I can't believe it. In exactly one week, I will have a one year old. HOW did that happen?! And how have I not blogged about her since January?! I have so much to say about this little girl that I should be able to post every day!
Here is a recap of our year:
-May 12, 2010
Born at 5:01pm
6 lbs, 12 oz
-Started rolling over in September (4 Months Old)
-16 lbs, 4 oz at 6 Month Checkup
-We exclusively Breastfed for 6 months
-Her first food was Sweet Potatoes
-Started crawling in November (6 Months Old)
-Started pulling to a stand in November (6 Months Old)
-First tooth broke through on January 18 (8 Months Old)
-Climbed the stairs for the first time in February (9 Months Old)
-Took first steps in March (10 Months Old)
And now, almost 1 Year Old:
-She walks EVERYWHERE, and even tries to run
-She says "Hi", "Dada" and when she wants to "Mama"
-She says her own version of "puffs" (sounds like "pffff") and "juice" (sounds like "shhhh")
-She can sign "Milk" and "More"
-She gives kisses
-She can connect and pull apart Duplos
-She has 6 teeth, 4 on top, 2 on bottom
-She has started drinking whole milk, and as of this week is no longer breastfeeding
-She loves her "Lambie" and "Chicky"
I can't believe how fast this year has gone and how much my baby has grown. She is such an amazing little gift in our lives and I can't imagine loving anyone more than I love her. I'm so excited to watch her learn and grow, and can't wait to see the little lady she becomes.
Live, Laugh, Love
05 May 2011
01 January 2011
2011
Here we go....it's 2011 and I haven't blogged for you in a loooong time. Our little giggler. Well, she's giggling, all out laughing, sitting up, crawling, pulling herself up on EVERYTHING, eating solids and trying to stand on her own. She falls down a lot.
This little girl amazes me everyday. I can't believe how much of Pat and I that I see in her. You know, how she looks like me when she smiles and laughs, but she looks like Pat when she's being a brat? ;) She definitely has her moments that make me go, "Oh my poor mother." But for the most part she is a happy, healthy and fun little girl. She loves to eat. She's eating fruit and veggie purees and she loves Puffs. A lot. I think she may turn into a Puff soon. We've tried out some Little Crunchies and she liked the pasta noodles I gave her out of some soup. She's sitting in restaurant high chairs now with no problems and happily snacks throughout the meal.
My little girl is almost 8 months old and I can't believe it. The nine months that I was pregnant seem now like they took twice as long while this time with her as a little baby have flown by in double time. Before I know it she'll be walking and talking and as much as I wish I could slow it down, I love every moment that I get to watch her discover, attempt and succeed at something new. So, in this new year I look forward to a whole lot of new (milestones and experiences with my baby girl) and even a little bit of old (perhaps my "old" weight from before I had a baby??) and I do it all with beautiful and healthy baby girl, and a handsome and loving husband by my side. Look out world, here I come, and I'm ready to See More!
This little girl amazes me everyday. I can't believe how much of Pat and I that I see in her. You know, how she looks like me when she smiles and laughs, but she looks like Pat when she's being a brat? ;) She definitely has her moments that make me go, "Oh my poor mother." But for the most part she is a happy, healthy and fun little girl. She loves to eat. She's eating fruit and veggie purees and she loves Puffs. A lot. I think she may turn into a Puff soon. We've tried out some Little Crunchies and she liked the pasta noodles I gave her out of some soup. She's sitting in restaurant high chairs now with no problems and happily snacks throughout the meal.
My little girl is almost 8 months old and I can't believe it. The nine months that I was pregnant seem now like they took twice as long while this time with her as a little baby have flown by in double time. Before I know it she'll be walking and talking and as much as I wish I could slow it down, I love every moment that I get to watch her discover, attempt and succeed at something new. So, in this new year I look forward to a whole lot of new (milestones and experiences with my baby girl) and even a little bit of old (perhaps my "old" weight from before I had a baby??) and I do it all with beautiful and healthy baby girl, and a handsome and loving husband by my side. Look out world, here I come, and I'm ready to See More!
18 August 2010
Ladies and Gentlemen.....we have a giggler!
Well, sort of.
Livy has been working on the giggle for quite some time. She has been cooing and gurgling and making a high-pitched kind of squeal. And for a couple weeks now, we've been able to tell that she's trying to giggle. It would come out as a kind of coo/cough. She'd be all smiles and having fun, and it was obvious that somewhere in there, she wanted to laugh.
Well last night I was talking and laughing with her, playing little tickle games and having a "conversation". As I played like I was biting her tummy, she let it out. The cutest little sound I've ever heard in my life, my daughter's first giggle. I interrupted poor Pat's game that he was playing to come downstairs. The way I yelled for him, he thought something was wrong! At first I only got about a half-ammused, I'll humor you Mom because you're trying so hard, type of sounds out of her. But lo and behold a couple attempts later, she giggled for Daddy to see, too.
How as it possible that a beautiful little girl laughing can bring tears to my eyes?
I guess today, I was not as amusing, but tomorrow I look forward to trying again. =)
Livy has been working on the giggle for quite some time. She has been cooing and gurgling and making a high-pitched kind of squeal. And for a couple weeks now, we've been able to tell that she's trying to giggle. It would come out as a kind of coo/cough. She'd be all smiles and having fun, and it was obvious that somewhere in there, she wanted to laugh.
Well last night I was talking and laughing with her, playing little tickle games and having a "conversation". As I played like I was biting her tummy, she let it out. The cutest little sound I've ever heard in my life, my daughter's first giggle. I interrupted poor Pat's game that he was playing to come downstairs. The way I yelled for him, he thought something was wrong! At first I only got about a half-ammused, I'll humor you Mom because you're trying so hard, type of sounds out of her. But lo and behold a couple attempts later, she giggled for Daddy to see, too.
How as it possible that a beautiful little girl laughing can bring tears to my eyes?
I guess today, I was not as amusing, but tomorrow I look forward to trying again. =)
12 August 2010
You know you're a Mommy.....
When you are excited for a freshly washed package of brand new burp cloths.
I am not even kidding.
After I washed some new outfits, a ton of bibs and a new package of burp cloths, I stood in the kitchen folding them while my husband sat at the kitchen table. And while I was very exited for her new, cute little outfits, the thing that brought me that deep from within, sigh of relief was the lot of burp cloths. Those twelve pieces of cloth diaper fabric, meant I would have to do laundry a little less often. And that, my friends, is the stuff Mommy dreams are made of.
I'm amazed at all the little things that have come with being a Mommy. How you know without a doubt that you will forever remember the exact date and time your child was born, how much they weighed and how long they were. But you can't remember what you had for dinner last Tuesday. How you know exactly how it feels when they finally fall asleep, because the little body in your arms becomes a little heavier. But you can't remember what it was like to go to sleep when you wanted, for as long as you wanted, without thinking about schedules and feeding times.
My life now revolves around a smaller life. A better life, I hope. I think that no matter how our lives turn out, we always want better for our kids. I wouldn't change a thing about the way I've lived my life, or where it has brought me. But I hope and pray that my daughter won't have to make the same mistakes to find the same kind of happiness.
I can't help but marvel at the little person she is. How she smiles every morning when she finally "wakes up" and realizes Mommy is holding her. How her face lights up when Daddy comes home, and it's like she all of a sudden realizes that she missed him. How she recently found her thumb, but sometimes still loses it. They way she tries to sing along when I sing her songs. The way she starts to talk, and gets angry when no one is talking back. That big, gummy smile.
I try to soak up as much of her as I can every day. I know she is not going anywhere, but these days of itty bitty baby are ending all too soon. I don't want to lose these days where everything is so simple. I don't want her to grow up. Even though I remind myself that with growing up comes getting to see her become a lovely little lady, I can't help but be a little sad about the tiny baby she used to be and is no longer. And she's only 3 months old!!! By the time she starts school, I think I will be a wreck. I have to remember that it is also exciting to see the "growing up stuff" too. To find out what she will be interested in. To see what abilities she will excel at. And to help her and be a part of it. I see a lot of me in her right now, and I think I'm scared and excited to see if she continues on that path. My wonderful mother was more than just a mom, she was my best friend. And I'm scared to death that I won't have the same kind of relationship with my daughter. What if she doesn't like me? What if she never trusts me? What can I do to prevent that? Is there anything? Or do I just have to step back and let the pieces fall into their pre-determined spaces, and accept whatever picture they make?
For now, I will sing her songs and watch her smile. I will pick her up when she starts to cry. I will hand her to Daddy when he walks through the door. Because right now, that's how I can make her happy.
<3
I am not even kidding.
After I washed some new outfits, a ton of bibs and a new package of burp cloths, I stood in the kitchen folding them while my husband sat at the kitchen table. And while I was very exited for her new, cute little outfits, the thing that brought me that deep from within, sigh of relief was the lot of burp cloths. Those twelve pieces of cloth diaper fabric, meant I would have to do laundry a little less often. And that, my friends, is the stuff Mommy dreams are made of.
I'm amazed at all the little things that have come with being a Mommy. How you know without a doubt that you will forever remember the exact date and time your child was born, how much they weighed and how long they were. But you can't remember what you had for dinner last Tuesday. How you know exactly how it feels when they finally fall asleep, because the little body in your arms becomes a little heavier. But you can't remember what it was like to go to sleep when you wanted, for as long as you wanted, without thinking about schedules and feeding times.
My life now revolves around a smaller life. A better life, I hope. I think that no matter how our lives turn out, we always want better for our kids. I wouldn't change a thing about the way I've lived my life, or where it has brought me. But I hope and pray that my daughter won't have to make the same mistakes to find the same kind of happiness.
I can't help but marvel at the little person she is. How she smiles every morning when she finally "wakes up" and realizes Mommy is holding her. How her face lights up when Daddy comes home, and it's like she all of a sudden realizes that she missed him. How she recently found her thumb, but sometimes still loses it. They way she tries to sing along when I sing her songs. The way she starts to talk, and gets angry when no one is talking back. That big, gummy smile.
I try to soak up as much of her as I can every day. I know she is not going anywhere, but these days of itty bitty baby are ending all too soon. I don't want to lose these days where everything is so simple. I don't want her to grow up. Even though I remind myself that with growing up comes getting to see her become a lovely little lady, I can't help but be a little sad about the tiny baby she used to be and is no longer. And she's only 3 months old!!! By the time she starts school, I think I will be a wreck. I have to remember that it is also exciting to see the "growing up stuff" too. To find out what she will be interested in. To see what abilities she will excel at. And to help her and be a part of it. I see a lot of me in her right now, and I think I'm scared and excited to see if she continues on that path. My wonderful mother was more than just a mom, she was my best friend. And I'm scared to death that I won't have the same kind of relationship with my daughter. What if she doesn't like me? What if she never trusts me? What can I do to prevent that? Is there anything? Or do I just have to step back and let the pieces fall into their pre-determined spaces, and accept whatever picture they make?
For now, I will sing her songs and watch her smile. I will pick her up when she starts to cry. I will hand her to Daddy when he walks through the door. Because right now, that's how I can make her happy.
<3
26 June 2010
Thankful
Today, Pat, Olivia and I went to a friends house for a birthday celebration. And I am ever so thankful for the opportunity to have done so.
Our friends are celebrating the 1st birthday of little T. He was born just over a year ago with a terminal diagnosis. He wasn't expected to make it through the night, let alone a year. This family has definitely had their ups and downs. And life for little T is not easy. He has a feeding tube and has been in and out of the hospital. He's had weight issues and a recently diagnosed milk allergy. But this family is one like I've never met. They don't complain, or sit around and wonder why. They take everyday with their little man for what it is...a blessing. He is a joy to be around, and such a happy baby.
We are so excited to be considered friends to these people. They welcomed us with open arms and open hearts and I have accepted them into mine. I am thankful for each day that we have with T, and it has given me a greater sense of how precious life is. Everyday with my little girl is a day taken for granted if I do not realize how blessed we all are. So take a moment each day and appreciate what you have been given, it is a gift.
Live. Laugh. Love.
Our friends are celebrating the 1st birthday of little T. He was born just over a year ago with a terminal diagnosis. He wasn't expected to make it through the night, let alone a year. This family has definitely had their ups and downs. And life for little T is not easy. He has a feeding tube and has been in and out of the hospital. He's had weight issues and a recently diagnosed milk allergy. But this family is one like I've never met. They don't complain, or sit around and wonder why. They take everyday with their little man for what it is...a blessing. He is a joy to be around, and such a happy baby.
We are so excited to be considered friends to these people. They welcomed us with open arms and open hearts and I have accepted them into mine. I am thankful for each day that we have with T, and it has given me a greater sense of how precious life is. Everyday with my little girl is a day taken for granted if I do not realize how blessed we all are. So take a moment each day and appreciate what you have been given, it is a gift.
Live. Laugh. Love.
30 May 2010
The Story of Olivia
Born: May 12, 2010
17:01
6 lbs, 12 oz
20 inches
I woke up on Wednesday morning as Pat's alarm was getting him up for PT. My stomach felt a little crampy, but it was early and I was tired and told him, "my belly hurts" as I rolled over and went back to sleep. A little before 7:00 I woke up again and could now feel contractions lasting only about 30 seconds but about 2-4 minutes apart. I called Pat and he was pulling in the driveway. He was going to jump in the shower while I finished getting things ready, but we soon realized we needed to take off right away.
We got to the hospital and contractions stayed consistent while the nurses asked me questions and got me into a bed and hooked up to the external fetal monitors. When they came to do my exam I hadn’t made much progress but they didn’t want to send me away, because my contractions were steady and I was in pain. They swept my membranes and asked me to sip some water and nibble on some crackers. When they checked again I had progressed to 4cm so they admitted me. I must have looked like I was in a lot of pain because they didn’t even ask me to walk to a LDR room, they just wheeled me over in the bed I was already in and transferred me when we got there!
That’s when I heard the words no weakling wants to hear....”We can’t give you the epidural yet because our anesthesiologists are in the OR.” Oh goody. So they offered to get the tub ready, so I could try to get a little more comfortable while we waited. But the anesthesiologists came to my room less than 10 minutes later, so we were able to cancel the bath and they began prepping me for the epidural. After that, I was finally able to breathe! My nurse said it was good to see me smile.
My contractions were strong and steady and when they checked me again I was still at 4cm. They decided to rupture my bag of water in the hopes that it would help move things along. When the bag broke there was meconium in the fluid, and later on when more fluid was released there was meconium in there as well, so they were keeping an eye on that. They switched to an internal monitor and administered Pitocin to try to stimulate dilation, and they gave the baby a “saline bath”. The baby’s heart rate began to drop after every contraction so they came and talked to me about the possibility of a c-section. When they checked me again I still had not dilated any more than 4cm and the baby continued to have an unsteady heart rate. So they decided it was time to get me ready for the OR.
After that things moved pretty fast. They brought the anesthesiologist back in, gave Pat a pair of scrubs and rolled me away. Once in the OR they got me moved onto the table and put a screen up. When I was all ready to go they brought Pat back in and went to work. At 5:01pm Olivia Genevieve was born. And my world stopped for just a moment.
I heard them tell us “It’s a girl” and I felt a a joy run through me that I never thought possible. I was over the moon happy as I looked into my husbands eyes and waited to hear my baby girl cry. And I waited. And I waited. Sweet little baby Olivia was here with us, but she was having trouble breathing on her own. They began resuscitation procedures on her. And I waited. Almost three minutes after that little girl came into this world I heard the most beautiful sound a mother can hear...her baby crying. They put her in an incubator and took her to NICU as a precaution to monitor her breathing. I told Pat to go with her while I was cleaned up. He met me back in the LDR room to tell me that Olivia was breathing on her own and doing better already. By the time they took me to my postpartum room I had already been updated that she was awake and looking around, breathing on her own and that she probably wouldn’t have to stay overnight in the NICU. I got to see her as they wheeled me to my room and she was perfect. I made two trips to the NICU to breastfeed and by midnight that night Baby Olivia was released from NICU, and was right where she belonged, with Mommy and Daddy.
17:01
6 lbs, 12 oz
20 inches
I woke up on Wednesday morning as Pat's alarm was getting him up for PT. My stomach felt a little crampy, but it was early and I was tired and told him, "my belly hurts" as I rolled over and went back to sleep. A little before 7:00 I woke up again and could now feel contractions lasting only about 30 seconds but about 2-4 minutes apart. I called Pat and he was pulling in the driveway. He was going to jump in the shower while I finished getting things ready, but we soon realized we needed to take off right away.
We got to the hospital and contractions stayed consistent while the nurses asked me questions and got me into a bed and hooked up to the external fetal monitors. When they came to do my exam I hadn’t made much progress but they didn’t want to send me away, because my contractions were steady and I was in pain. They swept my membranes and asked me to sip some water and nibble on some crackers. When they checked again I had progressed to 4cm so they admitted me. I must have looked like I was in a lot of pain because they didn’t even ask me to walk to a LDR room, they just wheeled me over in the bed I was already in and transferred me when we got there!
That’s when I heard the words no weakling wants to hear....”We can’t give you the epidural yet because our anesthesiologists are in the OR.” Oh goody. So they offered to get the tub ready, so I could try to get a little more comfortable while we waited. But the anesthesiologists came to my room less than 10 minutes later, so we were able to cancel the bath and they began prepping me for the epidural. After that, I was finally able to breathe! My nurse said it was good to see me smile.
My contractions were strong and steady and when they checked me again I was still at 4cm. They decided to rupture my bag of water in the hopes that it would help move things along. When the bag broke there was meconium in the fluid, and later on when more fluid was released there was meconium in there as well, so they were keeping an eye on that. They switched to an internal monitor and administered Pitocin to try to stimulate dilation, and they gave the baby a “saline bath”. The baby’s heart rate began to drop after every contraction so they came and talked to me about the possibility of a c-section. When they checked me again I still had not dilated any more than 4cm and the baby continued to have an unsteady heart rate. So they decided it was time to get me ready for the OR.
After that things moved pretty fast. They brought the anesthesiologist back in, gave Pat a pair of scrubs and rolled me away. Once in the OR they got me moved onto the table and put a screen up. When I was all ready to go they brought Pat back in and went to work. At 5:01pm Olivia Genevieve was born. And my world stopped for just a moment.
I heard them tell us “It’s a girl” and I felt a a joy run through me that I never thought possible. I was over the moon happy as I looked into my husbands eyes and waited to hear my baby girl cry. And I waited. And I waited. Sweet little baby Olivia was here with us, but she was having trouble breathing on her own. They began resuscitation procedures on her. And I waited. Almost three minutes after that little girl came into this world I heard the most beautiful sound a mother can hear...her baby crying. They put her in an incubator and took her to NICU as a precaution to monitor her breathing. I told Pat to go with her while I was cleaned up. He met me back in the LDR room to tell me that Olivia was breathing on her own and doing better already. By the time they took me to my postpartum room I had already been updated that she was awake and looking around, breathing on her own and that she probably wouldn’t have to stay overnight in the NICU. I got to see her as they wheeled me to my room and she was perfect. I made two trips to the NICU to breastfeed and by midnight that night Baby Olivia was released from NICU, and was right where she belonged, with Mommy and Daddy.
06 May 2010
Dot Dot Dot
I can't help it. I just love the dot dot dot. I just looked back and realized that only one of my posts didn't have dot dot dot at the end of the title! I may need to go to Punctuation Users Anonymous, but I have a feeling that this will never go away...
;)
;)
The waiting game...
Sometimes I feel like our whole life is a waiting game. It's just what you are waiting for that changes. Pat and I as a family first waited to find out where we would PCS. Then we waited to get into housing. Then we waited to see if he would have to deploy. And now we are just waiting for our little bundle of joy. The two due dates we were given were the 9th and the 14th. Not very far apart. So I am technically 39 weeks now and it could happen for us any time. Pat thinks it will be right on the 14th. I'm not so sure, once again, I think my sub-concious is hesitating to make any assumptions. If I could choose......I'd take the 10th. But no matter when this little one comes, I'll be happy to finally have something to hold in my arms, instead of kicking me in the ribs. =)
15 April 2010
Hallelujah!! We have a couch!!!
Our couch was finally delivered on Tuesday!! Thank the good Lord, because I was not going to be able to get up off the floor for much longer. That was seriously getting difficult! Now I am breaking in the couch and fighting Pat for space. =) We are very happy with it and our living room finally looks like a place you could comfortably hang out!! Yay!!
22 March 2010
A place to call Home...
Pat and I officially moved into our new place!! We have a three bedroom 1 1/2 bath on Fort Lewis. Slowly but surely we are filling it with all the "things" I forgot a home needed, LoL! Our dining room table and coffee table are here, and we are waiting for our couch to arrive!! This morning the Direct T.V. was installed and it's nice to have something to watch besides our DVDs!!
The "spare" bedroom has been handed over to Pat, and he is making it his "Man Room". A place for him to keep his guitars and computer, uniforms and paraphernalia, and anything else I don't want left scattered around the house! LoL. On that note, I took over the closet in the living room and made it my own office. It will likewise be a place for me to keep all the things that Pat will not want to have to look at. Let's face it, nail polish and scrapbooking stuff aren't high on his list of necessities. =)
We are purchasing the baby's furniture next. I found a great deal on a crib, changing table and dresser set that I love. As soon as we pick it up I will start putting the baby's room together. Which means a lot more laundry!!
Oh and speaking of laundry, I am soooooo excited that we have our very own washer and dryer!! The very first thing that we moved into our new place, and boy has it come in handy!! Despite the little snafu of the boys who hooked it up (ahem, Pat, Sean and Sean's roommate) not connecting the drain hose on the washer. A "nice" little surprise when I came downstairs from shower to a lake in my kitchen!! But hey, I always wanted an indoor swimming pool!! It was easily fixed and Pat did all the cleaning up for me. Brownie points to my hubby!
Well, hopefully I will have some pictures to post soon, but I am waiting until we get a little further along!!
Home Sweet Home
The "spare" bedroom has been handed over to Pat, and he is making it his "Man Room". A place for him to keep his guitars and computer, uniforms and paraphernalia, and anything else I don't want left scattered around the house! LoL. On that note, I took over the closet in the living room and made it my own office. It will likewise be a place for me to keep all the things that Pat will not want to have to look at. Let's face it, nail polish and scrapbooking stuff aren't high on his list of necessities. =)
We are purchasing the baby's furniture next. I found a great deal on a crib, changing table and dresser set that I love. As soon as we pick it up I will start putting the baby's room together. Which means a lot more laundry!!
Oh and speaking of laundry, I am soooooo excited that we have our very own washer and dryer!! The very first thing that we moved into our new place, and boy has it come in handy!! Despite the little snafu of the boys who hooked it up (ahem, Pat, Sean and Sean's roommate) not connecting the drain hose on the washer. A "nice" little surprise when I came downstairs from shower to a lake in my kitchen!! But hey, I always wanted an indoor swimming pool!! It was easily fixed and Pat did all the cleaning up for me. Brownie points to my hubby!
Well, hopefully I will have some pictures to post soon, but I am waiting until we get a little further along!!
Home Sweet Home
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