Lola Meatball, Portage, and silly Harper

Last week we had the pleasure of dog sitting "Lola Meatball".  It is always a treat to have Lola at our house. Kirby is an old lady, and Lola is a young pup so when Kirby is tired and Lola wants to play it doesn't always end well.  It's funny to watch them run around the house together.  Kirby even let Lola snuggle in bed with us one morning. Kirby was sad to see her friend leave but I think she was thrilled to catch up on her much needed beauty sleep.  

Lola riding shot gun on our way home...

 The good life...

 Lola is a cuddler and loves my lap! 

 Harper playing with her new magnetic alphabet letters...

 Loungin' in the bean bag chair and eating her favorite snack...

On Saturday, February 23rd we took a trip to Portage.  Gampy Mike, Nana Rosa, Uncle Casey, Scott, Cara, and Harper jumped in the car.  My Mom's parents live in Portage so we went to visit Harper's Great Grandparents.  Great Grandma Rosemary makes the BEST spaghetti and meatballs.  We were still celebrating "Paulakuh" and that was my Mom's favorite meal when she was growing up.  Harper enjoyed playing the piano and flirting with Great Grandpa Paul.

Harper sitting in the high chair that I used when I visited my Grandparents. All Grandchildren used this high chair and now the Great Grandchildren can use it...pretty cool! 

 So happy to be eating in Great Grandma Rosemary's kitchen! 

The 4 boys...Great Grandpa Paul, Scott, Casey, and Grandpa Mike

Scott, Casey, and Grandpa Mike

Great Grandpa Paul and Nana Rosa! 

Great Grandma Rosemary & Harper Rose.  Harper is named after Great Grandma Rosemary and her Nana Rosa (Paula Rose)

4 Generations of ladies!

Harper took a photo break to play with a water bottle!

 Harper is mastering her sippy cups.  She recently became obsessed with her water bottle.  She was so proud of herself while playing before bed.  

 Peek-a-boo! She put this plastic bin on her own head and couldn't stop laughing. (a quick picture and then the distraction technique to avoid this habit from repeating itself)

 Harper was so excited to wear her new shirt from her Uncle Casey! I LOVE MY UNCLE!

One of my favorites from Harper's 1 year photos.  

Harper Rose - ONE YEAR STATS!

On Monday, February 18th Harper had her one year appointment.  This was the first appointment that both Mommy and Daddy couldn't attend together.  We had a lot of questions as Harper is growing and transitioning.  Here are some updates...

1. Harper has been cleared to drink cows milk.  The doctor advised us to give her SKIM milk vs. WHOLE milk.  There are unnecessary fats in WHOLE milk that children don't need.  Harper will drink WHOLE milk at daycare and SKIM milk at home.  

2. Harper can eat anything and everything she wants! 

3. Naps - the big nap debate.  Harper will not be transitioning to the toddler room at daycare until June.  In the toddler room the kids only take one nap per day.  Right now Harper still needs two naps per day and we will continue on this nap schedule until June when she transitions to her new room.  Doctor's orders! Harper is just too tired to take only one nap per day.  She sleeps 11-12 hours at night and requires 2 naps per day.  

Harper's ONE year measurements - 

Height - 27.95 inches (11.45%)

Weight - 19 lb 10.5 oz (47%)

Head circumference - 46.3 (82%) 

The Doctor is not concerned with her height, considering her Mommy is a short lady.  She is just falling into her genetic path right now.  

We are so incredibly blessed to have a PERFECT little toddler.  (I still can't believe she is a toddler) 

We love her so much! 

Sleepy Harper after a stressful day at the Doctor! I can't remember the last time Harper fell asleep in my arms.  I embraced every minute of this little night time snooze.  

Quiet Week at The O'Hinrichs' House

We were so incredibly thankful for a quiet week and weekend at home.  With traveling and visitors we embraced a quiet week and weekend with our little family.  It was exactly what the doctor ordered for this house and family...

After mass on Ash Wednesday.  Harper's FIRST ashes...

 Playing with her new shopping cart from Auntie Bridget

 Oops...somebody passed out before bedtime.  

 On February 14th Harper had her last bottle of breast milk.  I exclusively nursed Harper until she was almost 8 months old.  We were mixing 50/50 breast milk and formula for the past 4 months.  She made it past 12 months with breast milk.  Even though it wasn't exclusive I am very proud that it lasted as long as it did.   

 Reading her valentine from Auntie Bridget...

 SLAM DUNK! 

 Hi Mom! 

 Valentine's Week - heart shaped eggs for breakfast!

 We are in the process of getting Harper a Passport right now.  We had her Passport pictures taken last weekend.  She stood in front of the wall like a perfect little girl.  We will be sending these pictures in next week.  Only 3 months until Harper's first trip outside of the United States!

 Harper walking and "crashing" into the bean bag chair! She absolutely loves doing this trick!

Teeth Update - Harper's bottom canine teeth came in over the weekend.  She now has 14 teeth.  After the top canine teeth come in we will hopefully have a break until her 2 year molars come in.  Harper has been such a champ as these teeth have been coming through.  Most of the time she doesn't even fuss, we just notice the tooth cut through.  Such a trooper!

Have a great week! 

Happy 1st Birthday Harper Rose!

Wow, a full year has come and gone.  I can't believe how much our lives have changed in the last year, for the better of course.  Harper Rose brings us so much joy and laughter.  We are blessed to have her in our lives.  

1 year old - Harper doesn't have her 1 year check up until 2/18/13

Here are a few notes about Harper...

1. Harper is obsessed with her binkie and her wubba nub giraffe.  She can't go to bed without it.  

2. Harper is MOBILE! She crawls with a purpose and she takes baby steps when motivated.  

3. Harper says Dada (a lot!) and Mama.  

4. Harper practices baby sign language and is getting better at telling us what she wants.  

5. She has 11 teeth (3 molars) already. 

6. She LOVES her baby applesauce.  

7. She loves trying new foods but her favorite foods include cheese. Such a good Wisconsin girl :) 

8. She loves to play in water in the bath, shower, and Kirby's dog dish.  

9. She loves kisses from her puppy.  

10. She likes to play chase. 

11. Her favorite toy - the "ballcano" or shape bucket. 

A sneak peak at her 1 year photos...

On Saturday, February 9th we had a small party for Harper's Birthday.  Scott's family came down from Minnesota and spent the weekend with us.  My sister came up from Chicago.  My sister's friend Ashley even crashed the party with her Mom and little man, Max.  Harper had lots of friends and family that celebrated her special day with her.  She enjoyed her cupcake and all the presents.  Thank you to everyone that celebrated with Harper on her special WEEKEND (yes she celebrates her Birthday like her Nana Rosa).

The Godfather (Amy) and Harper

 Eating her cake...

 Max led everyone in singing Harper Happy Birthday (many times ;) hehe)

 After the party we went down to Gray's Tied House in our neighborhood.  Jim and Linda stayed back and played with Harper.  They love to soak up every minute with their little princess.  

Cara, Andrea, and Amy

 Cara, Andrea, Amy, and Scott

 Carissa & Cara (tired after our Vegas trip)

Harper's actual Birthday was on Sunday, February 10th and we took the time to celebrate with her all day. 

Eating her applesauce...

 Playing with her 3 little pigs toy and eating the BIG BAD WOLF

 Another sneak peak of her 1 year photos...

 Hey Everybody - I'm 1 years old!

 Playing with her shopping cart from Auntie Bridget

 This ladybug is so cool! 

We reflected yesterday on our first few weeks with Harper a year ago.  It's amazing to think how far she has come in the last year.  This year was filled with ups and downs and she brought us so much happiness during the hard times this past year.  We couldn't be happier to be parents to a wonderful, energetic, and happy little 1 year old.  We love to you to the moon and back.  We can't wait for the years ahead.  

Hugs and Kisses

Dada and Mama

Super Bowl & Vegas

Wow...it's been a crazy week! The night before my Sales Conference in Vegas we watch the Super Bowl with Adam and Carissa.  Carissa now works with me at Remington so we were preparing for our trip to Vegas as we watched the game.  We also had Harper's 1 year pictures that day.  It was a very busy weekend...

Harper chewing on her Christmas present from Bridget and Casey

 Carissa and  Harper during the Super Bowl

 Harper LOVES Adam...

 Harper doing yoga again...

Harper and Carissa during the Super Bowl blackout...

My Sales Conference in Vegas was my first extended time away from Harper.  It was hard to say goodbye to my little princess.  I prepared Scott and left mini surprises throughout the house while I was away.  I think my hard work paid off and they were pleasantly surprised and happy while I was away.  My Sales Conference was LONG with meetings everyday from 8-5 and then events at night.  I'm still exhausted from the trip....

We stayed at the Venetian/Palazzo hotel.  It was beautiful.  We had awesome suites.  My room had 3 TV's. I managed to watch the TODAY show all 3 TV's in the morning :) 

 My view of the Vegas strip during the day. 

 Harper called me to FaceTime.  She was so cute and wanted to touch my face through the phone.  I missed her like crazy! 

 We went to a Country bar and I was feeling courageous and rode the mechanical bull (voluntarily).  Little did I know that the CEO and VP of Sales would be watching.  They dared 10 Remington girls to ride the bull after I did it.  We gathered a group of girls and they paid us $200 each to ride the bull.  That means I rode the bull TWICE! Not a bad dare and reward ;) 

The 10 Remington girls that rode the bull! 

 Elizabeth and I at Sushi Samba the last night...

 My travels home were a little rough.  What do you expect in Wisconsin in the month of February? I had to drive home from Milwaukee in a snow storm.  I went 35 MPH the entire way home and unfortunately I was running on ONE hour of sleep.  Scott made me a LATE dinner and then I went to bed when I got home.  Sadly Harper wasn't able to stay awake for my arrival.  

Snuggling with my baby girl the next day.  I missed her! 

 Harper at the Doctor's office for her ear check.  

 Tired Harper and tired Mommy...

Lesson learned - I'm not 21 anymore!