Missing Some Sleep?

We sure are! Nicholas went from being a great sleeper to a NOT great sleeper! Last night, he was up for hours just looking around. Drove us both batty! Luckily for me, I got a nap in today. Besides that we're doing great around here. Nick is growing - he was a few ounces over his birth weight at 2 weeks. He looks so much like Ryan did. He loves to be cuddled and kept really warm. We went for our first walk outside and he liked my wrap. Hopefully, he'll start to like my new ring sling - since I washed it and got the yucky smell out.

Ryan and Emma are doing great with Nick. Ryan helps when asks and wants to hold him, but besides that isn't too concerned. A little more strapped for attention, but seems used to it already. He's acting out a little since my mom has been here - but that is something we are used to. Emma loves to give Nick kisses and point out all the facial body parts. His nose is of great interest to her. She loves to try to help but usually ends up getting in the way.

Emma got moved into her new room last weekend. Kris had finished painting it around New Years and we got the curtains and roller shades up. I finished up with new sheets and duvet cover. Kris tethered the dresser and bookshelf and we were good to go. Emma has done fine since the move and Ryan has decided that it is a great play room. We have had to put a door handle outside so Ryan will stop waking Emma up in the morning - she sleeps longer than he does and really needs that extra sleep! Plus, we've found Emma out of her crib once and the crib moved across the room once.

Nicholas Patrick Harper

"Hey everybody, what's up??"

Baby boy Nicholas Patrick Harper, born at 9:05am this morning, 8lbs. Everything was as uneventful as possible, and everyone is well. Here are some additional pics.

Owwies and fun....

Happy New Year!

We're having a lot of fun around here. But keeping Ryan busy without school is not an easy task. We're still going to the gym, Kris took him swimming there yesterday. We've done some shopping. But mostly we've been hanging around the house playing with our new toys and driving each other bonkers! We played with Playdough a few days ago and as you can see had a lot of fun!

Kris has finished painting Emma's new room. We have to move the furniture back in, build the other crib and get curtains for the room, but it looks great. We are really pleased with the color and the kids are loving having another room to play in (especially one that is empty).

Last night, Kris and I went out with our friends Shannon and Jeff to celebrate the New Year and our anniversary. Amazingly, it was the first time, we actually went out on New Years Eve, besides my Dad's suprise birthday party a few years ago. The kids are getting more used to Michael our babysitter who lives across the street. And while, I found Emma's diaper on backwards this morning, they did great. They love that he gives them M&M's as a snack! We had a good time also seeing Loni Love at the local comedy club and having dinner there. We were just so thankful to be able to go out and celebrate! The kids had helped me make a chocolate cookie cheesecake to be able to eat last night. They had a great time smooshing cookies and mixing stuff and mostly licking the bowls - as you can see. We didn't end up eating it last night, so we'll have it as dessert tonight!

I almost forgot about Emma. On Sunday, she fell off a chair in our office and hit her head on our desk (we're assuming, since no one was in the room). We had just come home from church and had managed to get changed but not had lunch. It was a deep cut right on the eyebrow. So off to the urgent care we went. She ended up with 4 stiches, which will come out tomorrow. They had to papoose her to get her to stay still and she still struggled and cried at the top of her lungs. But we're glad she'll be ok. Kris has been calling her 'Scarface'.

As for me, doctor appointment yesterday put me at almost 3 cm. So 1cm movement in 2 weeks! I'm expecting another 2 weeks. We go back in another 1 1/2 weeks. Kris has to go out of town on Thursday and Friday this coming week, and I refused to bring both kids with me so they are letting me go a little longer before another appointment. Tired of being pregnant though. Lots of Braxton Hicks contractions, but nothing substantial.