Fun Weekend

This weekend was a busy one filled with friends, family, and fellowship. On Friday, my mom came over to "play" for the day. We spent time shopping up at Stonebriar in Frisco then met Jeff for dinner. On Saturday morning, I had to get up way too early for a work event - 4:45 am. The weather was so nice on Saturday (75 degrees!) that I took Harper to a new park that I just discovered in Wylie. We met my cousin and her two kids at the park. Harper enjoyed swinging with my cousin Diana.On Saturday evening, we went down to Dallas to one of my other cousin's house for his birthday party. Harper had to show off her new fun head band that I picked up on Friday. Brad and Crystal had a late Christmas present for Harper. It's a UT onesie - so cute! I didn't go to UT but the entire Cutrell family has Orange blood running through and through.

Today we went to church this morning then had lunch with Jeff's dad. This evening we went to the McDonough's house for a Superbowl watching party with our Bible Fellowship class. I don't think that I watched 1 minute of the game. I was too busy eating and talking to all of the ladies. Whew - what a weekend!

Harper 5 months

Today Harper is 5 months old! I can't believe how fast time is flying by. She changes every single day. Life with Harper is so much fun and a little exhausting!

Here's a few fun facts about Harper at 5 months old:

She is such a happy baby - except when she knows that you are getting ready to put her to bed!She loves to smile when you smile at her.

She still has to be swaddled to go to sleep.

She loves to laugh.She loves to take showers with her daddy.

Everything goes straight to her mouth to chew on.

She still eats every 3-4 hours.

She has this pathetic little whine when she wants your attention.

She rolls from her back to her front.

Her legs are so long she is wearing 9 month clothes.

She likes to play tricks on us at bedtime. We think that she is asleep in our arms - so we lay her down. She waits 5 minutes then starts crying. So we go in and start the process again.

Can you tell that I'm trying to get her to sleep as I'm writing this post?

Books!

I was telling my mom last week that we didn't have many books for Harper. She is getting to the age where I want to read to her but I was getting bored with the two books that we had. Harper's book shelf in her room looked pretty pathetic. Mom said that she saved everything from when we were kids - so she would go up in the attic and see what she could find. When they came to visit us on Sunday, she brought two big boxes of books and toys from my childhood. I couldn't believe that she kept everything! It was so fun to reminisce about my childhood. My empty bookshelf looked like this when mom left! Thanks mom for bringing all of our books for Harper. It was so fun reading "The Wheels on the Bus", "Brown Bear, Brown Bear", and "Goodnight Moon" to her today. When Jeff got home tonight, he read to Harper before we put her to bed. She seems to really enjoy being read to. I love how she is helping Jeff hold the book in this picture. So sweet!Besides books, mom also brought over a box of toys. We put most of them into a sink full of bleach to disinfect them. They had been in the attic for almost 20 years!! I was amazed that this "see n' say" still managed to work. There is no batteries in it so I have no idea how it still talks to you. Harper was pretty sceptical of this one.

Thanks mom!!!

Fun with Papa

Today my parents came over again to spend the afternoon and evening with us. It's been a treat to have them come over the last two Sundays. They played with Harper while Jeff and I actually went to the gym TOGETHER!! This was the first time that we have been able to work out together since Harper was born. Normally one of us stays home while the other goes to the gym. It was a nice treat. This was the scene at the lunch table... My Dad tried to give Harper a drink of his water. Yes - that is a big thick glass cup - but he's the Pediatrician so I don't argue! He said that it probably felt good on her gums since she is teething. Here she is checking it out..."Hmmm - I think I might like this."

"This is fun!"" Wait Papa - don't take it away. I'm not done yet."

Happy Baby!

Happy Baby

When Harper wakes up from a nap - she is normally so happy. After she wakes up, I've started to put a few toys in her crib to keep her occupied for a few more minutes. This new toy is a little large for her to handle - but it lights up and plays music so she likes it. Of course, everything goes straight to the mouth. I love it when she wakes up happy!

Sunday Afternoon

Today we made it to church and Harper did well in the nursery. We picked her up and she was sound asleep. After church, my parents came over to spend the afternoon. Mom brought lunch and she and Dad got their fix of Harper for the week. Glad that they live so close that they can just jump in the car and come over for a few hours. While Harper was taking a nap, I took mom to Sprouts Farmers Market. She has heard me talk about it for a while but has never been to one. She found all sorts of fun things that you can't find in the grocery store in Paris. Mom made chocolate chip cookies. Harper was pretty intrigued by them. Don't worry she didn't have any - maybe in a few months. Everything goes straight to Harper's mouth these days - including her toes!! This is a common site when I'm trying to change her diaper. I'm impressed that she is so flexible!

Tonight our friends, the Conrads, are coming over for dinner. We are going to watch the Steelers football game and have yummy Mexican food.

Baby Einstein

Have you ever heard of Baby Einstein? If you are not a parent - then probably not - but this line of products by Disney is pretty cool. Harper has a few of the DVD's and CD's. The DVD's are created from a baby's point of view and "incorporate a unique combination of real world objects, music, art, language, poetry and nature." The DVD's for babies are pretty funny to watch. You might see bubbles floating on the screen, followed by a barking dog, then by a baby laughing, etc. Harper is fascinated by the music and images. If she is fussy, we can turn on one of the Baby Einstein DVD's and she almost instantly calms down. I personally like Baby Beethoven and Baby Mozart the best. Baby Einstein also has a line of toys that incorporates things from the video. Harper received this fun little "Discover and Play Activity Center" as a baby gift from Natalie, Sarah and Michelle. It's been in the box in the garage until now. I was excited that Harper finally can hold her head up enough to sit in it. It's amazing how quick she will pick up on things. I spun these little noise makers a couple of times and she then tried to figure out how she could make it spin and make noise.

After a few tries, she got it.
The house is being taken over by large "toys" like this. I know that this is just the beginning...