we come out when the blossoms do.

harps and i got lucky last week when todd came home and surprised us during lunchtime. since the weather was so perfect, we packed up lunch {aka shake shack} and headed to battery park to take a stroll along the hudson river.

while i was a little bummed that we couldn't get to dc this year for the cherry blossom festival like last {here. and here.}, i feel like new york is having their on cherry blossom festival. the blossoms are big, beautiful, bright, and just about everywhere! ah, i love new york in the spring!!

happy big-20...

...to the most beautiful girl i know. 

love you sis!

xoxo

we're all smiles over here.

 i got my first real smile from harper last week. 

that's right— 

a big. fat. gummy. smile!!

and ever since then, i've made it my job to catch more.

luckily, i found out all i need to do is pull out the aspirator (yep, the booger grabber), 

and she is all smiles. 

she is such a little dork, and i love her!!

a red pant kind of night.

hubs and i had our first date night alone, and it was fabulous!

so fabulous that i pulled out my hot red pants to celebrate.

we enjoyed a de-licious(!) dinner at home restaurant in the west village

followed by my most favorite and indulgent dessert at amy's bread. 

i don't think any place beats their double-chocolate cake.

i'm REALLY looking forward to our next date night on saturday

one hint—

"may the odd be ever in your favor"

newborn photos.

i went back and forth as to whether i should have newborn photos taken, but once i finally came to my senses, i did and am so very happy to share them with you! 

falycia was kind to take a last-minute photo shoot of harper, and she did an incredible job. i have no other way to describe her except as a true baby whisperer. although harper was out of that sleepy newborn stage during the shoot, falycia knew exactly what to do to get her to sleep and keep her asleep. i need to hire that girl during nap time!! i am so thrilled with how these photos came out and will cherish them forever. i sure love my little baby. and as a side note, can we just talk about her bellybutton!? kills me. 

life lately.

a beautiful blessing.

todd blessed harper in church last sunday, and as her father, he blessed her with the most 

beautiful things in life. it was such a wonderful sight to see todd, his father, and his dearest friends 

standing together and holding my beautiful baby. one friend who was standing 

in the circle said that harper's eyes were open and staring at todd the 

entire time. she's just enamored by her daddy!!

walks, bridges, and baby naps.

the past two days have been ridiculously warm and beautiful,

so we've been doing a whole lot of walking outside. 

plus we're guaranteed a deliciously long nap by harper if we're

outside, so walks are a common occurrence these days!

happy weekend!

we're so excited for the weekend! 

grandma & grandpa matheny are coming to hang out, 

and we're getting very anxious for their arrival! 

just wanted to leave you with a little sneak peak of harp's photo shoot from today. 

isn't she a doll!?

my two loves.

these two are the cutest together,

and i just love hanging out with them.

every time we go out,

hubs insists on carrying her in the baby bjorn.

i adore him. and her.