The Arrival of Andrew: Psalm 139:13-16

I had been sitting on pins and needles awaiting Andrew's arrival. I couldn't wait for him to come and be a part of this world and a part of our family. Elizabeth had been having contractions for several days and had us thinking it could be at any time! Friday night Kimberly and I headed up to the hospital at midnight and made it just in time to see Andrew wheeled into the nursey. He was born May 8th at 1:08 am. Andrew is 7 pounds and 20 and 3/4 inches. He looks so small and perfect. Mom, Dad, and Baby are all doing well. Here's a picture of Andrew with me at the hospital!

Psalm 139:13-16 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

I can't wait to add more pictures of Andrew and live life with him. Harper's going to have so much fun wtih her cousin!

First Bad Cold and First Wedding!

This week Harper had her first bad cold and she didn't let it get her down. She was all smiles- smiling when coughing and smiling when her bottle came right back up! Here are some pics of her relaxing in her jammies and fighting off this cold. We have had the humidifier going in her room so much it feels like a rain forest and it's working- she's starting to feel better!

Harper also went to her first wedding. KP and Bart got married on May 1st in Fort Worth at a beautiful chapel. Harper behaved so well during the ceremony and had so much fun at the reception she fell asleep before they served the cake.

Harper, mommy, and the bride!

Harper sitting in the big chair at the reception.
She liked this chair until she started to slide over head first in slow motion...

Harper meeting "James Dean"

and... Uncle Steve meeting "James Dean"

Harper's first movie!

Scroll down and turn off the music player to hear...

It's the simple things in life that are so great!

Easter Thoughts and Pictures

Easter Weekend was my last weekend to spend with Harper before I became "Working Mommy" and we made it count with lots of hugs and kisses. This week hasn't been the easiest- and it's only Tuesday, but I'm very thankful for Harper's preschool and her teachers. They are wonderful!

Thinking about Easter as a new mom really had me thinking about the True Easter Story. Not the Easter Bunny and candy, but the cross. I started thinking about it from God's perspective. I can't believe He gave His only son to die on the cross for us. I mean I could never give Harper up for anything and God sent His son here to earth knowing that He would suffer and die to save all of us. It reminds me of how great God is and how He is all powerful and can do anything- I mean He gave up His own son. It reminds me to have faith and trust in Him and that He has already made a place for me with Him. It reminds me that this life is fading and in this life there is suffering and pain, but His life is everlasting and full of joy where there is no pain or sorrow. It's funny how becoming a mother changes the way you think. I've always thought about Jesus at Easter- never God, until now when I can only begin to fathom about how hard it would be to give up your child.

Sims' Family Easter MorningAunt Kim and Harper outside Watermark Sunday morning. Aunt Kim saved the day because she had her camera. Our camera's battery was dead from all the pictures we take of her!

Aunt Elizabeth (Andrew in belly) and Uncle Steve.

Mommy and Harper Easter morning.

Daddy and Harper Easter morning.

Harper in her Easter dress. She had two Easter outfits, one dressy, and the other a play outfit that said, "some bunny loves me."

The paparazzi at Nana and Pop's house... We got so many cute pics!

Kacie's Run

Well the Sassy Sisters were out in full force this past Saturday at Kacie's Run. Even though it was early we wore our boas! This was Harper's first 5k and she loved it! She slept most of the walk, but had a fun time being sassy with all of us! Kacie's Run helps support the special education kiddos in our school district and the special Olympics. Country Place is always very sassy!Mommy and her sassy sidekick. She really needed her sunglasses because it was so bright!

The first grade team with the Queen and the sassy girl in training! I just have to say I LOVE LOVE LOVE Jen's sassy outfit!

Although my team is ready for me to come back I have mixed emotions about next Monday when I return to teaching. I have missed it, but I know it's going to be hard to leave Miss H. She is going to be in GREAT hands at CDA and will learn alot. (Starting next Monday-44 school days until summer, but who's counting? hehe) Please pray for God to help me with this newest transition and guidance in balancing work and family.

Well, the sun was shining so bright the other day on our walk that Miss H needed her sunglasses! She actually started smiling when I put them on her. She wore them for quite a while and even slept in them in the stroller. Her daddy says he's in trouble because she already likes to accessorize! We couldn't get that picture to load from our camera phone to computer so that will be up next time!

She can now grasp and play with a rattle and plays with her toys that hang from her carrier. She loves giving kisses- open mouth wet kisses on your cheek, and loves her curtains that Mrs. Kathy made her!

Harper had so much at Aunt Elizabeth's tea party (aka- baby shower)! We are already thinking about what she will wear to the next shower. Harper is very fashionable...
Here is a picture of Harper reading her favorite book before bed and yes Mrs. Sarita her reading level is already above! haha

Sorry for the fuzzy picture, but her smile was so great! She starts smiling and gets so excited she moves all around! I like to put her in outfits that are not just pink (although we have many many pink things) and I think she looks really great in blues and purples!

Jackson has been really good with Harper, however he always needs something right when we feed her so we compromise and let him sit in our lap or by us while we feed her. He likes to get right up underneath her feet and sleep!

Hanging out in her hoodie with daddy...

After a messy feeding at church we changed Miss H into her extra clothes I had thrown in her bag. Check out the cute panties! (Don't worry she was warm with a blanket!)

Happy Baby! Harper had fun with her GiGi when mom and dad went to see Rain. They sounded so great and we love the Beatles.

I'm trying to make the most out of the next 2 weeks before I go back to work- I don't like to think about it, but I know she will be in great hands at the district preschool for 9 weeks- then summer! She already has a lady bug swimming "outfit" (suit, cover up, hat)... can't wait!

Sorry for not posting!

Man, I am having way too much fun with Harper to step away and get on the computer! Sorry for not posting more. To catch you up:

She is now 2 months old and just had her checkup yesterday. She is perfectly healthy and perfectly perfect (like Chrysanthemum's parent's might say... for all you teachers.) She has gained 4 pounds and is now 24 3/4 inches! She had to get three shots yesterday and was not too happy about that, but mommy took her on an hour walk yesterday afternoon so that made things better!

Here is Harper's naked baby photo shoot. It's neat because I've got pictures of myself on the same blanket when I was a baby. She really, really enjoyed it and I enjoyed it also until she peed on the blanket and the fun was over and the blanket went into the wash!

We all know Harper enjoys to be naked, but she also loves to sit in her vibrating chair, take baths, listen to songs, and smile at everyone. :) She is beginning to coo and talk with us- especially when she's extra happy. You feel like you are really having a conversation! We have been reading to her now before bed and she loves it. I wasn't sure if she would be interested in a book before her bottle, but she doesn't blink or look away from the book while we read! She'll be reading herself in no time!

Harper is very excited to attend Aunt Elizabeth's baby shower on Sunday. It's her first shower and she can't wait to hang out with the girls at a tea room! Only two more months until we meet Baby Andrew!