2013 - The Year of the Snake

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

I have learned a lot about myself in 2012.  It has been one of the most difficult, yet most exciting years of my life.  With the miracle of life not only with the birth of my amazing daughter but the miracle of saving my Dad's life.  This year involved a lot of happy tears, something that I have never really had before.  When you witness 2 incredible miracles you cry all the time when you are happy and cry as you adjust to the changes.  I adjusted to the new life we live with my Dad and the new life of a mother.  I learned to let go of the little things that don't matter.  The gift of life, happiness, and your health are all that matter in life. Without those things nothing matters.  I have been blessed with an incredible husband and partner.  He showed me how much he loved me through the trying times this past year.  He showed me how much he worries about me, my family, and our daughter.  I am so lucky to have a wonderful person like Scott in my life.  I learned that it's hard to say goodbye, it's hard to move on, and it's hard to be happy all the time.  This year taught me so much as a person.  I am forever grateful and I wouldn't change a thing.  You never realize how much you take for granted until something can be taken from you so quickly.  I feel that the year of 2012 changed me and I am thankful for these changes.  Sometimes you have to turn the negative into a positive and move on.  2012 wasn't easy but it helped me to become a better person.  I welcome the new year in 2013 because I know things will continue to change and life will continue to throw me curve balls.  Cheers to 2013 and a wonderful  new year! 

Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.

- Oprah Winfrey

Cheers to my husband and his self proclaimed nick name from High School - SNAKES! It's your year baby... :) HA! 

Harper's FIRST Christmas...

As Winter Storm Draco was heading East towards Madison, we quickly sped out of town and drove North to Minnesota.  We were supposed to drive up to Minnesota in the middle of the blizzard on Thursday.  When local schools started to announce closings we made the decision to escape on Wednesday before things got crazy.  Thankfully we safely arrived in Minnesota on Wednesday night and we missed the entire storm.  We worked from home in Minnesota and didn't have to shovel or snow blow.  Sadly, our neighbors had to help us out and snow blow while we were gone.  We stayed in Minnesota Wednesday, December 19th - Monday, December 24th.  We celebrated Christmas early this year with the Hinrichs' crew.  

While Mommy and Daddy were "working from home" on Thursday, Harper explored the basement.  She had fun on her "snow day" 

On Friday, December 21st we visited Grandma Linda at school.  It was so much fun to see her classroom and meet her co-workers.  Sadly, I forgot to take a picture of Harper and Grandma at school.  :( 

On Saturday, December 22nd the Mason/Pieklo/King/Hinrichs families got together to celebrate an Early Christmas with Great Grandpa Vic.  Jim and Dave drove to Omaha on Friday to pick Grandpa Vic up.  Their trip was delayed a day due to the storm.  Thankfully they made it to Omaha and back in one day without any issues.  Santa visited that night and gave all the little kids presents.  It was so much fun! 

Harper, Auntie Amy, and Ali. 

Sunday, December 23rd we celebrated as a family with a tasty dinner made my Linda.  We opened presents.  Harper and Ali had a blast with their noisy presents and wrapping paper/bows.  

Harper smiling in her Christmas outfit...

 Hanging out with Daddy on the couch while watching the Vikings game...

 Opening presents...

We drove home on Christmas Eve morning.  We had no problems with the roads.  It was crazy to drive back into Madison and see the giant piles of snow.  Here is Harper looking out the window while Daddy shoveled a path for Kirby to go outside...

 Harper in her Christmas Eve dress.  So pretty.  There was another girl at church wearing the exact same outfit.  We could have taken a picture and had a "who wore it best" competition ;) 

 Bridget and her favorite little girl...

On Christmas morning we woke up in our own house.  Harper didn't exactly understand the concept of tearing the wrapping paper.  We had to assist her.  Although, she LOVED the boxes.  It was fun to wake up on Christmas morning in our own  home and experience Christmas for the first time as a little family.  We are excited for the years ahead...

Scott with his Ron Dayne football...

 Harper playing with the wrapping paper and boxes...

 After we opened presents at home on Christmas morning we traveled back to Nana Rosa's and Gampy Mike's house.  We ate breakfast (Grandma Linda and Aunt Amy helped to supply the food for us) as a family and then continued to open presents.  Scott, Grandpa O, and Harper have matching Badger hats! (Sadly Casey was home sick on Christmas, he got a matching hat but he missed out on the pictures).

 Ho Ho Ho...Bridget as Santa Claus with her little elf (Lola) 

 Bailey wearing the reindeer antlers...

 On Christmas Night we went to the Mandli Family Christmas (my Mom's side of the family).  We do a white elephant gift exchange.  We went home with a FOREVER LAZY (Scott) and a singing Buck (Cara) and Harper is obsessed with the Buck.  It was a great time with everyone.  

Family Picture (missing 4 families this year)

 Harper trying her new sippy cup with a straw

 Harper walking...she's a speed walker now! 

I'm sad that Christmas is over.  We had a wonderful time celebrating with friends and family.  Until next year...

One Year Later...I'll be home for Christmas

Today is a very special day for my family.  One year ago today, my Dad was in extreme pain and had bleeding in his brain, we weren't sure if he would make it.  It was the longest day of our lives.  As the day continued he started to dwindle.  My Grandpa O'Malley asked for Father Diego from St. Thomas Aquinas to make a visit to UW Hospital and Anoint him at his bedside.  We prayed around my Dad while we waited for different procedures to start working.  By the late evening nothing had changed and that's when we were told that he'd be taken in for an emergency craniotomy.  The next 3 hours during surgery were incredibly difficult.  I remember during surgery we had to run home and let Kirby out and it helped to pass the time.  I heard the song on the radio - I'll be home for Christmas - and I wept.  I didn't know if my Dad would ever be home for Christmas...not last year...or any year in the future.  My Dad is an incredible man.  He's a stubborn Irish man that fought through life when all the odds were against him.  We spent 6 weeks at his bedside in the UW Neuro ICU.  Then 2 more weeks at his bedside at the inpatient rehab facility at UW.  Then on Friday, February 10th he was blessed with a beautiful Granddaughter. On the day Harper was born it was the first day he had left the hospital since everything began on December 16th.  At that time he was transferred to Attic Angels in Madison and spent an additional 2 weeks there.  It was the longest 10 weeks of our lives but we surrounded him with love, encouragement, and faith. 

He continues to amaze me everyday.  I am so lucky to have my Dad in my life.  You never know how precious life is until someone you love dearly is almost taken away.  We are so incredibly blessed.  

So, this year the song - I'll be home for Christmas - has a very special meaning to me and my family.  We will be home this year for Christmas, we can celebrate as a family...and the best present of all this year...is the gift of life! My Dad will be home celebrating with us...

I love you Dad!  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pk-SLQPYJ0

Celebrating the Holidays...

Has anyone seen the Petco Commercial? It's Lola's look-a-like and she is wearing reindeer ears and a jacket.  We couldn't stop laughing when we saw this on TV.  I think Lola needs a pair of ears like that...

On Friday, December 15th Scott had the day off so he brought Harper into the office to visit.  My friend Amanda brought her son, Kingston, into work the same day.  They are only 13 days apart.  They loved playing in the office and the ladies loved them! 

 Harper says "YES" now...she shakes her entire body!

 Little Harper was caught red handed under the tree...

 Trying to unwrap the presents with her teeth...

 O'Malley Family Christmas at Colleen's house - December 16th.  Uncle Bob's legs made the picture but his face was cut out. That's what happens when you have a LARGE family. 

 Auntie Bridget and Harper

 Nana Rosa & Harper

 This was the most entertaining part of the night.  The kids started dancing to Gangnam Style.  Eventually the adults joined in.  It was hilarious and incredibly entertaining.  

 These kids have great moves!

 On Sunday after the O'Malley Christmas we had some visitors.  Casey (per usual), Bridget, Lola Meatball, Nana Rosa, and Grandpa Mike.  Harper was watching the pups play tug of war while the rest of us watched the Vikings/Packers/Colts games.  

 Harper hanging with Mommy...

 Playing in the pots and pans before dinner...

 Scott made white chocolate covered pretzels.  YUM!

 Scott and Harper 

The Flu, SNOW, and Hockey...

I apologize for the delay.  Our family came down with the flu the week after Thanksgiving.  It's hard enough when you get sick, but it's even harder when you get sick and you have to take care of your baby too.  We took turns taking care of ourselves and the baby and we avoided public while we were recovering.  Here are some photos to recap our past 2 weeks at home...

The first night Harper stood up in her crib - November 25th. - 9.5 months old. 

Harper playing and walking...

 A video of Harper walking with her walker...

 Scott and Harper while Mommy was sick...

 Harper traveling along the furniture...she has NO FEAR

 Harper pulling out her barrettes.  We were notified by daycare that she can no longer wear barrettes to school.  Unfortunately Harper's friend Liam pulls them out and tries to eat them.  During the week she wears her hair in a pony tail.  

Harper was such a trooper while she was sick.  Cleaning up after her wasn't fun, especially when she got sick in Scott's car.  She wasn't herself for a few days and it took her a lot longer to get over the Flu bug compared to us.  She barely ate any food including her bottles.  When she was feeling better we noticed that she had 3 top teeth cut through while she had the flu.  Poor girl...

Harper telling us that Nebraska wasn't going to win the Big 10 Championship game on December 1st. 

 Scott was still sick but we managed to leave the house to get our Christmas tree. 

 Sleepy baby on a Sunday afternoon...

 Our tree :) 

 Hey Mom! 

 Walking along the rocking chair in her room. 

 Somebody discovered the door stoppers...

 Somebody got caught playing in Mom's purse before school/work...

 Weight lifting...

 Playing in Harper's room with her stuffed animals and books...

 Hi :)

 The baby gate is up...and now they are trapped...

 In bed early...

 This past weekend Scott agreed to a shopping trip.  We drove up to the Dells and spent a short afternoon at the Outlet Mall.  After shopping we stopped at Buffalo Phil's for lunch.  It was so cute, they deliver your food and drinks on a train. Plus they serve your drinks in a mason jar! Harper LOVED it :) 

 Good morning...

 SNOW :) 

 Pretty snow...

 Checking out the Christmas Tree...

 Harper's First Christmas (thanks Grandma Linda)

 I'm 10 months old today! This shoe is tasty...

Hi Mom!

Harper's FIRST Hockey game :)  The game started at 7:00 so we didn't know how Harper would handle the game and a later bedtime.  She LOVED the band, the people watching, the players, and the BIG TV (score board).  We were so impressed that she was able to hang out with Mom and Dad.  Weather depending we may take her to some more games this year.  It was so much fun :)