Thanks Caroline!

Harper's bestest buddy, Caroline Stewart, let us borrow some nifty big girl toys. Caroline is almost one, so she has moved on to much more sophisticated play things. Harper has had so much fun with the new Bumbo chair and Rainforest Jumparoo. Thanks Caroline!

First try in the Bumbo. Totally unwilling to close her mouth or smile for the camera.Another day in the Bumbo. This time we wanted to touch our toes. If only I could have gotten what came next in the photo...she completely folded forward and wanted no part of it after that.

Hanging out in the jumparoo. Buster kept licking her legs so she's a little distracted.

All Bundled Up

The crying subsided for a minute, so I'm taking a minute to add this photo of Harper all bundled up. Nana's good friend Mrs. Hummel knitted this hat (and a matching sweater) for Harper when she was born. Isn't it too cute?

The Grateful Book

So, maybe everyone already knows about this book. If so, please pardon my enthusiasm. If not, go immediately to your local Barnes and Noble and purchase it for your child. Lovey gave Harper a copy for Christmas and we LOVE reading it. It's called Grateful, A Song of Giving Thanks. And it even comes with a CD with a recording of Art Garfunkel singing the song (not his best work, but really sweet). The author is John Bucchino.

Have to run. The wee one is waking up from her power nap.

Enjoy the book!

At least I wasn't in my bathrobe...

For those of you keeping track of the Get It Together Plan, hereafter referred to as GIT, I must confess that I took my daughter to school today with a head full of wet hair (mine, not hers...she doesn't really have any hair yet). My mom taught me not to go outside with wet hair, especially when it's 45 degrees out, but I just couldn't help it. To be fair, Harper was clean, fed and dressed in a really cute outfut, so who really cares what I look like, right? I'm guessing the exception to that is my coworkers, who probably wish I would at least put a little lip gloss on. Baby steps, people.

Hotty Toddy!

In case you missed it, the Rebels put on a great show at the Cotton Bowl last week. The most exciting part, though, was getting to see Lacey and Ham, and Lauren, Jackson and Hudson. We can't wait for Baby Ross to arrive in March. We suspect his mommy is a little ready, too.Lacey, Lauren and Harper
At Mi Cocina. Look at Lauren's cute belly!
At the game. Go Rebs!

Christmas Fun

We spent Christmas in Ruston this year at Lovey and Big Sam's house. Tobi and Tori got a Wii, which provided hours of entertainment (mostly for the big kids). We went to Granddaddy and Vergie's with the Shealy gang on Christmas Eve. Then PawPaw came over on Christmas Day, along with Grandma and Papaw. Uncle Christopher was in town from New Orleans, too. A side note to Uncle Christopher - we don't care if you lost a bet...shave your beard!
Daddy and Harper on Christmas Eve. Harper is slightly obsessed with her tongue, so she likes to stick it out in photos. I tried, but she wasn't willing to cooperate.

Clearly Santa was getting there fast enough.

All dressed up in the cute outfit from Nana and Papa.

Mommy's little candy cane

Mommy and Harper before Harper's first Christmas party. Note the wreath on the floor in the background. It stayed in that very same spot until the decorations went back into the attic. Further evidence for the "get it together" plan.

Catching Up

So, it's clearly been a while since I've posted anything. I doubt anyone is surprised. I have, however, decided to turn over a new leaf in 2009. My New Year's resolution is...to get it together. I think that's broad enough to cover most of the areas in my life that need work. It's also just vague enough so that I won't feel like a total loser this time next year when I have accomplished absolutely nothing (read: if I still have baby weight to lose and haven't finished writing thank you notes).

I do have a (somewhat) detailed list of what getting it together entails, but I will spare you the boring details. I will say, however, that at the top of the list (right above baby weight) is to be more grateful and count my blessings daily. Topher and I were given the most precious gift this year and I don't want to take one minute of that for granted.

I'll update with photos of Christmas and various activities in November and December in the next few posts.

Happy New Year!