Q & A

Okay - here a few answers to your questions with some pictures of a cutie in between!

1. Several of you wanted to know about my infertility and announcing I was pregnant.

We started trying in fall of 2005. I got pregnant in July 2006 but miscarried pretty quickly. We kept trying and then in fall 2007 started fertility treatments. I did Clomid (still trying to lose the 20 lbs I gained on that) and several IUI's. Then God did a miracle in April 2008. You can read more here. I'm also 35 so I was no spring chicken trying to get pregnant.


2. You wanted to know about my pregnancy and delivery and more about what happened to Harper.

I had a great pregnancy. I was very sick for about 15 weeks and I had a lot of back pain and heartburn and towards the end I could barely move.........but I loved every minute. :-)
My labor and delivery were actually great until we found out something was wrong with Harper. I was induced and I got my epidural before I ever felt a thing. It was GLORIOUS! I recommend it to everyone. It was a great day - all of our family was there and we were enjoying hanging out. I pushed for an hour and little Miss H just wasn't coming out. So they had to do a forceps delivery. When she came out - she was blue, wasn't crying or breathing. I didn't panic at first because I thought it was just a hard delivery and she would be okay. A bunch of nurses and NICU nurses came running in and were working on her. I started to get nervous but still didn't think it was serious. A couple of hours later the NICU doctor came in to tell us that she was VERY, VERY critically ill and there was nothing he could do for her there - he had to get her air lifted and basically he didn't know if she would make it. I'll never forget how I felt at that moment. Time just stood still.
Harper had pneumonia in her lungs. It was never determined exactly why - I had a fever towards the end of my delivery and it's possible I passed on an infection to her. I don't spend a lot of time worrying about HOW this happened. God has used this whole story for His glory and Harper is home and healthy and that's all that matters.

3. I laugh REALLY hard at this one but several of you wanted to know where I shop.

First of all - I have never felt MORE un-stylish and frumpy than I have in the last year. I'm old and out of style and I know it. I love clothes but I'm tight. I get most of my clothes (SERIOUSLY) at Wal-Mart. Or Forever 21 or T J Maxx. If I'm feeling crazy and want to spend a little more - my favorite store lately has been Gap. So it doesn't take a lot of money to look cute. I'm also totally a dress girl. I rarely wear pants or jeans. (except for right now and I rarely wear anything but pj's and yoga pants). ha!

4. You want to know about my faith and testimony (and hopefully this answers the question of if my parents are as great as they seem):
I was raised in a Christian home. My dad actually wasn't a Christian when I was born. My mom was. She would beg him to go to church and he told her "she should have married a preacher if she wanted someone to go to church with her"........(God SO has a sense of humor). When I was probably 3 or 4 - my dad got saved. And he has lived his life for Christ ever since. He went to seminary when I was 9 and has been a pastor for almost 25 years. My parents are two of the most Godly people I know which is one reason my faith is so strong.
I was saved when I was 6 years old (January 13 (my due date), 1980). (I hadn't thought about that until just now - how those dates matched up). ha! I spent my whole life in church but when I went to college (and I went to a Baptist college) ......I think I kind of started to drift away. I didn't go wild but I only went to church on Sunday mornings, really didn't have a quiet time, I was just a laid back Christian. That carried on through my single years. I felt like I didn't belong at church when I was single. (I'm sure a lot of you feel that way). I hated Singles Sunday School so I dropped out and I was actually pretty mad at God during those years. I was a spoiled brat who wanted a husband. Sometimes I think if my faith would have been stronger then.....He would have brought me a husband sooner.
But in the last few years - God has been working in my life. Scott realized he wasn't saved a few years ago and after he accepted Christ - that started a big change in our lives. And God just keeps building my faith. He has NEVER left me. Everything that happens ......just prepares me for what is next. I could go on and on and on about this subject but maybe I'll elaborate more later. I will say that all that I've been through - I've never loved Jesus more. If you want to know more on this subject - e-mail me - I'd love to share more with you.

4. What about Dawson?

Dawson is still with my parents. He is SOOOO happy there. We miss him and he will be coming home soon. I just wanted to get in a groove with Harper before I brought Dawson into the mix. I'm finally feeling comfortable with taking care of H by myself and we have a schedule so Dawson will probably come home soon. He may not want to - the country is WAY more fun than here.

5. Will we have more kids?
Right now - my answer would be no. I'm so happy to have Harper and we went through so much to get her. I never thought I would have an only child but most of my close friends are only children and are very happy. We'll wait until Harper is at least a year and then make a decision. I'm just so thankful for one beautiful daughter.

6. How do I find time for blogging/facebook/e-mail?

Right now - I'm nursing a lot and we spend a lot of time on the couch and I have my laptop next to me and I do a lot of one hand typing. It gives me something to do while I'm feeding her. Also I want to try hard to keep up with it because I will NEVER scrapbook (just don't have it in me) so this is the way I can keep a record of our lives. I also take advantage of her naptimes to clean, do laundry, put on lipstick (I used Merle Norman spice sachet lip pencil - best color ever), or use the computer.

7. How did I get "Blog Famous" and what's the deal with ads?
I hate this question because I am NOT famous. It's really bizarre to me why anyone would want to read my blog. I started it about 3 years ago because I wanted a way to scrapbook our lives and I thought MAYBE our parents would want to read it. For the first 2 years or so - I never had any comments and I probably had 50-100 hits a day.
I've been thinking a lot lately about the prayer of Jabez. In 1 Chronicles 4:10, Jabez prayed "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request. That kind of sums up my blog to me.
For the last year - I have prayed that God would let me be a light for Him and that He would give me away to share about Him. Out of no where - I started having more and more people on my blog. I have no idea how it happened. Before I had Harper - I had about 5000 hits a day on my blog. I honestly believe God knew it would help me to have people praying for me through a trial and that I would try to use it for his glory..........so the day after Harper was born - out of NOWHERE - I had 100,000 hits in one day. And it's been incredible ever since. I have heard from people all over the world. It is NOT about me or even Harper. God just has been able to use our story to show his Love. He likes to use (VERY) ordinary people to do extraordinary things. And I'm as ordinary as they come. :-)
A few months ago - I thought I would try out BlogHer and see what would happen. I would blog every day no matter what and if I could make a little money because of it - why not? If they take off the ads - I'll still keep blogging every day so it's just extra. I filled out an application (I think they aren't taking applicants any more right now but keep watching) and basically it is based off of your traffic. I'm not getting rich by any means but it's just a little extra money to shop for clothes at Wal-Mart with. ha! It's a great program if you get the chance to use it!

8. Last one for now............ How did we get Harper's name and where do I get all of her monogrammed stuff?

Go back to this post to read about the names. I get all of her monogrammed stuff off ebay or etsy. I don't have a "favorite" place to get them. I usually look for inexpensive custom things. A lot of what she has were gifts. Since we may only have one child - hand me downs aren't that big of an issue. I'll find a few lucky people who name their babies Harper and they can hit the jackpot. ha!

I'm sorry if I didn't answer your question but this was getting long. I'll maybe do another question post soon!!!!

P.S. There is a blogger Rachel and she and her husband are unable to get pregnant so they are planning to adopt from South Korea. Her husband is in seminary and adoption is VERY expensive so she is doing some fundraising to help pay for it. As a PK and someone who struggled with infertility - the least I can do is tell you to go and sign up - she is doing some GREAT giveaways!!!!! The link is here.

Picture-less Post

I'm doing something I NEVER do - a post with no pictures! GASP!

Today was a day where Harper just didn't sleep at all and I was trying to get a lot done around the house so there was just no time for posting. I promise I'll be back tomorrow with lots of pictures.

In the meantime - a lot of you have been asking me questions in your comments and I'm not good about getting around to each of you to answer them but I thought I would open up one post to any question you might have. About where I get Harper's bows and clothes to blogging questions to spiritual questions - whatever you have. And then I'll take the top 10-20 questions and answer them for you.

So fire away.

Short and Sweet

Really this is what we do every day - Harper is sleeping a lot these days. She eats, we change diapers, I sing songs and read books and I dress her up and take pictures. I can't take her anywhere or show her off and she has a closet full of clothes. I need someone to see her cuteness people!!! Thanks for indulging me. (If nothing else - the grandparents enjoy it).

Harper looks so much like me in my baby pictures but she has Scott's eyes. I'm so thankful. I have small, dark beady eyes and I prayed that Harper would have big eyes. Yes - that is the most shallow prayer I've ever prayed. But God cares about the details. (I would have loved her just as dearly if she got my beady eyes).

We just got our dinner delivered and I'm laughing because everyone was instructed just to drop it off on our doorstep and ring the doorbell and leave like the UPS man. It's funny to open my door at night and see food sitting there.

We have only watched part of American Idol so far. All I really have to say so far is :

WHAT IS UP WITH THE SHOES??????

Please tell me this is not a new trend!!! I'm getting old and out of style and I'm trying to at least not wear MOM jeans. But when I get back in the real world - will I be wearing Air Jordans unlaced????? HELP! If they bring back big hair - I'm OUT!

Are you watching and who do you like so far????

You gotta have friends

Here is Harper's dress up of the day. ha! (I don't let her wear those headbands and hats around the house - just a few minutes for pictures). She slept a good part of the day today! We had a good day.
It was also a good day because Scott kept Harper for a couple of hours tonight so I could go to a baby shower!!! I was SOOOOOO happy to see all of my friends. I could only stay for a very short time because it took me a while to get there and back but I was just thrilled to see everyone. I feel like it's been MONTHS since I last saw everyone. There are a bunch of cute pregnant girls in our Sunday School class and I feel like they all grew cute bellies while I've been gone.

Ginger, Elizabeth and Mary Avery

Our friend Robin made the cute cookies yesterday and then delivered her baby today!!! Congrats Robin and Jake on baby Caleb.

Michelle, Leah and Kacy

This is my friend Amy. She is having twin girls, Molly and Ruby. She also has a one year old named Ella Kate that is beautiful! I asked you earlier to pray for Amy - she has been having contractions and started dilating. She is 30 weeks - she needs at least 5-6 more weeks. I want her to avoid the NICU! Molly and Ruby will be in Harper's class - I'm excited for her to have sweet friends!
When I was little, my family lived in New Orleans. We lived there for about 3 years. Our neighbors, Shirley and her daughter Rachel sent Harper this precious smocked Razorback dress! I love it! She will wear it for the first game hopefully! I know ya'll are reading this - thank you so much! I remember as a little girl eating King Cake at their house during Mardi Gras. This time of year always makes me think about it. It's still one of my favorite things - I always try to buy one each year.

Happy One Month!!!

My little monkey is one month today!

Time flies when you are having fun

Kaye made us this wonderful plaque after Harper was born and now she is giving one away - go here to see how to win!

Our wonderful Sunday School class is making meals this week and next. I've made a ton of meals over the last few years but you don't realize what a blessing it is until it's your turn. Especially when you have a high maintenance child that wants to be held 24/7 which makes cooking pretty much impossible.

Here is another family I would like to ask you to pray for. There are so many needs out there - please keep them in your prayers.

And praise - baby Brayden came home from the NICU today after 34 days! Can't wait for he and Harper to meet after they both get off of house arrest.

Sunday Sunday

I really miss church. I haven't been in 5 weeks now and I miss it so much. I'm hoping by the next week or so I will get to go. I'm just so scared to go and bring home any germs and right now I know I need to be with Harper. But OH I miss my church. I spent some time this morning just thanking God for our miracle and crying. I think God kept me from realizing how close we came to losing her but when I think about it - I'm just so amazed at what God did.
I also want to tell you that Harper is doing so much better. She has been such a good baby lately. She is sleeping a lot more and crying a lot less. She came home from the hospital on two reflux medicines so that's under control but I have adjusted my diet some and I think she just needed to adjust to being home. We are blessed!

We broke out the Boppy tummy time mat today for Harper.

This shows you just how much she liked it. ha! (Pitiful)

Oh another note - I have a fun little deal for you!!! If you like chocolate (and seriously - who doesn't?) - I'm working with BlogHer to give away a whole basket of yumminess from M&M's new premium line of chocolates. So if you want to win - go visit here and leave me a comment telling me when you REALLY need chocolate. It doesn't start until midnight tonight though so come back tomorrow!

The prayer blog has been updated but I hate to do this - if you e-mailed me in the last month (since Harper has been born) and asked to be added - even if I responded to you- can you e-mail me one more time and put "prayer blog" in the subject line? I'll get you added this week. I've just been buried in e-mail and can't seem to get dug out so I want to start fresh on that because it's important to me that you all get on that list so we can be praying.

Also - who is an Amazing Race fan???? A new season starts tonight and I'm so excited! That is one of my other favorite shows! They end the season in Maui, Hawaii (one of my favorite places). I'm sure it will be a good season. That is the reality show I would most want to be on. I'm curious - What reality show would you want to be on if you had to pick (and please tell me it's nothing from VH1 or MTV. ha!) (The VH1 reality shows are the WORST)!

P.S. Please keep this family in your prayers - go and read about their baby and pray for them.

Happy V-day!

I realize this flower band is OVER THE TOP - but I thought it was fun to put it on her for just a quick snap shot! How is your valentines day? Ours has been really great so far!
My parents came over today for a couple of hours. My dad brought me the changing table/dresser he made for me. I absolutely love it - she can use it her whole life. Once we get the pad on there and the picture hung above it - I'll have to show a finished shot!
My parents were sweet to keep Harper for us for a little while so Scott and I could get out and have a valentines lunch. I know they probably enjoyed it more than we did. They are just a little bit crazy about their first grandchild.
This is my favorite thing - we sit for hours sometime with her asleep on my boppy pillow after she eats. She is so sweet and precious!
Here is my smiling face after I got out of the house for the first time in over a week. We went to Copelands and they gave us special heart beads. ha! We also hit up Sam's. I'd say it was the perfect Valentines date. But I couldn't wait to get home to my monkey.
Harper continues to get so many cute things in the mail. This sweet girl sent her a whole package of fun, fun monogrammed things but I could just die over this onesie.
And my favorite bow lady sent Harper a whole mess of new bows and hats - I love the little Easter bunny hat and the daddy's girl bow. Thank you Shannon!!!!

Who has special plans for V-day tonight? I can't think of anything more romantic than being home with my two favorite people on earth in our pj's - probably eating Sonic or Subway and maybe downloading a movie off of apple TV or some random reality show. There is probably nothing more romantic to me than watching my husband take care of our sweet girl. It's made me fall in love all over again!

Photo Sessions

So - how much do I love the blog world???? When I was going through infertility - I felt completlely alone until I started blogging about it and then I started hearing from so many in the same boat and I can't tell you how much it helped. When Harper was in the NICU - I got e-mail after e-mail from mothers who had been there and it gave me SO much encouragement.
And I cried yesterday reading the comments just knowing that I'm not alone again. I'm not the only person who has ever had a baby who screams most of the day. Thank you for all of your suggestions. I'm putting some into use.

I tried to take a few pictures today - I'm working on doing her birth announcement and I want some cute pics. Unfortunately- this is the face I see the majority of the day. ha! We DID have a great night!!!! Harper slept almost all night long and then slept for 3 hours this morning. I talked to my mom and she said she didn't sleep and spent most the of the night praying for us so I think that did the trick. Thanks Nonny!!! Harper has had a rough afternoon so we called in Chili's to go and Harper and I rode in the back in our pj's while daddy picked it up. The car seat and a car ride CONK her out! So that may become our bedtime routine.
After a lot of crying - I finally got this sweet picture! Sometimes I can't believe this baby came from us.

You have to love a sleeping baby

Heather sent me these precious shoes today!!!!!! I know what you are thinking - does the girl have ANYTHING without her name on it? Well - let's just say she should be the first kid in Sunday School that can spell her name. ha! Heather - I LOVE these shoes!!!!

Before I delivered Harper - someone left me an anonymous comment and said they hoped this wouldn't turn into a "baby blog". I promise to discuss something other than Harper soon. But right now - my life is 24/7 Harper so it's mainly what I have to discuss. Plus it's my favorite topic currently. I HAVE caught up on my TV watching - probably a little TOO much. But it's one thing I can do while I'm nursing all day. ha!

I have about 7 minutes to make a post.........

This is for all my OBU friends ----- Harper wanted to show you her shirt!!!

By the looks of her in this picture - I think she is trying to tell me she'd rather pledge E. :-)

This is us during some happy famly time! There hasn't been just a ton of that in the last two days. We are so thankful to have a sweet baby and SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO thankful she is healthy but she has pretty much only slept about 6 out of the last 36 hours. I'm either nursing the other 30 hours or she is screamimg!!! I know this is the 3 week growth spurt (or so we hope!) We are really just glad she is eating so much and her lungs work so well. Have any of you had a baby that would not sleep and only wants to be fed and/or held? I'm writing this with one hand while she's calm for once. Any advice for this new mom? (P.S. I've tried the bouncy seat, car seat, swing, sling, miracle blanket and pack and play - she hates them all. She's high maitenance - where does she get it from??? Must be her dad. ha!)
This is the best part of our day - when daddy comes at lunch or night. He helps me so much. If I can work in a shower somehow today and can pump a bottle or two......I am getting out tonight for 30 minutes.........maybe to buy stamps and go to sonic!!!!!

On another note, we have been so blessed lately and I have been so burdened for others........sick children, tornado victims, almost 1000 people in my small town yesterday who were laid off. We are living in such scary times and my anxiety has increased so much knowing I am responsible for another life now. It's hard to turn on the tv these days and to not get depressed, But God has told us not to worry over and over in the Bible. He is in control. He is Jehovah Jirah - my provider. My hope is in that.

P.S. If I haven't returned your phone call or e-mail or written your thank you note yet........hopefully you understand why now. I haven't combed my hair in about 3 days. My friend Kacy (one of the most thoughtful people I've ever met) called today and said "I'm about to ring your doorbell and run - answer when I leave" and she left me an orange roll from our favorite tea room. She speaks my love language. :-) I want to learn to be that kind of friend, don't you?


Also - be in prayer for this family. This little girl was a twin and was born at 30 weeks. She has had two heart surgeries and one bowel surgery. Please pray that she lives and will be healed - her name is Veiyah. Her twin was lost.

First Visit to the Pediatrician

This morning we made our first trip to the pediatrician. This was Harper all dressed up and ready to go. I was so glad my mom was here to help me take her. It was my first time trying to get me and her all ready to go somewhere and of course it came a huge rainstorm right when I needed to get her out of the car at the doctor.
Harper did SO good at the doctor - she was so calm and the doctor thought she looked great! We were glad to get a good report!
(Several of you have e-mailed me wanting to know where to get this cute hat - if I didn't answer you - Veronica has a blog now - so you can go here to get the info!)
Here we are waiting on the doctor to come in. She was in the 90th percentile on weight and height! Big girl!!!!!
Nonny left this afternoon to go home. Harper was very sad. We have had her with us for the last almost 4 weeks and we have been so glad! But don't worry - she and Granddaddy are coming back on Friday.
Harper got her first valentines card today from her Papaw and JiJi. They also sent candy for her parents. Yeay for that! :-)

I have been so sad today to hear about sweet little Cora. She was 10 months old and diagnosed less than 3 weeks ago with cancer. She went to be with Jesus yesterday. My heart hurts so bad for her family. I can only imagine how they must feel because we got close to losing Harper. It makes me feel bad that my little girl was healed and is healthy today and they lost their precious daughter. I don't understand a lot of "whys" in this world. I'm thankful that her family has a strong faith. Will you please pray for them? They will need a lot of prayers the next coming days, weeks and years. I know God has not promised a life of happiness - He knew we would have sorrow - but He has promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us. Have hope in that!