fun with a kiwi

Today, I cut open a kiwi to discover this. Channeling my inner high school art student, I had some fun...

One Year - November 30, 2010

On her birthday, I wrote the following list of notes about Harper.

Harper is a happy, happy little girl who likes to:

· Wrinkle her nose

· Twist her tongue

· Pat & rub her belly while bathing

· Say “ma ma ma ma”, “thanks”, “wow”, and “da da”

· Shake her finger when we say the word Monkey

· Dance to music

· Run away from someone who is chasing her

· Play peek-a boo

· Read & look at books

· Eat, not be fed

· Cuddle her dog

· Bark like a dog

· Look out our storm door & wave to people walking by

· Ride on shoulders

· Wave and flirt with strangers

· Brush her teeth

· Take baths

· Push things around

· Playfully flop on our bed

She took her first step at 9 ½ months and started walking when she was 10 months old.

She has 4 teeth, and her head of hair is finally filling in.

She is so lucky to have lots of aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents that love her.

We have loved (nearly) every minute of the last year with her. She has made us better people as we have struggled to learn how to become good parents.

A few days after her birthday we scrambled to throw together a (previously canceled) bubble-themed birthday party. With the help of my mom, who was in town for a basketball game, we pulled it off!


Harper had a great time with all her friends. My mom was the star of the event - she entertained the kids with songs and Ukulele music. Thanks so much mom!

New Year's Card

Life has gotten away from me. I completed our New Year's card on New Year's Eve, as we watched the ball drop. It may be arriving to mailboxes a little late, but at least it's done.



Yep, that's three posts for the day. If you know me, you know I'm kind of a numbers nerd and I couldn't pass up a blog post (or three) on 1.11.11!

Kissing Skills

We've been up to serious business here in the Allen home. After months of extremely open mouth kisses, Harper is making awesome progress on her kissing skills.

(Panda, am I crazy or does she look like Jack in this picture?!)

Luckily, she is still holding on to her apprehension of men - which although we're not encouraging, we're not exactly discouraging. especially considering this new... skill.

Rewind: Thanksgiving 2010

A few days before Thanksgiving, Harper came down with Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease. We had originally planned to travel with my family to my hometown to watch the High School football game and eat with friends. Not wanting to spread H's germs, the three of us stayed back in New Jersey and had our own dinner, while my family traveled.

We woke up late and were pleasantly surprised by a little snow storm. Harper had so much fun playing in the snow and trying to catch some on her tongue...

...until she realized that she was cold.

In the days following, we woke up at unreal hours to get some great deals on Black Friday, explored my parents historic (and adorable!) new town, and laughed at lots of viral videos with my family.


We completed the weekend by celebrating three birthdays, including Harper's first (where she was completely spoiled)! It took her some time to figure out what presents were all about, but was a pro in no time.


When cake time arrived, Harper performed flawlessly. She surprised all of us when she blew out her candle on her own. I'm sure she's been practicing for months.