Lil' Pumpkin

Yesterday afternoon Ryan came home from work early so we could carve out Olivia's pumpkin. It was such a beautiful day! Olivia had a great time "helping" Daddy carve out the pumpkin--although she was more interested in playing with the leaves than in helping Daddy! We think the Jack-O-Lantern looks a little like her...

Is it just me?

To all of you Mommies, former and present (and future too if you have something!):
As I write Olivia is taking some "quiet time" in her crib. She is tired, but will not fall asleep. Instead of bringing her back downstairs where I know she will cry and cling to me, I am letting her take her quiet time. Even though I know it's okay, I can't help but feel guilty. So please tell me I'm not the only one who has done this!!

I don't know why I feel guilty, she isn't even crying!! :)

Baby Unicorn

Well, Olivia had a rough 1st day of crawling. She managed to knock her head 2 times! Once at home and once at daycare. The daycare bump was a doozey! (I have no idea how you spell that...) Here's a picture of her baby unicorn bump:

It's not a great picture, but you can get the idea. It looks much better this morning! Poor little monkey! As Grammi pointed out last night, that's what she gets for crawling when she is so little! She doesn't get the consequences of her actions! i.e. trying to climb up the dresser only holding on to the handle means you will fall, and most likely will bump your little noggen! So begins the chase...

Ta da!

She's officially crawling!! This morning I left a little naked Olivia (she has a sore little butt, so I left her naked after her bath to "air out" a bit) out to play while I got in the shower...when I got out of the shower she was not on her towel where I left her. Good thing she didn't pee! :) She crawled all over our bedroom while I was getting ready and even after I got her dressed she still kept going.

Yeah O!

Remember when?

Remember when all I did was complain about how Olivia was a rotten napper? It seems like such a long time ago when my life just revolved around nap frustrations. I was just thinking back today about those challenges, and how thankful I am that they are over--at least for now! Olivia is consistently taking a morning nap of an hour and a half to two hours, and then an afternoon nap of 45 min. to an hour 15 min. I am so thankful for this consistency--and Olivia enjoys her awake time so much more now that she is getting more consistent daytime rest as well!

No crawling yet(I shouldn't say that, she does crawl, just not 5 feet)!! So the only ones left in the running are Mamma D (23), Gina (31), and Megan (Nov.2). Olivia currently is crawling 1-2 feet and then falling to the tum. But she scoots or rolls EVERYWHERE. She body is certainly not holding back her desire to go somewhere!

Grammi & Grampy arrived safely home from Australia yesterday. I picked them up from the airport around 11:15 last night. Needless to say my 5 hours of very interrupted sleep was not enough. I went to bed around 1:15, Olivia woke up at 3:30 (got the nuk), woke up again at 4:30 (got the boob), Ry's alarm went off at 5:30, but he didn't get up until 6:30 at which point Olivia woke up too. So when O took her morning nap, I also laid down for a nap. I was OUT. I have no idea how long Olivia was awake before I made my way upstairs to get her, (nor do I remember walking up the stairs) but when I got to her room she was sitting up in her crib, smiling, and attempting to pull herself up. I think it's time to lower the crib mattress.

How's that for an update? My child is screaming, I must go.

Splish, Splash

Just a cute pic from a bath last week! What is wrong with this picture??

Back home!

You can see the craziness in their eyes....

We had a great visit up in Thief River Falls with the Espe's this week. O & I drove up Monday and came back today. 5 hours each way! Olivia did great in the car. She is a wonderful traveler! She entertained herself or slept 90% of the way; I only had to give her toys/sing/etc. for about 20 min. both ways. Jenelle & I took all 4 girls to get their pictures taken together on Wed.--what a crazy expereince. I don't think that I have ever been so busy for two hours in my life. We had a great time and I think the pictures will be great, but we were exhausted when we were done!! Olivia had a great time with her cousins, even though she was overwhelmed much of the time! She has been so happy since we got home this afternoon in her own peace & quiet zone!

She is not crawling yet! She gets closer everyday! I would say she goes about a foot to two feet before she falls over now. She is struggling with coordinating her hands & knees to go at the same time. So, Dan & Delinda you are out of the running for winning the contest. And Ry will be out tomorrow unless she kicks it in high gear in the next 24 hours!!

Out of town...

I am leaving to go out of town Monday morning and will not be back until Friday. I know you will all mourn reading my exciting blog entries this week. I promise I will tantilize your mind when I return. Have a fabulous week!

There's still time...

She's not crawling yet! Still time to join. Please post your bet on "A little gamble anyone?".

By the way, our morning routine is still up and running. It's been almost 3 weeks. I'm still crossing my fingers that it won't let up, because I'm really enjoying it!!

teeny nut

I had Olivia weighed today-- 14 lb. 14 1/2 oz. She is such a peanut! At 6 months she was 14 lb. 6 oz...Only 8 1/2 oz. in one month. You'd think I was starving her! But-she nurses at least 6 times a day and eats solid foods 3 times (sometimes 4!) a day. I guess she was destined to be tiny!

A little gamble anyone?

Olivia is SO close to crawling! Ryan and I are making a bet on the day she crawls. My bet is October 21st and Ryan's bet is October 19th.

Anyone want to join the betting? Comment with your date!

Here's a little more information to help you make an informed bet:
Olivia can consistently get from a sitting position to all fours; she can also go back to sitting. Once on all fours, she can take one or two little hand steps before falling on her belly. From belly position, she holds herself up with her arms, and she is also able to get her legs up under her...just not at the same time!

To be considered crawling:
We decided Olivia will need to crawl 5 feet for it to qualify as crawling. Where does 5 feet come from you ask? It is the approximate distance from her favorite play spot in the living room to her basket of toys.

So, join the betting fun! Don't worry, I can offer counseling if you become addicted! :) We may just have to come up with a prize for the winner...I'll consult with Ryan.

I love my ex-roommate!

She always amazes me with something! I was telling her about how Barack Obama is one of my friends on myspace and of course she had to out-do me. And because she out-did me so well, she is worthy of an entry on my blog!

Delinda was recently wed, and was telling me today about her wedding invitation list. By the way D, I still can't believe you didn't tell me about this earlier! Delinda & Josh invited:

Barack & Mrs. Obama

Bill & Hilary

Hugh Hefner

John Stewart

John Rothlisberger (football player, not gymnast)
and Martha Stewart.

Bill & Hilary, Barack & Mrs. (what's her name?) sent back cards of congratuations! Hugh Hefner sent back their RSVP card signed! The others didn't respond. I just love it. Only Delinda!!

7 months!

& has a cold! Poor little monkey! She couldn't even nurse before her nap because she couldn't breathe. :( We are going to bring her in tomorrow to rule out an ear infection.

I can hardly believe that Olivia is 7 months old. 6 months went by fast, but I could handle that! But 7 months--that means she's on her way to 1 year! Wow! These last months have been amazing. It has been so special to watch her grow and develop, and show such personality! She just loves life!

A few of her favorites at 7 months:
*Eating--ANYTHING!
*Playing with Daddy
*Watching Daddy shoot hoops (she just giggles and giggles)
*Cuddling with Mommy
*Visiting Grammi at work
*Sitting in the grass with Grampy
*Having her rat in her carseat (it's really a mouse, but we think it's funnier to say she plays with a rat)...she had to take her rat to replace her bear (her other favorite) because it's at Grammi & Grampy's.

Up all night, sleep all day

Isn't that what newborns are supposed to do? Not 7 month olds?

So after our rough night Monday night, Olivia took 3 naps yesterday! 1 hr. & 45 min; 1 hr; and 1 hr. 15 min. Tired girl!

She slept much better last night; only waking up to eat at 5:15 and then up at 7:15 for the day. I heard her coughing a few times during the night and I was so thankful it didn't wake her up! Hopefully she doesn't get an ear infection and its just a little cold. Or teeth!

It's always something!

Well, daycare went pretty well yesterday! I'm sure you have all been checking my blog at least 20 times a day to find out! :)

Leah said she was a bit fussy and she only napped for 15 minutes, but other than that it went fine. (Maybe because I told Leah to put her down around 8:30 and she didn't until 10? ) She had some good things to say about Olivia also--Like that she's very smart and that she loves smooches! (I take that as a good thing, because you wouldn't smooch a baby you didn't like right?!?) I didn't confront her on her bad behavior last week because I figured I didn't want to mess up a good thing. (I know, I know, I'm a wus) I will, however, confront her if she says anything again. O is going to Leah's both Wed. & Thurs. this week so hopefully those days go well.

My always something: Olivia has not been sleeping well for about a week and a half. What happened to my sleep all night baby!?!? Last night she woke up at 11:45, 3:00, 4:30 (because Ryan's stupid LOUD alarm), 5:15, 6:30 and was up for good. That is NOT okay with me. Teething or growth spurt are my guesses, but really I'm stumped. What to do!