daddy's birthday

Last weekend, we celebrated Dallin's birthday.  It was another record HOT day, and the weather forecast called for possible thunder storms--but we didn't let that stop us from enjoying a classic New England day. 

Love these long, lean berry-pickers!

Blueberries for Harper

We started with blueberry-picking at Russell Farms in Ipswich. Harper loves blueberries so we were looking forward to seeing how blueberry picking went, imagining that it would be a lot like Blueberries For Sal, one of our favorite stories (we hoped the similarities wouldn't include a bear). We were right, as Harper ate most of the berries she picked.  We still ended up with two delicious pints though, before they closed the gates around noon on account of the heat.  It was perfect timing since we were ready for the cold ocean water at the beach by then anyway!

The spoils: 2 yummy pints

So we headed down the road a little bit further to Crane's Beach.  It was our first family beach experience, and for a minute there, we were seriously questioning our decision as we trudged with all our gear through the broiling hot sand.  Once we reached the water though, all was well.  Okay, it was a little cold; with the air around 95 degrees and the water in the low 60s, that's quite a difference.  Harper was actually a little uncertain about the waves at first, being used to the calm water of the pool.  Once she realized how much fun it is to play in the sand though, she was happy as a clam.  She decided it was particularly fun to rub the sand on Mommy's back, but I'm not one to argue with a content little H--and some people pay a lot for luxurious spa treatments like that!

Want some sand?

Birthday lunch!

After rinsing all the sand off, we had one last stop on our beach adventure: lobster rolls at Woodman's, a local gem and infamous seafood restaurant in nearby Essex.  Harper didn't really care for the lobster and instead opted for french fries with a healthy serving of ketchup--but Daddy was all over it.  Personally, after a few hours in the sun, I was ridiculously excited about our ice-cold root beer!  Oh summer in New England.

We had a really fun outdoor adventure, and Harper and I are pretty sure that her daddy had a happy birthday.  Then, when we got in the car to head home, the skies opened up with the promised torrential rain.  While visibility wasn't fabulous, the timing couldn't have been more perfect.  Happy birthday, Daddy!

20 months old!

20 months old--
lounging poolside in our backyard oasis!

Harper has moved from her teens to her twenties: okay, okay, we're talking 20 months here--but still!  It truly feels that Harper is growing and changing at a rapid rate.  This summer continues to be a fun and exciting time to watch her progress.  From hot hot hot days to cool splashes in the pool, here's a story in pictures of what our favorite girl has been up to this month:

Adventures on the farm!  We took a trip to Codman Farm in Lincoln on what might have been the hottest day all year.  It was a risky move, as Harper hasn't been the biggest fan of animals.  Well, to be fair, she loves her stuffed animals and reading about animals in books, but the real thing just doesn't sit quite right with her.  But we thought we'd give it a whirl...  She loved riding a little tractor that was exactly her size, but as suspected, the animals themselves didn't go over as well.  Turkeys, pigs, cows, sheep, goats--not Harper's favorite.  But what she DID like was the baby chicks.  From the safety of her daddy's arms, she even waved hello.  Hey, let's call it progress, shall we?

Looking good in John Deere green

Checking out the piggies

Not loving the chickens

Hi, baby chickies!

My favorite cool kids & the real deal tractor

My little farm girl

Visiting with friends!  Harper is quite the social butterfly.  One of her favorite big-girl friends is our dear friend, Talyn, who Harper calls "T" (actually so do I).  We recently got to have a fun summer outing with Talyn and her sister, Cali, while Cali was visiting from Florida.  From lunch, to shopping, yummy ice cream (Talyn shared her cone with H), and even a balloon...oh my!  Dream date.

Love these cute girls

After her play date with the big girls, Harper continued to enjoy her balloon for days to come, even after it had mostly deflated. "Balloon" has officially been added to Harper's repertoire of words.  One of the other moms on the block where we live recently informed me that children of Harper's age are supposed to have 50 words in their vocabulary.  At first, this seemed like a LOT, but then Dallin and I started trying to count all the words Harper says...and she has at least that.  Yay for an ever-growing vocabulary!

Who needs helium anyway?!

Snacks for baby

Harper continues to be very maternal with her baby dolls, and she can hardly contain her excitement when she sees a REAL baby. She particularly loves to share with baby, and on any given day can be found giving baby her pacifier, a snack, a blanket--whatever she thinks baby needs.  Harper has also learned how to say "Shhhh" when baby is sleeping (very considerate).  Is someone ready to be a big sister?  We asked Harper what baby brother's name should be, and she promptly replied, "Happy!"  Could we have two little Wilson Hs?

Fortunately, not every day has been in the upper 90s, and we have been able to enjoy a lot of time outdoors.  There are outdoor concerts at the park near our house each week, and Harper will insist that we walk down there.  She loves music and dancing almost as much as she loves the slide at the park!  

Beep beep!

Harper and I also spent a recent weekend with Grammy Sue (who is now "Mimi" according to Harper) at her house in Western MA.  Harper had a blast outside in her little car, reminding everyone that a car says "Beep beep!"  She also made some progress with her Uncle Ben's two little dogs, going from the paralysis-level fear she showed at her last visit with them to a more cautious curiosity this time.  After we got home, she continued to inquire after the "puppy doggies." I took that as a good sign, and we later went for a walk around the local reservoir, where lots of dogs run and play.  Harper observed the way the doggies would "run run run!" and how they would say "woof woof."  However, when one of the doggies approached her, she was less than enthusiastic, but I still like to think she's warming to her canine friends.

Loving our girls' weekend at Mimi's house

Not exactly what I meant by,
"Sit on your bum."

Dallin and I often reflect on what a funny, happy little girl Harper is.  We realize that EVERYONE says this about their child(ren), but we honestly think that we are more right than most.  The other night at dinner, Harper was acting like a total lunatic, making faces and flailing around dramatically--all with a smile on her face.  Quite the performance!  I knew I shouldn't, but rather than saying "No, no, Harper" as I probably should have, I just had to take a picture.  Talk about enabling.  But seriously, LOOK at this face, and then tell me you know a more comical child.

I wish I could say that the pasta I made was really THAT good...

Oh how we love our sweet, crazy girl and look forward to each and every day...

Wilson family selfie!  This was Harper's idea.  Seriously.

...Even when we are totally wiped out, we love it.

Being 20 months old is a LOT of work, after all...

19 months old!

19 months old!

A few weeks ago, Harper turned 19 months old!  It is incredible to think about how far she has come since last summer at this time:

Yummy watermelon!
July 2012

Still yummy!
June 2013 

Giving hugs to baby George

This past month, Harper's language skills have come a long way.  Not only is she understanding more, but she is also communicating really well and repeating a lot of what she hears.  Her favorite word is still "baby," and she will now point at my belly and say "baby nice" and even give baby brother hugs and kisses.  This girl is definitely ready to be a big sister!  In the meantime, she is practicing with her cute little baby friends, like one of her besties, George.

Harper also continues to be a very artistic little girl, and while her daddy may have had dreams of a professional volleyball career, I'm convinced that she will follow in her Grandpa Nick's footsteps and is destined for art school.  She particularly enjoys coloring--and she will tell you as much, "I color."

Harper, coloring in her Eric Carle coloring book

Another one of Harper's favorite summer activities is playing in the pool.  In addition to our fun backyard pool, we have also been enjoying the real thing and going to the Lincoln town pool to cool off.  We love it there because they have a designated toddler pool for ages 5 and under.  The water is shallow, and there are no rambunctious older kids to knock into the littles.  Harper was a little iffy at first, but she's learning to move through the water a bit more comfortably now, and she loves playing with watering cans and buckets--anything that will allow her to transfer water from one receptacle to another.  I love the toddler pool too since I get to hop in with her and cool down!  On these 90+ degree days, I wouldn't have it any other way!

Harper and Daddy, poolside

Here are a few other 19-month favorites...
bath time 
Annie Annie (Harper's auntie)
Mimi (Harper has decided this is what she will call Grammy Sue)
her Eloise book
her new Magnadoodle 
park
blueberries
edamame
putting keys in the door
climbing furniture
animal sounds on her iPad ap

And then the dislikes, albeit few, that remain...
dogs
the shower
vacuum (and other loud sounds)

Plus, a few of our favorite moments, as parents, from the last month:

This little face, pressed up against the glass--
when I leave for work in the morning.

And this glam girl, greeting me when I get home in the afternoon.

Dressing herself--
three layers of pajama pants/shorts to push baby's stroller.

And this little energizer bunny--
and her sometimes worn-out daddy.

Who knows what other great adventures await us this summer--but with our growing girl tagging along, we are excited to find out!