Harper's 5 Month Update...

On July 10th Harper turned 5 months old.  We can't believe how much our little baby girl is growing up right before our eyes.  Everyday she continues to have new discoveries and everyday we fall in love with her even more.  

1. Harper's 2nd tooth cut through on Tuesday, July 3rd.  She was such a trooper and only had the afternoon of meltdowns and fussy periods.  
2. Harper has tried rice cereal, sweet potatoes, squash, and bananas.  She is such a good eater and gets so excited every time she eats.  She loves to stick her hand in her mouth and make a BIG mess.  
3. On Friday, July 13th - Harper rolled over from back to front.  I was at work and Scott was at home with Harper, Jim and Linda.  Sadly Scott was checking his email, Linda was reading, and Jim was sleeping so NOBODY saw it.  I didn't feel so bad about missing it because from the sounds of it - everyone else missed it too! 
4. Harper is obsessed with her hands and putting things in her mouth.  She likes to take her pacifier and chew on it.  She loves meal time because she chews on the spoon.  She loves to feel the different fabrics around her and grab for stuffed animals.  

Harper continues to talk to us all the time.  She wakes up in the morning and doesn't make much noise.  She sits in her crib for awhile talking to herself and when we go into her room to greet her she is all smiles.  She is obsessed with her puppy and follows her in the room.  Kirby is equally as interested and occasionally will visit Harper at night before bed and in the morning.  Harper continues to amaze us everyday.  We are so incredibly blessed and in love with "little Cara" as Scott says...

Harper's 5 month photos were taken on Wednesday, July 11th by the amazing Amanda Leigh Photography. http://www.facebook.com/pages/AmandaLeigh-Photography/135382523195141

The pictures in this post are from the sneak peak she posted on Facebook.  We can't wait to see all of them.

Welcome HOME Sara (Wimberger) Durston...

Welcome back to the Midwest Sara! We are so happy to have you back in Madison.  I can't believe you lived in California for 7 years.  We can't wait to spend lots of time with you and Jeff.  

With Sara moving back and Caitlin's sister, Mary Bridget, expecting their first baby in September...we hope to see LOTS of Caitlin in the future :) 

We love you both! :) 

Harper & Auntie Bridget

Auntie Bridget just loves Harper.  

This photo was taken at Erin's baby shower for baby boy Reneau.

4th of July...

As always we headed NORTH for the 4th of July.  We spent 6 days in Alexandria with Scott's family.  The weather was perfect.  We golfed, played in the pool, went wakeboarding, jetskiing, boating, and hung out on the island oasis.  It was a relaxing week with family and we loved every minute of it! A big thanks to Jim and Linda for hosting the family and taking great care of us as always.  

A very happy cousin Ali

 Auntie Amy with both girls

 The entire family including dogs...

 An attempt at taking a picture of both girls.  Ali kept stealing Harper's pacifier.  :)

 The best picture I captured during the photo shoot...

 Harper wearing her Daddy's hat and playing with her pacifier...

 Linda, Jim, and baby Harper

 This is what it would be like to have Twins.  You can't get both girls to look at the camera at the same time.  

 The O'Hinrichs family

 Harper in her 4th of July outfit plus bib...(check out her 2 teeth)

 Harper likes to attempt self feeding...

 Again, so happy to hold her bottle...

 This picture is from the weekend before the 4th.  Casey thought it was hilarious that she was sitting in the chair like a big person...just loungin ;) 

 Scott with his new shirt from "shooting the minnow"

 Another bottle holding picture...

Harper Updates

Here are some fun milestones this past week for our little babe - Harper Rose...

1. Monday, June 17th - Cara and Harper spent our first night alone with out Scott.  We had a slumber party because Mama was afraid to sleep alone.  

Helping Mama get ready for work in the morning...

2. Thursday, June 21st - Harper tried solid foods for the first time.  She enjoyed her first experience with sweet potatoes.  She did really well.  We've continued to try sweet potatoes and squash.  She has quickly learned to love the food and gets so excited during each feeding.  It's so cute to watch.  

Yummy sweet potatoes

Harper was exhausted from eating squash that she fell asleep in her high chair...

3. Saturday, June 23rd - Harper's first tooth cut! It is her bottom front tooth.  The one next to it looks like it is ready to cut through very soon.  She rarely fussed when the tooth came through.  She woke from a sound sleep and screamed for an hour and fell back to sleep.  The next morning we realized what she was screaming about when we felt her little tooth poking through.  Her new best friend has become Sophie the giraffe.  She loves to teethe on her ears, nose, legs, etc.  

The ride home from Alexandria playing and chewing on Sophie

4. Saturday, June 23rd - Harper rolled from front to back for the first time.  She did it while playing next to her cousin Ali.  She rolled twice that day.  She is very close to rolling from back to front but seems very content with staying on her side.  She doesn't really like to lay on her tummy so right now she's ok with staying on her back.  

Harper is obsessed with standing.  If I try to sit her down she pushes up so she can stand.  Here she is practicing on Daddy's tummy...

"I drink until I pass out"...

Harper's first trip to Alexandria...

This past weekend - June 22-25th we traveled to Alexandria to visit with Grandma and Grandpa Hinrichs.  Harper had the pleasure of playing with her cousin Ali the entire weekend.  She had so much fun playing at the pool, driving in the golf cart, and playing golf.  Enjoy the pictures taken by Grandma Hinrichs.  

Ali & Harper in the pool

 Harper in the pool...

 Scott and Harper napping after golf/yard work

 Harper in the pool...

 Harper & Cara

End of an era...goodbye little Tribute

On Saturday we said goodbye to my white 2004 Mazda Tribute.  I bought that car after I graduated college.   It was my first big purchase and I had 8 great years driving it.  Sadly it was starting to cost a lot to repair and with a baby, a puppy, and many long trips to visit Scott's family we were starting to outgrow the Tribute.  It was time to upgrade and get a new car.  We purchased a 2012 Honda Pilot.  It took a few weeks to arrive because we really wanted a white one.  After patiently waiting we finally got our brand new car.  I've never had a new car before, so I'm very excited.  We will be taking our first road trip this weekend with our new car...I'm happy that we were able to transfer the license plates because the JPV (Junior Princess Vehicle - the letters on the plates) will carry on in the Pilot :) 

Our family at the dealership :) 

Father's Day 2012

Father's Day 2012 marked a very special day in the O'Malley/O'Hinrichs family.  June 17th was exactly 6 months since my Dad's brain surgery.  We spent the weekend celebrating his life.  We took a trip to Village Green, had sushi, brunch with Grandpa O'Malley (my Grandpa) at Blackhawk, and then Dad grilled out a HUGE feast to say THANK YOU for everything we've done for him the past 6 months.  It was a very special day and we were so fortunate to be able to celebrate Father's Day this year with him.  Cheers to Dad - our little miracle man! 

It was also a very special day because it was Scott's FIRST Father's Day.  Harper made him a photo book with pictures of her, an art project from daycare, a coffee cup with her pictures on it, and wore an outfit that said "I melt Daddy's heart" with a picture of an ice cream cone (pictured below).  He also got a Minnesota Twins swimsuit to wear at the lake house.  Scott is an amazing father and takes great care of our little girl.  He loves spending time with her and he continues to amaze me everyday.  We have a long journey ahead and I'm so happy that we get to spend it together! Cheers to Scott :) 

Harper on Father's Day playing in her activity gym at Nana & Grandpa O'Malley's house :) 

Harper - 4 months...

I can hardly believe how fast these past 4 months have flown by.  Yesterday we had Harper's 4 month check up.  She was so excited to show the doctor her tricks.  She just started babbling the past week or two.  She has so much to say (apparently she follows in her Mama's footsteps).  We absolutely love the little sounds that she makes.  I can't help but laugh with her when she's talking.  

Updates - 

1. Still not rolling over yet.  I was a bad Mama and didn't do tummy time because Harper hated it.  Sadly this has delayed her ability to roll from front to back.  

2. She is showing interest in rolling from back to front. 

3. She sleeps on her side after she rolls half way.  

4. We no longer swaddle her at night. 

5. She began "talking" around 16 weeks. 

6. She discovered her feet at 16 weeks. 

7. She is showing interest in our food so we will start feeding rice cereal, oatmeal cereal, or veggies very soon.  

8. She giggles when people talk to her.  

4 Month Appointment Stats...

Height = 24.5 inches - 60 percentile 

Weight = 14 lbs 8 oz - 71 percentile 

Head Circumference = 42.3 cm - 83 percentile 

Wearing her Twins outfit from Nana Rosa...

Pictures from daycare with Ashley...

 She loves her fingers...

 I think she will be a thumb sucker in the near future...

She also started at her daycare center yesterday.  She is in the Goodnight Moon classroom.  They will post weekly pictures on their website.  I will share those as they are posted.

I HEART MAUI...

A few weeks late...

On May 12th we left for Maui.  Amy (Scott's sister) came along for the trip to help with Harper.  We flew out of Minnesota so Grandma and Grandpa Hinrichs could visit with Harper and watch Kirby while we were gone.  Harper did amazing on the flights.  She was such a trooper! This is the annual trip that Scott win's through work - 9 years in a row!  We stayed at the Ritz Carlton in Maui.  We drank Blue Hawaiians, Mai Tais, Lava Flows, and some local beers.  It was an amazing trip and we are so thankful that Amy came with us to soak in the sun.  Here are a few pictures...

Ocean by the resort...

Harper modeling for the photographer...

ALOHA!

 Beautiful views...

 Scott and Amy...

 Our little family...