Saturday, January 24, 2009 - Update

Okay, so I need to take some more recent pictures of Olivia. I keep picking and choosing some from the past month, but I thought this one would be fitting considering how we spent the afternoon. I thought I had a great idea. Sedgwick County was holding an e-waste event at the Coliseum where you could drop of old tvs, computers and other electronic equipment at no charge. My dad and brother did this last year. They drove up, unloaded their stuff and went on with their day. Ryan was going to go earlier in the day, but I had this great idea. Why not wait until after Olivia takes her nap and we'll all take a little road trip together? Afterwards, we can pick up lunch and head home. What a bad idea that turned out to be. When we got there, traffic was backed up for well over a mile and moving at a snail's pace. And, that was just to GET to the Coliseum. It was insane! Olivia was an angel and didn't even make a peep. She just sat in her carseat. We were complaining more than she was. Finally, we gave up and left with our electronics in tow. We were hungry, Olivia was hungry and it was just an awful way to spend the afternoon. Did anyone else attempt this? We ended up dropping Olivia off at Grandma and Grandpa Glunt's and Ryan and I went out to lunch at 4 pm! We had a delicious meal at Timberline, just the two of us. So, that was nice. Thanks Olivia for being so patient!

Prayer Request

I was very saddened to hear that my friend, Kelley, lost her 10 year old niece, Hailey, last week. Hailey was killed after falling off of her bicycle and being struck by a 14 year old on a dirt bike. Hailey's services were yesterday. Kelley and I went to college together and have known each other for 10+ years. I have no idea why such horrible things occur in life. . .it just doesn't make sense to me. Please say a prayer for Hailey's entire family.

Friday, January 23, 2009 - Update

But, I don't want to sit. . .I want to walk!

Since Olivia is now running while holding on to our fingers, we have a sneaky suspicion that she can do more than she's letting on. She is also traveling longer distances while going backwards on her pony. And. . .I don't think the pony is supposed to go 30 mph! I think holding on to our fingers has become a crutch for her, so we're trying to only give her one hand to hold on to. I do that for short bursts throughout the day. Ryan decided to ONLY let her hold on to one hand while walking all night long. She was not happy. Boy, does she have a temper! I don't know where she gets it because Ryan and I are both very even-tempered. I think she was just mad because she was unable to run like she normally does. Eventually, she held on to his one hand with both of hers (good problem solving.) Now we're seeing the stubborn, feisty side to her that we knew in the NICU. Sometimes you can't help but laugh.

Also, I don't know what happened to our special reading time. She loved to read books and it was a nice change of pace from walking around the house all day. The last few days, I have only been able to get a few pages into a book before Olivia slams it shut and tosses it. Then, she looks for another book only to slam it shut and toss it as well. Sometimes if she is doing something else, I will just pick up a book and read it out loud. She will make a point to come over, slam the book shut and toss it away. And, we have all these new, exciting books to read! Olivia is just consumed with her desire to walk. I think that's all she thinks about and all she wants to do. I don't want to paint a grouchy picture of my little girl. She is still my happy, smiley Olivia Paige. She's just developing her own opinions. . .like how it is hilarious to crawl away in the middle of a diaper change and proceed to pee on the carpet. A part of me always wished for days like these.

Olivia's Got Skills

A Bucket List of Sorts

I didn't know what to write about tonight. So, I thought I would post this list that I saw on Kerry's site. Sort of fun, but made me realize that I really need to travel more. :)

The rules are that you are to bold/change the color on each of the below that apply to you, then tag 4 more people and let me know when you’ve posted!

Is "play with a red block" on the list? I've done that. Did you know red and yellow are my favorite colors?

How about "find yellow block with eyes closed?" I have done that too.

1. Started your own blog (technically, Stacie started it for me, but. . .)

2. Slept under the stars. I remember building tents outside out of sheets and blankets with my best friends, Tamar and Tiffany. For some reason, it was exciting to sleep in odd places like their station wagon, closets and outside, of course.

3. Played in a band (high school band counts right?)

4. Visited Hawaii - no but that's the next place I want to go.

5. Watched a meteor shower - My family and neighbors used to get up to watch them, but I never wanted to have my sleep disturbed.

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disneyland

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis - I think so

10. Sang a solo - Nope, I always wanted the courage to, though.

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea - It stormed one night on our Carnival cruise.

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning (Who hasn't?)

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept in an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitchhiked

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse (I think we did at school once)

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language - does double talk count?

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied - oh, the days of two incomes. . .

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David

41. Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight - Yes, I've done this. Ryan and I were in Jacksonville, FL and we walked along the beach. . alone. . .at night. It was very romantic.

46. Been transported in an ambulance - Yep, when Stacie and I were in a car accident in high school. I had cuts/glass in my head and all I remember is telling them not to shave my head.

47. Had your portrait painted - in junior high are class, we had the back of our heads drawn. Does that count?

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling - Yep, on our honeymoon.

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies

62. Gone whale watching

63. Got flowers for no reason

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten caviar

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car (a 1998 Honda Civic and a 2006 Honda Civic. . isn't that what I drive?)

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper (engagement picture and Kerry and I were in the newspaper for Jump Rope for Heart. Kerry, I think my parents still have that newspaper clipping)

85. Read the entire Bible

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chicken pox

89. Saved someone’s life

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous - Betsy Byars in the 5th grade when I won an essay contest.

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one

94. Had a baby - I had two beautiful babies.

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a lawsuit

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee

100. Read an entire book in one day

I'm not going to tag anyone, but feel free to do this on your blog if you'd like.

Prayer Request

I was sad to learn that last night my great aunt, Winifred, passed away. The last time I was able to see her was at my brother and Shelley's wedding, I believe. I wish that she had been able to meet Olivia, but it was difficult because she lived out of town. I'm sad for my grandma because they were very close friends and sisters. I'm sad for my great uncle for the loss of his wife of many, many years (50-60 years probably?) I know that she's in heaven and even better (not that that's possible) she's with Logan and that makes me feel better. Please keep my family in your prayers.

Wordless Wednesday

Why are bath pictures so adorable?

Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - Update

Me and my Aunt Laura
I like your necklace, Aunt Laura

We enjoyed spending the morning with Laura. Thanks for coming over. I've learned that my mood greatly improves when we 1) have visitors 2) get out of the house. Keeping Olivia healthy is a huge concern for me (RSV is starting to run rampant around here) but I can't completely give up my mental health for her physical health. There has to be some sort of common ground. I constantly worry about Olivia and, although that's typical for all parents, mine is a little extreme. Whenever I worry about something, I usually ask myself, "What is the worst that can happen?" It doesn't work in this case because I know one of the worst things that can happen. It happened to us when we lost our sweet Logan. We've been there and that will always leave such an uneasy feeling within me. I don't know if that will ever go away. All I can do is try to take steps to help myself and continue to pray for God to give me peace.

Monday, January 19, 2009 - Update

It was a nice day outside and Ryan was off work. My nieces and nephews were out of school, so we all headed to the zoo. The weather was a little chillier than we anticipated, so we left after about an hour. Olivia had a good time getting outside, eating her snacks and looking at some of the animals. It was really nice to see all of the kids. Thanks, Katie, for inviting us.

Olivia and her snacks
Look, it's a horse!
The little ones: Izzy, Kaleb and Olivia
Izzy and her wagon
Alex, Katie, Aidan, Kim, Kaleb and Grandma Mary

Sunday, January 18, 2009 - Update

Our beautiful miracle.

Ryan and I had a great time today (and I think Olivia had a great time at Grandma and Grandpa's.) After we dropped her off, we drove to lunch. . .talking about Olivia. We spent our time at Cracker Barrel. . .talking about Olivia. We then drove to New Market. . .talking about Olivia. We went to Borders. . .to buy new books for Olivia. Our day had a common theme, as you can tell. One of the highlights of our day was the sale at Bath and Body Works on foaming hand sanitizers. We also bought new towels for our bathroom! Yes, pretty boring, but it's nice to have uneventful days together outside the house. I think this was our third or fourth date together since Olivia came home in December 2007. I think what made it even more enjoyable is not worrying about Olivia's food intake. She's been eating spectacular. . .20+ ounces per day! So, either the Prilosec is liquid gold or those two teeth (that finally came in) have been bothering her for 2.5 months. Either way, I'll enjoy it while I can. Hopefully, Ryan and I can enjoy more time together in the future as well.