Not ready for this!

I usually don't post things until much after they have happened but last night as we were fixing dinner Harper was exploring. She likes to sit in front of the refrigerator when we are getting things out, just like Avalyn did when she was Harper's age. She has recently figured out how to get drawers open so she had opened the bottom drawer and was pulling things out. As she was pulling out blocks of cheese and butter (and sunk her teeth into a stick of butter) we laughed that it would be so funny if she stood for the first time in the refrigerator. It was maybe 1 minute later that Harper started to try and pull herself up! Thankfully I had the camera right on the counter so I was able to grab a few quick shots while Josh and Avalyn stood guard in case she fell over! :)

This morning she pulled herself up on the side of the bathtub when she was waiting for her bath and then today she pulled herself up on Avy's helper tower a few times. Wow! I am sure it won't be long until she is standing in her crib wanting us to get her out.  She could hardly straighten her legs all the way at first but even today after I saw her do it again a few times her legs are getting stronger and she is able to support herself on her legs much better.

And now, if you know our dog here is proof that she really is calm most of the time and the girls do crawl all over her and she just lays there! Apparently she makes a pretty good prop to pull yourself up with too.

 

P.S. I promise, Harper does have (and wear) pants. It is just easier for her to get traction to move around on the hard floors when she doesn't wear pants or socks! :)

Harper's Hair Style

Harper got her hair styled by daddy the other day! She got all sorts of compliments when we went to Costco. All it took was a bath and a tiny bit of pomade!

My Sister Lacey

Today I am linking up with Kelly's Korner again for Show Us Your Life. Today is Show Us Your Singles Day so I felt like I should write about my sister, Lacey! (Lacey, please forgive me for not asking permission first!)

Lacey is 30 years old and a wonderful, Godly person. She is my best friend and has been an amazing friend and sister for as long as I can remember! Lacey has a sweet and gentle spirit and is one of the smartest people I know. She likes to laugh, play games, read, knit, do yoga, hike, exercise, teach, and bake. She makes the most amazing oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. Don't play against her in any type of word game because she will beat you every time.

Lacey loves to travel and I am trying to remember all of the places she has traveled to--Germany, Hungary, Kenya, China, Indonesia, Scotland, Ireland, Vietnam to name a few! Lacey is currently teaching at a university in China but trying to decide if she will renew her contract for another year or return to the US. She will be back in the US for summer break and possibly longer if she decides to not renew her contract. When she returns to the US she will be in Colorado and Michigan!

Lacey is a loving and gracious aunt to her nieces and nephews and they get so excited to see her on Skype. When you meet Lacey I think the first thing you would notice is her smile, it is the biggest, sweetest smile and it really seems to come from the inside out. Her smile immediately makes you feel like you have made a new friend.

Lacey loves God with her whole life and seeks to be more like Him each day. She has been an inspiration to me to seek God first and keep Him first in all that I do. She knows that God has someone special out there for her and she is waiting patiently to find him. I know he is out there for her somewhere and we are already praying for him, we just need a face/name to put in those prayers!

Some of my favorite photos of Lacey...

If you are interested in learning more about Lacey or contacting her, please email me (anniemakesit (at) gmail.com) or leave a comment on this post with your email or link! Good luck in your search too. Oh, and Lacey, I hope we are still friends after this! :)

Avalyn - 32 Months

32 months? Did I add that all up correctly?
Avy, you are growing up so quick! You love to sing and dance, especially trying ballet moves. You are a great helper with Harper and you are doing so well with sharing.

You have been working on good behavior and have made some great improvements! We are still working on potty training, I know you will get it eventually! At this point it feels like a battle of the wills so we try not to pressure you with it too much.
You have quite a few books that you can "read" to us and you really do know them word for word. The same with your songs that you like to sing before bed. We are amazed at what you can remember.
You really like to Skype with Aunt Lacey in China and Grandma and Grandpa Miller in Michigan. You will ask many times each day to see if they are home on the "peeka".
You like going to the park and to the library. Lately you have been asking to go to church every day so I think you enjoy going to church too!

Today you got to eat a Thin Mint cookie and I know I saw you take one bite but then the cookie was gone...smart girl! :) I hope you enjoyed it!

Harper - 11 months!

Harpsy, as Avalyn loves to call you. Or Harpery. How she comes up with these things we will never know!
Harper, you are getting to be quite the talker. You love to make noise, and loud noise at that! You are sliding all over the place on your belly and are pulling yourself up to your knees. You got another new tooth so you are now at 4 on top and 4 on the bottom. Some of your favorite foods are crackers, oatmeal, applesauce, crackers, cheese, avocado, crackers, cheerios, crackers, cheerios....and you also like shredded chicken and peas.
Yes, we are still trying to get you on a more balanced diet with table foods but you know how to tell us when you don't want/like something. You throw it off your tray for the dog to eat and shake your head "no"!
You are doing better with being comfortable around new people and you have stayed in the nursery at church with no problems the past 3 weeks! YEAH!
You also enjoy going to story time with Avalyn and riding in the stroller at the park.

We recently moved Avalyn and Harper into the same room and after a few days of listening to 2 little sisters chatting through the monitor at nap time I think you are finally used to sleeping in the same room and are both getting much more sleep now.