As Rob mentioned in the previous post, I have joined a stroller fitness class called The Mommy Movement.  Stroller Fitness is exactly as it sounds (but you can look at me like I have 3 heads. Everyone else does when I mention it.): Exercise that is stroller-friendly. 

I have been attending the classes twice a week since August and I certainly notice a difference in my strength, endurance and over-all temperament.  I’ve also made some new friends and gathered some great advice from Mom’s who have gone through it all in the recent past.

This past Wednesday, TMM group had their Halloween Party.  Originally, Rob and I had no intention of dressing Harper up for Halloween. She’s  so young, and we weren’t taking her anywhere, we didn’t see the point.  After class on Monday, I changed my mind.

The costume was last minute and 100% handmade on Tuesday night.  I enjoyed making it and I hope I earn a little “geek-cred” with it as well.

Now that you’ve been sufficiently teased, the photos are only available if you’re on our VIP list.  If you’re already a member, you should have received an email with your new password.  If you’re not on the list, send us an email and we’ll put you on the list.

Happy Halloween, Everyone!

It has been a pretty eventful month and a half since we checked-in with everyone.

Harper is now 9 months old and it seems like she had an explosion of development in the last few weeks.  She’s still standing up on everything and has started “cruising” (walking along the furniture), sometimes even reaching from one item of furniture to another adjacent.  She occasionally stands on her own for brief moments, but hasn’t quite figured out that that’s the next step in what she’s doing.

Harper has also begun eating finger foods - mainly Arrowroot cookies, teething biscuits, cereal puffs (her favorite), and these weird little wagon wheel-shaped processed food things that get really mushy and gross when she gums them.  Yes, she’s still gumming everything; nary a tooth is in sight, believe it or not.

Our latest game is “Soooo big!”, which you’ll see in the video clips if you’re a VIP member.  It’s pretty darn cute, I have to say.  She also began clapping just about a week ago.  Whenever she starts we clap along with her and say “Yay!”  She giggles everytime.  Pointing has also become a new trick she can do.  She uses her index finger and leaves her thumb up in a sort of pretend gun configuration.  Again, if you’re a VIP member, you’ll see her pointing in the pictures.  Did I mention the stairs?  She can definitely climb up stairs now.  Greaaaaaaat…

Sleep is still a difficulty for her, but she’s definitely doing better.  She’s doing really well in the early part of the evening, but then has the occasional breakdown as the night wears on.  Nothing a couple of tired parents can’t handle, though.  In all honesty, she’s actually getting much better than she was, so we’re quite pleased.

Finally, she’s talking like crazy.  Mainly “mama”, “baba”, “da!”, and the occasional “dada”, but she makes time for ear-piercingly high shrieks every once in a while, too, especially when the cats are within sight.  Speaking of the cats, she is definitely saying “kitty” thanks to our constantly repeating it to her whenever she’s watching or chasing poor Rufus or Peekaboo around.  It sounds a bit like “ki-ee” most of the time, but she really only says it when the cats are nearby, so we really do believe she knows what she’s talking about.

As for the rest of the family (as if anyone comes here for anything but news on Harper), we’re both extremely busy.  Andrea has been attending her stroller fitness class, a group called The Mommy Movement (TMM), twice a week, and has caught the workout bug.  The group not only works out, but they also plan playdates and outings, like a recent trip to a local apple orchard.  It’s been really good for Andrea to get out and be around some grown-ups, and it’s good for Harper to be around other kids, too.  As you’ll see in the VIP photos, Harper has made a new little friend through the group.  His name is Ezra and the two of them get along quite well.

Me?  I’ve been busy working on some odd little side projects - some artwork and learning bookbinding, if you can believe it - as well as working on maps as a volunteer for the Barack Obama campaign.  And this week I’ll be working on another mental_floss article (this will be article number 4!) that will hopefully be published soon.

Finally, some big news - I got a new job!  Yes, after 8 long years working for the City of O’Fallon, I am moving on to greener pastures in November.  The company is called NiSC (www.nisc.coop) and they make custom software for electric utility co-ops all across the country.  Much of their software is map-based, so my experience in GIS is going to really come in handy.  I’ll be working in support and implementation - meaning I’ll be helping folks use the software, will be doing a little training, and will occasionally need to travel to one of these co-ops to install our company’s software.  So needless to say it’s a pretty exciting time for me and our family as my career heads in a new direction.  Wish me luck!

With that, I’ll wrap up for now and let you head to the VIP section to check out the latest pictures and videos of Harper.  Check back next month sometime to hear how things are going.  I predict we’ll have a little walker on our hands by then.  Fun, fun!