Nighty Night

Now that I am home two days during the work week I have a couple more nap periods to squeeze in some sewing time if I'm not on laundry/dishes duty. I'd been meaning to make Harper a sleep sack since he grew out of the one he had as a newborn, and even though my mom cut out all the pieces for me back in November or December, I just now got around to putting it together. Isn't it cute?!

Josh thinks the fabric at the top looks girly. Maybe so, but I was being good and using coordinating scraps from my stash. What you can't see in these pictures is the baby blue, super-soft minky lining. Oh so cuddly! Harper does this really sweet thing of resting his head on my shoulder and holding onto a fistful of hair when I rock him in the chair. It melts my heart. I'm going to miss that as he gets older. He already does much better falling asleep on his own in his crib. 

For my fellow seamstresses out there, the pattern for this lovely sleep sack is called Hushabye Baby by Favorite Things. It's an easy pattern and would make a great gift for anyone expecting a baby. If you wanted it for use in the warmer months, just line it with cotton or flannel instead of minky. I decided to leave off the trim piece in between the two fabrics. It seemed better suited for a boy this way.

A couple other projects I've finished in the last month or so are Harper's stocking, a queen sized quilt (Chantilly by Fig Tree Quilts)for my friend Jennifer and her now husband, and an outfit (Kimono dress from Little Stitches for Little Ones by Amy Butler) for sweet baby Aubrie. I failed to take a picture of the quilt and outfit, but maybe I can have each of them send me one to post.

The next projects on my list are some gifts I've been meaning to make, which I won't disclose so as not to spoil the surprise for the recipients!

A first for everything...

...even the not so exciting fevers and ear infection. I took Harper to the doctor yesterday afternoon to find out on top of his cold he has an ear infection in his left ear. Poor guy. He's had a fever since Saturday afternoon ranging from 101 degrees to 103.5 degrees.  Sunday he seemed to feel the worst and refused to be put down. He felt like a furnace and usual favorites like bath time couldn't even make him smile. Our rocking chair has definitely paid off this weekend, and I'm pretty sure my bum is permanently imprinted in it after hours of cuddling and naps in the chair. He seemed more himself yesterday and even gave a few smiles.

Yesterday, we successfully got him to sleep in his crib a couple of times after not being able to lay him down the night before. I'm hoping to try and get him back to his typical schedule and falling asleep on his own today so he's ready for tomorrow when I go back to work. 

Josh and I keep remarking how much he's looking more and more like a little boy rather than a baby. Aside from his looks, we also lowered his crib mattress as he is just starting to pull himself up on things. It's amazing what a single year can bring!

Hanscom & Concord

And if my last post about our trip to Boston wasn't long enough for you, here is the rest of it! Sunday morning (the 16th), we attended church where my family used to go while we lived at Hanscom AFB. Everyone was very friendly and introduced themselves, and once it came out that I was "Marla and Roger's kid," everyone started saying things like, "I think I was your Sunday School teacher!" or "Oh my gosh, I haven't seen you since you were this big!" with their hand around their midsection. I kept farewelling, "It's so nice to meet you," to which most everyone said, "It is so nice to see you again." It's safe to say I don't remember anything from our stay in Boston other than a few preschool memories.

After church, Josh and I took Harper to Concord to meet up with Amanda, Kathy, and baby Aubrie at a yummy little cafe for lunch. Amanda and I were good friends while we were living in Belgium, and it had been a good 11 years or so since we had seen each other! It was so wonderful to catch up, introduce our babies, and reminisce about our junior high years. Harper was definitely done with sitting still and being cooped up, so it was very hard to hold on to him or keep him still enough to snap a photo. Gerry (the giraffe) did his best to get him to smile and look at the camera, but this is the best we got:

Aubrie is the cutest, sweetest baby girl. She's so petite, and even though it wasn't that long ago when Harper was that size, she felt so tiny. Our meeting in Concord reminded me how small our world can be. I just hope it isn't another 11 years before we see each other again. At least our blogs and pictures help keep us in touch in the meantime.

Our lodging for our time in Boston was at the Inn on Hanscom AFB, so we made sure to swing by our old stomping grounds. Isn't it a cute little house? It seems a decent size house, but I'm sure it was tight quarters for a family of six.

A sleepy, and tired of traveling Harper:

Our last night in Boston, my parents graciously watched Harper for the night so Josh and I could go into town to meet his friend Jordan at The Beehive. Josh met Jordan while training in Cupertino, CA for Apple. I felt so bad we were 45 minutes late, partly due to us being late and partly due to the T being held up for a "switching problem." Alas, we made it and enjoyed an evening of live blues music, choice drinks, good food, and great conversation.

And this concludes my abbreviated account of our trip to Boston...or not so abbreviated.

My Best Friend's Wedding

Last Thursday morning found us at the airport bright and early to head to Boston, MA. We were running behind since we slept through our alarm and wouldn't have made it to the gate on time if it weren't for a security personnel at the security check point who cut us to the front of the surprisingly long line. She probably felt bad for us since we had two carry-ons, diaper bag, camera bag, Harper, car seat, and stroller. Whew! It makes me tired just recounting our airport entourage. 

Once in Boston, we spent the afternoon downtown eating lunch, window shopping, and checking out the Boyleston Apple store. Afterwards, we headed to my friends Jenni and Austin's apartment. Jenni had just received the flowers for her wedding, so I helped unpack and re-water them as Josh and Harper took a nap on the floor.

Friday morning we went to pick up Jenni's wedding dress, and afterwards I joined my family for some sightseeing around Boston. We ate at a yummy Indian buffet for lunch. Even Harper enjoyed the new flavors. Next we headed across town on the subway, walked across a bridge, and took a bus a few blocks down the street to the U.S.S. Constitution. It was pretty frigid out, but we made the best of it and enjoyed a tour of the ship before heading back to Cambridge for the rehearsal. 

Jenni and Austin's wedding was in a beautiful, historical church in Cambridge right outside of Harvard. I can't wait to get some pictures from their wedding day with all the candles lit and flowers. It was such a beautiful ceremony.

Their rehearsal dinner was by far the best rehearsal dinner I've ever attended. It was held at a place called Sacco's that served wood-fired pizza and had candlepin bowling. My favorite pizza was a "vegetarian chili" pizza...yum yum! Bowling was a ton of fun and a great icebreaker between all family and friends. 

Harper was so curious of everything going on. Here he is with my parents watching all the bowlers and commotion: 

While I was with Jenni the day of the wedding, my parents, Joshua and Harper went to tour the North End and ended up at Cafe Vittoria. Josh and my parents enjoyed cannoli and cappuccino and the grandmotherly waitress brought Harper a biscotti and cup of frothed milk. She assured Josh that all the Italian boys grew up on biscotti and frothed milk. Harper of course loved every nibble of it!

Jenni and Austin's wedding was absolutely gorgeous and very meaningful. They have a great pastor who did a wonderful job officiating. I wish I had a picture of the church during the ceremony, but I'll have to wait and order one from their photographer. 

Here's the newlywed couple at the reception held at Upstairs on the Square in Cambridge. They reserved the whole upper floor coined "The Soiree Room." It might not sound as beautiful by its description of pink and gold plaid walls with purple upholstery, gold chairs, round windows, and whimsical light fixtures, but it was truly unique, fun, and beautiful.

I was so glad Josh and Harper came with me for the wedding. It wouldn't have been the same without them. It was also very nice to have my parents with us for the weekend. They also know Jenni well and thought their wedding was a wonderful occasion to visit Boston. I don't think they minded being on baby duty now and then, but it sure was nice to have them there with us to help out.

The tables were set up with light pink table cloths and napkins, vases of white hydrangeas, white roses, and white calla lilies. The favors were little bags with Almond Rocas: a yummy toffee treat from Washington state. 

The food at Upstairs on the Square was exceptional and easily the best meal I've ever had.

Menu:

First Course: Creamy Jerusalem Artichoke Soup

Black Truffle Dumpling, Crispy Black Trumpets & Baby Sorrel

 Second Course: Acorn Squash Ravioli

Bed of Candied Bacon, Sweet Marjoram & Aged Parmesan

Main Course: choice of the following

Parsley and Lemon Crusted Cod

Crushed Gold Potatoes, Garlicky Spinach and Creamy Mustard Sauce

or

Seared Marinated Hangar Steak

Bleu Cheese-Crushed Potatoes, Bitter Greens & Beurre Rouge

or

Foraged Mushroom Risotto

Parmigiano Reggiano & Red Wine Glazed Figs

Dessert: Wedding Cake, Small dessert bites, Coffee, Tea

Doesn't it just sound delicious?! I wish I could post tasting samples too, but you'll just have to believe me that the food was to die for. The only thing on the menu I wasn't able to try was the steak, but many people vouched for its greatness. I wish I got a picture of the wedding cake too. It was all white with a small amount of decoration and silk flowers, simply beautiful. The frosting was the kind that just melted in your mouth. It makes my mouth water just thinking about it!

Here's Harper ready to dig in with his tux bib thanks to Aunt Kristen and Uncle Aaron:

Me and the beautiful bride!

Joshua put together a nice playlist for the dance. There was only one song that cleared the dance floor, and it happened to be the only country song. Otherwise, everyone was having a great time, and I'm sure the dance could have gone later into the night if it weren't for time constraints.

Jenni and Austin make a wonderful, beautiful couple, and I wish them every happiness and blessing. I've been spoiled this past year as I was able to visit Jenni twice. I hope it's not too long before I see them again!

I just realized this post is getting to be very lengthy, and if you're still reading this I hope I at least included enough pictures to keep you interested. I also realize that I've used the word beautiful and beautiful synonyms countless times, but that's exactly what this day and wedding was. It was so romantic, charming, elegant...okay I guess you get the picture. We were still in Boston another day and a half, but I'll save that for another post. I think this one is long enough!

9 Months Old

Can you believe 3/4 of a year has passed since our baby boy was born? I can't! But alas, it is true, and Harper is growing and learning faster than ever. At his appointment this morning, we learned Harper is as healthy as can be and growing strong. Here are his stats:

Weight: 20 lbs. 2 oz. (42nd %tile)
Height: 29.2 inches (79th %tile)
Head circumference: 17.2 inches (9th %tile)

He dropped a little in percentile in each category, but it's still within close enough range of where he was at his 6 month check-up. Here are some of Harper's favorite things/new skills:

• making fishy noises (on demand even!)
• crawling (modified Army crawl)
• sitting himself up from lying down
• feeding himself table foods
• drinking out of a cup
• clapping his hands
• putting himself asleep while in his crib
• smiling at himself in a mirror/window
• making all kinds of noises/squeals
• clicking his tongue
• brush his teeth
• swimming & bath time
• playing with Gerry the Giraffe

We got the go-ahead from his pediatrician to start feeding him 3 meals a day instead of just 2, and to start feeding him whatever we are eating (as long as it is healthy and ground up). Harper loves to eat real food, so I'm sure he is going to be happy about this. While in Boston, he tried curry and cucumber yogurt at an Indian buffet and although had a sour face a few times, he always went back for more.

One day last week after I arrived home from work, Harper saw me in the kitchen from the living room, got a huge smile on his face and crawled all the way over to me. It made my heart melt and tears well up in my eyes! What a precious little boy. It's an overwhelming feeling when your baby shows you love. Like when Harper reaches up with both hands, pulls my hair, and gives me a big, sloppy kiss. No amount of drool could make baby kisses less wonderful.

As far as what's next, Harper has started trying to pull himself up on things but has a ways to go. He can't quite get his feet underneath himself. There's no rush. He's growing up too fast as it is. Oh, and one little fun baby fact, Harper has now been to both the West and East coasts. He's a bicoastal baby! Stay tuned for a post about our recent trip to Boston for my friend's wedding.

This is a picture of us on the U.S.S. Constitution in Boston, MA.