The Millers

Happy Birthday Great Great Grandma and Daddy!!

2009-11-17T11:20:00.003-06:00

I helped clean up after the party

On November 3rd we celebrated my great-great-grandmother's 96th Birthday! WOW!! 96 years old, she has been around for a long time! I went to my grandmother's house (who is also my babysitter) for the birthday celebration. We had a blast!

On November 9th my daddy celebrated his 32nd birthday! I gave him a new pair of shoes and my mom gave him a sports coat (I helped pick it out). We had a great time. My Nana and Pop took him out to eat at the Olive Garden and gave him many more presents! He had a Wonderful Birthday. (Sorry, no pictures) I love you daddy!!

It has been a while!!

2009-11-17T10:50:00.005-06:00

Finished Result

Helping Daddy!

I would like to start off apologizing for not updating the blog in a very long time. I hope I will still have some readers! Things in my life have just been absolutely wild lately. I have been crawling since the first of October and now I am trying so hard to walk that it has been extremely difficult for me to find the time to sit down and update my blog. I will try to do better in the months to come.

I celebrated my very first Halloween this year! I started the Halloween week off by carving a pumpkin with my Daddy! This was his first time to ever carve a pumpkin also (my mom's too). We had so much fun. I even tasted the pumpkin...it suprisingly wasn't too bad!

I dressed up like a pumpkin for Halloween, courtesy of my Grannie Poe. It was very comfortable, warm, and not to mention... CUTE!! My cousin Abby was a pumpkin her first Halloween also! ( Great minds think alike!!) Trick or treating was a lot of fun. I can't really eat candy yet but I enjoyed going to everyone's house, seeing the decorations, and showing off my costume! I stayed up till 10 o'clock...that never happens but hey, "time flys when you are having fun!"

The FIRST of Many More BEACH Trips...continued

2009-09-28T20:22:00.003-05:00

@ LULU's
John Turner and Me (in my tutu)

My Family

We stayed at the CARIBE, which was so nice. My mom said "it was the nicest place she had ever stayed". It was so nice we even spent all day Saturday in the room (well, almost all day). The first night we were there we went to this cool little place called Tacky Jacks. It was alot of fun. We sat outside on the pier, my mom and I danced to the live band and my dad and Mr. Carlton watched football. It was a great way to start the vacation. The next day we spent all of our time at the pool (the few hours I managed to stay awake). We also floated down the Lazy River. It was a great day! That evening we went to the beach and took pictures. My mom dressed me up in a little blue tutu which she claimed was "just too cute for words"!!! I will have to admit I really did like the tutu and the pictures turned out pretty good too. My mom is always coming up with something crazy to do with me!!! Afterwards, we went to the Cobalt. We sat outside again. It was beautiful!! This time I danced to the little one man band with my Daddy. My daddy and I got to spend some much needed quality time at the beach. That is one of the reasons this beach trip was so much fun. I LOVE MY DADDY!!

Saturday morning we went down to the beach. It was wonderful. We played in the ocean, it was so relaxing that I fell asleep in my Daddy's arms. We were only there about an hour. Then we spent the rest of the day in our room. My daddy and Mr. Carlton had to watch the Alabama game (Alabama won by the way... ROLL TIDE). My Uncle Daniel and my cousins Hayden and Nate came down that afternoon and went out to eat with us at LULU's that night.

The next morning we had to check out but the fun didn't stop there, we ate lunch at Lambert's (they threw food across the room and didn't even get in trouble for it!!). After lunch we went SHOPPING... all day long!!! First, we shopped at the outlet mall where my dad bought my mom and me some clothes then we went to the Bass Pro Shop where my dad bought him some stuff.

All in all this was a wonderful trip. The ride down and back could definitely be shorter but I wouldn't have missed any of it for anything. Looking forward to my next beach trip.

The FIRST of Many More BEACH Trips Sept 2009

2009-09-28T20:01:00.006-05:00

Floating down the lazy river with my dad and John Turner

Swimming @ the Caribe

At TACKY JACKS the first night

I know I haven't written much lately that is because there really hasn't been much going on in my life until... Sept 24, 2009!! This was a new beginning for me. My parents introduced a whole new world to me. THE BEACH WORLD!!! It was amazing. The sound of the ocean, the soothing motion of the waves, the smell of salt water, the feeling of sand, the wind in my hair...oh please, oh please can I just go back for one more day, PLEASE!!!

My mom woke me up early Thursday morning singing (which is very unusual). She was dancing around the room and singing..."we are going to the beach, we are going to the beach!!" At the time I had no idea what all of her excitement was about but boy I do now and next time I will join along with glee. Our friends the Watt's went with us and we had so much fun.

Go Raiders!!

2009-08-29T09:52:00.004-05:00

"Raider"

Caroline Martin
(a former student of Mrs. Amy)

Me and My Favorite Raider
(My Daddy!)

Future Lamar Raider Quarterback
(John Turner Watt)

Last night I attended my very first football game!! Go Lamar Raiders! It was alot of fun. There were beautiful cheerleaders, tough football players, a mascot, loud music, dancers, a marching band, and lots of people!! I loved it! My parents and I along with John Turner and his parents met at Chili's before the game and then we just copped-a-squat right smack down in the middle of the two sets of bleachers (like we owned the place) at the Lamar football game. There were tons of people there cheering the raiders on... and the Raiders Won!!! John Turner and I are obviously "good luck", looks like we will be going to all of the games now. My cousin Randy was there along with the Goodnights and sweet Lauryl. Mrs. Amy knew tons of students because she taught there before John Turner came along. My daddy knew alot of the older people there because as my mom says "Daddy was Mr. LHS back in his day"!! Haha, I love you Daddy!

My daddy really was a Lamar Raider so we had our picture in front of the Raider sign (the back of the baseball dugout). My mom and I had practiced cheers before we went to the game. My favorite one was "firecracker, firecracker-boom, boom, boom!!!" I see many more football games in my future.

Did you check out John Turner? He looked so cute in his Lamar Raider football jersey!

SunBathing Pro!

2009-08-28T10:03:00.005-05:00

This is the Life!

Last Saturday, I went swimming for the very first time! Did I like it...that is still up for debate! The water was so COLD (nothing like my bath water)!! The idea of actually swimming in the water is not something I am particularly fond of! I do not want to put my head or face in the water and the whole splashing thing is soooo overrated! I prefer to just float around on my raft and soak up some rays (such a girl, I know!). I am more of a chiller! Taking it easy is so my style (at least at the pool). I will be headed to the beach September 24th (my mom is hoping I will maintain this whole chillaxin' attitude I have developed)! We will be staying at the Caribe with none other than the infamous John Turner and his parents. I am so excited!! Not quite sure how I feel about the whole beach thing yet...the idea of sand in my face, my mouth, my diaper, and many others isn't sounding too tempting yet! The Lazy River, on the other hand, sounds dreamy!

Hope everyone enjoyed their summer!

Goodbye Girls!

2009-08-17T17:07:00.002-05:00

Me and Erin

Me and AnneMarie

Kayla, AnneMarie, Erin

This weekend I was able to spend time with my cousins from Virginia (Erin Leigh, AnneMarie, and their sister Kayla)! This was my second time to meet them...the first was about 3 weekends ago. I love them so much! They are so much fun and look forward to visiting with them again (hopefully at Christmas). They left on Saturday afternoon headed back to Virginia. They will be starting school soon. Goodbye girls, I love you so much!

Happy Birthday Granny Poe!!

2009-08-17T16:56:00.002-05:00

Me and Granny

Me, Momma, Nana, and Granny (4 Generations)

Thursday night I went to eat at the Hungry Heifer to celebrate my Granny Poe's 74th birthdayIt was so much fun getting to hang out with all the girls- Nana, Momma,Granny Poe, Aunt Russ, Sandra, Abby, and Mary Hope! They are a wild bunch of women!! I can't wait till I am a little bit older and can truely enjoy myself with them. There was alot of laughing and snickering which is always amusing to me, so of course I had to join in. I can only hope that when I have been on this earth 74 years (my granny knows exactly how many days) I will have as much spunk as my Granny. I look forward to spending alot more time with her. Happy Birthday Granny! I love you!

Ride em' Cowboys!!

2009-08-09T16:03:00.010-05:00

These "good ole boys" gladly let me sit in the saddle with them

I loved petting the horse and seeing all the animals at the Rodeo

Drinking some of Daddy's sprite

John Turner and I with our daddys before the show

It was hot, but I didn't care!
Let's get this Party Started!!

Getting ready for the rodeo

Saturday was a very eventful day for me. The day started off with a birthday party for my cousin Andrew at 10. It was alot of fun. I really enjoy getting to spend time with my all of cousins not to mention all the good food (wish my mom would have let me have more than bananas and pineapples)! Later, my mom and I went shopping. My prize was this cute little headband with the big purple flower. My daddy is not real fond of this prize but I like it.

Saturday evening, I had another date with none other than that precious John Turner! We went to the rodeo! How much fun... the music was loud, the animals were amazing, and great friends to enjoy the evening with. My favorite was the monkeys that were riding dogs and of course petting the horses. I can't wait to go back to the rodeo in April!!

Time is Flying!!!!

2009-07-21T21:43:00.007-05:00

Nate

Hayden

Me and Uncle Tyler

Me and My Daddy!!!

Anne Marie and Erin Leigh

I love a popsicle!!!

Sitting up and enjoying the outdoors!

Eating my rice cake!

"Man, that was good"

My pretty dress Sandra bought me!

So many things have happened since my last post, I hope I can remember them all. On July 16, I turned 6mths old!!! About 2 days before my 6mth birthday I started sitting up on my own!!! Now, I don't want to ever lay down unless I am sleeping. I have been missing so much laying around all the time. Since my mom has had the go ahead to venture out with me we have been two very busy girls. Last Saturday we went to a "pattycakes party" to make imprints of my hands and feet. Afterwards we went to my Nana and Pop's to visit with my Uncle Daniel and all of his children. This was my first time to meet my cousins. I had a lot of fun watching them have mud fights and play in the sprinkler. I cannot wait till I can join in on all the fun! My cousins are WILD!!!!!! Sunday, I spent the afternoon again at my Nana and Pop's visiting with "Uncle Ronnie" and "Aunt Libby". Then my mom, dad, and Uncle Tyler sat outside watching birds, playing with the dogs, and just enjoying the outdoors. We were having so much fun that my mom didn't even realize that is was way past my bedtime. I love the outdoors! My parents and I cannot wait for our new house with the big backporch for us to play on.

Today, I finally got to see where my mom works and meet her coworkers. I can't imagine my mom wearing one of those funny hats! Next, we went and visited with one of my favorite persons in the world... Sandra D! I had to go show her how pretty I looked in the dress she had bought me! Thank you, Sandra. I love my new dress. We didn't stay very long because I was so tired. After my nap, my cousins Trey, Carley, and Shelby came to see me! They are a hoot!

As you can see, I have been a very busy little girl!

My First Night On The Town

2009-07-10T22:05:00.003-05:00

Tonight was my first night out on the town. I had my very first date with the cutest 10mth old in Meridian, John Turner Watt. My parent's and I met him and his parents (Carlton and Amy) at San Marcos. This was my not only my first date but my first time in a Mexican restaurant! Oh, the colors alone are worthy of a second trip. It was so pretty and loud. I had so much fun!! The Watt's are so nice and I truely enjoy spending time with them. After the meal Mrs. Amy and my mom decided to break out their cameras right there in the middle of San Marcos and proceed to start snapping pictures like the paparazzi! If they do this over a night out at a Mexican restaurant I can only imagine my first day of school, my last day of school, prom and many other special events. Thank you John Turner, Mr. Carlton, and Mrs. Amy you helped make my first night on the town a very special one. Much love, Harper!

After San Marcos we visited with my Nana and Pop. It was way past my bedtime but it was a special night. Not only did I have my first date and my first Mexican experience, I had my first popsicle (courtesy of my Pop). It was soooo cold but, oh so good!!! Thanks Pop!

FREE, FREE, FREE AT LAST!!!

2009-07-10T09:23:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, I went for my 2 weeks post op check in Birmingham. Dr Colvin was very pleased with everything on the Echo, I was very pleased with the sucker he gave me while he did it. I can totally be bought, HaHa! He is weaning me off of my lasix (the diuretic) but I will still take my BP medicine a little while longer. He also cut the chest tube stitches while I was there. That was not fun and not even the sucker could help at that point. All in all I had a very good report. I am now able to venture out in this world and see all kinds of new things. My restrictions are: no smoking areas (which eliminates all restaurants in Meridian), don't be around people coughing or sneezing, no daycare or church nursery at this point, and still no picking me up under the arms. To celebrate this Joyous occasion my parent's took me first to look at appliances (boring) then we were able to go to one of the prettiest places in the world... the Cheesecake Factory! It was beautiful and the food smelled delicious. My mom even carried me around the restaurant, not in my carrier, on her hip!! I felt so free! It was a great experience. Next, my parent's took me shopping...love, love, love!! Daddy, you better watch out! We didn't go to all the places I would have liked because it was getting late. I did get to go to Gap Kids where I got the cutest sandals, a blue jean skirt, and a top.
It was a great day and I am looking foward to the days of freedom ahead of me. I have heard..."the best things come to those who wait".
Sorry, no pictures this time.

4th of July Weekend!

2009-07-06T09:44:00.004-05:00

Friday --

WOW!!! I had a great 4th of July weekend. First of all, I met Mary Frances White ( the beautiful daughter of my mom's best friend, Elizabeth Carlisle White). To this day I have never really been around another child, I didn't even know there was such a thing. I am supposed to be the only one!! Just kidding, I have seen other children from a distant. My visit with Mary Frances was up close and personal. She held my bottle for me, played with my toys, played with my toes, sang, squealed, and jumped around. It was fascinating. She can do all the things I ever dreamed of doing and can't wait for my day to come when I can. We met Mary Frances and her mother at McAllister's. We all ate lunch there including me, of course, mine was out of a jar and a bottle brought from home. It was not the scrumptious ham and cheese Mary Frances had. After lunch we then went to Mary Frances' grandparents house (Quinn and Mary Carlisle) where we sat outside on there new patio watching Mary Frances run and jump. The Carlisle's are such wonderful people. I cannot wait to go back and visit with them again. I had such a wonderful time with Mary Frances. I hope we will grow up and be best of friends like our mothers are. Mrs. Elizabeth is the sister my mother never had.

Saturday night--

My parents and I went to Sandra and Abby's House for a Fourth of July Celebration! It was a lot of fun. We sat outside on the deck and talked and visited with family and friends. I was the only child there so everyone just doted over me and wanted to play with me. I was the life of the party... the brief time I was awake! There was lots of food: homemade ice cream (peach and butterfinger); homemade strawberry cake (made by my Nana); an American Flag cake (with blueberries and strawberries); ribs; grilled corn salad; and much more. My mom says it was all delicious but you know me I had to eat the same ole cereal and bananas and my bottle. I can't wait to enjoy all of that good food. I am already working on my Nana for one of her homemade strawberry cakes for my first birthday... we'll see!

My mom says we celebrate the Fourth of July, not just for my Uncle Tyler's birthday, but for the Independence of our Country. So a very special "Thank You" to my Uncle Daniel and all the other soldiers (past and present) for fighting for our country that we may live free!!!

Happy Independence Everyone!!

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig :)

2009-06-27T22:01:00.005-05:00

Ha! That is what my granny says all the time and now my mom. Well folks, I am finally at home with a Whole Heart!!!! Man, how wonderful it is! I just didn't realize how hard my little heart had been working. The Dr says I will now have more energy and will eat alot better...my parents say they do not know how I will be able to eat better than I was and that if I get any more energy they will not be able to keep up. Well, put your rollerskates on mom and dad cause things are fixing to get "real" around here!!! So far everything is going really good. I am a little sore so I am a little timid about rolling over onto my stomach (not that I liked that position anyway but at least I could do it) and sleeping on my side (which was my favorite way to sleep). Hiccups, oh the hiccups hurt like crazy and I get them all the time!! I have managed to block sneezing so far, thank goodness. My parents can't pick me up under my arms for 6-8weeks so they just have to scoop me (I don't care much for that method but you do what you have to do, right). The Dr also said that I can't get out in the sun all summer...umm, my mom already knows how she is gonna get around this one. Thanks Mom! We have a beach trip planned for the last weekend in Sept with the Watts and I am so excited.

I would like to say thank you to everyone who was kind enough to pray for me during this time! I know in my heart that Jesus was there with me the whole time and continues to be. I felt everyone's prayers during surgery and the days following. The wonderful people of First Baptist Church gave me a blanket that they had prayed over the very first time I had surgery and they prayed over it again this time. My mom kept the blanket with her during surgery and then placed it on my crib in CICU. Thank you so much First Baptist! Everyone's prayers were definitely needed, heard, and felt.

3rd Day of Recovery

2009-06-25T17:34:00.003-05:00

Harper has charm and knows how to work it!!! When the surgeon came in this morning to check on Harper she was flirting and smiling so much that he decided she was doing great and that we could possibly go home tomorrow!!! Way to go Harper...work it girl!!! She has had a much better day today. We still haven't found a great way to hold her yet but we are working on it. Several people and a dog came to visit us. We had "hand and paw" therapy today. This woman named Joy, stopped by with her dog named Dixie to visit. Harper loved it! She rubbed Dixie with her feet and watched her every move. She also had her picture taken with Dixie (they are going to mail us a copy). Nana and Pop came bearing gifts!! Brother Carl and his wife Frances stopped by for a visit and so did our cousin Lisa Sharman. We had a great time visiting with everyone.
Her other chest tube was taken out this afternoon. She still isn't eating the greatest but she is getting there. Hopefully, tomorrow we will be blogging from our computer at home!!

2nd Day of Recovery

2009-06-24T17:10:00.003-05:00

Today has been a good but hard day. Harper was discharged from the CICU which is a stepping stone towards discharge from the hospital. She has had formula for the first time since surgery and has tolerated it well. At dinner I gave her a few bites of cereal and she did good with this also. She has been in a good bit of pain which makes it so hard to care for her. She cries when you pick her up and in different holding positions. Her chest sounds very junky and for this they recommend percussing (patting her back with your hand cupped) which is extremely painful to her. I haven't done it much because she just screams in pain and I do not handle that well. I know she needs it to get better so I will try again later. She even cries when I put her up on my chest. This used to be her favorite position but not so much now. She is also very tired today, probably because of the pain meds. She really is doing good it is just a difficult time but I know things will get better in the next couple of days. She is so amazing!! She has been through more her 5mths of life than most people will ever go through. Harper you are such an amazing and wonderful girl, Daddy and Mommy love you so much!!!!!!

First Day of Recovery

2009-06-23T19:07:00.002-05:00

Harper is feeling and looking much better today, yea!!!! This morning she was hurting a little and not feeling the best, her blood pressure was still up, her urine was very dark and concentrated looking, and had gotten sick a couple of times.
Chad and I left after visiting hours and went to Babies R Us to pick up our little angel a few new toys for being such a trooper during this time. We got back just in time for our afternoon visit. When we walked in we could see those little "HAMs" (legs) flailing around and her usual grunting. The nurse practioner was pulling her pacing wires and Harper was not happy about it at all. She was letting her know it too (that a girl)! Next, the nurse practioner pulled one of her chest tubes and the foley catheter was removed earlier. With a few less wires she is much happier and can move a little bit easier. Chad put in a new Baby Einstein movie and she was completely mesmerized!! They should have used it when they pulled all those wires, I believe we could have done anything to her during that movie and she would not have cared as long as we didn't block her view or talk over the music, haha. She is so funny! She is running a little bit of fever so would like to have continued prayers that we do not develop an infection. Her blood pressure is still up a little bit but her urine was clearer and she was going to the bathroom very well. She had a little bit of sugar water and was able to keep it down. Yea!!! She did get the hiccups which were extremely painful so they gave her a little bit of morphine. By the end of our visit she was back taking a nap.
We are now waiting to go back in for our night visit. Maybe the nurse will let us stay past visiting hours tonight also. She did last night but our nurse today... no way!!

Praise the Lord for Great things He hath done!!

2009-06-23T06:27:00.002-05:00

Yesterday was a very busy day so I will try to play catch up. In the note before this one I had told you that the surgery had started and that they had gone on cardiopulmonary bypass around 9:00. At 10:30 the surgical nurses called out to let us know that they had come off bypass with no problems. How awesome!! About an hour later they called out to let us know that they weren't able to close yet due to some bleeding. That had to have been the longest 45min of my entire life. We were all very nervous but we just kept praying. After 45min had passed the volunteer came and took me, chad, and our parents into a conference room to meet with the Dr. Still we had no news about how Harper was doing. We sat in the conference room for an eternity (really about 10min) in complete silence waiting on the Dr to come and talk. Finally, he did and told us that Harper was doing great. Praise the Lord!!!!
Last night they took her off the ventilator around 9:15. We were able to go and see her afterwards but still were not able to hold her. She never even opened her eyes but she was tearing that pacifier up. HaHa!! She loves her NukNuk! I had made her a couple of cd's, bought her a portable cd player, and brought her favorite toys and blankets all of which are in her bed now. Her music is playing in the background..."Praise him in this Storm".
Will try to keep better updates today. She is such a little Angel!

Today is the Day!!

2009-06-22T10:05:00.002-05:00

Harper will become a new baby today!! She is in surgery right now to close the hole in her heart. We started this morning off very early... the surgery transporter came to pick us up at 5:45 just to take us to a holding area where we sat around (Harper screamed) until about 7 before anyone came to see us. At 7:30 they took her back to surgery, at 8:15 or so they called to let us know that they had gotten started, and at 9:00 they had gone on bypass. So now we are just sitting and waiting. I will try to keep giving updates. Your prayers are greatly appreciated.

Getting Ready for June 22!!

2009-06-08T15:18:00.002-05:00

As I have previously posted, my surgery date is set for June 22, 2009. I will be a new little baby afterwards and for that I am so excited!!! I will finally be able to venture out into this big ole world, meet friends, attend church, and do all of those other things I have been missing out on. I do need everyone's help during the next two weeks as my family and I prepare for this huge event. All I need is for each and everyone of you to pray for me during this time.

My wonderful cousins Sandra and Abby Dennis designed the sweetest bookmarks with specific prayer needs to pass out to friends and family. Thank you so much girls, I love you both very much and look forward to you teaching me how to be like y'all when I grow up.

If you didn't get a bookmark here are some specific prayer needs:

-GOOD HEALTH (that I will not get sick with a cold or anything prior to the surgery date. If I do they will postpone the surgery)

-NO COMPLICATIONS (please pray that everything will go smoothly and we will not have any "suprises" or complications during and after surgery)

-FAST RECOVERY ( with no infections or problems... that everything will go just like it should)

-STRENGTH (for me, my parents, and the rest of our family)

-FAITH (pray that we will remain positive and strong until, during, and after surgery knowing that He is the Great Physician and that he will keep us all wrapped in His loving arms)

-GUIDANCE (that the Lord will guide the hands of the surgeon, nurses, and everyone else that will be caring for me during the surgery and the days following)

-PRAISE HIM for all he has done for me and my family thus far and will continue to do in the days ahead.

Thank you so much. I couldn't have made it without all the prayers. Pray Without Ceasing!!

We have a Surgery Date!!!

2009-05-26T16:02:00.002-05:00

Dr Dable's nurse called today to schedule my heart surgery. We set the date for Monday, June 22. We will have more updates soon. Please, continue to pray for us!

Recent Dr Visit

2009-05-21T21:22:00.003-05:00

Today, I went to see my cardiologist at UAB. I had a very good report. The Dr said that the pulses in my feet were very good which means that the balloon procedure they did about a month ago during the heart cath was very successful, yea!!! My weight was up to 11lbs and 7oz. The hole in my heart has actually gotten a little smaller however, Dr Colvin still feels that open heart surgery is necessary. My parents and I are not too sure about that. We still believe that God could continue to close the hole so that is what we are praying for. If it doesn't close on it's own then we are praying that the surgery will go as smooth as possible with no complications and that I will be on my way to a full recovery as soon as possible.
Dr Colvin did not schedule me another appointment with him. He said he would notify the surgeon and when we hear back from the surgeon then we will schedule the surgery. I am assuming that means I will have the surgery sometime next month or the following month. I will try to keep everyone updated and please, please, please continue to pray for me and my family as we go through this bump in life.
Love In Christ,
Harper

4 MTHS!!! WOOHOO

2009-05-19T10:27:00.004-05:00

I am now 4mths old, man how time flys! Yesterday, I went for my 4mth checkup with Dr Massingill. I now weigh 11lbs 4oz, yay!!!! My mom says I am growing like a weed. I was able to start eating baby food yesterday. I have been eating ole bland cereal for about 2 weeks. I get to actually eat foods that taste now. We started with carrots last night for dinner. I wasn't really sure about them at first but, by the end of dinner I absolutely loved them!!! My mom says they will give me a gorgeous orange glow and that they are really good for my eyesight. My mom is always worried about my eyesight, my hearing, my skin, my everything! My teenage years are going to be CRAZY!!!!!!

Mother's Day

2009-05-19T10:14:00.004-05:00

As you all know about a week ago we celebrated some very special people in our lives... our mothers! Besides having the most wonderful mother in the world (remember folks these are Harper's words not mine. I'm just writing this for her because she can't type yet), I have the most incredible grandparents and great-grandparents!!! I enjoyed being able to see them on this very special day and celebrating their lives. I love all of you! (My MiMi was sick so I couldn't get a picture with her but, she is great too!)

2009-05-08T08:29:00.001-05:00

Couldn't resist posting these!!!

Out of surgery

2009-04-24T13:16:00.002-05:00

I made it out of surgery yesterday afternoon around 12:15. My mom and dad were able to come sit with me in recovery... I was so happy!! We finally made it back to my room around 3:00 and I was finally able to eat, thank goodness. I was starving and that sugar water they gave me in recovery was good but just did not do the trick. I was started on blood in the recovery room because I was "severely" anemic. Now that my coarc is fixed and my blood counts are back to normal, I feel so much better. I still don't feel like eating that much right now but that will come (we hope!).As far as the other surgery goes, the Dr's believe it will be better for me to go home and get a little stronger. We originally thought that we would be here the whole weekend but now they are saying they may let us go home today, YAY!!!!!!! I can't wait to get home and see all my dogs, sleep in my own bed in my own room, play with all my toys, and see my grandparents. Thanks for all the prayers.

Heart Cath ... from Harper's mom

2009-04-23T11:06:00.002-05:00

Tuesday, we brought Harper back to see her cardiologist due to her breathing becoming a lot more rapid and little more labored. The Dr decided we should go ahead with a heart cath just to get a better look at things and to determine what our next plan of care should be. She is out growing her pulmonary band previously placed and the coarctation of her aorta has recoarcted which means that the blood doesn't really know where to go, if it trys to go back into in the lungs it can't because of the band and if it trys to go to the rest of her body it can't because of the narrowing in the aorta. This is causing her to breath faster and heavier. Hopefully, during the heart cath they will be able to put a balloon in the narrow area of her aorta to open it up and allow the blood to feed her lower body. They will also take a look at the entire anatomy of her heart and have a better understanding of what we are dealing with, from this they will be able to tell if we need to go ahead with open heart surgery or if we can continue to grow and get stronger before we have it.
We came back to UAB yesterday and will probably be here through the weekend. I will try to keep updates coming. We appreciate everyone who takes the time to read this and all the prayers. We walked her down to the surgery doors at about 9:15, so now we are just waiting...

Happy Easter

2009-04-13T18:27:00.002-05:00

My First Easter... was a blast! First, I spent the morning with my PawPaw Harry and MeMe while my parents went to church. They gave me an easter basket filled with goodies. Next, I went to my Aunt Russ's and spent Easter with the family. This was the first time I have ever even met some of them. They were a hoot... I have a crazy family!!! I love them though. We will have a lot of fun in a couple more years. We also stopped by the Miller Easter party at the McRae's. I had not ever met any of them either so it was a real treat. When I got home I found the Easter basket that the easter bunny left me ... it was great!!!! He left me money, a dvd, a toy, and some sunglasses. Not to mention, my Nana and Pop had given me an Easter basket the day before. Boy, did I rack up ... was it Easter or Christmas???

HAMming Around

2009-04-04T14:00:00.008-05:00

Okay, I decided to smile for the camera.
My mom was so proud. :)

" Say Cheese"

2009-04-03T08:52:00.004-05:00

Well, I will have to say this isn't my best picture. The camera really does add 10lbs!! But it is the only one my mom has of me smiling. It was taken from her cell phone. She tricked me, she knows I don't like the camera.

Once Again...

2009-04-03T08:41:00.004-05:00

Yesterday, I went back to the cardiologist only to hear the same ole thing... "Come back in 3 weeks and we will check you again." At first, I was a little disappointed (so was my mom) then I realized that maybe that is for the best. I still have some time now for the hole to close on it's own. The Dr's are doubtful but, my mom says "miracles happen everyday" and I believe her.
She tells me all the time that I am her "little miracle", so this may be mine. Please continue to pray for me and my parents.

Out of the bassinet and in my bed!!

2009-03-24T13:05:00.004-05:00

I slept in my bed in my room last night! It was wonderful - I didn't have to listen to my daddy snore all night!! My mommy and daddy were so proud of me. Mommy finally got some much needed sleep.

A Weekend in Georgia!

2009-03-23T08:37:00.001-05:00

This weekend I spent time with some family friends, Ron and Mrs. Libby Mabry, in Georgia. We had so much fun. Of course, I can't really go anywhere so I stayed with the Mabry's while my mom and dad went shopping. We had so much fun, we played, and just sat around looking at the mountain view from their living room. I really wish that was the view from my living room! Thank you Ron and Mrs. Libby, I enjoyed staying with you.

Friday, I went to see my cardiologist at UAB and we got a really good report. I now weigh 9lbs 1oz (remember monday I was 8lbs 12oz). I am really growing. The Dr said everything looks really good. My next appointment is April 2nd. Dr Colvin thinks we may start talking to the surgeon then. Yeah!! (I think!) Please, pray that the Dr's will do what is best for me and my growing brain and body. (You know my mom worries about everything!!)

A note from Harper's mom

2009-03-17T22:03:00.000-05:00

This little girl has completely changed my world!! You really don't know what true love is until you have a child. When she smiles at me my heart just melts. I truely do not even remember what my life was like before this little angel came into my world and now I cannot imagine life without her. She is a miracle and a blessing. I love you Harper!! "More than Words!"

2 Months Old!!!

2009-03-16T10:46:00.000-05:00

Today, I am 2 months old!!! Yeah! This morning I went to see Dr. Massingill for my immunizations, OUCH!!!. I also had my weigh in which was a whopping 8lbs 12oz!!!! Dr. Massingill was so proud! That was 2lbs in a month! However, the Dr did say he still didn't want me to go to church or be around other children until my heart is fixed. What a bummer!! One day I will be able to play with my friends.

What a Weekend!

2009-03-08T18:05:00.000-05:00

Saturday I went for a walk at Bonita Lakes with my mom and nana. It was such a pretty day and I especially enjoyed the nice breeze. It was perfect for sleeping!!!! While we were there we ran into that precious John Turner and his parents. He is so cute!
Today I went to grannie's for lunch. This was my first time to actually go out around other people. My grannie, nana, pop, and uncle tyler were there of course but I got to meet my uncle joey and his two boys colton and jason. I had a good time but, man am I worn out. That was alot for one weekend!

Here I am!!!!

2009-03-06T20:59:00.000-06:00

On January 16, 2009, I entered this world at 5:01pm and ever since then my parent's world has been turned upside down. I am their first child that sort of speaks for itself right there but then on top of that my first couple days home I spent 48 hours straight connected to this special light for my jaundice. I was so orange, my mom says I looked like a carrot. Because of the jaundice I was making frequent trips to the hospital to get my bilirubin checked and then on Saturday January 24, I really showed my parents a thing or two!! They found out that I had several congenital heart defects. My parents (especially my mom) just about lost it, but I knew that I was going to be okay. I had my first jet ride to UAB, spent a couple of days in intensive care then when I was exactly two weeks old I underwent surgery to correct one of the defects and the placement of a pulmonary band to buy me some time before I have to undergo open heart surgery. What a wild ride!!!!!! So anyway, now I am at home trying to gain weight and get stronger. So far I am doing pretty good, as of March 4 I weigh a wopping 7lb and 12oz!
I have my mom completely home bound.Right now I am not allowed to be around the general public and especially other babies and children. Not to worry though, one day I will and a little firecracker I will be. Hold on to your socks John Turner :)!!!!!!!!