a blessing

Harper Susanna Ashdown

Last Sunday Harper was given a name and a blessing by her daddy. It was such a wonderful day. It was great to be able to have Harper's blessing in Utah surrounded by lots of family and friends. Because it was Stake Conference in my parent's ward, we decided to have the blessing at my parent's mountain house up Little Cottonwood Canyon. After all, we met, got engaged and had our wedding reception up there.

daddy's girl

her mama's world

Harper was blessed in the same dress that my mom, my sister and I were blessed in, which was made by my great-grandma. I bought Harper a bonnet to go with it. She looked so beautiful. She was fussy in the morning and like any mom, I was worried. I wanted her blessing to be perfect and peaceful. Harper rallied and fell asleep minutes before the blessing and slept peacefully through the whole event, including being passed from one adoring grandparent to the next.

a tearful preparation

our sweet, blessed girl

enjoying her special day

I am so grateful for Brady. It was such an incredible experience to listen as he blessed our daughter as she was encircled by such significant and wonderful men. She is already so vibrant and loving and I am thrilled to be her mama and watch her grow. She was so eager to come into this world and I hope she will hold on to that excitement throughout her life. Harper, you are so dear to us. Your dad and I love you so much and are thrilled to be your parents.

hanging with Papa

Harper had three sets of great-grandparents, her grandparents and most of her aunts, uncles and cousins there, which made for a very special day. We also had many dear friends who were able to attend. Thank you to all that were able to come and be a part of such a wonderful day.

a proud dad and a few of Harper's cousins

my dear friend Lauri and our baby girls

awake

Well, this post was meant to closely follow the last one. Then life happened. Brady's semester ended and we worked hard to pack up our home so it was ready for a couple that is renting it for the summer. It was nice to know we were leaving our home in good hands and to be able to put all our personal items, clothes, and pictures into Harper's room and lock the door. I promised Harper I would clean out her room as soon as we get back to Tucson.

I didn't get a chance to do this post after we left our place because we were without the internet for a couple of weeks and driving from state to state. More on that later. Although these shots of our bright-eyed baby girl are a bit outdated, they are still adorable. How we love this girl.

mid sneeze

asleep

Getting Harper to sleep can range from simply laying her down after nursing to finally giving up and lying down myself with her on my chest because she won't stay asleep otherwise. Getting sleep myself is another story. Some nights are great, like the night before last when I went to bed at 9:30 and Brady brought Harper to me around one and after nursing she slept until five. But then there are nights like last night when I didn't get to sleep until close to one and then once Harper woke up around three to nurse, she wouldn't got back to sleep. We are still learning. But for know, here is some cute proof that she does sleep. So far we don't have any that I do.

april 28th

I spent months and months counting down to April 28th. I even had an app on my ipod that wouldn't let me forget how many days there were to go. Today is my due date. I never would have guessed that I would have a nearly four-week-old baby today. I was very sure that I would still be hugely pregnant. Today is also my nephew Paul's birthday. And, Brady discovered last night, it is Harper Lee's birthday. Can you believe it? I had no idea that our little Harper was set to arrive on the same day her namesake was born.

While we were dating, Brady was reading To Kill A Mockingbird. When he mentioned it in one late night phone conversation, I decided I really ought to read it too. Somehow, I had gone through school never having read this Pulitzer Prize winning classic. I went out and bought my own copy and fell in love with sweet little Scout and her compassionate father, Atticus. I remember thinking then, 'Harper. I like that name.'

Three and a half years after reading this and a month before Harper was born, I mentioned to Brady that I felt like our short list of names may not include the right name. We started looking in more places for additional names and that's when I asked him "What do you think of the name Harper?" He liked it right away and although I told him he couldn't settle on just one name before we met our baby girl, I'm pretty sure he did just that.

Harper Lee was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in November 2007,
just as I was reading To Kill a Mockingbird for the first time.

I hope that our little Harper will be a precocious reader like Harper Lee. I want her to have a lively spirit like little Scout. Each day I spend with Harper, I get more acquainted with this tiny one and am so excited for everything she will teach me and who she will become. Perhaps she will go on to win the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

I love you sweet Harper. I love that I got four extra weeks being your mom. I love your forehead wrinkles, your tiny hands and the way you sigh after you eat. You are my everything.

three weeks

The past three weeks have been incredible. Brady and I still look at each other regularly and say "Can you believe we are parents?...Can you believe we have a daughter?" Each day with Harper is a gift. She is a calm, peaceful baby and she makes our home feel so wonderful. She is such a dear!

Harper is nursing well, for which I am so grateful. She hadn't gotten back to her birth weight at her two-week appointment. We went in today for a weight check. I was nervous about the appointment, but we did it! She gained six ounces in a week! We are officially in the clear. I am one proud mama.

I am so grateful for her and for the dad that Brady has become. He is so tender with her and loves to watch her wiggle and move her arms and legs. I love watching them interact.

our baby girl

I stole a few minutes today while Harper was awake for a little photo shoot. If only the camera could capture how tiny she is or how delicately she moves her little hands. She is such a sweet baby and I want to somehow bottle up everything she is right now and keep it forever. Brady's Mom got here today and we are so glad to have her here. Brady had a much lighter day today and was able to spend most of the day at home with us.



It was hard to say good bye to my Mom on Monday. It was really great to have her here. She was such a huge help--from midnight feedings, cooking, cleaning, and going to the pediatrician with Harper and me. Harper will miss being held by her Grammy, but we are excited to know that we will be in Utah soon. Thank you, Grammy, for all your help. We love you and are so grateful you could come.

Harper and her Grammy

My mom got some great pictures while she was here and helped document Harper's first few days at home.

Daddy's Girl

Perfect nursing position

Harper got to meet her Great-grandma Ashdown when she was just a few days old. Virginia was in Arizona with her daughters visiting family. They drove down to Tucson from Phoenix just so they could meet our sweet Harper. It was so fun to watch Virginia hold her. She adored Harper.

Almost smiling for Grammy

sleeping like a baby

I can't help but stare at her all day. I haven't been able to watch TV or read while I am nursing or cuddling her. It doesn't seem right to let even a moment pass unnoticed. Harper no longer has to wear her bilirubin blanket and we are thrilled! She is starting to gain weight and hopefully by Monday she will be back to her birth weight.