happy birthday mary.

Today is my little sister's 28th birthday. Growing up, we weren't exactly super close. Although we are only two years a part, we are very different.

She is outgoing, sociable, and confident. She is a total extrovert. I, on the other hand, am very much an introvert. I don't like large groups of people and I tend to be quite reserved. Suffice it to say, that we didn't always get a long.

Now as we have gotten older, she has "calmed down" and we are definitely closer. She loves my children with all her heart and that is something I cherish. She is a wonderful aunt.Soon she will be a mother. Her little boy, Kennedy Clark Carroll, is due to arrive sometime around the end of December/first of January.Having her become a mother makes me wish she lived closer. We are at a point in our lives that I yearn for her to be close - to share in our experiences and to simply be sisters living nearby. I miss her. She is nicer now (she definitely went through a not-so-nice period). We get along. Although I have always loved her, there were times that I didn't exactly like her. Right now, I like her a lot.

She doesn't live close though (although she doesn't live all that far away either). She lives 3 hours away. We see each other several times a year. I just wish it was more.

In sum, happy birthday Mary. I love you.

P.S. I realize there aren't any pictures featuring Mary with Hayden. But trust me, she loves that little man to death. They play together non-stop. She is his buddy and they wear me out just watching them play! Unfortunately, I couldn't find any recent pictures of the two of them together. I am going to work on that.

harper in the jumperoo.

little miss harper in her jumperoo. so cute!

summer party.

Last night was Randy and I's 9th Annual Summer Celebration.

This was the first year in our new home (which also meant it was the first year to not have it in our "old home"). That is a little bittersweet. I'm not good with change. But change can be good, and this is definitely a good change.

Anywho - onto the party.

We had a fantabulous time and I think all the party attendees had a wonderful time too.

Well, there's not much else to "say" about the party, but here are the pictures. (WARNING: There are a TON of pictures.)

30th birthday dinner.

I just thought I would share some pictures from my birthday dinner (which was a week ago today).
happy birthday to me.

busy me - a summary of what is going on.

So much is going on that I honestly don't know where to start. Seriously. I have started writing this post a few times now - only to erase my sentences because they are so exceptionally random that I can't make sense of them.

One reason might be because in the background right now are two boisterous 4-year-olds riding around on a plasma car while also screaming and arguing. Fun times with a playdate! It is my choice to stay back and let them figure things out. Hopefully this will happen soon.

Harper is sleeping. That's a plus.

Hayden starts back at school Friday. I am looking forward to it. Although I love him to pieces, it will be nice to get a break and get him back to his normal routine. We both need that.

My 30th birthday went well. Randy impressed me with tons of attention, love, and flowers. Lots of flowers. Suffice it to say that I am one blessed 30-year-old.

The house is coming together. We have unpacked most things. We still have pictures/photos to hang and place as well as books and CDs to unpack. This will happen in time.

Okay. That's all I have for now. The boys are now playing with a remote control car. It is loud. They are having a good time though and that's what really matters.

super quick post/update.

i have no time to blog. i don't have time for much. we have moved into our new home. it's lovely. we are happy. there is still quite a lot of unpacking to do. it drives me a little batty.

tomorrow is my birthday. i will be 30-years-old. i haven't even had time to think about it or care.

harper has been VERY moody today. such a cute thing in theory, but today her reality is rough.

i think that's it. i will work on a decent post soon. as soon as the house is in order i plan to post pictures. and of course i am sure there are other wonderful, interesting topics to discuss. now is not the time though. i am just too busy and tired.

the end.

sibling love.

some cute pictures of hayden and harper (and alfie - he is the big, black furry "thing" in the corner).

three months.

Little Miss Harper Grace is 3-months-old today. She is my little, big girl. I weighed her this morning using our scale at home, and she is weighing in at 15 pounds. Go Harper!

Currently, she is smiling a ton, "talking," and starting to laugh. It's quite adorable.

She is a big fan of her bouncer and the tv - I guess you could say that they are her two favorite toys.

She is sleeping okay. During the day, she tends to be awake for 2 hours and then sleep for 2 hours. At night, she generally wakes up twice. Rarely, she will only wake up once - I love those nights. I am hoping the "waking up twice a night" trend decreases, while the "only waking up once a night" trend takes its place. She is able to put herself to sleep though which is a great thing. We put her down (in her crib) when she is drowsy and then she is able soothe herself to sleep by sucking on her hand, playing with her hair, or fussing a little (we also have white noise going and she is swaddled).

During her "wake time" in which she eats, she usually eats anywhere from 6-8oz of formula.

She cries and fusses when she is tired, over-stimulated, or hungry. She also "sleep fusses" during the night. During those periods she really isn't awake but she fusses and moves around a lot. It's noisy and honestly, a little annoying. The sleep fussing tends to last about 30 minutes, and then she generally wakes up and wants to eat.

She loves her brother and her brother loves her. He makes her smile and he thinks that she is beautiful. He calls her 'Harpie Gracie' - very sweet.

Overall, she is a very good, happy baby. I think we will keep her.