"2" month check up!

So you are almost 3 1/2 months now, but I was having a hard time taking you to get your first round of shots, so I conveniently forgot about your two month well check appointment. You are so precious, and the thought of invading your sweet skin with a needle brought on so much anxiety! But I bit the bullet yesterday, and we headed to the doctors. You have a lovely doctor - his name is Dr. Yim. He's a gentle, soft spoken, attractive Asian American with a family of his own. He is patient and informative. He went over each vaccination and gave as much assurance as he could.

You were not happy about the shots, but who is? You screamed for a long time, stopped, and then remembered how offended you were and cried again. :( But you snuggled into me and nursed and fell into a deep sleep that lasted the whole day and night.

You weigh a whopping 15.7 pounds at 3.5 months old. Go mama's milk! You're in size 3 diapers already, but we still have a ton of size 2's left! You gazed right into the doctor's eyes when he asked about her eye contact, and smiled at him when he asked about smiling, lol. Sweet girl.

Holy Daddy's Girl

Harper, there isn't another little girl on the planet that is more in love with her Papa than you. No one can get your whole being to light up like he can.

When Papa gets home from work, he spends the two hours until it's time for you to snuggle in for night-nights just holding you, talking to you, laughing with you, carrying you around - you are his world and all else falls away.

You, like a true Scorpio (and your mama), have this quiet, enveloping, intense, deep gaze. You will look deep into Papa's eyes and just hold his gaze for minutes at a time. You shock us with how long you can go without blinking when you are focused on reading the soul behind someone's eyes. Your favorite subject is Papa. You are most as ease when you're locked eyes with him, or in his arms. You are most comforted in mine.

You know, you are a very special gift to your daddy. For as long as he can remember, his dreams were only to be a husband and father. His first try at that went very badly, and he lost his first two children. Even when he had them, he was prevented from bonding with them they way he wanted to. With you, he has full access, and all the respect in the world. Because of the brokenness he experienced with his first two children, he absolutely pours that much more of himself into his love for you, and there is magic between you two. He is very natural at being a daddy, and you are his very special child that was given to him by God to love and cherish every day of your life.

Words can't describe the blessing that you are to him, and the blessing that you have in him. It moves him to tears often; you could not be more loved than you are.

Fathers like the one you have are one in a million, baby girl.

This might be just a one time deal, but...

You had a hard time going to sleep tonight. Your daddy walks you around the house almost every night, and you snuggle into his shoulder and enjoy the ride. So, after walking and bouncing and nursing and chatting, you let us know that you wanted to relax in your new swing and watch The Bruce Lee Story. I think daddy got to you tonight, haha. 

I don't have any pictures of you today, so I'll use this one - another daddy flavored moment. Your first trip to Hooters to watch the Vikings play their last game of the season. You're a fun baby to take out to eat!

Snuga Monkey

Papa snuck out to the store and splurged with a gift card we had to buy you this fancy swing. He said it was great with your big sister and brother. You love it. You spend about three spells a day just swinging and listening to the rain and really nice xylophone sounds. You're so peaceful.

Three months

How quickly the forth trimester has gone. So much of it is a slow whirlwind that gets lost in keeping up with your sleeping and eating schedule, if you can call it that. You like your sleep in various ways; you eat like a champ, and you are growing by the day! Once you are well rested and fed, you smile and laugh easily.

You have fallen completely in love with your Papa. You can almost see your heart skipping beats when he comes home at the end of the day and smiles into your eyes; you giggle with delight every time and do your best to hold his attention for as long as possible. Sometimes you flirt with him, and won't look at him if he looks back at you - you prefer to just observe this wonderful creature that loves you so much.

Even your quirky big brother can't help but smile when he looks at you and you giggle at him stopping for a few moments to say hello.

Words can't capture how much joy your smile brings. We love you, cupcake.

Two Months

Your two month birthday was on Christmas Day. This is a special day for us, as you were named [Noelle] after my maternal Grandma, Natalie, who was born on Christmas Day. Your whole name, Harper Noelle, references the celebration in heaven on Christmas Day which closely resembles the joy that fills our hearts when we think of you. Your daddy and I are both lovers of music, and we thought Harper was a delightful fit.

On this day, we spent the holiday with Grandma & Grandpa Husted. You got to meet your oldest siblings, Michael and Naomi. Naomi was taken with you and spent time talking with you several times through the day. Michael was unsure what to do with such a tiny, sleepy baby. Ben was proud to show you off, and glad to have everyone together for the first time! You were such an angel...you were passed around, and taken next door, and put in the guest room to nap. You were generous with your sweet smiles and curious gazes. You were adorable in your corduroy Christmas dress, and you were my most treasured gift of the whole year.

Merry Christmas my sweet, sweet girl. Happy two months old!

Your first smile.

I forgot to mention your first smile was the day you turned one month old. Your papa was holding you, and we were both chatting with you. All of a sudden, your whole face lit up and you grinned a beam of sunshine on us right there at midnight. Tears sprang to both of our eyes in excitement, and the feeling of love in that moment was tangible, and wonderful; because you are wonderfully made.