Harper turned 9 months old today and I am celebrating by starting a blog to keep everyone updated on our growing family! Our real celebration was having lunch at Daddy's office. This is always an adventure because I routinely miss the exit for Memorial Bridge and find myself stranded on the 14th Street Bridge, negotiating pedestrian traffic around the National Mall at lunch time. Today was no exception. Harper was not pleased about the extra 15 minutes in the car, but in all fairness it was her fault for insisting on having her juice on the freeway. In the end she seemed quite pleased with her birthday lunch of twisty noodles and French bread from Marvelous Market, and Daddy appreciated a little recess.

We rounded out the afternoon by playing on the porch. Strike that.... Harper played on the porch while I battled nature. Final score: mosquitoes 4, Caitlin 0. I guess it's not officially fall until I can step outside for more than 30 seconds without inciting a mosquito riot.

Harper rediscovered her sand toys (still in a pile from the beach) and spent the better part of an hour tasting every leaf in sight. I am trying to let her explore everything rather than spending the day saying "no don't touch that," and there are few things that I don't let her at least touch. That being said, I had to call it a day when she projectile vomited 2 pieces of acorn and a basil leaf. I think she explored quite enough for one afternoon!

We ended the big birthday with homemade pesto ("green spaghetti"). Harper helped me make it by pulling every single pot out of the cabinet and banging the lids as loud as she could. I think this might qualify as the best birthday ever!