Harper

Harper is just Harper. Anybody who knows her knows that she is just the happiest little sprite around. Her new tricks are to climb up onto the couch, walk in a crouch doing her "crabwalk", and attempt to do forward rolls. Her speech is coming along, and that just makes her a cute little tyrant, always demanding milk, help, or something she shouldn't be allowed to have. She loves sweets and treats and will throw both arms up in the air and yell "I do!" when one is offered to anyone in the room . She loves to chase and be chased. She loves to pull things that follow behind her (and walk around in circles in the house). She loves to work out in the yard helping Ian, or help me clean windows or the table or empty the dishwasher or put away groceries. She loves playing dress up, putting on make up, and taking care of her baby dolls. She spends a lot of her day walking around with either a baby doll or stuffed animal in her arm and now takes them with her in the car. Her new favorite thing is Elmo, even though she has only seen Sesame Street once. Silly, giggly, smart and observant. She loves play doh, playing with tea sets and Mr. Potato Head and coloring and painting.

Harper loves when Lucy is at school and Graham is napping. That's when she gets go to the playground or play in the playroom with just me- no sharing, nobody yelling at her or tattling on her. Those are the times she seems to soak up everything like a sponge. She will suddenly be able to put together a puzzle, learn a new song or game or talk more clearly, those are her growing times. That's great for her and we are excited about all the new things she is accomplishing, but Harper is the one we repeatedly ask to "stay little for forever". She has other ideas.