Big girl carseat swag; -)

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Where do I begin.....

I haven't updated this blog since the holiday and I really want to post at least once a month, but sometimes that just seems impossible with all on my plate these days. In any event, Olivia has achieved so much since I last posted. She'll soon be 10 months old (1/30/11) and she's WALKING!!! Yes, my baby girl started taking independent steps on 1/21/11 at 9.5 months. She's also been using her POTTY! Yes, Olivia is using her potty! Her Ganny sits her on it and she's been successful in dropping off #1 and #2. She's talking and into everything. Olivia is climbing the stairs....well, not anymore because I have a gate at the top and bottom, but if left open she'll be up 4 stairs within a blink of an eye!

I am truly amazed at how fast she's growing and how much she's able to do independently. She can tell you if she doesn't want something by turning her head and she's sooo NOT interested in baby food. My child eats table food and/or Gerber Graduates. She has 7 teeth in (4 at the bottom and 3 at the top) with about 3 more starting to surface. My baby is also super clingy to her Mommy. She wants me in her eyesight at all times, so that means she's in the bathroom with me or wherever I am, she wants to be. I try to remember that this is just a phase and will pass. She will one day not want to be anywhere near me, and that will hurt I'm sure. So for now, I'm enjoying my little baby attachment.

I'm glad to also report that I have gotten a lot better at asking for help. It's not easy raising a little one alone, and thank God that I don't have to. Olivia's Ganny and Dad are such a tremendous help. It really does take a village to raise a child.

Winter Wonderland

Olivia's 1st Christmas was quite remarkable. I was sooo excited for "Santa" to visit my daughter. I'm sure she had no clue what the heck was going on. She would have been happy with me allowing her to pull ornaments off of our tree.....oh but no! We, the parentals, declared that all of her firsts would be spectacular! Christmas certainly to be no exception. I can honestly say I still can't see the floor and the boxes to all the toys, dolls and gadgets are stacked high along the wall so that Tuesday when the trash man arrives he might just have to pick up, dispose and return to get all of my trash. It's truly ridiculous how much stuff is packed for trash. Sorry environment :-)

One view of the bounty

Another viewMy Pooh in her My 1st Christmas pajamas

Aside from the very fact that its Olivia's 1st Christmas, we actually had a lovely blanket of snow on Christmas Day. It actually snowed on Christmas!!!! How special is that? My Mom reminded me that I had snow for my 1st Christmas as well....although I was only 2 weeks old I'm sure I was excited about it. LOL. Here's a pic of the snow from my front door.


Olivia has been in pretty good spirits considering that she has her two front teeth coming in for a grand total of 5 teeth!!!! She's not even 9 months old yet and she has 5 teeth! I feel like she's growing up soooo fast...Geez. I think her gums are bothering her more at night b/c she is not sleeping well. In fact, last night, Christmas night she woke up every two hours. I dosed her up with some pain reliever (which she didn't want to take) and then she seemed to settle and sleep a little better. Its an awful feeling knowing that your child is in pain and there isn't much you can do. It's truly a growing pain. :-(. Better days ahead b/c she will soon be eating her own chicken wings. LOL. My baby doesn't want anything to do with baby food. I mean nothing. The only bit of baby food she gets is when I put oatmeal in her bottle, otherwise she is pretty exclusive on formula. Other than a few bites or tastes of what I'm eating. Table food is her thing. It's sooo cute. She opens her mouth like a little bird when I'm eating. Oh how I love all these tender moments with my girl. In a mere 3 months, she will be a year old....heavy sigh......too fast.

Catching snowflakes

Olivia has dutifully stalked our Christmas tree all day. She finally decided to go for it. This was too cute not to capture.

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8 months old and such a little lady

Miss Anne (Liv's nickname for her busy bodyness) is into EVERYTHING! She's strong and fast so what a combinations. Olivia started crawling at about 7.5 months and it's been on and popping every since. Actually, she'd began pulling herself up even before then. We all were convinced that she would forgo crawling altogether and skip ahead to walking. However, she's doing a combination of the two. She can pull herself to a standing position and if she holds onto the sofa or something sturdy, she can walk along aside it, especially if she sees something that she wants.

Olivia is displaying so much personality and smarts. She's very aware and attentive after her name has been spoken. It's like she's listening to hear what you're saying about her. It's funny. She loves to show her two little tic tacs in the bottom of her mouth. She sprouted those teeth around 7 months and hasn't really teethed since. I guess she's been working on getting mobile. Ha!

Olivia is not all that impressed with baby food. She prefers her bottles most days and I was praying that she'd be consuming less formula and more food. She can have some table food now, but she's drinking about 6-8 bottles a day! Sometimes I feel like she's not eating enough, but then she makes the EXPLOSIVE packages and I know she must be getting just what she needs...LOL

With the holidays upcoming, our house is buzzing with the excitement of a 1st Christmas. We spent Thanksgiving in my hometown of B'ham, AL, but before we left I put up the tree and the Christmas decoration. I love Christmas, I just love it! This time of year is just special and all the more now that I have my baby girl. I'm going to try to to go too overboard with buying things, but I ain't making no promises ;-).

We did a little Black Friday shopping in a new Outlet in Leeds and although I'd set out to "treat" myself to a few things, as is the routine Olivia ends up with 3 bags of clothes from The Children's Place, Gymboree and Carter's....like she needs another item of clothing. I did however find her dress for Christmas pictures which we're taking this Saturday at JC Penny. I'm undecided as to whether I will take a few with her or not, or just let it be her picture on the holiday cards.....decisions, decisions.

Also, I have a birthday coming up, Dec. 9th will be my 33rd!!! No big plans, just probably a spa day and a little retail therapy. It doesn't take a whole lot for me. I'm easy like Sunday morning :)

7 months and 1st Halloween

Ladybug celebrates her 1st Halloween and being 7 months old!!!

She's crying even when she's not crying....

at least in my head. On the very rare occasions that my precious daughter isn't yelling, screaming, whining or whimpering, and is sound asleep in my bed (a post for another day) I still hear her crying in my head. Like now for instance, she's fast asleep and I'm downstairs and I could swear that she's starting to cry. So I go part the way up the stairs to validate what I think I hear and nothing.....all I hear in her ocean lullaby Cd playing.

Does that mean that I'm just wired to respond and expect her to need me even when she doesn't? I feel like I'm always on "pause" never really in a moment, just trying to anticipate her next need/desire. I can honestly admit that I'm struggling to find a balance. Being a Mommy and a woman with her own needs and desires is hard. Anytime that I take the time out to do anything for myself I feel really guilty. Like going to the nail salon, out to dinner with friends, to the hair salon....hell, even to run errands, anytime I'm not with Olivia I feel like she thinks that I've abandoned her. I literally have to talk myself into following through on standing appointments that I have b/c being away from her for 8 hrs at work is a lot. Although I call and check on her twice a day, and I know she's in good, loving, caring hands. I still feel like I should be the one caring for her.

Maybe this feeling will dissipate when she gets older, or maybe it'll get worse.....I dunno. I just know that sometimes I get overwhelmed by it all and welcome the break, guilty feeling and all. Today was one of those days when I really needed some "me time" and I was so glad G was available and willing to let me take it. Whew....who knew that sleep would be a gift and taking a long, hot shower a sweet indulgence?

Wordless Wednesday

Just smiles and pretty girl overload today!

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Happy 6 Months Olivia!!!

6 months old and I am just amazed at how social, attentive and DEMANDING you are! You have definitely decided that your way is the best way and should come first no matter what! You're also full of smiles, exposing your two small pegs at the bottom and you LOVE to jump. You're a little jumping bean in everybody's lap. You've also managed to take over my queen sized bed! You didn't initially care for your walker, but you're slowly starting to warm up to it and have figured out how to push backwards in it but not forward yet. You're eating solids at your Ganny's house and your favorites seem to be squash, green beans and pears (this makes Mommy sooo happy and proud).

You are truly a joy and I could never imagine my life without you in it. As you advance towards becoming a 1-year old, I pray that you continue to be a happy little girl. That's been my prayer for you from the day I found out you were being formed in my womb. I will always be your #1 fan and supporter. I look forward to watching you grow into the amazing young woman that you're DSTined to become! ;-)

Infinite Love,
~Mommy
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Moooove!

Dear Mommy,

I love your bed! I mean I sleep like I'm in the womb when I'm in your bed. There is something so safe and comforting about being sprawled out in your bed. I know sometimes that I edge you out and you nearly fall out the bed, but know that at least I'm sleeping good :) I enjoy our cuddle time too. You're so soft.........did I mention how much I love your bed? You can have my bed if you want.

Wet kisses,
~Olivia
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Cartoon Break

Guess who's 5 months old today.....

That's right, Miss Olivia Gabrielle is 5 months old and I can hardly believe it. I know I say this every month, but its truly amazing to watch my little girl grow up right before my eyes. She's learning so much and is attentive to everything.
Olivia recognizes when her name is called and/or being used in a conversation. Whenever I'm updating her Granny or Dad about something she's done she always looks up at me as if to say "why are you telling my business?" TOO FUNNY!!

Miss Liv just might pull up before she crawls. She loves to be put in a standing position and she nearly leaps off of your leg. I should really be recording this stuff. She's not going to believe me when I tell her this when she's older.

I'm also proud to report that Olivia loves her veggies. She's "officially" eating food! She's still getting her bottles in but we've incorporated green beans, carrots, sweet potatoes, squash and pears into her otherwise liquid diet. She loves it and I'm so happy that she loves her veggies. Hopefully that will last ;-)

STTN is still kinda allusive as she usually wakes at least twice during. Her sleeping through the night is so sporadic that I have to mark the calendar to remember the day. I've started giving her a much heavier night bottle. What I like to call a rice cereal smoothie b/c its thicker than her normal bottle. My baby's belly gets full and she's out cold. Hopefully this will mean a good nights rest for me.........what a treat that would be ;-)
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Thank You Lord for Olivia

Olivia's Christening was last night at church. It was a wonderful blessing to have family and friends present to witness us dedicating ourselves to promoting the spiritual, emotional, educational, physical, financial and social growth of our little princess. Everyday I am thankful to God for the blessing of a healthy, happy little girl. Thank you God for entrusting me with raising your little one to meet Your purpose for her.

The ear piercing experience (pun intended)

Olivia had her 4 month appointment on Friday and it was of course time for her next round of immunizations. In hindsight, I probably should have schedule the ear piercing for another day, a day when she wasn't scheduled to be stuck by needles.

She must have sensed something was up b/c even before her Dr moved towards her with the earring gun, she started to turn it up. She had done soo well during her check-up, but then it all went south. G had the duty of holding her still against her back arching, kicking, screams. It was quite horrible. Had I not been busy taking pics I would have certainly joined her for a good cry.

The end result was a beautiful pair of pink flower earrings on the most beautiful Olivia I've ever known.
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The Wonderful World of OLIVIA!

Besides the obvious irony, I am in love with all things OLIVIA! She's the cutest, most adventurous, smart little....piglet ever! Initially I was not in love with the fact that this OLIVIA was a weird looking pig, but she quickly won us over. My Olivia seems to enjoy watching "same name" on Nickelodeon and so far, the cartoon seems to be pretty wholesome.

The books are great! I recently purchased about six at one time from Borders.com. I am an avid reader and I hope Olivia takes on that same passion. Books are a wonderful mode of escape and creativity. I hope to write a Children's book one day. My Olivia will have all of the OLIVIA books and videos too!

Here's to all the fantastic little OLIVIA's!!

Smooching

I LOVE to smooch my baby. Its how she earned her nickname. She is my Smoochieness and my love for her is really indescribable. What manner of love is this??

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4 months old!!

Every single month I'm just amazed at how fast time seems to be flying these days. My baby is 4 months old today! It's hard to believe the I was laboring with her 4 months ago today, and yet today she's a smiling, playful, beautiful, alert, vibrant, sweet little girl.

Olivia is also starting to teethe (I think) and she does the cutest thing when she's ready to go to sleep. If I lay her down and give her the paci, she will roll onto her side and tuck her hands either under her chin or into the other and goes to sleep. I LOVE IT! I'm just in awe of her everyday. She has also discovered her voice and volume. She's getting LOUDER everyday. I think she's going to be a singer b/c she can hold a note...LOL

To say that I'm a proud Mommy is an understatement. There are truly no words for how much love I have for my sweet babygirl. She is my everything and I am blessed to my her Mommy.

Happy 4 Months Olivia!!

You know you're a Mom when.....

I saw this heading on another Mommy's blog some time ago and have been intending for a while now to post it here too. I think its just amazing how much your life changes, for the better, once you have a little one. Most days its hard for me to even imagine life without Olivia in it. I mean seriously, what was I doing before her? It doesn't matter now for sure because I am just overjoyed to be her Mommy!

Here are a couple of what I call Momisms.......You Know You're A Mommy When....

• Your cellphone is perpetually on vibrate, b/c you would much rather miss a call, than have someone call and wake your sleeping baby.....the one who fought sleep for 2-3 hrs......for example..LOL
• You're the last to: eat, shower, dress, sleep, have clean laundry, etc...b/c you make sure she's attended to first and foremost.
• Getting to the the nail shop, mall, grocery store, gym, hair salon, Girl's Night Out, Date Night, sorority meeting, etc. is a team effort.
• You scarf down whatever you have a few seconds to eat b/c in a few minutes baby will awake and desire your immediate attention.
• Shopping for you totally turns into shopping for her....b/c she certainly needs yet another outfit.
• You've become an online shopping phenom b/c taking baby in and out of the car and stores is just too tedious and much too frustrating for her.
• No matter how sleep deprived you are, when baby she cries at any un-Godly hour, you jump straight up out the bed (automatically), grab a bottle and head into the nursery.
• The excess funds you would have used to shop with now goes into her savings account.
• You're planning her 1st Birthday party (in your head) even though its not for 8 more months.
• You've subscribed to every "parent" type magazine on the market.
• Your baby's poop, slob, vomit, etc landing on your hand, face, clothes, furniture, etc. doesn't bother you one bit.
• You come home from the gym tired and sweaty, but she eats and gets her bath first.
• Hearing, Reading, Seeing something terrible about another child brings you instantly to tears.
• At a moments notice you can whip out at least 3 different current pictures of your baby.
• You don't' see anything wrong with your daughter having 4 different pairs of white sandals of the same size...seriously, what's wrong with that? LOL
• Your daughter's closet rivals most adult women's.
• She is constantly on your mind, and although you know she's in good hands...you still call to check to see how she's during throughout the day.
• You constantly pray for her and ask God to make y'all (yep, I'm a Southern girl) the best parents for her.
• Anything that pertains to her takes priority over everything else.
• You love her intensely and infinitely no matter what.

I'm sure you have a few that you can add, what are some of your Momisms?

Baby Doll

How could anyone not love this little girl?

Liv's 1st Independence Day

Happy 4th of July!!!!!