Ok, ok...We're back

I guess I need to apologize for the long hiatus. I've been getting a bit of slack for it. I don't mind though, at least it makes me feel like people are reading, and enjoying the blog, which is why I did it in the first place. We have been so busy between Adam working and going to school, me working part time hours with 2 different companies, and...well...having a 2 year old, it didn't leave a lot of extra time for blogging.
Any way, I probably have plenty more I could fill you in on but, in typical fashion, don't really have a whole lot of time, so you're going to get brief overview and a bunch of pictures.

About a month ago Adam and I took Harper for her first trip to the zoo. I think the timing was perfect, age, season, etc. Not that she or we wouldn't have had a good time if we had gone previously, but she has a huge love for animals right now and is at an age where she knows most of them by name and the sounds they make. She was nothing less than enthralled with each and every species we came across and it definitely gave Adam and I a whole new love for the zoo. We have talked about going a few more times this spring, and can't wait. I can say, however, we will be packing our own lunch in the future.

First ingredient...SNOW!!

This year, with Harper being on the brink of her 2nd birthday, Em and I decided to throw her right into the mix of our Christmas cookie baking exstravaganza. On the menu...oreo balls, turtles with and with out pecans, peppermint brittle, and rice crispy squares. After the day was done, Harper could add to her resume, accomplished ingredient pourer, mixer, and taster. She loved being a part of everything and she was a welcomed addition to the kitchen.






After all that baking, what's better than a little merrymaking in the snow. Funny story, Adam and were on such a mission to find Harper a snow suit before the big snow Christmas weekend, that we forgot the possible need for a sled. Lucky for her, we are quite innovative. Unlucky for her, she will be humiliated by the level of redneck these pictures will add to her life as they will undoubtedly pop up time and time again. Sorry baby girl.

Yep, that's a laundry basket and the dogs leash.

Teaching my baby how to smell the snow.

And the red comes out again with the bag over the socks. You can't deny, it works.

Pink cheeks means it was a successful day in the snow.

It just keeps getting better with age

This Christmas was...in a word...PERFECT.

Adam and I were so excited for last Christmas because it was our first one with kids. We couldn't wait to see how excited she got when she ripped into her presents and realized Santa had delivered pure happiness and wrapped it in shiny paper. This was not quite how it went. Not to take anything away from Harper's first Christmas and the fun it did bring, but it wasn't really as exciting as we had built it up to be...at least not for her.

This Christmas, however, was exactly how we envisioned it. Harper ran down the steps (in the cutest little Christmas pajamas made by Adam's Aunt Mimi) and straight to her presents. She opened each one with delight and curiosity, and seemed absolutely thrilled with every single one. She completely made our day with her eagerness and joy.

I can definitely see how people spoil their children. It's so easy!! I don't want her to get used to having her own toy store under the tree, but how do you stop buying when you know how elated each give will make her?

We don't have a mantle on our family room fireplace so we need to hang
our stockings up in the living room.

First present she opened and she not only loved it but decided to put it
to use right there and then.

She could not have been more excited about having her own little house.
Best $24 we ever spent! Unfortunately, the thing is HUGE, and taking down the queen's castle would not go over too well. I guess we're stuck with it.

I'm not saying she's a genius or anything but...

I really have nothing to go on since she's our first baby, we have no nieces or nephews, and she's not in preschool yet. However, I am completely amazed at how fast kids at this age learn things. I wish I could retain information like her, I'm pretty sure if that were the case I would rule the world by now.

Harper is 21 months old and here are her most recent "can do's".

1.) Harper knows 21 out of 26 letters in the alphabet!! She will either point to them if I say the name or she will tell me the name if I point to it.

2.) She knows all the letters in her name and recognizes her name when spelled out.

3.) Though she can't count on her own yet, she will say the numbers at the same time as me when counting all the way up to 10!

4.) She now knows and uses over 100 words, and will repeat and remember just about any word we say to her. She regularly combines 2 words together and has started combining 3 words more and more often. It's crazy to think she will be speaking in sentences in not too long.

5.) She is getting much better about the potty, sitting on it for longer, knowing what it's for, however, still no actual success. Trust me you will all be the first to know when she does.

6.) She knows some shapes, Circle, Rectangle, Oval, Star, Heart, Moon, and even Pentagon (yes I said pentagon). Funny to me that square has been the tough one for her to learn.

7.) She knows the colors, blue, red, purple, and yellow. Colors have been the hardest thing for her to learn. Ironic, considering color is my expertise.

8.) Harper can halfway dress, and completely undress herself. She now gets huffy if we don't let her do it ON HER OWN!

9.) She LOVES shoes and will put on and walk around in any pair that has been left unattended within her range.

10.) And the big one...HARPER CAN NOW WEAR PIGTAILS!!! This is huge! I haven't been this excited since I found out she was a girl.

And just because I can't publish any post without a picture...here you go.

Business trips are such a downer.

In most cases I would definitely agree with this statement. However, our latest trip to the NC mountains would not fit into this category at all.
Adam and I accompanied Mike and Emilee this year on their annual Christmas trip to Asheville. We went up for 3 specific reasons.

1.) To get a Christmas tree from a "cut your own" tree farm.

2.) To visit with an old friend from high school.

3.) And most importantly, to find some furniture. Asheville being the hub of the antique furniture market.

We, very happily, accomplished all 3!! We spent plenty of time shopping around for goodies to add to the enormous "need to paint" pile in my garage. Plus, Emilee found a few additions for her photography prop collection. The next day we went to brunch at a cute little restaurant right in the middle of downtown and met up with our friends Lynell and Don and her 2 girls. We had a fabulous time catching up and everyone meeting one another. Her girls were so sweet and incredibly well behaved. It made me a little regretful we didn't bring Harper. However, the night before when we were bar hoping and that morning when we slept until 10 completely justified our decision.
From brunch we headed off to find our perfect tree. We followed Em and Mike since they had been there before and wanted to revisit the same farm. As we got further and further up the mountain we began to see more and more snow. The irony of the situation is that Adam and Kenny had switched trucks the night before we drove up because Adam has been having some issues with his engine and we didn't want to get stuck in Asheville or have to have it towed back to Raleigh...$$$. Kenny's truck is much newer and more reliable so it seemed like a no brainer to make the switch. Ha Ha. We in fact traded a possible breakdown with 4 wheel drive and good tires, for a great running truck with 2 wheel drive and bad tires. We got about 20 feet down the road to the tree farm when we decided it wasn't such a good idea. Too late! It took us 15 mins and several attempts to get back to solid ground. We then got in the truck with Em and Mike (I, on Emilee's lap, and Adam in the bed of the truck) and proceeded down a very steep, very windy ice covered road. This was definitely one of those dilemmas you pray your kids are smart enough never to get into. Any way, we made it safely to the house only to find...THEY WERE CLOSED DO TO THE ROADS!! Then we got stuck in their driveway.
Blah, blah, blah, we eventually got out with the help of a random guy and found our way to another tree farm that was open and ready for business. Keep in mind it was 19 degrees and snowing during all of this so it made for a beautiful but FREEZING cold experience.

We had a fabulous time and can't wait to make it back next year.

Harper has to get this for Christmas or she'll just DIE

Need a last minute idea? These are the cutest little snow boots perfect for this global warming induced winter climate we are enduring. Plus they go perfect with her new pink and black snow suit she got.


Where can you get them you ask? Well, it just so happens I have the website right here, and it's free shipping!

Oh my gosh I can't believe I forgot to post these!!

Look at her perfect form...poise...and extraordinary balance.

And...the dismount.

Oh one piece zip pajamas, we had a really good run.

Ugh...too tired for a cute title, just need to catch up.

Admittedly, the entire fall season got away from me. We did a lot of enjoying and picture taking, but not enough blogging.

First off...Harper's introduction to the fair. We went with some great friends Whitley & Steve and their sweet little boy Tully (a strong contender for her arranged marriage). We went during the week so the crowds were minimal, and had perfect weather to boot. Harper was luke warm about the rides. She could take 'em or leave 'em, but the waiting in line was not for her. She enjoyed the food and was a big fan of the well crafted carnival prize her dada won for her.











In November we took Harper to her first college football game, ECU. We went with our friends Anne and Andy and they brought their little girl Kate. Prior to the game we played out a little energy on the jungle gym. It was quite cold that day and it took Harper a little while to warm up to the idea. After that we went in to the game, where we stayed approximately 1 quarter. This was not at all because of the girls. They were good as gold and we couldn't have asked for better behavior. We left because it was flipping cold out there, we were cramped, and not to mention...getting killed by Navy. As soon as we walked out of the stadium, it started to rain. It was at that point the girls decided they wanted to play and frolic on the way back to the car. This made the process of getting warm and dry about 3 times as long. God love 'em, they were having fun and deserved a little freedom after being so good during the game.