14 Months!

Harper is totally a toddler. She is exercising her opinion and pushing her limits. She's practicing her words all the time. She says Bella, toe, more, dog, woah joe (from our music class) and we've gotten her to say a few more things one or two times but she's getting more vocal everyday. She has amazed me this month with her coordination. She can now stack all the pieces onto her stacking ring and she can unzip her doll's dress and puts items in her little purses very easily. It's amazing how one minute these things are a struggle and the next she's an expert.
March was a very fun month. We had a mini-vacation with the Adams' at Loon Mountain. We stayed a couple nights and explored the ski mountain and tried some arts and crafts with the kiddos. Harper and Theo are enjoying each other more each visit. We can't wait for the next time! We had a nice visit and dinner with the Houston's. Harper loves Farley (their dog) almost as much as she loves Emily (her cousin.) They had a great evening together.
The McClellands made a trip to Lebanon to check out our bouncy house activity. Alex had a blast and it was such a nice day we made a trip to the park afterwards. I got trapped in a spinning seat made for 5 year olds and Dana had to rescue me. It wasn't embarassing at all. Harper loved the slide! She's definitely a climber. This month Harper started giving us the biggest grin ever, it's our new favorite thing. She can also strum her lips which she loves. And she's finally warming up to drinking milk.
In other news Will and I made an offer on a house and it was accepted. There still a lot that needs to happen before things are finalized but we look forward to being settled. Will is also starting a new part-time job. I'll share more on that later when I know more.
Here are some of our favorite photos from this month:















At Loon Mountain. If you didn't know better you'd think there were ski's on our feet.















That's the grin!


















My daughter is better dressed than me...















big smiles



















so fashionable!

13 Months Old!

After Harper's very exciting birthday celebration February proved a fairly relaxing month in our house. We spent lots of time exploring all the fantastic goodies that she received for her birthday. Took lots of walks with Bella and enjoyed some "warmer" weather as we finally saw proof that eventually winter will end.
Harper and I enjoyed a girls weekend in Boston visiting with Courtney & Morgan. A little shopping and lunch with some of our favorite Bostonians made for a perfect weekend! We made another trip to the Montshire museum with the McClelland kiddos and their mom. Harper and I made an effort to explore some of the activities offered in the Lebanon area and had some mini adventures. We also made some new mom and baby friends which is very exciting for me.
Harper is getting very coordinated and more and more curious every day. She is beginning to explore her shape sorters and realizes they are for more than banging. She is much more communicative and if you ask her to bring you something she will (and always claps for herself!) She is also working so hard on her little vocabulary. She said her first word which was Bella (sounded like BE LA) and has fun practicing repeating things that we say (I know...yikes right?) She is very steady on her feet and still loves to climb. Her new favorite food is hummus and every animal says "woof woof."














kicking back with a sandwich at the museum














Harper loves broccoli (she actually really does...she gobbles it up!)














Taking her new birthday presents for a spin














Out for a walk with Dad.

Happy 1st Birthday Harper!

Wow....what a year. On this day last year we were in our hospital room watching the Superbowl with a brand new baby girl in our arms. This year we're chasing Harper around the house as she toddles from room to room. Last year we watched intently as the nurse showed us how to give our new baby a bath and it took two of us to change a soiled diaper. This year Harper gives hugs and kisses and can tell you what Bella says ("oof oof".) It's so fun to look back but not for long because everyday is so new and exciting. We just simply can't get enough of our "baby" girl.

January brought another trip to Maine to celebrate Theo's 1st birthday. This was a very important trip because Theo demonstrated his walking skills which Harper watched carefully and then decided to take her own first steps as soon as she got home. Harper's birthday gave us another excuse to see Theo and his parents. At this gathering Theo taught Harper how to climb the stairs. Needless to say we're not as excited about this lesson but Harper did get a brand new gate for her birthday to celebrate the accomplishment.
On Saturday January 31st Harper had a birthday party. She had lots of friends there, Kyler & Alex, Amelia, Theo, Jaiden, and Mya & Kylie, and of course her Auntie Megs, both sets of grandparents and her two great-grandmothers. She enjoyed her very first cupcake (see below) and got a ton of very fantastic and generous gifts. Her favorite is a firetruck from her dad that she will eventually ride but for now prefers to push all over the house with the help of someone else to steer. She especially loves to run into things and laughs out loud.
Harper loves to give hugs and kisses. She especially loves to kiss babies. Kyler has been on the receiving end of hundreds of kisses but she got her very first hug at Harper's birthday party. Harper is wild about Kyler.

It seems so unbelievable that this year of firsts is coming to an end but also so exciting. This is the start of a new year in Harper's life and we can't wait to exprience all that's in store for us!















Harper is such a love in the morning. She'll cuddle and give kisses. It's my favorite time of day!



















Look at this little girl walking!!! She is so proud of her new skill...it's really fun to see her excitement.















She loved my cupcakes even though I hid avacado in them. She ate all the frosting and a lot of cake before sharing with Bella.



















Our sweet birthday princess!

Here is our favorite video this month...Harper's walks. This was taken the day she took her first steps. It was so fun to watch her...she was working so hard. It's amazing to look back and see how well she's mastered the skill in only two short weeks!

11 Months & Christmas!!!

Happy 11 months Harper. December was quite the fun month. We had lots of snow (even lost power for a couple days), an unexpected trip to the doctor for a high fever, a trip to Maine and of course...Harper's first Christmas!
Along with all these busy events we've seen Harper get stronger on her little legs. She motors around the furniture with only one hand holding her steady. She's stood a few seconds on her own and boy is she a fast crawler. She's become more insistent lately when she wants something it's hard to convince her otherwise. She gives kisses and her very favorite game is peek-a-boo. She also learned that with one swift yank you can unroll almost an entire roll of toilet paper (see the photo below.)
With our visit to Maine Harper got to spend more quality time with Theo (and his dog Ryder who she LOVES) and she finally got to meet Marge's son Chase who is 8 months old. They had quite the play date complete with matching PJ's. She also got to see Jaiden again who was born in September. She pointed at him and made her "oooh oooh" sounds which means she likes him..
Harper had a wonderful first Christmas. She loved the Christmas tree, especially pulling off all the ornaments she could reach. She was very good at opening presents and got excited as she did it. It was very cute. It was a busy but wonderful holiday. She rang in the New Year asleep in my arms. Will was at work so it was just us girls. Next time I update this Harper will be 1 year old. It's hard to believe but every day is more amazing. Here's to 2009!














A new outfit from Aunt Sandy and her new piano from Nona and Papa.















Look at all that toilet paper















Waiting to be undressed after a walk with Bella















Kisses for Ryder.

10 Months Old!

November was a fun filled month for all of us! We started out with a girls weekend (plus Theo) spent with Leah and Theo's cousin's house in Cohasset. Then we took Harper to for her second visit to Boston. We only went for a day but managed a lovely visit with Morgan, Courtney for brunch and finally met their boyfriends, then we had dinner with Ellen, Adam, Ang & Justin. We got to see everyone's new apartments and of course made a stop at Trader Joe's. Megan also joined us in Quechee for a couple days which was a nice treat.
In sad news November marked the end of our music classes however we will take more starting in January and they are holding a holiday class to tide us over until then.
Of course we had Harper's first Thanksgiving which we celebrated at our house in Quechee. She had a blast.
We also enjoyed our first snow of the season and we're getting excited for the holidays with some shopping and we've adopted a family need which makes the season much more meaningful.
Harper is turning into such a little person. She waves now, (mostly goodbye) and she claps and dances whenever she hears music. It's really cute. She's eating like a champ, cottage cheese is a new favorite (when mixed with bananas) and she's still gobbling up the butternut squash.















Court, Harper, Me & Morg















Swinging is the BEST!















Walking with Daddy

Here is a video of Harper swinging at the playground we went to in Cohasset. Enjoy

Happy 9 Months Harper!

November marks Harper's 9 month mark. I'm not sure what's harder to believe, that she's already 9 months or that she's only been a part of our lives for 9 months. What would we do without her. 

October was a great month for us. Harper and I took a solo trip to Chicago at the beginning of the month. We stayed for 10 whole days and had a fantastic time. It was wonderful for Harper to meet all of our family out there and we even managed to squeeze in a trip to the zoo as well as Bengston's Halloween fair and a trip to Michigan to do some apple and pumpkin picking. Will had to stay home as he's taking his EMT-Intermediate class right now. It's keeping him very busy but he'll be done in December and it will be a huge relief.

Harper managed to catch a cold this month. We brought her to the doctor after it had lasted what seemed to be much too long. She weighed in at 13 lbs 6 oz and the told us she had a virus that needed to run it's course. she's still a little sniffly but much better. We go back for a well baby visit next week. Still only two teeth. The most exciting thing this month is that Harper is learning to sign. She signs 'more' and 'nurse'. She doesn't use them correctly yet but we're working on that.

October also brought Harper's first halloween. She was a little tree and got to wear her costume to our music class as well as to the fire station on halloween. surprisingly she didn't mind the hat at all and wore it for the whole class and most of the night on halloween. she looked so stinking cute! 

We also took our first trip to the Montshire Museum with the McClellands, Marshall, Becky & Cadance & Adam and Amelia. It was great fun and always nice to have all our kiddos together in the same place.

November is already off and running. Harper's 9 month photo (above) was taken at our house in Quechee on our way to walk Bella. 

Mommy & Harper meet a bear at Lincoln Park Zoo

Ready to pick apples in Michigan

The Hogan kiddos - Ailee, Owen & Caden with Harper

Our precious little tree!

Here is a video of Will and Harper...she loves her dad!

Harper's 8 months old!

8 months old!!! Time is just going by too fast. If you have any suggestions on slowing things down a bit I'm all ears. 

Things have been very busy with us lately. We've moved into the new house in Quechee VT near Will's work. We're still in the process of moving everything but it's coming along well. 

Harper started and ended this month with her pal Theo. The Adams' came to VT the first weekend in September and then just spent last night with us in Quechee on their way home from vacation. During their first visit Theo taught Harper to say Baba and Mama and Harper showed Theo how to crawl. By the time we saw them again both babies were motoring around the house and singing the entire time. They are so stinking cute!

Harper also made her first trip to visit Nancy & David. We have a lovely time and Harper was sooo good in the car. Tomorrow Harper and I leave for Chicago (just the two of us) for 10 whole days. We're so excited to see everyone!

Harper changed so much this month. She's "talking" up a storm. Mama is my favorite and we keep thinking we hear an attempt at Bella. Harper mastered crawling this month and is a speed demon. She's definitely keeping me in shape. We started music classes with Alex & Kyler which are a huge hit. And the biggest news yet...Harper has a tooth poking through! Actually her two front teeth! They have a way to go yet but they'll get here. She is such an amazing baby, we can't get enough of her. She's so happy and cuddly, such a joy.

Will and I celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary and even managed to sneak away for a dinner alone. It's definitely fall here and we're enjoying the colder weather and some beautiful leaves. There really is nothing like fall in New England.