"out" video

Olivia is loving the word "out". She likes to tell our dog, Sampson "out" when he comes inside. Here is a cute clip of her saying out as we sing "10 In the Bed".

Olivia's 12 months- oh yea that's O-N-E

Here is our last 'sticker' picture. Sniff sniff. 

Yep, that's me.. I'm ONE

I'll chew this finger and think about smiling

Don't get me Mommy!

Mommy's sweet girl!




Olivia is officially one. She weighs 20 lbs (50%) and is 28 1/2 inches long (25%). She is wearing 12 month clothes, size 3 diapers and size 3 shoes. Her hair is growing and I just love putting big bows on her head. I still think of myself as a boy-mom but I'm quickly learning how to be a girl-mom! This child has a plethora of dresses and pink. I'm such a sucker for those smocked dresses.

She is now weaned and on whole milk. She has always loved a sippy cup but when I put milk in there she spits it right out. However, today she took milk from a cup like a champ- maybe our days of bottles will be gone soon. I saw all my pumping stuff and medela bottles in the cabinet earlier today and made a mental note to pack it away. She eats mostly table food with a few 'squeezies' thrown in there for convenience sake.

Olivia's top two molars are partially through and she has cut another upper tooth beside her top tooth.. so that makes 7 so far.

She is standing without holding on to anything and will squat and come back up as well. If I hold one hand she will take steps and walk beside me. She also loves to push her walker around the house. She seems to become more interested in walking by the day.

She sleeps from 8:00pm to 8:00 am -give or take 30 min or so.. depends on when we get to bed. With baseball games our nights have been getting longer. She usually takes a morning and an afternoon nap as well.

Her new words this week are: cracker, up, more, out. She will use all these spontaneously without me giving her the model. 'Cracker' has become the new favorite in the car.. she starts saying 'cracker, cracker'. When she wants me to pick her up she reaches her arms toward me and says "up".. and pops that /p/ sound on the end.

Olivia Jane, you add so much sunshine to our lives. Your brothers absolutely adore you and they will be your fiercest protectors I'm sure. You have Daddy wrapped around your finger and I'm constantly amazed at your determination to learn new words. We love you!

Better Speech and Hearing- Olivia's article

May is Better Speech and Hearing Month so...I submitted an article to our local newspaper about our journey with Olivia's hearing loss and resources out there for parents. Check it out!

Big Boy- Little Girl

I took Eli and Olivia for their well kid check-ups last week. Josh was a dear and met me at the office... filling out the Ages and Stages for one is bad enough so I called in for reinforcement.

Eli's 3 year check-

Eli weighed 38.5 lbs (90%), and was 39 1/2 inches (90%). He has stayed around the same growth curve since he was a newbie. He aced all his ages and stages. I was in shock that they only wanted a 3 year year old to use 4 to 5 word sentences and name 7 body parts. He could name 7 body parts, plus crazy body parts such as eyebrow before he turned two! Of my two concerns the dr. dismissed both. I questioned whether he was hyperactive and the Dr assured me he is 3 and a boy. I was also concerned that he still wets the bed at night even though he's been potty trained since he was 2  1/2. The Dr. said that was fine too.. he said it's because Eli is in a deep sleep. That still doesn't ease my frustration having to change bed sheets all the time!! Any suggestions for bedwetting? Isaac was potty trained day and night after the 1st week and rarely ever had night time accidents so this is new territory. I've delayed converting his toddler bed to a full bed because I don't want to wash bigger sheets or stain a new mattress. So that was it for Mr. Eli. Here's a link to Eli's 12 month post if anyone wants to see Mr. Wild Man at 12 months of age.

Olivia's 12 month check-

Olivia weighed 20 lbs (50th %) and was 28 1/2 (25th %) inches long. I must have measured her wrong for my 'birthday poster' measurement. She has stayed in the same curve for weight but has dropped off for height in the last few appointments. The Dr. thinks that the 25% is more accurate for her (she just had good nutrition in utero so that made up for the genetics). He was super impressed with her vocabulary and she did great on her Ages and Stages as well. She had to have her Hep A shot and MMR... and squalled. Josh held her for the finger prick so I had to hold her for the shots. He didn't want to be the bad guy both times.

So we survived the check-ups and I'm very thankful that both are healthy, happy kiddos!

Same highchair.. different babies!

Grocery list

I keep this whiteboard/pin board in my mudroom where we enter and exit the house. I jot down items we run out of through the week and take a picture of it when it's time to shop. Does anyone else have a system you like to keep up with needed items? I'm looking for a good way to plan meals- that's a major weakness of mine.

Week in re-cap

Olivia is a cuddle bunny and a hugger. This is such a sweet picture of her and Josh's dad.

We tried on our new bathing suit!

Eli typed.. not sure about the last word...but I thought it was kinda funny!

Eli boycotted nap time- notice he's taken his clothes off.. surprise, surprise.

Olivia dragging out the play food- I'm already tired of picking this up. She tossed chicken legs at Josh while he was taking a bath today.

Isaac had his last band concert. We had to stay for the performances from 7th, 8th and 9th  for him to get credit. I admit Josh played Candy crush at some point and I did close my eyes briefly.

Acting silly, trying to embarrass my 12 year old. 

Oliva's new ktichen. Eli's already put his trucks in the freezer.

Riding in the big blue truck!

Last Kindermusik class. Isaac fusses when I play the CD in the car.. I guess he's not into tr-la-la'ing.

I had the kids pictures made on Thursday. I can't wait to see more!

Isaac had 3 baseball games this week.. wheew!  He did not want his picture taken here. He plays 2nd base this year and has made some really good plays. 

We jumped in the bouncy house

Love these three!

My roses are blooming!

Livi's 1st birthday

Here are a few pictures from Olivia's 1st birthday. When she woke up from her nap everyone was already at our house and she just looked around amazed. She loved her smash cake.. the first few bites were cautious and then when she tasted s-u-g-a-r she dove right in and was covered. I tried to take it away because I thought she would go into sugar shock but Miss Priss hastily grabbed it with both hands. We enjoyed seeing our family and friends and celebrating Olivia's 1st year of life. Happy birthday Livi Jane.... we've enjoyed every minute of this first year and are looking forward to watching your little personality develop as you grow. 

Circus

We had tickets to see the Ringling Bro Circus at the Asheville Civic center last Saturday after Olivia's party. We lucked up with front row tickets.. we were literally 10 feet from the ring and it was amazing!

Getting ready to get to the civic center. We had to walk a mile because there was no parking. 

Captivated

Josh making crazy faces

Isaac making silly faces

Carter and his new toy

Eli and Carter

Me with a clown nose

Isaac with a clown nose and cotton candy

The boys playing during intermission

The dog act.. this was pretty cool!

Josh after being toilet papered

The elephants! 

Carter is 4

Carter is such a 'little man'. He loves to do his work which involves taking care of the 'herd' as we call them. Audra now has 15 million chickens (not really), 2 goats, a bunny, 2 dogs, a fish, and a mini donkey. She has a regular little petting zoo. Carter and Eli have a large time together but sometimes they do have a squabble.. usually over sharing something. It's going to be fun watching these two grow up together. It's so crazy that he is already four... it seems like he was just born!

Josh coming down the slide.

Carter opening presents.

Livi at Carter's party

1st birthday poster

I ordered this from ETSY for Olivia's first birthday and I thought it turned out super cute! It was 20 bucks.. not bad at all!