Oprah's 24th Season Kick-off Flash Mob Dance

This is seriously one of the coolest things I've ever seen. I can't stop watching it:



That's not just cool, but inspiring. So soon after the eight-year anniversary of September 11th, this video should serve as an excellent reminder to us all--that, united, people can make awesome things happen.

Five months gone by!

I wonder if I ever won't be surprised by Harper's age. On the 28^th of every month I am shocked by whatever age she is. When she turned three months old, I could not believe it. On her four-month anniversary, I was flabbergasted that 1/3 of an entire year had already passed since her birth. She turned five months old on the 28^th of August, and again, I was shocked. I see the pattern, and I'm curious if ever a time will come when I look at her and say to myself, "Yeah, [insert random age here]. That sounds about right."

I'm thinking not. I'm thinking I'll be standing in line with her at the DMV on her 16^th birthday and saying out loud, "No, but how can you be 16 already?! You were just born YESTERDAY!"

Like it or not, she's getting bigger every day. And although her age and size may always surprise me, I don't regret that she's changing. I refuse to be one of those people who are sad on their child's first birthday because they no longer have a little newborn baby. I like looking forward to the next stage and seeing what the future holds for Harper. In short, I'm enjoying every minute of this.

Well, except when she's screaming crying mad, which is not so bad unless she decides to be that way for HOURS ON END. One of the fun byproducts of teething.

Yes, Harper is, in fact, already teething. She hasn't physically cut any teeth yet, but she has all the signs: drooling, chewing on her fists, generally acting irritable, biting down when a finger is inserted into her mouth, crying for a paci only to spit it out seconds later, etc. We've stocked up on infant Tylenol and Baby Orajel, and that seems to alleviate some of her pain at least temporarily. I didn't have teeth until I was 13 months old, so I'm completely shocked that this is happening so soon…and a little worried about how long it will go on. From what I've read, the first couple teeth are the most painful for babies to cut; apparently they kinda get used to the sensations after that. I hope so, for everyone's sake.

Anyway, Harper makes amazing progress with every month that goes by, and Jeff & I are constantly awed by her growth. At the time of her four-month vaccinations on July 29^th (the day after her four-month birthday), she weighed 11 lbs. 8 oz. and measured 24 ½ inches. Over the next two weeks, she gained a whopping two pounds, weighing in at 13 lbs. 8 oz. on August 12^th. (Can we say growth spurt?!) We won't return to the doctor until the end of September, so we're not 100% sure how much she weighed at the time of her five-month birthday on August 28^th, but according to our scale, she now weighs exactly 15 lbs., which sounds about right. To us who handle her on a daily basis, it is quite obvious that she has gotten considerably heavier and longer in the past month. We're now in the process of yet another growth spurt. How do I know? Because growth spurts SUCK! They are like reverting back to Harper's first week home from the hospital ALL OVER AGAIN! She is starving and wants to eat ALL THE TIME! Like, EVERY TWO OR THREE HOURS. Even in the middle of the night. It's insane!

Between the growth spurts and teething, Mommy & Daddy have been pretty tired lately. However, watching our daughter grow and develop into a little person more and more each day is so totally worth anything we have to give up. It's a cliché, I know, but when we peek over the edge of the crib to see a bright and shiny, blue-eyed baby girl contort her face into a giant, gummy grin the moment she notices our presence, suddenly it's all worth it. Every minute of the sleep we sacrifice and every bit of the stress our nerves must endure, it's all worth it. We joke with each other that giant gum smiles, first-time giggles, and other generally cute behavior must be God's way of making especially difficult phases bearable for the parents.

And in a way, watching Harper get bigger is even that much more fun for us because she was a preemie. We can hardly fathom that this big ol' butterball of a girl is the same tiny baby who lay there so helplessly in her isolette not so long ago…

In fact, she has now outgrown all of her 0–3 months clothes (even the Gymboree and Baby GAP ones!) and is starting to outgrow some of her 3–6 months clothes as well. And let me just say, I never really understood why my mom held onto all of my baby clothes or why she acted so sentimental about a bunch of outfits…until I had a baby. Now I totally get it. I am quite aware of how ridiculous this sounds, but I am literally heartbroken to have to pack away some of these outfits. There are some that I know I will NEVER be able to give away or sell. I just can't imagine it. My husband looks at me like I'm crazy when I tell him this.

OH! HUGE NEWS! Big, big, big, big, big, big, wonderfully awesome news!

On the 21^st of August, Harper had her FINAL appointment with the retinologist. Her eyes are now fully vascularized, which means the ROP is completely gone in both eyes! I cannot emphasize what a huge relief it is to know that (1) her retinas are back to normal; and (2) she doesn't have to endure any more retinal exams. We still have to take her for periodic checks with a pediatric ophthalmologist just to make sure her vision is OK. Former ROP patients can develop problems with vision as they age, such as near-sightedness or strabismus ("crossed eyes"), but the latter is rare and likely would be already apparent by now. Harper hasn't crossed her eyes since she was a newborn, so I'm not overly concerned about that possibility. She may end up needing little glasses as a child, but that is not a big deal AT ALL. I can't help but think of that horrible retinologist we saw the first time who terrified me with the possibility of blindness and had me leaving the office in tears… Half of me wants to laugh, roll my eyes, and forget he ever existed, and the other half of me wants to flip him the bird.

Other milestones/favorite pastimes during Harper's fifth month include:

• Watching TV (or at least trying to!)—In the past month, Harper has become obsessed with the "big black box of people and colors." She strains to turn toward the TV whenever we are holding her and smiles at the faces of people she thinks she knows. This past weekend, she grinned at a football player who seemed to resemble "Daddy," and while Daddy was watching his new favorite show "Shark Tank," she smiled a great big gum smile at Kevin O'Leary. For those who don't watch the show, he is by far the meanest "shark" on the show, the one who routinely shoots down every entrepreneur's idea and kinda makes Ebenezer Scrooge look like a saint. I don't know who she thought he was, but she smiled and giggled at him like he was one of her favorite people in the world. It was hilarious.

• Smiling/laughing—She's still our little thinker, but she's also become Miss Smiley during her fifth month. Harper not only smiles spontaneously—at the fan, at faces on TV, etc.—but she smiles in response to our smiles. She's also starting to laugh when tickled or when smiling alone just doesn't cut it!

• Sleeping through the night—It still isn't happening on a consistent basis (although I can partially blame her growth spurts for that), but Harper slept through the night—like a whole ten hours—about four or five times during her fifth month. It was absolute ecstasy to Mommy!

• Jumping in her Jumperoo—After much deliberation, we decided to get Harper a Jumperoo instead of an ExerSaucer, mainly because she loves to stand and use her legs so much but also because more people recommended the Jumperoo. Her Fisher Price Rainforest Jumperoo arrived while Daddy was away on business in Jacksonville, so I assembled it myself (round of applause, please!) and let her check it out. Harper was a little leery of it at first, particularly the bright red toucan that hangs overhead, but she soon found it tons of fun. She is not quite big enough to reach the floor yet, so Jeff & I have put a pillow under her feet so she can touch. Here are a few pictures from her first encounter with the Jumperoo:

And here she is in her Jumperoo one week later:

• Rolling over—I keep thinking that Harper is going to be one of those babies who skips crawling completely. She continues to despise "tummy time" and instead prefers to "stand" and "walk." However, Mommy continues to push "tummy time" because apparently that's what you're supposed to do. (Although I have to admit, I HATE doing it—forcing her to do something she doesn't want to do, that is. It makes me feel like some crazy stage mom. "Toddlers & Tiaras," anyone?) This past month, she made a huge achievement… She rolled over! Not just once, but OVER AND OVER AGAIN! She can only do it in one direction, but I am incredibly proud. "Tummy time" finally seems to be paying off.

• "Talking"—The screeching, cooing, and "razzing" continue, mostly in the morning or whenever I'm changing her diaper. They never fail to crack me up completely. Here is a video of our little jabberwocky, chatting away while I'm attempting to feed her a bottle:

• "Standing"/"walking"—As I said above, Harper loooves to stand up and take "practice steps." She will attempt to stand on any hard surface—your lap, the counter, the table, doesn't matter. Of course, she still can't properly balance herself to stand unassisted, but we are absolutely amazed that she can support all of her body weight for five or so minutes at a time without buckling. She's getting so good at standing that we are now able to hold her by the hands while she supports herself:

• Watching and touching Bitterman—Harper is completely captivated by Bitterman. She stares at him with a look of amusement and wonder on her face, as though she KNOWS he is not human but, hmmm, what else could he be? He looks so different from the rest of us! It's precious. Bitterman is incredibly tolerant of her and eager to get as close as we'll let him get. He loves to lick her hand (which, of course, we then wipe off with a Baby Wipe), and she seems to find this funny. I usually take her hand and have her "pet" Bitterman's back while he is lying on the couch next to us. She seems to enjoy the sensation of his fur beneath her fingers, and Bitterman doesn't mind at all. I can only imagine how much fun those two will have with each other as Harper gets older.

• First sound/word?—Harper's newest claim to fame is making "mmmm" sounds. I was absolutely delighted when she followed strings of "mmmm"s with something resembling "Ma-Ma" until I realized that it is not a term of endearment but one of frustration. Whenever Harper is about ready to melt down, the "mmmms" and "Mmmmma mas" start. Just what every new mother dreams of: Realizing that your child reserves "Ma-Ma" for when she's extremely mad, frustrated, and on the brink. I'm honestly not sure whether to count this as her first word. While "Ma-Ma" may not refer to me, it definitely means something. Jeff & I just haven't figured out what yet. Meanwhile, Daddy has started in with the "Da-Das," although Harper just kinda looks at him like, "Sure, Dad. Whatever." I'm afraid it definitely won't be the last time she gives him that look!
  

I feel like I'm forgetting a bunch of things, but Miss Harper is now awake, so I must wrap up this entry a little sooner than I'd wanted. Sorry! Here are a few pictures from her fifth month until next time:

Where did August go?!

It's September already? Are you kidding?

Where did August go? No, seriously. It's like we woke up one day on an episode of "Lost" and warped straight from July to September. Maybe our space-time continuum is way off just like it is on that crazy island.

More likely, I think, we just had a really busy month. Insanely busy. Doing what, you might ask? I answer.

Showers…and shopping for said showers. Oh, and there have been many!

Some context. One of my long-time best guy friends (and consequently one of my husband's best friends), Danny, and his fabulous fiancé, Melanie, to whom I've become incredibly close since they started getting really serious a few years ago, are getting married this October. (So exciting!) Jeff is a groomsman; I am a bridesmaid; and we are honored to be a part of their wedding party.

Anyway, a friend of theirs threw Mel a cupcake-themed kitchen gadgets shower a few weeks ago, and it was tons of fun. Everyone shared a favorite recipe and a useful "household hint," and Melanie got some amazing kitchen toys. I admit, I am incredibly jealous! I also got the chance to meet Melanie's mom, who lives in New Mexico and whom I'd not yet had the pleasure of meeting, and I must say, if Melanie wants to know what she will look like in 25-sum years, she needn't look any further. They are like clones. Gorgeous, government clones. Too funny.

Mel had another shower the following weekend that I had every intention of attending, but as many of you know—and as I am finding out the hard way on a near daily basis—"Pregnant Brain" does not go away once you give birth; it merely morphs into "New Mommy Brain." I'm not sure there's any real difference between the two.

I was under the impression that Mel's second shower was that Sunday. Not so much. I found this out as my husband called Danny to see what he and Melanie were doing later that night. I was sitting on the couch in my pajamas. The conversation went something like this:

JEFF: "Hey Danny, it's Jeff. Wanted to see if maybe you guys wanna go have dinner or something tonight. What are y'all up to this evening?"

DANNY: "Uh…well, I don't know. I mean, Melanie's at the shower, so I don't really know what she wants to do."

JEFF: "What shower?"

DANNY: "Her bridal shower."

JEFF: "The shower was today?"

ME, upon hearing this: "The shower is tomorrow!"

DANNY: "Yeah, it was at 11:00."

JEFF: "I think Taylor thought it was tomorrow."
ME, as Jeff is speaking: "NO WAY! It's TODAY?! Are you sure?!"

DANNY: "Well, that's where Mel said she was going, so I am pretty sure it was today."

Nice. Here I had Mel's presents all wrapped and ready to go; Jeff was set to babysit the next afternoon; and I'd already RSVPed to the hostess that I would be there. Damn you, New Mommy Brain!

The next weekend was Carrie's Baby Shower, which I co-hosted along with Carrie's sister and two of her friends in Austin. (Carrie was my roommate at Hardin House during my freshman year at UT, and she has been one of my best friends ever since.) Baby Joshua Walker Kitchen—"Josh"—is due on November 2^nd, so Carrie is already 30 weeks along, and I am extremely jealous because SHE HAS GAINED ONLY TWELVE POUNDS THUS FAR! By the time I was 30 weeks, I was 40 pounds heavier than normal. I'd gained a total of 53 pounds in my pregnancy by the time I delivered two weeks later. Twelve pounds vs. 53 pounds. Sooo not fair.

Anyway, I got up bright and early on Sunday to drive to Austin for Carrie's shower. I thought about bringing Harper but decided against it at the last minute, as she had been acting rather atrocious in the days before the shower, so she stayed here and spent some quality time with her daddy. The shower was darling and so much fun. We played some very cute shower games, and Carrie got so many fabulous gifts, including her Boppy pillow and monogrammed Boppy cover from Harper & me! Here are some pictures:

I also had to research/organize/schedule a venue for Danny & Melanie's upcoming Couples Shower, which really isn't a shower so much as a pre-wedding overnight getaway among friends. Jeff & I had originally intended to return to the Gruene Homestead Inn in Gruene, Texas, where we stayed with friends the week before our own wedding, but apparently the owners now impose a two-night minimum during the "peak" season, and September happens to fall in that time period. So I thought about it, and then I remembered how much fun Jeff & I had had when we drove up to Fredericksburg for my 27^th birthday. We rented a darling little guesthouse and spent the weekend there—Friday, just the two of us, and Saturday, with Carrie and her husband, Kris. We had an absolute blast checking out all of the nearby Texas wineries, sampling many different wines, walking around Main Street, and window-shopping. Remembering that, Fredericksburg seemed like it could be the perfect place for Danny & Mel's pre-wedding event!

Problem was, we have a lot of people in our group (like 14 of us), and almost all of the guesthouses in Fredericksburg that will house so many people require a two-night minimum. Staying two nights wasn't an option, so I contacted a reservation service in Fredericksburg hoping for some help… Didn't receive much, but was given the names of a few guesthouses to look over.

One of which was just the right size for our not-so-little group. It's called the River Road Ranch, and it looks absolutely perfect for us…which is why I was so disappointed to read that the owners require a two-night minimum for all weekend stays. Then it occurred to me that maybe I could convince them otherwise. We are, after all, in a recession; the tourism industry, even in tiny Fredericksburg, has no doubt taken a huge hit. So I e-mailed the reservation service that I had previously contacted and asked whether the owners were at all flexible with the two-night minimum stipulation. Someone replied back saying that basically the rates and policies are set and most owners will not budge. However, this is one of those situations in which being ridiculously headstrong actually comes in quite handy.

I e-mailed the owners of River Road Ranch directly, and they were more than happy to let us stay for one night only. Woo-hoo! Our group has rented out both of the guesthouses on the property—ten of us will stay in "The Bunkhouse" and four of us will be next door in "The Feed Mill." I am so excited that our venue is FINALLY all squared away! It should be a blast! Here are some pictures of where we are going to stay:

What else? Wrote two letters that I really wanted/needed to write. Consequently, repaired one of my greatest regrets by reconnecting with an old friend whom I mistreated years ago during a really bad time in my life. A la Forrest Gump, that's all I'm going to say about that.

Jeff had to take a business trip to Jacksonville, Florida for a few days. He wasn't gone long, but even so, it's never easy without him. I'm always acutely reminded of how much I depend on him for different things whenever he's not here, especially now that we have Harper. Needless to say, I was glad to see him return!

Oh, and here's something to file under other, AWESOME news: We got a new dining room table and corner china cabinet for our formal dining room! Actually, we bought them back in July, but they were finally delivered the first week in August. They are so beautiful and exactly what I'd had in mind. I am totally in love with them:

Yet another reason August flew by: My mom went back to school—er, back to teaching school, that is—so I tried to spend as much time as I could with her before she returned to her sixth graders. School started last week, but she had to go back a week before that for inservice. Blah. It's good for her to have something to do now that Carson & I are "grown up," I know, but selfishly I wish she wasn't teaching.

What else? Took Harper to lunch with a few friends from high school with whom I'd gotten back in touch thanks to Facebook. Jen, Renee, and I all went to middle and high school together; we were all pregnant at the same time; and we all had our babies in the winter/spring of 2009. In fact, Jen's adorable baby boy, Aiden, was a preemie just like Harper. Aiden was born first, in mid-February; Harper came at the end of March; and Alexa, Renee's daughter, was born in the beginning of May.

The three of us kept up with each other on Facebook throughout our pregnancies and decided to have lunch while Jen was in town from California. I hadn't seen Renee since we graduated high school (perhaps we bumped into each other during a return to San Antonio from college, but not that I can remember!), and I hadn't seen Jennifer in about four years (she and her husband happened to be in the same pre-marital counseling class at church as Jeff and me). The babies were all adorable and so darling together! Here are some pictures:

We left La Hacienda saying that the three of us would definitely get together again when Jen is in town for Christmas, and Renee & I promised that we'd get our girls together again before that since we both live here in San Antonio. I hope so, because I had too much fun!

I haven't mentioned much of you-know-who in this entry, and that's because I'm saving all of my Harper-related talk for the next update. This one is too long already! I promise I will update again before the end of the week. This once-a-month stuff is ridiculous. Until then…