Saturday, September 10, 2011

We had a picture perfect afternoon at the State Fair.  Olivia had such a great time riding rides and seeing all of the animals.  She loved the roosters and each time one of them would cock-a-doodle-doo, she’d try to pinpoint which one did it.  She could have stayed there forever. 

Olivia went on her very first roller coaster today.  She kept telling us that it was really fast and scary, but it was fun. 

She also rode on her very first carousel.  Surprisingly, she chose to ride in the sled instead of on a horse.  But, she loved it!

She had fun driving in cars. . .

and riding on the train.

This little boy helped unbuckle her when the ride was over.  It was really cute. 

What a wonderful day spent with my family.  I loved every minute of it!

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Olivia had an AMAZING first day of preschool.  Not a single tear was shed (and if you remember. . .last year we really struggled with that.)  She was as happy as can be when I picked her up.  From what she’s told me, she made friends with a little boy named Kaleb, which isn’t surprising since that is also the name of her cousin that she adores. She also made friends with a “girl in a yellow shirt.”  Her teacher said that there is a very mothering girl in the class who really attached herself to Olivia and made sure she was taken care of.  I don’t know if she’s the yellow shirt girl or not.  It’s funny because the same thing happened last year at preschool.  The mothering types must really like Olivia. LOL.  Olivia went on and on about the little potties and the little sinks and can’t wait to go back on Thursday.  Isn’t that amazing?  I’m just completely amazed at what a big girl she’s become.  It’s going to be a great year!!!

First Day of Preschool

Today is Olivia’s first day at her new preschool.  Last year, we had a really tough time getting adjusted.  So naturally this year I am a bit apprehensive.  Olivia, however, has matured a lot since last year and the initial drop off went a lot better.  There were no tears (from either of us.)  She LOVED the little potties and the little sinks and was busy playing cars when we left.  Her teacher is young and seems very fun and energetic and loving, so I have a good feeling about this year.  I will be sure to update you and tell you all about how her first day went (from what I can get out of her, at least.) 

Olivia with her teacher, Ms. Lydia

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Hello Fall!  Wow, we had gorgeous 70 degree weather today.  What a refreshing change!  Too bad Ryan hasn’t been able to enjoy it.  He worked 23 hours on Friday, all day Saturday and is going on 14+ hours today and still isn’t home.  I’m grateful for such a hardworking husband, but this is ridiculous.  Olivia and I miss him like crazy.  We’ve been staying busy, however.   I had a get together at my house tonight.  My cousin and his wife were in town from Texas and they came over along with my brother and  niece, Izzy.  It was a lot of fun.

Let’s see. . .what else. . .Olivia got new glasses, but you can’t really tell in the picture above.  I’ll have to try to get a good picture of her in them.  They are really cute.  She starts preschool on Tues and I’m a mess over it.  Honestly.  And, right after I drop her off at preschool. . .I start a new job.  I’m working for a company who needs me to update their facebook page and website and do their newsletters, etc.  Right up my alley!  It’s just part time and I will do most of the work from home.  It’s still a bit nerve-wracking as I’ve been out of the work force for 4 years.  Please say a prayer for Olivia and I as we embark on these new journeys.  Too many changes for my comfort zone!

Kelsey

Our newest family member is fitting in really well.  It has been amazing to see Tobey take Kelsey under his wing.  They are just the best of friends.  He’s also teaching her all kinds of bad habits like drinking out of  toilets and jumping up on tables.  But, I’ll forgive him because he’s so sweet with her. 

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Over the weekend, Olivia met Jade.  Jade was also born premature and will be in Olivia’s preschool class this year.  They will also be in the same grade in the same school district and are destined to be the best of friends.  I feel so blessed to have met Jade’s mother and cannot wait to see Olivia’s friendships develop over the years.  

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Yesterday, Olivia sent Logan a birthday balloon.  It has become tradition to do it every year on their birthday.  We don’t really talk about Logan in our family as much as we should or as much as we’d like.  I don’t know why. . .we just get busy with life.  He’s never far from my mind, however.   Sometimes I don’t think he’s far from Olivia’s mind either.  Yesterday, Olivia looked at me and said, “Logan loves me today.”  I don’t think Olivia has fully grasped who Logan is, but she definitely knows he’s very special to our family.  Today, she fell asleep in the car and upon waking she asked, “Where’s Logan?”  It’s as if she knows far more than I believe she does.  As she gets older, I am anxious to hear about her perspective. . .losing her twin brother and what that is like for her.  It breaks my heart because at some point in her life she is going to fully comprehend the magnitude of everything that happened and it’s going to break her heart.  I’m sure Olivia’s birthday party was nothing compared to Logan’s party in heaven.  Oh, how I miss him and love him and wish he was here.

Olivia’s 4th Birthday Party

We celebrated Olivia’s 4th birthday party today with a Lily (frog theme) party.  My friend, Angie, made Olivia’s adorable cake that even had Lily on top.  When Olivia first saw it, she exclaimed, “My birthday cake!  My beautiful birthday cake!” 

Olivia was eagerly anticipating her guests to arrive!

Playing in the play room

Presents!

One of her favorite cards meowed “Happy Birthday!”

Olivia’s friend, Madison.

Olivia’s cousin, Izzy

The birthday girl!

She blew out her candles like a pro!

Olivia’s grandma made clothes for her Lily doll.  They are adorable!

She is really enjoying her stick horse.  She has wanted one for a long time. 

What a great party!  We enjoyed seeing everyone and to be able to share this day with Olivia was magical.  Four years ago, I couldn’t envision where we would be on this day.  Olivia continues to thrive and jump every hurdle in front of her.  We love you, Olivia!!

Happy Birthday Olivia

I can’t believe that tomorrow my baby girl is going to be 4 years old.  I honestly can’t think about it without tears in my eyes.  I can’t believe how far she has come and I’m so proud of her.  She was born with all of the odds against her and she continues to fight harder than anyone I’ve ever met.  She’s truly a miracle and to be her mother is such an honor.  Thank you, Olivia, for giving my life such meaning and hope and love.  I love you!

08-2007 At birth

08-2008 – One year old (Giraffe party)

08-2009 – Two years old (The Ants Go Marching/Picnic Party)

08-2010 – Three years old (Sesame Street Party)

Of course, tomorrow is also someone else’s special day. . .my handsome son, Logan.  Oh, how I wish I could have spent the last four years with you!  I wonder what you would look like, what you would be like.  You would have been a wonderful brother and son.  We miss you and we love you so much.  You will forever be a part of all of our lives.

Logan William Glunt 08-27-2007 to 09-28-2007

Caillou

My daughter is crazy about Caillou!  I mean, I have never before seen a show have so much influence over her.  She relates to Caillou more than any other character.  I have sort of a love/hate relationship with him.  Olivia was never afraid of shadows in her room or thought monsters were chasing her until she saw “Caillou’s Bad Dream.”  On the other hand, she now LOVES apples like Caillou and is begging to go apple picking at an apple orchard just like Caillou.  The other day, she fell and scraped up her knee.  The first thing she said was, “I crash landed just like Caillou!”  Then, she made me re-enact the scenes in “Caillou The Patient” down to the smallest detail.  I even had to tell her, “It’s gonna be sore for awhile.”  Now, she wants to have the flu just like Caillou and I’m trying to convince her that she really doesn’t.  What a crazy girl. . .crazy about Caillou!

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

As a child I had a miniature box that I loved.  My mom gave it back to me a few months ago.  I knew Olivia would love it, but I just wasn’t sure where to put it.  I finally put it up this week because Olivia has so many “little things” that we just can’t keep track of them all.  She adores it and so do I because now I feel like everything has a place. 

***A repairman came and fixed our washing machine today.  We’re not really sure what happened, but it seemed something must have gotten caught on the side of the drum.  You’d think I would have noticed something caught when I pulled the clothes out or we would have found something still there.  But, we didn’t.  Very odd.  These new washing machines are a lot more temperamental than they used to be.  It seems to be working fine now and I’m glad to have my washing machine back.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Wow, what a day. . .I was getting ready when Olivia came in and told me that something smelled bad.  I went out into the living room and smelled smoke for the second time this week.  My first thought was, “I haven’t run my dishwasher today!”  Then I noticed that the smell was coming from our laundry room.  I opened up the washing machine (after a just completed cycle) and smoke came billowing out with an awful burnt smell.  Seriously?  Are you kidding me?  After the dishwasher incident?  I called Home Depot where we purchased our washing machine just over a year ago.  I spent ALL afternoon on the phone trying to get things sorted out.  At first I learned that it only had a one year warranty. . .that expired in June.  Then, the guy from Home Depot called me back to tell me that we had indeed purchased the extended warranty.  We hardly ever purchase extended warranties, so that was quite a blessing.  Home Depot was awesome about the whole thing.  Now, at the moment I don’t think too highly of our LG washing machine.  Thankfully, a service technician will be out tomorrow to take a look at it.  I’ll let you know what in the world happened.  Let’s just hope that we don’t have to purchase other appliances any time soon. Next time I’m just going to find the one with the WORST reviews and buy that one.  I think we’d have better luck going that route.  Sheesh. . .

Sunday, August 21, 2011

I am truly blessed to have a best friend (since 8th grade) who has a daughter around the same age as Olivia.  I’m even more blessed because they have become quite the little friends.  We’ve been able to do quite a bit together this summer with plans to do even more in the coming years. 

And, I’ll finally admit to this. . .Madison has a nickname for me. . .she calls me. . .Gunk.  I don’t know why, but it’s always “Gunk, come here! Look at this, Gunk!”  As unappealing as the name is, it makes me laugh every time I think about it.  I mean, seriously, it’s like the funniest thing I’ve ever heard!  What a story that will be to tell her when she gets older!  Let’s just hope the name doesn’t stick.

Saturday, August 20, 2011

We’ve had quite a lot , ing on lately.  Today, we went to Izzy’s surprise 4th birthday party.  She said she wanted a surprise party, so they told her no one was going to be able to come to her party. Then they opened the garage door and we all yelled, “Surprise!”  It was a great party and we had a lot of fun.  If only my husband would have been able to attend.  He worked until 1 am this morning and then all day today. 

The birthday girl!!

KitchenAid

Today, Stacie and Madison came over and we were all happily playing in the basement.  I then came upstairs to a smoke filled room that smelled of burning plastic.  Let me back up a bit.

Last weekend, we purchased a new dishwasher.  Our old one only worked about every 4th time and when it did work, the dishes weren’t always the cleanest.  So, we did our online research, went to three different places and felt we made an educated choice with KitchenAid.  We wanted one that was middle of the road and this one was priced right with rave reviews.  It was installed on Monday. 

We pinpointed the smell to the dishwasher and honestly I was afraid to open it with visions of flames escaping every which way.  But, we did and found that a knife had fallen down onto the heating element and was literally sizzling to the point of almost being on fire!

Here is what is left of the knife.  That is the blade on top.  For one, I didn’t realize that some dishwashers have an exposed heating element and others don’t.  I personally think all of them should be unexposed.  It’s a major fire hazard.  I can’t tell you how many times Olivia’s sippy cup lids have fallen to the bottom of our old dishwasher.  And, I didn’t realize that heat dry is the default option and you actually have to turn it off for auto dry.  I’m terrified that I’m accidentally going to have it on heat dry and something is going to fall to the bottom.   

Now, we’ve got this mess to deal with, the smell to get rid of and I’m a very unhappy customer who was told, “To be more careful from now on when loading my silverware.” 

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Here are two things that have made me smile this week.

Olivia’s drawings.  She has started drawing more and more objects and I LOVE to see them.  This is a self portrait.  I love that girl!!!

A sweet, cuddly kitten.  Kelsey is a total sweetheart.