Two days ago I watch her step on stage and audition for Aladdin.
I sat in the chair and just looked at her. Really looked. And my eyes filled with tears.
She’s nearly nine. NINE. How is it possible? I feel like it was just yesterday that I met her for the very first time. She was sunny-side up and took her sweet, indecisive time coming into this world. Out, then in. Out, then in. Much like the sweet, indecisive girl she is now.
She was born with a head full of dark hair and her daddy’s eyes. And my world was never ever the same again.
I watched that dark hair and those dark eyes as she confidently sang with a big smile on her face.
And it physically hurt my heart.
She is so beautiful. And so kind. And so infuriatingly picky. And so talented. And so utterly, completely HERSELF. All big teeth and long legs, constantly singing and fighting with Sadie. Sometimes in the same breath.
She is independent yet needs me so much. She doesn’t want me dressing her (or even giving my opinion!) yet she still wants to hold my hand when she’s scared. She has her first crush but she’s too sweet and innocent to even look at him.
I see glimpses of preteen in her. An errant eye roll or sigh. And she feels so bad the MOMENT that those things happen she apologizes over and over and over – with a look of abject terror on her face. As if she can’t even believe that she just did that!
She is over the moon excited about this baby. You should have seen her face when I told her I was pregnant. PURE, unadulterated, TRUE joy. Because that’s her.
She is joy. And light. And love. And she is becoming a young lady and I couldn’t be prouder.
Go get ’em Harper! You will rock that townsperson/ensemble role. I just know it! I am so proud of you.
xoxo
I can’t help but notice how much she looks like her momma’s picture in the upper right corner! What a beautiful post!! 🙂
yay so glad she got a role in the play, as if it was even a concern! she is awesome! those eyes, WOW! they melt my heart . she is an incredible person, inside and out. just beautiful. I remember her being ONE so this is seriously hard to believe NINE! time goes too fast. I honestly thought once mine hit 9-10 it seemed that for every 3 years it feels like ONE! it’s so hard. but beautiful too. xoxoxo
love,
tara
oh and I agree with poster above me, WOW oh WOW does she look like you in that profile picture! the same cheekbones, smile, nose, everything = PURE GORGEOuS!
Sam here well said what ladies have said she looked lot like you!
Proud of her! Keep it up!
so sweet… she is growing up in front of our eyes. you are so blessed…. and such a good momma! love you guys…. from OKC
Oh my she is getting so big! I have been following you since she was very small (and she is just a bit younger than my own twin girls). Your post brought tears to my eyes, as it is a lovely reminder how quickly it all goes by.
She’s simply GORGEOUS (as are all your girls) and her inner beauty shines through those big brown eyes. I’m so happy that two parents who are raising wonderful people will be bringing another wonderful person into this world! You go, Mom!!
I can’t believe she is going to be nine. She is growing up so fast!! I too have been following you since she was little, before school. Sadie was a baby. So so happy for her. I saw your clip of her singing on IG. She is just a doll. Way to go, Miss Harper!!! <3
Oh Steph, she is looking SO grown up! Such a beautiful little lady! Congrats on getting a part in the play Harper! You’re going to be GREAT!
Almost 9?! How did THAT happen? She sounds like such a beautiful soul which means she is just as stunning on the inside as she is on the outside. She sounds a lot like my oldest, so I wonder what it will be like when I am there in 3 more years. You and J are doing such a great job bringing up such beautiful additions to this world. Thanks for sharing 🙂
She’s got a sweet soul.
We raised 4 kids, 2 of which were girls with one that’s a dead ringer for Jennifer Lopez and the other equally as pretty. So heed my warning, with a daughter as pretty as yours is, lock the windows and doors and start praying cause every hormonal boy in Italy will be after her!
Harper is beautiful, both on the outside and more importantly…the inside…..because she has two AMAZING parents. Go get’em Harper!!!!
Beautiful, sweet girl! So glad she has a role in the play, she will shine on stage. Good job Harper!
What a lovely photo, and such beautiful words, a post to treasure I think. I have a 9 year old, it’s a happy age, everything stretching before them, they are starting to explore the world a little more, become more independent, find things that are a little scary and do them anyway. Good luck with the play Harper. CJ xx
She’s about the same age as my son (my oldest too) and I totally get you when you write so nostalgically about them growing up so quickly and seeing, already. the pre-teen in them…..my son, yesterday, went from raging to singing to crying in the shower within about 20 minutes…..the world can be a little too much for a sensitive almost-9-year-old boy sometimes! [So glad she’ll be taking part in the play!]….and dare I say it, but she’s looking very ‘Italian’???!!!
Stephanie, Absolutely love your posts. Spectacular girls (all of them).
Once she has that eye brow thing nailed, you’ll have to start worrying. What. A. Stunner. Oh I cried on the video you posted on instagram by the by!
She looks just like her Mom!! Those big brown eyes and dimples are amazing, she will definitely be fighting off the boys. Thank you for sharing pics of your girls with us. They grow up soooooo fast!! Hope you are feeling a little better by now!
She is so beautiful!
Oh my goodness. OH. MY. GOODNESS. That face. Those eyes. That beauty. Enjoy!!
You nailed it Stephanie! You stir up so many emotions with your posts, and this one made me tear up with every sentence (especially the “doesn’t want me dressing her”…cleats go with everything BTW 😉 seriously, how you feel when you watch her on stage…thats b/c you and Jimmy (and her sisters-believe it or not) have given her every tool to do it. And when you can give them the tools and opportunities and then you see them put it all together…such an overwhelming feeling.
Harper has found her “thing” and her confidence is unbelievable (to get on stage and SING?! and dance…whew!) at 9, but her tender heart (for her friends who didn’t get a role) is soooo genuine. And that, my dear friend, is the biggest win of all.
We can’t wait to see the townspeople of Aladin!! Way to Go Harper!!