Don't Let Her Fool You...She's a Warrior

Usually when I get home from work, Harper is dressed like this...like out of a baby magazine. Look at that sweet face...so innocent.

Last night, I was in charge while Mary Marshall went to a much-deserved girl's dinner. So, when mom left, I changed Harper into her renegade playgear for a serious play session before bath and bed. Leg warmers by day = spartan leg shields by night. Check out the intensity in her face...like a little Maximus Aurelius. Her Uncle Guy was soon after attacked.

Our Family Trip to Sarasota

My cousin Allan got married in Sarasota, FL a couple of weekends ago, so we made a family trip out of it.  It was Harper's first time to the beach, but between naps & wedding festivities & the small fact that she wasn't that wild about the sand & cold water, we didn't spend much time on it.  It is also important to note that Harper officially started walking on this trip!  It was about a week after the 14 month mark.  Harper & I went to Houston for a couple of days before heading to Sarasota & she started walking more & more while at my parents' house.  By the time we got to Sarasota, she was ready to explore the suite.  Another thing I would like to remember about the trip is that it was only the second time we used a non-family member as a babysitter.  And she was even in high school!  She was a referral of the bride's mother.  Well actually, she was a referral from an old babysitter of the bride's who has her own kids now (follow that?).  She was awesome.  Here are some pictures from the trip:

Harper loved all the attention she got on the flights

The view from my aunt & uncle's room (I forgot to take a picture from ours, but we were only one floor below them in the exact same room, so it was the same)

Beach Baby

Harper & Daddy

Mommy & Harper

Our little family



Me & Harper with Great Great Aunt Peggy - she is Harper's oldest living relative at 87 years old!  She was the life of the party too!  She lives in Chattanooga & it was her first time to meet Harper.



The Ruch Family (Trey, Mary Jane, & Maggie), Great Great Aunt Peggy, & Harper


And once again the spacing of the pictures is driving me crazy, but I can't fix it!  Oh the woes of blogger. :-)

A Great Birthday

Yesterday was my birthday, and when I got home, I had my favorite meal AND my favorite cake waiting for me. And, of course, my wonderful wife got me great presents. Thanks, Mary Marshall, for a great day. And, this little package was waiting to greet me when I got home....safe to say it was my favorite.

The Two Faces of Harper

Harper is 14 1/2 months, and is just learning new things every day. She is definitely into monkey see, monkey do, and has a huge personality. I recently taught her how to smile and show her teeth when I say "Cheeeeese!" But as you can also see, sometimes you have to furrow your brow...even as a baby. It's not all fun and games in the real world.