Harper in the Hospital

Well, this wasn't quite how we envisioned Harper's first illness. A week ago we took Harper to the emergency room with a high fever. Concerned that she might have caught the viral meningitis going around, the doctors subjected Harper to a battery of tests which included a spinal tap. She then had to stay in the hospital for observation for 48 hours. We feel so lucky that everything came back normal. Most likely she caught a bad cold or stomach bug but because of her young age, the hospital always follows "standard procedure." Our families were incredible--Josh's aunt and uncle came to the hospital right away and stayed with us throughout the first day. My parents headed to KC as soon as they heard the news and then my Mom stayed on through the week. We are thankful for their help and for Harper's quick recovery.


In other Best news, I've started back to work this week and am trying to adjust to the new schedule. Gigi was going to visit us next weekend but decided to head in early after hearing about Harper's hospital adventure. She will be staying with us this week and babysitting. I hate being away from Harper during the day but it's been nice leaving her with her grandmas!



Some pictures of Harper in the hospital...

Photos from July...

Happy 4th of July!

Harper's First Trip to the Zoo

In her zoo outfit looking skeptical...

Checking out the penguins...

Making friends with the gorillas...

Happy 50th Terry!

Josh's Aunt Terry (and Harper's dedicated babysitter) will be celebrating her 50th birthday this week. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Also, some pictures from Papa Ed's and Gigi's visit:

Harper's new outfit from Gigi:

Harper is a drama queen...

Life with Harper

I wish I had some exciting updates of my life, but frankly, everyday is pretty much some variation of naps, feedings, and poopy diapers. Harper has, however, started to make more "talking" sounds and seems to be more aware of movement, colors, sounds, and patterns. The fog is lifting and Josh and I are getting a little more sleep. In fact, last night Harper slept from 11pm until 5am. Unfortunately, we didn't. At about 3:30 a very loud young man and several cops were having it out on the sidewalk below our bedroom window. That's city living, I guess.

Here are some photos from the last few weeks that I haven't posted yet:

Harper with Uncle Jason

Harper with Great Mima & Papa Gatewood

Van Sickle's in KC

Harper's impression of a peacefully sleeping baby

Harper's first video...

Aunt Jill Visits...

Proof that my jokes are funny...

Harper is One Month Old!

I can't believe how quickly this month has gone by and it's gone by in a complete blur! I've wanted to stay on top of updating this page more often but it's amazing how much time the baby swallows up. Besides watching Harper grow (she's made it to 9 lbs!), we decided to purchase our condo. So last weekend we moved two blocks away into a temporary apartment while our condo is being renovated. We are so excited that we'll be able to continue living downtown but it has been complete chaos! Sorry if we haven't been great about correspondence. We are really looking forward to seeing as much family and as many friends as we can this summer.

We've been so blessed to have so much help with our move and with Harper. Josh's mom, Sherry, and her husband, Ed visited and then Sherry stayed with us for a week and helped us pack (and also put in some late nights with the baby ;). My mom and dad came the day that Sherry left and they helped us through the move and unpacking. My mom stayed on a couple of extra days to also put in some late-night baby time!

This weekend my family, including Jason and the kids, will be coming back for a visit and next weekend Jill will be in town. Phew! I'm not sure we could have made it through this first month without the help.

I hope that I can post some more pictures soon. Even through the exhaustion and first-time-parent paranoia, we are in love with Harper and are thankful everyday for her health and for the joy she brings to our lives. We think we'll keep her.

Harper at home and visiting great grandparents

More of Harper in the Hospital

Some more pictures...

Harper Lawrence Best

She's finally here!

Harper Lawrence Best arrived at 9:29am on May 5th, at 7lbs 4oz and 18 1/2 inches long. We couldn't have asked for an easier birth and so far, an easy recovery.

Some pictures...

Come ON!

Okay, I know that my due date is still 3 days away, but I can't help but feeling that this little girl is going to come sooner. In fact, I have penciled her in for tomorrow. For those of you who have stuck with our blog, (despite the fact that I only post every few weeks), please, PLEASE cross your fingers that I get my wish! There's no real reason I'm aiming for tomorrow--just seemed like a good day to me. Plus, I'm tired. And uncomfortable.

Sorry, no pictures to post. But if you all help me get this labor going then I promise the next post will contain cute baby photos!

No words are required for this...

Kansas City Shower

On Saturday, my good friends, Megan and Amanda, threw a great shower for me. It was so much fun to hang out with all the girls before this baby arrives! Some pictures...

Oops.

So yesterday, I completely wiped out on an uneven sidewalk. I skinned up my knee and feet then landed on my side. I have become so klutzy lately, it's ridiculous! I'm running into doors, knocking things over, and dropping stuff constantly--and it's not like I'm in much of a position to bend over and pick things up.

Anyway, my doctor made me go to the birthing center and stuck me on a monitor for an hour to make sure the baby was okay. Josh and I were going to have a "date night" but we got a trial run to the hospital instead. Everything looked fine--I could even see my little Braxton Hicks contractions on the monitor. I really, really hated laying in that bed hooked up to the machine though. It convinced me even more that I want to labor as long as I can without an epidural. Not saying I won't get one eventually, but I know that I will go nuts if I have to stay in bed for hours and hours, unable to move.

We have our birthing class on Sunday and I'm hoping that I come away from it with a little more confidence. We were able to tour the birthing center with a maternity coordinator on Wednesday (and of course, got a more up-close look after my fall ;)--we really like the facility and the nurses. There are lots of amenities for moms and dads to help make everything more comfortable. I wouldn't say that I'm excited about labor, but we are really feeling ready now for baby's arrival.

Just four more weeks! I'm hoping to post some new pictures soon but I need our laptop to do it (it's currently being repaired). I'll post again soon.

Walls...so close...air thinning...can't breathe

I came home from an architectural licensing exam study session to see Jeana sorting baby clothes into plastic bins to go in the drawers of the baby's dresser. Too bad we couldn't find any containers to go in the small plastic ones.

Yes, nesting time is here and Jeana is full tilt. I love it, really. She's beautiful and, yes, glowing. Jeana and the baby's health are great and as far as I can tell both are excited to meet -- on the outside. Unrolling the diaper cake has Jeana realizing this is real...and forever.

As for me I'm losing sleep with excitement. It's Christmas all over again. Kid in a candy store. Keeping a mental and emotional balance is more trying than I expected. At times I want to hug my enemies and slug my friends. This kid has a hold on me already. And no, Jeana, I'm not writing a book with this entry...