Clever Girl

This is the photo we sent out to our family about 3 weeks ago.

Can you guess what she's trying to tell all of you now?

New Names

Jon's mom and dad have always been open to being called whatever Harper wanted to name them. We've been going with Grandma and Grandpa ("Granda") because she hadn't gotten attached to any other name. However, that has now changed. They will now be known as Nana and Papa.


We realized Harper had renamed Jane one morning when we asked if she was ready to go to Grandma and Grandpa's house. She looked at us and said clear as day "Nana". Well... oohhhkay then! "Papa" came about at their house one day when she just started saying it. Now she calls him that all the time so it's definitely stuck. Jane is thrilled as Jon's Grandmother (her mom) was "Nanny". Don's stepdad was always known as "PawPaw Cy" to Jon, so the names are close to home for the Hanes family. My Dad's mom was "Nana" for us kids, so it's a nice recollection for me as well since she holds a special place in our hearts.

Here is Harper reading with her Papa.

We're Official!

Today's the day Harper finally "let go" - literally! She's been walking holding on to our hands for months now, but has never wanted to give it a go alone. She's had her moments of standing still and this past week she even took a few steps to go in between Jon and I. Saturday and Sunday she let go and ventured out for 5 or 6 steps on her own. Well, today she did it! I talked to Jane at lunch time and Harper was walking between her, the coffee table and the two couches being very proud of herself. By the time I arrived to pick her up, I was greeted by a full-fledged walker coming to meet me!

Of course she was more than willing to show Daddy her new skill, and I was more than happy to videotape tons of it. Way to go, Harper!

She's Gotta Wear Shades

Harper loves her shades!

Defenseless?

Puttin Her to Work

Harper is really good at following directions. She will put things back in her toy chest when asked and helps clean up at bath time. She likes to open the kitchen and bathroom cabinets and drawers that are not "hers", but will listen to close them when we ask.

I got an idea to give her certain tasks to get done. We started with asking her to help rub in her lotion after bathtime. She is also great at velcroing her sandals closed (and undoing them in the car!). She loves to throw away her dirty diapers in the trash can.

I caught one of her favorite chores on video. After bathtime, she carries her washcloth to the hamper and makes sure it gets in there. Then I ask for a diaper and she turns around and grabs me one from her hanger. We always make a big deal after she's done both things, so she usually gets really excited and claps her hands. Which is what she wanted to do at the end of the video so she tried to let go and laid on the ground. Such a silly girl.