NURSERY START TO FINISH

When we were deciding how to set up the Bebe's new space we were wrestling with the fact that setting up the nursery in the fourth bedroom would mean losing that space as a guest room. Being that we're in a new house, in a new (and desirable!) part of the country, we've had many guests to-date and anticipate many more over the coming year. So I really didn't want to lose that space. Bill had the idea to turn the large closet space into a crib nook...I couldn't picture putting my little one in a closet but was inspired when I came across this picture on ohdeedoh.com.

So as little as three weeks ago I was still at a loss as to how we were going to tackle this project...here are photos of our progress, start to finish!

Three weeks ago:
























































































The closet doors come off! The green accent didn't wind up being a great choice:























Bill suggested plum -- PERFECT!
















In just one week, we were done! So many many thanks, hugs and kisses to my amazing husband for bringing our vision together and for squeezing in all the tasks in such a short time. I love you.

Bebe Girl or Boy?

With one week to go, we're SUPER excited to meet The NEWEST Littlest Harper. When people learn that we won't know the gender until Bebe's arrival most are shocked and don't know how we could go nine months without this knowledge. Here are our thoughts on the matter:

• There are so few GOOD surprises in life, isn't this an amazing one?
• What does it matter as long as the baby is healthy?
• What fun would it be when Bill came bursting out of the delivery room and said, "It's an X" if everyone already knew?"
• And as Bill says: "It's one of our last stands against modern technology." (Personally, I didn't know Bill had anything against modern technology. If you saw our uber-modern, fully-wired, accessible from every computer, phone, tv and ipad in the house, entertainment system you would have to agree :)

But there are some little things that make not knowing difficult. One is, what does baby wear home from the hospital?

With Finn, I had a gender-neutral outfit. For Estelle there was a girl option and a boy option. I wound up choosing the latter for this Bebe too since gender-neutral clothes are so hard to come by nowadays...unless you just really like yellow ducks. But since one of the contenders on our final name list is "Drake" I thought that would just be plain mean. So here's what I selected (hopefully hubby likes):

If it's a BOY:



If it's a GIRL:

Harper Pharmacy

OK, is this a joke? No one's kitchen counter should look like this in August but it especially shouldn't look like this when The Littlest Harper is due to arrive in just 8 days! And of course, everyone has to take something different:

• Finn: Fever Reducer and Mucus Relief for 2+ year olds
• Estelle: Fever Reducer for under 2 years
• Rachelle: Every all-natural thing possible to decrease the longevity of whatever this is plus Tylenol to keep me upright
• Bill: Preventative measures only at this point, but I'm loading him up, I can't afford to lost my First String Quarterback now!!!

Next up on the agenda: hot tea and naps for all...

Vacation Part 5

High tide in the early morning. The best time to fish.



Finn and Estelle chill on the porch swing together.



More bubble time.




Baby Joanna and Aunt Rachelle.

Vacation Part 4

Emerson helps Estelle get a grip on the bubble machine.



Declan shows us how a pro does the job.



Exploring the "Pirate Ship" at the park.

Vacation Part 3

Finn takes a stroll and practices proper umbrella-ing.




Uncle Skylar brought sparklers. Can Finn hold his steady long enough to get it lit?





Declan and Finn loop the field.



Time for another one.



Sky and Bill make camera art. Hurry Sky!

Vacation Part 2

Baby Joanna masters waving during the trip.




Finn leads a "Tom Cat" session.




Yogurt cones in the hiz-ouse! Finn seems to be especially excited.



Emerson rockin' the cone.

Eastern Shore Vacation 2011

Estelle straps in for the first leg of the journey. 5.5 hours to MD. Can she make it without a meltdown? She's excited about going up in the "Couds".



Rachelle and Finn spend some quality time with Dumbo.



We get to the house in time for our first sunset of the week.



Rachelle reads stories the new fashioned way. Thanks, iPad!

California wildlife - in the parking lot

It's not every day you look out your office window to see a mother bobcat and her cub. Rachelle's comment, "That's it. I'm never hiking here."

There it is.

Our first big event - La Habra Children's Museum

First stop, the carousel.





Then, off to the city bus for some driving lessons.





Estelle then works on her finer grocery shopping skills.

Baby Girl is growing up!

A few weeks ago our baby girl graduated to her new Big Girl Bed. This was cause for much celebration, including an immediate invitation for a practice sleep-over with Finn. The owl and Sleep Sheep also report having made the transition without incident.

From the couch in California - Con't.

Finn and Estelle claim the breakfast corner for themselves.



The next morning, Estelle discovers a sheet of stickers. Within minutes, Sticker Girl is born.