First Annual Playdate-Palooza

This morning, Olivia and I had some friends over for a playdate.  There were 6 mommies, 7 children and my wonderful husband who was off work today and helped out immensely.  I think everyone had a great time.  Do you remember that feeling of anticipation you had as a child when you were waiting for your friends to come over for your birthday party?  That was such a wonderful memory for me and the closest way I can describe my excitement for today.  The kids were all amazing and played together so well.  I was so proud of how well Olivia shared all of her toys.  It’s definitely something I will have to do again in the future.  You are all invited back anytime!

Izzy

Baby Sara

McKenna

Stacie and Madison

Kerrick

Robby

Shawna helping out with the slide.

All of the kids (minus Sara who had already left.)

The mommies (Stacie, Shawna, Me, Jenifer and Shelley)

Oh, and another great thing about today?  This afternoon Ryan, Olivia and I curled up in bed and took a nap all together for the first time ever!  You know how most parents can’t keep their kids OUT of their bed?  Well, we can’t get Olivia into ours as she loves to sleep in her room.  So, it was very special that Olivia was actually willing to sleep with us. It’s not too often that you get to take a nap as a family. . .especially on a Monday.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Olivia had a blast playing at Grandma and Grandpa Sailing’s house today.  She is still talking about all of the fun things that they did.

She colored and drew pretty pictures.

She played with my old dollhouse.

She had great conversations with grandpa.

She enjoyed all of the stuffed animals. . .

. . . and played a great game of hide and seek.  What an amazing day!  And, what did mama do today?  Well, besides running errands, I worked on my book.  Book Update:  70 pages written and I’m well into chapter six.  And, it’s almost 2 am. . .I’d better get to sleep.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

So, I’ve finally decided to write a book about my experiences over the last 3.5 years.  What I’m going to do with the book. . .I don’t know.  It’s mainly a way for me to remember how I got to where I am today and why I’m the way that I am.  Losing a child changes you in ways that I’m only beginning to see.  Maybe it will also help others who are going through similar hardships.  That is my prayer. 

I have a title and am already well into chapter three and have been writing for over 4 hours tonight.  I’m using excerpts from my blog which has made me dive back into the fall of 2007.  That was such a difficult time.  It’s amazing the things that you remember and the things that you forget.  I’m so grateful to have so many things written down.  I (thankfully)remember little about vent settings and oxygen requirements and the day to day NICU life.  I am currently in the middle of writing about the night Logan died and am flooded with emotion.  Please don’t ever forget about my son.  Hopefully, this book will be a way to remember him as well.  Let’s just hope that for the first time in my adult life, I actually finish writing a book. 

School Picture

Not only did she smile, but she posed as well! 

Her conferences tonight went well. . .Olivia is doing very well with school.  We received an interesting tidbit of information that we were unaware of.  She can go to preschool anywhere on this side of town and her therapists will go there to work with her.  Currently, she is in the special education preschool in our school district.  I am happy with her progress so far this year.  I think we will probably go ahead and keep her there, although if any of you know of a great west side preschool, I’d love to hear from you.  I’m concerned that many have already had fall enrollment.  Anyway, she’s doing great and has definitely learned the ropes of preschool.  So proud! 

Trip to Arkansas

Katie, Olivia and Kaleb

Katie and Olivia

Katie

Aidan

Kaleb

The Snyders

Alex

Katie and Aidan

Alex and Olivia

Olivia and Katie

Riding on the trolley

She didn’t have quite enough weight on her to ring the trolley bell. LOL.

*Many thanks to Kim for providing these pictures. 

My Beautiful Olivia Paige

Well, Olivia and I got home from our trip to Arkansas this evening.  (And found that Ryan had painted the hallway along with some other surprises.) We had a wonderful time and I have many pictures to share.  It may take me awhile to go through them all.  This picture, however, is one of my favorites!  I thought you might be missing Olivia’s smiling face.  Enjoy!

Vacation

So, mommy will be on a short blog break because. . . we are taking a trip to Arkansas!  Sadly, daddy has to stay home and work.

I don’t even know where Arkansas is, but I’m so excited to see Aunt Kimmy, Uncle Kris and my cousins!

My bag is packed and I’m ready to go! Except, mommy says that I need to go to sleep first.  How can I go to sleep when I’m so excited?

Ready or  not, Arkansas. . .here we come!

Thoughtfulness

Currently, Olivia’s favorite past time is playing trains.  Her favorite train is Percy from Thomas the Tank Engine.  A long time ago, she decided that Thomas was mommy’s train and James was daddy’s train.  Every time we play trains together, these are our assigned trains.  Because she loves Percy so much. . she sleeps with this particular train every night.  I mean, who wouldn’t want to sleep next to something that you adore, right?  That, however, is only half of the story.  Every night she rounds up all three trains.  She makes sure Percy is nestled in bed beside her.  After bedtime stories are read and Olivia is tucked in for the night, I always find Thomas waiting for me on my side of the bed and James is waiting for daddy on his side of the bed.  What a shining example of the thoughtfulness of a three year old. . .almost brings tears to my eyes. 

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

I love the funny things that Olivia says and I enjoy watching her reasoning and negotiating skills develop.  Here are a few examples.  I need to start writing them down because I know there are many that I’m forgetting. . .

She had a nerd stuck between her toes and upon discovering what it was, attempted to eat it.  I said, “No, we don’t know where that came from.”  She looked at me matter-of-factly and said, “It came from my foot!”

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We have a tough, tough time getting her to eat.  It seems we’re always saying, “Take two more bites of this and two more bites of that and you’ll be done.”  So, now our conversations go like this.

Me:  Take two more bites of strawberries and two more bites of your sandwich.

Olivia: How about 1 more bite of strawberry and then we can go downstairs?

Me:  No, two more bites of strawberries and two more bites of sandwich.  Don’t you want to grow big and strong?

Olivia: No, I just want to go downstairs.

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Olivia and Ryan were running around the house clapping and daddy was getting tired.  He told Olivia that he was going to stop, so she asked, “Can daddy walk slow and clap?”  How can you argue with that?  She’s always negotiating and always making us smile. . .

And becoming quite the clever little girl. . .

Happy Valentines Day

Love,

Olivia