June 22, 2011 was the last time Olivia nursed. I gave it 25 good months, and I feel really good about that. It can be a little bittersweet, but we were all ready. It was rough for a couple days, but she has quickly gotten over it. She stopped on her own for about 2 days, and I just took that as a cue to create new nighttime routines and things like that.
Since then, she's completely stopped napping, except for the occasional snooze in the car. This is a bummer.
BUT! She sleeps through the night! In her own bed! I guess having an infant who was awake every 2-3 hours, then a toddler who still woke 3-4 times per night made me think I just wouldn't sleep well until she went to college (and then, I know what goes on at college)! This has been awesome, and great for everyone. We got her her own "big girl bed" a few days ago and put it in our room (until then she'd been sleeping in crib sidecar to our bed) which has been great too. She loves her bed, and I've only had to pick her up off the floor once. And she didn't wake up.
I'm all rested. It's pretty nice.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Saturday, June 11, 2011
First Horse Ride
So there is plenty I could write about, since her birthday Olivia is definitely a two year old. I think you know what I mean ;)
I'll write all of that soon, but for now I just had to share how adorable she was today for her first horse ride! We went to a great birthday party with a horse for the kids to ride. Although Olivia loves animals and likes to look at them, she was adamant about riding the horse, which surprised me. I suspected once she got up there that she'd want to get right back down, but it was quite the opposite. The entire time she was chatting away, "I ride horse, mommy, me like horse!" and has not stopped talking about it all day. The horse even neighed while she was riding, and instead of being scared she laughed and said, "horse neeiiiiighhhhh!" Hilarious.
The following photo was taken on my phone, I think some another mom at the party will be uploading some more tonight but for now this'll do. On my phone everyone looks great... just ignore the weird face I'm making ;)
I'll write all of that soon, but for now I just had to share how adorable she was today for her first horse ride! We went to a great birthday party with a horse for the kids to ride. Although Olivia loves animals and likes to look at them, she was adamant about riding the horse, which surprised me. I suspected once she got up there that she'd want to get right back down, but it was quite the opposite. The entire time she was chatting away, "I ride horse, mommy, me like horse!" and has not stopped talking about it all day. The horse even neighed while she was riding, and instead of being scared she laughed and said, "horse neeiiiiighhhhh!" Hilarious.
The following photo was taken on my phone, I think some another mom at the party will be uploading some more tonight but for now this'll do. On my phone everyone looks great... just ignore the weird face I'm making ;)
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
2nd Birthday
Dearest Olivia,
How on earth did this happen? You are two. You know, they say it happens way too fast, but you don't believe that until you wake up one day and you have a real live kid. Not a baby any more. You do kid things, like ride your trike and ask for jelly beans at 7am. I feel like I should write these things down more, but you, my dear, are a busy girl. Which is awesome. I wouldn't have it any other way, especially those moments when I stop and realize, "how cool is this?"
Recently we've been able to spend lots of time outside. You LOVE this. Please don't ever lose that desire to be outside and enjoy what is around you. You run around and chase the dog and cats, look at bugs, pick flowers, and then you say, "sit with me mommy" and we sit on the top step on the porch and just hang out.
We love running together. About 7 weeks ago I started a 5K fitness program that uses an iphone app to measure your distance, running time, etc. It tells you when to warm up and cool down, and in the middle it says, "run!" so when you hear this you scream, "run mommy run! Go mommy!" My cheering section! When we run with the dog and daddy, you cheer them on too. Usually I run a few miles away from the house and then walk back, and during that time you are looking out for chipmunks and horses, identifying colors and telling me stories.
You have a streak of determination and independence. This will serve you well in the future. You are so sweet, and a little shy. That's okay, you are a lot like me. Our personalities are so similar.
I will never ever forget this time, when I was the apple of your eye. I know you will grow up and things will change, as I said you are already independent and adventurous. But I'll never forget the days you'd wake me up, "hug me mommy!" and give me hugs. I want to write all these things to you, the little mistakes I made along the way so you don't have to make the same ones. I won't though, you'll figure these things out along the way. I will say this, though: call your mother. When you go to college, or when you go on trips abroad, I'm sorry but this is not negotiable. I call my mother every day now, and those times in my life when it wasn't at the top of my priority list are the times I made the most mistakes. Adventures. Whatever, I'll tell you about it when you're older ;)
I think I've done well, so far, as a mom. I've met my goals for a natural birth, breastfeeding and sleeping, and I wouldn't change a thing. I have never, ever let you cry. For the first year of your life, you slept on me and wouldn't let me put you down. While I probably could have used more showers during that time, I cherish it so much. You should know these memories are the best days of my life. Yes, I really am that sappy.
You've gone from this sweet baby who needed me for everything to this sweet little girl. You are the brightest light in my life, I love you!
Love always,
Mommy
P.S. Thanks for finally calling me "mommy", rather than sounding like a mini-teenager ;)
How on earth did this happen? You are two. You know, they say it happens way too fast, but you don't believe that until you wake up one day and you have a real live kid. Not a baby any more. You do kid things, like ride your trike and ask for jelly beans at 7am. I feel like I should write these things down more, but you, my dear, are a busy girl. Which is awesome. I wouldn't have it any other way, especially those moments when I stop and realize, "how cool is this?"
Recently we've been able to spend lots of time outside. You LOVE this. Please don't ever lose that desire to be outside and enjoy what is around you. You run around and chase the dog and cats, look at bugs, pick flowers, and then you say, "sit with me mommy" and we sit on the top step on the porch and just hang out.
We love running together. About 7 weeks ago I started a 5K fitness program that uses an iphone app to measure your distance, running time, etc. It tells you when to warm up and cool down, and in the middle it says, "run!" so when you hear this you scream, "run mommy run! Go mommy!" My cheering section! When we run with the dog and daddy, you cheer them on too. Usually I run a few miles away from the house and then walk back, and during that time you are looking out for chipmunks and horses, identifying colors and telling me stories.
You have a streak of determination and independence. This will serve you well in the future. You are so sweet, and a little shy. That's okay, you are a lot like me. Our personalities are so similar.
I will never ever forget this time, when I was the apple of your eye. I know you will grow up and things will change, as I said you are already independent and adventurous. But I'll never forget the days you'd wake me up, "hug me mommy!" and give me hugs. I want to write all these things to you, the little mistakes I made along the way so you don't have to make the same ones. I won't though, you'll figure these things out along the way. I will say this, though: call your mother. When you go to college, or when you go on trips abroad, I'm sorry but this is not negotiable. I call my mother every day now, and those times in my life when it wasn't at the top of my priority list are the times I made the most mistakes. Adventures. Whatever, I'll tell you about it when you're older ;)
I think I've done well, so far, as a mom. I've met my goals for a natural birth, breastfeeding and sleeping, and I wouldn't change a thing. I have never, ever let you cry. For the first year of your life, you slept on me and wouldn't let me put you down. While I probably could have used more showers during that time, I cherish it so much. You should know these memories are the best days of my life. Yes, I really am that sappy.
You've gone from this sweet baby who needed me for everything to this sweet little girl. You are the brightest light in my life, I love you!
Love always,
Mommy
P.S. Thanks for finally calling me "mommy", rather than sounding like a mini-teenager ;)
Friday, May 6, 2011
Can I Just Have...
A whole slew of 2 year olds? Seriously, I mean that. Olivia will be 2 in 25 days (I know this because today, May 6th, was my initial due date. 25 LONG ASS days later I gave birth!) and she's like, a real kid now. Toddler moments, yes we have them, but overall she is so sweet and wonderful, I just love this age.
Earlier we went out for our run, and whenever we come back Olivia likes to run around outside for an hour or so. It's nice because I can sit on the back porch and drink a cup of coffee while she happily plays. We have "our" spot, where she always tells me to come sit with her. Today we sat in the spot (the top stair of the porch) and she repeatedly came up to me, kissed me on the cheek and said, "love you too mom, bye mom!" and would go down the steps to play. After a couple minutes she'd come back up the stairs and say, "hi mom!" and sit down and hug me. Then repeat. Holy heart melt.
We then went around and picked "daddylions" which are dandelions for dad. They are mostly smashed now, but it's the thought that counts ;)
Speaking of dad, Olivia has called us "mom" and "dad" since she began talking. She's like a little teenager. Anyway, J has recently been trying to get her to call her "daddy", which she's taken to. In addition, she's started adding the "y" sound to the end of many words, just out of the blue. "Me drink wog-y" (water, which used to just be "wog") or "touch mom's leggy". So funny.
It's amazing to me that just a few months ago she was practically nonverbal, and now at 23 months she's making up songs, talking up a storm.
Earlier we went out for our run, and whenever we come back Olivia likes to run around outside for an hour or so. It's nice because I can sit on the back porch and drink a cup of coffee while she happily plays. We have "our" spot, where she always tells me to come sit with her. Today we sat in the spot (the top stair of the porch) and she repeatedly came up to me, kissed me on the cheek and said, "love you too mom, bye mom!" and would go down the steps to play. After a couple minutes she'd come back up the stairs and say, "hi mom!" and sit down and hug me. Then repeat. Holy heart melt.
We then went around and picked "daddylions" which are dandelions for dad. They are mostly smashed now, but it's the thought that counts ;)
Speaking of dad, Olivia has called us "mom" and "dad" since she began talking. She's like a little teenager. Anyway, J has recently been trying to get her to call her "daddy", which she's taken to. In addition, she's started adding the "y" sound to the end of many words, just out of the blue. "Me drink wog-y" (water, which used to just be "wog") or "touch mom's leggy". So funny.
It's amazing to me that just a few months ago she was practically nonverbal, and now at 23 months she's making up songs, talking up a storm.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
April Update!
Oh dear. I really didn't want to make this a once per month blog, but here it is! I suppose that's par for the course with an "almost 2 year old" though right? Busy busy busy! Although lately we've been busy in the best of ways! Business for me has picked up a bit, and Olivia has been busy making friends and developing like, overnight. It's amazing. She says sentences now! Puts together thoughts that, to me, seem pretty complex, especially if you figure she was hardly saying 10 words several months ago. It's funny... she HAD said lots of words, but just didn't really use them to communicate. Now it's non-stop.
Earlier today we were driving home and she was writhing in pain and grabbing her cheeks. I asked what was wrong and she said "teeth hurt!" Presumably her 2 year molars are starting to come in. But, what a relief for her to be able to tell me what was going on!!
She has also stepped out of her shell quite a bit. When Josh is home, she sure is daddy's girl. When he's working or at school, she often pretends to pick up the phone and call him, "Hullo, Dad? Livy. Dad, home! Bye!" Oh and she's decided to call herself Livy. How adorable is that?!
She also just adores my mom, and could really care less if I'm around when Grammy comes to visit. Recently we've been going to dance class and made friends there (both Olivia and me!) and had several beach trips with Jesi and Bennett. Olivia ADORES "Jes and Bent". She certainly seems to have this innate sense of people. Sometimes she warms up quickly and seems drawn to people, others she never really seems to feel comfortable around.
We are spending a lot of our day outside these days, which is wonderful. We go for runs using the jogging stroller, and Olivia yells, "run! run!" if I stop. Potty training is going well, though I haven't tried encouraging her to do it while we're out of the house. She also is very concerned when the dog goes outside, she stands at the glass door and yells, "poop!" at him. It's hilarious, but surely will bite me in the ass. Speaking of, we were at the "fancy" fabric store a couple weeks ago, I was looking at fabric and the lady who works there gave Olivia a couple fabric elephants to play with. We were paying and Olivia was getting a little fussy, so I pick her up. She looks right at me, puts the elephant in my face and goes, "butt!" and points to his butt. Which I thought was funny, although no one else laughed. Heh.
She does so many funny things each day, I really need to update this more.
Earlier today we were driving home and she was writhing in pain and grabbing her cheeks. I asked what was wrong and she said "teeth hurt!" Presumably her 2 year molars are starting to come in. But, what a relief for her to be able to tell me what was going on!!
She has also stepped out of her shell quite a bit. When Josh is home, she sure is daddy's girl. When he's working or at school, she often pretends to pick up the phone and call him, "Hullo, Dad? Livy. Dad, home! Bye!" Oh and she's decided to call herself Livy. How adorable is that?!
She also just adores my mom, and could really care less if I'm around when Grammy comes to visit. Recently we've been going to dance class and made friends there (both Olivia and me!) and had several beach trips with Jesi and Bennett. Olivia ADORES "Jes and Bent". She certainly seems to have this innate sense of people. Sometimes she warms up quickly and seems drawn to people, others she never really seems to feel comfortable around.
We are spending a lot of our day outside these days, which is wonderful. We go for runs using the jogging stroller, and Olivia yells, "run! run!" if I stop. Potty training is going well, though I haven't tried encouraging her to do it while we're out of the house. She also is very concerned when the dog goes outside, she stands at the glass door and yells, "poop!" at him. It's hilarious, but surely will bite me in the ass. Speaking of, we were at the "fancy" fabric store a couple weeks ago, I was looking at fabric and the lady who works there gave Olivia a couple fabric elephants to play with. We were paying and Olivia was getting a little fussy, so I pick her up. She looks right at me, puts the elephant in my face and goes, "butt!" and points to his butt. Which I thought was funny, although no one else laughed. Heh.
She does so many funny things each day, I really need to update this more.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
March Update!
I guess we've been a bit busy eh?!! With an "almost 2 year old" I'd say that's an understatement. She is my little wild child, always on the go. Currently she's talking up a storm, even putting together 2-3 word phrases and sentences.
Oh and that nasty ear infection? It turned into full on brochospasms... so that was terrible. Olivia was such a trooper, and had to be put on breathing treatments every 4 hours. Poor babe. Seems to be on the mend now, and we're stopping the treatments today.
We can't wait for spring, our driveway and yard are a muddy mess. We get out as much as possible, but with this cold she's had and the temps still in the 30's, we still feel a bit cooped up. We do get to go to Mommy & Me dance class every Monday and have made some friends in our playgroup, which has been a lot of fun for both of us.
Josh is finally back on a day schedule (as of this week!) and I'm hopeful that'll be better for everyone. Olivia seriously misses him, especially when he's at home and has to sleep. Now that she's learned how to open doors I've had to keep her away from that part of the house all day.
Last night was the 3rd or 4th in a row where Olivia had woken up for seemingly no reason and just wanted to chatter and sing, and be a nursie monster. For approximately 2 hours she was counting, pointing out body parts, and then singing Elmo's World... so extremely cute AND exhausting! I'm torn between thinking this could be a developmental thing, she's certainly happy enough while she's awake at night, or it could be related to my trying to wean her during the day. Maybe she's making up for it at night?? Or maybe both?? Either way, I'm going to go back to our old nursing routine (basically on demand, but really only 2-3 times a day... we were down to just nap and bed and I'd try to redirect her any other time she asked).
How much of this blog is me trying to figure this kid out anyway... God help me when she's a teenager, I'll be writing here every day!
Oh and that nasty ear infection? It turned into full on brochospasms... so that was terrible. Olivia was such a trooper, and had to be put on breathing treatments every 4 hours. Poor babe. Seems to be on the mend now, and we're stopping the treatments today.
We can't wait for spring, our driveway and yard are a muddy mess. We get out as much as possible, but with this cold she's had and the temps still in the 30's, we still feel a bit cooped up. We do get to go to Mommy & Me dance class every Monday and have made some friends in our playgroup, which has been a lot of fun for both of us.
Josh is finally back on a day schedule (as of this week!) and I'm hopeful that'll be better for everyone. Olivia seriously misses him, especially when he's at home and has to sleep. Now that she's learned how to open doors I've had to keep her away from that part of the house all day.
Last night was the 3rd or 4th in a row where Olivia had woken up for seemingly no reason and just wanted to chatter and sing, and be a nursie monster. For approximately 2 hours she was counting, pointing out body parts, and then singing Elmo's World... so extremely cute AND exhausting! I'm torn between thinking this could be a developmental thing, she's certainly happy enough while she's awake at night, or it could be related to my trying to wean her during the day. Maybe she's making up for it at night?? Or maybe both?? Either way, I'm going to go back to our old nursing routine (basically on demand, but really only 2-3 times a day... we were down to just nap and bed and I'd try to redirect her any other time she asked).
How much of this blog is me trying to figure this kid out anyway... God help me when she's a teenager, I'll be writing here every day!
Saturday, February 19, 2011
FU Ear Infection!
My poor little peep has an ear infection. Her first one. Poor babe. She's on antibiotics and seems to be feeling better, which is good. We've been having lots of snuggles and cuddles, and last night she slept from 10:30pm to 5:30am! The longest stretch ever! Then she went back to sleep from about 6:15am til about 8:45am! I guess she needed the rest, and her ear finally stopped hurting so badly so she could get it.
I'm on a new computer so no pictures to post, I need to get some new ones up soon though! My little babe is such a little kid now.... I can't get over it. She's saying many different words and a number of short sentences and phrases. She is still my little helper, we spent the morning cleaning up around the house. She loves sitting at my sewing machine, which is cute except when I'm trying to sew!
Olivia has never taken to any particular blanket or stuffed animal (well, Buzz and Woody... but she doesn't take those to naps or bed) but has recently become really attached to my hair. She likes to hold onto it to fall asleep. Kind of funny.
She's napping now; I am surprised because she slept so good and for so long last night I wasn't sure she'd take a nap at her normal time. Ah well. Nap time means mama's creative (and shower!) time!
I'm on a new computer so no pictures to post, I need to get some new ones up soon though! My little babe is such a little kid now.... I can't get over it. She's saying many different words and a number of short sentences and phrases. She is still my little helper, we spent the morning cleaning up around the house. She loves sitting at my sewing machine, which is cute except when I'm trying to sew!
Olivia has never taken to any particular blanket or stuffed animal (well, Buzz and Woody... but she doesn't take those to naps or bed) but has recently become really attached to my hair. She likes to hold onto it to fall asleep. Kind of funny.
She's napping now; I am surprised because she slept so good and for so long last night I wasn't sure she'd take a nap at her normal time. Ah well. Nap time means mama's creative (and shower!) time!
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