March for Babies 2018...

Once again we participated in the March of Dimes - March for Babies event here in Reston. Team Harper Gribbs was yet again in the top family teams having raised $2,734! Again so amazed, grateful and thankful to everyone who supported us. 

We had some fun guests joining us for the march this year - none other than the Harpers!! Woohoo! Bad weather and illness had prevented them from coming in the past so we were so thrilled that Don and Mae Mae (& bonus - their son Bob) were able be there marching along side their sweet Harper boy. 

The event kicked off again with the Super Hero Sprint. Always a highlight of the day watching Adam take Harper's hand and running along side him, always making sure he is safe and supported - which is what Adam has been doing ever since he was born - even if he wasn't always able to do so in person. Those two have an unbreakable bond - my heart could burst. 

The march itself was great. We took note of all the "In Memory" of signs, quietly sending love to those who had lost their super heroes. We then celebrated as we walked past all the celebration signs, highlighting those preemies who are now thriving and giving hope to others - just like our Harper Gribbs does. We paused to get a photo by Harper's sign and as luck would have it right as we were doing so one of our favorite NICU nurses from Fairfax happened to be marching past and she stopped to take the photo for us - I know her heart beams with pride when she sees Harper doing so well and we are so thankful for her (& all the other nurses of course!)

At the end of the march Harper got out of his stroller and hand in hand with Mae Mae crossed the finish line - it was a touching moment and one that brings tears even as I write this months later. We'll always be so proud of our Harper and even prouder that he will always represent to us how much love Don and Mae Mae have provided us with. 

Go Team Harper Gribbs! 

Happy 2nd Birthday Harper Gribbs...

Wow! 2 years seemed to have gone by in the blink of an eye. I'm still trying to wrap my head around how our tiny little early arrival is now a husky, strong, smart, energetic, bull dog of a two year old - a legit toddler - what!? It's really been quite a year and it's amazing to see how much he has accomplished in these last 12 months and how he's truly caught up and no longer thought of in "adjusted" ages - rather he's just a 2 year old - plain and simple. Though there honestly is nothing plain and simple about this amazing boy of ours. 

We'd already celebrated Harper quite a bit in the days leading up to his big day but we saved some of the best stuff for his official birthday - like pancakes for breakfast and a walk to the bus stop to see Adam off to school. 

After his morning nap we gathered up the preemie clothes donations that family had brought over during the weekend along with some cupcakes and headed off to the NICU for a special birthday visit to the place he called home before coming home. It was pretty emotional to see him walking into the hospital - a whopping 25+ pounds - considering he weighed a mere 6 pounds when he left. We were so happy to learn that two of our favorite nurses were working as well as our favorite therapist (she is totally responsible for his perfectly shaped head) and Dr. Spurr was there as well who had taken such good care of him. They all came out to visit and while Harper was a bit shy, once they offered him one of the cupcakes we had brought, he was all smiles!  It meant a lot to me that we visit and bring along some treats and donations - they were really happy that it was boy clothes as they said they hardly ever have boy clothes donated. The staff was so happy to see him and they couldn't believe he was turning 2 - they genuinely remember caring for our sweet Harper boy. I'm certain this will be a new birthday tradition for us. 

From there Harper and I went and had a fun lunch date at Zoe's Kitchen - might be a new favorite spot for me. He loved the hummus plate and was just in such a good mood the whole time we were there. After that I took him over to Frying Pan Park to see the animals and "ride" the tractors. 

That night we gave him our gifts - some dinosaur books and his own personal Dyson vacuum cleaner (I'm jealous - I want a Dyson!) which he was thrilled about! 

Harper, you have been nothing short of incredible in your two years of life - you came into this world a fighter and boy are you still a feisty, confident, hilarious, happy, active, busy, wonderful super hero today. We love you so much and are looking forward to what these next 12 months will bring. 

Happy birthday Harper Gribbs!! 

Harper turns 1!

We waited so long for our sweet Harper and then he decided to cut the wait short, arriving 2.5 months early at just 2 pounds 15 ounces, and then we waited 60 long days for him to come home to us from the NICU and then we waited 2 months to get sleep as he battled a terrible case of reflux, and then all of a sudden we blinked and he was turning 1 and weighing in at 21 pounds (heavier than his big brother was at his 1 year appointment). To say it was a crazy year would be an understatement, but I wouldn't change our journey with Harper for anything. 

Harper continues to amaze with all of his skills - saying "Momma" "Dadda" and there's something that sounds like "Adam." He moves around so well and will no doubt be walking before long. He claps his hands when you say "Patty Cake" and his giggles and smiles could brighten even the cloudiest of days. 

We put together a Super Hero themed celebration to round out our first 12 months of Harper! Seemed fitting for our Super Hero Super Star champion! 

It's also fair to say that cake is probably his new favorite food. 

Happy birthday Harper - you sure fought your way to the one year mark and we can't wait to watch you continue to grow, thrive, smile, learn, laugh, and love!