17 months old!

17 months old!--
and blessed to be Boston strong.

April 19, the day that marked Harper's 17th month was one that we will likely never forget.  After the terrible and tragic bombings at the Boston Marathon earlier in the week, our town was on lockdown while the manhunt for one the bombers was underway just a mile or so from our house.  We were glued to the news all day long, and it felt like time stood still as we waited and wondered if they would catch him, whether they would be able to catch him alive, if there were any answers to be found.  Harper puttered around in her jammies all day, looking out the window, and maybe even wondering why we were inside on what was arguably the nicest day that week!  We felt blessed by her sweet little spirit and silly antics that offered joy and comic relief to what was an unusual, stressful, and tense day.  

When the lockdown was lifted that evening, we finally realized: Harper is 17 months old!  So we headed far out of town for some much-needed fresh air...and cheeseburgers and french fries too!  As it turns out, the only thing Harper loves more than french fries is ketchup:

We actually ran into some friends at church while we were out for dinner; apparently great minds think alike!  While we were eating, that is when the bomber was finally found--after almost a full day.  It was a relief to know that justice would be served, and we were able to sleep better that night.  We have felt both impressed and touched by the strength of the Boston community, and feel proud to call Boston our home.

Looking at the ducks with Auntie Annie

The following weekend, we went downtown to walk around the Boston Public Gardens with Harper's Auntie Annie and our dear friend, Grayson.  We were happy to have the opportunity to feel connected to our city.  Even though Harper is typically very skittish around animals, she loved the ducks; I guess all the readings of Make Way For Ducklings paid off!  Ducks are sort-of the ideal animal for Harper since they essentially run/fly away from her before she can get too close and get scared.  That being said, Harper did not like the Make Way For Ducklings statues at all...but she was willing to ride on Mrs. Mallard's back, as long as Grayson was holding her.

Make Way For Ducklings!
Harper, Grayson, and Mrs. Mallard

In addition to discovering her love for ketchup, here are some of the other things that our busy little bee is up to lately:

Braving the great outdoors- The weather has finally turned from winter to spring, and we have been enjoying as much fresh air as we possibly can.  Sometimes this means braving temperatures that aren't quite as warm and sunny as we would prefer, like this trip to Mount Auburn Cemetery when we went for a family walk on a Sunday afternoon.  We climbed to the top of the tower to see the city view, and it couldn't have been more windy up there! Harper was NOT a fan, and I have to admit I wanted to get the heck out of dodge too, before a gust of wind blew us right off the top of the tower!  But not before first capturing this picture of Little H and Daddy, rocking the wind blown look.

Harper and Amelia at the park

Being outside also means getting to play with friends at the park!  Harper has had so much fun running around the park with her baby bestie, Amelia.  Harper and I recently got to have a playdate with Amelia and her mommy, and our good friend Talyn, at an indoor play place too!  With lots of foam padding and slides and tunnels to crawl in and over and around, the little girls had a total blast!  And if I do say so, the adults did too!

Harper and Amelia, doing a little tumbling!

Little girl on the go!

Miss Independent- Harper's vocabulary is developing almost as fast as her independence.  She has learned the word "NO" so you can imagine what that means...
Mommy: Harper, it's time to get out of the bath.
Harper: Nnnno!
or
Mommy: Harper, it's time to give me my ice cream cone back.
Harper: Nnnno!
And so it begins...

First soft-serve of the season!  Yum.
(This used to be my ice cream cone.)

Mirror, mirror, on the wall- Harper is loving her reflection!  And can you blame her, really?  Not with a face like that.  We have a full-length mirror on the inside of one of our closet doors, and that mirror is her particular favorite because she can get right up close to her twin in the mirror.  But perhaps the best part is when she gives her reflection a little kiss.  Oh how I love my sweet girl!

Harper kisses! x2

It's incredible to realize, but pretty soon, Harper will officially be 1 1/2 years old--and well on her way towards the terrific 2s!  She has been babbling up a storm and beginning to say a few little words, and I have a feeling that this is only the beginning of an absolutely fabulous vocabulary.  Everyday is as new and exciting for her as it is for us, which is a truly amazing thing.