Who's got purple shoes?

Got Harlie some awesome new shoes this weekend...

I know, completely impractical.  But, she can wear them with or without her braces.  And they are FUN!  Tom's mom and stepdad (Grandma and Pap Pap) came to visit this past weekend to celebrate Harlie and Cooper's birthdays since they can't come next weekend.  They love all their gifts!  Aunt Mimi got Harlie this awesome spinning disco ball.  She LOVES it!  

And Grandma gave her this Tangled card that plays music when you open it.  She LOVES it as you can tell...

Cooper got this nerf hammer and Harlie promptly took it away from him.

Cooper finally has his OWN legos!  He loves them!

Cooper also got the Lego movie, Clutch Powers, and he and Murphy watched it today.  I did not hear a peep from them the entire time.

They also scored big with some Mercer Mayer books and lots of Charlie Brown DVDs!  Harlie can actually verbalize "Charlie Brown."  Thanks so much Mimi and Grandma and Pap Pap!!!

So, I'm in another panic.  Remember when I told you that we lost our pictures and sent the hard drive away to be restored, and after forever they said they recovered everything?  Well, I have to make a birthday poster board for Harlie for school.  So, I went to find some old pictures and we are missing most of 2009, all of 2010 and the first half of 2011.  That sick feeling in my stomach is back.  Hopefully Tom can find them...

More later!  Thanks!
~Christy

Harlie's Haircut

On Wednesday night, Harlie got a haircut.  Her last haircut was in January, I think.  And boy was she due for one!

She was really good for most of it.

Harlie has a TON of hair.  It is thick and plentiful.  And it is beautiful.  Just what I prayed for when she was a little baby.  I remember specifically saying, "God, you owe her some good hair!" 

Ta-Da!  It looks so much better and healthier now.  

Although I would by lying if I said I wasn't a little sad to see her curls go.  She's had those curls for a long time and we're going to miss them.

Here's her new shoes we got her on Tuesday.  Her old shoes wouldn't fit over the new braces she got a month ago (see the swirly braces?).  These are Keds and work great because they are really boxy in shape and so they go right over the braces with no struggle.  That's a welcome change!  And they're cute, too!

Doesn't she look like such a big girl???

Ahhh...and there's that smile we were missing so much!  She is back to being happy and we are all loving it!  Including her.  

Thanks!
~Christy

Fun Day

We had a great day today. Murphy doesn't go to school on Tuesdays or Thursdays, and he has been asking to go to the library. I have never taken him - he's talking about the library at his school. So, Brandy and I took Harlie and Murphy to the library right down the street. We just happened to get there right as they were starting "story time". So we went on in. Harlie seemed to really like it. The theme was "Monsters", so the guy reading the story starts. He was pretty animated and the story mentioned something about the monster's scary ears. So, the guy says, "Did everyone bring their ears today"? Okay, seriously, how could I not? So I whisper to Brandy - "No, we left one at home". hehe. We had a good laugh. I believe a sense of humor is essential to surviving this life - and showing Harlie that is one of my main goals.

Anyway, after story time, we spent some time looking at books and we headed out. The whole time we were there Harlie walked around in her walker just fine. I was so pleased! And the funniest thing happened - a woman came up to me and told me that she reads my blog! I was so surprised! It was so nice to meet her and say "thank you" in person. I write it, but I don't think anyone realizes how much I appreciate the support. Anyway, thanks for introducing yourself to me, Beth!

Then after we got in the car, Brandy told me that the lady that was helping me with the books told her that she remembered us from the last time we were there (which was MONTHS ago). We (Brandy, Harlie and I) went there with my friend, Jennifer (Harlie's MCV PICU nurse) and her daughter. Anyway, I'm not sure what it means that we were there ONCE a long time ago and she remembers us. I guess we don't blend in all that well anymore.

So, after the library, we headed on over to the mall to get Harlie some new shoes. Since she did so great walking at the library, we thought we'd give it another go. She did great! She walked all the way with no problems. I will say that we were at a different mall than the last time and it was early still, so it wasn't too crowded. We got her some shoes and let her wear them home. She was so funny looking at her feet and new shoes.

And she walked most of the way back to the car. She did the best she has done so far - hands down. That's definitely the most she has walked in one day. Hopefully, it will just get better from here on out.

Well, I have to say it... TWO weeks from today and her wires will be OUT!!! I just can't wait! That's it for tonight. Talk to you later!

Take care,
Christy