Sunday Fun

Water Fun

We got out our baby pool, water table and "sprinkle" (as Sam calls it) today. The kids had so much fun and it was Harper's 1st time wearing her new bathing suit!

Aunt Jane

.. Who I guess would be Harper and Sam's Great Great Aunt Jane- came over today with Donna and Dan to meet the kids! It was so nice to see everyone and Aunt Jane really enjoyed spending time with us and fell in love with the kids.

Water Day

Rainy Days

We have been getting some much needed rain around here which does lead us to getting creative with activities for the kids. We are so use to being able to go to the park year-round. This weekend we got a new train set ( thank you mum mum and pop pop) and some new paints for Sam. Sam also spent quite a bit of time building "towers" with Russ. Harper just took it all in and sat with Mama this weekend- my little snuggle bug who is going through a very attached to mama phase! She is also practicing her standing and we think we are going to have a little walker soon...

Gallery is Ready!

The photos from our session done with Amy Smith on Harper's birthday are ready!

Click HERE to see the photo gallery. Get comfy- there are a lot! It will only be up for 5 days so go there now!

They are beautiful. She captured some amazing moments. They made me cry:)

Pretty Girl

Boots

My Aunt Pam recently travelled to England and sent us a fun box filled with shoes she picked up while she was there. Sam has another pair of Wellington's she sent about a year ago but he is outgrowing them. He was over the moon when he opened his black "fireman boots". She sent Harper a pair of pink Wellington's ( I LOVE them) and an adorable pair of sandals.

We had some rain so Sam got to wear them outside. He wanted to take pictures of the shoes and set them up outside for me! He has taken a liking to Harper's pink boots I will say. Yes, those are Sam's legs in those hot pink boots... so sweet:)

Thank you Aunt Pam for sending us the gifts. We love you and it means so much to us you always remember our children!

Party

We had a wonderful birthday celebration for Harper! She really enjoyed herself and received some generous gifts from family and friends. It was a perfect day...

My Baby Girl

Happy 1st Birthday!

One Year Today

Harper Elisabeth May 8, 2008 Arrived at 8:58 am

Isn't she lovely
Isn't she wonderful
Isn't she precious
Less than one minute old
I never thought through love we'd be
Making one as lovely as she
But isn't she lovely made from love

Memory

Russ and I were just sitting here reminiscing about this night one year ago today. I had headed up to bed early after an evening of just not feeling "right". I was awoken at 2:30 am by our baby with some pretty significant contractions that grew stronger and closer together quickly. I labored in our bed and we kept track of the contractions and eventually called our doula and my parents. We finally headed to the hospital at 6 am.

It is amazing the detail we can recall from this night into tomorrow. Such a life changing day is etched so deeply in your memory. Tomorrow we will enjoy the day as a family together celebrating our baby girl's 1st birthday. Sam is so excited to sing to her! He has been practicing for weeks. We are all looking forward to the day together.

Photoshop

I have been interested in photography for quite some time and recently took a class at Creadle to brush up and learn how to use our Nikon D90. The last time I dabbled in photography it was not with a digital SLR so I had a bit to learn. I love our D90 and have taken so many great pictures of the kids. The next thing I wanted to learn was how to use Photoshop. I found and amazing photographer who has a blog and does training over the phone as I watch a video of her using photoshop on her computer. I was sold instantly. I don't even have to leave our house to learn! I had my first workshop on Tuesday and I learned so much in the short hour. I have another training tonight. I wanted to show off what I had learned.

Can you see the difference in these two photos?!

Grandma

Waterworks

What is it about the 1st birthday? It is such an emotional milestone for me. It is so bittersweet. I guess it is that the "baby" stage is over in the blink of an eye. Harper received her first birthday card and present today in the mail- waterworks already! Like Russ said- it is going to be a long couple days around her until the 8th- well actually the 9th when we are having a small birthday party for her. We have professional pictures Friday morning and then we will celebrate just the four of us in the evening. We will then celebrate with some close friends and family on Saturday.

Yummy!