Yes, we're still alive!

It feels like forever since I've posted about our lives! I guess moving requires more dedication than I thought it would! We've now been in our new house 1 week and LOVE it! To be honest, the night before closing I was having "buyer's remorse"....or maybe it was "seller's remorse"....or maybe it was just a little of both! I was seriously doubting whether or not we made the right decision about moving. I LOVED my old house. It was our first house. It was the only house Olivia had ever known. It was home, and I was really sad to leave it.

I can HAPPILY say that I no longer have any second thoughts. We have SO much more space and storage. I even have some kitchen cabinets with NOTHING in them! Oh, and did I mention the pantry? I think we are all in love with it! We didn't have one at all at our old house. It's Olivia's favorite "room". She goes in and closes the door at least a few times a day! The neighborhood is awesome as well. We've only met a few neighbors, but so far, so good! I LOVE our new HOME! It's the people in the house that make it a home anyway, right?

Since I've been slacking in posting lately, I've just decided to include some pictures of the past couple of weeks which will tell you what we've been up to. Enjoy!

Miss Olivia helped pack lots of boxes. Maybe she was worried we'd forget her stuff!

She loved those cabinets being empty!

We sold our furniture the week before we moved, so we spent a lot of time on pallets on the floor.



Olivia "helping" again.

Walking with the cool whip container on her foot. This was quite amusing for her.

We played in tutus (ok, SHE played in HER tutu) just like the Teletubbies.

So I've been told by more than one person (mom, Jason, Nicole...) that I'm being silly, but I was SOOOOO sad to leave this little girl's empty room **See beginning of post...I'm no longer sad!


Olivia's new wall in her new room! LOVE the way it turned out!

We've gone swimming in our new yard.

We've spilled Fruit Loops and had them stick to our feet.

We've gotten the puppies new beds, as we are attempting to have a "no couch" rule.

We've treated the new dog beds as baby beds!


We've spent time doing some serious coloring.

The "Masterpiece"

We've spent time watching our new "pet" dove. I'm sure she is quite annoyed by us. I'm sure she thought the house was abandoned when she decided to build her little nest. And now, here she is...stuck with 2 standard poodles and an 18 month old. Yes, I'm quite sure she is rather annoyed!

This evening the dove went out for food (we guess) and there are two babies! We previously thought there was only one, but there are definitely two. So cute (in an ugly cute sort of way).

18 Months Old

Our baby girl is 18 months old today! We went for her checkup today, which I guess wasn't a very good birthday gift for her! She weighs about 24 pounds (which we already knew as she is obsessed with the scale in my bathroom and weighs daily); she is 32 1/2 inches long. All measurements fell in approximately the 50th percentile. Olivia's feet turn in, so I asked the doctor to take a look. She wasn't concerned at all and said they should correct themselves over time.

Olivia is changing daily. She's been in the 2-3 year old classroom a lot this summer and I can always tell the difference in her "mood" on the days she is in the big kids' room! They must have a lot more attitudes than the 18-24 month class and Olivia definitely picks up on it! Lately we have been hearing "MINE!" a lot more! Her new word this week is "night-night". She likes to pretend she's going night-night and points to herself and says it. She's such a little ham. Our bed is apparently SUPER fun and she throws herself around in the pillows. Her bedtime is still around 7:30 and she sleeps until 7:30 or so, but stays in bed until after 8:00. She is the best self-entertainer in the mornings! She likes to wake up and talk to herself and play by herself before we ever go in and get her. Such a sweetie!

In addition to the Well Visit today, we had to go for more bloodwork so they can run tests on her immune system to make sure it's working properly. Hopefully we will know something soon....I'm expecting and hoping for "normal"! Prayers for our baby girl are much appreciated! :)

Boxes Everywhere

Well, we are now less than 2 weeks away from moving! We have a garage sale scheduled for next weekend, so it is getting a little bit hectic around our house! Luckily, Olivia thinks the boxes are the best toys ever! She loves playing in them (when she's not trying to help pack). We didn't even get out of our pajamas on Saturday until 7pm when we took a bath! Then we just put on more pajamas! We had a pretty busy day packing, but there's still SO much more left to do!

Big Cup, Little Girl

I get a large diet coke every mornin from our cafeteria at work. Once I'm done, I fill it with water for the rest of the day. I always take it with me for the ride home. Olivia has decided that this is HER cup. The second she gets in the car from daycare and sees it, she asks (whines & points) for it. She then proceeds to carry it all over the house an drink from it. It's funny to watch, as it's just about as big as she is!

At this point, she was running from me saying "mine". A wonderful word she has learned. Ugh!

Birthdays

My mother-in-laws birthday was Saturday, so we went over to their house for a casual evening. Olivia was luckily feeling ok Saturday night and we let her take a pretty late nap so she'd be well rested! After dinner, birthday cake (and a little dancing), we went home and relaxed the rest of the night. Happy Birthday Elizabeth/Gram E!

Today is my mom's birthday, so Happy Birthday Mom!!! Wish we could have seen you too!

Liv playing with her baby at Gram E's house. I LOVE that she's being motherly with the babies now!

Emily and Elizabeth dancing in the kitchen....Jason and I just really don't fit into this family! We are WAY TOO reserved! HA!

Make a wish!

Sick....again

Olivia began running a high fever (106.1) Tuesday and we spent the night in the ER (again). They did bloodwork and a urinalysis and everything came back normal with a diagnosis of "probably a virus". Those are three words I'm really sick of hearing! She has had fever thru today, although it has been lower. She wakes up with it ranging from 102-103 and it typically goes down some during the day, although it doesn't go away altogether. We're hoping & praying she wakes up fever free tomorrow!

Ohhhh Baby!

I've always hoped that I would have a little girl that loved to play baby dolls. Well, my little girl is definitely turning into a true little girl. She loves jewelry, purses, and babies.

I snapped a few pics of her this evening after her bath. She played and played with this baby doll in its carrier.

So prissy

She had to put on her baby's backpack/diaper bag.

Is she not the cutest?!?!?!? I could just eat her up!

Little Swimmer

I unfortunately had to work today, so Jason and Olivia had father-daughter time. They went over to Gram E's and went swimming this morning. Jason took a few pictures for me, as this was Olivia's first real swim of the summer (besides the backyard pool). It looks like she enjoyed it!

Independence Day

We really didn't do anything especially for the "Fourth" this weekend. We spent most of the day Saturday going back and forth with the sellers of our NEW HOME! Then on Sunday, we did the usual....went to church, ate lunch, napped, grocery shopped....there was no way I was going to attempt to keep Olivia up to watch fireworks, especially since I had to get up and go to work on Monday! Here are a few pics from the weekend of our precious baby girl!

Jason has charged up an old cell phone for her to play with...she thinks she is BIG stuff with her real phone!

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!