A devoted post to Reiss

Many of you have not been able to meet Reiss...how would we describe her? Sweet, tough, loving, and so cute...

She has been giving us a run for our money by being different from Harper in the things that were really great like sleep and eating but day by day we are getting the kinks worked out. She will be 8 months in just a few days and it is hard to believe how fast the time has flown. She loves to kick and stand on anything or anyone. When she kicks in her bed you can hear her in almost every room in the house but she still has yet to REALLY move. Just this week she has begun to get on her knees and start rocking but she still has a ways to go. When you have two it is hard to
know if you should wish for the milestone or slow it down a bit so you can hang on to a bit more sanity. I think right now, I will wish for the milestone...it just makes life more fun, RIGHT!
Our days in the jumper are numbered but she still enjoys it now and then.

Waiting for the doctor at our 6 month check up.

I think I know whats coming...can we go now?

Our pediatrician didn't seem to love our silver rings...not good for teeth?! Just a baby gift and she seems happy!

Typical Reiss and happy Hunt.

What we are good at...sitting.

Not the most flattering shot but she is our hefty girl but she is SUPER squeezable!

These clips are more for grandparents than anyone...but this shows how Reiss is our resident "growler"...these days it has turned into squealing.

We finally broke her down...Snip Its, here we come!

From the beginning we have always felt very lucky that Harper had a plentiful head of hair. As most moms and dads know though...with all that baby hair grows in a lot of different layers/lengths. It was through this that Harper established a bit of a...mullet (we love and have always known that she is a little business and party -all in one). She already has had two hair trims in her life but we needed something more than just a trim. We worked and worked on convincing her but she was still adamant that she did not need a haircut. We tried containing her wild mane with clips and ponytails which she never really seemed to enjoy. We even tried taking her to the local "snip-its" and introduced her to everyone, walked around, looked at hair bows and played with some toys but the minute we got in a chair, she decided she still was not ready. While we were home for Christmas, grandmother Kat worked on Harper a bit and Harper finally said she was ready...that lasted for about 24 hours. Then magically one morning we were home watching morning cartoons and she announced that she was ready...REALLY! We struck while the iron was hot and this was our adventure!
Rapunzel and her locks...this is a bit deceiving, it would not ever stay in a braid like this...
Another shot before cutting, look at all that hair!

Our day has arrived and thank goodness for Crystal...

Harper decided it would be best if she sat on moms lap this time.Snip, snip, snip...Getting a REAL blowout!
Voila! Our new tresses!
A lollipop for our efforts and no hair on it!
This girl loves her new look!
Snip-its has a cool machine where the stylist puts a lock of hair and it spits out a surprise for the kids...so cute!
Still loving our lollipop.
After our big experience we decided to reward everyone with a visit to Five Guys where Harper told everyone about her new haircut..." Look, I got my haircut!"


Mission Accomplished! She is ready for her return visit especially in the summer time so she can get a pedicure with Sophia...yes, they even do pedicures!

Christmastime festivities

It was that time of year to go have our story and cider with Santa and as always the Headmaster and his wife host this festive gathering.
Our holiday family portrait...Reiss working on her stone face...try and break her, you can't do it.

Harper holding her breath as Santa arrives...

Trying to coax her onto Santa's lap...we are just are not there yet.

Once Santa left we were all ready for apple juice and cookies.

On a cold snowy day Harper and I decided to dive into a favorite snow day treat...Peppermint Hot Chocolate. This was her first experience of a hot/warm beverage...and it was a hit.

I still am unsure how we got the "Mr.Bill" mouth from sipping but it was pretty cute.

We even topped it off with mini marshmellows...thanks williams sonoma!

After sending off the boys to their families...all the faculty and staff head off on their breaks and we headed to Raliegh to celebrate Christmas. Our Christmas festivities began with the celebration of Watson's 7th birthday.

Grandmother Kat made some special treats for him.

Harper trying to bring out Watson's christmas spirit...he was not having it!

Have johnny jump up, will travel!

I love LIFE, who doesn't?

Reiss enjoying the comforts of Papa's chair.

Reiss after a nap in the grandparents bed. So content after a nap in the arms of mom. Look at that smerk!

Can you see the resemblance at all? I do.

While Reiss and I had a snooze, Harper decorated cookies for Santa.

...so careful with her frosting technique.
Leaving our treats for Santa...even santa got some peppermint hot chocolate. Harper protested putting the carrots on the table because the reindeer should be eating on the floor not on the table. Good point...
Harper enjoying her gingerbread man and hot chocolate before bedtime. Thanks to the Miles and Kat for making sure Harper had this sweet treat.

Trying to get a shot with my girls on Christmas morning...oh well!

Morning storytime with Papa.

Checking out what Santa and the reindeer left behind.

Kat and Reiss and her new camera...Harper asked for one for christmas and Reiss could not be left behind. Harper opening one of our favorite gifts...her yukelele.

Hunt and Harper tuning her Yuke...she loves the pitch pipe almost as much as the yuke.

Reiss getting a taste of her first frosted sugar cookie...maybe this is why she refuses to eat babyfood anymore?

Reiss' first pair of chucks...thanks Aunt Gray and Uncle Chris.

Another big treat...a scooter (and helmet).

And at the end of the day, everyone was exhausted...especially this guy.