Harper at 5

My beautiful newborn baby girl.  She was a gorgeous newborn baby.  Those lips, her color, and that sweet hair---just perfect.

My bright eyed 1 year old.

I can still hear her say 'I two'.  :)

I LOVED my 3 year old Harper.  3 is one of my favorite ages.  Still a baby but becoming a big girl.  Her personality came out full blast this year.

4 went too fast.  I wasn't quite ready for her to turn 5.  Harper at 4 was so much fun.  She grew and learned so much this past year.

My sweet, sweet 5 year old.  I still can't believe she's 5.  I'm so glad we have 1 more year before we send her off to Kindergarten.  I'm going to need my big helper this next year, that's for sure!!

Harper's q&a at 5 years old:

 How old are you?
5
What makes you happy?
sitting in my mommy's lap.  (ahhhh---sweet, sweet girl)
What is your favorite animal?
puppies and kitty cats
What is your favorite thing to eat?
mac and cheese
What is your least favorite thing to eat?

 corn (she has texture issues when it comes to food...it can taste so good, but if it feels strange in her mouth---no way will she eat it).

What is your favorite thing to do?
 go to the zoo and the children's museum
What is your favorite TV show?
 Doc McStuffins
What are you really good at?
 gymnastics and drawing
What is your favorite movie?
 Madagascar 1, 2, 3
What is your favorite color?

 turquoise

Who is your best friend?
Bethany
What do you like to do with Bethany?
 play puppies
What do you like to do with your mommy?
 paint our finger nails and toes.
What do you like to do with your daddy?
 go to his work with him.
What is your favorite sport?

 gymnastics

Where is your favorite place to go out to eat?
 Trilogy (an Italian restaurant up the road from us) and Olive Garden--my kids looove Italian food.
What is your favorite book?
 The Family Book (a book she made)
What do you want to be when you grow up?
 a mommy
What makes you special?
 God and Jesus
What do your mommy and daddy love most about you?
you love me because I am special, and I am your only girl.

 I am so very proud of the 5 year old little girl Harper is.  I wish everyone could have a little Harper in their lives---they'd just be happier people, I'm sure of it.  She shines so bright, loves big, has the best sense of humor, is soft hearted, spunky, brave, so very kind, makes friends easily, is confident and sure of herself, is a good listener, has great manners, has a pleasing 'do right' personality, loves all animals big or small-stinky or not-scary or nice-living or extinct-, she is a wonderful artist, fast learner, super smart, and one of the greatest loves and joys of my live.


I know it's said you love all of your children the same---and that is so true.  You absolutely do, you would do anything for them equally and love them so much it hurts.  While the love is the same, the bond you share with each is unique.  Equally wonderful, but each so different.  The bond we share with Harper is so special.  I wish I knew when I had her that she would have been my only girl out of 4 babies.  It's not that I would have loved her any differently, but I think I would have savored her baby girlyness a little more.  I would have spent a liiiitle more money on those cute outfits---HA...and I probably would have gone a little bit bigger on the ruffles, pink, and bows.  She has always been a joy and just an easy child.  She was such a sweet, beautiful baby and has grown into such a sweet, beautiful, big brown eyed little girl.  I love that she loves to play hard and get dirty and is rough and tough, but if I send her up to get dressed she'll put on a sweet dress and bring me a big bow to stick in her hair.  She is the perfect balance of a girly tomboy.  She makes our life easier by being such a great helper.  Harper is always the first to volunteer to pray when we ask.  She is so stinking sweet in her prayers that she tells God and Jesus to have a great day while she sleeps at night.  She absolutely loves God with all of her heart.


I love watching my children grow from year to year.  While it is the hardest job I could have ever signed up for, I wouldn't trade it for the world.  I'm so unbelievably thankful God blessed us with our only girl, Harper Faith 5 years.  She makes me a better mom, makes Matt a softer, sweeter daddy (because she has her daddy wrapped SO tight around every finger and thumb on her hand---he is wild about her), and no doubt about it will make her brothers become better men someday.


Harper, when you are grown someday reading these blog entries....I want you to know how loved you are, how special you are, that you are the most amazing little girl we have ever known, and that we are so proud of you.  You are the best little/big sister, the perfect sister to be in the mix of all of your brothers.  I'm excited to watch your relationship with them over the years.  You are one of the brightest lights I know---I love you to the moon and back a hundred times.


Love, your mommy