A week of firsts for Harper

This week's weather has been wonderful so we've been spending a lot of time outside.  That means lots of fun new things for Harper to try out.  

First time in the swing

She wasn't sure what to think of it and was more interested in trying to get the bright green strap in her mouth.  

First time in the jumper - she really thinks this is fun!

 First ride in the wagon (you'll see this was Handley's suggestion in the video below)

And her first ride in the car.  Handley loved pushing her and wanted to take her all the way down the street, but I convinced her to stay in the driveway. :-)

Thrasher's Game

Tonight we went to the Thrasher's game and had so much fun.  Robby had taken Handley before but this was Harper's and my first time at a professional hockey game.  I wasn't sure what to expect but it was very entertaining.  Handley watched the game very closely, loved cheering and dancing to the music.  All of the lights and people kept Harper entertained too.  We had a few extra tickets so Gigi and Papa (Robby's parents) also came with us!

Handley shaking her pom-poms

Playgroup Baby Sprinkle

Our playgroup decided to have a "Baby Sprinkle" (smaller shower for second time moms).  We have 5 expecting moms in the group right now and 3 of them were honored today.  One of them was my very good friend, Tiara.  I was so excited to host this shower/playgroup today, and Handley was too!  She helped me wrap the gifts earlier this week and we've been talking about the "baby party" for the past few days.  That girl loves a good party!  She also knows that Avery will soon be a big sister like her and that baby Dylan will be coming to Avery's house very soon.  When I told her that we were going to have a party for them she kept asking if baby Dylan would be at the party.  So cute!  

Ready for the shower and waiting for our friends to arrive

Handley really wanted some of the petits fours (Yummy!!!!  Thanks Carrie!) and I kept telling her she had to wait for her friends to arrive before we could have some.  As soon as everyone started arriving she kept saying, "Now friends are here. Now have some cake!" 

This picture shows her sneaking some snacks.  She just couldn't wait...

A sweet picture of Avery and Tiara 

(Notice Handley in the background, still trying to get some cake!)

Handley had fun helping the expecting moms open their gifts

Tiara opening gifts

Handley and Avery

Let the sunshine!!!

I'm sure it is no news that it has been raining like crazy here in Atlanta.  Yesterday and today we had sunshine though and were so excited to get outside and enjoy the great weather.  

Today we went to the playground in our neighborhood and the girls had a blast.  During the Fall and Spring we head up there almost every afternoon.  We haven't been all summer because it's just been too hot, but I'm looking forward to that routine in the next few weeks.  

Handley wants to do EVERYTHING by herself these days.  After I helped her climb up a few times I went to get Harper out of the stroller.  Next thing I knew she exclaimed, "I did it by myself" and when I turned around she was standing at the top!  She wanted to do it again and again and was so proud of herself every time she made it to the top. 

Harper even got a turn on the slide.  She had the BIGGEST smile each time she went down.  I can't wait for her to try the swing!  (And yes, I did set the self-timer on my camera and prop it on the stroller so I could get a few pictures for the blog! Ha!)

WATER!

Harper had her first taste of water today!  The pediatrician said I could start giving it to her at 6 months with her meals (which is what I did with Handley), but I figured a few weeks early couldn't hurt.  Plus, all that rice cereal she is eating is really gloppy and I sure would want something to wash it down with if it were me.  After getting a few sips she kind of made a weird face like she was thinking, "what in the world is this stuff."  She really didn't drink much, but sure did love holding on to the cup.  

What an adventure...

...Handley and her daddy had this afternoon. I've been trying to get to the grocery store for a few days now, but it has been raining non-stop for the past week and the last thing I wanted to do was to drag both girls along with me, in the rain.  This afternoon there was a little break in the rain and I decided to make a go for it.  I wanted to leave both girls with Robby, but ended up taking Harper with me and Handley stayed behind.  She and Robby had big plans while I was gone.  They were going to take advantage of the break in the rain too and go throw rock in the creek...one of Handely's favorite things to do.  I've blogged about it in the past - check it out here. 

Knowing it would probably be muddy and very messy on the trail to the creek Robby changed her out of the cute dress she was wearing and into some old play clothes.  THANK GOODNESS he did.  

When I got home from the grocery store and pulled in the driveway, this is what I saw:

Quite the set-up, huh?  Well turns out the rain didn't stay away for long, but Robby was determined to take her on this fun outing.  He rigged a complete canopy for her wagon using a golf club, umbrella and bungee cords.  I wasn't sure why she was soaking wet, but figured they must have had fun splashing in the puddles and running in the rain.  Was I ever wrong.  

SHE FELL IN THE CREEK!!!!!  

It wouldn't have been that big of a deal if it hadn't been raining non-stop for the past week.  The creek that is usually a little trickle, looked like this today.  

Can you believe it?!?!?  The water was almost over the stone bridge.  Handley was leaning over to throw a rock in, slipped, and fell head-first into the water.  Robby jumped in to her rescue.  And in all this commotion, she lost a croc. :-(  Robby said he saw it floating away, down the creek, but the water was so high and moving so quickly that he couldn't get it.

I can't believe he had taken the camera with him, but I'm so glad he did.  Here are a few pictures from their "adventure." 

Obviously pre-fall

And my poor girl, pitiful and soaking wet!

And as Handley was telling me all about it I had to grab the flip and get it on camera.
 

After hearing all the details and still not believing it, Robby casually mentioned, "Can you imagine what would have happened if you'd left them both here with me?"  :-)  

Sesame Street Live

This afternoon we had went to the Sesame Street Live show and had so much fun.  We were so lucky to attend with our friends, Tiara, Trevor, Avery, and Avery's grandparents. We got the special treatment and were able to sit with them in a suite.  There was delicious food, our own private bathroom, and a perfect view of the show.  

Handley all ready to go!

Harper was excited too!

Avery and Handley watching the show

They didn't stay seated for long...the great thing about being in the suite was that they could get up, walk around, and dance.

Thanks again for including us in this fun day! 

Jen and Justen's Housewarming Party

On Saturday night we went to Jen and Justen's housewarming party.  They're house is gorgeous and even thought they've only lived there for a little over a month, it looks so perfect.  So many of our friends were there and it was a fun night out for us.  Thank you Gigi and Papa for watching the girls. 

Congrats Jen and Justen on your new, beautiful home!!!

Happy Birthday Mom!

I need to start of this post by saying HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the most amazing woman in my life...my mom.  We have always had a very close relationship and although my parents live a few states away and we don't see them but every few months, I talk to her EVERY day on the phone. She is the most giving and self-less person I have ever met and she would do anything to help the people she cares about.  After becoming a mother myself, I have a greater appreciation for all that she has done and still does for me.  It's not that I didn't appreciate it before, but now I can totally relate to her, being a mom myself.   She is a wonderful grandmother to my girls and Handley just loves her Mimi!  Today, Handley, Harper and I talked to her today via Skype and Handley even sang her version of Happy Birthday.  We wish we could be closer so that we could really celebrate with her, but at least we got to see each other face to face.  

Happy Birthday MOM!!!

Next up, I just wanted to say thanks to all the moms who commented about cleaning toys.  I've always been pretty laid back when it comes to germs and I guess that is why I've never even thought to clean/disinfect our toys.  Handley has been really healthy in her 2 years of life and I guess I attribute that to a strong immune system.  My motto...a little dirt never hurt!  However, I will be using some of the tips that you all shared, so thank you! 

And lastly, just a quick update on pre-school.  She LOVES it and asks to go every.single.day.  As soon as we pull in the parking lot she exclaims, "There's my school!"  When we walk down the hall to her classroom I have to remind her to stay with me because she is literally skipping/running to her class.  I watched her this morning as she went in and started her arrival procedure.  I was SO proud as she took off her raincoat, put her lunch box on the shelf in it's spot, found the cubby with her name on it and put her school bag in it ALL BY HERSELF.  When did she get so big?!?!

Question for all the moms...

Do you clean your kids toys an a regular basis?  The reason I ask is because today at one of our playgroups we got into a discussion of cleaning toys.  1/2 of us did and 1/2 of us didn't.  I honestly have never really thought about cleaning toys (and I mean really cleaning...soaking them in bleach and water, running them through the dishwasher, etc.).  

Tonight, I went around with my Clorox Wipes and wiped down most of the hard surface, plastic toys that I could.  I also ran most of the bath toys through the dish washer.  I'm just not sure I can even remember to do this on a regular basis, much less find the time to actually do it.  

SO here is my question for all of you....Do YOU clean your kids toys?  How often do you do it and what do you find is the quickest and easiest method?  If you are like me and don't regularly clean them, please let me know that too!  Tell me I'm not alone!!!   

Ballerina Batman

Last night when I was putting Harper to bed Handley was playing in the playroom and discovered the dress-up clothes (which she hasn't played with in some time).  She kept coming into Harper's room and showing me some of her cute combinations. As soon as I was done feeding Harper, got her to bed, and grabbed my camera this was what she was wearing!

She just cracks me up!

This morning when I woke her up for school she literally jumped to her feet and was so excited about getting up.  When her feet hit the floor she ran over to her dress she'd picked out last night and started pulling her pj's off.  Think she was excited?  YES!!!  The whole ride to school she kept telling me "bye-bye Mommy" and we weren't even there yet.  She ran into her classroom and was happy to see her friends and teachers.  I'm so happy that she's enjoying her time at school.  I knew she'd love it and her teacher told me today that she's quite the little helper.  I can just imagine.  

Teething

Harper is getting her first tooth!  I thought I might have seen a tooth under her gums on Friday night and now I know that is definitely what a saw.  She has ever symptom/side-effect to go along with it too...diaper rash, lots of drool, runny nose, and is super fussy.  The only thing she is missing is the slight fever (which Handley always got when teething).  Last night I dug up the Orajel and Tylenol and this morning I tried giving her a frozen teething ring.  She really liked chewing and sucking on it, so I guess it helped her feel better.  

Of course, when Handley saw it she immediately started complaining that her mouth hurt too.  

She also told me it was "too cold" and asked if I could "warm it up."  That's why she's holding it with a washcloth.  

Weekend at the Lake

We spent the weekend at the lake and had a lot of fun.  The weather was perfect and it was so nice up there.  We're trying to take advantage of the warm weekends while we can. 

Handley has finally realized that her life jacket actually serves a purpose and will keep her afloat, so now she is all about "swimming" all by herself. 

She is also wanting to do EVERYTHING by herself and doesn't want help from us at all.  

As a result, she looks adorable with her hat on backwards!

Considering a weekend away with two kids, two dogs, and two adults, there was a lot of things I needed to remember.  It never fails...no matter how organized I am and how many lists I make I always forget one important thing.  Here's  a rundown of some of the things I've forgotten in the past: 

• One time it was the sound machine.  Both girls sleep with one and we only got up there with one of them.  Robby ended up rigging the monitors so that they could both hear the one
• Once I forgot Handley's PJ's.  She slept in a pair of shorts and a t-shirt that I told her were "special" pj's one night and we got her some from Wal-Mart the next night. 
• When we spent a week up there last month I forgot Harper's bathing suits!!!  Um, hello!  We are going to the LAKE to go SWIMMING for a whole WEEK and I forgot her bathing suits?!?!?  Thank goodness my friend Kathy who was there with us let her borrow one of her daughter's and it worked out  fine.  
• This weekend I forgot a hat for Harper.  She has so many adorable sun hats and I usually leave one in the pool/lake bag along with the sunscreen, etc. but I guess I had taken it out to wash and forgot to put it back in.  I had two of Handley's hats with me and was able to make one of them a little smaller for Harper using a hair rubber-band in the back.  
  

After reading this list it doesn't seem like I'm very organized, but I swear I am. 

Harper and Handley both sporting their hats!  

I got them for $1 each at Wal-Mart on clearance a few weeks ago. 

Harper loves the water and the boat as much as Handley does.  

You can tell by her big grin below. 

Toddler Talk

Handley is just like me...she can function on not much sleep (she's back to not taking naps again), she's got a major sweet tooth, and she's very particular and loves things put in their place. 

Today when I was trying to get her to come in the bathroom so I could fix her hair she yelled out from the playroom, "I'm coming...I'm just getting organized!"  When I peeked around the corner I realized he was referring to all of the stuff she carries around with her.  She has a special way she likes to hold her Be-be and Lambies (all three of them she needed today)  and she was getting it just right before heading my way.  

Happy Birthday Robby

Today is Robby's birthday!   He is out of town for work and won't be home until late tonight so we'll be celebrating tomorrow and this weekend at the lake instead.  Handley is excited to help me make cupcakes so that we can light candles, sing happy birthday, and watch Daddy blow them out.  She just LOVES birthdays.  

We love you!!!  Hope you are having a fantastic day! 

Because Gizmo (Robby's parent's dog who we are keeping for the week) made her way into the above picture I decided to try to include Sydney in one too.  This was the result...not very successful!