22 months

Harper is 22 months old today! I'm not sure if that's is more shocking or the fact that I'm updating the blog on time.
In the past few months Harper has totally become her own little person. She is absorbing so much and surprising us every day with what she understands and does.
A few days ago she impressed us all by counting to 4. I tried to catch it on video but so far the sight of the camera is a total distraction. She holds up her little fingers as she counts and claps when she's done. It's heart melting.
I think this November was the fastest month to date. We started a house project in our living room. We painted which involved two colors and some detailed work and touch up. But it looks great. We bought curtains for the room but we are waiting to hang them until we put up the crown molding. Hopefully this month.
Will went on a hunting trip over Thanksgiving so Harper and I spent the week in Brattleboro. It was a nice treat to see so much of Nonie and Poppa and Harper got to see a little extra of Alex and Kyler which is always nice.
Harper has become a bit of a climber. As you can see from that egg on her head. She actually fell off two dining room chairs at two different houses in one day. The first fall she hit her chin and the second got her forehead. Aiyiyi.
Other than that we've been enjoying our friends Stella and Jackson in Lebanon, taking lots of walks with Bella and trying to get Harper used to riding in the ergo again since it could snow anytime. We have a couple parks near our house, one of which is at a school and has a couple of slides. Harper went down the park slide alone for the first time. She was clearly nervous but excited when it happened and did it again and again. She has had lots of practice with the mini slide in our yard.
Harper's favorite things are birds, fish, the moon and of course elmo. She loves to be outside and look for birds, squirrels and the moon and she is constantly talking about fish. She always asks to read fish books. She recently got a super cute pair of elmo slippers from Auntie Megs that we haven't been able to take off of her.
Below are a few of our favorites this month:















Holiday art project



















Bundled up and ready to play












Bird watching at Nonie & Poppa's













Sliding all by herself

21 month's old

October brought us lots of beautiful fall days. We tried to soak up as much outdoor time as possible and shared the joy of leaf piles with Harper.
This was Harper's second Halloween. We (Papa) made her a bumblebee costume that was very cute. She wore it at her music class the week of Halloween and then again at the party at Will's fire station on Halloween night. The best moment was when a little boy came to the station dressed as Elmo. She spotted him from far across the room and walked right up and stared. Then she kept saying "Elmo shoe" and pointing at his red fur covered sneaker which he kept showing her.
It is fitting that Harper's birthday photo this month is with Mallory because she LOVES her. It's a little reminiscent of Lennie from Of Mice and Men because she just wants to hold her and squeeze her and while Mallory is very accommodating the elderly cat can only take so much. To date there has only been one incident of a scratch and it was well warranted. She getting better though because she'll pick her up now and after only a few seconds say "down" and drop her (literally.)
Other exciting things this month include learning to say and recognize the color purple. She also practices counting on her fingers although the only number she seems sure of is 3. The most fascinating part of her development is still her speech. She can understand virtually everything we say to her and as her vocabulary grows so does her understanding of things. Will, Harper and Bella went for a walk the other day and Harper pointed to the brook and said "Wa wa fish." Her favorite food is "Papa cheese" which is a fancy cheese that the two of them enjoy together (but cream cheese works in a pinch.) The second we pull out of the driveway to go anywhere she says "where's bella?" or "bella walk?" which can get old, but "yesh" is still one of her favorite answers (unless she really means "no") and I'm thankful for that.
Lulu is still very important to her and she just loves babies in general. Lucky for us we know a few people with real babies on the way!
Here are a few of our favorite October photos:














Say cheese Harper!













Very cool



















At Jackson's birthday party















We put her in charge of the stickers.

20 Months Old!!!

September was the perfect kick off for fall. Harper had her first experience apple picking (she ate more then she picked.) We also visited a farm and picked some pumpkins. Harper liked the baby pumpkins. We have also been exploring the leaves that are falling at an amazing rate. Our first trip in September was a visit to Maine for Jaiden's first birthday and enjoyed a visit with Theo.

This month Harper took her first dance class. It was a five week class and Harper got more and more interested every week. She can even show off a few of her moves. I'll try to catch her on video soon.

This was also a fun month for Will and I as we went to one wedding in September and another wedding in early October. We also celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary on October 1st. That means we had three date nights in only a few weeks. Definitely a special treat. Grandpa Gerry has gotten really good at getting Harper down to sleep. We're trying not to abuse this new skill :)

In other news Harper is still at a super fun stage. She learns new words everyday and shocks us with the things she knows and understands. She's becoming my little helper in many ways. She is also starting to exhibit some confidence and defiance. If she doesn't want to do something she let's you know. A few of her favorite things include her baby doll Lulu, coloring and playing with stickers and going for walks. We are also taking music class again and it's so fun to see how much she remembers and how much she enjoys it. I also have to admit that singing goodbye to those instruments a few times every week makes transitions at home a lot easier.

Here are a few of our favorite Harper photos from the past month:

Relaxing

A quick wash in the sink. Harper LOVES to brush her "cheeth"

Say cheese!

It's the pumpkin queen!

Mmmmnnnn fresh picked apples

So blond!
Click here to see the rest of the September photos.

19 Months!

August certainly was an eventful month!
We began the month in Chicago visiting with family. We spent the first half of the visit in Lockport with Joel, Ami and Abi and went to the zoo, ate lots of delicious food that Aunt Sandy made and even made a trip to downtown Lockport. Then we went to stay with Aunt Sharon and visited millennium park, went shopping in the city, and went to Indiana to visit with Gail at her house. Harper had the best time with all of her cousins. It's so great to see her interact with all of our family. We're already looking forward to the next visit.
When we got home Harper and I had the pleasure of meeting Ella (Cedar's daughter) for the very first time. They were visiting New England so we got to have two playdates with them and it was so good to finally see Ella. She and Harper are going to be pen pals until their next visit!
Next we enjoyed a weekend visit from Jim, Julie, Bailey & Ali Young. They drove down on a Thursday and spent Thursday & Friday nights in the Lebanon area and we visited Quechee & Simon Pearce, the Montshire Museam, King Arthur Flour and went out to dinner. We even had a slumber party at our house with Ali and Bailey on Friday night. Then Saturday we all piled into their van and went to Brattleboro where we all visited the Retreat petting farm, had some VT ice cream and visited with my parents. Sunday we had brunch at my parents before they left. Harper was completely smitten with Ali and Bailey. She had their full attention and she loved it. They held hands the entire time and she was always reaching for them to pick her up or to rescue her from my arms. She really fell head over heels for them which was so fun to watch.
As if all of that wasn't enough Harper went to the doctor for her 18-month check up. She's in good health and nearly 18 lbs.
She has more words by the day. The other night she reached into the kitchen drawer and pulled out the ice cream scoop and started pointing it at Will saying "icshwem". Of course he gave her a little! She also got her first potty and started taking her first toddler dance class. She got her first doll in Chicago which we have named Lulu and she LOVES her. "Bebe" gets lots of walks around the house in her doll carriage.
Will and I are still trying to fully unpack but we are definitely getting there. We have a fence to put up and Will has already done a lot of yard work. We'll get there!



















New PJ's



















A little reading on the potty















New shoes!

18 Months

Oh boy is this post late. With summer finally arriving with the month of August and our annual trip to Chicago all happening on Harper's 18 month milestone I found myself falling farther and farther behind with the post.
We have had the rainiest summer I can remember so we've been making good use of the dry days we have. Harper enjoyed her first Fireworks and she made all the appropriate oohs and aahhhs along with me.
July also brought a visit with Theo and his parents. The older they get the more fun it is to watch them play together. There was even some grape sharing.
Steph & I took Harper to a Junkman music fest in Woodstock. She seemed to enjoy herself and met up with another pal from playgroup.
In the most exciting news this month Kyler turned one. But she's already been walking since last month so she's an old pro now and it's so fun to watch her and Harper run around together. The entire dynamic of their relationship has changed now and they are on a much more even playing field. Harper still tries to smother her with hugs and kisses but now she can run away if she's had enough. But most of the time she hugs her back. They are adorable.
This month Harper learned to take bag clips off which has required some cupboard reorganization. But I still keep her snacks pretty low and if I'm trying to get something done in the kitchen I'll often turn around and she'll be gone. My first place to check is the bottom of the stairs where she sits with her newly found bag of snacks and helps herself.
We also learned this summer that she hates to get her feet dirty. My dad built her a sandbox but she prefers to play from the perimeter rather than diving right in. I can't say I blame her but it is funny at the beach. I ended up buying her water shoes to keep those toes as clean as possible.
Most of July was spent unpacking and trying to organize the new house. It's been fun and stressful at the same time but it feels more like home everyday. Now we just need some paint on the walls and a few final boxes unpacked. Come visit soon and weigh in on paint colors!














Pass the grapes please.















Daddy's girl


















Making music with junk...how fun!















High Five!

See all of July's photos here:
http://www1.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=1072334016/a=13429038_13429038/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

17 Months!

June was an eventful month albeit terribly rainy. It kicked off with the annual strolling of the heifers parade. We went with the McClellands and our friends Becky & Jackson who had never been subjected to such an event before, they were good sports!
The next day Becky & Jackson hosted us as we all watched a 1/2 marathon in Quechee. Harper clapped for everyone and was a welcomed distraction for the runners.
We enjoyed a trip to the petting farm with the McClellands. Kyler learned to walk which has already changed the dynamic of her relationship with Harper. They are on a totally different level and it's a lot of fun to watch.
Harper began her flower girl duties at Pat & Steph's engagement party. We spent Father's day watching Will run a road race for charity. Harper is a fantastic spectator and claps and cheers for everyone!
The big event this month was our move. We closed on our new house in Lebanon and spent a marathon weekend cleaning, packing and moving all of our belongings. Harper & Bella both seem to love the new house. Harper has her own room which she loves and slowly but surely we are getting boxes put away and organzied. We had a ton of help an owe big big thanks to all our friends. We've promised them we won't be moving again for a VERY long time! We are looking forward to a visit from Leah, Ryan & Theo next weekend so we have a goal to be done unpacking before they arrive!















The cat was the most exciting animal at the petting farm.
















Daddy's biggest fan!















Helping Pat & Steph move.



















Too cute!














First night in the new house!

16 Months!

Thank goodness May was not as crazy of a month as April. Seeing Harper this month you would never know she ever hurt her leg. She is one busy girl! In May she enjoyed a trip to Maine and Goose Rocks Beach as well as her first tricycle ride. She has become attached to her first stuffed animal, Beatrice the Bunny. She seems to get a new word everyday. She knows where her ears, eyes, nose and mouth are. Harper gives high fives and eskimo kisses. Harper has her first chore, every morning when we get up it's her job to go turn off her noise maker. In May Harper also had the chance to host her first pool party (baby style) and has already visited countless play grounds and swingsets. At this rate it's going to be one fantastic summer!














Ready for bed! Harper loves Beatrice!



















Harper takes Theo's trike for a spin. Don't worry, we had a talk about riding and talking on the cell phone at the same time. It won't happen again.















She still loves to swing.















Exploring Goose Rocks Beach.



















Looking like Daddy



















Looking like Mommy.















Lounging in the pool with Jackson.