9/30/11

Cinco, Seis

When I was pregnant and lazy, not by choice but by necessity, I spent a lot of time blog surfing. I would get so mad at those people who never updated their blogs. I mean really... how inconsiderate (insert sarcasm). Now I am that person. Oh well, I guess that just means I have more ways to spend my time. Whether those ways are better or more fun than blogging, is yet to be determined. 
Although you wouldn't know it from my blog, Harper is now 6 months old. Here are some updated photos. But I must confess, the 5 and 6 month photos were taken only minutes apart. I know, so much for growth documentation. Oh well. 

Harper- in your 5th month you learned to roll over. However, once you get to your belly you don't like it much, so most of the time you just cry until someone turns you back over. Every once in a while, you roll back over on your own, but for some reason you've mastered the hard part of rolling over and overlooked the easiest.
You also started eating baby food at five months. We began with your veggies. Someone gave us a ginormous squash so I decided to turn it into baby food and I think it's your favorite so far. We've since tried bananas, avocados, green beans and peaches. Oh the faces you make each time you try a new food. It's so entertaining for me, but I feel for ya. There is no way I would put that stuff in my mouth. I've started making all of your baby food now. I don't really think it saves us much money and it's probably not that much better for you, but I like it, so I do it. 
You also began teething at five months, which was such a joy. I don't know which is worse, a colic-y baby or a teething one. The first few days of teething were the worst. I rushed off to the store and bought everything from Orajel to a variety of teething toys. As it turns out you would prefer to just gnaw on your fingers. Now the teething just comes and goes but still no teeth for you.  
The doctor wanted you to come in for a weight check at five months. You weighed 13.7 pounds. You consistently gain weight but I just can't figure out where it goes. You definitely aren't a chubby baby but the leg rolls are starting to appear. 
Here are the 6th month photos which are actually pretty accurate.
 I loved this picture because is so perfectly depicts what you are doing at this age. You started sitting up and everything within your reach goes into your mouth. Usually you prefer the things that are off limits for your mouth instead of your actual toys. You are so curious about the things around you. 
You now weigh a whopping 14 pounds 12 ounces. Mommy and Daddy placed bets on what you would weigh before your appointment and I was dead on. Too bad we didn't make any wagers. You are 27 inches long too. People often comment on how long you are. You really aren't that much longer than other babies your age. I think you just look longer because you are pretty skinny.
You love eating your baby food, but for some reason you despise your high chair. I can't figure it out. As soon as I put you in it, the crying begins right up until that first bite. I've even wondered if your diaper was too tight (I mean I know I don't like sitting and eating a meal in tight pants). Hopefully you get used to it soon because you have quite a few more months in that thing. 
You experienced your first sickness in month six. Mom and dad got sick and then the next week so were you. It was a sucky week for all of us, especially because there wasn't much we could do for you except wait it out. Just a part of life I guess.
Sometimes I like to imagine what's going on inside of your head. Here is what I think you were thinking while these pictures were being taken....
"How old does this say I am?"
"Six months, really?"
"Where has the time gone?"
"Man, I can't believe I'm already six months old."

I love you baby and I always will. I love being your mommy.

9/8/11

Jason's 28th

Some photos from Jason's 28th birthday. After his last birthday party/ pregnancy announcement we decided to keep it pretty low key this year. We had a pre-birthday bash photo shoot.
My two favorite blue eyed boys.


 Trying some of dad's birthday cake...

 
Harper is already learning if you want to be in this family you have to learn how to play cards. 

  Harper loves his Nana

8/29/11

Hot La-la (Lava)

I have THE worst memory and I vaguely remember things from my childhood but one thing I do remember is playing "Hot La-La (Lava)" with my sisters. I'm sure as a parent it's nice when your kids get along and play well together but I'm also sure they were less than thrilled that when we played nice together we were jumping off and on furniture and screaming. The goal was to move throughout the room making it to each piece of furniture without falling in the hot la-la (touching the carpet). We would bounce onto pillows, couch cushions, blankets all the while screaming and laughing and helping the sister that happened to fall into the hot la-la.
Anyway, that has almost nothing to do with this post except that a few weekends ago we went to Lava Hot Springs and I kept thinking about "Hot La-La" while we were there. I have never been to Lava Hot Springs but it's a pretty happening place. It was jammed pack with people trying to squeeze in one last quick get away before school begins.

Harper and I went swimming for a while and then hung out under the shade and had a mini-photo shoot! He turned five months the day that we left for Lava. What a cute little thing he is. I love him more every day!  


I don't have very many pictures of me and Harper because usually I'm the one behind the camera.



The next day the river was floated... by pretty much everyone in town including our crew. It was craziness.


It was nice to have some family time...
some silly time...
  and some giggle time.


 Did I mention that teething has plagued our house recently.... fun stuff.

The Merrill's 2011

8/24/11

August 13, 2011

I can't believe how fast this day came! Yes, I am still a Josh Groban fan. Not a FANatic though, just a normal concert going type of fan. Hailey and I bought these tickets before Harper was even born so we have both been looking forward to it for a while. After a yummy dinner at The DoDo we made our way to Energy Solutions Arena. I hardly had the car in park when Hailey was practically jumping out of it to get to the concert... even though we were an hour early.

This picture was taken with my phone so not the best quality but it shows how fetching close we were to the stage! Speaking of picture taking... Hailey and I both have the same Nikon SLR camera and we decided to call the arena before the concert to make sure we could bring it. We didn't want to have to go back to the car if we couldn't take it in. They said they didn't allow professional cameras and they considered anything with a removable lens a professional camera... so we begrudgingly brought my point and shoot. We saw at least 3 people just around us with "professional" cameras. Annoying. I shouldn't be so concerned with following the rules. It never gets me anywhere. 
 There was the stage in front of us about 15 rows and then there was a mini stage behind us only 4 rows! It was an awesome view!



 He is surprisingly a pretty funny entertainer. It was a good concert, besides my mishap during the opening act. Tipping over another person's Coke and having to clear the row so it could be mopped up. Fun. Other than that it was a great night. I'm glad Hailey talked me into going six months. Six months ago I was miserably pregnant and didn't even want to walk to the bathroom, let alone go to a concert. This was my 3rd Josh Groban concert and only like my 5th concert ever. Even though it was a super fun night, since becoming a mommy my perspectives have been drastically altered. I was glad that I was at the concert but it wasn't as important and I wasn't as excited as the first 2 Josh Groban concerts. I'm sure it has a lot to do with this little guy and how much more important he is to me and how much more excited I am to see him.

The day after the concert we all went to my mom's for dinner. Harper had a great time playing in the water. Such a cutie! He's growing so fast. He is already such a busy boy. I'm glad that I held him a lot when he was littler because he's not very snugly anymore. He just wants to look around, scoot off your lap and go go go. I'm going to savor these next couple of months before he's crawling because I know I'm really going to have my hands full after that.