Home How Long?!?

I think it is 10 weeks this Friday, but now can start counting in months. Nice to be able to do that. We are almost into what will be our "usual" routine - still a bit off right now because Jaden is going to various camps these last 3 weeks as she has done most of the summer. So Harper gets to be confused as to whether Jaden is dropped off before or after she goes to daycare (started full-time last week), and where she is going! Jaden is currently at Critter Camp and Harper enjoys seeing the various animals when we drop off and pick up her big sister. I have a feeling I will be taking Harper there for camp in the coming years.

Harper has done fantastic at daycare. No big separation anxiety - just wants me to pick her up one final time and give her a kiss. I tell her "mommy has to go to work" (and try not to sigh!) and she is good to go find something or someone to play with. There is one little 5-year old girl in particular who has taken Harper under her wing - Bailey, we will miss you after this week as you go off to kindergarten! Harper is not too thrilled with the lunches, but they do come from the next door catering company and have always looked tasty to me. I hope with time she develops some like for the selection (just tonight we stopped by the Chinese restaurant again for noodles). And come nap time, they tell me she is excited to get out her cot, lies down, and takes a 1-2 hour nap. I have about given up on the weekends as there is no such cooperation for me!

The "sleep issue" with Harper suddenly took a turn for the better a few days ago. The last 4 nights she has slept through, and I have returned to my own bed (it feels quite indulgent). About 2 weeks ago I decided to park a mattress in her room and then it was easy to reassure her I was right there without even lifting my head!! She was stuffy a few nights ago and so I thought I would just try starting out in my own bed, and lo and behold, I was still there in the morning. Four consecutive nights is Harper's US record (if you followed the blog in China, she slept beautifully EVERY night while there), so finger's crossed for tonight, and the next night.... I know she will have those bad nights, but the whole house runs better if everyone gets some good rest.

And here are some pics from the last few weeks (in chronological order, kind of). Thanks again, Kim, for your contributions!

Local mall has fun water feature. Too bad she didn't have a swim diaper on!

Looking older, right? (sorry, can't figure out right now how to rotate!)

She is mostly smiley, and recent trip to dentist says all her teeth look good!

She LOVES to throw out trash. I call her fastidious.

Sent from daycare director on Harper's first day with label "she fits in perfectly!" It was gooey-messy week,
and on this day the kids played with shaving cream.

A clean frog.

Sent again from daycare director earlier this week. She was saying "look at me!", which
she says all the time, unfortunately often while I am driving!

Don't tell Harper, but Jaden and I have quite a lot of fun after
she goes to bed!!