Two Months

On your two month birthday...

Your stats:

Weight: 10 lbs even - 25th %tile
Height: 23 inches - 75th %tile

Head circumference: 25th %tile

Diapers: size 1 and size small cloth diapers

Sleeping during the night: we just started a new schedule 2 days ago, but it was a feed at 10 pm and then 6 am, then she went back down until 9 am. Now we are starting with an earlier bed time of 9 pm and hopefully working up to 7 am...10 hours!

**She slept through the night for the first time on November 11th!! It was a wonderful 8 hours of uninterupted sleep from 10 pm until 6 am.

Another nickname: Harper Jo Jo

Feeding schedule: (this may be super boring to any readers out there, but I'd like to have it documented for our next baby, Lord willing. That way, since this is working well, I will have some sort of something to go by...and yes, I know that our next baby might need a totally different schedule ;) )
7 am (hopefully), 10 am, 1 pm, 4 pm, 7 pm, 9 pm...approximately 20 minutes per feed

What you are up to:

-SMILING!!!! (we can't get enough of them)

-COOING!!! (can't get enough of these either)

-squirming

-almost rolling over

-tummy time...which you don't mind too bad

-you are holding your head up alot better, but still need a little help
-you are still a peaceful shopper (just hold out until after Christmas, that is all I ask!)

-you also still are an angel for me when I go to work out!
-everytime after you yawn (or sometimes halfway through a yawn), you let out a short "ah!"...it's pretty cute

-you love your friend Paisley...and she loves giving you hugs and kisses...and putting your paci in your mouth (or at least somewhere in that general area) ;)

-you went to the church nursery for the first time and slept the entire time

-you were dedicated at church on November 27th
-you are definitely more aware of your surroundings and notice when people talk to you or walk in front of you

-you still look just like your Daddy, but some people say you are starting to look more like me (I still don't see it)

-your favorite toy is still your seahorse that glows and plays music
-you like to listen to Momma read books to you for a long time (as long as you can lay on your back and kick)...almost an hour today!!

-your hair has fallen out a little bit on one side...the side you always have against your mattress, but you still have a ton on top, the back, and the other side!! Also, it has lightened up a bit.

-you love your bouncy seat that we got for free more than your MomaRoo swing...which was not free

-when Daddy tries to comfort you or calm you down he says "Okay, Okay, Okay, we're bouncin, Okay, yep, we're bouncin, Okay, Okay, Okay"...all in a sweet voice...it melts my heart, I'm not sure why, but it just does

-we made your first Christmas ornament with your sweet little handprint :)

-you had a great first Thanksgiving...you've met almost all of the family

-you watched, kicked and cooed as Momma and Daddy decorated for your first Christmas...next year you can help!

Cooing at Momma

Your stocking

Dedication day

Making your handprint ornament

You are just lovely baby girl, completely lovely.
We love you to the moon and back and more.

One Month

I know...once again, I'm very late on posting this. As always, better late than never!

On your one month birthday...

Your stats:

Weight: 8 lbs. 6 oz.

Height: 21 inches

Diapers: newborn (so teensy...although her little legs are chunking up and we will be switching to size 1 soon...sigh) and size small cloth diapers

Sleeping during the night: feeding at 10 pm, 3 am, and then we wake up with a feeding at 8 am (she's a pretty good sleeper, thanks Harpster!)

Oh, nicknames!: Harpster and Harpo (not to be confused with the whole Oprah backwards thing, gag)...however, I usually just call her Harper or Harper Jo

Feeding schedule: 8 am, 11am, 2 or 3 pm, 6 pm, 8 pm, 10 pm...approximately 20 minutes each feed. You have been a great eater from the day you were born, thanks for cooperating! I was worried about that! By the way, I LOVE feeding you! It amazes me and brings me joy knowing that God created women in such a way that they would be able to supply something so wonderful for their children. Thank you, Lord, for that blessing!

What you are up to:

-You just started cooing and smiling really big after you eat or when I go in to get you in the mornings...you are such a happy baby! I can't get enough of it! Also, so far, you pretty much just smile in the morning, but it seems like you always save a few for Daddy! Thank you!! It means so much to him and always tells you that it was the best part of his day. So sweet.

-You LOVE, I mean LOVE getting your hair washed!...on the other hand, you aren't much of a fan of getting your body washed.

-When you fill your diaper, well, let's just say the whole house can hear it. In fact, even though we have now heard it probably one hundred times, it still startles Daddy and I sometimes. (We'll have to work on being more lady like, but for now its pretty darn cute!)

-Speaking of that, you also have the cutest burps!!

-You are doing great at tummy time! At first it was pretty scary, especially for Daddy. You are doing so much better at turning your head from side to side now!

-You are a peaceful shopper, so far anyway!!

-You went to the gym with me for the first time on your one month birthday! Everyone was so impressed by how good you were and loved seeing you! (Don't worry, no one gets to hold you when we go AND my hands feel like sandpaper after we leave for as many times as I stop to wash my hands or sanitize the machines and the handle of your carseat.) Oh, and I never put you near free weights or under any ceiling fans...a nice elderly man was nervous one day when I had you under a fan...he said "be careful with her under that fan, I wouldn't want it to fall on her"...sweet guy, I guess he's had a bad experience with a fan falling off the ceiling.

-Roscoe LOVES you. He is always worried about you if you are crying or if I am patting your back to burp you. Oh, and I always know when your diaper is dirty (if for some reason I didn't hear it), because he'll continoulsy sniff your bum. Thanks Roscoe!

-You have a certain "bird face" that we absolutely love...along with about 100 other expressive facial expressions you have. We are really enjoying getting to know you.

-You were a sweet little pink bunny for your first Halloween. We went to PF Changs to eat with Uncle Bobo and Auntie S.

-You have done well at church, except last week, you were a little fussy in Sunday School, but its just because you are starting to sleep less and are more aware of the things around you!

Harper, we have loved EVERY second of getting to know you and thank God for giving you specifically to us. I know I probably missed something...but really, we have such an overwhelming love for you. Not that we will ever understand the abundance of love that Christ has for His children, but we have talked recently about how we feel like we understand just a teensy bit more now.

By the way, perfect timing, I just heard you fill your diaper over the monitor...sounds like you are ready to get up!

Harper's Birth Story

Harper is a month old TOMORROW!!!

I know I am a little late on her birth story, but better late than never, I suppose!

**Okay-I could give you the version that I wrote in her baby book, but that may take more time than I have before she wakes from her slumber...SO, here is a short and sweet, condensed version.

We had our 40 week appointment on Tuesday, September 27th. After Dr. Shanbour checked me, much to our dismay, he told us that I was still not dilated, but was about 85% effaced. Since we had an induction scheduled for the next morning and I had no progress (as far as dilation goes), he wanted us to check in to the hospital that night. GULP!! What? Really? We really weren't prepared for that! He told us to go home, finish packing our hospital bags, go to a nice dinner, and come back around 8 pm.

We did. Here is how it went: Left Dr. office. Squealed all the way down on the elevator. Called parents. Freaked out. Called a few more people. Starting sweating profusely (OK-enough of all that, you get the point). Got home. Dealt with Roscoe. Showered. Finished packing bags. Ate at Olive Garden (we had great coupons!). Got done eating way before time to go to the hospital because we were so excited. Went to Barnes and Noble to kill time. Checked in at Mercy at 7:59 pm.

The nurses started me on an I.V., drew blood, and started the Cirvadil (to help me dilate). After a long night, Dr. Shanbour came in at about 9 am and said that the Cirvadil had worked and he broke my water. Zach and I were both very tired from the lack of sleep we got. We tried to get some more rest, but soon the pain started to set in. Not too bad though.

Around noon, things really started to pick up. I used some great breathing techniques that we learned in birthing class. They actually helped quite a bit! I knew that with each contraction, there was only about 30 seconds of REALLY strong pain. Contractions were getting stronger and closer. I didn't think I needed an epidural yet, so they gave me some pain medicine (I know, I'm a whimp). I was thinking it would just take the edge off of the pain...boy, was I wrong! I really couldn't feel hardly any pain for about an hour and a half. According to Zach and my mom, I guess I said some pretty funny things when I got the pain medicine.

**Funny things: Something about a great idea I had to make doll lawn chairs out of the old school metal flyswatters?? I also said that my stomach felt like it had "one of those things in it that held up tents"...yes, a pole.

The nurses were all sooo sweet and made sure I was as comfortable as possible at all times!

Later, probably around 3 or 4 I got my epidural. It was nothing. I got so nervous about it for nothing. Zach helped me to focus on him and not think about the ginormous thing going in my back. He was such a great support through the entire delivery, well through the entire pregnancy, for that matter!

EXCITEMENT BUILDING....

Finally, around 6:30 pm, the nurses said I was a 10 and ready to push!! Before I knew it, there were about 5 nursing students and a handful of other nurses in the room watching me push. OH JOY! No, I actually didn't really mind...it was the last thing on my mind at the time. Just looking back on it, you think...hmm, the "pushing face" is not anyones best look, haha!

When one of the nurses said they could see her head, I asked "Does she have hair?? Is it partable??" Everyone laughed and the nurse told me that she did have hair and she did, in fact, think it was partable!!

At about 7 Dr. Shanbour came in, just as casual as ever (I like that about him), drinking a bottle of water and said "How we doing Stace?" I really don't remember what I said in response, I just remember thinking how casual he walked in. That goes to show that the way you see it in movies and TV shows is always wrong. Anyways, he scrubbed in, put on his blue paper scrub things, arranged a few things how he preferred them, and then sat down.

He coached me through pushing for about 10-15 more minutes. Dr. Shanbour and all the nurses were so encouraging! It was such an exciting experience that I really truly enjoyed!....Then, with all the love in the world, Zach and I welcomed our blessing, our heaven sent, little Harper Jo into the world!! I don't think I can even try to explain all the joy, warmth, love, and grattitude I had in that moment. Zach cut the cord (which I didn't even see/don't remember) :( because I was busy kissing our sweet little girl. I guess I kept saying "baby girl, oh baby girl, hi sweet girl." That is what Zach says anyway.

Born September 28, 2011 at 7:16 pm. 7 lbs, 12 oz. 20.5 inches long.

They took her away and I watched as they cleaned her up and Zach took lots of pictures. She had a bit of respiratory distress, so they had her lay on my chest for skin to skin contact to regulate it. I was more than okay with that, however, Zach didn't get to hold her for about an hour and a half. He was about to go crazy! After we had some time, just the 3 of us (and after Zach held her for a while), we told the nurses to let the family in.

**I was told by the nurse to not let it get too loud...hmm, that was nearly impossible with all the family we had up there!! Luckily, the nurse said she would let us know if we were being too loud. She never did. :)

It was so nice of everyone to wait so patiently to see Harper! I think it was both of our parents, Ryan and Shayna, Tiffany and her 3 kids (Nate was out of town), and Ashlee and Molly. (Sorry if I left anyone out!)

Everyone "ohhed" and "awwed" and passed her around. She also had a constant poparazzi, of course. Ryan and Shayna went to get us Panera...ahh, food! It was so tasty, especially since I hadn't had any food since Olive Garden the night before!!

After everyone left, the nurse took Harper to bathe her. When she brought her back Zach and I could not believe her hair!!! It was adorable!! Zach took a picture and it is still (out of about 1500+ pictures) one of our very favorites. Oh, the joy that we had as we loved on our newborn babe. We will never forget it. She was finally here.

Well, that is the "short and sweet" version...which still turned out to be way longer than I had planned. If you stayed with me, thanks!!!

3 WEEKS OLD!!

Is my baby girl really 3 weeks old already??

I know I have been slacking, but for good reason.

Maybe tomorrow I will have the time/brains/energy to post about Harper's birth and her first 3 weeks.

In a nutshell though, it has been the best 3 weeks of our lives. Zach and I are taken with her.

"Due Date"

Well, today has almost passed and Harper is not here...its okay though! We will see her in God's timing. Zach and I just got back from a walk...we've been walking alot lately, but it has hardly brought on any contractions!

Today was probably one of the hardest days of the pregnancy. Not that I was super uncomfortable or anything, but I like schedules and sticking to them and she is heh-uhm, not starting out with a good record! Just joking, I know God's timing is perfect and she may just need a little more time! Actually, this morning, my quiet time was about giving God the control and not trying to be in control yourself! How appropriate! So, right now, Lord, I totally give this over to you, as I have been praying. Your timing is perfect and right!!

Today has felt like a week...I've been pretty bored or I guess just preoccupied with thoughts about the days and weeks to come. My mind has sent me racing in a mind-marathon...making it very hard to sleep/nap/sit still. Everyone tells you to get as much sleep as you can...how in the world is this possible, especially when your due date nears....and passes, all you can do is think!!!

I did, however, get a pedicure today, which was very relaxing! When the lady asked me when I was due and I told her today, I think she felt sorry for me because she gave me a very long massage! I was totally okay with that!

Tomorrow, I plan to do one more quick clean on the house, change our sheets, do some laundry, and TRY to rest. We have our 40 week appointment at 2:45, so that will cut my lonely day a little short!! YES!! Zach and I will get to start our last night together a little earlier than the normal 4:30! We also plan on going to eat somewhere and then just coming home, double checking our hospital bags, maybe play some cards, go on a walk, and enjoy our last sweet night as just Zach and Staci.

A chapter closing, a new one opening...

We're ready!!!

Tomorrow I will be 39 weeks...39 WEEKS!!! That means this baby is almost here!!! Zach and I are antsy and anxious as we await the arrival of our first born, however, we are trying to enjoy these last few days of just us. We have gone to the movies, gone to dinner, enjoyed lazy weekends, and we have enjoyed preparing/nesting for Harper! He has been such a big help!

Here are a few pictures of her room. We have a few more decorative items to hang, but I'd say its about 95 % done!!!

Silent night...for now.

It's 1:16 AM and I'm in what may become my new early morning spot....the couch. As I sit here in silence, I'm trying to perceive what it may be like in a few weeks at 1:16 in the morning, here, on the couch. Although there may not be much silence, I burst with excitement knowing that in a few weeks, I won't be sitting solo on this couch! I hope Harper likes to snuggle!

Tonight, what brings me here is a VERY active little girl (that I am so thankful for)...which leads me to take many jaunts to the bathroom, tums, tossing and turning, and restless legs. Zach hasn't been able to get a great nights sleep in a while, mostly due to my latest situation...I just lay there as still as I can be until I can take it no longer, putting off changing positions or getting up to go to the bathroom, or making what seems like the loudest noise ever when I get a few tums out of their container. Why is it that when you need to be still, you can't?

Anyways, as of today (or I guess yesterday)...I'm 36 weeks along. I'm getting tired easy (but can't sleep at night), I'm having quite a few Braxton-Hicks everyday, and in the past 3-4 days I've have mild cramping down low. I go to the Dr. tomorrow, so I hope he can tell me something...anything, as to what he thinks about whether she'll be early, on time, or late. I know there is no real way of knowing, but just hearing some explanation will give me something to look forward to.

Our hospital bag is half packed, the car seat will be installed any day now, her room is 80% done, and there are still about 15 things left on my deep cleaning list that I need to do before she gets here; however, I'm trying to wait until closer till time so the house is in it's cleanest condition!

Well, I feel a hint of tiredness coming on...maybe this is my ticket to sleep.

Maternity Pictures

We were blessed with the opportunity to have our maternity pictures taken by the amazing Sarah Summers, David Burwell's sweet woman!! We have fallen in love with her approach to photography and talent. Thank you again, Sarah and Dave, for coming to OKC to shoot these! We miss you guys already!!

The pictures were taken when I was 30 weeks pregnant. The blue dress pictures are taken at Lake Hefner in OKC and the Oklahoma shirt pictures are taken in the field behind our house! Here are a few of our favorites!!

Beyond Blessed

Last Saturday, Shayna (my soon to be Sister-in-law) and I were given a double shower by some sweet women at my parent's church. It was perfect. From the beautiful flowers and colorful lanterns to the exquisite food, they worked very hard to make sure everything was in place.

The hostesses...Ada, Kim, Vicki, and Linda.

It is a good thing Zach was not able to come down for the weekend because he certainly would not have had a place to sit on the way back...my car was PACKED!! God has provided SO much for us through this shower...Harper is set!

Here are a few pictures to recap the day...

Vicki, Kim, Ada, and Linda-thank you again for hosting such a wonderful shower!! I hope Harper has such Godly woman in her life like you 4-as I have had.

My Love

Last week my love and I celebrated our 4th year of marriage. I really don't know what I would do without him. I love you, Zach, and as cliche as it sounds, I really can't wait to spend the rest of our life together. Thanks for the beautiful Spider Mums.

25 weeks and then some...

**WARNING: Go ahead and start laughing, this is the best I could get the spacing!! I need to get a new blog...I'm not a fan of blogger!!

This whole pregnancy is turning into a whirlwind!!! Only 15ish weeks left, really? Where did it all go? Here is a tired looking, hair needs to be washed, just cleaned up dinner...me at 25 weeks.

And here are a few things we've been up to lately:

-We officially picked her name!! Dun dun dun...

HARPER JO SCHNORRENBERG

I.LOVE.IT.

-We ordered and put together Harper's sweet new ride...

-I painted her dresser...

BEFORE and AFTER

-I refashioned some clearance onesies ($0.75 each)!!

Both of these onesies had ugly Halloween prints on them.

Believe it or not, this is her first OSU onesie.


And of course, "h" for Harper!

Baby Bedding

I have been looking and looking for bedding that I like, scratch that, I mean love AND doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Nothing was really grabbing me.

SO...I decided to make it! I was thinking I could make it all for around $100, which is great, but it actually ended up costing just under $60. (I found a white twin bed skirt at target that I fashioned into a crib skirt for only $3.50!) SCORE!

Colors: turquoise, coral pink, marigolds, and creamsicle orange

A little something extra for fun on the skirt.

From the looks of it, you can't see much coral pink, but hopefully when we paint her dresser it will pop out!

I'll have to get a better picture later...but for a quick post, this will have to do.

Settin' Up Shop

I have dreamt about this day for what seems like

F-O-R-E-V-E-R.

And now, it is here.

Thank you, God, for this opportunity and blessing that you have given us.

I couldn't imagine doing it with anyone else.

In true excitement, we made a classic mistake.

This picture (above) was taken after we pushed the completed crib down the hall.

This picture was taken as Zach was reassembling the cute little crib that did not fit through the doorway...all during the Thunder game. Thanks baby!

And the finished (in a way) product!!

We love that it is so simple, plain, and petite.