Harper joined the word at 9:39 p.m. on June 11, 2012. Wildfires were ablaze in the foothills, and it was darn hot outside. At least, that’s what everyone tells me. I don’t remember that part at all. I just remember this baby girl arriving and rocking my world. For many years, it had been Jason and me, doing life together. We had a rhythm.
And then, whoa.
I remember standing on the porch crying and holding my precious newborn, watching my parents back down the driveway. They were leaving after visiting for Harper’s birth. And I nearly crapped my pants.
I vaguely remember Jason saying something like, “We’ve got this, hon.”
All of a sudden, I was responsible for another person. A beautiful baby. I look back at those early days and, yes, remember feeling like my new life was nothing more than breastfeeding and talking to Jason about how many times our baby pooped and peed in the day. I remember the worries (are we doing this right??) and the weariness.
But, Harper made me the happiest I have ever been in my life. If I had to live a chapter of life again, I would relive the two years after Jason and I became Jason, Katie, and Harper. It was like living life in technicolor. Every experience was new again, and each one was special and wonderful because it was with my little sweet family. I have never felt stronger or more beautiful as a woman, like I had achieved the greatest triumph. And, I did of course.
I made her.
Harper Grace is observant and thoughtful. She is hard-working, with a side of perfectionist. She loves school, barbecue, and pools. She’s a daddy’s and grandpa’s girl at heart, and she has the world’s best freckles. Harper is loyal and serious, but when she laughs, she lights up the space she is in. Harper lives life in creative mode- making, organizing*, and crafting her way through.
*Harper has an obsession with office supplies and organizers. She loves calendars, planners, organizational desktop tools, and organizational buckets and baskets. I am planning to surprise her this summer by taking her to The Container Store. Do you know any other nine year olds who have wild dreams to explore aisles of plastic compartments and tubs? 🙂 Bless.
Here is a little snapshot of the newest 9 year old (mama heart, be still):
Harper, what is:
Your favorite color? turquoise and white
Favorite food? lasagne
Favorite part of the school day? being with friends
Favorite TV show? Pioneer Woman
Favorite movie? Yes Day
Favorite book? Harry Potter
Favorite thing to wear? active wear
What do you want to be when you grow up? a gymnast or a physical therapist
Who is your hero? Jameson
What is your favorite thing about yourself? I am very flexible! I can fit inside the cabinet when we play hide and seek!
What do you love to do? I like to draw and color, do gymnastics, and go on trips with my family.
In quarantine, Harper discovered the world of competitive cheerleading on Neflix. She loved watching the stunts and acrobatics, the tumbling and flipping, and the pyramid building. Though she has never “cheered” a day in her life, cheerleading became her birthday theme this year! Totally fun! Here’s a peek!
Jason made a slideshow of Harper’s “best moves” that he had projected on repeat for her little bash. She did a lot of tumbling and jumping in our family room over the last year. Besides the festive decor (the Sharks are Harper’s favorite cheerleading team), we had fun celebrating Harper with some other activities. We played a lot:
And we saw a movie IN A THEATER! It was actually delightful. We did not realize how much we’d missed that. We were one family of just a few other viewers, and the popcorn was the best. Win, win!
We shared lots of smiles and laughs.
Especially when the ole’ high school cheerleading jacket came out.
We love you, Harper. We love your spirit and your heart. We love watching you grow into the young lady you are. Welcome to your ninth year. We hope it’s the best yet.
