Aunt Al visits

My sister Alison flew out to meet Baby Harper and spent 6 wonderful days with us. My mom flew up to Missouri to watch her kids Jackon (6) and Mollie Jane (3) so that Alison could spend some quality time with Baby Harper. So it was so sort of a vacation for Al, which was well-deserved-- she is 7 months pregnant and is a very busy, tired mom who works part-time. We had so much fun just hanging out, shopping, and eating... it went by way too fast. Baby Harper is in LOVE with her Aunt Al!



Harper getting some snuggles from Aunt Al in her nursery.


Nothing cuter than a baby tooshie! Al and I had fun giving Harper her baths.

Of course we managed to do plenty of shopping together. We figured it was best to indoctrinate Harper early into our family's shopping habits (i.e. frequent and always on the lookout for a bargain).

Harper has gotten very spoiled this last month getting to sleep on people's chests, which she loves. She especially loved Alison's pregnant belly-- it was like a built-in pillow for Harper's little body! We joked that she was bonding with her soon-to-be cousin (Smith Allen Brawner, due 6/2/09) and already bossing him around!

Alison--ever the teacher!-- read books to Baby Harper, who loved listening and looking at the pictures.

Al knows all kinds of cool child development tips and tricks. She said that newborn babies (with their limited vision of only 8-15 inches) love to look at brightly colored shapes, so she drew Harper some shapes on a piece of paper and we taped it up in her bouncy seat. We also have a copy in her crib, and one in the car. Harper LOVES this! She stares at the shapes all the time, and they often put her right to sleep!

Al, we miss you tons and I SO wish we lived closer! :( We're counting down the days until we come in late June to meet Baby Smith! We love you!