Let's Be Friends Blog Hop

It's that time again!!

Hello there! It is time for the Let's Be Friends Blog Hop #13! It has been an amazing 13 weeks so far. Bloglovin' is a great way to organize and follow other bloggers, and with Google Reader shutting down it's not a bad idea to promote your bloglovin' option!

We reached our goal of 85 link ups last week! YAY! This week our goal is to reach 100- can we do it? Yes we can. Promote this blog hop by putting the button on your page, or throwing a shout out at the end of your post today or tomorrow. The more link ups we have the more our blogs will grow! Invite a friend, tweet it, or let your facebook bloggy friends know! :)

                                              

Mandi from All My Happy Endings is my other host. She is an awesome friend I have met through blogging. We are committed to growing and promoting this blog hop.

Have fun and meet some friends!

Chloe from Rainbows & Honeysuckle

Megan from One Fifteen Danville

Francesca from The Happy One

Angela from My Silly Life

                               

6 months >> Halfway to too big!

I know I say it every month, but I can't believe 6 months has already passed!

It's a strange thing, I remember when Ainsley was this age I was encouraging her to crawl and walk and talk.  But the second go 'round, I am just trying to soak up every minute of delicious baby rolls, snugs, nursing, everything, and unfortunately it is slipping through my fingers WAY TOO FAST!  I just wish I could pause time for a bit to make sure I enjoy every last detail of both of my girls at this stage in their lives! SO, until that time machine is invented, I will try to capture as much as I can!

What's new with the Harpster:

>>All of that jumping you do (and boy do you do a lot) has slowed your weight gain.  You clocked in at a whopping 16.2 lbs! Not to shabby Missy! You landed in the 55%.

>>Your weight gain may have slowed but that doesn't mean you stopped growing!  You measured 26.75" long and landed in the 90% for length.  

>>You are wearing 6, 6-9, and some 6-12 month clothing

>>We have explored several different foods and you seem to have come to the conclusion that you like...food. Spaghetti, chicken noodle soup, broccoli, peas (not pureed, only when you can pick them up yourself), mashed potatoes, and yogurt are a few of the new foods you have enjoyed.

>>You still love to jump and bounce

>>Getting much better at sitting and you roll like a champ!

>>You can balance on your hands and knees but end up in a face plant as you try to lunge forward.

>>You have two adorable, sharp little teeth and working on a few more 

>>Oh and you are a thumb sucker! I don't care what anyone says, I think it's one of the cutest things ever!

Some more fun pictures from the last month:

Oh, and THIS is happening:

Munchkin Must Haves~4 & 5 Months

Go Ga Ga Teether / Boogie Wipes / Security Blanket / Little Einsteins Aquarium / Peg Perego Stroller

I have finally compiled a list of just a few of the items that we haven't been able to get by without these past two months!

1 / I'm sure if you have a little you have heard of Sophie the Giraffe.  I have been all to tempted to purchase this little guy, but the price (+shipping) has always kept my finger from clicking the purchase button.  On one of my many trips to Target, I came across this little cutie, Millie, as we call her.  I'm assuming she is Target's version of Sophie, as she is made from all natural rubber and resembles Sophie in just about every way (other than being a monkey of course!).  Millie was about half the price of Sophie so I couldn't put it in the shopping cart fast enough!  Harper immediately took to her and has been one of her favorite chew toys!  She is easy to grasp and lets out a little squeak when being gnawed on! Harper has been teething like mad lately and has shown Millie a lot of extra attention and she seems to be quite satisfied!

2 / With a teething baby comes a very runny nose (at least that has been my experience with both girls).  These boogie wipes are saline based and wipe away sticky boogies in one clean swipe.  This leaves baby's nose un-irritated and smelling like delicious grapes!  They are a must have in my diaper bag and I have an extra pack for my pocket book!

3 / As I mentioned in my diaper bag essentials post, I was quite leery of these tiny expensive blankets but caved and got them anyway!  They are wonderful, enough said!

4 / The Little Einstein Crib Aquarium has been a life save with both girls.  With Ainsley I had the older version but was sure to pick up the new non-recalled version.  Harper is SO squirmy and nearly impossible to rock to sleep.  This aquarium helps lull her to sleep even when her body doesn't think it's ready!

5 / I recently purchased this Peg Perego Pliko Switch Stroller and have LOOOVED every minute of it! The seat is forward and rear facing and has the ability to recline completely to become a bassinet!  It pushes like a dream and I love being able to see Harper while I'm pushing her (she seems to enjoy the view as well!).  The link I found is a bit pricey but I have found other sites with much more reasonable prices!

Linking up with Kristin

Let's Be Friends!

Once again, I have the privilege of co-hosting this wonderful blog hop!  I've met some wonderful ladies so far.  So...let's be friends!:

Hey Guys! It is time for the Let's Be Friends Blog Hop #12! It has been an amazing 12 weeks so far. Bloglovin' is a great way to organize and follow other bloggers, and with Google Reader shutting down it's not a bad idea to promote your bloglovin' option!

I have a challenge for everyone. Can we reach 85 link ups this week? Let's do it! Promote this blog hop by putting the button on your page, or throwing a shout out at the end of your post today or tomorrow. The more link ups we have the more our blogs will grow! Invite a friend, tweet it, or let your facebook bloggy friends know! :)

                                             

Mandi from All My Happy Endings is my other host. She is an awesome friend I have met through blogging. We are committed to growing and promoting this blog hop.

Have fun and meet some friends!

Amanda from Rhyme & Ribbons 

Ashley from Let's Get Bananas! 

Kenzie from The Ashcraft Bunch

Lanesha from We Are The Tabbs

Francesca from The Happy One

Angela from My Silly Life

                                 

In the {Diaper} Bag

I've seen a lot of bloggers who have done a "What's in my Purse" and I love reading them!  So, I thought I would do a version with my diaper bag.  

To be completely honest, I don't always carry my diaper bag.  My pocketbook is large enough to hold a few diapers and wipes, so if I'm just running out for a quick trip I skip the diaper bag! 

Don't get me wrong, I love my diaper bag but with two kids it's much easier to leave it sometimes. 

When I do carry my diaper bag I make sure that it is stocked with these items:

~An extra outfit-for obvious reasons, babies are messy little things!

~A sweater- this doesn't get much use, but for those cold restaurants it comes in handy

~An extra pair of socks-for the cold restaurant

~Diapers, wipes and cream-I put these in a little pouch so everything is together and I don't have to dig around!

~Lotion and bath wash- because well, you never know!

~Boogie wipes- these are wonderful!  They smell like grape and get rid of the sticky boogers without having to rub their little noses raw!

~Paci wipes-Harper doesn't really care for her paci like Ainsley did (a thumb is more her style) but these are great when they start playing the "lets throw everything on the disgusting floor then scream because she remembered she reeeally wanted it" game. It's also great for shopping carts!

~Toys- these are interchangeable and the amounts vary depending on where we are going.

~First aid kit- A 5 year old is an accident waiting to happen!

~Beauty emergency kit- floss, deodorant, earring backs, stain remover wipes, etc.

~A light blanket- NC weather can be tricky

~Security Blanket- I will say, it took me a while to get on the Aden and Anais blanket boat but there is something about this blanket that Harper LOVES.  She has one in her crib and one that travels with us!

There are a few things that I generally carry but aren't in this picture like snacks (crackers, puffs) and some sort of coloring page for Ainsley to play with.

So, that's what is in my diaper bag!  It may seem like a lot because it is, which is why I only carry it if I know I will be out of the house for an extended period of time!

Linking up with Kristin for Baby talk!

Shop Update!

So I finally got around to updating the Etsy shop!  I have had some of these items made for quite some time but never got around to posting them until now! 

Do you jump the gun when it comes to Holiday outfits and decorations?  Me either, if you do you can get your little beauty's 4th of July accessories here! 

Here is the first item in our new line: The Rock Star Collection and am currently working on several others that I'm super excited about it!  So if you want your baby to get their moonwalk on, hurry over and scoop this "Bad" boy up before they are all gone! 

Do you need new baby decorations? I know I'm always in the market!

Follow us on Instagram here to be the first to see new items!
Oh, and I've got a pretty awesome giveaway planned for when the shop reaches 100 followers, so spread the word!!

Linking up with Kristin for Baby Talk

5 Months, Oh My!

Sheesh!  I cannot believe I am writing your 5 month update!

What's new in Harper news:

You are still my chunky monkey! (and I love it!)

Your legs never, and I mean NEVER, stop moving!

With that said, YOU never stop moving!

You had a to take a visit to the good ole' Doc to get a vaccine and you didn't even flinch!

You still love the jumperoo

You want to crawl so badly but can't seem to get your legs and arms to work together

You are the happiest baby in town!

You hate, with a capital H, peas! (no hard feelings, so do I!)

You really liked avocado, you healthy girl you!

You are still trying to master the upright sit, but you much prefer your attempt at crawling.

   Here are a few of my favs from this photo shoot!:

Those eyes, they get me every time!

Rawr!

Oh how I wish this picture was clear!