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!