There have been a few deaths on both sides of the family recently, and as heartbreaking as they were (and still are) it offered an opportunity for Harper, Taylor, and myself to see and meet family members for the first time. We got to travel to Ohio in July for my grandfather's memorial service. He passed away in mid-June and it's been hard. I'm so glad we got to celebrate his life though. He was an extraordinary man and I miss him every day. Hearing stories about his kindness and warmth made me both happy and sad. Happy that so many people loved him yet sad that Harper will never know him. He instilled a love for books, music, art, travel, animals, and culture in my sister and me. That is something I can be forever grateful for. I hope to pass the same thing on to my sweet little girl. My sister and I sang "Bridge Over Troubled Water" at the end of the service. It was, oddly enough, the first time we've sung together. Publicly, anyway.
The day I got back from the memorial service I found out that I no longer had a job. Luckily, I've been able to receive unemployment benefits, which has been a great help. And I've gotten to try out the stay-at-home-mom gig. It's pretty great, actually! A blessing in disguise, of sorts. I've gotten to try things that I never imagined doing. Things like, making our own baby food. Honestly, I had decided against it while I was working. I thought it'd be too much work while trying to work full time. I'm so glad I've been doing it, though! It's fun coming up with food ideas. And easier than I thought. Just peel, steam, and blend.
I interviewed for an assistant teaching position at a day care very close to home. They've offered me a position as a baby teacher/floater, so at times I'd kind of go into whatever class they need an extra hand in. The day care is still under construction, but it will (hopefully) open on 10/01. If you have a child ages 6 weeks through 10 years in the Roswell area I'd highly recommend checking it out! (www.kidslovessa.com) It's affordable, fun, innovative, and the owners are the sweetest, most caring ladies!
I'm trying really hard to be a good mom and document each milestone as it happens. But I usually forget. I like to think of it as just "living in the moment" and enjoying the milestones as they come. If I remember I'll write it in her baby book. Oh, who am I kidding. What really happens is I just update FB. Yeah, I'm one of those obnoxious people who documents my whole life online. Pretty sure I've had a number of people defriend me because of the baby updates, but too bad. Their loss, considering I have the cutest baby ever.
Harper can sit up on her own and is so close to crawling. She can get her knees under her and she can support her torso and head with her arms but hasn't put both motions together just yet. I have a feeling it will definitely happen in the next two weeks. She shows a HUGE interest in standing. She loves so hold into the ottoman and stand and yell and babble. She's just started pulling herself up on her own, too.
I bought a (totally adorable) Jenny Jump Up at a consignment sale, but she hasn't quite warmed up to it. It's a little big, still, so I imagine it's just uncomfortable for her right now.
I can finally put her in the Baby Bjorn facing outward. She just can't get enough of that, and I feel like a super cute mom carrying my little bear around in a pouch. And by super cute mom I mean super cute dad because my husband is the one who wears her around. :)
Have I mentioned that she has teeth? Lower central incisors, to be exact! They came in shortly before she reached five months of age. And now we're waiting for more. I've seen white bumps on her gums up top, so hopefully they will come in very very soon.
Sippy cup!! We've started her on a sippy cup! It's by Nuby and it has removable handles. The top starts with a normal nipple and then you swap it out with a soft sippy-cup style mouthpiece when she's used to the nipple. So far, so good.
Harper's baptism was Sunday June 30th. We had a whoooole lot of family come to church to support her. The service was patriotic themed since it was the week before July 4. We were blessed that such beautiful music was played!
Her little outfit was so adorable. I got the dress at Baby Gap. It was marked down from $50 to $11 and I called four stores before I could finally track her size down! I ordered her headband from Etsy. Taylor asked for no bling, but this headband was too adorable to pass up. And it wasn't over-the-top! No giant flowers or bows for us. I like to keep it simple.
(Fair warning - if you do get us a giant flower or bow headband we won't use it. Not my style at all.)
First play date!!! This sweet baby pictured with Harper is also named Harper...her mama and I both had the same due date and neither of us knew that we were each considering the name Harper. As you can see, they have a great time together.
Taylor bought me a gym membership! Not a "here's an obvious hint because you're getting fat" gift though. I've been asking for one for the past couple of months. I need to get in shape and train. My goal is to run the Disney Princess Half Marathon in February 2015. I do well with personal goals and this is a really good, fun one. Wish me good luck!
I guess those are all the updates I have for now. If you want more photos I'll do a special pictures-only post in the next few weeks. Or you can check out my Instagram!
And in honor of the 2013 school year beginning:
