Introducing the newest addition to our family...

Neta Elease Pardue

On Friday night, Auntie LC came over and brought Harper her Christmas present. She is now the proud owner of a Cabbage Patch Doll... and a sassy one at that! Her name is Neta Elease! Where do these people come up with these names??? I love it! She was born January 13th, and we just might celebrate her birthday. Harper really does love her... especially her fancy hair! Thank you, Auntie LC, for being so thoughtful and generous! You're the best!!!

Our Snuggle Bug

Lately Harper has been so snuggly! Usually she is only like this when she's not feeling well, but this weekend she fell asleep on both of us... which is shocking! We love every second of it, as you can tell! She definitely still isn't feeling her best, but I think that's just how winter is going to be. As soon as one cold leaves, another one invades her little nose. She's a trooper and handles it all very well!

We wore her out on Saturday!

Snuggling on Friday night while we sang Christmas songs!

She loved it!!!

Harper met Blitzen!

Today we went to the Arboretum to see Santa and one of his reindeer. Harper responded well again with Santa... I don't have a picture because of the professional photographer there. We should get it in the mail this week! However, we did get to meet Blitzen! Harper was very curious. We couldn't get too close because they said she was a little uneasy that day. After telling us that, the owner asked if we wanted to pet her. We kindly declined! But I thought it was pretty neat seeing her and learning more about reindeer (the owner LOVED talking about them!). Here are some pictures from our afternoon... Enjoy!

Blitzen snacking on some grass

Blitzen hanging out in her cage

Harper loved getting to meet her!

Corby and Harper in front of Santa's workshop

She also got to meet Rudolph!

One of our few family photos

Overwhelmed...

Although I haven't written about it, my mind has been rather consumed lately with the health of our pastor. On Thanksgiving day, he had a seizure. Through a scan of his head, a brain tumor was found. He had it removed two weeks ago and has been working diligently in rehab. He received the pathology report yesterday, and it is malignant. The church just sent out the email with that information, and I'll be honest... I just feel really overwhelmed right now. My mind is racing thinking of his precious wife Lauren, his 3 beautiful children Audrey, Reid, and Norah, his amazing ministry at the Village, and most importantly, simply thinking of Matt. In a video he recorded 3 days before the surgery, he spoke about being thankful that God sees him worthy enough to ensure this hardship. And he tweeted about the pathology report being secondary, as God has already numbered his days here on earth. I am thankful to have found our church home at the Village, and to be under the care and teaching of such a Godly man. I know there are so many uncertainties ahead, but instead of worrying myself sick over them (which I do that very easily!), I'm trying to think more positively. I have absolute confidence that my Savior can perform a miracle, and that is what I'm choosing to pray for. That outlook on a scenario like this is much easier said than done for me. I will get there. But let's be honest... right now, I'm just sad.

Shaking her head!

Here is a video of Harper's favorite thing to do right now. She was rather distracted with breakfast, but I still got her to do it. She loves to shake her head back and forth with you! I think it is so sweet! (Please excuse me deep voice during some of the video... not sure what got into me!)

Perfectly Proportioned

Today Harper had her 9 month appointment. She hated every minute of it... she even screamed her head off when they did her height and head circumference. Whew! She is so dramatic. And I have no idea where she got that from. Everything looked perfect, and I couldn't be happier! Here are her stats:

Height: 27 3/4 in (55%)

Weight: 19 lb 6 oz (55%)

Head: 43 cm (20%)

She has been doing some pretty silly things lately. I need to video her crawl because it is hilarious. It's more of a cralk (crawl/walk). She sticks one of her legs out and pushes herself forward with it. She also offers her paci to you when she's laying in your arms before bed. She is awfully generous! We love our sweet Harper girl!

Here are some pictures I took yesterday and today. Enjoy!

She LOVES the tree!

And this is her favorite ornament!

Holding on to the light... and absolutely in awe!

I caught her mid clap!

I gave her the paper while it was still in it's wrapper.

I think it's safe to say she thoroughly enjoyed herself all day!!!

Out as long as she was in!

Sort of. Except that really it's 10 months, and the doctors are liars! But today is Harper's 9-month old birthday, and we celebrated by going to the doctor and getting diagnosed with a double ear infection... again. This is now her 3rd double ear infection since Halloween. Winter is not treating her well. In other news, she is growing like crazy, and I can hardly stand it!

Here are some things about little Harp at 9 months:

-She weighs 19 lb 2 oz... down 10 oz since Thanksgiving. I wasn't surprised since her congestion has been doing a number on her eating!

-She shakes her head no, and it is hilarious! She does it sometimes when it would make sense and other times when it doesn't. Either way, it's so cute and she likes to copy you when you do it.

-Eating finger foods is tricky. She will put everything in her mouth but once she decides she hates it, she spits it out. It could be interesting if this doesn't stop!

-She crawls fairly regularly and pulls up to her knees. She has tried to pull up on the coffee table, but that ended bad... so we're hoping that doesn't happen again!

-She naps twice a day, and still sleeps wonderfully at night! I am so thankful that she sleeps so great!

-She says "Dada" and "Mama" and a few other sounds. It is so cute! I love her little voice... it's sort of deep!

-Still no teeth... I love her toothless grin!

That's all I can think of right now... it's late (for me!) and today was rather long... ear infections are no fun! We're hoping for a better day tomorrow!

LC and Mare celebrated her 9 month birthday with her tonight!

Cheesing it up for the camera!

Somebody stop this cuteness!!!

So proud that she pulled the ornament off!

It's on the bottom for her!

Have a great weekend!