7 Months

7 Month Update!  Well, I don't have any super cute posed pic this month-I'm saving all the pics for the holiday/winter/christmas entry in a bit:)  However, Piper continues to amaze us with everything she is doing!  Miss Pipey officially waves and at the right time, babbles those beautiful words "mama mama mama mama", can stand with just a bit of help, finished up her round of flu shots, and smiles the most beautiful smile! 

Thanksgiving

This year's Thanksgiving was the first for Piper! It was a beautiful day with lots of food, perfect weather, memories and love from everyone in the family. The day started with the gathering of the Martins/Brewers/Georges/Van Normans/Hornbecks. (Amy's side of the fam) It was a great time. Good food, tossin a football around, sitting by the fire and of course fighting for all of Piper's attention:) After the first dinner, Daddy came home!! We went over to Grandma and Grandpa Hornbeck's house for a dinner that was so relaxing and fun! One of Jeremy's friends from forever ago came by with his wife and new baby. It was amazing to see an itty bitty baby again, I can barely remember Pipes actually being so fragile! To end the night, it was snuggle on the couch time with a good Christmas movie and rerun of the parade from earlier in the day. All in all, it was a day to be thankful for!

**Random note-I ADORE seeing my cousins play and love on Piper. It seems like just yesterday I was helping feed them or play peek-a-boo with all of them. Now to see them doing the same with my daughter...it's powerful, I tell ya!

6 Months

Dear Piper,


You are 6 months old today and that boggles my mind.  I can't believe it has been 6 months since you were born!  I still cry just thinking about that night and early morning.  When you entered into this world, I swear time stood still.  You cried.  I counted your fingers and toes.  You looked at me.  You looked at daddy.  You grabbed onto daddy's finger within seconds.  You, at that moment, became the center of our universe.  


I'm sitting here listening to the songs I picked out for you for 9 whole months, to be "your" songs.  I spent so long trying to pick out the perfect songs and I would listen and try to imagine you in my arms.  Little did I know that holding you, snuggling you, feeding you, dancing with you, rocking you would be the most amazing feeling I would ever experience.  I will do anything for you my lovely, anything.


Taylor Swift's "Never Grow Up" comes on now and it brings a tear to my eye.  You are growing up so fast.  You were so tiny in my arms on May 20th and now 6 months later, you are my chunky monkey.  You sit up by yourself, do the body scoot on the floor, can stand up while holding my hands, roll around to get to something and observe everything.  I am amazed at what you have learned in such a short amount of time!


Miss Piper, you are curious, a quick learner, observant, alert, aware, silly, playful, flirty, lovable and so much more.  You bring so much pure happiness, joy and pride to mommy and daddy's lives.  We didn't even know this amount of happiness existed before you came along.


My munchie, I love you forever and ever.  
"To the dwarf planets and back."
Love,  Mommy

Who Let Him Dress Her?!?!

Daddy has been experimenting with Piper's outfits lately.  Needless to say, Piper and I are both embarrassed.  No, no, no, Pipes loves it when she and daddy pick out something to wear.  I on the other hand, cringe!

Here is one of the lovely outfits! :)

Uncle Brother & Monkey

Boo!

Piper's First Halloween was spooktacular!  Baby girl got to dress up, play with pumpkin guts and sat up for the first time all by herself.  Woo hoo!

 At first Miss Piper was a bit uneasy about the gooey gooey guts.  But, once we started playing with it she had so much fun!  Lots of throwing it around, tasting it and making a mess.  Gosh, messes can be so fun!  (Daddy's OCD was in full force for this activity, hahaha)

Fall is here!  Time to break out the argyle:)  FINALLY!

5 months

Oh my.  Oh my.  Miss Piper is 5 months old.  I swear each month goes by faster than the last one.  This month included lots of changes and growth for our lil chunk!  Here are just a few:)

• Piper has started on solid foods.  First was oatmeal cereal, then came cereal with banana, then peas and now sweet potatoes.  It's so fun to watch her react to the different textures and tastes.  She LOVES the sweet potatoes.
• Mommy and daddy learned that the sweet potatoes stain.  They really really stain.  Good bye nice white shirt.  ha ha ha!
• She is now a lot more active and plays in her jumperoo more often.  She tends to get a bit overwhelmed by EVERYTHING that is on there so it only lasts about 10 minutes.  Those ten minutes are so much fun...I'll have to post a video of the squealing:)
• Piper continues to love her walks and now that it is cooler outside it is part of our daily morning/evening routine.  She tries to lick the breeze everytime!
• She now sits up if you put your legs out and put her in between.  A bit wobbly, but she's getting there!
• She enjoys trying to stand and can if you help support her!
• Still sleeping 11 hours at night.  God bless you child!
• She adores her daddy and has him wrapped around her finger, just like he should be:)
• Enjoys singing, clapping, kicking, dancing and watching Tool Time.  Daddy's influence there, eh?
• The teething has begun!  She hasn't gotten horribly fussy but she definitely gets whiny and cranky.  Poor baby:(
• Her laugh is the most amazing sound in the entire world.  I could listen to it all day every day.

big girl!

Piper has had her first high chair adventure! She is starting to eat some veggies so it was time to break out the high chair. She looks so big in that thing! EeK!

 I think she looks like auntie here:)

 This one cracks me up!  Can you spy the little hands and feet?

 Hello sunshine!

Goofy girl

Yarn

Piper got to have fun with some yarn this weekend and she loved every second!

First Hairclip

YES!!!  This mama is so excited.  Piper is officially rocking the hairclip!:)  Let the hair fancies begin, hee hee hee.

Yup, it's an elephant clip:)

Manners

This weekend my lil family of 3 ventured out to a bit of a shindig at a close friends house.  While we were there we met a few people that we didn't know.  Jeremy and I both found it very interesting that none of these people made an effort to introduce themselves to us.  I commented that I'm noticing that, more and more wherever I go.  It seems that basic manners are either no longer taught, no longer expected or just not done anymore.  Well, if you know me at all or have ever been in my classroom, you would know that I have extremely high expectations for people-grown ups AND children included.  During this convo that the hubs and I were having, we talked about the list of 25 manners I had found when I was pregnant in a parent's magazine and thought it was perfect!  We have agreed that we will be teaching Piper and our other children that we may have these simple manners and will expect them to use them, ALL THE TIME.  No matter what age.  I think this list is amazing and is a great reminder for all people, ages 10-100.  

Here they are:

1.  When asking for something, say "Please".

2. When receiving something, say "Thank You".

3. Do not interrupt two people when they are talking, unless it is an emergency.

4. If you do need to interrupt them, always say "Excuse me".

5. If you're not sure about something, ask permission first.

6. Do not comment on someone's physical features, unless, of course it's to compliment them.

7. Keep negative comments to yourself.  The world doesn't care about what you dislike.

8. When someone asks you how you are, tell them and ask them how they are.

9. When you go to a friends house, remember to thank the parents and tell them what a nice time you had.

10. Knock on closed doors and wait for a response before entering.

11. When calling someone, introduce yourself first and then ask to speak with the person you are calling.

12. Be appreciative and say "thank you" for any and every gift you receive.

13. Never use foul language in front of adults.  Adults already know them and find them boring and unpleasant.

14. Don't call people mean names.

15. Don't make fun of anyone for any reason.  Teasing shows others you are weak and ganging up on someone is just cruel.

16. When you are at a performance or assembly you find boring, sit through it quietly and politely and act interested.  The performers are doing their very best and already nervous to be in front of you!

17. If you bump into someone, say "Excuse me".

18. Cover your mouth when you bump or sneeze.  Don't pick your nose in public.  EW!

19. As you walk through a door, look to see if there is someone in front of you or behind you that you can hold the door for.

20. If you come across a neighbor, teacher, or parent working on something ask if you can help.  If they say yes, do it!  You may learn something from them!

21. When an adult asks you to do something, do it without grumbling and keep the smile on your face.

22. When someone helps you, say "Thank you".  They will most likely be willing to help you again sometime.

23. Use eating utensils properly, if you're unsure how to use something, ask for help.

24. Keep a napkin on your lap.  Place it on the table when you are completely done eating.  If you have to leave the table for any reason, place the napkin on your seat.

25. Don't reach across people for something.  Ask them to pass it to you.

Some more that I will add especially if our next one is a boy...

_When a lady that you don't know enters a room, stand up and introduce yourself.

_If you are sitting in a room, crowded bus, church, etc. and you notice a woman standing, offer her your seat.

_Hold the door open for people, especially people who look like their hands are full or need help.

_Call friends' parents Mr. and Mrs. with their last names.  Never use first names when speaking to them.

We are on a mission and have accepted the challenge of raising children who will make the world a better place, even if it is only by using basic manners everywhere they go.  I know it makes me smile and feel good when someone uses their manners with me!

At this point in time, we also refuse to let our children have a cell phone until they hit middle school.  Yes, this may change-most likely will since technology is just crazy nowadays- BUT I find it ridiculous that kids from ages 12-21 can no longer hold a conversation since all they do is text.  So sad!

Impromptu Morning Walk

Thursday morning was fabulous. No school for me, which meant a 4 day weekend! Thursday we woke up bright and early and I figured I should do some of those things I would do everyday if I was a stay at home mommy. Morning walk, it was! Piper loved every minute of it. The only thing that would have made it better was to have daddy there with us. Hopefully tomorrow he'll join us since he has the day off:)

Here are just a few pics of the many faces of our girl!

Cereal

Yummy, yummy, yummy I've got love in my tummy!
At Piper's last doctors appointment Dr. K gave us the go ahead to begin Piper on some rice or oatmeal cereal.  We ran up to Babies R Us, got some itty bitty spoons, bowls and oatmeal cereal.  The first night was rather entertaining.  Piper had no clue what to do with the spoon and got pretty annoyed that she had to work for her food, ha!  The second night, daddy gave it a go, we made the cereal a lil thicker and she LOVED it!  After a few weeks of cereal, mommy shall begin steaming and blending veggies and fruits for the chunky monkey:)

 Night #1...what the heck is this?

Night # 2- well since daddy says it's yummy, I guess I'll like it too;)

Swing!

This weekend Piper experienced her first "big girl" swing in Munds Park with Grama and Grampa Hornbeck. She absolutely LOVED every second of it!

4 Months

Four months has so quickly gone by.  No longer are the nights of getting up to do a midnight feeding or the feeling of pure exhaustion. Yeah, we're still tired but it's nothing like the first two weeks-thank goodness!  Some fun things about Miss Piper:

~weighs 14 lbs. 15 oz.

~25 inches long

~75th percentile for height and weight

~she officially rolls over-all the time

~cooing, laughing, and always making silly faces

~reaching out to grab things

~holds her own bottle

~officially in size 2 diapers

~no longer considered a newborn, she is an infant :(

~Piper loves her books and loves to read

~definitely knows her daily routine

~loves to sleep and is one happy baby after a happy nappy

~likes to play with your face (nose, mouth, eyes, hair) when holding her

~wants SOO badly to sit up on her own, but still topples a bit which totally ticks her off!

~we start her on cereal next week:)

~loves water bottles

~she officially knows who Haylee is and looks for her when you say Haylee's name

~still sleeps through the night (7-6)

~LOVES the Baby Bjorn and walking through Target trying to push the cart herself

~communicates with you to let you know when she wants/needs/does NOT want something

Hello world!  I'm 4 months old today and pretty darn cute!

 This face makes me laugh:)

Dr. K says the teething has begun

Some good pics of daddy and his girl at the doctors office...

....

"love you daddy" "love you more"

Swimmy Time

Last weekend, Christy and Matthew invited Miss Piper and I over to go swimming. I was a bit hesitant at first since this would be Piper's first time, but I was so curious to see how she would do. The pictures crack me up, because she looks so serious! I think she was trying to figure out why this "bath tub" was so darn big! She just looked too stinkin' cute in her suit & hat!

that went by fast

Today marks the day!  One year ago today we found out my eggo was finally preggo!

I remember it like it was yesterday...

Peeing on that stupid stick that had come up negative so many times before.  I was so discouraged at this point and was hanging on to such little hope.  

Ding!  Time is up.  Time to check on that stick.  

Two lines.  Two lines.  TWO LINES!  

I had to take a double take and reread the box to make sure I wasn't seeing things and then my mouth just dropped.  

I walked over to the other bathroom where Jeremy was shaving waving the stick frantically while sobbing.  He had no idea what I was holding.  He had to grab my hand just to see what it was.  

We cried.  We held each other.  We laughed.  I squealed with delight. 

...It was like a dream...



**Oh, then I puked my brains out:)  Welcome to pregnancy!  hahahahahah!**

This weekend we had lots of fun since daddy had 4 days off in a row!  YiPPee!!!  The weekend consisted of running an extremely large amount of errands, relaxing and visiting with family.  It was a fabulous 3 day weekend!  I think all weekends should be 3 days long, just throwing it out there:)

 Piper finally got her Ruffle Butts outfit...ADORABLE!!

Best. Daddy. Ever.  He even comes with beer!;)

 Looky, looky at who was holding her own bottle!

 Playing peek-a-boo with "Uncle Brother" and Daddy

Rockin that Baby Bjorn like no one's business

Books

Piper has learned how to turn the pages in her books when she reads. This makes the teacher in me very happy! She loves her books and loves looking at all the pictures. We spent lots of time this weekend just hanging out with some faves!

Lovey You

Dear Piper,
Before I had you other moms would say how much they love their children.  They would say, "There's no other love like a mother's love" or "You've never known love until you've had a baby".  Yup, I pretty much brushed that off, smiled, and thought well duh I know I'm going to love my baby.


Well, I have to say it.  I love you more than you will ever understand.  Really.  There aren't even the right words to describe the way I love you.  No one will or can love you the way I do.   Not your friends, your brothers or sisters, other family member, or even your future husband and your own babies.  I love you so much, sometimes it actually hurts and will bring me to tears.  I couldn't imagine a world without you in it.  I can honestly say that I will do anything and everything in this life to make sure you always feel safe, happy and loved.


I love you my beautiful, giggly, wiggly worm, talkative, crying, smiling, chunky baby girl.


Lovey you, Mommy

Piper's Big Day!

 Father Alonso is a family friend and has blessed our family with performing many sacraments for us.  He so kindly volunteered to perform Piper's baptism.  He gave one of the best and humorous baptisms for our little princess.  She is one blessed baby to have everyone love her so much!

 A great moment with a proud grampa catching EVERYTHING on video, a proud grampa that is so proud of his son and granddaughter and a proud daddy that rocked his baby girl for two hours straight!

 Uncle, Auntie Sissy, Daddy, Mommy & Piper

 That's one fabulous daddy and one amazing godfather

Baby girl, you are blessed!