Rain Gutter Book Shelf

Check out this adorable DIY project.

I love it! I wish our bedrooms were bigger because I'd totally add a few shelves in Harper's room.

So simple and so cute!

Confession...

I have a confession to make.....I am not ready to potty train Harper. Emotionally or physically. Potty training is not an easy task, especially if your child is not ready. Yesterday I decided that I would give potty training a shot. Harper had 2 accidents in the first two hours and that was enough for me. I know I shouldn't have given up on her so quickly, but she clearly isn't as ready as I thought. After her first accident, it did not bother her one bit to be walking around in wet underwear. And as we were practicing sitting on the potty/trying to pee, she thought it was a game. Harper would sit down for a few seconds and then run off, sometimes taking the chair with her. So after her 2nd accident, I strapped a diaper back on her and she didn't care one bit. Like I said previously, I probably should have given it more (way more) time. However, I don't think I'm emotionally ready for her to 'grow up.' Last month I read a blog about enjoying your baby as is...quit trying to make them grow up faster than they already do, and enjoying each new milestone. I learned that I need to make the most of each and every day with Harper. We will never get these sweet and precious moments back. For example, I need to enjoy the fact that Harper cannot keep applesauce on her spoon to save her life, instead of critiquing her spoon handling skills. Sure, I am Harper's teacher, I am responsible for her learning, but I want HARPER to be the one to do the exploring and learning. I don't' want to force anything upon Harper that she is not ready for. Therefor, I am going to hold off on the potty training. She will let me know when she is ready, not when mommy is ready.
Actually, mommy isn't ready either. Physically, I can see how exhausting it is to potty train a toddler. Honestly, I'm feeling a little lazy and I'm not looking forward to putting in the work that goes along with potty training. Really, what parent looks forward to chasing around their toddler and taking them to the potty every 30 minutes?!?! If you find someone that does enjoy this, please send them to my house in about 6 months! I'm hoping that by 2 1/2 Harper will be ready!

PS - Harper turns 2 in six weeks. How is that possible?!?!

25 years!

Tomorrow is my parents' 25th Wedding Anniversary! 25 years people! What a huge AND a.m.a.z.i.n.g accomplishment! My parents were high school sweethearts, had me at the ages of 16 and 18, and got married at the ages of 19 and 21. They beat the statistics of divorce and teen pregnancy and they've overcame the 50% divorce rate in American couples. I am so proud to call these two wonderful people my mom and dad. They are setting the perfect example of love and marriage for my brothers and I. Thank you!

The Love Birds on their Wedding Day

July 26, 1986

...25 years later...still perfect!

My brothers and I hosted a surprise party for my parents last Saturday night. It was a lot of fun and we had a great turnout. I hope we created some memories that they will never forget!

I hope Adam and I will get to see a 25th Wedding Anniversary! We both have great parents as role models that have demonstrated an unconditional love for one another, as Adam's parents have been married for 33 years! 5 years down, a lifetime to go!!!

Happy 25th Anniversary! We love you both very much! Have a fabulous time in Vegas!

PS - Happy Birthday Dad! Harper and I will trying skyping with you again tomorrow!

I 'heart' Prints Sale

Time for me to order some new pictures! Here's the newest deal from Snapfish that I will be using:

200 prints for $2 plus S&H ~ CODE: JULY200PRNTS

OR

100 prints for $1 plus S&H ~ CODE: JULY100PRNTS

Deal expires July 26, 2011

Dogs Days

'Dog Days' are the hottest, most sultry days of summer. I definitely believe that we are experiencing our 'Dog Days of Summer' this week. The only good thing about this weather is that it is a great excuse to head to the pool. Adam, Harper and I have gone both days this week already, and are planning on going the rest of the week.

Here are a few pictures of Harper and her BFF Alli:

June 2011 - Alli just got done getting a bath, with the help of Harper! (Harper looks like a ghost in this picture, compared to how tan she is now!)

One of my favorites :) Harper LOVES Alli!

12 Hour Shifts & Mentos

I realize that I have been MIA for the past week. I tend to do this a lot. I have been SUPER busy. I worked by first set of 12-hr shifts at the hospital since they changed the shifts from 8 hours to 12 hours. I personally do not care for 12 hr shifts. I didn't appreciate leaving at 6:45 am and getting home at 7:30 pm. I missed out on the entire day's activities, including all meals. I got home just in time to play and cuddle with Harper for about an hour before she went to bed. By the time I took a shower, I was ready for bed because I had been up since 6 am and had to get up again the next morning at 6 am. I really felt sorry for Adam and Harper during my 3 day craziness. I was not there for them as a mother or wife. I really hope I can land a job in the clinic, surgery center, or a specialty area, where the nurses only work 8 hour shifts. (at our hospital anyways)
In addition to my long work week, I spent the weekend working with a friend at the Iowa Speedway, doing some marketing work for Mentos. We handed out over 3,000 packs of candy/gum. It was a lot of fun, yet EXTREMELY hot. I'm talking heat index of 125 degrees. Yeah, I was drenched in sweat, and even threw up. I have NEVER been that hot for that long of a period in.my.life! It definitely challenged my character!
Speaking of hot weather, the entire week is supposed to be extremely hot with dangerous heat indexes. I have the ENTIRE week off (so far) so I plan on going to the pool for a few hours each day.
Other weekly plans:

• CLEANING, cleaning and MORE cleaning


• making a trip to our local thrift store


• organizing Harper's photo album


• update Harper's baby book


• taking our vehicles in for oil changes


• grocery shopping


• eating lots of ice cream ;) {to stay cool, of course}


• early morning bike rides with Harper


• a trip to the library


• and last but not least, POTTY TRAINING!

Stay tuned for our potty training adventures!!!!!!!

22 Months

Weight: 26.4 lbs (+.6 lbs)

Clothing Size: 18 mo/24 mo bottoms and 24 mo/2T tops

Shoe Size: 5

Diaper Size: 4 - I'm hoping that I don't have a diaper size for next months post. We're going to start potty training soon - Harper is ready!

Teeth: still waiting on those 2-yr molars

Eating: The new favorite for this month is Ravioli. Harper can eat an entire can by herself! Not the healthiest food - but it's quick and convenient. I am not about to start making homemade pasta - no thank-you! Harper still loves yogurt, apple sauce, cottage cheese, turkey, apple juice and ice cream.

Sleeping: Harper is taking a nap right - going on 3 hours! She still takes one nap a day - usually 2-3 hrs long. Bedtime is b/w 8 and 9 and she wakes up b/w 8 and 9! Her newest thing is to sweetly say "mommy's bed" as we are going upstairs. I'm a sucker and let her fall asleep in our bed, and then I take her to her crib for the rest of the night. This doesn't happen always, usually a couple times/week - usually when Adam is working.

Speech: Once again, many new words come out of Harper's mouth every day. Since she is sleeping right now, it is hard for me to think of new words. A few of them are: piggy bank, ninety-nine, chocolate milk, cow, grape (pape), Justin and June.

Favorite Toy: Babies (I can't wait for her Birthday b/c she is in desperate need of new toys!)

Favorite Activity: going for bike rides, swimming, or playing outside

New Things:

• Hides around the house and yells "Where's Harper?"




• Went on her 1st carnival ride




• takes her diaper off (NOT funny!)




• loves to jump - both feet off the ground!




• colors at her little table

Visit from Brett

My youngest Brother, Brett, stayed with us for a few days last week. This has become an annual tradition, as he has stayed with us for a few days for the past 3 summers. We always have a good time and try to have fun. Brett came down on Wednesday and participated in the annual parade that kicks off the Wright County Fair. We both rode on the float for the hospital that I work for. We both had a good time throwing out candy to everyone. Good thing we decided to ride instead of walk because it was in the upper 90's, sunny and humid!

After the parade we met up with Adam and Harper at the fair and took advantage of the free watermelon feed. It was very refreshing after sitting in the sun for over an hour! Harper enjoyed her very own slice of watermelon too!

We walked around the fair and checked out the animal barns, ate some more food, and watched Harper go on her very first carnival ride. (video coming soon!)

The next day was very hot as well, so we decided to go to the swimming pool. We all had a good time. Brett had fun going down all the slides and taking pictures with his new underwater camera.

Wore out after an afternoon of swimming

Harper LOVES her Uncle Brett! She is his little shadow whenever he is around. Thanks for coming to stay with us Brett. We had a lot of fun!

Unfortunately our time with Brett was cut short due to a death in the family. Adam's Uncle passed away unexpectedly on July 5th. We traveled to Illinois on Friday and Saturday for the visitation and funeral. Please keep the Nerlien family in your thoughts and prayers.

4th of July Weekend

We had a very busy, yet very fun Fourth of July Weekend. Our hometown throws a great celebration with a variety of activities going on throughout the weekend. Adam participated in the bean bag contest and the alumni golf tournament. He didn't win either, but still had a good time. We also went up the beer garden/street dance/live band one night with our friends and family. For being a small town, Northwood really knows how to throw a good party! We look forward to the 4th of July every year!

Taking a break from 'bags'

(Harper loves throwing the bean bags)

Watching the fireworks with daddy in the back yard

(Harper loved the fireworks - I think she cheered and said "more" after every one!)

Pretty Harper

Eating a Popsicle and watching the parade - this is the life!

Catching candy with Grandma June and Uncle Brett

We were sad to have to leave our family and friends. Adam and I agreed that the 4th of July is one of our favorite holidays because we enjoy the quality time spent with our loved ones. This year especially, because the weather was hot and sunny!

As we were leaving town, we couldn't help but notice all of the family BBQ's/gatherings throughout town, the city park was PACKED with people of all ages, and so many people were out on their bikes and golf carts just enjoying the day. These are the reasons why we love coming home over the Fourth. Unfortunately, the town we live in does next to nothing to celebrate the 4th of July. We didn't see one single gathering or festive activity as we drove into town. Very sad.

We hope everyone enjoyed their weekend as much as we did! Happy Belated Birthday America!

Starting The Fireworks Early

Poor little Harper is starting off the 4th of July with a bang - she woke up this morning with a fever of 100.9 and threw up all over Adam :( I gave her some ibuprofen and laid her in bed with us. She slept with us until 10 AM, when I woke her up to give her more medicine and took her temp, which increased to 102.2!!!! I gave her some apple juice and some crackers, which came back up an hour later. She looked miserable, so I made her a doctor's appointment just to check everything out before the long holiday weekend.
Luckily everything checked out okay. She did have a red/swollen throat, but the strep test came back negative. Harper's fever had gone down to 99.5 when it was checked at the visit.(it had gone down to 99.9 before we left for the doctor's office) She requested a nap shortly after we got home. I sure hope she feels better when she wakes up. We have a busy weekend planned. I'm hoping we're able to go home tomorrow.
Harper has been playing with our thermometers all day and saying "ninety-nine!" She loves taking your temperature :) She knows how to turn any negative situation into something positive :)