Florida

Olivia and I are headed to Florida tomorrow with Grammi. We'll be back Sunday.

BUT DON'T WORRY! I am bringing my computer with and will be blogging on the trip! :) I knew my readers would miss me too much otherwise. Besides, who wouldn't want to see the cutest baby in the world in a bikini on the beach?

More from Florida tomorrow...But click here for a sneak peak at where we are staying.

Speedy Gonzales

Today O was playing in the basement while I was on the computer (basement as well)...the phone rang and I ran upstairs to grab it. I was seriously up there for maybe 30 sec. when I turned to go back downstairs. Who did I find at the top of the stairs to meet me? I'm sure you can guess.

Little stinker.

Never fear, we are still here!

We just got done with the busiest 4 days of our lives. Maybe not really, but it sure felt like it! We of course had Thanksgiving, where we hit 3 places (Olivia was exhausted!!). Then Friday-Sunday we had company staying at our house. Jenelle (Ryan's sister), Thane, Morgan, Raegan, and Maren all stayed at our house. It was so much fun to have them, but we are beat! The girls are so busy, and they are always so excited to see Olivia that their busy-ness multiplies by about 100!

Sunday, Olivia was dedicated at church (I'll post pics later because my sister in law has them!) which was so much fun! She was absolutely adorable when we were up front. Despite being napless in the morning, she was talking and kicking her legs. She was charming the whole audience. Pastor Alan got quite a kick out of her. She even let him carry her around the church to show her off. After church we had the whole clan over to our house for Sunday dinner to celebrate Olivia. I decided to make fajitas for lunch, which turned out to be a great hit. Everyone loved them, and they were an easy thing to make for a LOT of people.

It was a great weekend, but very, very busy. Olivia was konked out before 7 tonight. Sleepy girl!

Olivia's latest feats...

She never ceases to amaze us! Here is a list of some of the things she has been doing lately:

1. Crawling everywhere.
2. Crawling UP THE STAIRS.
3. Attempting to go down the stairs, but stopped before we have crisis.
4. Pulling herself up.
5. Just beginning to walk along furniture.
6. Her favorite thing to do is play with her toys "standing up" (bent over, with feet on the floor, legs straight); yesterday she went from that position to standing all on her own! (YIKES.)
7. Imitating noises: "ba-ba-ba", "da-da-da", "ma-ma-ma", raspberry noises
8. Eating finger foods like crazy.
9. Playing in her tunnel.
10. Being the cutest baby EVER!!!

Could those thighs be any cuter? I just want to eat them up!!

My best friend, Julia

Yesterday my best friend was on Oprah! What you say, you have a friend who was on Oprah?? Sadly I was not in attendance at the show. I'm not sure why Julia never sends me tickets when she is on. Yes, my best friend is Julia Roberts. I know you are all shocked, amazed, and probably a little jealous. I know I would be. :)
Okay, not really. But I do love Julia Roberts! And she was on Oprah yesterday! Seeing my best friend brought me down memory lane to when I got to meet her in New York. My mom, aunt, 2 cousins, and I took a trip to New York in June '06 and we went to see Julia's play on Broadway. It sucked, by the way. But we got to meet Julia after the show! It was so much fun!
Doesn't she look happy to meet me??

Sick of Mommy?

So, my sweet little Olivia was a little BEAR all morning yesterday. She was up at 6 napped for a half hour at 9--AND DID NOT NAP THE REST OF THE DAY...Seriously Olivia! About 12:45 Ryan got home fromm work and was going to run some errands so he kindly took Ms. O with so I could a) have a break and b) clean the house. It was so nice of him. I had the house to myself for over 2 hours; it was much needed. So, here's the stumper!

Olivia was a joy for him yesterday. And a joy for Grammi yesterday evening when she watched her so Ry and I could have a much needed date. What's the deal O? Are you sick of Mommy? Alright, so probably not--but really! I don't understand why sometimes the thing that comforts them the best also brings out the crabbies! I suppose the same theory applies to why we can be mean & nasty to our family sometimes and we would never be that way to strangers.

Well, whatever it is, she slept somewhat better last night--only waking 4 times; and she already took an hour and a half nap. I wish that little toofer (tooth for those of you who don't speak baby language) would just finish poppling through! This morning it seems to have retreated back to the safety of the gums...only to rear its ugly head later and cause more pain and suffering. :)

Les Miserables

That is Olivia...the miserable. She is a teething mess. She was awake 9 times last night. Crying. Oh Olivia...what to do! And now she's exhuasted, but will she sleep? Of course not. Why do what would make sense? Let's drive Mommy a little batty instead! :)

Last night was the first time I have given in on my no eating until 4 am rule. For the first time in 6 1/2 months! I hope I haven't just ruined everything... I figured that since by 2:30 she had already been awake 8 times, I needed to not only put her out of her misery, but me too!

We've been d0ing Tylenol around the clock, Orajel...she doesn't want to chew on things, but I've put a biter biscuit in the fridge for later hoping that will help. What about ibuprofen? Anyone know?

No new news on baby Henry--he's still stable, and they are hoping to know more about the outcome in the next few days. I will say that knowing about baby Henry, sure puts this struggle with Olivia into perspective. This too shall pass...

Change of Plans

Well, we ended up not going to SD yesterday. Just as we were about to leave, Sam called to say that things had become worse with Henry and they needed to go back to Sioux Falls to be with the family. This morning we found out that Henry is stable again, more and more families are coming forward about the daycare provider who abused Henry, and the family is still waiting to find out more about the extent of Henry's damage. Please keep praying for little Henry, as well as his family. It is such a tragic situation and they desperately need your prayers.

Here's a link to view the videoclip from last night's news in Sioux Falls regarding Henry:
http://www.keloland.com/videoarchive/index.cfm?VideoFile=111407babyassault

Out...

We are heading out of town to visit Sam & Laura--yeah! We hope to have a great trip and hopefully bring them some joy and relief after they have been dealing with baby Henry. Henry has a caring bridge site if you would like more information to be able to pray for them better. Thank you for your prayers already; and pray for safe travel for us to South Dakota!

www.caringbridge.org/visit/henry

Thankful

In light of our friend's nephew in ICU, I am so thankful today for Olivia and her health. She took a short nap this morning, and while I could have been frustrated about it, I am just so thankful for her. Thankful for her life, her personality, her curiosity, and the joy that she brings to our lives. Take extra time to squeeze your kids today!

Prayer for Henry

Please pray for our friend's nephew, baby Henry. He is Sam & Laura's nephew and is in intensive care with bleeding on the brain. He is only 5 months old and they are unsure what is going to happen at this point. Please pray for his parents, Steve & Missy, as well as the rest of their family.

Is it for me to eat Mama?

Olivia loved the snow this morning! It was technically not her first snowfall, because it snowed the day we took her home from the hospital, but this feels more like her first snowfall to me! I took her out for a few minutes and let her explore the snow. She thought it was pretty great! I love the second picture because she wants to eat it! :) And who doesn't love to eat snow!

Play Date

Olivia had a play date with her little buddy Michael on Tuesday (after their flu shots, probably not the best idea, but it worked!). Michael was born one day before Olivia so we were in the hospital together, and we originially met Michael's parents (Marci & John) in our childbirth classes. Olivia & Michael are just starting to play together, but still spend the majority of their time ignoring one another...still made for some cute pictures though!

This one is my favorite! "I love you!"

By the way

I am so sick of laundry. Why doesn't it ever end? I'm this close (imagine me holding up my fingers, REALLY close together) to doing away with clothes and spending the rest of my life naked. Only two things are holding me back:
1. It's cold outside and the snow yesterday kind of did me in.
2. Olivia would think her mom is REALLY weird. Weirder than growing up with a mom who wears a purple cape. That's not a bad idea though--I could cover up the nakedness with a purple cape...hmmm....

My Latest Creation

Our wonderful friends, Sam & Laura, were here last week. It was a wonderful 6 day visit! We miss them so much since they moved to South Dakota, so it is always such a blessing when we get to see them. This time they came they left their little Ella at home with Grandma & Grandpa. Laura and I were able to get some much needed time shopping, SCRAPBOOKING!, talking, etc. We even had an Olivia-free evening, and an Olivia-free night (Thanks Grammi!). We really enjoyed our time together. Ryan and Sam hunted, of course. I think for 6 days straight. Laura and I were beginning to wonder if we even had husbands anymore! Unfortunately, no deer. Well, except for the doe Ryan shot in the neck for a bit of sport, but they never found it.
So here is a picture of the latest creation that I made for Olivia's room. I am very proud of it...it just might be the best thing I have ever made. The pictures aren't the best but hopefully you'll get the idea!

One Pea in a Pod

Well Trick or Treating wasn't such a treat! It was a little late for Olivia by the time Daddy got done hunting and she wasn't a great napper yesterday (perhaps it's those little teeth that I can just barely see!!), so we only ended up going to 2 houses. Not only was she tired, but we had to take her in and out of her costume every time we went in the car because it was too big for her carseat! None the less, she was very cute and we had a great time!!