You're 6 Months Old!

Baby Girl,

First, let me say...I am WWWAAAYY behind.  I don't know where time has gone.  I have enjoyed spending summer with you and am not looking forward to my limited hours with you once school starts.  But right now...you are 6 months old!! That is half way to a year and a lot closer to a toddler than a newborn!  I don't know what I think of this.  You are growing up so fast, but every month you are so much more fun!

This month you took a long trip to Chicago.  This was the first vacation since we took you to the beach back in January.  Your temperament is so good.  You are happy all the time and everyone we come in contact with makes a comment about you being a happy baby.  I know people think we are biased when we tell them you are like this all the time, but it is so true.  The only time you cry is when you are hungry, so obviously this only happens 4 times a day!

You are still sleeping in your pack-n-play next to Mommy.  I am afraid on your 7 month post this is going to be different.  You don't sleep through the night anymore...it is almost like we are in sleep regression.  About 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning you will start lifting your legs and slamming them down in your pack-n-play.  Mommy will pick you up at this point and put you in the middle of the bed for the rest of the night.  Of course once I put you in the bed you go right back to sleep and continue to sleep until about 8:00 a.m.  I love cuddling with you, but one of my Mommy worries is something happening to you in the middle of the night, so I worry all night long!

We started nap time boot camp with you at the end of the month.  I began to worry about you going to daycare and crying when they laid you down for a nap.  I wanted to believe that they would cuddle you like we do every day.  However, realistically I knew this wouldn't happen. So, this provoked boot camp.  Honestly, you have done very well so far!!  Every day at nap time we lay you down with a blanket and piggy and a paci and for the most part within 5 minutes you are asleep.  This makes me worry less about you at daycare!  Just another example of your wonderful temperament.

When we took you to the doctor this month, you got your last round of shots (well, at this time).  It breaks my heart each time because you are so happy and have no idea what is coming.  Then it just hits you!  It is the worst thing ever (for both of us).

You are still not crawling, but you sit in the floor and play with toys now!  You still love your exersaucer, but are becoming more interested in other things.  This is so fun to watch!

Boy, you have become a chatty Cathy this month.  You just jabber and jabber.  Daddy and I like to think you say DaDa and MaMa, but I am not totally sure that you say them and associate them with us. Although you will say DaDa sometimes and look at him (especially in the car) and you will say MaMa when you are tired.  But we may be getting way ahead of ourselves and hear something that isn't truly there.  You also cackle at us, which is one of my most favorite things to hear!

Here are a few pictures from this month....

You and Daddy sleeping.  Daddy gives you your nighttime bottle and loves this cuddle time with you.  The second picture of you is the first time for you to wear your keds! You looked like such a big girl.  You DO NOT like shoes on your feet, but we know you are going to have to wear them at daycare so we are trying to prepare you.

You have been to the school to help Mommy get ready a lot this summer.  Here is a picture of you playing while Mommy works.  The second picture is of you and Daddy on Father's Day.  We decided not only to buy him a shirt, but to take him to do something he enjoys doing - Golf.  We had a great time driving/riding in the cart while Daddy played.  

A few other things about you....
* You weigh 15.15 lbs.
* You are 26 1/2 inches.
* You LOVE Mickey Mouse Clubhouse - you look like you are having seizures because you just shake and get so excited when you hear it.  Infact, if we are playing with you as soon as you hear it, you will turn and have nothing to do with us.
* You wear a size 3 diaper now.
* You have now had sweet potatoes, sweet peas, apple sauce, bananas, peaches, and apple juice.
* You still drink 6 oz. of formula about 4 times a day.  Sometimes at night we give you 8 oz.
* You love bath time.
* You love Mommy to sing You Are My Sunshine when you are sad.
* You started playing Peek-A-Boo this month.  You will put anything in front of your face and wait for us to say, "Where's Olivia?"  Sometimes you quickly pull off what is over your face and other times we still have to pull it off for you.
* You still like to sing You Are My Sunshine and Patty Cake as well as The Wheels on the Bus.
* You wear 6 month clothing (a few 9 month bubbles).
* We noticed your first freckle this month on the back of your left arm.

Each day I don't think I could love you anymore than I already do, but then I wake up the next day and love you a little more!  You are a blessing.

Love,

Mommy

A Long Trip

Baby Girl,

At the beginning of the month we loaded up the car and headed to Chicago.  Your daddy's cousin was getting married and we didn't want to miss it. Although we were very apprehensive about taking you at 6 months on such a long car ride you were excellent.  This was about a 12 hour ride for you and you hardly got upset.  Of course we had a large bag of tricks with us to help entertain you.  Once we finally got there we had dinner with Aunt Dar at Chicago's famous Portillo's.

After dinner we checked in to our hotel and you were fast asleep.  Riding in the car will wear a girl out!   The next morning we were up  and at 'em and decided we would visit the Shed Aquarium.  I am sure there were many exciting experiences to be had here, but we took the cheap experience since you were really too young to enjoy it all.  We only stayed on the first floor, but there were so many cool fish to see.  You were very intrigued with the fish and it was hard to take pictures of you because you kept looking at the fish.  They also had an exhibit of monkeys and I think these were your favorites.  Although Daddy says it is because when we got to the monkeys I was making monkey noises and this is what you really liked.

 This tank had seahorses in it.  I really liked this!

After the Shed Aquarium we went for some lunch, a Target run, and then to Aunt Dar and Uncle Tom's house to visit.  Of course, we went out to dinner later on (this family doesn't skip meals and really plans their whole day around what they are eating for each meal).  We were lucky to get to spend some time with them before the wedding festivities began.

The next day we decided we would visit the famous Navy Pier.  This is located on Lake Michigan.  It was really beautiful out there (and a little cold - Mommy didn't think to check the weather forecast before we left and we only had our summer clothes).  We walked the entire pier and enjoyed looking at the boats that you could ride on and the view of the city.

 While we were at Navy Pier we were able to tour the stained glass museum.  It featured a lot of Tiffany's pieces and was absolutely beautiful.  We took your picture in front of one of his guardian angel pieces.  Then, what Mommy had been waiting for, the Ferris Wheel!! It was huge and I was so excited you were able to ride on it.  It was really cool in that it never stopped for you to get on or off.  You had to be quick and jump on when it came back down.  It was a 7 minute ride for one complete circle around.  I think you liked it, I know I did!!

After Navy Pier we came home and took naps and got ready for the rehearsal dinner.  I didn't take any pics but it was beautiful with wonderful food.

The next day was the wedding.

The wedding was small, but wonderful.  So excited for Sam and TJ!!  After the wedding we had to wait several hours for the reception dinner, but this was good because you got to take a nap!  Then we were off to a remarkable reception.  We were greeted with appetizers and cocktails and then led into a dining room with a four course meal.  You were very interested in Daddy's cousin's new husband.  After the meal the DJ kicked up and we headed to the dance floor.  Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of us on the dance floor (luckily Nanny took some), but you LOVED it!!  We danced a couple of songs and then had to leave everyone because it was past your bed time.  It was a beautiful wedding and amazing reception.  I am glad we were able to come and be a part of it all!

Sunday was a day of rest!! We were all worn out and spent our day at Aunt Dar and Uncle Tom's just catching up with everyone that we don't get to see often.  You were very taken with Grandpa (Uncle Tom's dad).  And he loved you!!  Right before we left we took your picture with Grandpa.  He is a Pearl Harbor survivor and had many stories to tell.

 The next day, Uncle David, Aunt Kristina, Anna, Kyle, Rob, Mommy, Daddy, and Baby girl headed to do some sight seeing.  We started with a train ride to downtown Chicago.  This was my first time on a train.  When we got to the train track we got stopped by a train passing.  I didn't think about this scaring you at all.  Your whole body shook, then you looked at us and just stuck your tongue out and started laughing.  You were so funny, I wish I had it on video.

 Here we are on our train to downtown Chicago.

 Our first official tourist stop was Willis Tower.  After taking a picture outside we headed in.  Daddy and everyone else went on to the top and out onto the SkyLedge to enjoy a view of the city. However, Mommy had no interest in the height of this excursion and we weren't sure how your ears would handle being up that high with the pressure.  So Mommy and Baby Girl stayed downstairs in what we thought was the gift shop (which ended up not being) while everyone else enjoyed the view.

Next we walked to Millennium Park to enjoy the Chicago skyline on the bean.  Although it may not seem interesting it was!! It was beautiful to see the whole skyline.  It was a very busy place to congregate apparently.  In the first picture you can see the base of the buildings!

 After the bean it was time to do some shopping.  We walked the entire stretch of Michigan Ave.  We enjoyed lunch, shopping (very little - but we did go to the American Girl store.  I can't wait for you to become interested in this), and the historical views and scenery.  It was absolutely beautiful.  After walking down Michigan Ave. we had the grueling task of walking back which was about 2.5 miles on top of what we had already walked.  Needless to say we were all very sore and tired when we returned!! You did such a great job being out all day and strolling.  I think you really enjoyed yourself!

Finally, it was time to go home.  Although we had a great time, it was definitely time to come home.  You didn't sleep well while we were there, which made for a couple interesting nights when we got home and I know you missed your home, toys, and routine.  Daddy says next time we go we are not driving we will be flying...we will see.

It was great to spend our first "vacation" as a family and I look forward to taking you many more places!

Love,
Mommy.

Welcome to the Kingdom

Baby Girl,

June 2, 2013 was a very special day for you.  This is the day that we had you christened.  You looked absolutely beautiful.  Not only were you christened on this day, but Daddy also joined the church.  Our whole family is now a member at a church we love.

Daddy and Mommy had planned this day for quite some time and had all our friends and family there to help us celebrate your special day.  MiMi bought you a beautiful dress from Fireflies and Fairytales that I hope you will be able to pass down to your children in the way future.  She also had beautiful beautiful, white hydrangeas and roses placed on the baptismal fount in your honor.  Mommy and Daddy ordered everyone lunch from Moe's and had a local bakery make cookies for dessert.

You did so well during the service.  Luckily, our church does baptisms early in the service so you were still able to nap afterwards.  A long time ago the preacher would walk the babies around the front of the church so the congregation would be able to see beautiful babies.  Unfortunately recently they have gone away from this.  However, I guess you were special because Rev. Boling happily showed you off to the congregation.  You didn't make a sound!  I think you enjoyed seeing everyone as well.  As soon as your moment was over and we sat back down, you were asleep.  Getting baptized must have taken a lot out of you!  Here are some pictures from your special day....

 A couple day after your christening, Daddy and I took you to the park close to our house and took a few pictures of you outside in your christening dress.  I have tried so hard to come up with another place you could wear your dress because it was absolutely gorgeous, but I have failed!  Daddy did such  a great job taking some pictures of you! He is like a professional.  You looked absolutely beautiful.

 I think Aunt Christen summed up the day best when she was getting ready to leave.  She said, "Welcome to the Kingdom!"  What a precious day for us.  We prayed so hard for you and are lucky to be able to be your Earthly parents.  But you are the lucky one to have such a loving, Heavenly Father.  I pray each night that you will be his follower and call on others to follow him as well.  I pray you will give your life to God, in which you will never regret.

Love,
Mommy