Happy 9 Months!

As we celebrated the beginning of 2011, we also celebrated Harper turning 9 months old.  I absolutely can't believe we have had him for 9 months. The changes I have seen in my little boy in this time are amazing.  He's gone from a clone of his Daddy when he was born to looking exactly like I did as a baby (oh isn't he lucky!) minus a few of the rolls that I had.  He even likes playing in the kitchen floor like I did as a baby.

Harper now weighs 20 pounds 5 ounces and measures 28 inches.  He has 2 teeth officially but 5 more coming in all at one (4 up top and one more on the bottom).  One on the top has kind of peeked through but not all the way exposed.  Harper can army crawl but no real crawling- and not even too much of the army crawl.  He does love to hold on to hands and walk around.  It just about breaks our back because we are too tall but we still do it.  We finally broke down and bought a cheap walker to save our backs and after resisting for a few days, he's finally learned how to use it. 

Harper loves to clap and cheer for himself especially when feeding himself the little puffs- we say "Yay Harper!" and he raises both hands in the air, then claps and says "Yaaaay!"  He gave me the first official kiss on Christmas Eve and mostly saves his kisses for me but is starting to share a few with his Daddy.  His facial expressions are priceless and I am definitely starting to see more and more of a German temper come out in him.  He is the most ticklish kid ever (he gets that from me) and I love hearing his sweet sweet laugh when you tickle him.

Merry Christmas!

Harper's first Christmas was so much fun.  They say that the holidays take on a whole new meaning once you have kids and it's so true- I just enjoyed being with my baby and seeing him get fun new toys to learn and play with.  Below are a few pictures from all of the festivities.

Our family

My sweet angel all dressed up

Cousins

We started out on Christmas Eve going to Dustin's parents for dinner and gifts with the kids.  With church services so late, we ended up skipping Midnight Mass this year and taking Harper home.  But it was a great time to start the season with family.

Then we opened presents at our house on Christmas morning, just the three of us- a new tradition started.  It was great to spend a little time just the three of us and enjoy being a family!  That evening we went to my mom's house for a little gumbo and family time- even Dustin's parents stopped by for a bit.

Opening gifts with Daddy

My new John Deere 4-wheeler!

On the 26th we had Christmas at my parent's house with all of the kiddos.  I really enjoyed seeing the girls while they were here and Harper had a blast hanging out with Dackota, Weslyn, and Kaileigh. 

I had off the entire week after Christmas and enjoyed hanging out with my mom and the girls and keeping Harper everyday.  I got a new camera for Christmas and my birthday and have really enjoyed taking a lot of pictures of this time.



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!