Work trip to Cancun...what!?

I've gotten to travel to some pretty boring places (I'm looking at you Sioux City, IA in February!) but along the way I've also had the opportunity to hit some pretty cool spots - South Africa, San Diego, Chicago, NYC, etc. This time the destination was Cancun - and that was just fine with me! 

We stayed at an all-inclusive resort right on the beach and it was the perfect spot. We worked hard (seriously we were in meetings all Friday and half of Saturday) but we were rewarded in spades with great meals, fun drinks, and a killer view. I even got in some R&R on the beach Saturday after the meetings wrapped. 

I love the guys I work with and they were all kind enough to help me cheer on the Hokies as they took on the University of Tennessee. Sadly the Hokies lost but it was still fun cheering them on from Mexico! 

Of course it's always hard to leave the family - but thankfully there is FaceTime :) 

Adam's First Day of 2nd Grade...

This year was a bit different as Adam prepared to start school again - it was the first time since Kindergarten that he had a new teacher - we lucked out with him having Ms. Jaeschke two years in a row. We learned the week before school starts that he would have Mrs. Marquetz for 2nd grade and other than her name we didn't know anything about her. This added a level of anticipation and nervousness that we hadn't experienced since he first started school. That said, we followed all our same traditions - laid his clothes out the night before, cooked a fun pancake breakfast, photos on the front step, and then off he went! 

It's always a looooong day waiting for him to return as I'm a bundle of nerves hoping he likes his teacher, has friends in his class, etc. Happily he once again came bounding off the bus, all smiles and enthusiastic for the year ahead. Phew! He also stated he has plans to be an engineer when he grows up. Well alright then - let's get after it! 

Harper's Cakes...

Hard to believe our year of cakes has come to a close. It's amazing to look back at each month (and cake) and see how far Harper has come. Here's a look back...

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!