You Gotta Do What You Gotta Do

Howdy Y'all!

Y'all probably would have gotten a great laugh yesterday if you were a fly on the wall at my house.  Harper was extremely fussy!  I tried everything to calm her down (except food since she had just eaten).

Of course, there was the diaper change...that didn't work!

Then, came the paci...and that didn't work!

What about the swing?  She usually loves it!  Not this time!!

Okay, well maybe she wanted to lay flat??  NOPE!

We tried the bicycle leg exercises for gas...still nothing.

I had something in the oven - so I couldn't leave the house.  So, I came up with a brilliant idea.  How about the stroller?

But, if you read right, I was trapped in the house because something was in the oven.  So, I was resourceful and decided to take Harper for a walk inside the house.  We walked from the living room, through the hall and into the foyer and then circled back again.  We did this over and over and over again with our little doggie friend following our every move.

But, guess what...it WORKED!  I had a sleeping baby when it was all said and done.  I did feel quite silly walking inside with the stroller - but you gotta do what you gotta do!

Today, my little sweetheart turned 8 weeks old!  I love this little girl so much - she is the light of our lives.  We go for her two month appointment next week and I am so curious about her stats because she looks so big for her age!

And, lastly - Friday night, Ariel emailed us some pictures from Harper's birth and I was so thankful for them.  When her dad came and got us to go back to see our angel for the first time,  I didn't take my camera so I was so excited when these pictures came!

Harper's first picture??  Maybe so!

Harper and Ariel's dad, Bob.

 Our first official family picture.

Us and Ariel - I am so thankful for these pictures!

I hope you have stopped laughing at me by now!  Have a great night.

Toodles!

Keeping Up With Those in TN

Howdy Y'all!

I have had a few people ask if I still talk with Harper's birthmom.  Before Harper's birth, we emailed back and forth and I had set up a texting app on my phone that allowed me to give her a different number than my cell phone number to text.  We pretty much talked every day.  So, I thought I would give you an update on how we communicate now with a few of my favorite pictures from the last week or so sprinkled throughout.

My mother-in-law was so afraid for me to continue to talk to Ariel after Harper was born, but I thought it was common courtesy to continue to the lines of communication.  She had just went through something so brave and courageous and I wanted to make sure that she was feeling okay with her decision.  I wanted her to make sure she understood that she had picked the right family.  So, just about everyday for the first week, I sent her a text message just to check up on her and she how she was feeling.

We are obligated by the agency to send pictures and letters to Ariel - one in the first 30 days, then two more per year for the first 5 years and then once a year until she is 18.  However, I decided to go a bit further and actually do something so she could see pictures more often.  I set up a Shutterfly account and I update pictures pretty frequently on the site.  Both Ariel and her dad have access to the site and they are able to make comments on the photos.  Again, I want them to rest assured that Harper is at the right place and that her family loves her so much.

Ariel and I text each other about once a week - sometimes she initiates the text and sometimes I do.  On Friday, I received a letter that she had been awarded a scholarship from our adoption agency to help with her schooling so I immediately texted her to congratulate her.  And, whoops - I broke the news to her - she hadn't even heard from the agency yet.  At least it was good news.  :)

When it was time for us to write our first letter, instead of picking out a couple of pictures, I actually sent Ariel about 15 pictures of our little cutie patootie.  I wrote Ariel a letter telling her about Harper's "milestones" like how much she is eating, sleeping, etc.  Since we met Ariel's dad - and really enjoyed meeting him - I wrote him a little note too.  They were both so appreciative of the letters and photos.  The relationship between us and them is just so easy and almost comes natural.

I have thought about this a few times - if Ariel would have changed her mind and kept Harper, I know that she would have been loved by Ariel and Ariel's dad.  She may not have had all the money in the world, but I know she would have been rich with love.  It is sad for me to say that I just don't feel the same way about our disrupted adoption in March.  I feel sad for Kinley/Emma and I hope and pray that her life is good, but I am just not optimistic about it.  I would love it if you guys and gals could continue to pray for her to have a good life.  I know that Harper was meant to be with us, but it doesn't make me wonder about Kinley/Emma any less.

Toodles!

Customer Service

Howdy Y'all!

You know how the story goes - if a company does something good for you, you may tell 1 or 2 people but if they wrong you, you tell 10x the amount.  Well, I want to buck that trend tonight.

My mother-in-law got Harper the cutest little Trumpette socks (and if you don't know the brand, you need to check them out...CUTE, CUTE stuff).  I have been wanting this particular set for awhile and we got a little present on the doorstep a couple of days ago.  Don't you just love Grandmother's who spoil their grandchildren??

On Monday night, I was picking out an outfit for Harper to where to daycare on Tuesday which would have looked so cute with those pink socks.  But, when I opened the box to retrieve them, one was missing.  If it was the green or yellow pair, I probably would have just let it go - but, pink is such a staple in a little girls wardrobe that we had to have it.

On Tuesday morning, I decided to email Trumpette and explain our situation to see if they would send us a pink sock - and I got an immediate reply from them.  They were so apologetic and told me to give them my address and phone number and they would ship a new pair to me immediately.  I just thought it was great customer service so I thought I would share.

If I didn't absolutely love Trumpette before because of all their cute socks, I definitely love them now.  I will be a customer for a long, long time!  They rock!

Toodles!

Growing Up Colt: A Father, A Son, A Life in Football

Howdy Y'all!

I know it is no secret that I love the Texas Longhorns - and for four years, I thought the leadership of Colt McCoy was amazing.  So many times you hear stories of football players that are caught up in drugs or have alcohol problems and sometimes even worse.  Colt was one of those players that you wanted your kids to look up to - and many adults looked up to him too.  Even the name "Colt" rose in the baby name list - Tony and I actually kicked around the idea of naming a boy Colt.

This summer, Growing Up Colt: A Father, A Son, A Life in Football came out and I immediate downloaded it on my iPad.  I literally just finished it a few minutes ago and I would have to say it was a great read.  You don't have to love football to love this book.  It was a great read about Colt's upbringing and what led him to choose the life he lives.  I recommend this to anyone - even my Razorback friends.

The last couple of chapters in the book talk about the National Championship game - and how he lost feeling in this arm during the first series of the game.  I am sure that game was so heartbreaking for him - but to this day, I still love how he showed God the glory even in times of defeat.



I love this guy's faith!  It really it amazing!





Seriously - check out the book.  You won't regret it!

Toodles!

What a Load of Blank!

Howdy Y'all!

Harper got a Babies R Us gift card at her shower - and I got a 20% off coupon in the mail so I thought I would pair them together and buy this little piano.  BUT, here are all the stipulations on the back of the coupon...

Excludes ALL toys, baby food, diapers, formula, wipes, strollers, car seats, high chairs, swings, play yards, bassinets, infant carriers, safety gates, monitors, breast pumps, furniture, Ameda, Baby Brezza, Baby Jogger, BOB, Britax, Bugaboo, Cybex, ERGObaby, Mamas & Papas, Motherhood Maternity, Nap Nanny, Pediped, Peg Perego, Phil & Teds, Robeez, Tommee Tippee, Under Armour, electronic learning toys, netbooks, tablets, video game hardware, video games, Apple products, FAO products, RobotGalaxy, Buyer Protection Plan, gift cards, photo studios, phone orders, Special Orders, assembly fee, breast-pump rental fee, delivery fee and shipping & handling.

Seriously, I think with all the restrictions above, they shouldn't put Save 20% on ANY one regular-priced baby item.  What a rip-off.  Good gravy!

Oh well, Harper will still get her little piano...I have to make this girl happy, you know.

Toodles!

Texas, Our Texas

Howdy Y'all!

Over the weekend, Harper took her first official road trip.  Granted, she had to come home from Tennessee, but we won't count that one.  :)  And, from the moment we got to Texas, we were busy, busy!

My sweet mother in law refused to let Harper and I drive by ourselves to Texas so we made quite a plan.  She flew to Northwest Arkansas last Tuesday to spend a few days with Harper and then we all drove down to Dallas together on Thursday.  After we got to Dallas to drop off Tony's mom, Harper stretched out on the bed for a few hours to let the rush hour traffic die down and then we were on our way to Palestine.  Finally after being on the "road" for 12 hours, we were home!  Thank goodness - Harper was tired of her car seat and I was just plain tired.  Since it was almost time for bed when we got there, I gave Harper her bath and we tried to go to bed shortly afterwards...however, Little Miss Priss decided she did not want to sleep at Nana's house unless she was snuggled with her mommy on the recliner.  It didn't lead to a great nights sleep, but it was so much fun to snuggle with my little sweetie.

On Friday, Harper and I (and Hailey) took lunch out to my mom's work so she could meet all of her little work friends and of course, I used this as an opportunity to make Harper look super duper cute!  :)  We also took the opportunity to take Harper to my Aunt JoAnne's house so her and my Uncle David could see her.

Later that afternoon, my brother, sister and I went to see Harry Potter while my mom and Hailey watched Harper and Ava.  Harper had two more visitors while we were at the movies - and apparently she slept the whole time.  The little Lazy Bones.  :)  Friday night, my mom and dad kept Harper in their room to give me a good night's rest - and unfortunately, Harper didn't want to sleep for my mom from midnight to 2 am.  I have the greatest parents for giving me a break!!

We had a busy, busy, busy Saturday!  But, when I got up, I found Harper in the bed with my dad.  Apparently, he thought she was too cold and needed to snuggle with him.  I just find this so super cute - I love how he loves his grandchildren so much.  He keeps saying he wants more grandsons, but when I see him with his sweet little granddaughters it is perfect.

First up on the agenda were family pictures with Lee Loveless.  My mom had planned for us to wear some huge hats in at least one of the pictures, but for some reason my niece Ava would throw a fit whenever we had them on...so that was out.  :)  Harper and Ava did so good during the photo shoot - considering he took 320 pictures and they had many outfit changes.  I am ready to see how the pictures turned out, but I am sure they will be great considering there were three beautiful Ward granddaughters in them.

Next up on the agenda was Harper's baby shower.  I am so totally blessed to have such wonderful friends and family members because the shower was amazing!  The cake was adorable!  The candy bar was too cute!  The cake pops were beyond unbelievable!  The canvas prints were like a piece of art!  I loved it all.  I want to thank Ashley Faucett, Crystal Thompson, Lori Blanchard, Rebecca Vasek, Julie Holden and Theresa Bambeck.  Here are some pictures of the spread - it really was amazing.  And, check out this link if you are in the Dallas area for some Cake Pops. 

http://www.facebook.com/cakepopsbycrystal?sk=wall

We had so many friends and family that showed up to the shower - and we were just happy that everyone got to see baby Harper and love on her.  Harper was passed around from person to person on Saturday and I am not sure if she ever opened her eyes.  She is such a great baby (well, most of the time)!  Below is the four generation photograph - and we are also the four Alines - Margaret Aline, Glenda Aline, Angela Aline and Harper Aline. 

My Grandmother and Harper

 My Aunt Linda and Harper

My Aunt Debbie and Harper

 Harper and her Grandmother (Tony's Mom)

Harper and Sims.  Sims was mine and my sister's surrogate Grandmother - we loved her so much growing up.  She was so special to us!  Still is.

Sims and her Girls - Me, Ashley, Ava and Harper

Rylie Beth (Crystal's daughter), Katie (Lori's daughter) and Harper

We really had a fantastic time!  This was just about the only time that Mommy was able to hold her almost all day.  She is a beauty though!

Some of my best friends threw this shower for me:

• Theresa Bambeck - She is always so helpful and makes beautiful things.  The tables looked awesome!
• Lori Blanchard - We have been friends since the 1st grade - I love lifelong friends!
• Ashley Faucett - the best sister ever!  Even if I had 1,000 sisters, she would still be the best one.
• Crystal Thompson - The Harper Frame with my special verse was so sweet - and I loved the clothesline of cute things!
• Julie Holden - I am totally spoiled by her.  The canvas prints were totally amazing!  I am so excited to have them.
• Rebecca Vasek - I couldn't have asked for a better college roommate.  We are so much alike and I am so glad we have seen each other so much lately.

I love these girls so much - I am spoiled to have them in my life!

College roomies!  Love these girls!

All of Harper's Gifts - we had so many that I couldn't fit them all in my car.  Thanks to Crystal, the rest will be delivered to Arkansas in a week and a half.

Beautiful Canvas Prints

Lots of fun toys for Harper to play with.

Lots of Bibs and other feeding gear.

Beautiful Blankets for a beautiful girl.

We love clothes!

 We love Texas too!  Look at all this awesome stuff!

I was wanting some cute burp clothes and my dream came true.  :)

 Oh the diaper changing accessories.

Socks and Shoes, Bows and Hats

Frames for pictures of a beautiful girl.

We are just so blessed!

Special gifts from Nana and Grandmother.

The weekend continued with Harper continuing to meet more and more people.  She was probably sore from all the holding this weekend.  We are so happy to be home, but mommy is sad she only has two more days at home with Harper.  I will have to spend lots and lots of time with holding Harper (so she may be even more sore).  HA!

On our way back on Sunday/Monday, I did get a hitchhiker and Hailey, my niece, came back with me to stay for a week and a half.  So far she is being so good.  I took her shopping today for some school clothes, but I am holding them ransom until I determine she has been good.  haha!  She also has a dinner on the line at PF Changs.  I am sure she will be great.  We are enjoying our time with her and she is a big help with Harper.

Now it is time to love on Harper and play XBox Kinect with Hailey - what a great life I have!

Toodles!