Portraits

On July 23rd, Gran and I took Claire for her 1 month pictures. True, she was about to turn 2 months old, but I wanted to capture 1 month as closely as I could. I will have to wait a couple of weeks now before I can take her for her 2 month pictures so she can change just a little bit.

A photographer is coming to our house for her newborn, 3 month, 6 month, 9 month, and 1 year pictures. I just had to capture the months in between too...

They are simply precious photos. She is actually wearing one of my dresses. I am so lucky Mom saved them for me... good thing her prayers worked out, and God gave us a girl.

She did so well at the portrait studio... I am afraid she is a bit like her mother; a drama queen and lover of the camera.

You can judge for yourself... who do you think she looks like???

3 generations of Harper girls

Alayna Claire is 2 Months Old

Two months- my, how they have flown. The last two months have been the busiest and sweetest of my life. As I sit here at the completion of our day and watch Claire's daddy snuggle her into slumber, I know how totally blessed I am. She is perfect in every way and has perfected our life. We are complete. We are no longer just Jeff and Jennifer; we are a family.

Claire has added so much to our lives. Motherhood is something I always yearned for, but never knew how it would completely change me in every way.

People always told us, especially in the last months of my pregnancy, "You will not remember your life before her."

I thought each of them was crazy. How could I not remember my life before her, there was so much of it? Funny though, I don't.

I thought in honor of updating my blog and Claire's 2 months of life, I would take us back through these precious weeks. She has changed so much.

It is still hard to tell who she looks like. I believe she is a blend of us both; how perfect.

2 Months Old- July 30th

7 1/2 Weeks - July 23

Our pictures at Sears in Mommy's dress- July 23

A little photo session with Mommy- July 16

Another photo session with Mommy- July 11

Resting after a long day- this is our closest picture to 1 month old- July 5

Claire and Daddy's first Father's Day- June 21

Our first cookout at Auntie Meg's - June 13

Life is tough- 1 week old- June 5

2 days old - June 2

Just a few hours old - Actually June 1

Cousins

Claire is so lucky to have special cousins in her life. They each love her in a special way.

She is going to be taken care of by her big cousin Kaleb. He will be protective, caring and loving just the way a big brother is. I was so worried when we found out we were having a girl first. In my world, little girls have BIG brothers. What was our girl going to do without a big brother??Well, little did I know, Claire would have a big brother in Kaleb. Sure he will not walk the halls of her school as her Uncle Jeff did with me, but he will always be there for her. Claire is a lucky little girl.

Caitlyn is also going to be an awesome big cousin. She will teach Claire so many things; perhaps not always the most innocent things, but we know Claire will be a wiser girl because of her big cousin Caitlyn. I look forward to what these girls will get into. I am sure they will each keep us all on our toes when they are together. Fortunately, we will have Emma to look over everything. She is so laid back and relaxed; I am sure she will be so helpful and will be our watchdog with these other two precocious girls. What fun we will have. I am so grateful Claire will be able to grow up with such wonderful cousins.

COUSINS

Emma Grace 5 1/2 months

Alayna Claire 3 weeks

Caitlyn Nicole 4 1/2 years

June 21, 2009

Let's Go

No one can ever accuse Claire of not wanting to be on the go. If we are at home and she is not asleep, she must be going. Whether I am bouncing her, Jeff is walking her, or she is pacifying herself in the swing, she must be IN MOTION!!! Genetics can be an ugly thing....

Claire also likes to be on the go outside of the house. She was only a couple weeks old when she went out shopping and out to eat for the first time.

Even when we are at home, Claire has to be on the go. Her swing is weight sensitive. She is so little, it does not recognize she is there. However, it has a vibrator, and that is enough for Claire for now... if Mommy or Daddy gives it a nudge now and then.

Mommy grew just a little bit during pregnancy. CATO had the cheap deals for some new clothes. I refused to continue wearing maternity clothes... they were cute, but it was time to pass them on.

Gran came along to help with decisions and Miss Claire

For Claire's first dinner out we decided to do something low-key. O'Charley's seemed to be the best place for our first try. Claire was very good and slept almost the entire time. I am sure this will be a first and last with our going out to eat experiences.

My First Bath

My first bath was a huge success. I love being in the water.

Getting ready

All soaped up!!!

Mommy loves to lube me up with all my good lotions. There are no dry babies in this house.

All finished up! Did I mention I don't like the after bath process????

Daddy was very busy with the video camera, but we managed to get some good shots.

Daddy's First Father's Day

Claire was just three short weeks old when Father's Day arrived. Jeff was beaming with pride as we walked into First Baptist Church. As always, it continues to be the place where so many of our precious memories are made. We were so lucky to take her to church for the first time on such a special day with so many special people surrounding us.

Jeff and I were both blessed to spend Father's Day worshiping with each of our fathers in the church where they raised us and instilled the importance of raising a Christian family. Claire is so lucky to have a wonderful father and two special grandfathers. God has truly blessed us with this most precious addition to our family.

After church, we met Pop and Gran for lunch at KY Dam Village. Daddy and Pop were both beaming as people walked by to see our beautiful girl.

Jeff's first Father's Day was a bit bittersweet. While we had a wonderful time in Calvert City, we were missing one very important father. Uncle Chris is serving our country in Kuwait. We missed him very much, and I know he missed us too on Emma Grace's first Father's Day. We love you Uncle Chris!!!!

Blessed with Wonderful Family & Friends

We were blessed to have many visitors in the hospital. Everyone was so excited to welcome Alayna Claire into the world.

All dressed up & ready for visitors.

Gran's first look at her first grandbaby.

I already have Pop wrapped around my finger.

Nana with ALL her girls

Poppy doesn't know what to do with all his girls.

Gramma with her 18th Great-Grandchild

Jamie becomes Aunt Jamie

The grandmothers adore me!!

Uncle Jeff and Aunt Jimil love me!

Great-Uncle John doesn't even like hospitals, but he had to check out our newest edition.

Great-Aunt Carlene thinks I am pretty special!!

Cousins are important too. We love Caitlyn and Emma~

All of our wonderful friends made special visits too!!!

Janelle & Drew and Jon & Shelley were all there for the excitement Saturday and returned to see me on Sunday. Special friends.

Mommy's oldest friend in the world was sure to be there for the excitement. Aunt Jill is going to spoil me!

Mommy also had a wonderful visit from Aunt Hannah and Jac- They brought all the fun kiddos too!

After our visit from Hannah, Jac, Eve, Luke and Norah, Mommy got the horrible news I had to stay under light therapy for the rest of the day. Mommy hated being away from me. It was very hard for all of us!!!!!

Madison Dayne made sure to stick around just so she could hold me. She is special because she shares her name with Gran.

After a wonderful few days in the world and being showered with love by our friends and family, Daddy was glad to have a few minutes alone with me.

While the stay in the hospital was nice, Mommy and Daddy were thrilled and ready to take me home.

Welcome Home Alayna Claire