Lightening Speed Visit

My niece Ally was in Texas visiting her dad recently. We got to see her on her last night in Texas, and Olivia and I had the pleasure of taking Ally and my mom to the airport (mom went to visit for 10 days). Unfortunately, Ally's stay at my house was too short, but we're lucky we got to see her for a little while! We wish her sister MacKenzie had been here too! Hope you guys are having fun in Wisconsin!

Cry Baby? Not anymore!!!!

I must share our very exciting news....Olivia went to the nursery today and DIDN'T cry! I cannot begin to tell you how awesome it felt to walk away and not hear her screaming! It had gotten to the point where they would literally have to pry her off of me...her little fingers and legs would be so tightly wrapped around me. She would start crying as soon as we'd walk down the hallway of the nursery. And I'm talking crying to the point where there's no longer any noise coming out...just hysterical. Well, NOT TODAY! She didn't look thrilled, but she didn't cry! She pointed to the little table & chairs, made her "is it ok?" noise (which I really wish I could portray thru writing), I told her "yes, you can go sit there"...and off she went! My baby girl is growing up!

Olivia also had her first popsicle today. She loved it! And for those who are in shock that I would give her one, you'll be happy to know that it was SUGAR-FREE! I may be more lenient than I used to be, but I'm not that lenient! HA!

17 months

Olivia, tomorrow is your 17-month birthday! WOW! You are such a big girl and becoming quite independent! Life around your household has been a little crazy lately, as mommy and daddy are trying to get our house ready to sell. I think you are wondering why I've packed up half of your toys, but mommy is trying to de-clutter the house. I think you'll survive!

You are very expressive and seem to have an opinion about everything.You are beginning to try and repeat words all the time and I LOVE it! I can't wait until we can really communicate, although you and I are on the same wavelength a lot of the time! It's amazing how much moms can "translate"!

You weigh approximately 23 pounds and wear 12-18 month cothes. You are about to move to the 18-24 month class at school because they said you've outgrown your current room. This move is going to make mommy sad. I want you to stay my little baby forever!!!! At the same time, I'm glad you are going to get to move up to the next class, as I know you really enjoy playing with those older kids!

You still go to bed in the 7 o'clock hour...sometimes it's 7:00, sometimes 7:30. You sleep until around 7:00 am, but you will lay in your bed for a LONG time and play. Sometimes we will just leave you for 30 minutes or even more...you seem totally content and seem to be enjoying your time alone!

I love you more and more with each passing day (I wish I could say the same for Gracie and Bentley)! Those two are beginning to get slightly annoyed with you sitting on them!

Happy 17-month old birthday baby girl!!! Mommy & Daddy love you BUNCHES!

Jesus

I felt the need to post this link for you to read from Kelly's Korner. I, too, am often saddened at the thought of friends and family who do not know the Lord. It breaks my heart when I find out a non-believer passes away, which happens WAY too often. You just never know when it's going to be too late. A lot of people think it's "not cool" to live as a Christian. I've come to realize that you really can't afford NOT to...and that it certaintly won't be "cool" to live eternity with Satan! Who cares what other people think, and I really hope that people look at me and see something different...something they are missing. Since Olivia was born, I've recommitted myself to the Lord, and I cannot tell you how much happier I've been the past year. When things get tough, I just have to remind myself that He is by my side and never lets go.

Please read Kelly's post below --- I'm not sure who all reads my blog, but I just really felt the need to repost it.

http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/2010/06/jesus.html

Mommy/Daughter Weekend Away

Olivia and I headed to Houston for the weekend. We went to visit my aunt & her family, as well as throw a Thirty-One party. I wish we had taken more pictures over the weekend, but we didn't take hardly any! I know that's shocking! It's always interesting when I travel alone with Olivia....it's a lot of work! I am SOOOOO thankful that I'm not a single mom! While I love our mommy-daughter time away, it definitely makes me appreciate all that Jason does for us!


P. S. Olivia and I shared our first Blizzard today on our way home. We just sat in the parking lot and ate it. BAD mom, I know....but she sure did like it!

Our Little Trooper

The last few days have been rough for our little family. Saturday was pretty normal. We ran a few errands Sat. morning, then I had a Thirty-One party Sat. afternoon. Sunday, on the other hand, didn't start out too great. Olivia woke up fussy, which is super unusual. I knew something wasn't right. Then I picked her up and knew immediately that we had a high fever....105.2. UGH! Any mother will know that your heart just starts breaking for your little one for having to be that miserable!

So Sunday consisted of.....Tylenol, lukewarm bath, Motrin, nap, Tylenol, lukewarm bath, Motrin, nap, etc. I spoke with the nurse numerous times. She was great and kept making me call back to give her updates. I really love the treatment we get from our doctor's office (well, with the exception of the office staff...they could use a little work).

We went to the doctor on Monday. Her ears looked perfect. Her throat had a lot of irritation and puss pockets; however, she tested negative for strep. So they then sent us for bloodwork. Her blood count came back normal, so for now, they're saying it's just a virus. They did blood cultures as well, but it takes 72 hours for those to start coming back. Again, we aren't expecting anything other than "normal".

This poor baby has had more trouble for being a "healthy" child. I know so many families out there deal with much worse than ear infections and high fevers, and I know we are blessed to have a healthy baby girl. I just wish she didn't ever have to suffer, but I know that's unrealistic as long as we're living on this Earth!

For now, she is doing a little better. Her daddy stayed home with her today, and we plan on sending her to school tomorrow, although I'm sure she'll get sent home! As long as we can keep her fever below 103, she is in pretty good spirits and runs around and plays. She's such a sweet and strong little girl!

Memorial Day Weekend 2010

We really didn't do much this weekend, which was AWESOME!!! I had so much fun playing with Olivia and just spending time with my little precious angel! Hudson & Nicole came over Saturday while Jason went to the Colonial tournament (see previous post). On Sunday, we went to Church, napped, then had dinner at Jason's mom's house. On Monday, Olivia and I went shopping, then napped and had a relaxing evening. Weekends have been crazy lately, and I've missed spending quality time with my little family! Oh, and TWO naps this weekend??? WOW! Who knew a weekend of doing nothing could be so great?!

Silly girl

She LOVES playing with this gate. Check out those super cute little legs!! Of her 22-23 pounds, I think about 10 are in her thighs! Love them!

The Battle of the Chair

Hudson came to play Saturday. It had been a couple of months since the babies had seen each other, so we weren't sure how they'd react. Olivia really didn't seem to mind Hudson playing with her toys at first...he pushed around her shopping cart a lot and she didn't mind so much...until he decided he wanted to sit in HER chair. Apparently she has quite an attachment to her chair, and this started a 30 minute war! We kept encouraging them to sit together, but they wouldn't have anything to do with that idea!

Notice Olivia pushing Hud away....but pretending to be watching her show.

Round 1 goes to Olivia!


Round 2 goes to Hudson!

This went back and forth for quite some time.

AND SINCE YOU ARE WONDERING, YES, POOR LITTLE HUDSON HAS OLIVIA'S BOW IN HIS HAIR! His mommy put it in and he never even paid it the least bit of attention. I'm sure his daddy is proud!

Ahhhh....the joys of 16 month olds trying to learn to play nice! HA!

16 Months Old

Olivia, you turned 16 months old last week. You have quite the personality and keep us laughing on a daily basis. You are still a fan of the "mean face" (see previous post). You have a recent fascination with jewelry, particularly bracelets.


Last week, you had your last bottle, which is when I realized that you are really becoming a toddler and aren't my tiny baby anymore! It's been a little challenging, as you pretty much refuse milk in a cup, but we're making progress on that issue!


You also got your big girl carseat last week and now face forward in mommy's car! The doctor recommended you to stay backwards as long as possible, but you were 1/2 inch from being too long for your infant carseat, so we felt it was time for the new one!


You wear 12-18 month clothes and weigh about 22-23 pounds. Other than your snacks (which you LOVE), your favorite foods seem to be cheese and lunch meat. You eat grilled turkey & cheese sandwiches probably more often than you should! You also really like french fries. I can't say I really blame you there! You finally became a fan of bananas about 2 weeks ago. Mommy still doesn't allow many sweets. I can't bring myself to allow cookies or brownies to be a part of your regular diet, so for dessert you typically have fruit. I really want to instill healthy eating habits in you....we'll see if that works! It may not since one of your favs is french fries! HA!

Here are a few random pictures from this past week.

This is typical lately....snacks in one hand and bracelets in the other.

This is also typical: you running away from mommy when she's trying to take your pretty picture!

Here you are laughing at mommy being silly.
(If anyone has any suggestions as to the rash around her mouth, feel free to share. We've been putting some kind of cream on it for a couple of weeks that the doctor gave us, but it doesn't appear to be working, so I'm wondering if she's maybe allergic to something she's eating)


She LOVES LOVES LOVES brushes.

Kissing her poodle

Olivia brushing Bentley....he's THRILLED, can't you tell?

Olivia, you bring us more joy every day than we could have ever imagined. It's amazing how the small things can make you so happy, which in turn, make us so happy! I sit and stare at you all the time and wish I could stop time for just a moment. You are growing up WAY too fast and it brings tears to my eyes frequently! I write this blog for you to enjoy when you are older, but I am sure I will appreciate it a lot more than you! It will help bring back all the special moments we shared while you were my little baby girl! Promise me you will always be my little baby girl, okay?! Love you precious one!

Mother's Day Weekend

Well, here I am about a week late posting this, as we've been without Internet much of the week. My mom came to town for Mother's Day weekend. On Saturday, we went to the FW Botanic Garden. We weren't able to stay as long as we would have liked, as I realized I forgot to take sunscreen with us. I swear sometimes I wonder if I'll ever find my mind again!

On Sunday, we went to church, came home and ate chicken spaghetti, then mom had to leave to head back home. Olivia and I then took a nap and Jason cleaned/dusted our bedroom. Very nice since I LOVE LOVE LOVE naps and I RARELY get to take one any longer! All in all, it was a wonderful yet relaxing 2nd Mother's Day!

"Smelling" the flowers.

Olivia LOVED the fountain

Giving me a partial "mean face" in the Japanese Gardens

The enormous Koi in the Japanese Garden.

Busy yet boring weekend!

I really don't have tons to say about this weekend, other than it's been busy! Friday morning, we thought Olivia might be sick, but turns out I think she was just having a bad morning! She does have allergies pretty bad right now, so who knows...let's just pray that an ear infection isn't on the horizon!

On Saturday, I had a Thirty-One party, then we went to dinner with our friends BJ & Lindsey. Then we met with our realtor on Sunday to discuss POSSIBLY selling our house (we are running out of space)! Now it's approximately 8:30pm and Jason is in full demo mode of our master bath. Sunday evening was a great time to start that project, right?! HA! We are getting our master shower re-tiled and the floor tiled this week. I CANNOT WAIT! In order to save some money, Jason decided he would do the demo. I think he's currently rethinking whether or not that was a good decision!

This girl really likes to be outside. We don't go out often, but I'm sure we will more now that she is walking. She loves to stand and watch the dogs run and play.

I bought her a blow up swimming pool at the grocery store this weekend, so I blew it up and decided to let her try it out! I blew it up inside, then went and put it outside, then came in and changed her into her swimsuit and filled pitchers with warm water for the pool (it was sunny and warm, but the water hose water is just too cold. Brrrrr!). Here is a pic of her waiting on me to finish filling the pitchers. She was SO EXCITED and just stood there and stared at her new toy.

She eventuall got really upset with me for taking so long. I think she gave up and thought we weren't going to get to go out and play in it. Poor, pitiful baby!

This little $9.99 pool is also great indoors! She loves climbing in and out...in and out...in and out. She rolls around in it and thinks it's the best thing she's ever seen. Best $9.99 I've spent so far! HA!