I'm a slacker...

Well, so sorry that I have been slacking on my posting on the blog lately. We have been very busy. With the nicer weather that we've had, we've spent a bit of time outside and have painted out kitchen cabinets (no more knotty pine). We're still working at putting all the doors back on and all the new hardware.

Well, here are some pictures of the girl, as of recent. Of course, the monthly picture. I can't believe how big she is getting. She is into everything - and even more into the things that she isn't supposed to be into (dog bowls and Travis' speakers). She is so much fun, and now consistently will wave bye bye...even when you're not going anywhere. She's silly.

Liv had her first blood shed this weekend. She was standing, holding onto Rusty, when he decided that he didn't want to sit there anymore, so when he moved, Liv fell into her learning table. She got a small gash in her gums, and she was mad! But Rusty came by and told her he was sorry, and they quickly made up. They're the best of friends. She gets so excited when she sees the dogs, and I think that they get excited when they see her too.

Olivia's first Easter

Olivia had an eventful first Easter. In Michigan, you can never bet on Easter being a nice warm, spring day. And this Easter was no exception. It was cold...and I think it even snowed. We were unsure if Liv would even wear an "Easter" dress - or would we revert to something warmer. We finally decided to go with the pretty dress, and dress her with a nice sweater and tights. Booties from Great Grammie C kept Liv's little toes warm!

We got up and went to church, where Liv enjoyed the music and promptly went to sleep. She is always such a good baby in church, and everyone always comments on it. Maybe it's because I grew up in this church, and these people don't expect me to have a baby that behaves well in church. But she surprises us all!

We then went home before heading to Vista to have dinner with the family. And when I say family, I mean everyone, I believe that there were 20 people there. We had a great meal - which included shrimp! Sometimes I think that Grammie wonders if I come to have dinner with her because I enjoy her company or because I hope they have shrimp.

The long drive to Vista (about 2 miles from our house), Olivia decided it was time to take another nap. We live by the motto "Let the sleeping baby sleep". So, I went in, and left Travis in the car with Liv. Finally after 45 minutes, and she had yet to wake up, we decided to wake her up and bring her in. After all, our family was happy to see us, but more happy to see Liv. Since she had a decent nap, she was happy to be passed all over the room. I think that just about everyone got to hold her. I think she enjoys the attention.

After we were done with dinner, we went over to my mom's house to see Grammie and Poppi. Liv was excited to see them and Charlie (the dog). She even learned to throw the ball to Charlie (well...kinda). She would pick it up and then just let it go, but hey...she has to start somewhere. We were all pretty impressed.

After the visit we came back home, and Liv headed off for her final nap of the day. With all that going on, she was in a great mood, and enjoyed being home to play with her toys and her pups!

I've also included a couple of pictures of Liv in a couple of outfits this past week, that came from cousin Julia. They were more "fall" type outfits, that I was worried she wouldn't be able to wear. But with the colder weather that we've been having, they worked out great! She looked like such a little diva in the purple jacket!

Go Tigers!

Today is Opening Day for the Detroit Tigers! They will be playing the Toronto Blue Jays this afternoon! In honor of our Tigers, Olivia went to daycare today, ready to root on her boys! Aunt Marcy bought this shirt for Liv and Uncle Kurt & Aunt Kate got her the hat. She is ready to go! We thought she looked darn cute!

GO TIGERS!!

Is spring really here?

We have had quite a nice week, weather wise. Olivia enjoyed playing outside this week. She also enjoyed having the windows open in the house (so did I). Every time the wind would blow, she would laugh. She thought it was pretty funny.

Liv also figured out this week how to put the roll-a-round balls into her "Drop & Roar Dinosaur". I admit, I'm a bit amazed. She has played with this for about 2 weeks, and I didn't think that she would figure this out for quite a while. But now she just puts them in so quickly that the toy can't even finish the song from when she put the last ball in.



Last week, we went shopping, and got Liv some new summer clothes. It was so warm on Tuesday, that when she got home from day-care, we changed her into a new "summer" outfit! Below is a typical scene at our house. We put the dogs on the other side of the gate at times, so Liv can have free reign of the Living Room without the other "kids". She will crawl down the hall, and then stand at the gate. Rusty usually sits at the other side, as if he's asking her to help get it out! She will push on the pedal, and Rusty will get excited, but she can't yet open the gate. Maybe that will be next week! Then we'll really be in trouble!



And last but not least, my mom comes over about 3 times a week to watch Liv, so that Travis and I can go to the gym. Liv gets so excited when she sees her. Her they are on the floor after Liv tried to crawl all over her Grammie! They get rather silly together.

She's getting so big!

My little girl is getting so big! She turned 8 months old this weekend! We spent a long weekend together. I took Friday off, where Olivia and I joined Melissa and Meris for a shopping trip to the outlet mall in Howell. It was a lot of fun! The kids were so good. And they both slept the whole way home!

Saturday started off with swim lessons at the YMCA. This is her third week, and she is really starting to enjoy the water. She was splashing and giggling, something that she didn't do the last two weeks! So, we're getting there. She gets so worn out that she usually falls asleep on the way home - which she did again this week. She was sleeping so sound, that we decided I could do some shopping, while Travis sat in the car with her. I made it to Gymboree, Toys 'R Us and Target. Later on Saturday, since the weather was so nice, we went on a walk. Liv really seems to enjoy our walks. She giggles every time the wind blows in her face.

Sunday consisted of a project day for Travis and me. So, we switched off playing with Liv, which was also our reprieve from our job list! She is getting so funny. She stands up every moment she gets. She loves to stand up holding onto her toy box, and proceeds to empty the bin.

She also enjoys making faces and talking to the dark girl in the reflection of the dish washer! She will sit there, babbling, touching and making faces that the girl in the dish washer! In the last couple of weeks, Liv has also started clapping. Anytime we say "Yeah!", she will smile and clap. It is the cutest thing. She is just so adorable. She is such a source of entertainment for us. We have decided that before we had her, we were VERY boring people!

Well...that's Michigan for ya...

On Tuesday, it was a warm, sunny 70 degrees here. Today, we woke up to a snow covered ground. It even covered the trees. Yes, it is pretty, but not in March, two days after a 70 degree day. I'm over it! I'm ready for sun and warmer weather.

This is the view of our back yard and the big tree.

Where did my little baby go?

Yesterday was such a nice day out, I decided to take Olivia out for a walk. Since it was so sunny out, we put on one of Julia's sun hats, which was a bit small, but looked cute just the same. Then we decided to protect her eyes with the sunglasses from Aunt Marcy & Uncle Chuck. She really doesn't seem to mind the sunglasses, and leaves them alone.

Part way through our walk, we met up with Melissa and Meris. Meris kept peeking out the side of the Burley (the cart that Meris rides in) to see Olivia. It was just a little over 70 degrees, and it felt great!

Olivia didn't deal with the sun hat for long, so we put up her hood, because it was pretty windy.

When we got home, Liv seemed to be tired, but she was revived after dinner, and decided to take on an obstacle course (under the kitchen table). She was trying to maneuver around the chairs, and table.

Then at one point, Olivia was walking on all fours like she was in the Jungle Book! She is so much fun!

And she finally made it through the course! YEAH!!!!

WHERE DID MY LITTLE BABY GO?

After Liv got home from daycare today, I changed her and put her in her crib, which has always been my "safe place" to put her while I wash my hands. I wasn't gone for more than a minute, but when I came back, this is what I found!

This was the look on her face when I walked back in with the camera. It was almost as if she wanted me to take her picture, as she laughed at me.

Yes, Liv is standing up in her crib. No, I didn't leave her like that, nor did I prop her up. She started pulling herself up this week. She did once on Monday, and once yesterday, and then today, she did it five times at day care, and to my surprise, once as soon as I got home with her.

Not only is this little girl on the move crawling, but now she is moving to new heights (pun intended). We will now have to clear off anything at Liv's new level. The end tables will become bare. I don't even want to think about the entertainment center. Right now it is blocked with her toy bins, but I can see her moving the bins to get to Travis' electronics.

It looks like things are quickly changing in our house. I realize that this is a good thing, and all part of her development, but it saddens me. I miss the little infant who would coo and just wanted to sleep on my chest. Now she pushes away to get on the floor and move. As I miss the little one, I'm so looking forward to this next stage. Life is moving a little too quickly for my liking these days.