Where have the 4 months gone?

I'm a little behind on blogging as usual. I feel like we have been super busy, but I don't have the pictures to prove it and I can't really tell you what all we've been doing! Fall is definitely here and we have dug out the winter coats. Hadleigh has the first cold of the season and I'm sure the rest of us won't be far behind as she has been extra generous in sharing her germs. Harper turned 4 months old Friday and has been growing like a weed. I've already had to pack away her newborn clothes and unpack some bigger, warmer clothes. She was bound and determined to roll over today, but she never quite made it all the way. She' s been enjoying her Jumperoo and prefers to sit up so she can see what's going on around her. I'm hoping she is about to cut some teeth soon because she has not been sleeping great. She's been waking up during the night and not falling back to sleep until I bring her to bed with us. Then she sleeps a little better, but I don't sleep great at all with her in my arms, not to mention the neck pains. I'm hoping she'll get back to her 11 hour sleep pattern soon!
We're still working on potty-training Hadleigh. We tried panties for a weekend, but that didn't go over too well. She loved getting to change into a new pair every time she messed up so that kind of defeated it's purpose! She loves her dance class, school, singing, and playing on her swing set. We read tons of books with her, per her request, and she has been so cute lately flipping through the books and making up stories as she reads to herself. She has mastered her colors, thanks to the classic game of Twister, shapes, numbers up to 12, and is working on the days of the week and counting on her fingers. She is a very inquisitive young lady, but what 2 year old isn't?
Pictures from the past couple of weeks:
Harper working on her rolling

Our trip to the pumpkin patch got rained out on Friday, so I bought a pumpkin for Hadleigh to paint today until we can get to the patch to buy our big pumpkins.

I had to post this picture because, though I know she doesn't know what she's doing, I'm sure this is what Hadleigh actually thinks as I'm snapping pictures of her!

Adriene and Harper chilling on the floor watching the Hogs play.

While Scarlett and Hadleigh call the Hogs

Woo Pig Sooie

It's game day in Fayetteville and this little happy hog is dressed and ready. Well, she's actually napping now and we already made our very brief appearance at the tailgate, but we'll be watching with friends somewhere warm and dry!

And, of course home games bring in lots of visitors. Here are some pics of a few of our Arkansas friends...
Vicki and Tommy

Fred, Jen the Hooter's waitress, Cooter

Vicki, Mandy, and Candy

Dale enjoying the tacos, Frito's, bean dip, chicken wings, Ding-Dongs, Twinkies, and pretty much every other food item there....He was in heaven

Uncle Dale and Aunt Angel with the girls. Hadleigh was so confused. She was actually relieved when the babysitter came and looked normal. She ran right up to her and it was the first time ever that she didn't mind us leaving.

Then, of course, our more dignified friends stopped by. Here are Justin and Michelle meeting Harper for the first time. They opted out of a night out with the rest of us...go figure!

A weekend at the lake...in the rain

Since the last post, Harper has started school. It was much harder for me than for her (and still is), but we have survived the first couple of weeks. The only complaint that her teachers have is that she won't finish her bottles because she is too busy smiling and laughing. What a happy baby! I wish I could be that happy while I'm off working...yeah right! Hadleigh loves having Harper go to school with her and her teacher told us that when she walks by Harper's room, Hadleigh tells all her friends to be quiet because Harper is sleeping. We are adjusting to our new fall routine, but we sure do miss playing outside and taking walks around the neighborhood everyday.
This past weekend, we ventured down to the lake with our good friends, The Considines. Everyone had a great time, despite all the rain and the lack of electricity the first night. Luckily, it was still nice when we got there Friday, so we got to go out on the boat for a while and the girls (and dads) got to swim. Michael and Christian took Maddie and Hadleigh to the science museum Saturday morning and apparently had a ball climbing through worms?!? Later that day, Hadleigh caught her first fish. All in all, it was a fun, relaxing weekend away and Hadleigh had a blast keeping up with her buddy, Maddie. Thanks Michael and Abby!

Michael, Abby, and Harper (sorry Michael...the next one is better)

Silly girls--Hadleigh and Maddie out to lunch

What a "cheese" face!

Farewell to summer

Well, my summer break is about to end. I have LOVED being home this summer and getting to spend lots of time with the girls, especially Harper (Hadleigh stayed in school 3 days a week). She has made my maternity leave so fun by being such a great shopping buddy, workout partner, napper, and just a sweet, happy baby. She'll be 12 weeks on Tuesday and starts school tomorrow...I can't believe it:( She had her 2 month check-up the same day as Hadleigh and checked out perfectly. She weighs 10lb 10oz which was right around the 25% and was in the 75% for height (I think). It was a little wild with 2 of them in the room and Hadleigh NOT having a good time! For the most part, she is sleeping through the night, eating well, and loves getting lots of attention. Of course, we'll have to see how all this holds true when we completely throw her schedule into a loop tomorrow.
Here are the pictures from the week...
These are for Gammy--I was trying to get a picture of her before church in this precious dress she got her, but Hadleigh wasn't feeling the photo shoot, as usual. She dropped to the floor and pretended to be asleep in this first one!

As good as it gets! Gammy, we got tons of compliments on the dress...love it!!!

Harper loving bath time

"I'm a long baby!"

We got out the Bumbo this week and Harper loved it.

Story time...my favorite time!

Harper and Adriene on their play date while their sisters are on the playground.

At the doctor's office, before the doctor entered the room and the meltdown ensued.

These last 2 are just a comparison of Hadleigh, taken exactly a year apart in the same dress. What a difference a year makes!

Hadleigh's Birthday Week

I can't believe our baby is 2! She has become such a big girl. She's weighing in at about 26lbs and is 34" tall. She's wearing a size 4 diaper, but is going on a big potty at least once a day. I think we are on the verge of having a potty training boot camp here! She still has 2 pacifiers that she gets only in bed. Hadleigh is a great sleeper, always going down very easily and has been known to sleep until 8.30-9am on a few lucky mornings. She takes one nap a day lasting 2-3 hours and will often tell us when she is ready to go down. She loves school and playing outside. Her favorite snacks are raisins, yogurt, and fruit snacks. She says the blessing ("God is Great...") before every meal and applauds herself when she is finished. She also won't let you leave her in bed for nap time or bedtime without saying a prayer and saying "I love you, Jesus". I wish I had a tape recorder for all this! She can count to 10 and say her ABC's, though she sometimes likes to shorten it by eliminating everything after G. Her favorite shape is the octagon and gets super excited over every STOP sign and will tell you that an octagon says "stop". She loves bath time and has finally worked up the courage to put her face in and blow bubbles. Our little girl is growing up so quickly and has become an outstanding big sister. She helps with Harper's baths and diaper changes and always makes sure she has a paci on hand. She has started showing her pictures in her books and teaching her what things are. I can't believe in one year, Hadleigh has gone from a babbling crawler, to a non-stop talking walker/runner. We can't wait to see what the upcoming year brings!
"Good Morning, World! I'm 2!"A birthday snack at Rick's Bakery with best friend Scarlett

"Just a tub of icing will do, please."

Meanwhile, Christian recruits his friends to finish up Hadleigh's birthday present--a play set.

All ready for the Bubble birthday party

Harper enjoying the bubbles with Uncle G

The birthday girl!

The cake

Making a wish...I did it all by myself!"Forget smiling, I'm busy!"Making bubbles with a fly swatter

Playing the Bubble Toss/put the ball in the hole while standing 2 inches away Game:)

Loving my new swing