Happy Valentine's Day

Come here and give me a kiss!

Friday, February 13, 2009 - Update

One of Olivia's new favorite things to do.
Admiring her work.

Toddlers' natural desire for disorder makes me laugh. Olivia can't stand for her puzzles to be put together or her rings and blocks to be stacked up. Apparently, she doesn't like her letters to be nicely organized on the refrigerator either. So, now you know why our house keeps getting messier and messier.

I was actually a little worried about Olivia this morning. She just wanted me to hold her and would cry when I put her down. I even put her on her pony and she just sat there and cried instead of running around squealing like she normally does. Then, she was ready to go to sleep at her old 11:30 am naptime, but only if I would hold her in the recliner. So, we snuggled up together and slept for 2 hours! Since she woke up, she seems to be back to her normal self. Maybe her lack of sleep finally caught up with her. I gotta say. . .I enjoyed all of the extra cuddles today. If I hadn't been so worried about her, I probably would have enjoyed it even more.

I did want to ask for prayers for another premature baby born 13 weeks early on 2-12-2009. Her name is Emma and she was 2 lbs 4 oz and 14 inches long. Please keep Emma and her family in your prayers.

Thursday, February 12, 2009 - Update

Just checkin the blog. . .

It's official. . . .Olivia is not entirely like me. I think she is a (gasp) morning person. Not only did I purposely put her to bed 30 minutes later last night in hopes to grab a couple more minutes of sleep in the morning, but she woke up an hour and a half earlier than usual. Plus, she woke up twice in the middle of the night. She is the happiest, most energetic person in the morning and I'm having a hard time keeping up with her. This RSV hibernation is leading me to the brink of insanity. I sometimes dream of having play dates, letting Olivia play in a public park and with other children and other toys. I sometimes even dream of getting ready and going to work. I'm having a hard time finding new and exciting things for Olivia and me to do inside of our house. She keeps lengthening her day which makes it even harder (and she only takes an hour long nap all day long.) So, we're getting out more often and I just keep praying that I can keep her from getting sick. This morning, we went to Target. Afterwards, we stopped by to see my previous boss and co-workers. They just moved into a new office and we went to check it out. I loved it, by the way. Olivia enjoyed having a new place to explore and she had to make sure that they do, in fact, also have a toilet.

I think Olivia is just at that age where she is very active and loves to explore. I love the fact that she is my little energizer bunny. . .I just wish I could keep up with her better. It is hard to balance her need to stay healthy with her need to develop and explore the world. Any advice from other micro-preemie moms who are in the same predicament?

Wednesday, February 11, 2009 - Update

Olivia pushing her dolly.

Of course, Olivia would much rather play with her blocks and puzzle pieces. She is not yet really into dolls or stuffed animals, but doesn't she look adorable pushing her stroller? Every morning, she crawls over to get her horse puzzle piece and carries it around with her for much of the day. She absolutely loves it. Between that and riding her pony. . .I think Olivia will have a lot in common with her cousin, Katie. Maybe I should start saving up for those riding lessons?

Tuesday, February 10, 2009 - Update

Another sunshiney day!

Olivia's naptime has officially been moved from 11:30 am to 2 pm. I don't like this new naptime as much. She used to nap, eat lunch and then we'd have the afternoon to do as we please. Now, we spend the majority of beautiful afternoons like these inside our house. Oh well. . .we did get out a bit this morning. Olivia interacted with her first kitty cat today and it was so cute. I wish I would have had my camera. Our neighbor's cat met up with us on our walk and was in the mood for some serious affection. He was purring and rubbing up against the stroller and would make Olivia laugh by sniffing her feet. It was adorable. . .and what a sweet kitty!

Walking and Talking

Monday, February 9, 2009 - Update

It's electric!
Boogie woogie woogie

In all seriousness, I think Olivia has been plugged into, like, 1000 amps. She is going non-stop. Last week, she decided that she would start getting up an hour earlier. Okay. . .it's bound to happen. Then, she decided that she didn't need a nap at all. Yesterday, she only slept for 20 minutes all day and today there are no signs of a nap in the near future. In addition, she doesn't want to sleep through the night and woke up three times last night. Ryan and I have no problem letting her "cry it out." (Well, it's a bit harder for me, but I know it's what is best.) Usually, she only cries for 10-15 minutes and is back asleep. Now that she is able to pull herself up in her crib, it's a bit harder. She stands up and screams at the top of her lungs. I don't think she really knows how to sit back down so it's not like she can go right back to sleep. Last night, she cried for almost 30 minutes (with no sign of stopping) when I went in to get her. Help! Is this just a phase? Now that she can stand up on her own, it's as if she doesn't feel the need to lay down. I used to be able to put her down for her nap and she would lay there (sometimes cry for just a bit) until she fell quickly to sleep. Now, she just stands up and screams. It's getting increasingly difficult to contain this bundle of energy within the confines of our house. Not to mention. . .I'm growing increasingly more and more cranky!

Olivia and Her Zebra

How long have we had this? And. . .I didn't know about it?
Ohhhhh, this is fun!!

I love to spin!

Hahahaha!

(This is actually what she is saying.)

Hahahahaha!

Heeheeheehee!

Hahahaha!

And to think that we bought it at a neighbor's garage sale last summer. (Best garage sale purchase ever!) She is now in love with her zebra.

Sunday, February 8, 2009 - Update

I don't really know what to write about today. I have plenty of things to tell you about as Olivia does something new every day. My heart is just a bit heavy. A family that I knew growing up found their youngest daughter, 27 year old Kelsey, dead in their home last week. Cora Paige, the little girl that I told you about a while back has passed away. Heaven's gain, however, is our loss and that is so difficult. Please pray for these families.