First Spring...

And everything that’s new has bravely surfaced 

Teaching us to breathe 

What was frozen through is newly purposed 

Turning all things green 

Sisters

We just listened to a little girl read a book on your favorite show, Yo Gabba Gabba. I'm sure that your sister would love to read to you, and that you would eat it up. You'd sit in her lap, and she would read to you with her sweet disposition and smart animation, while you delighted in every moment. You two would love each other. I swear you have the same giggle - filled with the mischief of a girl. There's a lot of love for you in the world, little one.

Somebunny loves you outfit and blanket from Grandma Husted. 

Four months old!

My Cupcake!

You are four moths old today! Time does fly by, before we know it, you will be so big.

You're no longer a newborn, you're one healthy little dribbling, giggling baby girl. 

Your daddy works hard to make sure that you and I get to stay together for the first year of your life;

 words couldn't capture my gratitude. 

I love spending every minute of my day with you; 

in your little life, you've already smiled at least a thousand times. 

Sunshine

I've figured out that you like to gaze at vivid pictures on the TV, but you prefer to do this in silence. 

You like to feel a physical rush; it brings you great joy. (No doubt you're mine!)

As for right now, you digest your meals best while swinging in your Snuga Monkey. 

Your eye contact is so amazing...peaceful and emotional.

You know the joy of a sneeze! When you sneeze, you almost always burst into a pleased grin. 

It has been super snowy and cold this winter; we haven't ventured outside much. 

I can't wait to see you in the sunshine.

"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!