We need your vote

Joe and I decided not to really get anything for each other for Christmas. We had adopted a family and put the money toward that instead. So come Christmas morning, we found that we had each purchased the other a pretty lame gift. Of course then the argument ensued of who's gift was in fact the lamest. This is where you come in. Please vote on which gift you think is the lamest... Measuring cups vs. reversible belt. The winner will have bragging rights for a week.

P.S. Chris, you need to vote.

Being Brave

Harper is a very cautious child. She doesn't take risks very often, especially when it comes to playing like a kid. Not once have I worried about her falling off something high because 1) she doesn't get on high things and 2) she would never think about launching herself down. This worries me a little because I don't want her to be scared to try new things.

Today we went to the mall and she was playing in their play area. She was fascinated by all the other kids jumping from planet to planet ( the mall has a space themed play land). So I helped her start climbing and jumping and with each time she got a little braver and needed less support from me until she was finally brave enough to climb up on her own and jump off. I'm such a proud mama.

To Grandmother's House We Go

Today we spent some pre-christmas time at my parent's house. They had waited to decorate their tree until Harper could help. Then we decorated cookies. This was Harper's first time and she had a ton of fun. She gets really focused on things like this and she really liked placing the little stars in "just the right spot." It was so fun bringing back a tradition from my childhood and sharing it with my daughter.

After

Before

Doctor appointment

Harper had her 18 month check up yesterday(yes a month late) and this was a big sign that my baby is turning into a little girl. This was the first time we didn't have to put her onto the big baby scale to get her weight and height. She stepped onto the same scale I use when I go there and was measured using a standing-sliding height scale. She also got her last vaccinations until she turns 5. Now she only goes for yearly check ups on her birthday. All these things on one visit. She really is growing up too fast.
Stats:
Height: 2feet 10inches (another sign she's growing up...I don't get her height it just inches anymore)
Weight: 28.8 pounds

Everything else checked out great. I got an official "keep up the good work" from the doc.

Don't grow up too fast pumpkin head.

Getting started

Tonight we pulled out some Christmas decorations to get a start putting them up. Harper had a blast helping me out everything out. The shots below show the view into my dining room, our mantle (which I think is missing something) and out dining room table. I love decorating and can't wait to buy our tree this weekend. Now all we need is some decent weather so we can put outside decorations up.

Wired in

It is official. I have joined the world of iPhone users. So many people have talked about how they love theirs. I can see why. I am now a lover of words with friends; I have a twitter account (@nikkipooni if your interested); and I'm writing this blog from my couch. Also I was able to capture this adorable pic of Harper with her raincoat and put it right in the blog without having to wait for my slow computer. Anyone who has ideas for more cool things I should be doing to enhance my iPhone experience, please let me know.

What are your thoughts

I've been thinking for a while now (almost 19 months in fact) about what tattoo I want to get in honor of Harper. Since she was born I have called her pumpkin/punkin head. Don't know why, it's just one of those names that I started calling her and it stuck. So I decided to go with that to inspire my tattoo.

At first I thought about getting a black outline of a pumpkin with her birth date scripted inside. I am a little nervous about the fact that it will seem a little Halloween-y, although I won't get it colored.

Then I had the idea of doing a pumpkin blossom. The flowers are so pretty before the pumpkins grow.

So here are two designs. What do you all think about these two options?

**FYI: both images have her birth date scripted on them, but they don't show up very well. Also, these aren't the exact tattoo, I would take these to the tattoo artist as inspiration and see what they draw up for me.

Are you Effing kidding me

I am a firm believer that just because you have a kid doesn't mean your life has to revolve entirely around them. You are allowed to continue to have your own life. I also believe it's valid to take your kids with you when you go to different places so they learn what is appropriate behavior in various situations. So you usually won't catch me judging other moms out in public.

Friday night is an exception.

Harper was staying the night with my parents so Joe and I took the opportunity to catch a movie. He really wanted to see Contagion, so we headed to Easton where we spent 9.50 (a whole other story by the way) to see this quite serious movie about an epidemic killing millions of people. Right before the movie starts this couple comes in...with their two year old. Seriously...you brought your kid to this movie.

All credit to the little girl, she did a great job given the circumstances. Her mother on the other hand was about to be on the receiving end of several punches in the face from me. She had the nerve to shsh her daughter several times, tell her to shut up, and the worst..."shut up or I'll whoop you." Really. You're going to spank your child because she won't be quiet in the theater showing a movie that has no potential to catch her interest, and it's almost 9pm. I'll tell you what woman...you deserve that whoopin. If I had any less control...I would have given it to you.

Damn straight I was judging that mom.

Halloween Photo Dump

My little strawberry LOVED trick or treating. She caught on real fast. Up the stairs, knock knock on the door, "treat-treat" get candy and sign thank you. Down the stairs and repeat at the next house. We made it for an hour and brought home quite the stash.

What's been going on

I know I haven't been the most frequent blogger recently, but I'm really taking the time to enjoy hanging out with Harper because she is learning and doing so many new things, I'm just soaking it in. Then after she goes to bed, I like to get some quality time in with Joe.

Anyway, I thought I'd share some of the things that have been going on that have taken me away from you all.

Painting is her new favorite hobby. Joe has purchased to canvases and she has created some masterpieces now hanging on the wall above our fire place.

Double fisting is a skill everyone needs

Learning to drive and getting some grocery shopping done. She can seriously multi-task. Notice Perry the Platypus in the passenger seat. He is her new best friend and goes everywhere with us these days.

This picture is cute, but the best is right as I pulled the camera out she looked up at me, smiled and said "deese"

I love this because I think picking up and eating a burrito is such a grown up thing.

So there you have it. Can you blame me for being absent for so long?

Pumpkin Patch

Sunday we ventured out north of the city to kick off Fall with a trip to the pumpkin patch. I love living in a city where you only have to drive 20 miles and then you're in the country. It's like the best of both worlds.

We met up with one of our play group friends Luca and his parents and we had a blast.

There was a baby cow, chickens, and Harper's favorite....Turkeys.


We got to ride a tractor, which Harper was obsessed with. "Tracah" she kept saying.




She had fun picking out just the right pumpkin, and she took her job very seriously.


She rode the slide down into the hay.

A lot of time was spent playing in the corn-box. "chucks" were used to fill and dump corn with Daddy.

All together a great way to spend a Sunday.

It's the thought that counts

For my birthday, this was the card I got from Joe and Harper:

Joe misread the inside to say "Your real kid and the kid you married..."

I love the sentiment sweetie.

Harper Update

Sometimes I feel it's hard to keep up with updates on Harper because she is doing so many new things and I'd rather spend time enjoying them then blogging about them. I figured I should do a better job since this is really the only way I've been marking her milestones. So here's an update as to what my little pumpkin head has been up to...

• Singing: She loves to sing and dance. Her favorites are Twinkle little star, Old MacDonald, I'm a little teapot, itsy bitsy spider, wheels on the bus and skinamarink. She pretty much loves any song that has hand motions and can do them all, but she's started singing some of the words. She just learned ring around the rosy and loves to sing "ashes, ashes, down" but doesn't actually fall down, just laughs at Joe and I when we do.

• Talking: Her vocabulary is definitely growing and I'm expecting her to string a couple of words together soon. Very clearly she can say: please, daddy, mommy, papa, kitty, turtle, bye-bye, help, up, down, yellow, night-night, yeah, no-no, and more. Some other things that she says, that aren't complete words, but we get them are: mou (mouse), ba (milk...I don't get that one), bu (bus), du(duck). We're working on trick or treat for Halloween, but we've got a long way to go.

• Independence: She's definitely wanting to do more things herself. She likes to climb on things, and always wants to do the same things we're doing. She is still a really good listener, so we can usually get her to stop anything that might be dangerous before she hurts herself. She asks for help when she needs it, but definitely likes to try to do things herself. She's getting really good at eating with a fork and a spoon...but if she really loves the food she'll still shovel it in with her hands.

She's going through a really weird phase now where she cries every night when we put her to bed. I'm hoping it goes away soon because it can be very frustrating. Other than that she's growing up so fast I'm just trying to enjoy every moment I can.

The Big 3-0

My dear Husband used this lovely picture of me from 80's day at school to help me celebrate my b-day. I have to say, I'm taking 30 pretty well. It doesn't really feel any different. Now if I start to get gray hair...things might be totally different.

Taking it too Far

I love my Buckeyes. I've rooted for them since I was a kid. I have several clothing items, a lucky buckeye necklace, signed memorabilia, and tons of paraphernalia hanging in my basement.

There is a point where you are too much of a fan. I witnessed it today.

Harper and I were at the park after dinner and a Mom was there with her two boys. When we first got there I heard her say "Okay Griffin, it's someone elses turn on the swings." I thought to myself, "Griffin...I kind of like that name."

About 15 minutes later they are getting ready to leave and I hear her say " Come on Archie, it's time to go."

REALLY!!

You named your sons Archie and Griffin?!

That's taking it too far.

Old MacDonald

Forgive the poor lighting. She just started doing this tonight and we wanted to catch it right away.

As good as the original?

My answer....No.

My favorite Girl Scout cookie is the Samoa (or as they are apparently known in some parts of the country; Caramel Delights).

Sometimes I get a huge craving for them when it's not girl scout cookie time.

So while I was browsing the Giant Eagle today I saw these jumping out at me.

They were on sale, and I had a coupon, so I thought "Why Not?"

Don't get me wrong, the cookies are good. It's just that if I'm going to burn the calories, I really want the originals. I guess I'll have to wait until the beautiful order form shows up in the teacher's lounge.

P.S. I know I've been totally M.I.A. I'm really working hard to make sure I have a good balance of being a working woman with continuing to be a good mom to Harper and wife to Joe. Until I get my feet under me at school...my blogs might be a little sparse. I hope I won't lose all my readers. I'll try to appease you by random cute pictures of Harper.

Hey Mom...

How do you like my hair? I styled it so beautifully. Who needs gel when you have spaghetti sauce on hand?

You know you're old when....

• After telling your students that you graduated high school in 1999, one of them raises their hand and says "I was one year old then."


• You go to sleep at 9:15 on a Friday night


• Your knees crack when you get up in the morning


• You look down and realize you were driving 55 on the highway and you were in the fast lane


• You find out that students starting college this year have never seen one of those giant Sears catalogs

All of those things happened to me this week. I think I must be getting old.

Sadness

Today I had to go back to work. I didn't realize how sad this would make me. So sad I indulged last night and rocked Harper to sleep. I haven't done that in months. I think she knew something was up, because she snuggled in really close.

This has been a great summer. It's a good thing I love my job, because Harper would make it impossible to go back otherwise.

It's a blessing that she loves her daycare. She just toddles right in and starts playing. Although I had to have Joe drop her off this morning...I might have cried if I had to do it.


I'm excited to meet my new group of students...but I'm also secretly anticipating all the fun things we'll do next summer.

See these...







These are Harper's crack. From day one in the hospital she has been addicted. It was always the ace in the hole when we couldn't settle her down. If she was crying, she would instantly relax when we popped it into her mouth.



At about one year, we got pretty good at only using the pacifier for naps and bedtime. Being the kind of kid she is, she loves to put things away. So after she would wake up, we would always put the pacifier away in her drawer. She was such a big girl.



Well, before I head back to work, we decided to make the plunge and wean her off of it. I figured I'd rather have crazy nights of no sleep before having to get up and be productive again.



So last night we started the process. She cried hysterically for 20 minutes. Joe went in and calmed her down and said she passed out within a minute of him picking her up. No problems during the night. Night one...check.



Nap time today, I decided to let her take one of her stuffed animals to bed with her. I could hear her playing with it a little, and then when she decided she was ready to sleep, the crying started. I checked the clock, planning to allow her another 20 minutes before intervening with some snuggles. So I sat down to make this post. Guess what...no more crying. Only about 10 minutes this time. That is super exciting for mommy. Nap one...check.



Here's hoping we continue on this good streak. Keep your fingers crossed for us.

We're not in Kansas anymore

But we were this weekend. Harper and I boarded a plane to visit my best friend and her family in KC this past weekend.

We got lucky both on the way there and back that there was an empty seat for Harper. She loved looking out the window and waving the houses she could see below.

Emily has a super cute little boy who just turned one, so the kids got to spend a lot of time playing together.

Can you tell they were both working on new teeth? There was a lot of chewing happening.

We did a lot of fun things with the kids. There was splash time at the pool.

A romantic stroll through the park.

And the obligatory embarrassing bath picture of them together.

I had a ton of fun catching up with Ems. It's been hard having her so far away as we both go through the crazy journey of having kids. Spending this time together was so great. We're already planning a vacation for our two families for next Spring. I can't wait to see how the kids have changed by then.