Olivia Drew How Do You Do?

My sweet little prissy, girly girl. You can manage to make me laugh, cry, scream, and love all within a matter of minutes. You make my heart jump when you walk through the back door looking like this...

You make my heart happy when I see you love, care for, and play with your baby sister.

You make me laugh hysterically when you are silly as can be.

I love watching you experience something for the first time.

You make my heart swell with pride when you see someone hurting or struggling and offer to help or comfort without being asked.

Day or night, sunny or rainy, hot or cold Daddy and I love you to the moon and back! You are our pride and joy! 









Caroline at 6 months.



Happy half birthday sweet girl. You had your sixth month check up on your actual half birthday. You were all smile and giggles in the waiting room. Not so much once we were in the exam room. You were fine as long as I was holding you, but cried when weighed and examined. You even pouted a little when I was holding you and the doctor got near you (less than 2 feet away). Since you NEVER cry I am completely thrown off of my game on the rare occasion you fuss or manage to produce a real tear. You weigh 19.1lbs and are 27 inches long. This placed you in the 85th-95th percentile for height and weight. The doctor encouraged us to have more tummy time because the back of you head is a little flat, but other than that there were no real concerns. We do put you on your stomach, but your new game is to roll over onto your back. He said not to worry that it should self correct once you are sitting up more. Speaking of sitting up you're almost there. You can hold a tripod sitting position as long as you don't get distracted or excited. Either of those enter the picture and you topple over.

We are going to take the "wait and see"approach with your reflux and not increase your dosage as you gain weight. It seems to have gotten better since we introduced solids, and we are hoping you will outgrow it.

You are a vocal little thing. Babbling all the time. Your volume is supper loud, all the time, and 24/7. You will reach and grab and object or hair which seems to be your favorite. I rarely wear my hair down for this very reason.

You love to drop toys to see if someone will pick it up. This is a new game that is getting a little old.

You are fascinated with the dog. She is probably your favorite "toy" at the moment. You are very interested in what she is doing and will follow her throughout the room. Layla is very sweet and patient when you are pulling on her ears, beard, tail, etc...She sits there and looks at us with begging eyes to rescue her from your tight grip. She has no clue what when is in for when you start crawling.

It seems that you hit a growth spurt because your dad and I were questioning as to whether we could afford to feed you. You have tried soy yogurt, lima beans, and blackberries and love them all. You did not like broccoli no matter how much I tried to disguise it.

We have given you small pieces of cheerios, puffs, and bread. You gag and sometimes throw up. I guess you're not ready for solids. At this age your sister was gnawing on a rib and eating table food.



You love to sing songs, read books, clap your hands, play with your feet, and dance with mommy. You will actually laugh and giggle when we dance around the house. I'm sure the neighbors would laugh and giggle if they could see me dancing. I'd do anything to hear that sweet laugh.

You are on the move. Not crawling, but you will roll and pivot to get to where you are going. Definitely not in the same place we put you. I fear you crawling. Something tells me I am going to regret this open floor plan.

You are still a great sleeper. During your growth spurt you were going to bed between 5:30-6:30 and sleeping until 6:30-7:00 the next morning. We give you kisses, give you your lovie, turn on your sound machine, and lay you down. You take your lovie and rub your face and ears and go right to sleep. 

We love you sweet baby! We are looking forward to what the next six month will bring.

A Busy September

We kicked off September with a little trip over to the beach for Labor Day weekend. We were very fortunate to have a wonderful condo to share with cousins. Olivia could not get enough of the beach. She loved the sand and water, and wasn't afraid of the water like she has been in years past. I'm pretty sure having undivided attention form Katie and David helped.

Such a rough life.



This sums up the entire weekend. I'm not sure who Betty Weber is, but I know that I would kill for a piece of one of her cakes.



These two=TROUBLE!

Birthday Shenanigans including homemade ice cream and Betty Weber cake.



Cheering on the Tide.


After two great beach days, a little birthday celebration, and some Alabama football we headed to the Compound for a little country fun. The adults played with firearms and multiple rounds of ammo. One kid slept the entire time, and the other kid tortured a small kitten and rode a hoarse for the first time. Olivia could totally be a country girl(minus the bugs). She loved being outside, loved the animals, and loved feeding and riding the horses.



Patient Aunt Robin and even more patient and gentle Ernie.

Olivia then had grandparents day at school. Unfortunately, her grandparents were unable to attend so we stole one from next door. Our sweet neighbor, Miss Leigh or Grams, proved to be a wonderful substitute grandmother.

Then we finished up the month with a visit from Gigi and Papaw. Talk about a lazy weekend. We ate, watched football, played, ate more, and watched more football. That's what you call a perfect fall weekend.



A Quick Visit

Olivia was beyond excited for a visit from her grandparents. This little girl was so spoiled having them in Tallahassee the first few years of her life, and she has been missing her Nana and Papa big time. They did a huge treck from North Carolina to Tuscaloosa to meet Miss Ashley for the first time, and then headed south to Tallahassee. The look on Olivia's face was priceless when she realized who was in the car out in front of the house. Even though it was a short trip we packed a lot in including a shopping trip to the toy store and a movie date with Papa, Nana, and Daddy. Of course there was Village Inn breakfast and Momo's Pizza. Caroline enjoyed meeting her grandparents for the first time. I'm pretty sure they enjoyed snuggling and cuddling with her too.

 

Daddy and his two favorite girls.

Loves with Nana.

Daddy loves the new doll that came home with us from the toy store.



Cheesin' with Papa.



Caroline at 5 months

You need to STOP growing and changing so much. I love that you have a little personality. I do not love that you are getting so big, and seem to change every day. The reflux is finally manageable. You still go through periods of not wanting to eat (especially at daycare), but you don't appear to be missing any meals. We have progressed into mostly stage two baby food. You like most of the fruits and veggies I have made. You prefer store bought green beans, and you don't care for blueberries. You love mango, green beans, and carrots. You still take four bottles a day, and average 6oz each bottle. There are some days we question whether we can afford to feed you. Bottomless pit!



Working very hard on sitting up.



                                            

This is what happens when you get tired of sitting up.

You are still in a size 3 diaper and clothing ranges from 9-18 months. There are a few six months outfits you can squeeze into, but it's a tight squeeze. None of your shoes fit. You have the longest and skinniest feet compared to big sister's Fred Flinstone feet. 

You love your toes-even when sound asleep.

Developmentally: You have found your voice and often scream and squeal just to hear yourself. You love looking at the cute baby in the mirror, and you just smile and talk to her like she is an old friend. Your sister loves to read you books, and sing you songs. You guys "camp" under your rain forest mat. You are stringing vowels together when you babble and take turns babbling in a conversation. You work very hard to get things out of your reach and now can roll from back to stomach (Labor Day weekend). You have shown a little stranger anxiety and will pull out the bottom lip and real tears. Usually as long as you can see one of us you are okay, and when you aren't you quite down as soon as daddy or I hold you.

You experienced your first trip to the beach, and first trip to the Venetozzi compound. You were a great traveler, and enjoyed napping to the ocean waves and warm gulf breeze. Due to crazy sleeping arrangements you slept on a pallet on the floor, and you were perfectly content and not bothered at all. The Venetozzi crew loved getting to meet you and showered you with lots of hugs and kisses.

Beach baby.

This was "your" spot. On a blanket, under the umbrella, and chillin".