Harper - 12 months

As Harper's first birthday kept approaching I was really having a hard time with the idea that my baby was going to be 1!  However, the week before her birthday she really started doing all sorts of fun things and I think that got me excited for the next phase.  She's learning so many new things each day and I know that it will just continue over these next months.  In practically a day she learned how to say 4 animal sounds and has proven to me that she understands what I tell her more and more.  She's also getting good at "talking" and communicating with me.  It's so much fun to see how she and Handley interact and the way they play.  I know Harper can't wait to start walking so she can really keep up with her.  

Today was her 12 month check-up.  As the doctor was checking out her mouth she commented that Harper is getting/had gotten 2 of her upper molars and that the bottom ones were about to come in.  I couldn't believe my eyes when I looked, but she was right!  I never even knew she was getting those teeth. 

weight - 21 lbs. 7 oz. (55th percentile)

length - 28 1/2 inches (45th percentile) 

head circumference - 18 in (75th percentile)

At 12 months she:

• thinks it is lots of fun to wash her hands and brush her teeth
• likes to pretend to "wash" me using a tissue, a wipe, or even her sock
• knows a few animal sounds (dog, cow, duck, owl, lion)
• can sign more, all done, and cookie
• says a handful of words (Dada, Mama, snack, night-night, more, no-no, that)
• has started standing for a few seconds on her own and continues to take one step unassisted. (I give her a few weeks before she'll be walking everywhere!) 
• loves to eat sweets
• likes to brush my hair
• still takes 2 naps a day
• is very attached to Mommy
• loves playing ball
• has reached the "I love to put things in" phase (she enjoys seeing what things she can fit in cups, buckets, or baskets)
• has 10 teeth!

And just because this little girl was such a sweet big sister today, I had to share a pic of her too! 

I want to wear a hat

Robby took the girls on his run this afternoon so I could have a few minutes to clean the floors without anyone running around on them.  I was upstairs with Harper and heard Handley saying to Robby, "I want to wear a hat."  I assumed she meant a baseball cap, but when I came downstairs to see them off, this was what she had on...a toboggan, mittens and earrings.  I can just imagine the looks she got in the stroller if anyone saw what she was wearing. :-)

 

Happy Birthday Harper

Today we celebrated Harper's 1st birthday!  Handley was so excited that she came and woke me up this morning (something she never does...she always waits in bed for me).  When I opened my eyes and saw her standing there beside my bed I asked her what she was doing.  She told me she was ready for Harper's birthday party! 

It took some work this morning, but thanks to my great team of helpers we were ready come party time.  My best friend, Jen (At First Sight Photography), took lots of pictures today, so when she is done with those I'll be sure to post them.  For now though I'll share some of the ones I took.  

I had to wake Harper up from her nap so we could have time to get her dressed and snap a few family shots before the guests started to arrive.  

Outside for the kids we had a bouncy house, blow-up ball pit, baby pool full of balls, sand table, and of course our playhouse.  I didn't get any shots of the play set-up, but I know Jen did so I'll have more of those to come soon. 

I thought these pictures were so cute.  Handley was sharing a taste of her lollipop with Harper. 

And here Harper was trying to get another lick. :-)

I was so excited for Harper to get her cupcake and just knew that she'd dig right in.  She was excited about the cake and happy to have it, but didn't eat nearly as much as I thought she would.  

It was a great day for a party and Harper had a blast.  She loved playing in the balls and visiting with all her friends.  

Happy Birthday Harper!!!

A quick visit to Wilmington

This week the girls and I took a quick trip up to Wilmington to visit my parents.  We flew up on Monday and rode back with them today since they were heading down for Harper's birthday this weekend.  I'm not sure which was more enjoyable...trying to keep Harper still and happy on my lap for the 1.5 hour flight or riding in the backseat, between the girls' big car seats for 7.5 hours.  :-)  Either way, it was a great few days and I'm so happy that we got to go up there.  At home I stay so busy and never stop.  However, when I'm up there I enjoy relaxing, visiting with family and actually getting to lay down during nap time.  

This week was gorgeous so we spent some time in the blow up pool. 

We also got to spend some time visiting with Paxton, the little boy my mom keeps.  Handley and Harper both adore him.  Handley was holding the bat upside down and trying to hit the ball, so Paxton had to come to her rescue and show her how it was done. 

Every time we loaded up to go anywhere I loved looking back and seeing all 3 of them filling up the backseat.  I asked my mom if it brought back memories of her having 3 young kids in tow?

One afternoon we went to Chick-fil-a and Harper enjoyed her very first kids meal.  She almost ate every single bite of her nuggets.  And if you look closely in the picture below, you'll see she was in the middle of enjoying some ice-cream when the cow came by to say hello. 

Bless her heart...when we went into the playground area she wanted so badly to keep up with the older kids.  She tired her hardest to climb up the giant steps to the slide and had fun just squealing with excitement and watching Handley and Paxton play.  

We also got to visit with my aunts, uncles and cousins.  We all went to dinner at Capt'n Bills (my uncle's restaurant) for dinner.  Handley loved playing with my cousin's daughter, Blythe, and Harper got to enjoy her first taste of hush puppies and sweet tea!  

Now we are gearing up for Harper's first birthday on Saturday.  Stay tuned for lots of pictures from our fun filled weekend. 

Happy Easter

We had a wonderful Easter Sunday.  The girls woke up to find all the goodies the Easter Bunny left for them.  

We spent most of the day with Gigi (Papa had to work) and had a delicious lunch.  Handley was excited to learn that the Easter Bunny had visited their house too!

There are some gorgeous flowers nearby so we took advantage and snapped lots of pics! 

Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt

This morning was our neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt.  I somehow volunteered myself to head it up this year, but I had a lot of help and it turned out to be a great event with awesome weather! We had over 65 kids, 3 huge plastic Rubbermaid tubs full of eggs for them to find, and lots of fun for all!   The Easter Bunny made an appearance and after the hunt there were cookies, cupcakes, juice boxes for everyone to enjoy.  

Chloe, Avery, and Handley after the hunt

Harper with her birthday-mate and next door neighbor, Calvin

I plopped Harper down in the middle of the "under 2" section and she was happy to grab a few eggs and play with them. 
She really loves her basket and even tried to put it on as hat. :-)  Too bad I didn't get a picture of that! 

Handley and Addyson

***The lavender dresses the girls wore to the hunt today were the ones my mom made for them. They looked so precious in them, but as soon as we got home they changed into some play clothes.  Anyone who reads my blog regularly will see the girls in these dresses again tomorrow for Easter Sunday! 

A fun day at the park

On Friday we tried out a fun park in Brookhaven called Ashford Park.  My friend Tiara was meeting some friends there and she invited us along too.  We packed a picnic lunch and had a made a day of it.  The park was packed.  There were no parking spaces left so we had to park on a nearby street and walk.  Harper and Dylan were happy to stroll.

The park was really unique.  Aside from the regular play structures, the had a giant sand box and tons of toys there for kids to use.  There were sand toys, riding toys, tricycles, etc.  The girls were in heaven.  

After playing we spread out the picnic blanket and had lunch.  It was Harper's first picnic and she really wasn't too interested in eating (until I pulled out the animal cookies). 

This gorgeous weather has been wonderful.  Even though we went from 50 degrees to 80 degrees, I'm not going to complain.  I am loving all the sunshine and all of the fun things we get to do on these nice days.