Dear Harper: 1 Year

Dear Harper,

I will admit that I have been procrastinating writing your one year letter in hopes that you really haven't already turned one. Your Happy Birthday banner and weekly pictures still hang on the wall, a full week later. I can't not believe you are a one year old. You have developed such a personality that goes perfectly with your confidence and energy. 

You are on the go all day, climbing on furniture, banging on anything and everything that will make noise and making us laugh. The days are exhausting but always entertaining. Tears come often with all of the tumbles and trips but are quickly diminished with a hug and a kiss. Argos is your favorite playmate although you are not as gentle as he would like. The nights are restful now that at 11.5 months you have begun sleeping through the night. You become more and more independent every day and with that comes a stubborn streak. If baby isn't happy, no one is happy. Your happy place is in the dirt and the day is not over until you can't tell weither it is a bruise or layers of dirt. Rocks, sticks and dog toys still find their way into your mouth. You love going onto our pontoon boat and throwing items overboard. Naps still only occur in your carseat, stroller or in our arms. I will always let you nap in my arms no matter how many dishes are in the sink or emails need to be returned. The toilet has become an obsession with you and even with a baby lock, one must check to make sure their aren't any toys floating around. Bath time is hit or miss with you. Some nights you and your dad have a fun time playing with toys and splashing around and other nights one would think it was a form of torture. 

You are an amazing baby and it is a blessing to be your mom. You have touched many hearts around you and loved by so many.

We all look forward to year two! 

I love you Harper Glen. I always will. 

Love,

Mom

Dear Harper: 11 Months

Dear Harper,

Thank goodness we only have a few more weeks taking these pictures because it is becoming an impossible task. I would have to say you enjoy it. The challenge this month? You sit up and take off WALKING and basically running away. I then chase you, pick you up, sit you down, lay you flat and snap as many pictures as possible. This happens about a dozen times before I give up. 

Yes Harper Glen, you have been full on walking for over a month now. Your lack of fear took you from three steps to walking across the room over the span of 24 hours. You keep me running around all day but I can not complain. The joy you have from your new sense of freedom is contagious. 

Everyday you remind me that you have grown out of being a baby and are now a toddler. You love to "help" vacuum, "pet" Argos, throw your ball, carry my rolling pin all over the house and drink water. We are trying to teach you to be gentle but as everyone says, you are all boy. If it can be taken apart, you have taken it apart. If it can be climbed you try so hard. Bumps and bruises are a daily occurrence. 

This month you got to meet your Great Grandma Karen. We took a trip to the east coast with your grandma and great grandma. It is such a blessing to see you spend time with those that love you. You will get to meet even more extended family this week. 

You slept through the night last night! Some weeks you sleep through the night a few times but then some nights you still wake up at least once. I will say you are doing so much better in the sleep department. Everyone in the house is now well rested. Now if you would only nap in your crib… 

This month you had your first batch of swim lessons. I even dunked you under a few times. I can say you drank way too much pool water for your belly to handle but enjoyed every second of it. You love being pulled into the pool and singing the silly songs. Your favorite trick is getting out of the pool by yourself, waving to us and walking away. When you are done, you are done. 

We have been planning your 1st birthday celebration. We are so grateful for you and the joy you have brought to our lives. You are a blessing. 

Please stay my little baby for a little while longer. I love you dearly Harper Glen. I always will. 

I love you.

Love,

Mom.

Dear Harper: 10 Months

Dear Harper,

You have two speeds: full steam and crashed. I thought it was exhausting to have a newborn but having an active baby always on the go takes far more energy. Especially having an active baby that hasn't taken a single nap in his crib all month. We try. We try for hours and you fight it with all of your strength. If you are in need of a nap and the signs are obvious (rubbing nose, yawning and cranky), we either go for a drive around the lake or I strap you into your stroller and go for a walk. It works almost every time. I am making a goal of month 11 to get you back in the crib for at least one nap. Mom has to get something done. 

I wish I could say your lack of naps meant a full night of sleep but that isn't the case. Most nights you still go to sleep easily but decide to wake up within a few hours ready to party. Once your dad and I take turns getting you back down, you stay asleep for a few more hours until round two. Our days almost always start around 6am. Some nights you let us catch up on sleep and only wake once for about 15 minutes. That we can both handle. 

When you are awake (and well rested), you are a joy. Happy as could be, with a big smile on your face. You jabber all day long as you bounce from one activity to the next. You still love walking with your zebra push walker and are taking a few steps on your own. Not full on walking yet but very close. Too close. We go for walks at least once a day and your dad bought you a seat for my bike. When the weather is nice we like to do a few laps around the neighborhood. You hate your helmet and attempt to pull it off until you forget it is on top of your head. 

You eat pretty much everything that is placed in front of you. Noodles and blueberries are your favorite as well as smoothies and hummus. You will throw a fit for a organic pouch if one comes into view. Most days your act like you hate your highchair when we are attempting to strap you in but love to eat. 

The kitchen has become off limits to you. You like to climb up the stove to push all of the buttons. We can lock the keypad but it still makes a sound each time you push a button and that is your favorite. Even with baby locks on the drawers and cabinets you are still able to get into trouble. 

We have started working on invitations for your party. I can't believe you will be one in less than two months! Where has the time gone? 

Stop growing up Harper Glen. I love you. I always will. 

Love,
Mom

Dear Harper: 9 Months

Dear Harper,

You are on the move Harper Glen! Every waking moment (that you aren't eating) you are going from point A to point B to point C. Not walking yet (thank goodness) but big boy crawling, scaling anything and everything and using your push walker. You can even stand on your own for a few moments. I am in no hurry for you to take your first steps but I fear they may be coming soon. 

We are in the process of packing away even more of your baby necessities. The infant tub, the activity mat, the jolly jumper and your activity saucer are all bagged up and in the garage. You even outgrew your infant carseat this month! 

Bath time is still your one on one time with you dad but you are now in the big bath tub with lots of bath toys. The two of you could splash in there all night. You are never happy to dried off and put in your pi's because you know bedtime is near. The past week you have been unable to shut your brain off to sooth yourself to sleep. All your body wants to do is stand and crawl around even though you are clearly exhausted. It is frustrating to all of us especially you. You did so much better last night so maybe we are through it? Teething, cold nights, alarm clocks and the nine month sleep regression have made it hard for you to find your groove. We average one time awake at night and upon occasion you surprise us with sleeping through the night. 

You now have eight teeth! When you smile it looks like you have a whole mouth full. Biting is still a habit of yours so we try to always have something for you to chew on. You even bit your own lip the other night when you and your dad were hanging out. It was a bloody mess but didn't seem to phase you one bit. 

Your Aunt Kelle came to visit you. We tried to let her use your room but you weren't having it and she kindly slept in your playroom. You thought it was so much fun having a mattress in there. We took her to lunch at Bok Towers and we even went to Disney World's Magic Kingdom. You got to ride the new Winnie the Pooh and Little Mermaid rides as well as Dumbo, the Teacups and It's a Small World. You had so much fun and were such a trooper. She loves spending time with you. We all wish she lived closer. 

Speaking of aunts. You are going to be a cousin! Your Aunt April and Uncle Kyle are having a baby this July. They will find out the gender in a few weeks. Our vote is for a boy so the two of you can be best buds. We are all looking forward to the two of you growing up together. Oh the trouble you will get into…. 

You are eating more and more food each and every day. You are 100% our son with your love of hummus. Your dad and I eat it on just about everything and you do as well. Currently your favorite is on top of plain rice cakes. You would eat flats of blueberries if we let you. Good thing you dad grows them and Papa has a whole packing house full of them. We did discover your first food allergy: eggplants. You poor thing broke out in hives when I included them in dinner the other night. Your dad is rather disappointed that I will no longer be forcing serving him eggplant for dinner. 

Your social calendar still remains full with play group, music class, walks with friends and time up at the packing house. Everyone knows we will be at the office on Wednesdays and looks forward to seeing your happy face. 

You are such a joy Harper Glen. I look forward to what this month has in store! 

I will always love you.

Love,
Mom