We may have turned a corner...

This picture might not be meaningful to anyone but me, but I am SO happy and excited to share it. Handley LOVED this swing when she was little. It was a sure fire way to get her to sleep (especially in the evenings, a time when almost all babies I know are the fussiest). Until this week Harper has not been happy in the swing or bouncy seat. She still isn't a fan of the bouncy seat but for 3 days in a row now she has fallen asleep in the swing during that evening fussy time and I can't tell you how happy it makes me!!!

Rockabye-baby

I try to do tummy time with Harper at least twice a day. She doesn't really seem to mind it too much and has the strongest little neck.

The last thing I'm really excited about tonight is that both girls took a bath together. :-) I've been bathing them separately and when Robby is home and able to help that isn't a big deal. However, when he is out of town or working late I was feeling like the bath/bedtime routine was a marathon and one of the hardest parts of the day. Last night I decided to try doing one combined bath and it worked great. Handley doesn't have a ton of room to play, but she doesn't mind because she is so excited to have Harper there beside her.

A new perspective on things...

I have not been blogging nearly as much as I would like to, but I'm finally getting a chance to sit down at the computer. Both girls are napping...at the same time!!! This is the second day in a row it has happened and I'm hoping to keep it up.

Now, for a little update - I will say I never could have imagined the difference in going from 1 child to having 2. I underestimated how hard it would be. I also know that it keeps getting easier each day though. For a while I felt like Harper was never happy when she was awake and that was tough. However, I think her medicine is helping the reflux and I'm getting better at reading her cues (knowing when she is tired, uncomfortable, etc.). I feel like since last weekend she's had some really great days, so that is promising.

Earlier this week I described how I was feeling to some friends...like I was barely keeping my head above water. I am only able to get the necessities done and no extras. I have a to-do list a mile long and the type-A personality in me is dying to not be able to cross off each item. However, earlier this week I heard the same great advice from two different people (my mom and my friend, Katie...actually Katie's advice was given in a blog comment to my friend Stacey, but it applied to my situation as well, so thanks Katie!). Right now I feel like I keep wishing for time that I can do "my" stuff, but I just need to keep reminding myself that when my kids are teenagers I'll probably have plenty of time to do "my" stuff but will be wishing that I had this time back while they are so sweet, little and fun. I'm trying to just let go of the to-do list at the moment and enjoy every precious second with them right now because it goes by SO fast. Thinking this way has definitely put a new perspective on things for me. I got a little reminder of this yesterday. Handley and I were looking through her 1 year-old scrapbook and I couldn't get over how much she has changed in just 2 short years. I kept thinking about Harper and how this time might seem a bit stressful and difficult, but before I know it she is going to be 2 and I'll be wishing I had these sweet infant times back.

One thing I hope to accomplish in the next few days are getting some pictures of Harper up in my house (especially those beautiful ones Jen took for me) and also taking more pictures of Harper myself. It is true what most people say, that they have a million and one pictures of their first child and hardly any of the second. For now I do have one picture to share. Handley has gotten a little better with a napping and I'd say she probably naps at least 4-5 days a week now. SO much better than no nap at all which is what she was doing for a while there. When I turned on Handley's video monitor I saw her sitting up, playing with her animals. Then it got really quiet and when I looked again, this is what I saw:

I just had to sneak in and take a picture!

Memorial Day Weekend

We spent the long weekend at our lake house. We've been looking forward to summer and couldn't wait to be up there. The weather wasn't great, but we still had fun out on the water and hanging out with fun friends.

For several months now we've been talking about the lake and riding on the boat with Handley. A few weeks ago, Robby brought the boat back from SC to work on it a little and when Handley saw it in our driveway she got all excited and thought that meant she'd get to go on a boat ride right away. She didn't quite get that there wasn't any water nearby. Needless to say, when she finally got to get in the boat on the water she was thrilled and all smiles.

She was SO excited to finally get to ride on the boat and help Daddy drive

Riding on the boat with our friend Sarah...still all smiles. :-)

Harper even got to ride...she's hiding down in the carrier. Handley went on her first boat ride when she was 6 weeks old too. The sound of the engine and the vibration on the water put her right to sleep.
Robby and Trey riding the jet-ski
Handley got a turn too! She's such a dare-devil...wonder where she gets that from?
Swimming off the back of the boat

Katie, Christian and Justen

It was great having a lot of people up there with us because it meant I had lots of help with the girls. Handley just loves all the attention and everyone was so sweet to offer to watch her or hold Harper so I could have a little break.

Aunt Stefanie with Harper and Handley in their matching outfits.

Uncle Trey and Harper

Justen and Harper

Harper and Jen

Bath time!

After the girls went to bed we were able to watch movies, play games, and just have a good time!

The guys in a very serious game of Cranium (guys against girls)

Katie and Jen

Thanks everyone for a fun weekend! We can't wait to do it again soon. :-)

My little country girl

Handley has a few phrases she says that she puts quite a twang on and sounds VERY country. I finally got some of them on video today. Just to translate for you: ah gawn (All gone) and, our favorite, rite eer (right here/there).

I survived the zoo...

With both girls today. Quite an accomplishment, if I do say so myself. I was so back and forth about going, but a group of friends had planned the outing and I really didn't want Handley to miss it. I am so glad I decided to go because Handley had a great time and Harper was really good. It was unusually cold today, but still a lot of fun.

Handley and Annabelle checking out the zebras

The girls all love holding hands.

Checking out the lions

Getting ready to ride the train

We ended the day with a ride on the carousel.

More pictures from last weekend...

Just a few more to share from this past weekend.

She loves her pigtails now!

Harper holding her head up after her bath. Look how strong she is!!!

Mimi and the girls before she left to go home.

Matching outfits!

One thing I've been looking forward to since I found out Harper was a girl was being able to dress them in matching and coordinating outfits. Gigi bought them these cute dresses! Thank you Gigi!

As you can tell, Harper was not thrilled about this photo session.
Be on the look out for more matching outfits!

My parents were in town this weekend for Stefanie's graduation. I was so happy to have them here and so was Handley.

Handley and Dadaw enjoying a snack on the porch

Congratulations Stefanie!!!

Today we spent the day in Athens for Stefanie's law school graduation. We are so excited for her and proud of her great accomplishment. She has worked so hard the past three years and we were happy to be there to help her celebrate!

Trey and Stefanie with my parents and Handley

Robby and Handley at lunch after graduation

Harper's one month check-up

Harper had her one month check-up this past week and she is a growing girl. She gained 3 lbs in one month and weighs almost 10 lbs now! I guess that explains the chubby cheeks. :-)

weight - 9 lb. 15 oz.

length - 21 1/4 inches

I spoke to the dr. about her fussiness and we determined it may be reflux. We got a trial prescription for some medicine to try so we'll see if that helps.

At one month she:

-is now sleeping in her nursery

-sleeps a 6 hour stretch, wakes to eat, and then sleeps another 3.5-4 hour stretch

-has fallen into a very predictable routine during the day

-loves her paci to sooth her when she is tired

-still doesn't really like the swing or bouncy seat

-is great at tummy time and has a very strong neck

-has a bad case of baby acne :-(

-smiled at me for the first time today :-)

Just like mommy

Handley is so funny. She has been copying everything I do with Harper and does it with her many baby dolls. It's really cute to watch. Harper still is not happy to be put down in the bouncy seat or swing, so I end up wearing her a lot in the sling or one of my other carriers. The past few times when I've taken off the sling or carrier, Handley rushes over and tries to put it on so she can carry her babies in it. I happened to have some extra fabric left over from the sling I made, so I decided to make Handley one for her babies.

She was SO excited when I showed it to her. She loves wearing it.

Notice Handley's pig-tails! She FINALLY has decided to leave them in and wore them ALL day yesterday. :-)

Want to see some awesome pics...

of my beautiful girls? Click on this link: http://atfirstsightphotography.blogspot.com/2009/05/baby-h-is-here.html

I've posted about her before, but for those of you who don't know, one of my very best friends is an amazing photographer. Jen's photography business is At First Sight Photography and I would HIGHLY recommend her to anyone interested in having professional photos taken. She takes beautiful pictures and I was lucky enough to have her come capture some precious newborn moments of Harper.

This is what I see...

during my daily walks and it just puts a smile on my face thinking about it. A few posts back I mentioned that Handley is the sweetest big sister. When Harper starts fussing or sometimes just when she feels like it, Handley will reach over and hold her hand. It melts my heart.

A Fun Day at Stone Mountain

Yesterday we spent the day at Stone Mountain. Racetrac had a big event celebrating their 75th Anniversary. There was a cookout and tons of activities for kids including bounce houses, face painting, a balloon artist, music and dancing. Handley had a blast and it was a fun family outing.

Our family!

Handley waiting patiently in line for the balloon artist.
Watching her make the balloon into a fun shape.
Showing off her balloon...it's a poodle.

Handley got to do "spin art" for the first time.

All 3 girls at lunch

After the event we went to the Summit Skyride! Here's some info on the skyride from Stone Mountain's website:

The rock’s top attraction is The Summit Skyride. This high-speed Swiss cable car provides a stunning view of the Confederate Memorial Carving as it transports guests more than 825 feet above ground to the top of Stone Mountain. From the top, experience amazing views of the Atlanta skyline, the Appalachian Mountains and more up to 60 miles away.

Handley had fun riding up to the top, but after we got up there it started raining and storms were blowing near so we didn't get much time up there before needing to head back down. Here is the one picture I took on top of the mountain though:

We were able to save the all-access passes that were given to us as part of the Racetrac event, so we plan to go back later this summer to ride the train, play the miniature golf course, and stay for the laser show!