18 months

Olivia turned 18 months old this past week, and just like in the past she woke up that morning able to do things she hadn't done before. She now has over 100 words that she copies/mimics! This has been the biggest and most noted change.

She has also been nursing way less and eating way more. She sits SO well in her high chair now, and doesn't throw all her food overboard. In fact, the past two nights she has sat in her chair and continued eating well after J and I have finished, and even asked for more food.

She's been taking these epic naps in the afternoon, and then sleeping for a good 5 hour stretch at night. Which is AWESOME. Though today she got no nap and went to bed at 6:30... so we'll see.

We had the first real snowfall last night, and Olivia just loved it. J was bringing snow inside for her and she was feeding it to the dog. She just kept signing and saying, "mo mope!" (more please, in toddler speak). It was so cute!

Having J off work three days in a row has really made Olivia so happy. She's become a little daddy's girl the past couple weeks. We went up to my parents house for two nights last week, and Olivia just had the best time with Grammy. J and I even got out on a date! I don't think she even noticed we were gone, she had so much fun.

I think we're nearly done with teething, she's got 3 more teeth to go. THANKFULLY.

I'm finally starting my business I've been thinking about for some time now. I'm hoping this will allow me to continue to stay home with Olivia and provide some additional income for us to sock away. More to come on that! 

Teething and Climbing and the iPhone, oh my!

First things first, my little update. Olivia is saying all kinds of stuff now! She'll be 18 months on the 1st (born on the 31st, but there isn't one in November) so I'd say that's right on track. The one I'm most excited about? "Please!"

We did some measuring last night too, Olivia is about 22lbs 5oz and 32inches. She is running and climbing on EVERYTHING. ALL THE TIME. It's exhausting... she gets up on things that you wouldn't think she could. The TV stand, the bar stools, the dining room table... she has no fear. Of course, in her full-on toddler glory, she absolutely hates being taken down from something, regardless of how fear-inducing it is. So there's that.

Teeth are nearly all in. I think there is one more molar and three more canines to go! I'm hopeful for life after teething, I really am.

I'm curious about how kids in Olivia's generation will grow up. She is fully capable of operating my iPhone. She unlocks it, flips through the pages to where her apps are, chooses an app, presses play, and then happily plays. Seems rather complex to me for 18 months. She has a sign language app which she is actually learning signs from, so I'm totally for embracing technology.

So we've had a busy month. Thanksgiving was nice, it's been cold AND hunting season, so we haven't spent much time outside. Despite being a veteran, I am still not a fan of hearing gunshots in my backyard. Especially since I assume most hunters are average or below with regard to aim and ability to properly use a gun... I just don't like it. We have been trying to make it to playgroup as much as possible, though!

We're preparing for Christmas, I've gotten so much shopping done already and it's not even December! I'm so organized this year! After the first of the year, we have a lot of tentative plans. A more structured bedtime (I know, I know... I'm sure I'll be blogging about that...), continue with some gentle mama & baby led weaning (she's already doing this on her own a bit), and I am going to start a little work at home business. I've got the logistics worked out, but will wait until January to set up shop. We've got some other things potentially going on, but I'm not going to post yet until after the new year!

Hope everyone is enjoying the season! I just love the holidays!!

Playgroup!

We have one! So much fun. We've only been twice, because Olivia got sick... but this has been an incredible relief for me. I have friends in Maine with kids, but for the most part they live over an hour away (except one who moved back recently and is about 25 minutes away). This may not seem like a big deal if you do not have a child who HATED the car for the first 11 months of life. Now at 17 months, she does okay for the most part.

But that's neither here nor there, since this group tends to meet within a half hour radius of us. In fact, when we move we will be even closer. No longer will I feel stuck because we are limited by a car-hating baby! (Dramatic? Maybe a bit. Still, I'm happy)

Olivia had lots of fun today and then totally zonked out on the couch when we got home. Awesome.

17 Months

It's funny, it seems like Olivia has hit developmental stuff at an exact age. I won't say milestones; what I mean is that she seems to show a big difference month to month in the things she does, and I always notice in the first couple days of the month. Since she was born on the 31st, it just always seems like it goes along with her age.

She recently turned 17 months, and the change has been words! She seemed to just wake up one day and begin repeating everything we say. She's probably doubled her word count in the past week. I am always so amazed watching her develop. She still definitely has some issues with being frustrated at her inability to communicate, but it also seems like she understands so much more. We've been struggling to get her to stay in her high chair for a meal, and the past couple days I've been able to reason with her so that she stays in long enough for us to eat.

Either that, or the sleep deprivation just makes it SEEM as though I'm reasoning with her!

So all four molars have poked through, and now I see some little craters where the canines will come in next. I'll probably sleep when Olivia goes to college. This morning, Josh made it sound like getting 4 hours of sleep in a row was a luxury that I am able to partake in often (it's not, and last night was no exception) and that because he works nights, he gets less sleep. Umm... let's just let that one go, shall we? He was clearly overtired and had no idea what he was saying.

All else is going well. We're house-hunting! Yay! More updates to come!

Wordless... Thursday

Okay so molars can still suck it. I don't have time to post much and am exhausted, but here are some pics of the cutest pirate ever!

Molars & Slutty Costumes

Can suck it. Totally suck it. We've had three molars come through in the past week. Additionally, I've had very little sleep. I can imagine how awful this must be for Olivia, and now I can't even give her teething tablets due to the recent recall.

Did I mention teething also seems to make children sick? It does. It's awful. I'm sick too, though I didn't get it as badly as Olivia did. Thankfully she seems to be getting all these teeth out of the way at once. Someone please tell me there is sleep on the other side of this. Also, please disregard my post about a schedule... while we are still basically on the same schedule, this new one involves many wakings throughout the night and generally a puking toddler thrown in for kicks. Oy.

Still, we plan on running the 5K next weekend. I'm feeling nervous about it, because I've been sick and not sleeping, I haven't been running. Perhaps my uber-small pirate costume will give me the strength to push through. Yes, we finally decided to all be pirates for this Halloween road race. Olivia has an adorable costume, Josh's is super cool, mine leaves my butt cheeks hanging out. It's meant to be a dress, but it literally does not cover my ass. Despite my 15 lb weight loss (woohoo!! Below my prepregnany weight!!) I definitely do not want to walk or run anywhere with my ass showing. I bought running tights today and will alter the "dress" to make it a shirt. By alter I mean, actually do nothing and just wear it as a shirt.

 Pictures to come, once I've completed the race. Actually, perhaps I'll take pictures before, I don't want to show off how exhausted I am after running 3.2 measly miles.

Great Day

We had an AWESOME day today.

It was one of those days where I was able to take a step back and look at what a little kid Olivia is now. We traveled to NH to see my mom, and Olivia just had the greatest time with Grammy. It's so awesome to see her have fun like that. We shopped, we had lunch, we visited. Olivia showed off all her sounds she makes, and was calling me "mum" all day. 

We also got to see my cousin Matt and his wife Becky, and their little girl Lacy. It was way past nap time when we met with them, so the kids didn't get to play as much as I'd hoped, but still nice. 

I finally found us a playgroup. I plan on scheduling a playdate or joining the group for a walk next week. This will be really good for both of us, I think.

Oh and the molar is THROUGH! I have seen it! Hallelujah!

Lastly, before I forget, I've lost 12 pounds! Hallelujah! I am a believer, that's for sure. Bought new pants today, back in the single digits!

I guess this is sort of an abbreviated post, we've been busy and I wanted to get all these little things down.