You can tell by how long its been since I last updated the blog that its been a bit difficult to find down-time with a full blown toddler in the house! Harper is turning two years old tomorrow. I feel so blessed that she has been extremely healthy and emergency-free for those two years. I also feel blessed that I’ve been able to stay at home the entire time and enjoy all of her milestones and experiences with her. I wouldn’t necessarily say the two years have flown by, because I have really tried to be present and intentional with her everyday. But I WILL say that I wish I could freeze her at this stage forever. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE being the mom of a toddler. She is the best companion to share my days with (don’t tell Wade or Koda that!). The entertainment is endless, she’s always overjoyed at the things I take for granted, and her tender heart for people and Jesus make me melt.
We’ve been able to do a lot of things with her at this new stage of toddler-hood. Sporting events tend to be her favorite events to attend. We try to get to all WIU sporting events if we are in town. So far her favorites are football and baseball, with volleyball a close third. We’ll see how she likes basketball in another month. Rocky, the WIU mascot, will be at those games so she’ll probably like them best! We took Harper to her second Twins game when they played the White Sox in Chicago last month. She finally saw her first Gopher volleyball game a couple weeks ago. She loves watching her Auntie Goof play volleyball for St. Cloud State live and on the internet. There really isn’t much you can’t get her excited about 
Harper is learning new things a mile a minute. She talks in full sentences and I can hardly get a moment of silence! She loves to narrate our entire day and learn about how everything works. We tried the “3 Day Potty Training” method a couple months ago and failed miserably. I figured that if she was at the beginning of the developmental window with most things, surely potty training would be a piece of cake before she turned two. The first day went great but she quickly built up a firm resistance to anything potty related. There wasn’t a single reward or incentive to change her mind. She just wasn’t psychologically ready for the change yet…especially since she was just entering the stage of independence where she had to do everything herself. I’ve also learned that if she fails a couple times at something, she is extremely against anything having to do with that thing….a lot like her mommy We decided to put off all mention of it until she expressed the desire to sit on the potty herself. Yesterday we had a little bit of a breakthrough and she “practiced” on the potty a few times. Nothing came out, but I’m so tickled by the fact that the potty chair isn’t such a negative thing to her anymore. We’ll get there someday 
We are expecting our first boy around January 12th! The timing isn’t too great with basketball season in full swing at that point, but we’re praying that Wade will at least be in town when D-Day arrives. Harper seems to be really excited about and tender towards her little bro. She is starting to realize what it will be like since friends of ours have newborns. She loves to kiss my belly….and give raspberries. The pregnancy is going super well so far. I feel more pregnant a lot sooner this time around, but I am so lucky that I haven’t had any major complaints. The baby is breeched (feet first), but there is no need to worry about it until January. Most babies turn around by then. We do have a name picked out….but that will be our little secret until he arrives
The basketball season just started for Wade last Friday night. I think they are “cautiously optimistic” about the season. They have much better talent in their recruits…but you never know what you’re going to get when you factor in injuries, eligibility issues and team chemistry. Wade is growing into such a talented recruiter and coach for the program. I am so impressed with the integrity, loyalty and resolve he has, especially in the coaching profession. I am convinced God IS and WILL BE using him for mighty things. I’m so proud of my man! They were able to move practices to the mornings this semester so family time has been much easier to come by compared to years past. Hopefully that will continue!
Our return to MN for our next visit is up in the air. The seven hour drive in my third trimester, with a toddler in the backseat is really unappealing to me at this point. If I get doctor’s approval, and if Wade has a few days off, we might come back for Christmas. But I think its very likely we’ll have to wait until after the baby arrives. You’ll all have to come visit us!!
We are thinking of and praying for all of you! Miss you very much!!
