Let's Rodeo!

Harper made her first trip to the San Antonio Rodeo and, yee-haw, was it big fun!  If you're a San Antonian, this becomes an annual affair so the first is quite monumental.  After a trip to the petting zoo, riding on the horses, checking out the stock show and feasting on the finest of chicken fingers and french fries, you'd think the Squirrel would have been worn out but she could have gone all afternoon if I'd let her.  We heart SA Rodeo - especially on Valentine's Day!

What?  A big ol' llama don't scare me!

But hey - back off sheep.  You're a little too close for comfort.

Alright. This one's a little more my style.

Oh!  You can touch them too!

Who knew they'd have a wallaby at the Rodeo?

Hey Sanders, who can shake the cage the hardest?

Careful Field, don't get too close.

The only picture I got of the three friends together at the Rodeo.  They are a little hard to keep still these days!

Valentines kisses from the goat

Yo chicken!  Wassup?

Um, seriously Mom?

Okay, I think I've got the hang of this.

I'm gonna be barrel racing in no time!

Dental Hygiene

We headed in to see the dentist, Dr. McCabe, today for a quick check of the teeth...all two of them.  Our pediatrician had suggested getting Harps to a dentist - not because anything was wrong but just routine to make sure things looked good as her teeth were coming in.

We started off on a good note with the bright lights and flashy tools.

But the minute that guy in the mask and gloves started towards her, we had a bit of a meltdown.  I'm sure someone in there thought it must be one heck of a root canal!

He also said that her top teeth were going to break through any minute.  Great.  Do we remember how much I hate teeth?

First Birthday Letter

My dear, little Squirrel,

One year - ONE YEAR!!!  Can you even believe it?  Well, I'm sure you can't since time is awfully irrelevant to you these days.  But your parents are floored!  We can't believe how quickly this year has gone by.

You are, simply said, amazing.  I am so impressed with your strength and courage.  To think that this time last year, we were terrifying at what the year would hold.  Don't get me wrong, we've had our ups and downs.  But from the second you were born on August 4, 2010, you have defied the odds, left the doctors in wonder, given your father and me a true belief in faith and hope and been an answer to so many prayers.  I can remember having to hold you down daily while you were in the NICU so that we could put your bandages on.  You would sit quietly, looking around, like you knew that what was happening was for the best.  And you bounced right back after your surgery this summer!  You are one tough cookie!

You are also the most easy going child a parent could ask for.  Your smile can light up a room and bring tears to your momma's eyes.  You are curious but cautious, always making sure you can master a task before you dive into trying it.  You love to be out and about and you love to people watch.  We sometimes have to have talks that its rude to stare at strangers but you don't care.  You usually have them waving and googly-eyed by the time you're done. 

You are so delicate and dainty.  Where did you get this??? Certainly not from me.  I can see the little lady you'll one day be. 

You have given me a purpose to my life.  I never thought that "Mom" would become my most important job title but I love my job and I'll happily claim my title any day. 

Thank you for the laughter and smiles you bring our family.  Thank you for your sweet nature and random kisses you like to dispense.  Thank you for loving your parents as much as you do.  And thank you for making our days complete. 

I love you little birthday girl!

Mommy

Happy 4th of July!

It was a successful first 4th of July for Miss Meabon - a very routine 4th, minus the firecrackers.  Almost the entire state was on a firecracker ban due to the drought so we'll have to wait until next year for the Squirrel to see the fire in the sky. 

We started the morning off with the annual neighborhood 4th of July Parade.

Headed to the pool for snacks with the 'hood.  As you can see, someone was pretty into the H2O melon!

Went home for a nap and back to the pool for an afternoon dip and wrapped it all up with sausages on the grill. 

Hope you all had a safe and happy 4th!

Look what I found...

...after naptime this morning.  Someone was standing in her crib all by herself for the very first time. 

 She was pretty proud of herself.  Can you tell?

Well, that was interesting...

Last night I had a meeting that I was running so it couldn't be missed.  Jared was out of town on business.  Honey and Grandy had previous plans.  So as opposed to leaving Harper by herself, I decided it would be prudent to hire our first paid babysitter. 

Harps has been left with H & G numerous times, has always done great when Grammie was in town and babysat, has had successful experiences at CiCi's house and had a rockstar babysitting experience with my cousin Ashley and her Godparents, Bobby and Lily.  In other words, I have left her out of my care on numerous occasions with no issues.  So I called up the Goertz's to see who Annabelle's favorite sitter was and asked if we could borrow her for the night.  What good friends to lend us their most trusted sitter!  But I did promise not to steal her on occasions when we're both out - that could end a friendship.

So, cute Jessica bops into our house on Tuesday night at 5:30pm.  Have I mentioned that Jessica is a nursing student that wants to specialize in pediatrics?  And when I went to explain what the Squirrel's wrap was all about, I started with, "So do you know what an omphalocele is?" and I basically could stop there without a long, lengthy explanation?  Sweet!  Babysitter jackpot! 

So in comes Jessica.  I had asked her to come about 30 minutes early so I could finish getting ready and we'd have a little time for the Squirrel to see the transition and not just have her mother disappear into thin air.  I went through all of the details with Jessica but let her know how laid back the Squirrel was and that it should be a pretty low-key night for her.  I also explained that I'd be running the meeting I was going to so I wouldn't really be reachable for a couple of hours but if anything dire came up, she could call Jared in Louisiana with questions.  Jessica started Harper on her dinner and the minute I walked out of the room, the tears started to flow.  We did the little song and dance of getting her calmed down.  I wasn't too concerned and Jessica said just go and she was sure, as with most babies she watches, Harps would calm down after I left.

As I was walking out the door, I peeked my head back in to let Jessica know that if she got totally desperate and the tears continued, there was a stroller in the garage and they could stroll around the block.  Off I went, a little hesitant but confident that our seasoned sitter would be thumbing through a magazine and watching tv in no time as the Squirrel drifted off to dreamland. 

My meeting finished at 9pm and I took a look at my phone.  Four texts and two missed calls - a combo from Jessica and Jared.  Hmmm.  First picture from Jessica:

Guess the stroller was necessary but she looks happy, right?  Wrong.  Come to find out the girl screamed her head off for two straight hours and this was the only break in the chaos.  The walk in the stroller lasted about 20 minutes but its 100 degrees in San Antonio and not quite ideal for strolling.  Jessica finally had to wave the white flag and let the girl cry it out in bed.  The Squirrel fell asleep once, only to wake back up, screaming bloody murder 15 minutes later.  The second go round, she was so tired that she wore out after 10 minutes.  How horrible did I feel???  And no, not for Harper.  She's a trooper and this mommy-separation thing is a little ridiculous.  Poor Jessica!  I'm sure she was freaking out.  She did end up calling Jared to make sure there wasn't something horribly wrong with the Girl which is why I had texts and voicemails from Jared letting me know just how unhappy his daughter was. 

And tonight?  Oh, perfectly fine.  Seriously Harper.  This WILL NOT become a habit.

A "Roaring" Good Time

If you haven't been to the San Antonio Zoo, you are missing out.  It really is a great Zoo and so much better than I remember it being 15 years ago.  Kathryn, Lisa and I decided to take the kids on Thursday.  We were all so excited but as you can see, I guess the Zoo meant alot more to the thirty-somethings in the group than it did to the 8 month, 10 month and 12 month old! 

Two pieces of advice:  #1) Go online to http://www.saattractions.com/ and print off a coupon.  #2) Be prepared to sweat bullets while you're there.  I wouldn't recommend going in July, August or September since its so dang HOT outside.  We were there at 9am and within minutes, I was wondering why I showered before I went.  BLA-ZING!

I hope in a couple of years, our Zoo outing will induce a little more excitement.  I guess seeing an elephant for the first time in your life isn't too thrilling!

arriving for our adventure - don't they look pumped?

at least the grown-ups were excited

"look harps and field!  a bear!"

"uh, whatever...." 

"look annabelle!  a rhinoceros!"

"huh, big whoop..."

"look field!  a wild dog!"

"oh, i'm more impressed by belle, my dog at home" 

  

"look squirrel! its an alligator!"

"um, great.  do they have any kitties here?"

 

 

   

"harps - see the bird, the elephant, the monkey, the bear and that african...what the heck is that???"

"so, can i go home and take a nap now?"