I think it’s going to take a while for us to get used to saying that we have a 3 year old! Where did this last year go? The cliche phrase, “The days are long, the years are short” was absolutely written and preached by a parent. I’d have to say the “terrible two’s” weren’t so terrible. Sure, there were terribly frustrating moments, times where I wanted to cry right along side Harper and times I wished I could lock myself in my room and not answer when she came knocking. But, those moments were few and far between all of the incredibly amazing times that we shared together this past year.
If I had to describe Harper to a complete stranger, an overall piece of work, sensitive and thoughtful soul, gentle and energetic spirit, girly girl to the max, outgoing chatterbox, maternal and loving, silly and unpredictable. She has the ability, as I’m sure most toddlers do, to go from 0-100 in a matter of seconds…. it’s actually impressive and must be incredible exhausting. I know I’m exhausted from attempting to help ease the transition and sometimes manage her emotions. She is a true lover and is lucky to be surrounded by so many that show her the same love in return and I attribute her overall loving nature to this.
She is very excited to welcome the new baby into our family. Hoping the transition from only child to older sister isn’t too tough for her (or us), but if her overall maternal demeanor has any influence I think we should be just fine. She calls the baby Pahokakee (Pa-hoe-ka-key) and isn’t really OK with the thought of us naming the baby anything else OR for the baby to be anything but a baby girl. It could be an interesting introduction… stay tuned.
There were a lot of fun firsts this year, too many to remember… but here are a few that come to mind:
-Went to her first Baseball game.
-First trip to Disneyland, quickly followed by many more. Where two favorite things are the “Ariel ride” and dill pickles.
-First organized sport activities– dance (ballet & tap) and swim lessons. Swim lessons weren’t as successful as dance!
-First trip to the movies to see Madagascar’s Penguins. We had to quickly explain the whole “whisper” thing, avoid a meltdown over juice, take about 3 trips to the bathroom & left with a sleeping baby… but it was a memorable night for us! The next trip to see Paddington and then Cinderella were much more successful.
-Asked to go to bed for the first time! I want to note that our breakthrough with sleep came around the 2.5 year mark. I would say October was a great month for our family, because the struggle became a bit less of a struggle and continued to progress in the right direction from then on. With that said, if we do not initiate sleep, 9 out of 10 times Harper would not nap and stay up until past most adults bedtime. It really started with her enjoying story time and liking her fancy PJ’s, which if it were up to here she would wear all day everyday. Think long ruffle filled sparkly princess jammies.
-Started nursery school. Still working to get used to this in our routine, but she is liking it so far.
Some of her favorite things:
-Reading at bed/nap time. It all started with her wanting to read “This Little Piggy” nursery song book. She also loves “Grammy Tildy” (But No Elephants), “The Pants Book” (What Was I Scared Of?), Old Momma Squirrel, Paddington, If you Give a Pig a Party (and the other stories in that series), The Paper Bag Princess and Disney Princess stories.
-Loves singing Ariel & makes “stages” wherever she is.
-Obsessed with Sleeping beauty and singing Once Upon a Dream
-Loves PBS morning shows, Daniel Tiger has helped us getting her to be cooperative with things like brushing her teeth, putting on PJ’s… sharing! We try to sing everything to the tune of the Daniel Tiger song.
-Building forts
-Pancakes
-“Pink” gelato
-Beach dates
-Veggie Grill mac’n cheese
-FRUIT (mostly berries)
-Playing with character figurines
-Going to the park
-Disney movies & Disney songs
-Playing in Grammy & Popsie’s spa
-Using FaceTime
-Taking pictures on our phones & cameras. She will line up her toys/dolls and take their photo.
-Gets into character when playing with daddy “Ariel, Anna/elsA & Hans” “You be ____ and I’ll be ____” wants to character play often
-Became obsessed with figurines after she was given the jungle book DVd & character set for her 2nd birthday (from the Klein’s) and the obsession grew & grew and still lives to this day. She will play with them for long periods of time– creates her own little world.
-Lately very into tea parties and setting up food for her dolls
Some of her sayings:
-Probably…
-Everyday “Tell me about Mr Green Jeans and Harper D go to ____”
-I want to tell you a question
-I want to watch this noise
-The really problem is…
-“I’m chilling” – when she is cold
-“Eleven-tween” counting
-And then then
-Actually…
– Us:“Harper, do you know what _____ is?” Harper:“Yes” Us:“What is it?” Harper:“I don’t know”
-Talks with her hands A LOT- very expressive and dramatic story teller
Here are a few photos from her 2nd year of life, in no particular order… it was hard to pick which ones to post!
