We have been MIA

It was brought to my attention by several people over the weekend. So here I am! I will be updating via cell phone pics.

So last weekend, we loaded up and headed to West Virginia for Will's military duty. Harper and I laid low while we were there. Harper soaked up Grandy and Grammy time, visited her Mimi and Poppy Bill, and when I say visited I mean played poker! :) We also visited Grammy's work and met all her friends. Harper was a ham of course.

Playing poker with Mimi

We also ordered her ADORABLE birthday cake. I ordered it from Paula Vega Bakery in Huntington, WV and they were amazing to work with. I totally suggest using them for your next cake need.

Harper also had a "play date" with her cousin Caleb. Who is absolutely adorable! And got to see Aunt, Uncle Rich, Uncle Thug and Aunt Lane.

And the trip to WV also meant Trooper got to come home! We had left him WV so he could have a little vacation. WV to Trooper is like the Carribbean to me. It's his heaven. Fenced in back yard, a constant companion named Ryder, Grammy home all day, everyday and helping Grandy with work outside. He loves it there. So we let him stay every once and awhile. Besides, it's hard work being a big brother! :)

When we got home, he didn't miss a beat...exhibit A...

Last week brought of ton of changes in Harper. I keep saying, it's like she woke up when she turned 9 months old and decided to grow up! Everything honestly happened over night. I am CONSTANTLY worried about her developement. I think I tend to worry because she was born 5 weeks early and I had lots of medicine while I was pregnant...so I'm always afraid it has effected her developement. I can't tell you how many times I have googled "developmental milestones at _____months". I have even called her doctor and made appointments to review her developement and each time, the doctor says, "she is perfect, don't worry". Easier said than done. So, when she showed no interest in crawling, I started googling. I googled "average age for baby to crawl" and time and time again 9 months would be the answer. Harper woke up on her 9 month birthday and sure enough she crawled...seriously! I also worried about her holding her own bottle. She showed no interest in doing that. She will hold her own sippy cup, but not bottle. She woke up on her 9 month birthday and wanted to hold her own bottle. It was the weirdest thing, but amazing. I asked the doctor about this and she said it's completely normal. (Harper views feeding time as cuddling time).

So, my baby is crawling, climbing, holding her own bottle and saying "mummmmm" when she is sad all within 2 days.  My heart is exploding with pride!

Miss Priss is relaxing and holding her own bottle.

She finished her bottle and is looking for trouble.

If I'm home alone, I put her in her nap nanny to feed her while I pump. Yes, I'm STILL pumping...ugh!



Crawling around naked...it was risk...

Now that she is mobile she wants to be mobile in her crib. We are insanely lucky and are able to just lay Harper in her crib for naptime. She will lay there and not make a peep until she falls asleep. Since she has become so mobil she has decided she wants to SIT in her crib until she falls asleep. Fine by me, but poor girl. Let me just let the pictures to do the talking.

Harper via video monitor. Minding her own business picking fuzz off her blanket.

Dead asleep after falling over from sleepiness. And yes, she doesn't have any clothes on. Redneck baby at her finest.

I also introduced Harper to baby SueSue. Baby Sue Sue was my beloved baby as a child. She went everywhere with me. I thought it was time for Harper to have baby Sue Sue. She actually loved her. She would just look at her and giggle. It was the sweetest thing. 

Harper and Baby Sue Sue

Last but surely not least, Harper had her 9 month check-up. She is healthy and developmentally on target :) 

Doctor also confirmed she was VERY HAPPY, SECURE and laid back baby. Which makes this momma so happy. She is perfect and the doctors office just LOVE her. They remember her each and every time. They told me they have never seen baby with such pretty blue eyes and it probably helps they don't have another baby named Harper. Either way, makes us feel special.

And this picture is too cute not to post....



Harper went shopping with her daddy on Thursday after her doctor appointment and tried on Beats by Dre. She makes those things look good!

So, that is the last two weeks wrapped up in cell phone pictures. My little girl is growing up so fast.

Happy Monday! 



Weekend Recap

We had an awesome weekend. A weekend full of Harper!

I took off work early on Friday and the Cutlip's headed to Uniontown, PA. Will and I celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary last week, but we didn't celebrate. It's hard to do much when you have an eight month old at home. Especially when Mommy and Daddy work full time and want to spend every extra minute with her. So we were happy not to celebrate.

But I came up with the briliant idea to have my parents meet us in Uniontown (half way point) so they could babysit while Will and I go out to dinner. I realize this sounds ridiculous to you, but it makes for a very happy Grammy. My mom loves nothing more than to be with her grandchildren. She lives for all three of them! So it was a win-win.

We got there Friday evening. We pulled in at exactly the same time. We checked into the hotel and put on our bathing suits. Harper didn't disappoint. She loved the water. She kicked, splashed and squeeled the entire time. Mommy and Daddy got some hot tub time while we watched her swim with Grammy.

We got out of the pool and decided to get cleaned up for dinner. Will and I were going to go Boston Beanery for dinner! And Grammy and Harper were going to relax in the hotel. Will ran out and got my Mom something for dinner and I fed Harper her dinner. We bathed her and tucked her in for the night. And off we went on our date.

It didn't last long! We had dinner, ran through the drive-thru at Dairy Queen and then looked at each other and said we were exhausted. We were excited to have a full nights sleep, since Harper was with Grammy. Yeah right! This Mom couldn't sleep. I woke up every hour trying to listen for her crying. I ended up waking up and pumping to pass time. Finally at 6am, when Harper usually wakes up I text my mom to see if she was awake. Of course Harper was up and at em'!

I ran next door and fed and cuddled her. After she dosed off I hopped back in bed and slept like a baby for two hours.

We headed back on Saturday evening and relaxed once we got home. Sunday was a whole different story. Harper was a terror. Her poor top tooth is giving her so much trouble coming. She isn't sleeping well and is constantly cranky. I hope this evening is better. I warned her babysitter.

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

(I will post pictures of the weekend soon, I was just too lazy to do so!)

She talks

Oh my goodness, how adorable is this picture?! I'm not sure I have ever seen anything so cute?! I know, I know...I think it's extra cute because she is my daughter.

And  look how big she looks! I can't get over just how big she is getting. She is growing up so fast. It's unbelievable.

Speaking of growing up, guess who finally said her first word? Nope, not me....Harper!

And of course, she said "Dada". And once she said it, she hasn't stopped. Last night when I picked her up from Miss Alexis' house, she looked at me and said Dada. I don't care, I'm just happy she is starting to form words.

She is starting to make all kinds of different sounds. I have alwayscalled her Chatty Cathy, but she has taken her nickname to a whole new level. She wakes up chatting and falls asleep chatting. It's absolutely adorable.

But Chatty Cathy isn't her only nickname. I sometimes call her Patty. She plays patty cake like a champ. All we have to do is say "Harper, let's patty cake" and she will start "clapping" her hands together. It melts my heart.

She also waves "bye, bye" and claps when we say "yay"! I think we have a baby genius on our hands. I kid, I kid!

We are still waiting on her to crawl. She will get up on all four's but drops to her belly and squirms like a bug. She only wants to stand up these days. Everytime I pick her up from Miss Alexis' house, she is standing up holding on to their couch. We have even started "teaching" her to walk. Really, we are just showing her the motions.

Today, Miss Harper gets to meet a good friend/ex-coworker of mine from Utah. She is in town and is excited to meet Harper. And this weekend we might get a visit from one of Harper's "Aunties".

Exciting days at the Cutlip house!

Easter Part 2

The Cutlip's celebrated Easter on Sunday....kinda.

Will had to work and Grammy and Grandy had to go back to WV. But we waited to give Harper her Easter basket until Sunday.

If you give Harper something...I guarantee that girl will love it. And her Easter basket was no disappointment.

As soon as she woke up, I let her open her Easter bucket from her Grammy and Grandy since they were leaving. She LOVED it. And I loved it too! The bucket is adorable. And like always, they out did themselves.

She got her card out first. She still looks so sleepy!

Grabbing for her books.

I waited until Daddy got home to have her open her Easter basket from us. And of course she loved everything in it. Although, it was close to bedtime, so she was a little dramatic.

We gave her a book, bubbles, a new plate for when she decides to start eating table food (now she just gags and pukes haha), puffs (again, she usually just gags), tea party set, jeans, bath time lotion (we ran out, so I just bought more and stuck it in her basket, stuffed bunny and a new bathtub! She is in that in between stage where she is too big for the baby bath and the big bath is just too to big. So we got her a blow duckie bath. She has one at her Grammy and Grandy's house and she loves using it there. 

So happy the Easter bunny visited her

Grabbing another book

Just being Chatty Cathy

She loved playing with the plastic eggs

Harper's first Easter was a success. We made so many memories. Tomorrow we have some big news...let me give you a hint...

Dada

Happy Hump Day! 

April 10, 2010

On this day two years ago my life changed. I became Mrs. William Cutlip.

That weekend was the best weekend of my life. We were surrounded by so much love.

I remember waking up on the Saturday, April 10th and just so excited that my wedding day was finally here. I laid in bed an extra few minutes and heard someone walking towards my bedroom door. It was Trish. She climbed in bed with me and we chatted and giggled about life. We reminisced about college and dreamed about the future. She hurried me out of bed so we could go to Piggly Wiggly and get champagne for the day.

We woke up the other girls staying with me and told them to get their shoes, we are going to the store. It was like old times. They were able to take my wedding nerves completely away.

When we returned, it was time to start getting ready. The hair stylist had arrived. Everyone took their turn and we giggled the whole time. Joked about the wedding night and what life will be like the next couple of years. We tried to guess who was going to have a little too much to drink that night (I'm not sure who won that competition...but it was either Blake or Maggie).

I vividly remember my wedding flowers showing up at the house. I remember thinking they were the prettiest flowers I had ever seen. And they were and still are. We all took pictures of the flowers and ooohhh'd and aww'd over them.

It was finally time to put on my dress. It took a village to dress me. Everyone chipped in to tie the back up. I remember feeling so pretty.

Off to the wedding location! My wedding planner met me at the front door and showed me around. I was stunned at just how beautiful MY WEDDING was! I was so happy. She rushed me upstairs so Will couldn't see me. But I was able to catch a glimpse of him. He looked so handsome.

We took some pictures with the bridesmaids. And watched the guests stroll in. My excitement was building. I was so ready to walk down that aisle and become Mrs. William Cutlip. And was more ready to start the party to celebrate us!

It was finally time. I just couldn't wait for Will to see me as a bride. I remember not being too emotional, just excited. But for the first time, my emotions came over me as I saw everyone had travelled such a long distance to celebrate us. It was an amazing feeling that I still remember. I remember realizing just how blessed I was.

My Dad walked me down the aisle. He handed me off to Will and we began our life together.

After our short and sweet ceremony. The party began! That reception was amazing. Perfect for me and Will to start our lives together.

It's hard to believe that two years has already passed. It seems like just yesterday in my head. So much has changed since that Saturday, April 10th. Not only have I become Mrs. William Cutlip, but I"m now a Momma. I've had friends get married, have babies and move away in that time. Alot has happened.

But if I ever have a bad day, I just go to my happy place...April 10, 2010 in Isle of Palms, SC. I will spend the day today going my happy place and dreaming of that day.

Happy 2nd Anniversary Will! I love you to the moon and back. I can't wait to see what the future holds. I see more babies, big moves and happy times.

I love you!

Megan

Easter part 1



We had a busy Easter weekend. It started on Saturday. We celebrated Easter a day early with my family. It worked out nicely since Will works on Easter Sunday and my parents have to travel back to WV on Sunday to be back to work on time.

My brother and sister-in-law hosted Easter dinner. It was delicious...absolutely delicious! When we got there it was time for the big Easter Egg hunt of 2012. Emma searched for eggs while the babies chewed on eggs. But they were adorable.

Of course, I left my camera at home with the pictures from the Cutlip family Easter on Sunday. But I will  post those tomorrow. Oh, and I will post the BEST Easter Bunny photo of Harper. She LOVED meeting the Easter Bunny.

But today, it's business as usual. Harper is at Miss Alexis' house and we are at work. And of course, we are missing our West Virginia family.



Hoppy Easter!

Love,
Harper

Harper and Daddy

In the short 8 months Harper has been alive I have seen my husband go from Will to Daddy. It's been such an amazing thing to watch. Let me just say, Harper is one lucky little girl. Her Daddy loves her more than he every imagined. I don't think he knew just how much love he had in his heart for that little girl. Harper has stolen his heart. And it's just so wonderful.

He is her primary caregiver on Thursday's and Friday's. They both play so hard with each other those days. Will is the king of different voices and sounds and Harper is so much like him that way. She loves when someone talks to her in a weird voice or makes a different sound. I think it's because her Daddy does it to her all the time.

She is a complete Daddy's girl...100%! When she see's him in the evenings, she flirts with him. She watches for him out the front window (which I need to get a picture of!). When she finally sees him walking towards the house, she wiggles, squeels with delight and waves. She can't wait for him to walk through that door.

Yesterday, I came home to find Harper and Daddy doing a little bit of yardwork. I had to laugh though...who uses a ShopVac to do yardwork?...my daughter and husband do! Here are a couple of pictures to prove it!

Watching do his thing with the ShopVac

Sweet Will

Why would we buy a leaf blower when we can just use this?!

The first of many secrets

The loves of my life!

I hope everyone has a Hoppy Easter. We are dying Easter eggs tonight. We have an Easter Egg hunt in our neighborhood and at a local church we plan on attending tomorrow morning and afternoon. Then we are heading over to my brother's house to have Easter Dinner a day early. And all kinds of Grammy and Grandy lovins' in between! Have a great weekend!

Finally an update!!

Sorry everyone...I just know people were DYING for me to update. I know you were just sitting at your computers clicking refresh...wishful thinking...I know!

Either way...I have an exciting post headed your way.

March is a notoriously busy month in my business. But who I am kidding...I stay busy these days at work. March means the end of a fundraising quarter. So all of my clients spend the last few weeks of March having fundraiser after fundraiser to raise as much money as humanly possible so they can look good against their opponent. More money=more power.

Speaking of more money...we didn't win the lottery. I just knew I was going to win...so I had all the money spent. I fell asleep early on Friday...but when I woke up to Will dead asleep and the lottery tickets laying on his bedside table..I knew that wasn't a good sign. So I immediately rolled over and picked up my phone to make sure I didn't miss any calls or texts from friends and family saying they won. NOTHING...so I went to our local new station's website and noticed the winning ticket was sold in Baltimore County, MD. BINGO....Maggie lives there! For about an hour, I had myself convinced she won. She then text me and thought I was joking. She hadn't checked her tickets so she panicked thinking she could have won. But she didn't. So here we all are...same bank account...different day.

So after the split second excitement on Saturday morning, we decided to get up and head to DC. We just wanted a change of scenery. So we loaded Miss Harper and headed on our way. Silly us, we didn't realize the Cherry Blossom festival was going on. It should have been common sense, but the cherry blossoms are long gone...so I didn't think about it. So it was a madhouse downtown. But we had a blast.

Just so happened a kite festival was going on. Hundreds of kites were being flown around the Washington Monument. All different shapes and sizes. It was awesome to see. But no picture could do it justice.

This is supposed to be a picture of hundreds of kites...fail on my part!

She was so happy to be there...but you can't tell in this picture. She loved people watching.

Harper in her new stroller attachment and her hottie daddy!



Picnic on the National Mall.

She loved touching and picking the grass.

Mommy and Harper relaxing

It got kind of chilly so we decided to load up and head to the "hill"...Capitol Hill that is. I just love Capitol Hill. It's like it's own little town in a big city. Plus I'm really familiar with the area...so that helps. I let Will pick where we had lunch. He chose Tortilla Coast. Mmmm..my favorite. It's a hole in the wall Mexican restaurants that is a staple on Capitol Hill. Every politician has eaten here at least once. Including my favorite...George W. Bush. It was one of his favorites when he was up here. 

Harper and Mommy in Tortilla Coast

She loves getting kisses. She even gives kisses.

Harper drinking out of her very own cup. They gave her a little souvenir cup.

As we were loading up, even Will commented on how wonderful Capitol Hill is. Ironically, it's so peaceful and quaint.

We made a few stops on the way home and at one stop we picked up a balloon for Harper. She LOVES balloons. She will play with a balloon for hours.

On Sunday, Harper and went shopping for an Easter dress for me. We are planning on heading to church on Easter Sunday.

I think I say this everytime I post a new blog entry, but this little girl is so amazing. She is just so happy and easy. She loves nothing more than to be out and about with her Mommy and Daddy. I just can't believe how lucky (and blessed) I am. She is the apple of our eyes.

I will make sure I update more this week. And we have an exciting weekend coming up...Easter egg dying, Grammy and Grandy visiting, Easter egg hunt, pictures with the Easter bunny and Harper's first Easter. Woohhoooo!!!

Happy Monday!