My Little Girl Turned Five....

Olivia turned 5 last Friday!  We had quite the celebration.  My parent's were in town and it was a full blown party for about 4 days!!  The morning of her birthday felt like Christmas!  Pictures are coming....

In the meantime, here are a few things that mark the last year for Olivia:

- She survived her first year in a brand new school and has made many new friends.

- Olivia learned to spell and write her name.  Very well.  She is a writing fool.  All she want to do is write.  We keep a 'journal' in the car so she can practice spelling and writing.  We have 'words' all over the house and I often catch her with paper and pen practicing what's on the cards. 

- She can draw.  I think she's a budding little artist.  Just like all kids.  But, this kid loves arts & crafts.  She's learned to draw her own versions of lady bugs, the sun, rainbows, people that now have arms and legs and hands and many other body parts.  She loves to add a mouse and a dog to almost all her pictures.  And butterflies.  Olivia was so excited when she learned how to draw butterflies. 

- Olivia started her first organized sport...soccer.  She loves the social aspect of it so far.  the 'competitive' part.  Well, we've got time.  She's fast though.  She definitely keeps up with the boys...just not the ball. 

- We discovered her first cavity.  And, she got to experience laughing gas for the first time.  And, a numb lip from getting the cavity filled. 

- Olivia watched the Wizard of Oz and the original Annie this past year.  We bonded watching both of them.  And, she's now going to be 'Dorothy' for Halloween. 

- Olivia became a fish.  And, I'm not kidding.  This kid can swim.  At the beginning of the summer, she was still pretty gun-shy about the pool.  She liked the idea of the pool, just never got anywhere with it.  Now, this girl is doing freestyle, the backstroke, flips, jumps off the diving board.  You name it, she'll try it...and excel at it in the water. 

- She became a Big Sister.  I love watching her with Luke.  It's precious.  She takes the role quite serious.  Some of the time.  But, it's also turned her into quite the little mom.  Her 'pretend play' with her babies is very entertaining to watch.  She has picked up on all the happenings of carrying for a new baby and acts it out with perfection!! 

Happy Birthday my sweet girl.....I love you!!! 

Family Comes To Visit...

Here are a few pics from DeeDee's trip to Miami.  We also had another visitor this past weekend - Allison.  It was a great weekend and so good to have her here in town.  The last time she was here, I went into labor.  Needless to say, it was a little less eventful this time, but a little more fun for all of us!  More on our weekend, but here are a few of the pics of the newly expanded cousin-clan!! 

Pictures!!!

I cannot figure out how to post the sidebar with pictures from Snapfish anymore.  So, until I figure it out....here's a link to Snapfish of Luke's arrival. 

http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=3079109017/a=13470753_13470753/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

A Few 'Firsts' For the Week...

I know.  The next post was supposed to be about my 'Stay-at-Home-Mom' experience.  I'll get there.  I just have a second before swim class, but had to make note of a few key milestones. 

Olivia:
- She is really into reading and writing these days.  Or the beginning stages at least.  We posted these signs all over the house to help her recognize words and start putting things together.  She has 'bath' markers.  Well, last night all on her own, by memory, she spelled out 'DOOR' and told me what it said!!  I was beaming! 

- I got to play 'house' with her.  This probably the first time that she's invited me to do this.  Big step for us.  'Playing house' has always been reserved for Grandmothers and friends...otherwise known as 'the-people-that-have-time-to-sit-down-and-do-things-with-me.'  I really do pay attention to my daughter and we do lots of fun things together.  But, with working full time, nights are usually a bit crazy with dinner, bath, reading stories and getting to bed.  Weekends.  Well, we're usually on the go or playdates are going on.  So, I cherished the invite and we've been playing every day since. 

- Olivia scored a goal at soccer.  It was for the other team, but we're not going to concentrate on that part.  It was a goal...with contact made with the ball. 

- We had an impromptu birthday party at the house.  For Olivia's bear.  'Teddy' has officially become Olivia's version of Luke.  She nurses Teddy, she burps Teddy.  Teddy gets dressed for school and dressed for bed.  We have to shut the pocket door to the hallway when 'Teddy' naps.  So, apparently Teddy turned 3 this past Wed and we had a party.  Complete with a homemade birthday cake w/ sprinkles, candles and a present for Teddy to unwrap.  It was quite the celebration! 

Luke's firsts:
- He's starting to coo a little bit.  And smile on occasion.  It's beautiful.  His voice is just so sweet and his little smile makes me melt every time. 

- The little guy is now on his own.  He's in his crib.  I lasted two weeks with Olivia in the cradle.  She made so much noise.  Luke probably makes more noise, but I'm now a relaxed parent and can sleep through it.  For the most part.  But, at Week 5, we decided it was time for him to get used to his crib.  So far, so good.  Minus a few nights, he sleeps really well.  Last night.....(will probably jinx it now), I got a stretch from 9pm-4am!!  Of course, I probably spent an hour staring at the monitor making sure he moved and went in twice to make sure he was breathing! 

Kristin:
yes...I have my own list of 'firsts'.  Small, baby steps, but steps nonetheless. 

- I got into my old jeans....my pre-pregnancy, pre-transition clothes jeans.  Now, I have to be honest.  I opted to go for my more forgiving, non-skinny jeans.  I'm not crazy....after all.  I had lunch with a neighbor and wanted to wear something other than yoga pants or cargo pants.  I was quite thrilled, even though I still have room for improvement. 

- I ran a mile.  It was not pretty, but it was an accomplishment.  And, Luke joined me.  This leave has been quite relaxing.  I also have a great schedule.  Olivia starts school at 9am.  So, providing all things go well at night, I take her to school and then Luke and I go to the park to walk/run.  I get home around 10am, shower, get at least one thing done on my list (or at least try) and then pick Olivia up at 1:45pm from school.  Oh yeah - and feed a baby a few times in there, attempt to get him down for a nap or two and eat lunch. 

So...there's our week.  I started this blog last Friday.  Was going to end the week with it.  I'm finishing it up on Tuesday.  Life with a Newborn.