. This made for a much easier clean up!

Another cupcake made my Grandma Dawn

We also bought Harper her very own chair. We've had lots of people ask where we purchased the chair - so FYI we ordered it online from Pottery Barn Kids. It comes in different colors and fonts for embroidering. Personalization is free! I believe it's called an 'Anywhere Chair.'


Harper got lots of great presents for her birthday, including: money, winter clothes and PJ's, sippy cups, books, bath toys, Leap Frog train, Caterpillar, and birthday cake, Crazy Coupe car, Fisher Price vacuum. We also asked everyone to bring a thoughtful item to put in her time capsule for Harper to open up on her 16th birthday. Adam and I bought Harper a Sapphire necklace ( her birthstone) to put in the capsule and we also put in her 'coming home from the hospital' outfit. Other things that were added to the capsule include: scrapbooks, newspapers, letters, cards, pictures, etc. We had everyone fill out a questionnaire that asked them to predict what Harper will be like when she turns 16. I can't wait until September 11, 2025!

Thank you to all our family that made the trip to Clarion to help celebrate our precious little cupcake turning ONE! Harper is very blessed to have such a great family that loves her unconditionally!

More pictures of the family to come soon...

Party Time

Today is the big birthday party for Harper! We are so excited, we've been planning this for a while now. The theme: CUPCAKES!!!!!! Check back tomorrow for pictures from the party!

ONE

Dear Harper,
Happy 1st Birthday to you! We cannot believe how big you're getting. It seems like just yesterday we were in the hospital with you. This has been the BEST year of our lives, all because of YOU! You are a beautiful little girl, inside and out. We are looking forward to watching you grow and learn new things. Daddy is looking forward to taking you golfing, while mommy is looking forward to you learning how to talk, so you guys can have real conversations while daddy works at night. We are anxious to hear what your little voice is going to sound like!
We are so blessed to be your parents - we are very very very proud to call you our daughter! Happy Birthday to our favorite baby girl in the whole world!

We love you,
Mommy and Daddy

Noooo hitting

My fear has become a reality....hitting at daycare.

I always knew that kids hit/bit eachother - but I was somehow hoping that my child would never have be hit - or be the hitter.

When I take Harper to daycare, I always take her into the play area and play with her for a minute or so. The other kids swarm us at stare at us - it's actually pretty cute having 5 one-year olds staring at you :) The second I walked away from Harper, a little boy pushed/hit Harper because he wanted her toy. GRRR - poor Harper fell on her butt and started screaming for a few seconds.

Harper goes to a larger daycare - similar to Charlie Brown - she is in the nursery until she turns two. With a room full of adventurous toddlers - hitting and biting is bound to happen. I really wish she was in a smaller daycare - with only a few toddlers. O'well - this is life. I just hope doesn't start hitting others. We haven't seen her do it around us yet - but she is still pretty little. However, she has started scratching lately. I don't know what this is all about - maybe just feeling the texture??? Overall, she is still a GREAT baby :) She'll only be a 'baby' for 3 more days :(

Labor Day Weekend 2010

We hope everyone enjoyed the 'last weekend of the summer.' We sure did - we were BUSY! Here's a little recap.

On Friday we drove to Northwood because Harper was getting her ONE YEAR pictures taken. We did a lot of neat things - but were unable to get outside because it was so windy and cool. Here is a sneak peak of what's to come:

After pictures, we had supper with my family - baked potato soup, garlic bread, and pumpkin bars! The perfect meal on a cool, almost-fall day! Thanks, Mom!

On Saturday we watched the first Iowa Hawkeye game of the season. Harper got a Hawkeye cheerleader outfit when she was born and it fits her this year. This may double as her Halloween outfit as well.

GO HAWKEYS!!!

Saturday afternoon we headed over to Curlew and Emmetsburg to be with the Nerlien's. Adam's Grandma just moved from her house in Curlew to an apartment in Emmetsburg, so we went through the remaining stuff that was still left at her house. It was great getting to see everyone! We all stayed in a hotel on Saturday night and hung out by the pool.

Harper and Daddy in her ladybug floatie

Harper with Grandma June

Harper with her boy cousins - Cody and Andrew

Harper and Great Grandma Judy - she was not happy!

We came home Sunday afternoon and bummed around the house. On Monday we tried organizing and cleaning a few things at our house. We have to get things ready for Harper's birthday party - which is only 5 days away!!!!! CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!

...thoughtful...

Reason number 2,976 why I love my husband

"We are thinking of you today as you start school. We know you will do well and we will be here for you if you need anything. We Love You, Adam & Harper"

AWWWW - Aint' that sweet?!?!