harper - month 1

From the moment we welcomed Harper into our family, we immediately forgot what it was like without her. The first month was hard. It was full of adjustments and sleepless nights. Harlow and Harper were two completely different newborns. Eric and I joke that it's like being brand new parents all over again. Harper had jaundice as well as acid reflux so it was hard for her to be comfortable. Even though having a newborn was a lot more difficult for me this time around, I wouldn't change it for the world. All of the hard moments are completely over shadowed by how sweet and happy our baby gets. I can already see the different personality traits of our girls and look forward to enjoying them as individuals. We just adore you Harper girl! 

Introducing...

Harper Reay Herbert

We were blessed with another darling little baby girl on April 26th, 2012. 

My due date was May 8th, but I was hoping I'd be able to get induced earlier since I was uncomfortable beyond words and Eric started school on the 7th. I went to my 38 week appt. on April 25th and much to my dismay, I hadn't progressed AT ALL!!! I was so frustrated, especially since my Dr. refuses to induce unless you're ready, and clearly, my body wasn't. He apologized and told me to come back next week and hopefully we would see some changes. I went home frustrated but figured it would be better to wait until the baby was ready, even if that was inconvenient for our schedules.

I was having contractions all day, and they seemed more intense than they had been before but I didn't think too much about it because of the news the doc gave me earlier that afternoon.

That night, Eric and I were watching tv in bed and all of the sudden...my water broke!!! I couldn't believe it! We were freaking out because we weren't prepared whatsoever. We didn't have bags packed, a coming home outfit for the baby...nothing.

It was such a weird experience because I was induced with Harlow, so everything was much more calm and planned out. This time...it was a little frantic...but in an exciting way. Eric's cousins came over to stay with Harlow and we took off to the hospital.

We arrived around 11pm which was a great time, the hospital was quiet and we were met at the door by 4 nurses. They gave us one of the bigger rooms and were all so nice and helpful. 

My dr. was at the hospital around 2:30am for a delivery and came in to check on me. The first thing I said to him was, "What did you do to me?!?!?!" hahaha! He has a great sense of humor and stayed to chat for almost a half an hour. By that time I was at a 3, which I had been ever since we got to the hospital. They considered giving me pitocin to speed things up, but decided to wait, which I was happy about because it makes me so nauseous. 

Also, with Harlow my epidural made me completely numb, and this time around I had feeling, but no pain. This entire experience was so different the 2nd time around. Both deliveries were awesome, but so different from each other.

At about 6am the nurse checked me and I was ready to go, but they like to wait about an hour to get things started so you don't have to push very long, which was great too. 

With Harlow, we had 7 family members in the room...this time it was just Eric and I. Eric's poor parents took off in the middle of the night from Arizona and drove through the night to try to make it, but were a few hours late. Such a bummer!

So Dr. Judd arrived and 3 contractions and a few pushes later, our little babe had arrived at 7:09am! We fell in love with her the moment we saw her. Did I mention, she has the most adorable dimple on her right cheek!?!? It kills me every time I see it!

She was 12 days early. 7lbs. 13oz. and 20 inches long. Such a smaller baby than Harlow (8lbs. 15oz.!)

Her and her sister look so different to me! It was so fun when Eric brought Harlow to the hospital to meet her little sister for the first time. She was immediately smitten with her and I can already tell they are going to be the best of friends. 

We love you Harps! Welcome to our family!!!

my happy place...

We headed down to Mexico to spend the week after Christmas with Eric's family. Each time we go, I realize more and more that Rocky Point is seriously my paradise. Good food, great company, perfect weather, and a happy sand covered baby who could spend all day at the beach and pool. I sat on the beach while Eric and Harlow were running around chasing the waves and caught myself smiling. It really doesn't get any better than seeing my sweet family having the time of their lives being together.

The below picture pretty much sums up my attitude while we're there and apparently Harlow has turned into a mini me. Pina colada by her side, soaking up some rays:)

Ellie the Elf

This year marked our first annual Elf on the Shelf tradition. Our Elf's name is Ellie. She wears a skirt. She's messy and very mischievous when she choses her hiding spots. Harlow totally got into it and loved looking for Ellie the first thing in the morning when she woke up.

On the first day of Elf on the Shelf, Ellie was kind enough to make Harlow some mini chocolate chip pancakes. (She left quite the mess and didn't even clean up after herself!) Everything was mini: the plates, untensils, cups, cookware, etc. She also brought Harlow a present of Christmas p.j.s to start the Holidays off right. Harlow had me read the book to her multiple times:) It was adorable.

I'm sure I'll put more effort into it as Harlow gets older and understands it better, but for now, this was such a fun way for us to welcome the Christmas season! We all loved it!

1st Annual Beach Trip

Harlow and I were lucky enough to be invited to go to the beach with our best friends for a few days and had the time of our lives! Britt and Court and the kids came down to California for Harlow's birthday party and FYI, Britt and Harlow have the same birthday...which is the day after mine, so it was the perfect time to celebrate! It was the first time with just us girls and the kids, so needless to say it was crazy...but I wouldn't change a thing! I love each of these kiddos and the little personalities they individually have. Harlow was in heaven playing all day long.

For awhile now, Harlow has not been a fan of the sand. I don't blame her...it gets all over! Pierce was so cute with her and lead her down to the water. After that...she couldn't get enough of the beach and still loves it! Thank you Pierce!!!

What a stud!

Sweet Tinley and Quinn! Loves those girlies!

The babes just so happen to all own the same swimsuits, so we attempted a photoshoot. Didn't work out too well but they're adorable!

Harlow and I at Cafe Rio for my birthday dinner. The girls had Eric meet up with us and surprise me...best present ever!

Harlow had so much fun that at the end of the day she was exhausted, but was impossible to put to sleep! She hates missing out on any fun.

Our daily walks to the pier. Poor Tinley got put in our makeshift "double stroller" and didn't complain a bit! It worked out perfectly so Pierce didn't have to walk.

Banana Pancakes for the birthday girl's breakfast!

Here is a little snapshot of our crazy kiddos and poor Britt and Court trying to keep them from running directly into the freezing ocean.

Britt and Court: How did we not get any pics together?!?!? So sad!

We had so much fun with you guys and can't wait until our 2nd annual girls (and kiddos) trip!

Happy Birthday Harlow!

Harlow's "Tutus and Ties" 2nd birthday party was just about 2 months ago, but I figured it's better late than never to show some pics from the parties:)

We had one party here in California and one in Tucson. My mother in law is a saint and helped out with so much for the party, she's the BEST! I could've never done it without her and all of her cute ideas and hard work!

I can't believe my sweet babe is getting so old! Although, I do feel like she went from being 1 to 5 years old:) She is hysterical and getting pretty dramatic nowadays:) We just love her to death and can't get over the fact that she is developing such an amazing personality. Just the other day while I was playing with her, out of the blue, she hugged me and said, "best friends mommy!!!"

Ummm...I just about passed out from her cuteness at that moment!

We love being Harlow's parents and couldn't have asked for a more sweet, hilarious, obedient, determined, happy little girl in our lives.

Happy birthday doll! We love you to the moon and back.

Mom and Dad