8 Months!

Today Harper Weston is 8 months old!  I can't believe it has been that long but what a fun journey it has been.  Harper is really coming into being a fun little boy with a bright personality. He loves to laugh and talk to us and sit and play.  He sits up and plays like a champ. We aren't crawling yet but he can steamroll just about anywhere he wants to.  He can get his knees up under him but ends up rolling when he tries to crawl.  But he LOVES to stand and pull himself up if we sit with him by the coffee table.

I'm really looking forward to Christmas with him this year.  It will be an amazing new experience.  I'm having trouble gaining interest in buying and shopping for anyone but Harper.  It's just too much fun to find things that bring out that fabulous little toothy grin!

Here is one of my favorite pictures from this weekend.  We sat outside on the swing while Daddy put up Christmas lights.  It was cold and we needed to stay warm.  Isn't he too cute with his Elmer Fudd hat?!?

I'm hunting wabbits... :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

I didn't get on the computer but a late Happy Thanksgiving to all.  I hope everyone enjoyed themselves and ate way too much!!

Here are my two boys enjoying the family and some football at Nannie's house.

Christmas shopping

We tried to start Christmas shopping early.  It was terribly difficult to get motivated but I got a little done before Thanksgiving.  Of course we had both boys with us and when we went by Bass Pro Shops, they had quite a fun time checking out all the toys for little boys and big boys. 

This is a kid 4-wheeler that Harper particularly liked.  I'm pretty sure he would like for his Daddy or Papa to purchase it even though it's still a little big for him.

Then Dackota and Harper found one they could enjoy together.  I just LOVE these two boys!!  I forsee much trouble in the years to come from these two hanging out together.  I can't wait!!

Deer Hunting Opening Weekend

This last weekend was the first weekend of hunting season.  It is a national holiday for my husband.  That's all we talked about for about the last month (the last week was close to unbearable).  Saturday morning we were up at 5 and headed to our blind in freezing weather (yes it was acutally 31 degrees in Texas!).  This doesn't seem so bad until you realize it is a mile walk, in complete dark, carrying a gun, with a little light on your head, in freezing cold.  Let's just say we weren't happy we didn't see a thing after freezing our butts off.


We returned to Dustin's parents house to find a happy Harper playing with Case and Avery (his cousins).  After warming up, we freshened up and headed to Harper for the Fish Fry.  There we met up with Becky and Trey Dittmar and their little girl Hayden, who is one and a half months older than Harper.  It was great to see them- I miss them soooo much!!  Here are two pictures from that lunch. 



Harper and his Aunt Becky at the Fish Fry

Me with Hayden and Harper at the Fish Fry

That evening we went back out and saw at least a few does and one small buck but didn't get anything.  Oh well- here's to a long season of hunting!

My little monkey...

We ventured to Fredericksburg for our Halloween festivities.  The whole family with all the little ones in tow came into town where we enjoyed dinner together before heading out.  Below are two cute pictures from the evening.  I was unable to get the one of all the cousins together but let me tell you...there were a ton (and they were all so cute dressed up!).


Harper and his cousin Jorie (Stacey's little girl)
They are 2.5 months apart in age.



Harper and his cousin Avery (Dustin's niece)- quite the pair!

Spurs season is here!

Even though I don't work for them anymore, I still have to support my team (whether they win or lose).  Yesterday was opening day of the season so Harper had to be ready.  Here he is in his Spurs outfit.  Isn't he the greatest?!?!? (I'm just a little biased). Go Spurs Go!

It's the Great Pumpkin!

Last week we took Harper to the pumpkin patch at one of the churches here in town.  He was just getting over being sick which meant it wasn't an ideal time for pictures, but he was a trooper and made it through.  Here are a few of my favorites!


My favorite picture!!




My happy boy playing in the pumpkins



A last ditch chance among the big pumpkins

And here are a couple of my favorites from recently.  Tivy Homecoming was about a month ago and I had to fix Harper up good (because I knew his Daddy would just love it!) and took him to the parade.  Here he is in his yellow shirt and Homecoming ribbons. Unfortunately he fell asleep before the parade started and missed the best part at the beginning but he did manage to catch the last 10 minutes.

Tivy Fight Never Dies!

And here is from this last week.  Harper got to play in his Daddy's new truck and loved it. Guess he is going to be a truck boy after all (not like he has a lot of choice coming from our families)!!

Look at me driving!! :)









Rubber Ducky, you're the one...

Harper has quickly outgrown his little bath tub.  He loves to sit up now and splash around so we had to find something different.  The big bath tub just seems so big and slippery, so I went and bought him a blow up ducky bath tub.  He loved it!!  Here are a few pictures from his first bath experience with the new tub.  Such a cutie!!


Harper in his new tub with a rubber ducky as a chew toy!



The Best Word in the English Language

Currently, the best word in the English language is "ahma"- or so I believe.

Last night Harper was finished eating his fruits and veggies, so I left him in his high chair and got up to throw away containers and put the spoons in the sink.  When I walked past him to get a wipe to clean up his face, he reached out for me and said "ahma, ahma, ahma".  Whether or not he truly meant Mama I will never know, but it was the best feeling in the entire world.  He did repeat the act later when he was ready to get out of his jumper.  So I like to think he was calling for me.

On another note, we went for Harper's six month check up on Wednesday.  He now weighs 18 pound, 9 ounces and is 26 3/4 inches.  A growing big boy!!  He did fabulous with his shots and is just thriving over all.

I do think I am spoiling him a bit as at his morning feeding, about 6 or 6:30 a.m., he has decided even though he wants to go back to sleep he doesn't want to be in his crib.  So he snuggles with me for about 5 minutes and then I sneak out and he gets to sleep all snuggled up in Mommy and Daddy's big bed.  He's just too cute to resist!!

6 months old!

On Friday the 1st, Harper turned six months old.  It is so hard to believe but he is growing and learning so fast.  We are having a blast with him and from the looks of it, the 6 month might have many milestones in it. 

His favorite thing to do right now is laugh, squeal, and "talk".  He will sit there forever and talk if you sit there and encourage it.  The funniest thing is when he tries to talk, he contorts his whole face and it sounds like he is talking in slow motion.  It is really hard not to laugh.

Yesterday, Harper got his first tooth in!  It just started coming through yesterday afternoon late and he had a rough night but he's a trooper.  Dustin and I were so excited (until he bit me for the first time- but we survived).  

Big Boy Car Seat!

Also, Harper got his new "big boy car seat"- a convertible car seat- this weekend.  He seems to really love it and having more room to move his arms and legs.  Plus he can see out the windows a little easier now.  Hopefully he won't miss his hanging toys too much. 

Now we just wait for him to start crawling and enjoy the stage he's at.  He is such a happy baby and it is so much fun to play with him!!

He is his father's son

So I've always made fun of how Dustin takes naps in his recliner.  He will take his blanket or Snuggie and cover the top or his head and his eyes, whether his body is covered or not.  I've asked and he doesn't really have reasoning (he does this even if it is night and no lights are on).  So needless to say I've just chalked it up to one of his weird little quirks. 

Last weekend we were staying at home and I left Harper in his pajamas to play in the morning.  I put him back in his crib for his morning nap and went in to check on him at one point.  This is what I found and couldn't believe it!!  Dustin can't deny this kid is his ever (besides looks, mannerisms are scarily similar...I'm thinking German temperament).

Funny thing is, Harper did the same thing the next day during a nap too!  He's such a funny kid!!

Happy Birthday Daddy!!

September 14th was Dustin's birthday.  We celebrated officially with dinner that evening with my parents and Dustin's parents.  We are hoping to do more this weekend for him.  Harper got Dustin an Iron Man superhero card and he loved it!  Isn't it amazing how your priorities change when you have kids?!?  So until next Tuesday we will continue to celebrate Dustin's birthday (he still believes he should get to say he is celebrating for an entire week and now has extended Harper's birthdays to an entire month)! They aren't spoiled or anything are they??

Happy 28th honey!  We love you!!



Daddy and Harper watching some football



5 Months Old!

Yesterday Harper turned 5 months old.  We celebrated at Chili's with Nannie, Papa, Dackota, Mimi, and Pappy (his grandparents and cousin Kota).  Unfortunately Harper slept through the meal so I don't have any cute pictures.  But we did celebrate on his behalf! 

We went to the doctor just the day before dealing with stomach issues (yet again, or should I say still).  He now is 26 inches and 17 pounds 6.5 ounces.  Growing so fast!! He rolls around like a champion, sleeps in a crib/playpen every night, is really trying to get the crawling thing (he can scoot on his belly just about anywhere he wants), has just recently started recognizing strangers (i.e. not Mommy), eats fruits and veggies, and in my opinion is the sweetest thing ever!! 

Here are a few recent pictures.  Happy 5th month Harper!!!

His first high chair sitting at a restaurant (we do it at home to eat but this was new!)

In his Jumperoo this morning

Beatin' the heat

It has been incredibly hot here during the days.  So in order to beat the 100 degree plus weather we have every day, I went and bought Harper a little pool to play in and some new toys.  Then we had to wait for the weekend to get here.

On Saturday while Dustin helped his dad haul hay, we went to Kerrville.  There we met Nannie and went grocery shopping where Harper had his first official shopping cart ride.  He did great until I picked up my last item then he decided he was tired of sitting there.  Thank goodness for baggers at HEB to help me unload the basket, bag our stuff, and unload things into the truck. 

Harper's First grocery cart experience

After getting back to Nannie's house and helping her cook food for Papa to take with him to work this week, we decided to hit the pool.  We set the pool up on the deck and dumped in the toys.  Harper absolutley loved playing in the pool and splashing around.  He stayed out there for about 45 minutes enjoying the warm afternoon and the shade on the deck.  And yes, he went naked because no one can see you up on the hill!  I thought he was so cute!!

Harper's Scooby Doo pool an new toys!

And here are just a few pictures from that morning. He was such a good boy playing around the house and then took a great nap in his crib. He looked so cute so I had to snap a few shots. 

Hi everyone!!

Napping...I love how cute it is when he sucks his thumb!

Time for some fruit!

This week we have started adding a little fruit to our milk diet.  Let's just say the first couple of times, Harper was not ready nor receptive to the idea.  But we have persisted and tried a little bit every day.  Last night he finally figured it out and decided he likes fruit! We had been doing apples for 5 days and he finished off a container of that so we threw in a little peaches too yesterday.  He did fabulous with it!  Now we hope it helps his tummy and we can gradually add a little cereal too.

Here is Harper this last weekend at Nannie's house trying it out...obviously still not receptive to the idea of eating from a spoon!

And finally here he is on his successful attempt at eating last night!

Our other fun this week has been working on a little sleep training.  Harper had a few issues with his tummy that kept him up for a few nights straight.  That quickly became a habit for the next week and now we are having to break that as well as transition him from his little sleeper to his playpen (Mommy's still not ready to put him in his room).  Since he will not sleep on his back, we are letting him tummy sleep which is not always great but he can roll and has great control of his neck so I don't worry as much.  Two nights down and things are already getting easier.  I'm hoping by the end of the week things are back on track!

Beach pictures...2 months old but as promised

Here are some of the beach pictures that I had said I would post and after seeing how cute my little one was, I just had to share some.  Needless to say, since he was just two months old, we didn't go out too much.  One excursion to the pool and one to the beach, plus once out for dinner.  Not much but it wasn't bad for his first trip to the beach at that age!  Below are some of my favorite pictures!

Mommy and Daddy with Harper in his first pool adventure!

Sleeping at the pool the next afternoon- so peaceful!

Harper's first time in the ocean at Port Aransas!

Mommy and Harper enjoying the ocean and sunshine

Nannie and Papa spoiling Harper and loving on him at the beach

In the condo at the beach talking to his Daddy and playing on the floor

Naps, Rolling, Shots, and No Sleep...Oh My!

Well this week has definitely been interesting in the Kothe household.  This weekend we transitioned to putting ourself to sleep for naps in our playpen and/or crib.  It really isn't as bad as I thought it would be since Ms. Linda has been making him do that at her house for a little over a week.  Sometimes I still want to run in, pick him up, and walk with him, but I'm learning how much more I can get done with him laying down doing it on his own!

Monday, Harper decided he could really roll by himself.  He only did it once or twice but you could tell he was excited.  Then by Tuesday he decided he was an expert and now that's all we do.  I lay him down on his mat in the living room on his back and he rolls to his tummy, to his back, to his tummy, to his back just constantly.  He really likes not being sedentary.  Now he just really wants to crawl.  The few stops he makes on his tummy, those legs get pulled underneath him, butt in the air and he really tries.  Look out world when he finally decides he can crawl!! 

Yesterday we had his four month check up (about a week late due to changing insurance from Dustin's new job).  Which as everyone knows....means more shots for my baby boy.  Amazingly enough, he did pretty good- definitely a few minutes of crying and screaming (can you say German attitude?!?! which I completely play on his daddy :) ) but all in all he did great yesterday.  He is now 16 pounds, 10 ounces and is 25 3/4 inches.  Apparently this month was his weight gain so I look for a height increase next month.  But running at 75th percentile in height and almost 90 in weight...I think I have a big boy on my hands!  We had to ask the doctor about his little tummy because we haven't had regular bowel movements the last two weeks (and before becoming a parent, I never thought talking about pooping schedules would be a normal thing- but we are definitely learning!).  So our solution is to start him on a little bit of fruit tomorrow.  I was planning on waiting until at least 5 months to add solids but if it makes his life better than that's what we will try! 

And the worst part of the week has been our sleeping patterns...or should I say lack thereof.  Poor baby isn't sleeping well and we are back to up every 2-3 hours, crying and screaming.  Not sure if it's the tummy, teeth, or something else, so we just keep an eye on it and Mommy is learning to go back and adjust to no sleep (but this time having to get up for work instead of staying home all day).  Hopefully we will get that all regulated soon- I hate that he doesn't get good sleep at night!

4 Months Old!

On Sunday, August 1st, Harper turned 4 months old.  It still feels like just yesterday that I held him for the first time!  He is growing so fast and I just can't believe it.  We go to the doctor Wednesday for his checkup and shots so I'll know just how much he has grown then. 

His milestones at this point: he has rolled over a couple of times unassisted; is very close to sitting up on his own (he can sit there just barely assisted by hands and for about 30 seconds unassisted); I think he is starting to teethe because he gnaws on everything rather than suck on it and drools constantly; for the most part we sleep through the night maybe waking up once but sleeping very good!

After having such a great time on Saturday at the ranch and with such beautiful weather, we decided to venture back out there for Harper's 4 month old celebration with me, Daddy, and Kendall.  Below are some pictures of us all playing in the creek, riding the mule, and hanging out.  We had such a good time!

A Fabulous Saturday

Today has been a great day!  We started off the morning at 7:30 a.m. as Harper does most mornings.  I made coffee while Dustin and Harper watched cartoons in bed.  They were so cute I couldn't resist snagging a picture.

After we got up and moving, we went to Kerrville and ended up meeting Nannie and Papa for breakfast at Save Inn (also known at Papa's Eatin' Place as coined by Dackota many years ago).  Then we bought corn and went to the ranch to fill the feeder.  Below is Dustin and Harper before heading out from the house and then Dustin filling his feeder.  Harper loved being outside- he just can't take things in fast enough.  He even got to see two twin fawns back by our blind!  And Harper really liked riding on Mommy's lap while Daddy drives the Mule.

On the way back to the house we couldn't resist taking a picture with the windmill in the background...my two little country boys!  I love this picture!!

And right before we left we headed up the hill and fed the cows (and Cinderella the goat and her two babies).  Harper loved looking at the cows and goats- he wasn't scared at all!

All in all it was a great day.  We had so much fun being out there riding around just the three of us. So much fun we are considering repeating tomorrow and including a trip down to the creek to splash around!