Monica's Bachelorette Party

On Friday night we went to dinner with Sara & Jeff at Jac's on Monroe Street.  The food was delicious! We then went back to Sara and Jeff's house and played with Buster Posey (BP) and enjoyed some adult beverages.  We are so excited for Sara and Jeff to welcome baby girl Durston in July.  

On Saturday Scott stayed home and played the role of single Dad while I attended my cousin Monica's bachelorette party.  It was so much fun to spend time with my cousins and sister.  Our Mom's and the Middleton ladies crashed Monica's bachelorette party.  Here are some pictures captured on Saturday night...

Cara, Erin, Monica (the bride), Kate, and Bridget

 Bridget, MOM, and Cara

 The girls and their Mom's...

 Cousins - minus Monica!

On Sunday we spent the day with Bridget, Nana Rosa, and Gampy Mike.  When we got home Harper discovered Mommy's hair accessory drawer.  She had so much fun playing with all the head bands and clips.  

Hmm...this drawer looks like fun!

 You caught me red handed...with a headband on my head!

 Playing with the hair accessories...how do these things work?

Harper's FIRST Trip to the Dentist

On Tuesday, April 9th we took Harper for her first dental visit.  Harper has 16 teeth, the only teeth that haven't come in yet are her 2 year molars.  It is recommended that a child at the age of one goes to the dentist for their first cleaning.  With her Grandpa Jim being a Periodontist (dental specialist, oral surgery, teeth structure, oral diseases) it was highly encouraged :)  Grandpa Jim found a great pediatric dentist in Madison for Miss Harper.  We went to the Children's Dental Center of Madison and saw Dr. Dowd. I would highly recommend Dr. Dowd to other parents in the area.  We had a wonderful experience.  Harper's two front teeth haven't completed dropped due to her excessive pacifier use.  These teeth will fully drop when she gives up her pacifier habit.  The pacifier is acting as a retainer and her teeth gravitate towards the pacifier right now. When she gives up the pacifier her teeth will set in their genetic place.  In the meantime she is free to continue soothing herself with her pacifier until she is ready to give it up.  

Miss Harper getting her teeth cleaned...

 Brushing her teeth before bed...

Off to Grandma's House...

Hi-ho hi-ho it's off to Grandma's (and Grandpa's) house we go...

This past weekend we traveled to Minnesota.  We stayed at Grandma and Grandpa's house and had so much fun.  We took a trip to Daddy's favorite restaurant - Big 10.  We also went to cousin Ali's house and played with all of her toys on Saturday night.  We had so much fun exploring new places and playing with new toys.  It was a wonderful weekend with family.  

Playing with toys at Grandma and Grandpa's house

 Sitting in Great Aunt Carol's rocking chair...

All smiles while playing in the rocking chair...

 Cousin photo shoot...

 Cheeeeeeeeeese!

 It's so hard to get 2 toddlers to smile and look at the camera at the same time...

 Grandpa and Harper...

 Hey - LOOK AT ME - I can play the piano!

 Grandpa, can you play me a song?

 So happy playing on the piano...

 Serious music skills...

 Piano time...

Harper's new tricks...

Our visit to Minnesota was very special.  Harper LOVES her Grandparents.  She likes to sing, play, dance, and explore with them.  It appears that she is starting to remember Jim and Linda every time she sees them.  She has so much fun at their house and discovering new things.  She can't wait to spend more time in Minnesota this summer at the lake house in Alexandria.  Thanks for having us this weekend.  We can't wait to see you soon! 

When we got home on Sunday we took a walk outside and stopped at the park.  Harper had so much fun on the swings and slides.  We can't wait for more of this as the weather continues to warm up! 

Easter Weekend...

 This year for Easter we stayed in Madison.  My office was closed on Friday for "Spring Holiday".  During the afternoon Scott and I enjoyed a "date day" and went shopping, ate lunch, and got massages.  We met up with Caitlin and Scott and watched the Badger hockey game.  On Saturday I went to watch Caitlin try on wedding dresses at Vera's.  After wedding dress shopping it was time for the O'Malley Saturday tradition (only when Bridget's in town), a trip to the Village Green.  After lunch we ran errands and then Bridget came over for dinner.

Harper and Scott walking to the restaurant

 Harper's hair blowing in the wind and rocking out in her shades...

Getting into trouble in the bathroom...

Sunday was Easter.  We attended St. Thomas Aquinas at 10:00 am.  I was a little nervous that Harper would struggle with the 10:00 am mass because that is during her morning nap.  We were so impressed that she was a perfect little angel during church.  After church we headed back home to have brunch with Bridget and Casey.  We had yummy vegetable quiche and caramel rolls (Thanks to Grandma Linda).  Here are some pictures from brunch...

 An attempt at a family picture turned into a funny picture with Lola too! 

 This is the best picture (minus Kirby)

 Casey and his niece.  Casey bought Harper the dress she wore for Easter.  Doesn't she look cute? 

 Harper drinking out of her new bunny cup from Nana Rosa and Gampy Mike...

 Auntie Bridget and Harper...

On Monday I left for a quick business trip to New York.  I was only gone for 30 hours but it felt like much longer.  Scott, Harper and Kirby missed me like crazy.  I was so excited to get back home.  Thankfully, I was able to take an earlier flight home.  I arrived back at home just in time to give Harper a kiss goodnight.

Here is a view from my hotel room.  My room faced the Empire State Building.  We stayed off 35th and 6th in Midtown/Time Square.  

Until next week...