Icy weather

Growing up in Phoenix, there was never the possibility of missing school because of weather. Only as an adult have been able to experience the nervous anticipation of an impending snow day. It makes me feel like a kid again! I woke up at 4 am this morning to check the news...no luck today, but tomorrow will be a different story! I am hoping for a nice thick layer of ice to be coating the roads, making traveling to school impossible. Brandon is convinced that there had to be at least one day when I was young that school was cancelled due to "extreme, mind-melting heat". Silly Brandon...we just grin and bear it. I reminded him that up north, kids still go to school in the snow and ice because they're prepared for it, they've adapted to it. It's like that in Phoenix as well. 115 degrees? No problem! I'll be coming to Phoenix in February for a short visit, and I'm hoping for some warmer weather, maybe not 115 degrees, anything above freezing would be acceptable! Harper has started crawling and pulling up on everything! She pulled herself up to standing in her crib today, and shortly after lost her balance and hit her face on the rail. She had a nose bleed and Brandon just about lost his mind. He was ready to drive her to the E.R.! Oh daddies...so sweet and overprotective.

So long Holidays....

So the holidays are officially over and I have to return to work tomorrow. I've really enjoyed the time I've spent at home with my daughter. Two whole weeks of no daycare, just mommy. Hopefully she'll go back to her normal routine without much fuss. I realized over this break that I've become a bit of a homebody. I still like to go out with my friends, get a babysitter and go on date night with Brandon, but mostly, I just want to be at home with my family. There is something very comforting about having them all around me and just being still, at home. It's also better for my wallet too! My mom and I have planned a trip for Harper and I to come visit in February. I'm a little nervous about the trip because this time I will be traveling alone with Harper. Last time we were on a plane, I breast fed her until she went to sleep and then she stayed asleep the whole trip. I have this feeling that this time will not be so easy. But we'll see.

Christmas with the Helms'

We had a great Christmas! My parents came to Little Rock this year and we all spent Christmas morning at our townhouse. I love to cook, but my tiny kitchen is not made for huge family meals, so we ordered turkey dinners from Mimi's...it's a little embarrassing, but it was really good and a lot less hassle. Harper loved her gifts! I tried to get her to help me open some, but she didn't care one bit about any of it. To my delight, however, she is actually playing with her new toys! We put her in a Christmas dress that Brandon's mom bought her before she was even born. I must admit, I hate this dress! But his mom was horrified that we didn't take her to get her picture taken with Santa, so this was our compromise. Harper is so close to crawling! She gets up on her hands and leans over on one knee, then falls back her bottom....it will happen one day very soon! Her are some pictures of the Christmas dress *sigh*

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

It's been a while since I've blogged, we have been very busy around here! This time of year is always interesting at school. The students know that they are about to have a very long break, and thus, they feel like school is just something to pass the time. Today we had a half day after two snow days, and they were wild! Only one more half day to go and the FREEDOM! for 2 weeks. My parents are coming to Arkansas for Christmas and they arrive on Christmas Eve. I have been trying to figure out how I'm going to fit everyone into my small townhouse and feed everyone that will be here. I have a very small kitchen so cooking for a large number of people becomes quite an undertaking. Should be interesting to see how that turns out! We have only bought Harper two presents, and I think that's all we're buying. She doesn't know it's Christmas, and she has grandparents coming who have bought her several things also, so I just don't see the point in going all out this year. Next year will be a different story I'm sure! Harper is talking so much these days...not real words mind you...but she is very vocal! I was a very quiet and shy child, I don't think she is in danger of being that way...just look how cool she is already! This picutre was taken in SkyHarbor while we were waiting for our flight back to Arkansas. She already knows that the perfect shades really perfect any outfit.

oops

I took Harper to the doctor today for her check up and shots...I always dread it because she cries so much and looks so sad! She really doesn't cry that much at home, so it gets to me a little. Anyway, the doctor looked in her left ear and said, "did you know she has an ear infection?" Of course I didn't! She had been a little cranky over the weekend, but she is cutting her first tooth so we didn't really think much of it. Oh well. That's the only thing I hate about daycare, the seemingly never ending bouts of ear infections/sickness. They do all they can do keep everything clean and sterilized, but with that many little kids in one place, it's bound to happen I guess.

I can't believe that Thanksgiving is in 2 weeks! The time has been flying by since she's been born. I really love the holidays, especially Christmas. It's still a little hard though, to be here, away from my family during the holidays. Some of Brandon's family lives here, but it's just not the same. My parents are coming to Arkansas for Christmas this year, so that should be interesting! The rumor is that we may have snow in December this year, so that will be pretty...and potentially annoying. Snow in Arkansas is not like snow other places, like the Northeast, for instance. When it snows here, it melts after a day or so and the refreezes on the ground as ice. I hate the ice! I'm scared to drive anywhere when there's ice so I end up being homebound. Being from Arizona sometimes does have it's downfalls...they are few and far between, but to be fair they do exist.

Voting woes

This election was the first time since I've been able to vote that I did not cast a ballot, not on purpose, however. I had every intention of voting, I left work early to vote. When I got the polling place, I wasn't on the list!!!!! I'm not sure what happened, but my name was no where to be found. They said I could go in and cast a ballot, but it would eventually be thrown out. I figured I'd already wasted enough time. I'm mad. I always give people who don't vote a hard time, well not everyone, only those who complain. Can you tell I'm still a little disappointed?!?! I'm not the only one who had trouble ( sorry Nicole!!). Harper is sad too. People who don't vote make Harper sad.

Harper has found her voice, and she insists on using, loudly, at all times. The best way I can describe the sound she makes is that it is very similar to the sound of someone slowly letting the air out of a balloon. So cute. I have spent the past two days home with bronchitis. I thought I was over it, I thought wrong! I hate missing work, my students are a bit of a handful. I'm sure they terrorized the poor sub, whoever it was! I have a hard time getting subs for my class....I'm sure it has nothing to do with the boy who throws tantrums and hides under the table, or the other little boy who enjoys pleasuring himself in class and farts and purpose and says "excuse me" because that's the polite thing to do. Never a dull moment. Here are some pictures I took while giving Harper a bath, look at those green eyes!