15 months old!

15 months already?!
We can't believe it either.

Does it get much cuter
than a little diaper
peeking out?  

A few weeks ago, Harper turned 15 months old.  We celebrated with a visit to the pediatrician, where Harper was given her very own gown to wear--a true sign that she is growing up.  Harper weighed in at 28 lbs. 3.2 oz. and measured 32 inches long; this puts her in the 100th percentile for weight and the 90th percentile for height.  We are thrilled by the progress of our happy and healthy baby girl; as Harper's doctor remarked, it's amazing to think that she was born a little premie!  

15 months has been a huge milestone for Harper, and we are excited to announce that she is walking like it's her job!  Now the pitter patter of little feet is the sound we hear most, as Harper toddles from one room to the next.  When we're out and about, Harper quickly grows tired of the stroller and prefers to walk on her own.  Harper has also used her newfound motor skills to get into trouble, and she has taken to climbing furniture.  Turn around for just a moment, that silly babe will be sitting in the middle of the coffee table.  Most of the time, though, she makes a beeline for the wingback chair in our living room.  This we allow; after all, chairs (unlike coffee tables) are meant for sitting.  Fortunately, she has learned the meaning of "sit on your bottom, please" and sometimes she even listens.  It is quite something to watch Harper discover her own abilities.

Apparently she needed a better view.

Since we have had quite the snowy winter, Harper has also been able to have lots of fun in the snow.  Dallin recently spent a weekend in Texas with his dad and brothers, and so Harper and I decided to drive out to Western MA for a weekend getaway at her Grammy Sue's house.  It's hard to believe it, but there is even more snow out there!  Fortunately, we remembered our sled and got to play in the snow with Aunt Annie and Gil. Gil was quite a trooper, pulling Harper's sled all over the snowy backyard.  We had a blast.

All bundled up and ready to go!

Sledding down to big brother's tree!

Here are some other things that our 15-month girl is loving these days: 

Artistic milk splatter

Making a mess!  Whether it is pulling all the books out of the bookshelf, all the DVDs out of the DVD tower, all the clothes out of her drawers (or ours), splashing like a maniac in the bathtub, or throwing food on the floor, Harper thrives on chaos.  Fortunately for her, she's too darn cute to actually make us upset.  We have accepted that our house is in a constant state of disarray while she is awake, and once that sweet girl closes her eyes to rest, we put all the pieces back together again.  Someone has to keep us on our toes!

Harper continues to develop her creative side.  We got her a grown-up set of crayons that work much, much better than her first set of starter crayons.  The only issue is that maybe they work too well...  In addition to paper, she has also made beautiful art on the upholstered chairs in the living room, the desk, the floor, the refrigerator, and her own clothes.  Perhaps art school is in her future?

Little H, reading her new Eric Carle book from our friend Robbie

Harper is also quite the little intellectual.  She loves reading, and after pulling about two dozen books from the bookshelf in her room, she will often settle on the carpet and flip through books quietly.  Right now, her favorite is a book of first words.  She will stare intently at each page, never tiring of it.  It will be exciting when she starts to talk so we can practice all those words in her favorite book.

Baby girl in Momma's hat

Accessories?  Yes, please.

Not surprisingly, Harper is also turning into a fashionista.  We recently received the two pairs of sunglasses that Harper won this fall in the Babiator photo contest, and she just loves wearing them (even inside).  She also loves hats--whether it is her hat, my hat, or Dallin's hat.  Dallin's hats pose a slight problem, as they are so big on Harper's head that her eyes are often covered; alarmingly, this doesn't stop her from walking around wearing them.  Another way that I know she is my daughter is her affinity for bags.  She will drag various tote bags around the house with her, keeping little treasures inside.  I'll have to make sure she starts her Chanel fund early!

Our cutie-pie in her Daddy's hat

Such a cool kid

Being that it is cold and flu season, this time of year has also brought some challenges for our little girl.  Poor Harper has been sick for the last couple of weeks, and just this past week she developed not one but TWO ear infections.  The doctor told us that one looked particularly painful.  Fortunately, she has been on antibiotics and is now on the road to recovery.  

I have to say, Harper is a tough little cookie; throughout all her sickness, she has stayed in good spirits.  She is becoming more of a toddler each day, and it is both fun and exhausting keeping up with her.  How we love this sweetie pie!

She's got her wooden spoon--
and is ready to mix up a yummy treat!