"Our Little Pumpkin Turned One" Party

 On Saturday October 6th at noon we celebrated Harper's first birthday with a family party. We had a pumpkin themed party because "Our Little Pumpkin was Turning 1".  We had all kinds of pumpkin decor all over the house.  A big thanks to Betty and Marilyn for letting me use their decorations.  I went and bought some fall decor for our house for in the future;)  We had a wonderful time despite the down pour that opened up right at party time.  Here are a bunch of pictures that I took and I'm disappointed that I didn't get more pictures of all of our guests.

The main food table.  We had a chili bar, hot dogs wrapped in bread sticks, pinwheels, pumpkin dip with apples and graham crackers, sugar cookies, Oreo pumpkins, and pumpkin cakes.

 The tissue paper pompom's I made for the party over the food table and over another table in the kitchen.

 The cakes.  

 Harper getting in the party spirit.  I woke her up from her nap to get ready for the party and some guests had already shown up and she was surprised.  She is still loving her chair.

 Love this one.  She was so cute.  The pumpkin outfit we borrowed from a friend and it was a size 2T/3T.  Can you believe that it fit her?  Crazy!

 ZiZi and Harper.  Harper was going for her graham crackers=)

 The only family picture from the party.  Michael's grandmother made the pumpkin hat that Harper is wearing and she got a first place ribbon for it at the White County Fair.  It looks adorable on Harper.

 Harper checking out the big pumpkin cake that was for everyone else.

 Caroline, Eden, Lydia, and Mary Evelyn.  Eden has a blast playing with these girls.  We love them so much!

 We tried to get a picture of all the kids but Jack Henry just wasn't having it.  He was a little out numbered with all those girls surrounding him, poor guy needed Brisco around.

 I think Harper was reveling in all the attention!!!

 Harper opening gifts.  She got some really cute things but most of what she got was money to go towards a swing set.  We have been wanting to get something for the girls so they will want to play in the back yard more.  We have a fenced yard so I would prefer for them to be back there more often.

 There's Jack Henry and Sarah.  He is the cutest thing.  

 Harper got a really cute nap mat from Brett and Jenny and the girls and they gave Eden one.  She LOVES it and has taken a nap in and played in it everyday since receiving it.  So cute!!

 CAKE TIME!!!!  I really thought Harper would inhale her cake.  She LOVES everything and eats everything so fast that I just thought she would really get into her cake and make a mess.  Well NOT SO MUCH!!!  She picked at it and picked at it with her little finger tips.  So funny.  She liked it but would not fist it like I thought she would.  I'm sure the video is the longest and slowest twenty minutes ever=)  So slow that my dad stopped video taping, ha.  

 First finger lick of icing.

 Eden was trying to encourage her.  

 Sticking another finger in.

 At this point, I tore it apart a little because I thought she might get into the cake part a little more.

 She finally got a little more than a lick in her mouth.

 She finally has a little icing on her.

 This is a cute picture of her trying to go in with two hands.  I wish I knew what she was thinking.

 I just LOVE that messy little girl!!!

 Favor table.  I made what is called Scarecrow Crunch.  They could take that and any cookies and Oreos that were left home with them.

The birthday girl and her mama!!!  

Happy 1st Birthday, Harper!

October 3rd, 2012...What a big day for Harper.  She turned ONE at 2:52 pm on that Wednesday.  I can't believe it has been a year.  She woke up all smiles and I had to get her picture from when we went in to get her.  We sang Happy Birthday to her and she LOVED it.  She gets so quiet when you sing that song.  It was almost like she knew it was her birthday and she was expecting and reveling in it=)

She woke up with bed head of coarse.  She is thinking, "Mom, get that bright flash out of my face, please."

 I had to move the bangs over to the side so I can see those pretty eyes.

 All smiles.  Love her so much!

 We had to get pictures with the birthday girl.

 Michael got pictures with her dressed before he rushed off to work.

 Eden had cowgirl day at school so she was dressed up, ha.  Look at Harper's cheese face.  It cracks us up.  She looks so funny.

 Harper is blowing kisses in this picture.  She is such a mess.

 Harper got a blueberry muffin with a candle in it for her birthday that morning and banana, which is a favorite.  She gobbled it all up fast.

Wednesdays are our busiest days of the week so we didn't get to do a bunch of celebrating.  Harper went for her one year check up that afternoon and her stats were:
Weight: 29 lbs 9.4 oz (off the chart, Man is she HEAVY!!)
Height: 32 1/4 inches (off the chart.  tall to help distribute all that weight=)
Head circ: 18 3/4 inches

She got five shots and she was not happy about that at all.  She gave the nurse an ear full.  She did fine with them and only ran a small fever.  After her appointment, Eden had ballet so we went there and watched her and then we had church that evening.  After church we came home and let her open your gifts from Eden and us.  Harper was not sure what to think about her gifts.

 She loves her chair we got her.  She was always trying to get in Eden's but Eden was not very fond of that so now she has her own:)

 Eden opening her cards for her.

Harper playing with her toy that Eden picked out for her.  She loves it and dances to all the music. 

Harper, here are some things I want to remember about you at the age of ONE:

• You love to eat.  Your favorite foods are chicken, grilled cheese sandwiches, bananas, quesadillas, grapes, melon, blueberries, strawberries, sweet potatoes, potatoes, turkey, cheese, yogurt, baked beans, black beans, rice, just about anything we eat.  The only thing you really just don't like right now is broccoli.  You refuse to even put it in your mouth now, after having tried it a few times.  You even ate taco soup the other night and a tuna fish sandwich the other day.  Nothing seems to phase you.  You will eat pretty much anything.  You are doing pretty good with sippy cups, you just don't like your milk in one yet.  We are working on that.  
• You LOVE to dance.  Just like Eden does.  If you ever hear music you start moving to it.  I love it.
• You love to be sung to and if a song has movements you try to do them in your own way. You love Jesus Loves Me, God Made the Big Round Sun, Twinkle Twinkle, Pat a Cake, Itsy Bitsy Spider.
• You haven't spoken many words yet.  We have heard you say Mama and Dada but you never say them consistently.  We have heard you say "dog" before.  You "talk" constantly it's just not clear, ha!  I'm sure someday it will be and you will be giving us an ear full.
• You are on the verge of walking.  You have taken up to six steps several times but you are still working on your balance.  I'm sure it will all click soon.  You pull up on anything and everything and will cruise like crazy around the rooms. 
• You love to wave and blow kisses.
• You know where your belly, nose, and toes are.
• I LOVE your hugs.  You put one of your hands on our back and pat us on the back as you lean your head down on our shoulder.  It is the BEST!!
• One week before your birthday you started giving kisses.  You open you mouth real big and most of the time your tongue is out and then you kiss us on our cheeks.  We get big, wet kisses.  They are so sweet and you get so proud of yourself when you give them.  
• When we ask "How big is Harper?", you raise your arms up and we exclaim, "So Big!"
• You can also raise up one finger when we ask you "how old are you?"
• You have started to get clingy.  We are having a harder time leaving you in the nursery or for class at church.  I have been called out of my class to come get you because you are screaming so  hard and loud.  I can hear you scream from a long ways away from the nursery.  I guess you just love mommy and daddy so much;)
• You really enjoy being outside and exploring everything around you.
• You like to swing.  You get so relaxed.
• You are a fantastic sleeper.  You sleep twelve or more hours at night and still take two naps during the day usually an 1 1/2 - 2 hours each.  You wake up so happy!  When we lift you out of the crib, you automatically drop your lovey and paci into the crib.  You know you can't have them outside of your bed.  There are a few exceptions like when we are at ballet and you are missing your afternoon nap or when we need you to be quiet when we are out and about;)
• Bathes are so much fun.  Whenever you hear the bath water running you take off for it whether it is for you or Eden.  You love to hold your hand under the running faucet and want to get in.  You splash and splash in the water.  I get really wet bathing you!  

• You still do not like your stroller or shopping carts much.  You fight going in them and sometimes I can distract you but other times it's a no go.  You are making it hard to get many errands done while Eden is in school.  You have got to learn how to like your stroller and shopping carts, what's not to like about being out and about and people watching, Harper?
• You are LOVING Eden's wooden kitchen right now.  You will crawl into her room and start pulling all the food and dishes out of it.  You think it is the best thing ever and Eden will get so mad because you are making a mess in her room, ha;)
• Right now you are too busy for diaper changes and let us know you are not happy about having to stop for them.  You twist and turn all over the play.  We have tried all kinds of things to get you to stay still, you just aren't having them.  
• Harper, you are starting to sit still long enough for us to read a book to you now.  You are finally getting the book thing slowly.  Your favorites are any of the Sandra Boynton books.  
• You HATE having your teeth brushed.  You have 8 teeth and have been working on others for a while now.  Your gums have been swollen where your molars are for a month or two now.  You have been drooling like crazy still.  You don't mind us doing the bottom teeth but you scream when we do your top teeth.  Not sure why that is but you are going to the dentist on Monday so I will have to get some tricks from the dentist.
• You love to play chase.  I will say, "I'm going to get you" and you will take off squealing until I catch you and tickle you.  You will then turn and start to chase me.  I love it.  You are so ticklish.  It cracks me up.  Barely touch your toes and you go crazy.  
• Harper you LOVE the remote.  You try to get it at all costs.  
• You still don't like to play by yourself.  I have tried to get you to play by yourself but you won't have it.  You want to be where mommy is and you would prefer to have me on the floor with you.  That doesn't make it easy for mommy when I'm trying to do laundry, clean, cook, etc.
• You are wearing 24 month clothes, size 4 diapers, and size 6 shoes.  Most of the clothes you are wearing now I vividly remember Eden wearing when she was walking and running around.  You are wearing out the knees because you are crawling everywhere!

I'm sure there is more I will remember later but for now that is you at one.  

Harper, 

You have truly been one of the best gifts God has ever given your daddy and me.  We are so blessed to have been given you to raise.  You are such a joy and we thank God daily for you.  We can't wait to watch you grow and learn new things.  We love seeing the wonder in your eyes as you learn to do new things.  We pray that we will teach you to know Christ and love Him and seek Him in everything that you do.  We love you , Harper.  

Love, 

Mommy and Daddy

St. Louis Treat

 Eden and I took a trip to St. Louis to hang out with Morgan, Jamie, J. David, Myles, and to meet Camden.  We left on Thursday Sept 20th and came back on Sunday Sept 23.  I left Harper with my parents because she would never have let me hold Camden.  She gets a little jealous;)  I am very happy with that decision.  I got to spend lots of time with all the boys and got lots of cuddle time with Camden.  He is the cutest little thing.  He looks so tiny compared to Harper now.  I can't believe Harper is so big now:(  It makes me a little sad knowing she is growing so fast and how big they get in one year, it's crazy.  On Friday, Morgan worked and we just hung out at the house and the kids played and played outside.  Then on Saturday, J. David had a soccer game so we went to that and then Jamie and I got out and did a little shopping.  Sunday morning Eden and I left so we could get back for a service project our life group was doing that evening.  We had a wonderful time and loved every minute of it.

Eden meeting Camden for the first time.

 We brought the boys birthday presents with us so they got to tear into them on Thursday evening.  We got to play with their new toys all weekend, so fun!

 Eden enjoyed getting to hold Camden several times that weekend.  She would sing to him and everything.  She is just so sweet and LOVES babies.

 J. David holding one of the cars we created with his gift.

 Myles--I love his sweet, sweet smile!

 Love this picture of Camden.  He is so perfect!

 J. David and Eden hanging out before his game.

 J. David in action.  

 Myles and I watching the game.

 These two went round and round in the Jeep.  They wore the battery out fast=)  They did great taking turns driving and even giving Myles his turns.

 Myles enjoyed playing some basketball while the other two drove around the back yard.

 Eden holding Camden again.  J. David was not to happy about it, ha.

J. David showing off another creation we built together.  

I have a picture of me with Camden but it is on my phone and I haven't uploaded them yet.  I will have to add it later.  We had a wonderful time and we can't wait until Christmas to see them again!!!