20 months

My little girl, 20 months. 20 MONTHS! How did this happen? In just a few short months you will be 2 years old. And one week later, I will be 30. Honestly I do not feel like I'm nearly 30, I feel young and vibrant and happy. Olivia is growing and learning by leaps and bounds, it seems I can barely keep up. We have tons of snow now, and went sledding in the driveway for the first time a couple days ago. Hubs and I pushed  Olivia down the sloped of our driveway while she yelled, "weeeee!" the whole time. Freaking ADORABLE! We had so much fun.

Now a non-stop talker, I'm not sure how many words Olivia says. Lots. Repeats just about everything. I knew this day was coming and have been curbing my swearing, I'm not particularly into kids *not* swearing or censorship, but I don't want to be that mom at playgroup. I'd also rather her not repeat the things we say to the dog when he farts for the millionth time (bulldog/pug farts are pretty much the worst thing in the universe, fyi).

We cut Olivia's hair for the first time on Tuesday. Bittersweet. She has little girl hair now, she doesn't look like a baby she looks like a little person. We'd been holding off on cutting it for quite some time, thinking she would eventually let us tuck it behind her ears or put a clip in it. No dice. It became so long in the front it would get in her eyes, though she didn't seem to mind.  Then cold season hit. Oy. The first time you realize your kid has boogers in her hair is a special moment in parenting, let me tell you. I'm actually compiling a list of those parenting moments... the ones where you feel as though you should be earning a merit badge for this stuff. I'll post a list of those moments in the first two years soon.

I have some other projects going on now, I'm contributing to a blog for non-traditional housewives/wives/mamas, etc. I'm the "mama" part of the blog. I sometimes wonder what Olivia will think of me as she gets older, and being cool is a factor in life. Will it be cool to her friends that I have rad hair and tattoos? That I listen to good music? Like I said, I don't feel old... or nearly 30. Although having my 15 year old stepdaughter here recently gave me some insight into teenagers. AND made me feel old, although that was mostly because I felt like I had to act "adultish" so she had a good idea of what a strong adult woman was like. That's a whole other blog in itself, that is. Anyway... I always thought the world of my mom, but I know there was a point when our tastes in music became opposite, I realized my sense of style was different, etc.

Recently Olivia has been obsessed with my hair. She likes to pat it down and "style" it, and at night she holds a strand of it (like a comfort thing... she's never taken to a blankey or a stuffed animal. I did just order a Toy Story stuffed Woody for her for Valentine's Day... I have a feeling my hair might get a break!). She likes to cover my eyes with my hair and peekaboo with it, and then gently pat it down to the sides. It's pretty adorable actually... and she looks at me like... well it's inexplicable if you've never seen that look in your child before. It's like you are the best thing in the universe to them, just perfect. I don't want to ever lose that.

I still have to edit the sledding pictures, but here is a recent favorite of mine that I've been laughing about for a couple days...

Toy Story

Olivia just loves it. She calls it "boo hat" (I don't know why). Along with a plethora of other firsts, including eating an entire grapefruit this morning. Since it's been so darn cold here we haven't been out much to enjoy the snow. I guess these long winter days are spent mostly inside, which isn't ideal but it is what it is! We do make it to playgroup about once a week. But, there are many requests for "boo hat" (which I don't always give in to... but sometimes do... oh, mommy guilt!).

Olivia is also officially a talker now. She'll attempt to parrot anything you say. Usually in a far cuter way! However, the hubs and I are currently having a disagreement with regard to one word, which I say is "ass" and he swears is "hat". Oy.

We spent a significant amount of time each day coloring. Olivia only wants to color hands and apples, which is quite hilarious. We also make lunch together, which is messy and interesting. So far toddlerhood is quite amazing, silly, and fun!

The 19 month sleep regression

Is there such a thing? I know what you're thinking... do you ever blog about anything other than sleep? Or the lack-thereof? Well. Somehow in the wee hours of the morning a post begins to form in my head. And after three cups of coffee, voila! This is what you get.

I've actually determined that this current trend of crap sleep is due to the development of so many new words. Phrases even! Two nights ago, Olivia sat straight up in bed and started reciting every word she knew. It was actually hilarious, "hi, bye, mom, dad, wow, hat, apple..." (I look at the clock) "uh oh!"

This morning Olivia came out to see Josh's truck in the front yard, and clear as day she says, "dad home!" and goes to look for him. We leave the house to go to the grocery store and to Gordon, "bye dude!"

It's seriously cute and amazing. So I'm tired. So what. This is what it's all about. And no, I am not this little ray of sunshine at 4am (can you beg a 19 month old to sleep? Because I definitely do).

We are in a serious deep freeze here, so not much playing outside at the moment. We've been coloring (eating the tips off all the crayons), building block towers (I build, Olivia destroys), making english muffin pizzas together (smearing the sauce and eating all the cheese before it goes in the oven), and experimenting with various other crafts.

This is an incredible, fun, sweet age. If not exhausting.

My little big girl

I think Olivia has always been called this. At least since she's been able to walk. She has been so independent lately, my little helper. Since I've been sewing at home daily, she likes to get into my fabric box and sit in the sewing chair like I do. She always helps me sweep and put away the dishes. It's pretty sweet, and I'm taking notes for when she is 15 and doesn't want to do her chores!

I feel extremely lucky to be her mama. Sometimes I have these realizations that she is SO my daughter... we've both got a little cold right now so we snuggled up to watch Toy Story 2 earlier. There is a song in the movie that is very sad sounding and during a sad part of the movie, and Olivia gets the full-on lip quiver and sniffle thing going! Sensitive, just like her mama.

She's not only been talking up a storm lately, but singing as well. Which is awesome! We recently had a big  snow storm, and have been out playing in the snow. She insists on having snow inside as well, mostly to throw at and feed to Gordon. She will say "ball ball!" (toddler speak for snowball) and point out the door until we fill a cup with snow. She then eats it, dumps it on the living room floor and throws it at the dog while squealing with delight. She has yet to brave the tunnel we made outside though.

1/1/11

Olivia is 19 months old now. I've decided to focus this blog a bit more on providing information and pictures for family and friends and have created another blog for my business: http://punkrockpigtails.wordpress.com

But if you're here and you don't know me, or us, awesome! And welcome!

Anyway, it's a new year, and this one looks even better than the last. We had an incredible 2010. Olivia seems to be weaning herself, which is good. My goal was 18-24 months, and we've made it! She's down to twice a day (for nap and bedtime only) and then 1-2 times per night. Which I'm good with.

AND SHE HAS ALL HER TEETH! Hallelujah.

We had a wonderful Christmas with family. It's interesting to me to watch Olivia interact with family members, like her auntie and her stepsister. It's as if she knows they are family, and bonds with them very quickly. Which is really really cool.

Despite the little tantrums and neediness every now and then, I am loving this age. Olivia is so much fun. She is cute and silly most of the time.  She talks up a little storm now, her little voice is so cute! She loves all the snow, though is rather wary of snowmen (she roars like a lion when she sees one. Might think it's a pirate?). She loves music, we've been listening to mommy's punk rock lately and she dances! Melts my heart, that. She is my little helper... in fact she gets upset and frustrated when she's NOT helping. Awesome! It's a good distraction for her too, which is kind of hilarious.

Here's a gem from the mall this Christmas. Although she was stuck in this exact position the entire time, Olivia DID NOT cry! Proud of her for that!

A few more Christmas photos... such a little big girl.

A couple funny ones... priceless moments to be sure!

Christmas Eve

My dear little one,

It's Christmas Eve, and you have just loved the holidays! We have had so much fun building snowmen and baking together, spending time with Daddy and your sister Brooke, who came to visit us for 2 weeks. I've been busy starting up a business, but we've found lots of time to play together as well.

I have to say I have really enjoyed this time with you. You are so much fun! You love to play and be silly, my kind of girl. You're so sweet and loving, and you have this innate sense of family. It's really amazing. You have been immediately drawn to you sister and your aunt, which is very cute and heartwarming.

You've been learning so fast lately. I can't get over how many words you can say now. Hundreds. You're such a little explorer, always up for an adventure and busy all of the time. I have always loved this time of year, but it's been so much better being able to experience it with you. 

I can't wait to see your face tomorrow morning, and make pancakes for Daddy with you when he gets off work! You are so special Olivia. I'm the luckiest mama!

All my love,

Mama (aka: Mum)

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!