5 months

New tricks: Rolling over both ways very efficiently. Harper has turned into a tummy sleeper, funny since until recently she didn’t like being on her tummy at all. When I lay her down in her crib it doesn’t take but a few seconds before she’s flopped over onto her tummy. It’s funny to go into her room in the morning and find her propped up on her elbows looking around smiling from ear to ear.

This week we started rice cereal. At first I gave her small, thinned out amounts. She seemed to like it, so each day I gradually gave her more and used less milk. She only gets cereal once a day, usually in the evenings and I will still nurse her before she goes to bed. It’s fun introducing new foods but at the same time, I wish she would stop growing so fast. Next month we will start the vegetables Rachel and I made when she stayed with us.

Harper is a gymnast. She can get her feet into her mouth, not at the same time though she tries hard! She loves sucking on her toes and when she’s had enough sucking, she just hugs her legs to her chest. This new trick has come in handy during diaper changes, I don’t have to hold her feet up anymore to wipe her tush!

She’s beginning to take out her pacifier and hold onto it. She’s made attempts to put it back in but she hasn’t quite mastered that yet.

Her favorite activities still include her jumper, her swing though I don’t lower the tray because then she can’t get her feet in her mouth and that makes her mad, her bumbo chair and tray-I put her teething rings on the tray and she goes to town, rolling around on the floor, watching baby Einstein videos-My First Signs, and Baby MacDonald.

Celebrating Father's Day

To celebrate Father's day we went to Stearman with my Dad, my brother Kyle, Rachel, Finley, and the Grimmers. There was a huge fly-in event and the runway was lined with planes and you could check out some of the fancy hangars. We walked around for a bit and had lunch. It was hot but well worth it to see all the planes coming and going. Sunday evening we went to dinner with Gary (James’ dad) and Janet. Dinner was a bit of a disaster but everyone was a good sport, including Harper. I’m thankful to have so many wonderful fathers in my life.

Harper's wild about daddy.

Harper and her Papa Gary.

Tutu

Since the day Harper was born, I have wanted to buy her a tutu. A pink, girly, tutu. They're super cute, fun to photograph, and completely unpractical. She's just learning to roll over, what makes you think she can twirl yet?

Since the day Harper was born, James refused to buy Harper a tutu (he also won't let me paint her toe nails). They're too girly and completely unpractical.

We are going to have family photos taken this summer by Tim Davis and I've been talking nonstop about wanting to find a tutu for the photo shoot. My manipulation convincing has paid off and James bought her a tutu! A fluffy, soft, hot pink tutu! I'm even more impressed that he didn't cave in and say "just go buy her one" rather he went by himself and picked one out that he approved of. This makes me so happy. Not only is he no longer denying our daughter of living every girl's fantasy of being a baby ballerina, he wanted to give me her that dream himself. A lot of people told me just go buy her one despite him not approving but I don't like going behind my husband's back to get what I want. We can usually come to a compromise and we have learned to pick out battles. By the way, I was going to fight this battle. Next up...painting her toe nails...

Thank you honey for Harper's new tutu!

Pool Rat

Stearman

Our new favorite place to visit on the weekends is Stearman Field in Benton. They recently opened a bar & grill in a hangar right off the small runway. The restaurant is simple but well done with airplane parts and memorabilia on the walls and hanging from the ceiling. They are known for their burgers and they have a decent beer selection on tap. Next time we are there I'll take some pictures. There are several private hangars located right on the runway, and there is even a local resident that has a hangar on their property across the street and we've seen them drive their planes over and take off right in front of the restaurant. There is also an outdoor patio and an outdoor stage for live music on the weekends. Every third Saturday of the month they have fly ins for breakfast except for June, it's an all day event complete with a band, skydiving show, and fireworks. Rachel, Sol and Finley will be in town so maybe we can convince them to go for breakfast. Whether you are into planes or not, it really is a neat place to visit.

The pilot of this little red one was about our age and his hobby is flying. His plane goes 200 mph and he was doing all sorts of flips and tricks. After a quick stop to refuel, he strapped on his parachute and took off down the runway leaving a trail of smoke.

For $150, you can go up in this one for 30 minutes.

The noise doesn't seem to bother Harper. I think she likes looking at the bright colors and she will watch them land and take off.

Red fish, blue fish

Harper went for her first swim! I took her to the neighborhood pool with Kourtney and her kids, Will and Parker. There is no documentation of her actual swim, just this 'after' photo. Despite the water being a little cooler than her nice warm bath, she did very well. She was clingy but never fussed. I absolutely adore her swimsuit and she has a cover up to match. She also has a cute pair of sunglasses that I forgot to bring which would have been nice to have (bad mommy). I've been having a hard time finding little swimmers diapers for her size. These are 1. too big and 2. not flattering. So if any mommies know where I could find XS swim diapers, let me know! In July, she will begin swim lessons at the Y. I'm more excited now that I know she likes being in the water. Also, mommy could use a tan!