Saturday, May 30, 2009 - Update

I've been walking for so long now that I'm sort of a "professional."

I can even walk sideways and backwards.

Sometimes I throw in a little electric slide.

And, I can get on and off of my zebra.

I always make sure that when I fall. . .I fall backwards.

It's easy to get caught up with the things that Olivia isn't doing yet and forget how far she's come. Some 23 weekers aren't able to walk unassisted and each time I think about that. . .it brings tears to my eyes. Today, she started walking backwards down the hall. It was so adorable and it just reminded me of how lucky we are. And, many thanks to Emily for Olivia's cute shirt. I just can't get over how many generous and thoughtful people are in the world.

March for Babies Team Picture

Friday, May 29, 2009 - Update

Cousin Katie and Aunt Kimmy came over this afternoon and brought these yummy, adorable cookies along with a present for Olivia.

Katie and Olivia had a tea party with her new tea set.

Of course, Olivia still needs to learn how to play tea party. She doesn't yet know how to pretend play, so she kinda threw the cups around. We'll have to practice for the next time that Olivia and Katie play together. We also pushed Olivia on her swing, took her for a walk and played with the water table. Well. . . .Katie and I played with the water table and soaked each other. I think the girls had a good time and hopefully they can spend a lot more time together this summer.

Thursday, May 28, 2009 - Update

I'll sit here, but I won't smile.

I might as well get comfortable if you're taking pictures again.


Silly mama

I'm so proud of Olivia. This morning I was thinking. . . I don't even remember the last time Olivia woke up in the middle of the night. She has been such a good sleeper. And. . .she has been sleeping in until almost 9 am! Thank you sweet girl!! Of course, that makes for one heavy diaper and she has leaked through the past two mornings. I think I'll try one of those overnight diapers.

She has also been hovering around 19 lbs and if she keeps eating as well as she has been, maybe we'll make it to 20 lbs soon. I credit the recent weight gain (for Olivia and me) to Sara Lee's cheesecake bites. Boy, those are yummy and it seems Olivia likes cheesecake just like me.

Better go. . .I just thought, "I don't remember putting a purple bow in Olivia's hair." Well, I didn't. . .it seems she has stuck half-eaten, sticky yogurt melts to her head.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009 - Update

My sweet girl

Olivia playing at Izzy's house

Izzy, Olivia and Abbey

For those of you who have been around Olivia, you realize that she can't sit or stand still. She is also constantly shaking items. Last year, she was evaluated by an occupational therapist and found to have some sensory processing disorders. Many of us have them. . .we have just learned to live with them. My husband, for example, cannot stand to listen to people eat or chew gum. He is a bit hypersensitive to sound. I have to sleep with a heavy comforter on top of me. .even if I'm extremely hot. Olivia has a sensory processing disorder of the vestibular sense and wants to be in constant motion. Remember her jumperoo? She could jump for hours. She craves the input that movement gives her. It's difficult to sit down with her and teach her to stack rings, etc. when all she wants to do is walk around and shake her arms. Maybe some of this will improve as she ages? From what I understand, the best thing for her is to provide her with the input that she needs by bouncing toys, rocking chairs, swings and such. I thought I would provide some links for anyone interested in additional information on sensory processing disorders. I'm a little nervous about going back to church and expecting Olivia to sit still. Can I propose the addition of bouncing pews?

Vestibular Dysfunction

Sensory Processing Disorder Checklist

Tuesday, May 26, 2009 - Update

Two of mommy's new favorite pictures.

I love that Olivia is playing with other kids now. I'm actually not as stressed about germs as I thought I'd be. It feels normal, actually. . .like I'm a normal mom with a normal child. For months and months, I have just been praying for a bit of normalcy. I think I'm more stressed about her falling down the stairs at houses without gates. Another little former preemie fell down the stairs and broke his leg! Yikes. . .so children don't always "bounce!"

Anyway, on a happier note. . .I thought you'd enjoy two pictures that Ryan took over the weekend. Doesn't she look adorable?

Monday, May 25, 2009 - Update

Today we had a cookout at grandma and grandpa's house.

This is my cousin, Izzy. We got to play together and she taught me all about Cars.

So, this is Lightning McQueen?

And this is the mean one? I don't remember his name.


Mater!


We played with a dollhouse.


And grandpa took us on a wagon ride.


We even stopped and saw some doggies! It was a good day!
P.S. Izzy: my mom added Life Is A Highway to her music player just for you!

Remembering Logan

We went out to Logan's grave today.

Olivia went with us this time.

She even spun her brother's pinwheel.

Sometimes when Olivia is playing, I picture Logan right beside her. I think that he would have had darker hair and maybe even my brown eyes. I often wonder what they would be like together. Sometimes I feel that Olivia really needs her twin brother and we really need our son. We still miss you, Logan, very much.

Sunday, May 24, 2009 - Update

My new water table

I love to play outside.

I'm never happy when mom and dad make me come inside.

It's official. My little girl is not a baby anymore. She is 100% toddler. . .complete with an attitude, independent streak, desire to be outside and little tantrums thrown in here and there. She loves to play outside and has the grass cuts all over her legs to prove it. My days of keeping her protected are over. She is into everything and there's no holding her back. She won't sit still for a second. . .she just goes and goes and goes. Of course, I love being able to watch her explore her world and blossom into this amazing young girl. I still can't believe how far she's come.

Today, daddy asked her to come into the kitchen to eat lunch and she looked at him and said, "NO!" and walked away. That was the first time Olivia has said "no" before, so it took me by surprise. She's definitely starting to test her boundaries! I am going to have to start saying "no" a lot more as well.

A Beautiful Morning

On Friday morning, our speech pathologist had to cancel our appointment at the last minute. Since we were both dressed and ready, we headed to Tanganyika. We are blessed to have a wildlife park less than 5 minutes from our house. It's a nice place to walk and hang out. . . . especially on such a gorgeous morning. Of course, I think Olivia was disappointed because there weren't any dogs there. Every time we go outside, she has to walk over to our neighbors fence to see if their golden retriever, Cooper, is there. Boy, when he is. . .I don't know who is more excited. . .Olivia or Cooper. Yes, he may have been a bit too friendly the other day, but apparently all is forgiven. He's really a good dog and even lets Olivia poke him in the nose.

Come on, mom. No time for pictures!

Mr. Rhino

The always entertaining Gibbons.

The new African penguins

Sing it with me. . ."They were afraid to GO INTO the water. They were as nervous as they could be."

A quick snack break.

Mr. Tiger

My Big Girl

May 2008

May 2009

What's In A Name?

Names fascinate me and the reasons behind them. I was almost an Amy, but then my parents found the name Jodi in a children's Christmas book. Olivia was almost an Abigail, but we felt Olivia went so much better with Logan. We'd had Logan's name picked out for 6+ years. Whenever we talked about our future children, we'd refer to them as Logan and so and so (our girl names changed quite a bit over the years.) We'd say, "This would be Logan's room, etc." I think God knew that He had to give us our Logan. . .even though it was only for a short while. William is Ryan's middle name and his dad's first name. The most precious thing we could have given our son is his name.

Olivia is, of course, the perfect name for her as it is derived from olive. . .like an olive branch. . .that symbolizes peace. That's definitely what she gives us every day. After our weird connection with giraffes, I knew I picked the right name for her when they named the baby giraffe at the zoo "Olivia." Her middle name is an interesting story. Before I knew I was pregnant with triplets, a friend and co-worker of my mom dreamt that I would have triplets. In her dream, I brought them into their office. . .Logan, Olivia and Paige. (She knew we were considering Logan and Olivia.) When I found out I was having triplets, I googled everything triplet and came across Chasing Babies and read about Cole, Paige and Kaylee, who were born at 24 weeks. We had decided on the middle name, Paige, long before I would also give birth so prematurely. Funny how things just seem meant to be.

Is there an interesting story behind your name? Or, your kids' names?

I can't imagine myself named anything else.

It's the perfect name for me. . .

Olivia Paige

Wednesday, May 20, 2009 - Update

There's my new favorite letter: H! I can even tell you what sound it makes.

I like to carry it around with me.

Not too much going on today. We're going to watch the American Idol finale tonight. I just haven't gotten too into it this year. Unlike last year, Olivia hasn't either. Last year, remember, she would only watch the television when David Cook came on. . .it was like she predicted that he would win all along. She hasn't shown interest in anyone this year. Tomorrow night, however, my favorite show starts up: So You Think You Can Dance. It's so good and I've watched it

every year since season one. These are the only two shows I watch with any regularity.

Today I did something out of the ordinary. I baked these chewy nut squares. I was munching on my walnuts and I read a recipe on the back of the bag. Amazingly, I had all of the ingredients! Olivia is just now getting to the stage where she'll let me do things like cook dinner, clean, do laundry (although she unfolds everything that I fold . . .silly girl.) She is becoming more independent each day and doesn't need my full attention every second. I think we're both kind of enjoying this new phase.

Well, I'm off to push Olivia on her swing. Hope you're all having a good day!

Tuesday, May 19, 2009 - Update

Kayleigh's parents have a few videos posted that were played at her memorial service. They were so emotional for me to watch. The early pictures reminded me of Olivia when she was born. With babies born that small. . .their outcomes are so uncertain. Will they be blind? Deaf? Will they ever walk? Will they ever get to go home? Doctors have their statistics, but you just don't know. After watching the videos, I had to go hold Olivia a little tighter for all the times when I couldn't hold her. All babies born so early are truly amazing. . .no matter what life has in store for them. They are truly the strongest people I know.

Olivia at 3 days old

Olivia today

Monday, May 18, 2009 - Update

Olivia got a little too up close and personal with a woof woof today. Our neighbor has a very big and very friendly golden retriever. Olivia was in her stroller and we set out for an afternoon walk when our neighbor's dog spotted us. Animals are just drawn to this little girl. Before I knew it, he was licking Olivia up and down the face and I thought he was going to jump up on her in the stroller. I was trying with all of my might to get him away from her. There's friendly and then there's a bit too friendly. I didn't want Olivia to become terrified of all things furry. Finally, our neighbor came out and called his dog back home. Of course, Olivia wasn't the least bit upset that a dog ten times her size gave her a bath in his doggie drool. She just kept squealing and saying, "woof, woof." If I wasn't such an animal lover myself, I might be more upset. The mama in me, however, did take the place of the animal lover for just a bit. Something like that would traumatize most children. But, thankfully, it seemed I was the only one traumatized because of my germaphobe tendencies.

Anyway, I am enjoying my new vehicle. Olivia, however, is not. You'd think that I was sending her away with a stranger by the way she cries when I put her in her car seat. Once we get settled and I turn her music on, she's fine. I guess it will take some getting used to. This sounds silly, but. . .my CR-V makes me feel like a mom. I feel like I have been cheated out of so many typical mom experiences, so I welcome any new ones. Last night, I went for a drive. . .by myself. . .moonroof open. . .in my pajamas. . .music playing. . .and it was wonderful. It also feels safer having Olivia in a bigger vehicle as well, so that's one less thing to worry about. Now, I just have to convince Olivia that it's okay to ride in it.

Sunday, May 17, 2009 - Update

My puppy

Look! I have two puppies!

Don't take him away.

I love him.

Olivia is crazy about "woof woofs." I brought these two stuffed puppies up from the basement last week and she has fallen in love with them. Since the weather was so nice today, we went for a walk at Sedgwick County Park. Olivia loves going there because she gets to see lots of dogs! Whenever we pass a dog on the path, she smiles and squeals and says, "woof woof". . .then waits for the next one to walk by. Luckily, there were a lot of people out with their dogs enjoying the beautiful day. It is so adorable. . .even I get excited when I see a dog. Isn't it amazing when you start to see the world through your child's eyes? Birds and squirrels become pretty amazing as well.