Snowy Christmas in Dallas

We really got snow in Christmas day in Dallas! I didn't believe it would happen until I saw it. No big deal to a MN girl except in MN we have 4 wheel drive!! Pretty scary driving on the enormous TX highways.
Christmas Eve was at Jack and Stephanie's. So much yummy food and way too many presents. It was so fun to watch the cousins tear open gifts and the older ones loved that they could open Harper's too :) Don't know if they'll get away with that next time, she will be TWO years old next time we are in Dallas for Christmas.
Christmas Day we were at Matt and Rebecca's when it started snowing. Everyone had fun playing!

Harper and I watched everyone play from inside

In Texas, I guess a rake will do

Cowboy snowman

The rest of our two weeks in TX was spent driving back and forth between Jared and Kristen's (who kindly hosted us the whole time!) and all of the other brothers' and his parents. Time sharing Harper with her Lacy family. We were so glad everyone got to see our baby for awhile :)

Uncle Jared is pretty great with the little ones!

First time meeting Grandma Lacy!

Jared and Kristen's dog, Mack, kept guard of Harper

Lots of relaxing time and J and K's

The girl knows how to get comfortable to sleep

We got to meet one of my best friends from home at the mall in Dallas!

Jared, seriously, fave uncle

New hat form J and K

Naps on Grandma

 Harper loves her new play mat from Grandma and Grandpa Lacy. I call the dangling toys her friends and she has playtime with her friends every day.

Asher loved holding Harper, he did such a great job!

Still guarding

Bath time is always a favorite time of day

Aunt Tista!

Aunt Rebecca

Clara liked holding Harps too

Hannah too of course!

She happened into this pose on her own, so cute!

"I love auntie"

Seriously love her sleeping positions!

It was great to have two full weeks to spend with the Texas family. It's too bad we're only able to see them a couple of times each year, we always have so much fun!

Holiday Cheer

Having a child adds so much to this time of year. I feel a bit more in the Christmas spirit. I'm not one to go all out for the holidays but having Harper here makes things more special. We are so very excited to be in Texas and share her with our Lacy family! We even did a little more decorating than usual - which isn't saying much for minimalists like Sam and me. 

I've also been sharing the Advent season with Harper with some books and telling her stories about baby Jesus. The birth of a baby and sacrificing your child to death in order to save others has infinite more meaning as a parent. This time of year does mean more when we are intentional about remembering that this is not about shopping and presents but about a time of waiting and anticipation for the most exciting and wonderful gift we will ever receive - Christ!

We have had a few holiday parties already. One with the history department and a couple with church friends. It has been such a joy to have Harper in my arms as I enjoy time with friends. We love her so much and everyone affirms that she really is as cute as her mom and dad think :)

Harper got a super cute outfit from our dear friend Jessie (Harper's pseudo aunt here in Philly). Tu-tu and all - she rocked it at our double-header holiday party night last week.

 

Some of the "decorating" I mentioned...

The grown up nativity creche.

 Harper's nativity creche in the window by her room. Thanks Great Grandma JANE 

THREE stockings this year!

And 6 weeks after she was born...Harper's room was finally finished last weekend. Too bad she spends almost zero time in there...

Starting to smile more and more, we love it!!

We leave for Texas this Thursday and we get to stay for two whole weeks. Cannot wait to hand her off to aunts and uncles and sleeeeep :)

4:00am update

It's my turn for the late shift. TWO nights in a row Sam let me sleep SIX hours straight. Unbelievable. I used to say I couldn't function well on less than eight and preferred nine. Ha.

Quick update, Harper did get medication for acid reflux and was almost instantly a new baby. Sam and I could not believe the difference. Better eating, better sleeping. Thank you, Zantac! She is starting to respond to us more directly and we are really loving the awake time. Lots of smiling - intentional or not, I'm not sure but it sure is adorable. Growing fast, no longer a newborn! Brought her to church for the first time and she did awesome. She is a loud sleeper though so friends got to hear her grunts and groans and sighs. Cute :)

Sam will turn in the LAST paper of the semester this Tuesday then it's a long Christmas break! I'm really excited to spend a week with the three of us enjoying the holidays before we leave for TX on the 20th.

I had my six week post partum check-up last Friday. Yes, Harper is six weeks! I was not cleared to go back to work due to necessity for "further wound healing". Apparently, there is a fourth trimester no one told me about. Trying to stay off my feet and take the antibiotics so I can get back to my pre-pregnancy activity level.

And of course...some pictures 

What is a month?

Was Harper's one month birthday yesterday because that was 4 weeks from her birthday? Or is it November 26th?

Our little one, or "LO" as all the mommy blogs do, is having a rough time learning her days from nights. She still sleeps her best and longest during the day time and does not sleep very much at night. If only mommies and daddies could become nocturnal for the first part of baby's life. Other than not having slept more than 2 hours at a time on a regular basis for one whole month, we're hanging in there.

We have so many joyful moments during the day filled with happy tears of disbelief and awe and lots of laughter at her silly faces and incredible ability to fill her diaper with gusto. We have no qualms admitting our need for prayers to make it through some of the other moments. Prayers would be welcomed for longer stretches of sleep as well as help for Harper as we're pretty sure she is dealing with some painful acid reflux. Thanks all :) 

Now some pictures to enjoy.

The funny positions babies can sleep in!

Trying to keep her awake for some play time after eating

 "Praise the LORD"

or

"Dad, enough pictures!"

or

"Let me sleep in peace"

Auntie Dana

I think she looks like a bug on a windshield 

How many hours is it appropriate to sit and do nothing but stare at your child?

We spent Thanksgiving with dear friends and neighbors just across the street.
We waited until the end of the night before remembering to try and get a family photo. This is Harper's best shot

 She HATED being in the Moby the first time we tried it. Hope this gets better - my arms need a break!

 Headband from Aunt Stephanie, Uncle Jack and cousin Hannah

We LOVE this hand knit hat made for us by a friend from Princeton. This way people know she is a baby girl when we go out!

Pretty darn cute isn't she?