Harlow Rose (10 months)

Harlow waltzed right into 10 months just like she has all of the previous months--happy, curious, and adored by us all. 

Even Grandmother was able to get in on the action with our sweet adventurous girl this month.

One of the low lights of this month included teething, teething and more teething. I think she added at least 3 teeth this month and we all felt the pain of the process. The poor girl was in pain and everything (and everyone) nearby became a teething toy.

This month Harlow got her second haircut. I brought my camera, but ended up holding her during the trim so this was the only picture I got. She was pretty cooperative until the end and even then it only took a Dum-Dum still in the wrapper to finish her up. A few more cuts and all the remnants of her lovely dark locks will be gone.

Even after 10 months Harlow is still a celebrity in our house. The kids race to find her in our bed in the morning and fight over who gets to try and snuggle with her. (Good luck with that...with all her good qualities being a good snuggler is not on the list.)

This picture makes me laugh every time I see it. Reed truly adores Harlow and is always willing to help me out with her. I guess this is him teaching her how to snack while lounging.

Harlow LOVES taking a bath--she always has. I love to see her excitement when she knows what's coming up.

Ruby is still a little stressed about having Harlow in the bath with her (mostly just worried about her). Harlow, on the other hand, finds the a bath with Ruby just about the best thing ever.

I still think Harlow resembelse Max the most and I was pleased to see that she seems to have also inherited his beautiful long eyelashes.

 All toys are chew toys for Harlow.

The sister bond between these two continues to grow and I love it.

I can never get enough of that smiley face and blonde hair.

This rocking chair is another of Harlow's favorite. Ruby went home teaching with Sam one day and came home with a rocking chair from an older couple (the Suttons) who I'm convinced are some of the nicest people  in the world. It may have been Ruby's gift, but Harlow has claimed it as her own. She sits, climbs and rocks in it every chance she can. She gives me minor heart attack with the tricks she trys to pull off, but so far she has yet to fall off.

With all this walking, climbing, teething, and exploring my baby girl isn't doing a very good job at staying a baby.  Happy 10 months my baby girl!

9 months

Month nine (according to my recollection and loads of pictures) marked for Harlow the beginning of what I now recognize as Harlow's  adventurous and independent personality. She still doesn't make a big fuss over much, but she is also not likely to sit by the sidelines and watch for too long either.   I guess with three older siblings it's natural to want to be in the action, but it's the way she gets involved without big demands on anyone else's help that makes it very Harlow-esq.

When she sees something she wants, she just goes right after it. "Oooh..clementines, I like those, I think I'll have one." I went ahead and let her have at this clementine and she loved being able to get to the delicious juices all on her own. Not even the bitter skin proved to be a deterrent or frustration. She must get that from her grandmother.

Juicy fruit is nice, but Harlow's most favorite thing this month was discovering she could climb up the stairs. I must have chased her up the stairs a hundred times, with the highlight of course, being on the chase.

Nothing cuter than her mischievous happy squeal when she realizes she's been caught.

This month also marked the true start of Harlow's role as lifelong playmate to Ruby.  The two of them spend all day together and have loved figuring out how much more fun life is with a sister.

This picture cracks me up. Ruby still has her moments when she'd like to get all of the "baby attention." It looks like Harlow is fairly accommodating to those wishes when they surface.

Enjoying Harlow's Christmas present together.

Ruby was thrilled when she discovered Harlow could play their own version of tag. (chase the scarf might be a more accurate title.)

It think it was a "win" for everyone.

All the snow this winter brought Harlow plenty of opportunities to discover the cold wet wonder first hand. She mostly stayed inside on snow days, but on the few occasions I took her out, she seemed to just endure more than enjoy her few minutes in the cold. I don't think even our tandem ride down the hill impressed her much.

She had much more fun this month she really showed off her balancing prowess, walking confidently with her walker.

Harlow has certainly brought out Ruby's mothering side.

Harlow is no shorty, so I don't think it will be be too long before Harlow is more than Ruby's arms can hold.

Harlow couldn't have been happier in this moment.

...but even the happiest moments must end.

Harlow is a big dishwasher fan. When I need a minute with both my hands I often set her down in front of the silverware and I know she'll play happily for a while. I love watching her hastily pulling out the spoons and forks and tossing them behind her with the deliberateness a "to-do list" task.  Our silverware  ends up  taking a few extra trips through the wash cycle for her, but watching her "work" makes it totally worth it.

Following in Ruby's footsteps Harlow has become very interested in clothes and has started to "put them on." It's usually things around her neck and they  usually don't make sense, but it's adorable to see her try.

I  think she is also beginning to become more aware that she has a paparazzi-style mother because she got pretty good at telling me when she was done taking pictures.

Sorry Harlow, just get used to the camera in your face. I love you waaaay to much to let that stop me. Happy 9 months!