Happy Halloween!

Last year we didn't do too much to celebrate Halloween. This year, Harper got dressed up and assisted us in passing out candy. She enjoyed seeing all of the kids in their outfits. However, she doesn't understand her costume and was anxious to take it off. It was a fun night and we are excited to tour the neighborhood next year!

We don't decorate much for Halloween - we didn't even carve pumpkins this year! However, we do have one of the spookiest houses on the block thanks to Riley! She is quarantined to the basement so she doesn't scare any of the small children. Riley can't miss any of the action and will poke her head through the cat door to watch the kids a the door and will sometimes bark - which will result in giggles or screams from the kids. Thanks, Riley, for providing the spooky atmosphere!

Finally, Harper did some creative art at daycare (with the help of her teachers) and brought home a ghost foot print - how cute!

Running

To entice Harper to walk, we've began playing a new game where she runs while we support her weight. She thinks it's a blast and her little legs go as fast as she can move them! Once she learns to walk, we might have a little track star!

Tub Time

It's time for another bath update! Harper is loving all of the new bathtub toys she got at her birthday - she happily splashes, chatters and plays in the water. Now that Harper is standing more often she wants to do it everywhere - including the tub. Here is our little girl showing off!

Busy Girl

Now that Harper is scooting, she is doing a lot of investigating around the house. Finally our house seems big to someone! She likes to get under the end tables and swing, scoot into the bathroom and kitchen and play with the plant. If she is super lucky, Riley will be chewing a bone and she will crawl over and give her hugs. Harper is definitely keeping Ross and I busy!

One Year Check Up

Harper finally had her one year check up with Dr. Peterson. She was happy to go to the doctor's office - Harper is always very friendly with the nurses and doctors. She enjoys showing off her smile and will let them listen to her heart and look at her eyes and ears without putting up a fight. Harper now weighs 19 lbs 12 oz (27%) and is 29" long (44%). The doctor was impressed with her fine motor and communication skills, but encouraged us to continue working hard on our little scooter's gross motor skills. She is hopeful that Harper will be pulling herself up and standing on her own in the near future. Unfortunately for Harper, the 1 year check up is a big one. In addition to her flu shot, Harper had four more shots and a finger prick. That is a lot of shots for a little girl but she only cried for a short time after some hugs and kisses from mom and dad.

Party! Party! Party!

We celebrated Harper's first birthday by inviting all of her grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins over for a party. Harper was in a festive mood all day and refused to take a nap before everyone arrive. Consequently, she wasn't exactly in the party mood once the actual time arrived. After a short nap and a snack, she was ready to go and enjoyed spending time with everyone. She was a very lucky little girl and received many awesome toys. Once the work of opening presents was over, she tried a bit of cake. It turns out she doesn't have a sweet tooth yet (or at least doesn't like frosting on her hands) so she only took a few nibbles of her cake. It was a great afternoon filled with family and fun!

Happy Birthday, Harper!

I can't believe it.....my little peanut is one year old!  The last year has gone so quickly. It seems like just a few weeks ago we were holding her and walking the length of the house to sooth her to sleep. Now, she's giving us kisses, scooting and eating normal food! She has grown and changed so much n the last few months. She has a personality that is completely her own - and I wouldn't change anything about her. Below are some highlights about Harper....

• Harper is eating like a champ! Her favorite food is butternut squash. Yep, a vegetable! She will choose that over anything else. She is also a big fan of toast and bananas. Harper is also very good at telling you when she is done eating. She doesn't know the sign for "all done" ( but Riley does!) and, instead, will begin "cleaning" her tray but shoving all the food to the floor. When she is done with a bottle, she will throw it away from her face.
• On the move...Harper is scooting to get places. She loves to dig in the plant and try to get to the dog bowls. She also likes to scoot over to the basement door and peer down the cat door to spot Grady. If she is feeling especially feisty, she will throw toys down opening and onto the stairs.
• Harper is becoming much more independent when playing. She knows how her toys work - she can turn on her ball popper, plays tunes on her pianos and boss around her Little People. 
• She is a lover. Harper is very good at giving kisses to Mom, Dad and Grandmas. She also enjoys loving up Riley (and Grady if we help her catch him). She will also give kisses to her toys.
• There are some things that haven't changed, too. Harper still frequently crosses her ankles. When falling asleep on her dad's shoulder, she will "inch worm" - meaning she will wiggle her bottom up and down before falling into a happy sleep. Harper still loves her swing and will frequently take weekend naps in it.

Ross and I are amazed at how quickly Harper's first year of life has gone. We made a lot of great memories and cannot wait to witness the rest of her milestones. Happy birthday, Harper!

Scooting

Harper is finally on the move! Harper is an individual and has her own unique method of getting places - she scoots. She gets around very well - one minute she's in the living room, the next she's by the sliding glass door (and the dog bowl). She's enjoying the freedom and likes to investigate all sorts of things....like the plant, the carbon monoxide detector, the CDs under the TV.

Greg & Kasey's Wedding

Cousin Greg finally made the best decision of his life and married his best friend last weekend. Kasey and Greg have been together for more than 7 years and have two adorable little boys together. Ross and I were lucky enough to be there when Greg proposed to Kasey on Inspiration Point. They finally made it legal on October 13, 2012. In addition to witnessing the beginning of their marriage, it was also a great opportunity to see our relatives. We finally got to meet Joshua (who is 2!), little Ailynn and spend time with Grandma Kastel.  It was a fun weekend that went by much too fast.

Weekend Projects

Over the summer, Ross built a GORGEOUS deck with the help of friends and family. It is by far the best improvement that we've done to our house and we use it on a daily basis. The addition of the deck allowed us to remove the metal gate in our driveway which makes coming and going a lot easier for us and still keeps Riley safe in the yard. At least it worked great until this weekend when Riley figured out how to crawl under the deck to get out of the yard.....

So, this Sunday we put up lattice to keep our little devil from getting out of the yard. I should mention that I'm using the term "we" loosely  -   it was actually Ross and Emilie who put on the lattice while Harper and Mommy "supervised".  While they worked, Harper watched their progress, took a ride around the yard on her mini bike and wagon and played in the leaves. She loves being outside. It's nice to have another task checked off our list and comforting to know that Riley is now locked safely in the yard!

Smooching Grandma

Over the weekend, Grandma Ruth came down to help us with Harper for a few hours. Harper has been very cautious about people she doesn't see on a daily basis and so it takes a little time for her to warm up. After a trip with Mom and Grandma to the doctor's office and to the Olive Garden (where she gobbled up some breadsticks), Harper decided that Grandma was pretty cool and gave her a few smooches and snuggles! They are in love!

Frisbee

We spent a little time outside playing last week while the weather was still warm. Our trees are always the first to drop their leaves so while it looks like summer at the neighbor's house, fall has come to the Whittlesey household! Riley loves playing frisbee and will typically catch it (as long as it's a good throw). Harper got in on the action and helped Ross toss some good frisbees to Riley.