10 Months Old!

November was a fun filled month for all of us! We started out with a girls weekend (plus Theo) spent with Leah and Theo's cousin's house in Cohasset. Then we took Harper to for her second visit to Boston. We only went for a day but managed a lovely visit with Morgan, Courtney for brunch and finally met their boyfriends, then we had dinner with Ellen, Adam, Ang & Justin. We got to see everyone's new apartments and of course made a stop at Trader Joe's. Megan also joined us in Quechee for a couple days which was a nice treat.
In sad news November marked the end of our music classes however we will take more starting in January and they are holding a holiday class to tide us over until then.
Of course we had Harper's first Thanksgiving which we celebrated at our house in Quechee. She had a blast.
We also enjoyed our first snow of the season and we're getting excited for the holidays with some shopping and we've adopted a family need which makes the season much more meaningful.
Harper is turning into such a little person. She waves now, (mostly goodbye) and she claps and dances whenever she hears music. It's really cute. She's eating like a champ, cottage cheese is a new favorite (when mixed with bananas) and she's still gobbling up the butternut squash.















Court, Harper, Me & Morg















Swinging is the BEST!















Walking with Daddy

Here is a video of Harper swinging at the playground we went to in Cohasset. Enjoy

Happy 9 Months Harper!

November marks Harper's 9 month mark. I'm not sure what's harder to believe, that she's already 9 months or that she's only been a part of our lives for 9 months. What would we do without her. 

October was a great month for us. Harper and I took a solo trip to Chicago at the beginning of the month. We stayed for 10 whole days and had a fantastic time. It was wonderful for Harper to meet all of our family out there and we even managed to squeeze in a trip to the zoo as well as Bengston's Halloween fair and a trip to Michigan to do some apple and pumpkin picking. Will had to stay home as he's taking his EMT-Intermediate class right now. It's keeping him very busy but he'll be done in December and it will be a huge relief.

Harper managed to catch a cold this month. We brought her to the doctor after it had lasted what seemed to be much too long. She weighed in at 13 lbs 6 oz and the told us she had a virus that needed to run it's course. she's still a little sniffly but much better. We go back for a well baby visit next week. Still only two teeth. The most exciting thing this month is that Harper is learning to sign. She signs 'more' and 'nurse'. She doesn't use them correctly yet but we're working on that.

October also brought Harper's first halloween. She was a little tree and got to wear her costume to our music class as well as to the fire station on halloween. surprisingly she didn't mind the hat at all and wore it for the whole class and most of the night on halloween. she looked so stinking cute! 

We also took our first trip to the Montshire Museum with the McClellands, Marshall, Becky & Cadance & Adam and Amelia. It was great fun and always nice to have all our kiddos together in the same place.

November is already off and running. Harper's 9 month photo (above) was taken at our house in Quechee on our way to walk Bella. 

Mommy & Harper meet a bear at Lincoln Park Zoo

Ready to pick apples in Michigan

The Hogan kiddos - Ailee, Owen & Caden with Harper

Our precious little tree!

Here is a video of Will and Harper...she loves her dad!

Harper's 8 months old!

8 months old!!! Time is just going by too fast. If you have any suggestions on slowing things down a bit I'm all ears. 

Things have been very busy with us lately. We've moved into the new house in Quechee VT near Will's work. We're still in the process of moving everything but it's coming along well. 

Harper started and ended this month with her pal Theo. The Adams' came to VT the first weekend in September and then just spent last night with us in Quechee on their way home from vacation. During their first visit Theo taught Harper to say Baba and Mama and Harper showed Theo how to crawl. By the time we saw them again both babies were motoring around the house and singing the entire time. They are so stinking cute!

Harper also made her first trip to visit Nancy & David. We have a lovely time and Harper was sooo good in the car. Tomorrow Harper and I leave for Chicago (just the two of us) for 10 whole days. We're so excited to see everyone!

Harper changed so much this month. She's "talking" up a storm. Mama is my favorite and we keep thinking we hear an attempt at Bella. Harper mastered crawling this month and is a speed demon. She's definitely keeping me in shape. We started music classes with Alex & Kyler which are a huge hit. And the biggest news yet...Harper has a tooth poking through! Actually her two front teeth! They have a way to go yet but they'll get here. She is such an amazing baby, we can't get enough of her. She's so happy and cuddly, such a joy.

Will and I celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary and even managed to sneak away for a dinner alone. It's definitely fall here and we're enjoying the colder weather and some beautiful leaves. There really is nothing like fall in New England.

7 Months Old!!!

Here she is!!! Harper Marietta Rancourt is getting so BIG. This month was full of firsts for her. 

She enjoyed her first taste of solid food, some she loved (rice cereal & oatmeal), 

some, not so much (avacado & peas). Harper took her first plane ride and proved she's a seasoned traveler and can't wait to fly to Chicago next month. She went on her first swing set, learned to creep backwards on her belly, pulled her self up to a standing position all by herself AND...the biggest first of all, Harper is now crawling!!

Whew...I'm exhausted just thinking about all those accomplishments. I hope she slows down a bit this month or she'll be leaving for college in February. All jokes aside, Harper has been a lot of fun. We went to the doctor in August and our little lady weighed in at 12 lbs 15 oz (she would have been 13 lbs with a diaper on) and she's 25 inches long.

Harper has also started this thing with her hand, it's a cross between a wave and a "bring that over here I want to check it out." I'll keep you posted as it develops. She's also started cuddling which is so special.

Tomorrow Theo and his parents are coming for a visit. We'll have lots of photos of the two kiddos next month. Will and I are moved into to our rental house. He's excited to be closer to work and I'm excited to see my furniture again which has been in storage. Work has been very busy for me but that's always good. Other than that it's business as usual as we enjoy every second with Miss Harper! 

Here are some photos and a video from this month:

Our little princess

Mmmnnn....delicious!

Her first Swing!!

 Sorry it's so dark, enjoy!

Happy 1/2 Birthday Harper!

We can hardly believe that Harper is 6 months old! She's more fun than ever before. Sitting up like a pro, rolling all over the place, squealing and talking up a storm. My favorite new Harper thing is that she cuddles. She'll nuzzle her head on your shoulder and put her little arms around you. She's also learning how to be a little more gentle and she'll pet my face rather than hitting and grabbing (don't worry, she still pulls and grabs she can just also pet now.) Her newest sound in the video below is our own little gremlin. The month of July brought lots of fun summer activities, Seth & Sarah's wedding, another trip to Maine to see our precious Theo and most exciting and memorable, the arrival or Kyler Allie McClelland 7 lbs 14 oz born on July 27th at 9:41 pm. Only 6 months younger than Harper the two girls are sure to be fast friends. Alex is the perfect big brother and Dana and Ryan are doing wonderfully. Next week we'll start solid foods which will be very exciting. Will can hardly contain himself. We're also going to take a 6 month photo next week. Other than that we're just planning to enjoy the rest of the summer and make it last as long as possible!

Hanging out with Grandpa

Kyler & Mom

Harper & Theo enjoying some tummy time

Look at that smile!

Our first family photo since the day Harper was born.

Gremlin Video

Sitting Up Video

5 Months Old!

Often referred to as Happy Harper our little lady has had a big month. June brought some major milestones including rolling over from back to front, sitting up unassisted (for a few minutes before wobbling over), going for her first swim, celebrating her first Father's Day and just yesterday her first 4th of July.

At Harper's June check-up she weighed in at 10 lbs 15 oz (they made me take her diaper off otherwise she would have hit 11 lbs) and she was 24" long.  She is good and healthy and although we haven't seen a tooth yet we are certain they are going to start poking through before we know it.

She has mastered the art of getting the pacifier back into her mouth and just today got her first taste of her toe. When you're holding her she'll reach out for things and people that she wants to explore and show's a slight preference for her mom (much to the frustration of dad and aunt Mary when mom's at work.) She smiles and sticks her tongue out all the time and loves to stand up.

This month we took a family trip to Burlington for my birthday and father's day and enjoyed a visit with Jocelyn and Dusty. Dan came home for a visit and met Harper for the first time, she loves him.

July is going to be another busy month and we're looking forward to Seth & Sarah's wedding as well as the arrival of Baby McClelland and another trip to Maine to see Theo and his parents!

Here are some photos of Harper from June and the first days of July:

Harper's first solo swim in the pool.

Modeling a retro diaper, Harper looks like her mom as a baby.

Sitting up! (The pillow is behind in case but not touching her.)

Loving her dad.

4 Months Old!

Harper is four months old today! This month she has totally woken up and realized that there is so much to see and touch and taste. It's so fun to watch her discover her surroundings and explore. This month she gave us her first giggle. She's started grabbing everything she can reach. We just can't get enough of her.

She went to her first wedding (Congratulations Andrea & Justin) and is becoming much more interested in her pals. She coos up a storm and loves to tell stories. She can pull herself up as she tries to sit up but inevitably falls to one side.

It's warming up nicely and we're starting to get into summer mode. Harper and I are trying to arrange a trip to Chicago but may have to wait until September to ensure we see everyone.  We are still house hunting and recently traded in my car and Will's truck for a Subaru...we needed more space and had to start thinking about AWD for next winter. Will still loves his job and my work has started to pick up. I find myself going to work after Harper goes to bed and so far it's working out great. 

Here are some photos of Harper from the month of May as well as two more Harper videos. Enjoy!

I know my name

A Chat with Harper

3 Months!

Harper was born three months ago and it's been exactly a year since we got pregnant. It's amazing to think of how much has changed.

Harper is fantastic. She's getting so big! She grabs onto things now and one of her favorite things is to hold and chew this vibrating bug she has. She talks constantly cooing and squeaking to tell us stories. She still gets up every night around 3 or 4 am no matter what time she goes to bed but sometimes she lets me sleep until 8:30 or even 9 if I'm lucky. This month also brought Harper's first jeans and her first breastmilk in a bottle. She's started drooling quite a bit although it seems to vary by the day.

Will just had a birthday and we're still house hunting. I've started working again two days a week with some options for doing marketing and pr from home in my "free time." We're all looking forward to the warm summer months. We're still planning a trip to Chicago in June or July (before new baby McClelland arrives!) and Leah, Theo, Harper and I have a date the first week in June. First though, Aunt Sandy comes in May and we can't wait for her visit!

(Her bib says I Love Daddy-that's her laundry basket)

2 Months!

Happy 2 Months Harper! And what a month it's been. Harper is now smiling all the time and we keep waiting for a giggle to pour out of those little lips...soon enough. The other day Harper rolled over for the first time! Then she was kind enough to show Aunt Sharon and then Aunt Dana her new trick. It has become apparent that she will oblige us with a roll over every time we try to entice her into some tummy-time. She's going to have a mind of her own!

The month of March also brought Harper her first parties (Andrea's bridal shower and Marge's baby shower) and her first 2+ hour car ride. She loved every minute.

March brought our family quite a bit of excitement starting mid March when I threw out my back to the extent that it took both of my parents and Will's parents to get me out of bed and to the chiropractor. Not fun. But everyone took turns coming over and carrying Harper for a few days until I could lift and move a little easier and I'm happy to say I'm all better now although still seeing the chiropractor. We are also happy to announce that the sale of our Virginia house is now completely settled. It was a little stressful to get here but we are excited to be looking forward. This weekend we're going to Maine for our first overnight trip and multi-day playdate for Harper and Theo. 

Harper's next doctor's appointment is next week so I'm not sure how much she's grown but I'll add her stats afterwards. ~ Harper weighed 9lbs even and she is 22 inches long!!!

Below is a photo of Harper's toothless grin, some playtime and another photo of her little face! 

I've also included our first video of Harper rolling over so you can see her new trick for yourself. Enjoy!

Happy 1 Month Harper!

I am amazed that this weekend marked Harper's one month
mark. After our three-week doctor check-up Harper had grown two inches and is up to 7 lbs 13 oz. Her pediatrician said she's doing great and we'll go back for our next appointment at the end of April.
She's changing everyday and has recently learned about her tongue. In her first weeks she would stick it out just a little in response to us sticking ours out at her but now she can stick it out farther and licks things. She's still pulling my hair and I officially can't wear necklaces anymore.

Harper, Theo & Owen Meet!

After far too many weeks of waiting Harper finally met Owen (right-born December 5th to my cousin Christa) and Theo (left-born January 18th to my friend Leah).
Last Sunday we brought all three babies together. Christa and Owen were here from Chicago for the weekend and the Adam's Family made it down on Sunday before they left. There was lots of stretching, squealing, eating and diaper changes. Little do these kiddos know of all the fun they are going to have together as they grow up.

Harper's 2 weeks old!

Although it doesn't seem possible Harper is 2 weeks old today! With every day we're all getting the hang of things a little better. This week she has started to pull my hair with some force and hang on good and tight. She has stopped screaming every time her diaper is changed although most clothes changes still get that reaction. Her last bath also seemed well received. We'll see how tomorrow's bath goes. We've had lots of visitors and we're looking forward to a visit from Christa and Owen next weekend. Here are some more photos of Harper's 2 week mark.

Baby Rancourt has arrived!

Will and I are very proud to announce the arrival of our daughter:

Harper Marietta Rancourt
February 2, 2008 ~ 5:51pm
7 lbs 2 oz ~ 19 inches