Olivia and Elmo

My heart just melted last night when we went on our walk. I asked Olivia if she wanted to bring Elmo along. Her eyes lit up and she ran to get Elmo. She held onto him the entire time and I could tell that her walk was enriched by the company of Elmo. She is crazy about him. I thought I would share some picks that Ryan took of Olivia and Elmo playing this morning. Too precious!

Friday, July 31, 2009 - Update

For almost two years, it has been a struggle to get Olivia to take her bottle. We have had to come up with all sorts of tricks to get her to eat. Now, as we try weaning her from the bottle, she has fallen in love with it. All day long she signs more, more, more and when we ask her what she wants more of, she enthusiastically says, "Baba! Baba!" We are constantly having to make more because each bottle only holds 8 oz. She took up to 30 oz one day! Hopefully, this will help her gain weight! She still is not a great eater, but she loves all the Gerber Graduate snacks. Her favorite foods of all, however, are cherries, grapes and strawberries. She would eat them all day if she could. . . .unfortunately, those are not known for their weight gaining capabilities. We still haven't made it to 20 lbs., however, we are getting close. Ryan and I are going to go shopping for a new big girl, forward-facing car seat in anticipation of the day we reach 20 lbs!

Thursday, July 30, 2009 - Update

I love my books!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009 - Update

I have a birthday next month?

I've been busy working on things for Olivia's 2nd birthday party. We are doing a picnic/ant theme in honor of her favorite song. . .The Ants Go Marching. We'll have red and white gingham tablecloths, picnic baskets, brown paper lunches and ants, of course. Hopefully, it will turn out cute. I figure this is the last year that I'll probably even have a say in the birthday theme. Who knows what she'll be into next year. We're also hoping to make a NICU visit for her birthday. (So, NICU nurses, let us know what days/times would work best and we'll try to see as many of you as possible.) I'm going to have to prepare myself for that day. I can't imagine her walking down the hallways that Ryan and I took every day to come see her. That was a dream of mine to have her one day walk down those same hallways. I still can't believe she'll be two in less than a month!

Tuesday, July 28, 2009 - Update

Reason why you shouldn't leave a paper towel roll within grasp of little hands.

Reason why you also shouldn't leave purse and/or diaper bag on the floor.

Hey, I'm learning! Part of me is thrilled that she is getting into all kinds of things but, boy. . . .can she make a mess fast! It's like. . .snap of the fingers and the house is a wreck! For the past three weeks, I have implemented what I call "Taking Back My House!" From what? I don't know. . .stress, fatigue, depression. I've told myself that I won't let cleaning and laundry back up on me. I have certain days of the week that I clean certain room and wash certain laundry. Tuesday, for instance, I wash Olivia's clothes and clean the bedrooms (both of which I have yet to do today.) It's hard to clean, however, when Olivia is undoing everything that I'm doing. Bless her heart, I think she tries to help. :) Pretty soon I think I'll make her put back everything she takes out. She's obsessed with emptying out drawers! The other day, she emptied out a cabinet in the kitchen and was trying to get in it. I just love watching her explore and with me close at hand. . . .I know she can't get into anything that would harm her.

She met with her Rainbows teacher today and Olivia continues to make gains each month. Of course, she is not age-appropriate, but that is to be expected. She is probably developmentally around a 16 month old. When babies are born as early as her, sometimes you have to subtract not only how early they were, but also how long they were in the hospital. That would put her about 7 1/2 months behind her actual age. She has already met more milestones than I ever expected her to at this age and every one of them is a blessing. She seems to be saying something or doing something new each day. Olivia and I met with some friends for lunch and she picked up her crayon and made marks on a coloring page! I have also decided to keep track of all of her new words on the sidebar. I hope you enjoy watching my little miracle grow!

Olivia and Her Letters

I'm learning that even at this young age, children have their own opinions about what they want to learn. She may not be interested in coloring or feeding herself with a spoon, but she loves books and learning about her letters! Scroll down to pause the music, turn up the volume and enjoy my beautiful daughter teaching you about the sounds that letters make.

Sunday, July 26, 2009 - Update

Hi mom. . . .I'm talking with my teddy bear.

After Ryan and I got engaged, he left to finish up three more semesters at K-State, which was almost 2 hours away. When he left, he bought me a teddy bear. This teddy bear (named William) now sits on the floor in our room and Olivia recently discovered it. I always find her laying down and "talking" to William. I think he has become her very favorite teddy bear. I've told her that she can take him with her, but she seems to prefer these quiet times on the floor with him.