Harper's Stats

Brett took Harper in to the doctor again Tuesday to have her weighed to see if she still needs the high calorie formula.  She weighed in at 15 lbs 13 oz.  That's up 13 oz from when she was in a month ago, but only a few oz from when she was in a couple weeks ago.  Since she still hasn't gained much and is not quite in the 10% for weight we continue with the high calorie formula.  She now likes puffs so we've been giving her some of those, but otherwise she's still eating her pureed foods.  Still no teeth.  She did grow 1/2 inch in the past month! 

I had her 9 month pictures taken on Sunday.  I'm super excited to share them when I get them in a few days!!

Riley Nicole: 3 1/2

Today marks Riley's half birthday.  She's 3 1/2 years old.  Just last night Brett and I were talking about how much growth we've seen in Riley these past 6 months.  Looking back on the last six months it is amazing what she's learned.  She really is developing such a fun personality, but along with it comes a few traits that we hope she grows out of.  Here's a glimpse into our 3 1/2 year old's life:

• She is in between pant sizes.  She's swimming in 4T, but 3T is a bit too short now.  She's wearing 4T shirts.  We technically can shop in the girls section now.  She loves to wear "soft pants."
• She likes "just one clippie" or "just one pony" each day, but she lets me veto that most days.  Her hair continues to grow and is really filling in in the front.  Once in awhile she'll let me do french braids.
• She is wearing size 7 shoes.  Her favorites are her soccer shoes.  We can convince her to wear her boots on cold days too.
• She hates to wear socks.  They are the first to come off when she gets home.
• Her toenails are always breaking.  No matter how much we clip them.  Most days she has a hangnail or bloody big toe.
• She loves lip gloss and chap stick.  We lose at least one tube every week.
• She can write her own name now.  She's starting to want to "read" and likes spelling things.  So far she can spell my name, Daddy's name, and Harper's name.
• She knows her address, city, and state.  She likes to remind us that Hedy lives in "Beaverdale."  She always asks where gymnastics lives.
• She pays attention to where we drive and loves to ask which way is Grandma's, gymnastics, Hedy's...  She will usually point out something that looks familiar to her.
• She says that you should call "111" in an emergency.  We're working on "911."
• She loves to put "eye stick" on in the mornings when I'm getting ready.
• She is a lover and tells us that she loves us every day...several times a day.
• She loves her milk.  She's become more picky with what she'll eat.  She hates chocolate, but loves vanilla.
• 1/2 of what comes out of her mouth is made up songs and rhymes.  I have a habit of making up songs when I'm talking to Riley and Harper because it catches their attention long enough to get them to dressed, or whatever.  She's inherited this, I guess.  Thankfully she is able to remember songs in their entirety, unlike me who sings one line over and over.  Lately she's been saying things like "Mommy Ommy," "Harper Arper," and "Daddy Addy."  This is one thing that we're hoping she will grow out of!  It was cute for awhile, but not so much anymore.
• She loves to be funny and is always checking us to see if we're smiling.  She likes to impress.
• She pretends to fall down and hurt herself often. She especially does this in gymnastics.  She likes to pretend that she can't do things.  I think she likes the extra attention.
• She loves, loves, loves preschool.  She loves her teachers.  She looks forward to going everyday and runs in to class.  She will tell us what she does if we ask her. She's learned the inevitable "I don't know" answer.
• She still breaks out in hives occasionally.  She also gets red, watery eyes fairly often.  We keep claritin and benadryl on hand.
• She is still very schedule orientated.  She likes to have order and routine to everything.
• She goes to bed around 8:30 and is up between 6:15 and 7.  She's made it habit to come into our bed by 6:30 each morning and sleeps while I get up for the day. 
• She's begun to lie about things.  She's had a few tough lessons.  If there is anything that I don't tolerate, it's lying.  Even over the smallest things.  She likes to lie about wiping her tush after going to the bathroom and washing her hands.  
• Taking away her scooter seems to be the most effective punishment.  Instant tears.
• She loves her little sister.  She loves that she can be the boss - give her toys, take her toys away. 
• She prefers to play with someone and not by herself.
• Nicknames: Ri (rye), Ri Babe, Riley Piley, Boogie.
• Favorite toys: scooter, puzzles, books, bounce house, crafts, stickers, Mommy's Kindle Fire
• Favorite color: blue, purple, pink
• Favorite TV show/movie: Snow White, Jake and the Neverland Pirates, Scooby Do, Max and Ruby, Franklin.  She informed me last night that she hasn't seen Cinderella so "we just need to buy it."  She seems to like scary movies.
• Favorite food: Peanut butter sandwiches, peanut butter toast with applesauce, pasta, waffles, macaroni and cheese, green beans, apples, pears, mandarin oranges. 
• Favorite snack: Reeces Pieces, M and Ms, vanilla ice cream, peanuts, cheese sticks, popcorn.
• She is quick witted and says some of the funniest things.  She loves to tell jokes.  Somehow she's remembered all of her Halloween jokes and tells at least one of them every day.

Happy Valentines Day!

From our love bugs: Riley and Harper

Ready For Some Football

All dressed and ready for the Super Bowl!

February Snow Day

It snowed most of the day Saturday and it turned out to be the perfect day for Riley and Daddy to go out and play in the snow.  Daddy thought it'd be fun to make a snow dinosaur instead of a snowman.  They got about halfway done when Riley decided not to go back out after a bathroom break.  Here are a few pictures.

 Hi, mom!

 "helping" Daddy

 While Riley and Daddy were outside I tried to take advantage of all of the natural light from the snow and take a few pictures of our littlest explorer.  Here's what I got:

 On the move.

 Loving her squeaky bath book!

 What are you doing, exactly?

 I'm gonna get you!

 Beautiful blue eyes!

 So Happy

Enough pictures, already...

Aunt Libby and Uncle David Move to Texas

Aunt Libby and Uncle David were in town last week as they traveled from Minnesota to Texas.  Uncle David got a new job in the sports department for the NBC affiliate in Dallas.  We are super excited for them and foresee some warm southern vacations in our near future.  Here's a few pictures from their night in Des Moines.

 Valentines present from Aunt Libby and Uncle David!

 Uncle David and Aunt Libby

 Uncle John and Grandma Kathy

 Harper got her snuggles too!

Grandpa Denny!

February Achievements

Both girls have had quite a few achievements already this month that I wanted to highlight.

Little Sister Harper:

• She was at the doctor for a virus yesterday.  It seems that the high calorie formula is working.  She was up 11 ounces to 15 lb 11 oz!
• She is pulling herself up on everything now.  She is even taking little steps while holding on to things.  She'll stand for a second and then fall to the ground.  She has learned to fall backward onto her tush, instead of face planting.
• She has started crawling with her tummy off of the ground, except when she wants to get somewhere fast!

Big Sister Riley:

• Riley has been doing great at gymnastics class.  After class on Saturday her teacher approached us to let us know that she wants to move her up a level.  Riley will now move from the toddler bunnies to the kinder bunnies class.  She'll be in a room with 4 1/2 and 5 year olds. She's 3 1/2.  Apparently, they don't mess around at this gym.  Riley is picking up on all of the skills so they want to try her in a little more advanced class.  She will stay in that class as long as she's not too scared.  Riley does well, but true to her personality she is hesitant.  She will insist on holding some one's hand when jumping off of things or hold herself back if it's beyond her comfort level at all. 
• In class, Riley jumped up to the high bar on her own.  Her teacher made her come back and demonstrate to the rest of the class how to do it. She was beaming with pride and confidence afterward.  So much fun to see that in my little girl.  And fun for me when another parent commented on it to me.