A couple of weeks ago, we celebrated a very, very special event: Harper's first birthday! Her birthday, November 19, was on a Monday this year so we decided to celebrate with some of our family and friends that Sunday evening.
Harper had so much fun! She completely adored all the love and attention. I was particularly looking forward to seeing how Harper enjoyed her first cupcake. As it turns out, maybe she doesn't have quite the same sweet tooth as her mom...yet. She had a few little bites and then decided that her yummy cupcake belonged on the floor. Sigh.
What she really DID love was opening her presents! She would tentatively rip the paper at first and then really go for it. Harper received so many generous, amazing gifts, but what was most special was seeing the outpouring of love and encouragement for our sweet girl. She has brought so much joy into our lives this past year.
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| Remembering Harper's first four months... |
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| 5-9 months... |
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| ...and months 9-11! |
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| Harper's first batch of birthday cupcakes! |
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Party favors:
kisses from little H |
Here is what our grown-up 1 year-old girl is doing these days...
Harper loves pulling things down from shelves, tables, and anything she can get her hands on. She especially likes tearing up magazines. We generally have magazines on our coffee table in the living room, and on any given day, Harper makes a beeline to the table, where she starts to systematically toss everything on the floor. She throws them on the floor, we pick them up, and so it goes.
Harper is working up the courage and the ability to walk. Right now, she will pull up to standing, and she will cruise along, holding on to the edge of tables, chairs, whatever. She can stand on her own too, before she realizes that she is actually doing it...at which point she reaches out for a helping hand. We are thinking that she will be walking soon. Stay tuned!
Harper loves baking. For her birthday, she received her very own cupcake kitchen from her Aunt Kelly, Uncle PJ, and cousins Brynn, Tyler, Dylan, and Kate in Florida. She spends a large chunk of everyday baking cupcakes and washing dishes. A girl after my own heart! Well, the cupcake part at least.
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| Cupcakes for breakfast? Yes, please! |
Harper has such a fun sense of humor. She smiles and laughs constantly. Harper received some blocks for her birthday from our friend, Talyn, and she loves building towers with her daddy. More accurately, she thinks it is hilarious when her daddy builds a tower, and she knocks it down.
Harper has become very tech-savvy. Ever since she was a tiny baby, she's been a huge fan of the iPad and iPhone, but she has recently discovered how to "unlock" the phone. What's especially funny though is when we are in church, and she spots someone with a phone or iPad; you can watch the wheels turning in her brain, and she will make a beeline towards them. They might think the lock will keep her out; little do they know!
Our little Harper is also slightly obsessed with putting things on her head. She is partial to my headbands, but she has recently become more creative with items from my drawer. Yes, that means she has also figured out how to open and close drawers--and how to empty the contents inside... But when the outcome is so hilarious, how can I be mad about the mess?
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| Playing dress-up |
Harper loves playing with keys. She is a big fan of the "panic" button. Somehow she always manages to find that pesky button. I'm sure our neighbors love the new soundtrack.
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| Having fun with our friend, Talyn--and her keys! |
Harper continues to love playing in and under things. Her Grandma Annette gave her a play tunnel for her birthday, and she loves scooting through it. After we received a new big-kid carseat from her Grammy Sue the other day, we discovered her playing in the cardboard box. She was too cute, crouching down and hiding, and then springing up again...surprise! Her toothy little smile melts my heart every time.
