Izzy’s Birthday Party

We celebrated my niece’s 3rd birthday party today.  It was a Snow White party and absolutely adorable!  Snow White is nothing compared to Princess Izzy!  We were honored to be a part of the celebration and had a wonderful afternoon!

Her Bitty Baby even had a dress to match!  We hope you had a wonderful birthday, Izzy!

Happy Birthday, Izzy!

The first time Olivia and Izzy met. . .and Olivia cried!  Can you believe that, Izzy?

They are the best of friends today!  Izzy has really become someone that Olivia looks up to, laughs with, plays with and loves.  Growing up without her twin, I feel so blessed that she has Izzy to share her life’s adventures with. 

Happy 3rd Birthday, Izzy! We hope you have a great day tomorrow!   We love you!

Dermatologist Appt

We had a dermatologist appointment today to address a few concerns that we have with Olivia.  Olivia was terrified and screamed the entire time (and that’s after bringing daddy for backup.)  She has awful “white coat anxiety” and freaks out if a place even resembles a doctor’s office.  This doctor didn’t even touch her.   Anyway, we learned that they are not going to do anything about Olivia’s keloid cyst/scar on her neck even though it is growing in size.  This is the result of scar tissue from her central line that she had in the NICU.  It is not painful nor is it currently bothering her.  At this age, it would be a major surgery because they would have to put her out.  She also has two moles that will need to be removed at some point, but we will just keep observing them for now.  We don’t know how her scarring (from the NICU leads) will affect her as she grows and develops, but hopefully she’s left with minimal injury and scarring.  I hope the “battle scars” that remain are worn proudly as a testament to everything she went through and what a tough girl she is!!   So, we go back in a year and hopefully by then, she is better able to handle doctor visits.  I finally made her go down for a nap because the poor thing has been a mess ever since her appointment.  Please continue to pray for the healing of Olivia’s skin. 

I’m Blue. . .da ba dee da ba dye.

Monday, August 16, 2010 - Update

I hope all of the kiddos and the teachers had a wonderful first day of school.  Most of the schools in our area started back to school today.  As a child, I never had a “good first day of school.”  I was a very anxious child.  Nowadays, children as anxious as me are usually on a medication.  I was THAT anxious.  I just remember never wanting to leave home or be away from my mom. . .especially on stormy days.  I would fake a stomach ache so that my mom had to come and get me. . .although usually the storm had passed by then.  In kindergarten, I lied to my teacher and told her I made this construction paper black cat when I really didn’t.  I worried about that for the rest of the year. . .ya know, maybe she would have all of us bring them back and I wouldn’t have one.  It looked really hard to do and I didn’t want to do that center.  I finally confessed to my mom about my lie when I was probably in the 3rd grade.  It seems so silly now.  That anxiety was with me through most of my schooling, but I like to think I am better able to handle it now.  I mean, I’ve been through about the most stressful times that I can imagine and I’m still standing.  :) I don’t see much of that anxiety in Olivia (except at the eye doctor, maybe.)  She loves being in social settings and is usually pushing me out the door so that she can go play.  I think she will be a child who loves school and has many “good first days.”  Thankfully, we have 3 years before I have to worry think about that.  

Me as a child in a flower girl dress.

Can’t end the post without showing a picture of Olivia in her pretty dress. 

Picture, Picture.

Olivia is maturing right before my eyes.  I can tell that her attention span is increasing (especially when she could probably watch Dora all day if I let her.)  She is following directions better as well.  Every year, Ryan’s brother takes back to school pictures of his girls.  Since he has his photography equipment set up, we have started crashing the party to get some pics of Olivia since it also coincides with her birthday month.  Today, we did just that and Olivia did awesome.  She listened to what she was supposed to do and stood (and even posed) to get her picture taken.  Up until recently, she would not have stood still.  I was a beaming mother!!  And, the pictures are going to be awesome!  Not only is Joel a fantastic photographer, but Olivia is a pretty good subject as well!  And I’m a complete sucker for pigtails. . .put bows in them and. . .wow!  :)  Thanks again, Uncle Joel!

Saturday, August 14, 2010 - Update

We took a day trip out to western KS for Ryan’s uncle’s wedding.  It was Olivia’s first wedding and her first long road trip (3 hours each way.)  We stopped in Dodge City, KS and ate at Montana Mike’s for lunch.  Then, we headed to Jetmore, KS for the wedding, but not before stopping at a little park to play.

 

Olivia liked the park, but she did NOT like walking in the sand with her sandals on.

It was  much better if mom or dad held her. :)

They had fun slides along with yellow swings. . .

. . .and red swings and of course she had to swing in them both.

Then, it was time to head to the wedding.  WARNING:  When you have an already adorable little girl and you put her in pigtails and a pink, frilly dress. . .her cuteness may be too much for some people. :)

Hey, don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Me and my pretty girl!

The newlyweds!

Daddy and Olivia blowing bubbles.  Olivia would probably say the bubbles were her favorite part about the day.

She LOVED the bubbles.

So much she could hardly contain herself.

I think all of the kids enjoyed them.

After the wedding, we headed back to Dodge City and we all ate at El Charro. . .Ryan’s favorite Mexican restaurant.  It was yummy!  Then, it was time to get comfy and ready for the car trip home.

It was a long day.  We’re headed to bed, but not before we say:

Congratulations Donnie and Iola!

Goodnight!

Friday, August 13, 2010 - Update

We recently took down the baby gate and Olivia is enjoying her newfound freedom.  She now brings toys from downstairs to upstairs and from upstairs to downstairs.  It was convenient being able to separate them. .  :)  Oh well. . .it was time and it’s nice to see a smile on her face just from going up and down the stairs without restrictions. 

Olivia and I had a great time with Stacie and Madison today.  Sorry that we don’t have any pictures of their visit.  It’s really neat to see the two of them interacting more and more.  Olivia talked about Madison coming over all morning long and was giddy when they came to our front door.  We have enjoyed doing that and watching Dora for the bazillionth tenth time.  :)  Olivia has never been a TV watcher. . . until just recently.  She has always liked Dora, but has never watched an entire episode of anything.  Now, she wants to watch Dora over and over again.  I consider it a good thing that she is finally showing interest in things that normal toddlers do.  I just wish I could get the Dora song out of my head. 

Thursday, August 12, 2010 - Update

I picked up Olivia’s polka dot picture today and thought it turned out beautifully.  Camera Angles did an awesome job as I know Olivia is not an easy child to photograph.  What a sweet way to remember the end of her 2nd year.  I can’t believe she’ll be three in almost two weeks!

Fun At The Mall

My goofy girl

I know, you come here for the pictures. . .admit it. :) I try to have a picture with every post, but that’s been difficult lately.  Why. . .you ask?  Well, these are the kinds of pictures I have been getting lately.

This is what she did when I told her I wanted a picture of her new glasses. (They’re pretty, though, aren’t they?)

This is what she did when I told her to smile.  (Notice she has really pretty teeth.)

And this is what she did when I told her to smile normally. . .what a goof! 

Tuesday, August 10, 2010 - Update

Well, I was bad today and gave Olivia one of her birthday presents early.  It is incredibly hot outside and we were bored and finger painting sounded like fun, so she got her smock and finger paints early.  She did really good.  She’s like me in that she doesn’t like her hands messy.  After painting for a bit, she asked to wash her hands.  We washed them and I assumed that she was done, but she wanted to paint again.  Each time she dipped her fingers into the paint, she wanted to wash them.  :)  She created quite the masterpiece and we had a lot of fun doing it.  Now, for something else to occupy the remaining hours of the day. 

Monday, August 9, 2010 - Update

We went to pick up Olivia’s new frames today and it seems her pink ones are on backorder until the middle of next month.  So, they gave us a loner pair to use until then.  We now have a brown pair and I’ve decided I actually like the brown ones better than the pink.  They even have cute flowers on the side.  Too bad we’re getting another pink pair. . .at no cost to me so I’m not complaining.  The brown would go so well with the upcoming autumn season though.  Darn. . .maybe next time we have to buy new frames we can do something different. 

And here are her new glasses. . .although you can’t really tell what they look like in this picture with the glare.  I’ll try to get a better pic.

Overview

Just thought I’d give a quick overview of how Olivia is doing as she approaches her 3rd birthday.  I’m sure many of you would like to know and if I don’t write it down. . .I won’t remember it.

Eating:  It’s kind of hit and miss.  She has her good days and bad.  This weekend was a good one as she ate everything from green beans to cheese enchiladas to broccoli.  Her weight remains steady around 23.5 lbs.  We’re hoping to make it to 24 lbs by her 3rd birthday on the 27th. 

Sleeping:  Fantastic!  She basically puts herself to sleep at night around 9 pm and sleeps until 8-9 am.  We rarely hear anything from her at night.  She doesn’t usually take any naps during the day, though.

Potty training:  Not there yet.  We’ve “practiced” a bit here and there.  I know I’m going to have to set aside a few days for nothing but potty training.  I’m dreading looking forward to  it. :)

Vision:  She still wears glasses to strengthen the muscles in her eyes.  We are looking at a 2nd strabismus surgery in the future. . .probably sooner than I’d like as her eyes have been crossing more lately.  We are also looking at another surgery to remove the keloid scar on her neck. 

Language:  I think she communicates wonderfully as she knows how to get her needs across.  She has wonderful pronunciation and her vocabulary is vast.  I know, however, that she is not quite at the 3 year old level.  She LOVES to sing and has amazing pitch and rhythm.  This is definitely an area where she is “ahead.”

PT/OT:  She has some tightness in her left foot that we are keeping an eye on.  Right now, we’re trying to do some stretches with her foot.  Her fine motor skills are vastly improving.  She is able to eat with a fork and spoon!  We’re working on puzzles, stringing beads and coloring.  

Interests:  Gogum, Lily, Abby Cadabby, Sesame Street, Dora, Clifford, balls, books, playing with cars, dollhouses, trains,  music, singing.  And potties. . .she has a fascination with finding the bathrooms everywhere she goes. 

Saturday, August 7, 2010 - Update

The three of us took a trip to Imagine That Toys and Olivia was in heaven.  She pushed a little shopping cart with Abby Cadabby all around the store.  When it was time to leave, we put Abby away and it just broke Olivia’s heart.  She didn’t throw a fit. . .she just kept asking where she was as if she’d lost her best friend.  I didn’t even know that she liked Abby Cadabby that much.  So. . .we’re suckers and we bought it for her.  The two of them have been inseparable ever since.  She’ll fit in quite nice to Olivia’s Sesame Street birthday party in a few weeks.

 

Here she is feeding Abby.

Ryan got back last night from a business trip to Seattle.  We’re so glad to have him back home. 

Thursday, August 5, 2010 - Update

Before gymnastics. . .in the car. . .Olivia and I had to have a little talk. It went a little something like this.

Me: Olivia, we're getting ready to go to gymnastics.
Olivia: gynastics!
Me: Now, we have to remember to listen to the teacher and do what we are told and NOT run around everywhere.
Olivia: And don't touch other people's socks.

Last time, I was grossed out when she took some little boy's socks out of the cubby. Of course, she remembers not to do that, but everything else? In one ear and out the other. . . .

Wednesday, August 4, 2010 - Update

Olivia and Lily

Those people who have seen Olivia in person know that Gogum and Lily are never far away. She takes them everywhere and absolutely adores them. She cannot sleep without each of them laying at the top corners of her bed. She adores them so much that they are filthy!! I can take the battery out to wash Gogum, but not Lily. I've considered just buying her brand new ones, but after watching Toy Story 3. . .I can't bring myself to do it. LOL. It's just amazing the things that your child falls in love with. I hear her in the morning just giggling in her room saying "Silly Lily!!" or "Gogum, that's silly." Apparently, they communicate with each other as well. It's just the sweetest thing watching her interact with them. They definitely feel like part of the family.