Saturday, April 25, 2009 - Update

Because we only have two guinea pigs left, we decided to put them back in cages. They haven't been in cages in 5+ years. It's so much easier to clean cages rather than pens. Today I thought the guinea pigs could use a little exercise and might be a little lonely.

Enter Olivia.

She loves the guinea pigs (or any animal for that matter) and had such a good time chasing Harrison around. She kept getting angry, however, because he wouldn't sit still so that she could pick him up. Then, he kept running into small spaces where she couldn't reach him and it frustrated her so very much. Harrison was such a good sport and didn't seem to mind that Olivia kept pulling on his hair.

Nice piggie!

But, I can't reach you under there!

Awwww

Friday, April 24, 2009 - Update

Today we mastered the concept of "put it in." We have been working on this for quite some time. Olivia now puts her shapes into the bucket instead of just taking them out. Because she didn't really make use of her arms until after her eye surgery, she is a bit delayed in this area. Olivia decided that she didn't want to take a nap today, so I thought we'd use the extra time to work really hard on this. When I tell her to "put it in" she puts not only the shapes into the bucket, but my computer mouse, her socks and anything else she can find. . .then, she looks up at me for praise. It's really very adorable and I'm so proud of her. I can't tell you how difficult this seemingly simple task has been. Little does she know, but now she can help me put her toys away. :)

Little Miss Attitude

Olivia has developed strong opinions lately. For instance, she did not want to stop during our walk to talk to the neighbors and she REALLY didn't want to stop so that I could take her picture. Check out that pouty lip! She also doesn't care a lot for her formula, or regular milk or even chocolate milk, but if you add a bit of strawberry Nesquik powder . . .that's a different story. Olivia doesn't want to stay in her stroller the whole time when we're out and about. She wants to walk a bit too, which is fine as long as she holds my hand. Concrete plus an unsteady toddler might not have such great results. Her walking is getting better and better. She doesn't quite fully understand how to stand still. If she's following you and you stop to do something, she can't follow you anymore. Instead of standing and waiting for you, she will walk around in circles until she can follow you again. It's pretty funny. More and more, however, she's starting to venture off places by herself and I'm so proud of her when she does that. Many people love the newborn stage. Even with the attitude, I'd have to say that this stage is one of my favorites as you get a glimpse into their likes, dislikes and what makes them tick. I enjoy watching her grow into a very sweet, active and loving little girl. It's a very rewarding stage of parenting. . .if only she'd say mama. . .

Thursday, April 23, 2009 - Update

My first wagon ride.
Things that make you go hmm.

Me and my Grandma Sailing

Grandma Sailing is off work today, so we have the opportunity to spend a weekday with her. Of course, she's helping me clean my house when we should be doing something fun. It is a beautiful day outside. . .actually a little bit on the warm side. I'm afraid to spend too much time outside because 1) I don't want Olivia to get more of a sunburn and even with sunscreen on there are always parts you miss and 2) wasps have decided to congregate around our house. For those of you who don't know. . .I am terrified of wasps or anything with a stinger. I can take spiders, snakes, etc, but wasps completely paralyze me with fear. The other day, I was pushing Olivia in her swing and a wasp landed right by her. I wanted to grab her and run, but I was literally frozen in fear. So, this weekend. . .guess what Ryan gets to do? Then, we also have to contend with the birds who are trying so desperately to build a nest in our grill.

** Update** Ryan took care of the wasps when he got home from work. Whatta guy!!

Praying for Kayleigh

I have been following this blog for quite some time. Things suddenly have taken a turn for the worse and this family needs a lot of prayers. I have added a Praying for Kayleigh button on my sidebar.

Spring Is In The Air!

I loved being outside today.

Okay Kaleb, on the count of three. . .look anywhere but the camera! 1-2-3!

Cousin Aidan


Look mama! A goat!

Oh, I want to pet you!

No little lambie. . .these are MY snacks!

Come back! I wanted to pet you too!

We went to the zoo for a bit today with Grandma Mary, Aunt Kim, cousin Aidan and cousin Kaleb. We had a great time, although I feel like an awful mom because Olivia got a bit sunburned. We weren't gone that long, she had a jacket and hat on part of the time and the shade pulled down on her stroller. We were rushing out of the house, however, and forgot her sunscreen. There goes my mother of the year. . . .

Olivia could have spent all day in the petting zoo. She was squealing and laughing with delight when the goats and sheep came up to her. I tell ya, that girl is going to be an animal lover like her mama. Watch out Ryan! It sounds like there are more beautiful days ahead this week! Hooray!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009 - Update

Just thought you'd enjoy some more adorable pictures of Olivia in glasses.




Olivia and I spent Monday afternoon at Tanganyika Wildlife Park. It is literally only about 2 minutes from our house, so I went ahead and got a membership. I was hoping that a 2 adult membership would include me plus ANY adult that I wanted to take with me, but it can only be Ryan. I am looking forward to having a new place to walk around with Olivia. I'm still a bit disappointed in the animals that they have out on exhibit. You can tell, however, that the animals they do have are hand-raised because they are very friendly. We had fun interacting with the colobus monkeys. There was a tiny baby monkey that came up to the cage and was playing with Olivia. Olivia would squeal and the baby would jump up on the bars and then run and jump on his mom and squeal. It was the cutest thing I've ever seen. Most of the animals there come right up to see you.

I love watching Olivia interact with animals and people. She really knows how to turn on the charm as she tilts her head and shyly grins. We take a trip to the mall about once a week (to share a pretzel with cheese) and she waves at everyone. Some of the people that she waves at don't seem that approachable to me, but some of them even wave back. There were a few dogs at the March for Babies and Olivia would squeal and laugh when she saw them. Of course, I noticed that all of the other children (some younger than Olivia) who saw the dogs would point at them. Olivia doesn't point and I'm not sure what that means. She got just as excited (or even more so) than the other children. I've decided, however, to stop worrying about her developmental delays and what they possibly mean. What does it matter? I love her just the way she is and I wouldn't change a thing about her. I'm doing my very best with her and she does her best every day. I just want her to be happy and she is one of the happiest little girls I know. That's what matters.

Monday, April 20, 2009 - Update

Good Morning, Everyone!

I hope you had a good weekend.

I sure did!

Mommy, do you see what I see?

(I had to throw this picture in. . .it cracked me up! I'm not sure what I was doing.)

Things are going pretty well with Olivia's glasses. She wears them about three times a day for about 15 minutes. We're working our way up. I'm getting more used to seeing her in glasses and she does look adorable. It's kind of difficult because we're making her wear her glasses and her shoes. It doesn't sound like a big deal, but I think putting on her glasses is easier than putting on her shoes. Her toe-walking has gotten really bad and although the shoes don't help completely, we see a big difference. She is feeling better and now I am not feeling too well. I woke up at 4 am with a horrible headache and it still has not gone away.

Olivia lost a little bit of weight while she was sick (and we worked so hard for those ounces!!) I am not too worried about her weight, but I have read that some former preemies have to take growth hormones to help them gain weight and I think that is what her doctor is worried about. Anybody who can shed some light on that? Honestly, I just want to see her in a 2T by fall so that she can continue wearing Katie's old clothes. There are some adorable outfits downstairs waiting to be worn!!

March of Dimes in Ohio

Make a Smilebox slideshow I just had to ask Amanda if I could share the highlights from their March for Babies that they held in honor of Olivia and in memory of Logan. It is just too sweet!

I'm smiling because. . .

I'm smiling because. . . .

The March for Babies was a great success. We feel so blessed to have so many friends and family supporting us in this.

Yesterday wasn't rainy or windy.

My friend, Amanda, in Ohio and her two boys put on their own March for Babies yesterday in support of us. How awesome is that?

While at the walk, Angie, got us tickets to see New Kids On The Block on July 3rd. Woohoo!!

I feel awful today. . .achy, headache, sore throat. Why does that make me smile? Because it is today and not yesterday during the March for Babies.

I'm so proud to be Olivia's mother. She is so incredibly amazing!

Oh, and did I mention that we won the t-shirt contest?