Harper's Hospital Stay

Harper started vomiting on Saturday, the 6th. She was acting fine otherwise. She started running a fever and having diarrhea on Sunday, so I called my pediatric brother-in-law for advice. I really wasn't too concerned but wanted to get his advice nonetheless. She vomited A LOT Sunday night, and I was just about DONE with being puked on and doing laundry. On Monday morning, I went in to wake her up, and she could barely keep her eyes open. I picked her up to change her, and her diaper was completely dry. Not okay. This is when I REALLY started to worry. It had been at least 13 hours since she had had that diaper on. I called and left a message for the nurse at her doctor's office. I took her in at 10 that morning, and the doctor was very concerned just by looking at her. She was limp for the most part, and her soft spot was sunken in. He said he wanted me to take her straight to the pediatric floor of the hospital next door. While I waited for them to prepare the orders to take, I just sat and cried. I REALLY didn't think she was that sick.

Michael met us at the hospital where they started an IV of fluids and an antibiotic for double ear infections (which the doctor found when we went in that morning). She was so out of it, she didn't even cry when they cathed her and put the IV in. It was the saddest thing! For the next 6 hours or so, she didn't move much and slept most of the time. She continued to vomit and have extreme diarrhea well into the night and early the next morning. She went through MANY gown and bedding changes in the first 24 hours. After spending 48 hours in the hospital, we were ready to go home and get better!

She is doing a lot better at home but still having some problems keeping everything down. She usually just vomits in the morning and then won't for the rest of the day. She's acting normal and keeping mostly everything down, so I'm not really concerned. It's just frustrating. We go back to the doctor on Wednesday, so hopefully the stool cultures will show what was wrong.

Right after they started the IV. so sad!

Feeling a little better after toys from Child Life services

She was getting really bored just sitting in the bed, so she looked out the window and waved at the people down below for a while.

Feeling A LOT better by day 3

I can't thank you all enough for praying for her (and Michael and I) while we were in the hospital. It was so sad and scary and hope we won't have to do it again anytime soon!

Halloween 2010!

Halloween started with going to church. Don't they look so cute in their coordinating outfits? :)

Some of you may remember Halloween 2009. We were discharged from the hospital and came home with a baby giraffe!

Since we call her "Stinky," it was only fitting she be a skunk for Halloween.

I was worked at our company Safe Zone, so I dressed up as well.

Umm, I'm pretty sure this is the cutest skunk I have EVER seen.

Harper is officially ONE!

Harper turned ONE on October 28th. She had a fun-filled day with me at work :) We were planning on going to the corn maize that evening to celebrate, but she was SO tired and went to bed at 6:15! What?! WHO does that on their birthday?! Apparently, Harper Reese.

My friend Gerianne and I made this shirt for her to wear :) Isn't is SO cute?!

See, being at work with me isn't TOO bad :)

My friend Jill gave her this doll, and Harper wouldn't let it go. Too cute.

Harper's FIRST Birthday Party!

We celebrated Harper's birthday on October 23rd sock monkey style! We had SO much fun. I am so thankful for Harper's Papa, Mary, and Grammy for all being able to come. She is so blessed to have them in her life!

Messin' while everyone was stuffing their faces with hotdogs

Sweet baby!

Family picture

Yummy cupcakes

So what if I haven't blogged since May?

Summer has come and gone, and I haven't blogged ONCE about it! How is it that Harper and I only made it to the pool 3 times this summer? Maybe it was because the ridiculous amount of people at both our apartment pool and the gym pool. Too many people make me crazy. Plus I'd rather just stay inside and nap. :)
Some MAJOR things took place this summer. First and most important:: Michael graduated from TTU with a BA in Geography and minor in Environmental Studies. I couldn't be more proud of him. It's a bit weird though...since he has been in school since the day we met. I'm not used to him not having homework...and I think I LOVE it! He is the GIS/Addressing Coordinator for the Lubbock Emergency Communication District. I was super excited about not having to move but bummed we aren't moving closer to my mom.
Ok, maybe that was the only major even this summer.

Anyway, how is it even possible that my baby is TEN months old? She is the most precious baby and can't get enough of her sweetness! I am already making birthday party plans in my head, and it doesn't seem like it should be so SOON!

I know there aren't pictures, but hey...this is a start! Maybe I'll take less time between posts now and throw some pictures in every once in a while!

May 15, 2010

TWO beautiful baby girls were born into our family on May 15, 2010!

My niece Sarah Jane Bowman was born at 4:00am weighing 6 lbs 13oz.

(my sister Amy with Sarah Jane)

My cousin Ava Reese James was born at 11:45am weighing 6 lbs 6 oz.

(my cousin Katie with Ava)

A few firsts....

Harper's FIRST trip to the drive-in was successful. She tried her FIRST pickle and loved it!

Harper with Aunt Alexa (Michael's little sister...11 years old) in their FIRST matching outfits!

Harper's FIRST experience with Strep and ear infections....not fun for ANY of us! She finally slept through the night again last night. Praise the Lord!
Harper's FIRST Texas Tech onesie. I made this with a 6-9 month onesie so I waited a while to put it on her since she is still wearing 3 month and 3-6 month clothes. It's a good thing I put it on her now because it was tight!
I think she likes it :) IF we are still in Lubbock for football next year, you better believe she will be all kinds of decked out for the games! Wreck Em' Tech!

She LOVES sitting up but sometimes leans a little too far and falls on her face :)

6 months....already?!

How in the WORLD can my baby be SIX months already?! I love this baby girl more than I could have ever imagined possible.

Here are a few things she is up to...

• sitting up for a couple minutes at a time before getting too excited and throwing herself on her back
• loving her baby food:: butternut squash, broccoli and chicken, vegetables and ham, green beans,papaya, mango (she is NOT a fan of applesauce)
• can roll from front to back pretty easily but gets frustrated because she thinks it's nap time when she is on her tummy
• JUST rolled from back to front TODAY (4-29-10)!
• loves chewing on her plastic keys
• sleeps through the night unless she's stopped up from allergies (usually 8:30pm-9am unless I work one of the morning shifts)
• takes 2-3 short naps and 1 long nap during the day
• loves when Max licks her face

There are SO many more but will leave it at that.

I love you, baby girl!

Harper's Stats

I wanted to post her stats just so I have it somewhere...since her baby book is still on the top shelf of her closet....where it has been since before she was born :)

Oct 28, 2009 (birth):

6 lbs 11 oz

19.5 inches

January 4, 2010 (2 months, 1 week):

9 lbs 0 oz

22.5 inches

March 8, 2010 (4 months, 1 week):

12 lbs 0 oz

24.5 inches

April 2010

My dad's memorial service was on April 1st. Our family is so blessed to have so many amazing friends and family in our lives. One of my bffs from middle school and high school, Jamie, was able to come, and I got to meet her sweet baby girl, Kaylin!
My dad was laid to rest at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, so a lot of my mom's side of the family were able to be there. We all hung out at my grandma's after the grave side service.
My mom with all of her kids and families.

My grandma with some of her great and great-great grandkids.

All of the first cousins that were able to come.

Harper's first Easter! Or course we couldn't leave central Texas without bluebonnet pictures.

Harper and Daddy

Harper and Mommy

All of the girl cousins: Jordyn, Harper, and Riley

March 2010

Happy St. Patrick's Day!
On March 26th, I lost my Daddy. Even though he was under hospice care, he was doing SO well despite all of his health issues. So when he passed away, it was a huge shock to all of us. He was at home when he passed away with my momma by his side.
I am so thankful he was there for Harper's birth, her first Christmas, and the first 5 months of her life.

Harper turned 5 months old!