Grins, Giggles & Chaos!

SIX months

2015-12-13T22:15:00.002-06:00

Monday, my sweet little Harper was 6 months old. SIX months old already. It really does seem like she was just born yesterday.

A few stats

- She is rolling all over the place.

- She loves her exersaucer

- The girl loves to eat. There is nothing she won't eat. ;)

- She loves her sisters.

At her 6 month check up, she was:

15lbs, 9 oz & 27 in long

She's long & lean! :)

State Fair of Texas

2015-10-10T22:28:00.001-05:00

A few weekends ago, we went to the fair. It was super crowded, but the weather was perfect. The girls had a blast riding rides, eating fair food, and looking at all the animals. Harper was so good. She slept the majority of the time, but when she was awake, she just played in her little bassinet. I think she enjoyed the fresh air. ;)

4 months old

2015-10-10T22:24:00.000-05:00

Thursday, Oct 8. . . . Harper was 4 months old!

I cannot believe she is already 4 months old. I wish I could slow down time, and keep her a baby for a little while longer.

She is 13.9 lbs & 26 1/4 long. She is long & slim.

She had to get two shots, and she did great as usual.

- rolled over from back to front 10/2/15

- still HATES tummy time.

- loves to nurse, and snuggle.

- she chews on everything....from toys to her fingers & toes!

- started cereal on 10/8 & she LOVES it.

Her older sisters have given her the nickname, 'Smiley.'

She wakes up smiling, and is just the happiest baby. :)

1st Day of School

2015-08-24T23:38:00.000-05:00

Today was the first day of school for my kiddos!

Rylee - 5th grade!

Landry - 1st Grade!

I cannot believe I have a 5th grader, and a 1st grader this year. It feels like I just dropped them off at Kindergarten. Boy, how time flies. They have great teachers this year, and they seem excited. Today was a great day! Praying the rest of the school is year is just as awesome. ;)

So, it's just me & this sweet girl at home now that the older girls are back in school. I don't think she minds one bit.

2 month check up

2015-08-11T22:59:00.001-05:00

Today was Harper's 2 month check up.

Cannot believe she's already

2 months old. Time really does fly.

Here are a few stats:

- 11 lbs, 9.5 oz

- 24 inches long

- she loves to eat, and to be held.

- loves to smile

- DOES not like car trips.

She's doing great, and growing like a weed. Of course, we ended

the appointment with her 2 month shots. Boo!

1 month old

2015-07-17T23:49:00.001-05:00

On July 8th, Harper was a month old.

Harper, you have been such a blessing to our little family. Your big sisters just adore you, and want to be around you all time. I can't believe you are already a month old.

Harper:

- You are starting to stay awake more during the day, and you eat every 2 hours, although lately you have been stretching your feedings to about

every 2 1/2 - 3 hrs.

- You do NOT like to sleep in your bassinet, you would rather sleep in your Mamaroo, which I am ok with it, as long as you sleep! ;)

- You DO NOT like your car seat, which makes momma sad. We are always on the go, and it makes my heart hurt that you cry while in your seat.

- You LOVE to be held, and you always know when your momma is in the room. You can be sound asleep, and will wake when momma walks near you.

The Graduate

2015-06-15T21:24:00.000-05:00

Last Friday (June 5th), my baby graduated Kindergarten.

Seems just like yesterday she was born.

Class of 2027

Landry & Ms. Nichol.

Sure going to miss her next year!

Harper Sloane is here!

2015-06-15T20:20:00.001-05:00

She's here! I was originally scheduled for an induction on June 17, but miss priss had other plans. ;) I went into labor Sunday, June 8, around midnight. I timed my contractions for a few hours, and headed to the hospital around 2 am. I thought for sure the hospital would send me home for false labor, but nope! It was the real deal.

And speaking of June 8th, that's also Rylee's birthday. So, baby sister decided to come on big sisters birthday. So crazy!

We are so blessed to have a healthy baby girl. I will post more later, but just wanted to do a quick update since I've neglected this blog for the last 6 months. ;)

Harper Sloane Howell

June 8, 2015 / 5:42 pm

8.9 lbs / 21 1/4 inches

Going Home!

First Dance Competition

2015-02-19T00:36:00.001-06:00

Last weekend was the first dance competition of the season. This was Rylee's first competition with a new studio, and Landry's first competition ever. The girls did so good, and we had a great weekend.

Ho, Ho, Oh!

2014-12-25T20:40:00.001-06:00

Wishing y'all a very Merry Christmas!

September 11th

2014-09-11T07:00:00.000-05:00

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?

I know exactly where I was. Like so many of you, I woke up to the first breaking news report, and watched with the rest of the world as the second plane hit the WTC. I can't believe it's been 13 years. Seems like yesterday. In June, I had a chance to visit the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. It brought back all the memories, and tears of that fateful day. My 9 year old was with me, and having to explain to her {without too much detail} what happened. . . . . was painful.

Here is a photo I took of the new Freedom Tower.

Never Forget.

Wow....It's been 13 years

2014-09-10T22:23:00.000-05:00

Planner

2014-09-08T23:30:00.000-05:00

Hey y'all! Its that time of year. Time for a new planner! :) I love, love, love my Erin Condren planner. I know some of you are thinking......"She still uses a paper planner? It's 2014." I know, I know. With iPhones and iPads, who needs a paper planner, right?

THIS girl does! Erin Condren planners are by far the best I have come across. So many design choices, you can't go wrong. It totally keeps my busy family organized. They are kind of pricey, but so worth it. This will be my 3rd year to order, and don't plan on stopping any time soon. You should check them out.

You won't be sorry.

Erin Condren

Here is mine from last year.

First Day of School

2014-08-25T21:44:00.000-05:00

Today was a BIG day. It was the first day of school. Not only was it the first day of school, but it was Landry's first day of kindergarten! She woke up super excited, and from the car ride home, I'd say she had a fantastic day. Rylee started 4th grade. EEEEEK! My first baby is in 4th grade. My how time flies. They both had a great day, and are ready to for tomorrow.

It's going to be a great school year.

Here are a few photos I snapped this morning. Of course, there are more of Landry because being in 4th grade makes you too cool for your mom to follow you around on the first day, taking pictures. ha!

P.S. This momma did good this morning. Not a tear shed as she left her baby in her kindergarten class.

Meet the teacher night!

2014-08-21T23:49:00.000-05:00

Tonight was meet the teacher night! I am so happy with the teachers my girls got this year. They seem super sweet. I can't believe come Monday, I will have a 4th grader, and a Kindergartner. Looking forward to a wonderful school year.

Landry was really excited to meet her teacher, and to see her classroom. I hope Monday goes well. Can't believe my baby is going to kindergarten.

This will be Rylee's last year of elementary school. The district we're in has 5th & 6th grade combined in a different school. Not sure I am ready for all that. ;) She was excited to meet her new teacher as well.

Looking forward to the 2014-2015 school year!

Maddie K's Boutique

2014-08-11T12:14:00.003-05:00

Hey mommas! A few weeks ago, I came across a kids boutique on twitter called, Maddie K's Boutique. They are a new little boutique, and hey have the cutest smocked dresses for reasonable prices. Y'all know how much I love smocked dresses. ;)

Not only do they have cute girl stuff, but they sell boy

clothing as well. I can't wait to order.

Check them out.

https://twitter.com/MaddieKsStore

https://www.facebook.com/maddieksboutique

http://www.maddieks.com

Road trip to NWA

2014-08-08T22:09:00.001-05:00

a few weekends ago, the girls and I took a little road trip to visit our friends in NWA. They were super excited. Sophie {Ry's BFF} had no idea we were coming, so it was so fun to surprise her. We really enjoyed the weekend with the Burtis family.

Dance

2014-08-08T22:06:00.001-05:00

Both girls tried out for company this year, and BOTH made it. I now have two dances who will compete this year. This is Landry's first time on company, and she is so excited. :) I am super proud of the both of them. Way to go girls!

NYC

2014-08-08T22:04:00.000-05:00

Rylee & I had a blast in NYC! She is already planning our next trip.

We went to the 9/11 Museam & Memorial the first day. It was so emotional. Of course, when 9/11 happened, Rylee wasn't born yet. She has heard about 9/11, and to see her reaction was super emotional for this momma. She had lots of questions, and I tried to answer them the best I knew how. She's only 9, so I knew I had to be careful with how I answered some. They did a nice job on the memorial, but I will have to admit. At times, I felt cold chills. Here we were walking on a huge gravesite.

Here are a few photos I snapped. I felt weird taking photos, but I wanted a few to document Ry's trip.

After the 9/11 museum & memorial, we just did the typical NYC stuff.

She had so much fun, and I was glad I got to take a trip with just her and I. Not a bad way to spend your 9th birthday! :) She wants to visit NYC once a year, just the two of us, and I think that's the best thing I've heard in a while.

The BIG surprise

2014-06-11T22:47:00.000-05:00

A few post back, I blogged about surprising miss priss with a birthday trip to NYC. If you missed it, you can read about it here. We left Thursday, the 5th, and got home on the 9th. We had the best time. Here is a little video of her finding out about her surprise. {on the way to the airport}

She was totally surprised!

I will post more about our trip tomorrow!

A new hair cut, and a new smile in the same week!

2014-06-03T19:53:00.000-05:00

Today was B day! BRACES DAY!

My sweet girl

2014-06-03T19:49:00.003-05:00

For the longest time, Rylee would always say...."Mom, when my hair gets long enough, I am donating it to kids with no hair."

Well, yesterday was that day. She did it, and I am SUPER proud of her. I've always kept her hair cut into a cute bob, for the last year and a half, she's been growing it out, and loving it long. {me, not so much because I am the one who has to take care of it. ha!} So, I am really surprised she cut it off. I secretly love it better in a bob, but who am I? ;)

Here is the before and after.

I am so, so PROUD of this girl!

New York state of mind . . . .

2014-05-14T22:50:00.002-05:00

Ever since Miss Priss was 4, she has been asking to visit "The City", also known as New York City. She is fascinated with NYC. She knows almost every landmark, bridge, tunnel, etc. She reads everything she can get her hands on about NYC. She has even told me that after college, she's moving there. ha! {I don't blame her. I'd move there in a New York minute if my hubby would agree to it.}

Well, since she will be 9 this year, I decided to plan a little trip to the City. A SURPRISE trip! She has no idea, and we are not going to tell her until we are on our way to the airport. She is going to be so EXCITED!

I am pretty excited myself. I have a full 5 days planned for the two of us, and I'm really looking forward to hanging in The City with my girl.

Leaving on a jet plane . . . .

2014-04-23T18:29:00.001-05:00

A few weekends ago, Rylee and I were up at the crack of dawn headed to the airport. We took a girls trip to Northwest Arkansas, or "Home" as Rylee says. It's been 6 months since we moved back to Texas, and my girl was missing her bestie, Sophie like something fierce. So, off we went!

** blurry, I know, but this picture melts my heart.

Best.Weekend.Ever! Rylee spend both nights with Sophie, so momma had the hotel room all to herself - not gonna complain! They had the best time. We hung out, went to dinner, got pedicures, did some shopping, watched Sophie dance {dance competition weekend}, saw some friends from her old dance studio,and just caught up. Of course, I met up with some of my girlfriends for dinner the first night. So much fun catching up. Seriously, it's like I never moved. We just jumped right into conversation like we also do! Honestly, I miss them already.

We had such a great weekend, Rylee and I both didn't want to leave Sunday night, but back to Dallas we went.

So long NWA, see you again soon!

A little secret . . . .

2014-01-25T00:18:00.000-06:00

Well, it's really not a secret, but I just haven't told a lot of people. Yes, we are moving. BUT the good thing is, we are staying in Texas. We are actually moving, "home!" Since graduating college, Kasey has wanted a career in the sports field. He's applied for a few positions here & there over the last 15 years, but they weren't a good fit. He's been in the same type field for the last 15 years, and honestly, he needed/wanted a change. When this opportunity came up, he jumped! It is in the sport nutrition field, AND it's a completely different type of career. Per Kasey, "It's the job I've been working towards the last 15 years!"

He was offered the job on Christmas Eve, and he is SUPER exited.

I'm excited that he's excited. What I am NOT excited about. . . . MOVING! Again! We just moved back to Texas in June of this year.

He starts on Monday, and the girls and I are set to move early February. Totally feel like it will be here before I know it.

Have I started to pack? Nope!

So, that is our little secret. Wish us luck. Hopefully, this will

be our last move for a while.

Have a good weekend!