Nipples??

For those of you who don't know, I am a therapist who works with kids, adolescents, and families. I'm finishing up my licensure as a Marriage & Family Therapist--hopefully within the next 9 months or so. I know what you are wondering...how do nipples fit in?

Well, in my office I have a lot of toys. Most of the toys have been passed down or collected by others and are in my office. I have a drawer FULL of barbie dolls. One day last week one of my little girl clients wanted to play with the barbies and, of course, undress & redress them. That's when I noticed it. One of the barbies had NIPPLES!!!!! WHAT!!! I mean, I think barbies are horrible enough--completely mysoginistic...although I totally love playing with them and will probably allow Olivia to play with them...but not without some serious feminist dialogue first. BUT NIPPLES!! That is absolutely outrageous. I tried to tell if the barbie was older or new, but couldn't. Maybe I'm just out of date with my barbie playing, and this is the latest thing, but I was outraged. I'm going to throw the barbie away.

Catch-up...ketchup...

I feel like this may have just been the longest, yet fastest, week of my life. First, I have zero motivation this week to get anything done. Great. I did manage to wash the floor today (amongst a few other things, but that was the big accomplishment). Now for the rest of the house...

Not too much to report in Olivia-ville. This past weekend she had the worst fall of her life when we were up at the cottage--all the way down the wooden staircase. It's a big staircase. She went all the way from the top, head over heels, to the bottom. I thought she was going to break her neck. It was horrible. Our friends, Sarah & Dave, Annika, and Sofie were visiting (although Dave and Ryan were out fishing) and unfortunately the ladies witnessed the whole thing. Poor Sarah felt so bad--and I sure wasn't much fun the rest of the evening! Reliving the moment and freaking out that my little Lula may have a concussion!! She's perfectly fine though, not even a bruise! Crazy!

Otherwise all is well in our little world!

Schedule?

Olivia has had a cold this week, one which I might add, she was generous to share with me! Thank you! :) Anyway, for the past 3 or so months she has been consistently taking one nap a day, usually around 9:30-10:30 (to lay down) in the morning and then she will sleep for 2-3 hours. Most naps have been closer to 3! It has been wonderful! Well, the past 2 weeks have been different--maybe because of popping a tooth last week and a cold this week, I don't know. It is so frustrating though, that just when you are really enjoying the schedule and getting to depend on it...she changes. Aaah!
This morning--very weird--by 8:00 she was crying "nigh-nigh"--I thought she was crazy, but indulged her and put her in her crib. She went right out! WHAT! It will be interesting to see how long she sleeps being that it was so early...although she was up at 5:45. Thanks a lot, cold.

:) Have a happy Memorial Weekend!

Excited much?

I was browsing through some pictures today and found this one of Olivia's cousins meeting her for the first time. Do you think they were excited?? (Raegan (back), Morgan, Maren)

Confessions...

Are you ready?



I love.....


the....


NKOTB!!!!!!!

I know, I know, seriously, they are so 1986. But, they are back. I broke my TV rule this morning and left the TODAY show on while Olivia and I were doing our routine so I would NOT miss their new debut! I am such a dork. Seriously, I know I am. But I can't help it. Little Joey McIntire, well, he just brings me back. Sigh....

So, their performance was so-so. They started with a montage of their old songs, songs which I loved, but they just did okay. Their man voices just can't get as high as their little boy voices once did. They need to face that fact now. Then they sang their new single "summertime"--that sure didn't do anything for me. Not my type of music at all. They finished their performance with "Tonight", probably my all-time favorite NKOTB song. And it was fabulous, bringing a tear to my eye (That's the sad truth...ah, the memories).

Their comeback is a little hokey; I'm the first to admit that. But if they promise to sing all their oldies, but goodies in a concert, Will I be there? You betcha!

La la la la tonight....see the girls with the curls in their hair.... (I think they're singing about me...)

Teeny Kisses

Ryan and I both love asking Olivia for kisses. She has these great big, open mouthed, sloppy, "mmm-a" noise filled kisses. They are adorable (and maybe a little gross...). We always have to ask for them though....

Today I was sitting on the couch and Olivia wanted to come up next to me. I hoisted her up, and she wiggled with her usualy glee. She then leaned over and gave me a big smacker-oo right on the lips, open mouthed, "mmmma" filled and all.

It was beautiful. I love that she loves me.

Thinking outside of the box

Shoe?

Nah...safety boat from Noah's Ark? Possibly!

Gee....Thanks??

I started this morning off like I have most mornings lately--out for a walk with Olivia in the stroller (well, after breakfasts, showers, clothes etc.). I always enjoy our walks; they are so peaceful. I expected today to be no different.

As I passed our neighbor's driveway, the wife was leaving in her car. We haven't seen them much over the winter, because we aren't out and about too much. So it had been a while. We stopped to chat. She, of course, ooh-ed and aah-ed over Olivia. Then, apparently....or maybe not, it was my turn...
Neighbor: Boy, You sure are looking skinny! (I hate when people say this to me, I mean, what are you supposed to say??)
Me: Well, thank you.
Neighbor: I mean, you were looking really chunky for a while there; but now you are looking skinny again.
Me: Oh...ah...thanks?????

SERIOUSLY!!!!!!!!!!!!! Who says those things? Get some social skills, lady!!!

Picass-"O"?

Olivia has recently discovered the joy of coloring. She loves markers, and for the most part, is doing pretty good about not putting them in her mouth!! When I ask her if she wants to color, she always replies "O" because when she colors with Grammi, she shows her how to make "O's".
Things I have learned about coloring:
1. Best when naked (like most things!!).
2. Washable markers truly are amazingly washable. Not how I remember them growing up!
3. Color on the linoleum floor because the marker wipes right off!

Free $

I just checked our online banking and I was like "Holy moly! Where did all this money come from!!!" Then I realized we got our government rebate. While I sure don't like Bush a whole heck of a lot, I sure can't feel too bad about free money!!!! Thank you government!

Piggies

I decided Olivia's hair was getting long enough to do something with, so we headed to Wal Mart (which I hate by the way, I much prefer Target, but I needed some groceries too, so Wally World it was) and bought some binders and clips. These images evoke 2 emotions from me:
1. SHEER JOY: Because, seriously, could she be ANY cuter? I mean, really...I know I'm biased, but who can resist those piggies!!?!
2. A little SADNESS: Those cute little piggies make her look so big! She looks like a toddler and not a little baby! I'm not ready for that!!

Daddy was in charge...

of lunch!

Pooping Dinosaurs

* 11 months...wouldn't she kill me if she knew?

Update!

Sorry it has taken me so long to update! We've just had a busy couple days and this is the first time I've had to sit down at the computer!

David's suergery went wonderfully; they are still working on analyzing the culture from the infection to find out the exact type of antibiotics he'll need. He will most likely be on IV antibiotics for a month! Yuck! He's feeling well though and ready to come home! Hopefully today or tomorrow. Please continue to pray for healing!

Olivia and I went to visit yesterday and he said it made his day. It's never fun to haul a small child somewhere there isn't a lot of space to play, but she did wonderful, and I was glad we went to see how happy he was to see her.