Months of the Near

Harper loves to sing the Months of the Year song. He's got them all down, except he says BEEZEMBER instead of December and NEAR instead of year. So cute, though...



Here are some pictures we took around the time we made the video... we just love to be silly.

Fifth Disease

Well, it's been a rough couple of weeks at our house. It started a few weeks ago when Harper came home from school and I found out he'd been exposed to Fifth Disease. I know, it sounds ridiculous and made up... believe me, I wish it was. But it is in fact a real virus with real symptoms.

Symptoms include a rash, headaches, joint pain, muscle aches, fever, abdominal pain, etc. With exception to the rash, and absense of nausea, it kind of looks like the flu.

Harper did develop a tiny rash for a couple of days, but it never really bothered him. I'm hoping it skips him completely. But Monday night, he woke up crying that his knee was hurting. And this morning he said both of his knees were hurting. I gave him some Ibuprofen and I hope that helps.

I, on the other hand, have been fighting this thing since the 16th. Now... I'm prone to headaches and migraines... Normally, I can take some Excedrin or Imitrex and be back on track in a couple of hours. But that weekend, NOTHING made me feel better. Not even sushi and sake (which was a terrible shame). I felt better by Monday, but what a wasted weekend.

Tuesday morning, I woke up with a rash. It covered all of my body, except for my head. It was then that I realized what was happening. I'd contracted Fifth Disease. It was mostly gone by Wednesday morning. I thought this was the all clear.

Then Wednesday afternoon, my left knee was hurting. I couldn't bend it to sit the way I like at work, or the way I sit with Harper to read stories that night. That really aggravated him. I thought I'd just turned it wrong (although it's typically my right knee that hurts, since I injured it in a car wreck several years ago). By Friday, my right knee was hurting, too.

Saturday, we went to Mimi's high school reunion with her and I was starting to feel achiness in my lower back by around 2:30p. It was getting harder for me to chase Harper around, so I figured we'd better head back, since I'd promised H we'd go to Super Target on our way home.

As we were walking around Target, I was seriously contemplating what I was going to do if I ended up in a wheel chair. I could barely push the cart and my whole back, hips, knees, ankles and feet were all severely hurting. By the time we got home, I just wanted to sit down, but I had to fix dinner, pick up the house, play with Harper and get him ready for bed.

Harper was going with Jody to his family reunion on Monday, and by Saturday night I was hurting so bad, I didn't know if I'd be able to rush around and get him ready to go Monday morning. So I called Jody and asked if H could spend the night with him Sunday night. Of course he said yes. Thank goodness.

I managed to get Harper showered and ready for bed. We decided to have a slumber party, so we watched 'Alvin and the Chipmunks' in my bed and I let him sleep with me. He started wallering around so much by 12:30, and by this time my shoulders and arms were hurting, too, that I put him in his own bed.

When he woke up at 7:15 Sunday morning, I could barely get out of bed to get him. I managed to get up, fix him some chocolate milk, take him to go potty, then he crawled in my bed and we watched cartoons. That was all great and easy, until he got ornery and took off running and I couldn't chase him. I couldn't feel my feet, just a little of the ball and some of the heel on each, and what I could feel, felt like pins and needles. I just burst into tears. My entire body felt like that. I told Mimi that I felt like an arthritic 90 year old woman.

Mimi was going to Seminole to spend a couple of days with Uncle Steve and Co. and I wasn't going to be able to give the attention to Harper that he needed. Fortunately, Daddy came to the rescue. I called him and asked if he'd be able to take H for the whole day. He was more than happy and excited to have the extra time with Buddy.

So, Harper went to his Daddy's, Mimi went to Uncle Steve's and I was home alone. Mimi suggested I take a hot bath, which I thought would be a good idea, until I realized I wouldn't be able to get down, or up again, by myself. I laid on the couch for just about the entire day, with the exception of managing a shower around 3p. Around 5:30, a friend of mine came over with ice cream and we watched a movie. By 9:30, I was asleep.

I woke up Monday morning a little sore, but nothing like I had been the last two days. Only my hands and feet were a little swollen. I managed to waddle around the house and get some stuff done. Any relief from the pain of the previous couple of days, felt amazing and I wanted to DO something. Harper came home around 4:30p and it was so great to be able to get on the floor and play with him, or get toys out from under the couch for him. And I could sit the way he likes me to when we read stories!

Now it's Wednesday the 28th, and though I feel great (just a little lingering crampiness), I'm afraid Harper is coming down with it. He's never complained about achiness before. I guess time will tell. Say your prayers that it skips him!

Skoreetos

The skoreeto is a horrific insect that buzzes around and sucks your blood. It tends to get around in mini swarms and is a general pain in the tookus. You get itchy where it bites you and sometimes you get these big red bumps.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, i give you, the skoreeto.

Love that Uncle Steve

The night before Mimi's high school reunion, Uncle Steve and Kenzie stayed with us. Mr. H LOVES his Uncle Steve. At dinner, he scooted a chair next to him, asked for some corn, and every other bite, he fed to his uncle.

Social Bribery

Harper called me at work and said that he wanted to play with me and not Mimi. He said 'I will wet my pants.'

And he did.

Twice.

All because I have to work and couldn't stay home and play.

Divine Intervention

Our friends, Phil and Darci, had their second daughter today. Zeta, their first, is a couple of months younger than Harper and they play a lot. Jody took H up to the hospital Wednesday to take Phil some tacos and see the new baby, Zody, and Phil said, 'This is Zeta's baby sister, Harper' And Harper said, 'But *I* want one, too!' Uh, yeah... We made one cute kiddo and we're good parents, together or apart, but I don't see us having any more kids together. Not unless there's some form of divine intervention... or a lot of alcohol involved. lol

Intro pic to the lovely new Miss Zody Maryann:


Big sis, Zeta, with Zody:

So Hard

This is Harper's weekend to spend with his daddy, so it was extra hard leaving for work this morning. H was begging to come to work with me. Then he was begging me to stay home. Then he was hugging and kissing me saying 'I want to see you again, Momma!'

Excruciating.

The Semi-Constant Gardner

Here's Buddy helping Mimi plant some flowers. He has his own gloves and tools and everything!

Hush Little Baby

At night, when it's time for bed, Harper and I settle into the rocking chair in his room. We read a two or three books, he drinks chocolate milk, then we sing some lullibies. Standard songs include 'Rock-a-Bye Baby', 'Silent Night' and 'Hush Little Baby'. The upside to these songs is that no matter how wound up he is, as soon as I start singing, he lays his head on my shoulder and immediately relaxes. The downside is that by singing the same songs over and over again, he's learning the words and now he wants to sing along. Kind of defeats the purpose of me singing so he'll relax. However, it's awfully cute to listen to.

His version of 'Silent Night' is precious. He doesn't have all the words down, but he knows Silent night, Holy Night, All is calm, All is bright.... Mother and Child, Holy infant, so tender and mild, Sleep in .... Sleep in .... He just makes up the words he hasn't figured out yet. And let me tell you, this childs falsetto is SO cute! One of these days I'll record him singing it.

He mostly has 'Hush Little Baby' down. There are just a few words he has wrong.

Harper's version:

Hush little baby, don't say a word
Momma's gonna buy you a rocking bird
If that rocking bird don't sing
Momma's gonna buy you a diamond ring
If that diamond ring turns brass
Momma's gonna buy you a looking grass
If that looking grass gets bloke
Momma's gonna buy you a billy goat....
etc

Where DO you find a rocking bird? That could be kind of fun!

For Moms About To Rock. We Salute You.

My brother, Steven, and his daughter, Mackenzie (Kenzie), came so we could celebrate Mother's Day with Mimi. The kids played hard at the house and after their naps, H decided he wanted to go to the 'points'. (That's what he and his Daddy call it.) So we loaded up and went to the Tulsa Rose Garden. They had a lot of fun checking out all the fountains and ponds and smelling the flowers.

Oh Pooh

Harper is really into Winnie the Pooh right now. We have a few books and one movie, and he wants to read them or watch them all the time. He thinks that Rabbit is the funniest. Here he is reading one of his books:

Rare Form

This morning Harper and I went for donuts.


As we were leaving, I saw this cute shirt in the window of the boutique next to the bakery, so after it opened we went back so I could try it on. Harper was SO good while we were there and he was in rare form. He picked up a bag and said 'Momma, is this red?' I said 'No, it's orange.' He said 'No, it's red.' Back and forth, back and forth. Finally he said, 'You. Are. Making. Me. Crazy.'

Then he walked up to a boot and said 'Shoo! That's a stinky boot!' I asked the owner if she had leather boots in the window... sure enough... i got to the display window and harper has his whole face shoved inside this boot. He brings his head up and says it again, 'Shoo!'

When we were leaving and he ran to the door, turned and waved to the owner and said 'I'll see ya later!' Then ran up and gave her a high five.

Pictures of H & Jack

Happy Birthday to Jack! As a tribute to my little man's best buddy... here are some pictures of them from Monday...


Here are the boys watching 'The Jungle Book'.


Harper taking Jack to play with blocks in his room.


Harper is pretending to be Jack's baby.


Eating a well rounded lunch.

Wishes

This has been such a great week for me and Harper. Granted, I've missed a lot of work, but it's been worth it to get to spend more time with him. I wish every week could be like this... with financial compensation like I'm working full time, of course. ;)

My brother breeds Great Danes and Mastiffs. His Great Dane had puppies Sunday night, so Mimi went to help out. We had originally thought it would just be three days, but it has ended up being all week.

I took off Monday and got to be home with Harper and Jack. Those two are so adorable. I took some great pictures of them together. I'll post them this weekend. Tuesday and today (Thursday) are short days, because Harper has school from 9:30-2:30. I love getting off early and getting to spend the afternoon with him. Normally, he cries when you take him to school because he'd just rather be home playing with his trains. But today I told him that if he'd go in and play with his friends, and NOT cry, we'd go to Target after school and get a birthday card for Jack. I asked, "What are you going to do?" He said, "PLAY WITH MY FRIENDS!" I asked, "What are you NOT going to do?" He replied, "CRY!" "And what are we going to do after school?!" "GO TO TARGET! HOOTY HOO!" It felt kind of like a protest chant. He cracks me up.

Tomorrow he gets to go to Jack's house to play. Harper has been looking forward to it all week. They are going to have SO much fun! And Saturday is Jack's birthday party. H has been singing the Happy Birthday song every day in preparation. I think I'll have him help me wrap the present. So, Angela, if you're reading this... it's not going to be pretty. lol

Chief

Last night Harper asked me if I had to go work tomorrow. I said, "Yeah, bud. I sure do." He sighed and said, "Yeah. Me, too." I said, "Oh? Where do you work?" He said, "The hospital." "What do you do at the hospital? Are you a doctor? A nurse?" "No. I'm the Chief."

Ha!

Some mornings when he's laying in my bed he'll do a biiiig stretch and say "I don't want to go to work today." Gee... I wonder where he gets that? It's not that I don't like my job. I do. I love it. I would just rather be home playing with him.

Check It!

Harper, Mona and I spent the day at Grandad's yesterday. We had so much fun. Harper has been looking forward to going for days.

My dad has, well, kind of a jungle in his backyard. He has so many plants and flowers, it's simply beautiful. And it's great fun for a three year old and his dog to explore! Some of his explorations led him to the side of the house to the door to the garage. When he found the garage he stopped, leaned back a little and said, 'Aww, check it!' Where does he get this stuff?! Lol





Harper found a football that at some point had been kicked over the fence. So I dug that out for him. I was cracking up at him and Mona playing with each other. Harper would throw it, Mona would chase it. Then Harper would want me to throw it so he could catch it.





And I've never seen so much running. For either of them! They were worn out on the way home.



We go to Grandad's more than once a year, but we went last year to get our picture taken, too. (My dad is a photographer: Jim Nay) There were a lot of really good pictures, even though Harper didn't really want to get his picture taken. This year, Harper was all about it, but I couldn't get Mona to cooperate. Silly kids. ;)

I did manage to get a lot of good pictures of them individually. There are a couple with all of us.

Night Talkers

My house is a loud house at night. We all (Harper, Mimi, myself) talk in our sleep. Mimi is louder than others. She doesn't so much "talk" as she screams. On more than one occasion I've had to go in and wake her up.

Harper yells. Sometimes I'll hear him in there talking, but he will wake me up yelling something at the top of his lungs. This morning at 5:00 a.m., I was awoken by him yelling "It's not yours! NO! You're in MY WAAAAAAAY!" When I heard him, it sounded like he was standing at his door. So I got up, turned on the hall light and opened his door to check on him. He was laying in bed, under the covers, sound asleep. You'd never know what was going on in his dream, he looked so peaceful. He was probably getting out his naughtiness in his sleep, because he has been an absolute angel all week.

C'mon!

Last night, Harper was messing with the tv in the kitchen. I had recorded the Thursday night line up for Mimi so she could watch it and it was still in the vcr.

Harper went to the tv, ejected the tape, and I guess he thought it was one of his Thomas tapes. He waited a minute and started watching whatever was on at the moment, probably 'Mickey Mouse' or something, when he accidentally pushed in the tape. When that happens, it automatically plays, no button pushing is necessary.

Suddenly, I hear him pushing a lot of buttons trying to get the tape to stop so he could go back to his show. He suddenly yelled, 'OH, C'MON!' with such exasperation. It was totally me coming out in him.

I helped him to do what he wanted to do, but it was SO funny.

With Liverty and Justice FOR ALL!

Harper is learning the Pledge of Allegiance at school. I'm most impressed that he actually says 'indivisible' and not 'invisible' like most kids.




At the end of this, he says he wants to listen to it on my telephone because the night before, I had recorded him saying it with my phone. Just so you know. :)

Joy!

Last night I was putting Harper's pjs on and I asked him to spell milk, which he did. I've only told him how to spell it twice. I said, 'Did you know you're a genius?' And he said, 'Yes! I *AM* a genius! Do you enjoy that Mommy?' I said, 'Yes, I do!' Then he said, 'I'm a joy!'

After I laid him down, I walked to the door and I blew him a kiss. I said, 'You have sweet dreams. I'll check on you in a bit.' He said, 'I love you Mommy.' I said, 'I love you, too, Angel.' He said, 'I love you SO much.' I said, 'I love YOU so much, too.' He said, 'I love you the whole wide world!' (He means, more than the whole wide world.) I said, 'Aww, I love you more than the whole wide world, too, baby. Do you want another kiss?' He said, 'Yes,' and as I bent down to kiss him he added, 'and a hug.'

So sweet.

Just a Minute!

Every night we have the same routine. Harper takes a bath, then he likes to tell Mimi good night. Thursday night was no exception. However, Mimi was watching 'My Name is Earl', since it was back from the strike. So while I was getting pjs and chocolate milk ready, Harper settled in next to Mimi.

I told him it was time to go get jammies on and he said, "Just a minute, Mom. I'm watching this show."

Great.... I had visions of me as a child telling my parents, "Just a minute...!" He is his mother's child.





The sticker on his belly is for telling us he had to go potty instead of going in his diaper!

Potty Training

Mimi just called and said that Harper is in big boy pants (Thomas underwear) today. He's gone potty on the chair like he's supposed to and only had one accident.

She told him that if he wore big boy pants all day and told her when he needed to go potty, he'd get a prize at the end of the day. He said, "A prize?" and Mimi said, "Yes. What kind of prize would you like?" and Harper said, "Hmm... let's see... I know! SNOW!"

Good luck with that Mimi! lol

Waterboy

Last night I was running Harper's bath and he was playing in the dining room. I said, "Come on, H. Let's go take off your clothes and get in the tub." So he took off for the bathroom. I was walking behind him... MAYBE two seconds between us. By the time I got to the bathroom, he was standing in the tub, fully dressed. Shirt, pants, socks, AND tennis shoes. Water up to his knees.

Nice. I would have taken a picture if I had thought it wouldn't be encouraging him to do it again. And considering it's the second time his tennis shoes have been submerged in water in less than a month, I thought I should get him out of there quickly.

Who said raising a three year old boy would be boring?

The "Potty Party"

Monday night Harper was invited to his friend, Jack's, "potty party". Jack has been diaper and accident free for over a week, so his parents took him to celebrate at Chuck E. Cheese. It was Harper's first time to go and he had a blast! He went down the slide, he rode some rides, he played with a train and won a bunch of tickets! He and Jack danced, and Thomas the Tank Engine called to tell Jack what a big boy he was, and of course Harper had to talk to him, too. He got to stay out past his bedtime, and I'm glad to say, he was really really good.
Now all he talks about is how he wants to go back to Chuck E. Cheese. I told him that when he starts wearing big boy pants like Jack and he doesn't wear diapers anymore, we'll have a potty party for him. He said, "I don't think I can do that Mom." He COULD if he would tell us when he has to go instead of going in his diaper. So pray for us that he'll have the desire to potty train!

He had some issues figuring out that he was supposed to hit the puck to the other side of the table. He kept hitting it into the hole on his side.

He went down the slide about a hundred times. Backwards, Forwards, Upsidedown... He's a daredevil!

He rode in the car, but he wouldn't drive it.

Jody and I didn't think he would like this at all, but he loved it!

Here he is taking a call from Thomas.

Alphaccordion

Harper's favorite song (it seems) is the alphabet song. He like to sing it and play his accordion at the same time.

Enjoy:

Two Infinity

This morning we were watching the Disney channel in bed and he said 'I love you SO much Mommy!' I said 'I love you so much, too, Angel'. Then he said, 'I love you to infinity!' I said, 'Wow! I love you to infinity, too!' A few second went by and he said, 'I love you eleven infinity!' (I'm sure he thinks that 'to infinity' is 'two infinity' so he was giving it a bigger number.) It's not the first time he's said that, but it's still adorable no matter what.

Flushed

I was putting Harper to bed tonight and he was in rare form. He was cracking up when I would tease him about wanting to drink his chocolate milk. And I mean crack up belly laugh. It was precious. Then we were reading 'Thomas-saurus Rex' and he was reading the letters that make up the words 'did you see Stepney's Special?' and when he got to the question mark, he called it 'Tootles'. He did so because on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, the Tootles character always has a mystery mouse-ca-tool that is symbolized by a '?'.

Between books he said, 'Mommy? I'm flushed.' I said, 'You are, huh?' He said, 'Yeah. I need Bobby (his blankie) to warm me up.' Obviously he doesn't get what flushed actually means. lol So cute.

Writer? Editor? Spelling Bee Champion?

Harper will most definitely win a spelling bee someday. He recognizes so many words when we're reading and he always spells them for me. He is really into spelling "happy" since not only is being happy a big part of 'The Giving Tree', but it's also the name of his teddy bear.

Mimi called just now and said that she overheard him telling Happy that Mimi's name is spelled M-I-M-I. She also said he's been practicing "mommy" all day.

Sleepy Head

Harper wouldn't take a nap yesterday because he just couldn't get his little mouth to stop talking. So when it was time for bed last night, he was extra tired. Super good! But really tired.

After we read a couple of stories, he curled into my lap and said "I'm so tired, Momma." I said, "I know it. I am, too. Just close your eyes and relax and Mommy will sing you a song." I got two words of a song out of my mouth and I heard the light sounds of his heavy sleeping. It was so sweet. I rocked him for a little while and sang some, just to be sure he was out.

When I moved him to his bed, his eyes fluttered a couple of times. As I laid him down, he said in the brightest voice, "You wanna lay down wif me?" He was just talking in his sleep. It was the sweetest thing.

Harper and Jack

This morning Harper and Jack were running around the backyard. They'd stop occasionally and sit on the top step of the back porch.

Harper would say to Jack, "I miss my Mommy, Jack." To which Jack would reply, "You miss your Mommy, Harper? It's okay. She'll be back after your nap."

Chuggets

Last night I was fixing harper's dinner and he said 'whatcha makin mom?' I said 'fish sticks. And you can have some some chips and salsa, too.' he said 'don't forget the chuggets!' I said 'chuggets? Oh! Chicken nuggets?' he said 'yes! Chicken nuggets!'

I much prefer chuggets.

3 Year Check Up

Harper's 3 year check up was today. He's 44 inches tall (100%) and 36 lbs (80%).

His doctor remarked on how well spoken he is, too.

Easter 2008

It's Easter Sunday so Steven and his family have come over.

The kids get so excited to see each other. I've never seen two little ones play as hard as these two do. They've hunted Easter eggs, played on the playset. Mimi tried to teach Harper to golf with his play set that he has... he just couldn't figure it out. He kept going after the golf ball with the club, like it was a pool stick. Keep in mind that his parents are two of the most athletically challenged people out there. lol

After naps, Harper and Kenzie sat in the chair and enjoyed some chocolate milk (a staple in my house) while watching Thomas.

Spring Break

Harper spent part of Spring Break with Jody, since J didn't have to work. Jody said that one morning they were at the park by 8:15a. lol That sounds about right.

It had been raining for a couple of days and there were puddles everywhere. Harper walked up to one and said, "I want to touch it. I'll be really careful." Jody said it was okay and before he knew it....

Nice....

Jody said they were there for so long, that Harper's pants, socks and shoes were completely dry before they left for home.

Peas and Carrots

Harper had fish sticks and peas and carrots for dinner last night. He devoured them. This morning he said he wanted peas and carrots. (he had already eaten breakfast, and it was only 9:30) I figured, why not? It's good for him. So I heated up peas and carrots. He said 'no! I want that chicken stuff!' he meant fish sticks. So he was eating fish sticks and peas and carrots at 9:30 this morning!

Happy Birthday to my Baby!

Harper is three. I can't believe it! It seems like just yesterday that he was born.

He is such a smart little boy... and I'm not saying that because I'm biased... it's just true! He reads so many words and he loves to make up stories about Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends. He will also say the craziest most clever things that make me roll with laughter. His favorite books right now are 'The Giving Tree', 'I Think My Dog May Be a Genius', 'Horton Hatches the Egg' and 'Thomas-saurus Rex'. He could quote entire passages of these books to you if you asked.

His best friend is Jack. They will run and run until Mimi is dizzy. Together or alone, he loves to play in the backyard and have numerous adventures on his swingset. He's really into digging (which you think would be a problem, but by having my weeds treated, I've lost all semblance of grass because it was crab grass. lol).

He's also super sweet and snuggly. I'm a very spoiled Mommy to have such a loving child. He runs up and squeezes my leg so hard and says "I love you SOOO much, Mommy!" He has figured out that in order to get me to stay longer in the mornings, he just has to say, "Mommy, I need a hug!" or "Mommy, I need a kiss!" He likes to drink chocolate milk and watch Tigger and Pooh in my bed after he wakes up in the morning. My favorite part of the whole day. ;)

There are mood swings, but that's to be expected. I chalk everything up to growing pains. He's testing his boundaries. In typical fashion, when he's sweet he's super sweet, but when he's bad, he's bad.

I don't care, though. He's my angel sent to me from Heaven above. Just ask him... He'll tell you, God picked him out just for Mommy and Mommy just for him.

Happy Birthday My Love!