Izzy's Birthday Party

Today, I went to Izzy's 2nd birthday party! It was a GREAT party!

Here is Izzy with her Papa Oof Oof. Her other grandpa is Papa Cars. Speaking of Cars, she had a Cars birthday party!

I got to play with my own balloon.

And I had to explain to mama that I need to eat at least 3 goldfish at a time.

Here is Izzy's Lightning McQueen cake.

And she blew out her candles. She's going to have to teach me how to do that next week!

She liked the Handy Manny doll and the book that I got her.

She was so good at opening her presents. She is going to have to teach me that too.

She got a lot of nice gifts!

And here I am playing with Ruven. Mama kept joking that I was trying to steal Izzy's boyfriend.

But, I wasn't. . .we're just friends. I can see why Izzy likes him. He's really nice!

Here is Izzy and Ruven jumping on her new trampoline.

And I had to have a cupcake before I left. Yum Yum! What a fun party, Izzy!!

Friday, August 14, 2009 - Update

Our own 2 year pictures

Today, Olivia and I hung out with Aunt Shelley. She had to take her vehicle in for new tires and instead of waiting around for them, we picked her up, went to lunch and hung out. That part of our day was great. Then, I got this crazy, harebrained idea to have some professional pictures done of Olivia. She looked adorable in her glasses and hair bow, and was in a great mood. I figured having an extra adult on hand would also be nice. I have been wanting to have pictures done of Olivia for a long time, but I have been nervous to see how she'd react. I envisioned surprising daddy with tons of adorable pictures and was so excited. Well, my dream ended as fast as it began and I left feeling defeated with a crying child, zero pictures and my tail between my legs. There was too much going on, too many people and she became way over-stimulated. I wish they took the pictures in a room that was closed off from the waiting area. There was no way Olivia would sit still for pictures and we quickly gave up. Then, she had a complete meltdown when I tried to calm her down in the car. Now, I don't know that I'll try again for a really long time. And, I really, really, wanted 2 year pictures taken. I guess I will have to make due with my sub par photography skills for awhile longer. :(

Wednesday, August 12, 2009 - Update

Come on, mom, it's bedtime!

Izzy with her glasses "like Olilia."

Thanks everyone, for your words of reassurance. I guess it just seems that compared to other kids around the same age, Olivia pays less attention to people around her and instead focuses on walking around. This is especially true when she is somewhere new. They have library storytimes and zoo classes for children Olivia's age and I just don't see Olivia sitting still and listening. She would be all over the place. Maybe she just isn't there developmentally yet and next spring. . .we'll be able to do those things. One thing is for sure. . . .Olivia warms my heart each and every day. The other night, she ran up to me and tightly wrapped her arms around my neck. Then, she proceeded to give me lots of kisses. At that moment I remember thinking. . .my daughter truly loves me and it was such a wonderful feeling.

Go, Go, Go

Olivia and her cousins at the Wichita Historical Museum.

Today, we went to a local museum with Olivia's cousins, aunts and grandma. The more that I get Olivia out and about and around other children her age, it becomes more apparent to me. I honestly thought all children her age were always "on the go." But, Olivia has a very hard time keeping still. Again, most young children cannot sit still for long, but it is to the extreme with Olivia. She can be in her stroller as long as we're in constant movement, but she would prefer walking around. So, she was not happy going to a museum with all of the stop and go's until I let her walk around.

Here she is zooming around the museum.

And here she was making the rounds at Holli's shower last weekend.

Hopefully, it's something that improves with age. I don't know if it also has to do with the fact that Olivia does not like any kind of containment. It doesn't matter if it's changing her diaper, brushing her teeth, cutting her nails, being held or just giving a simple hug. I often wonder if it's because she was constrained in an isolette for months instead of moving around inside the womb? Is this part of her sensory processing disorder? Is it better to let her get the stimulation she needs or do I need to work on getting her to sit still? I'm sure these are questions that I can ask her developmental pediatrician next month. I just want to know that I'm doing what's best for her.

In other news, she has started asking for her glasses every morning and she wears them all day. We have truly turned a corner and I see that it's really helping her eyes. What a blessing!

Tuesday, August 11, 2009 - Update

Who needs a dog. . .

when you can take your balloon for a walk?

She wasn't that intrigued with her helium filled balloon yesterday, but today it has become her new best friend. Boy, she's going to have a blast the day after her birthday party!

Growth

Many of you have read my posts recently about concerns over Olivia's growth. She is back down to about 19.7 lbs and between 29-30 inches tall. I am very proud of her growth. She was born at 1 lb 1.5 oz and 11.5 inches long! She's happy, healthy, petite and perfect. So, why am I concerned about it? At her 18 month appt, she was well below the 1% on her growth chart and her doctor was concerned because she is no longer following her own curve. He said if he is not pleased with her growth at her 2 year appt, he wants to run some tests to see if she is deficient in growth hormones. Some children who were born extremely premature have to take daily growth hormone injections. I do not want this!! It is controversial because some parents do this just so their children do not grow up to be small or short, but are not deficient in anything. I'm sure that some children may need them, but the thought scares me. I don't expect Olivia to be very big. . .I'm barely 5'2" and Ryan isn't that tall either. I just want her to be happy and healthy. I know I shouldn't worry about this unless I have to, but I just wanted Olivia to be big enough at her 2 year appt so that the conversation doesn't even happen. Does anyone have any information on this? I just want to be prepared before her appointment in case it is brought up. Here is an article that kind of explains what I'm talking about.

http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/development/growth_hormone_short_kids.html

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Uncle Joel! He turns. . .one year older on August 10th!

(This picture was taken June 2008)

Saturday, August 8, 2009 - Update

It seems like there was somewhere I was supposed to be today.

Still thinking. . .

Let me sleep on it for a bit. . .

Oh, today is Nurse Holli's baby shower!!


Me and Susan (Nurse Holli's mom)

Me and Nurse Holli!!

Friday, August 7, 2009 - Update

Olivia spent the afternoon at her grandparents' house and had a blast playing outside. She even got the chance to play with some of her cousins. Each time she plays with her cousins, they just seem to grow closer and closer. Olivia and Aidan (almost 4) have decided that they like to give each other kisses.

And me? My day went much better, although I am extremely sore from my workout. I am so out of shape, it is depressing. Hopefully, I can pull myself out of bed tomorrow!

Enjoy these wonderful pictures that Aunt Kim took this afternoon. More to come, but I think I'll save those for another day.

Just another windy day

Katie and Olivia = Cousins and friends

Bad Day

Do you ever have one of those really awful days? I was up until about 5 am last night due to restless legs. I take medication for it, but my prescription ran out and I should have called it in earlier because they had to get physician approval for it which took 48 hours. I never realized how well the medication worked until I had to go a night without it. Luckily, it was dark and stormy this morning and Olivia decided to sleep in. But, that's not the end of my bad day.



Olivia found her tube of toothpaste in her drawer and I let her play with it. It's just a harmless, small tube of toothpaste. I went to feed her a bottle and let her hold the toothpaste while she ate. She turned around at just the wrong moment and the corner of the tube jammed into my eye. Boy, it hurt so bad, I was afraid to look in the mirror. When I did, I found that my eyeball was cut and bleeding! So, long story short. . .I went into the doctor because the last thing I want is an infected eye. Luckily, it didn't cut my cornea and I was prescribed some antibiotic drops. Still hurts quite a bit though. Ryan met me at the doctor's office to take Olivia back home. I arrived home about an hour later and found then snuggled up in the chair sleeping. I think that's what I will do as well.

Dinner With Friends

Earlier this week, a friend of Ryan's stopped to meet us for dinner on his way through town. It was a joy to see Austin and his wife, Kristin, and daughter, Aubrey. Ryan and Austin have been close friends for many, many years and were roommates in college. Austin is to Ryan like Stacie is to me. In fact, Austin was the best man in our wedding and Stacie was the matron of honor. Anyway, we had a great time visiting and enjoyed meeting their daughter, Aubrey, for the first time. We're really lucky that both Stacie and Austin have daughters close to Olivia's age. Hopefully, we'll be able to get together again soon. . .at least before Olivia and Aubrey start kindergarten.

Aubrey and Ryan

Saying hello

This is Olivia being sweet to Aubrey.

I'm not sure what Olivia is doing here. . .maybe trying to read Aubrey's thoughts?

Olivia and Madison

We had a blast visiting with Stacie and Madison today. Thanks for a great afternoon!! For those of you who don't know. . .Stacie and I have been best friends since 8th grade. We also went through infertility together and shared our fears about never being mothers. Every time our daughters get together, it reminds us of how blessed we truly are. How amazing if they were to become great friends as well.

Me and my baba!

Say what?

Reasons why today is a great day:

I weighed Olivia this morning and she tipped the scales at 20.02 lbs!! We may have finally made it to 20 lbs!

I went to Kohls and found her a red and white gingham dress for her birthday party for. . .$3.60 in the 80% clearance aisle!

This little girl who has pretty much given up naps decided to take a 2 hour nap with her mommy who was so incredibly tired today.

She has worn her glasses for the 4th consecutive day and is even happy when I put them on her!

My husband is cooking dinner tonight and is making fried potatoes (my favorite!)

Life is good.

Monday, August 3, 2009 - Update

Giving her puppies kisses.

I still love playing with daddy's video game birthday card (from March!)

Olivia met with her physical therapist today. . . .for the last time! Yep, she officially no longer needs physical therapy. Her toe walking has greatly improved, she can run, she can walk forwards, backwards, sideways and in circles. She can also kneel and squat. It's great to say that I'm no longer worried at all about her gross motor skills. We're still working on her fine motor skills as she still doesn't stack blocks or rings. Some of that may be due to a lack of depth perception. She doesn't use enough force to flip switches, push buttons or activate toys, but I think she understands the concept. Speaking of glasses. . .she wore hers for 10+ hours today!! I think she has officially decided that wearing glasses is okay. I'm so proud of her!

Sunday, August 2, 2009 - Update

My beautiful girl

We spent all evening last night shopping. . .Ryan, Olivia and me. We had to go to Babies R Us, Target and grocery shopping. She was such an angel. . .not only did she wear her glasses the whole time, but she didn't even complain. She has discovered that stores have things called "toy aisles." She hasn't yet discovered that you can buy things from there and take them home, however. She especially likes to find all of the Elmos and Cookie Monsters and blankets. She loves fuzzy blankets and Babies R Us has whole aisles of them. Because she was so good, we bought her a Cookie Monster just like her Elmo. Elmo is still the favorite, but Cookie Monster is a close second.

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!