Friday Photo Dump

This is how we spent our Memorial Day morning.  My father-in-law passed away in 2008 and was a veteran of the Vietnam War.  We go to the Veterans Cemetery every year to pay our respects to all fallen soldiers but this year was especially sentimental because it was the first year Olivia sort of understood what we were doing.  We explained that this is where Daddy's father is and that he's in heaven now with Jesus.  She looked at my husband so sincerely and said "Daddy what happened to him?", we told her again that he passed away and is in heaven and she said "aww Daddy I'm sorry." which sent us all into emotional overload. 

The best thing we bought for the summer was a zoo pass!  We've already used it a bunch of times and Olivia never gets sick of seeing all the animals.  This time we brought her Auntie Melanie whom she adores and we all had a great time. 

When did she become such a big girl?  Swinging "super higher" on a big girl swing...just in her diaper of course since it was so hot and muggy that day. 

Olivia is obsessed with sunglasses and has about 5 pairs.  These are her new favorites!

My little ballerina.  Her 1st dance recital is coming up soon and we can't wait! 

Happy Weekend!

Day 9: A moment in my day.

Finally the warmer weather is here.  The sun is shining and the days are longer.  This has to be my favorite time of year.

My sweet Olivia and I have developed quite a fun little tradition - nightly Popsicle's on our front bench.  Every night after dinner we clear the table and it never fails, she heads right to the freezer and asks for a 'pa-zikle'. 

I scoop her up and let her choose her color, most of the time it's red!  Once we get to the front bench she scoots up next to me as I open her little snack.  We talk about our day and sometimes she holds my hand.  

When she's done, typically she surprises me by picking some flowers and finding some rocks and she loves when I get so excited about my presents!

I cherish these moments.

Olivia Says

My sweet Olivia is 26 months old.  I really can’t believe she's 2.  I get this anxious feeling sometimes when I look at her and she just looks so big.  So much like a kid instead of a toddler or a baby.  It's true what people say, when you have children, the time just disappears.  I can’t even say it flies by, it's just gone.  Sometimes the difficult days seem slow and long but in the grand scheme of things, time is just going too fast and even though my daughter is only 2, I need it to slow down.  I wish she would stop growing, just for a little bit so I can enjoy each stage just a little longer. 

It's also true when people say that kids do and say the funniest things.  Here's Olivia's most recent funnies.

~ this past weekend my husband and I and friends were out to lunch.  Olivia was sitting on the booth next to me and she stands up, points across the restaurant and yells "look Mommy, it's SANTA!"  I turn my head and there's a man, and his wife, standing up ready to leave the restaurant and sure enough he has a long white beard.  He heard her and was laughing.  If yelling it once wasn’t enough, she did it again!  They laughed and waved and so did we, but oh my gosh.  Talk about embarrassing!

~ Lately she's been calling me little pet names.  Whenever I talk to her I usually say "baby or honey or sweetie so now when she talks to me she uses the same terms of endearment like "I love you Mommy honey."

~ she gives herself little pep talks when she's afraid of something or upset about something.  She's recently decided she's afraid of sharks, but not baby sharks, just mommy and daddy sharks.  I hear her talking to her baby dolls saying "baby shark is so cute, he's friendly, we hug him, mommy and daddy shark is big, we not afraid, we try not be afraid of mommy and daddy shark, we love baby shark so much honey."

~ I'm not sure where she picked this up but she likes to play "Super YaYa" (she calls herself YaYa).  She yells "Super Yaya!" puts her arms up like she's flying and runs around.  She also likes us to play Super Mommy, Super Daddy, Super Papa and Super Grandma.

~ The other day I was cooking and I said "Olivia, don’t touch the oven, it's hot.  You got it kid?"  I was just joking with her by saying "you got it kid" but now she uses that to answer everything I say.  Our conversations look something like this....

"Olivia, please don’t touch the dogs water ok?" 

"Ok, Mommy, I got it kid!"

She has us laughing constantly.  She's so funny and she knows when she's being funny because she'll put her hand over her mouth when she's laughing and double over as if she's laughing so hard!  I love this child more than anything.  This love, my love for her is so much, so big, so indescribable, so rich and full, so overwhelming, so scary, so amazing.   

Birthday weekend re-cap.

This past weekend my baby girl turned 2 and we had a blast!!!  All of our efforts paid off when we saw the sheer excitement on Olivia's face during so many special moments throughout the weekend.  Birthday's are a big deal to me and I like to make them extra special.   ...and the best part, the celebration isn't over yet, her birthday party is this coming Saturday so my girl gets to have another day of fun dedicated to her!    (Planning her party for the following weekend as opposed to on her actual birthday was the best idea yet.  We spent family time together and did a bunch of fun things just for Olivia and next weekend we get to have more fun all over again!)   Saturday was her last day as a 1 year old.  We spent the day at a local festival and had a ton of fun walking around and enjoying the crisp fall weather.     Putting her to sleep that night was so bittersweet for me.  My little girl, growing up.  I lingered in her room a bit longer, gave her some extra hugs and kisses and snapped the last picture of her before she turned 2. 

Sleeping sweetly - October 6, 2012.   Her last night as a 1 year old.

After Olivia was asleep my husband and I blew up 3 dozen pink balloons and filled her room with them for a morning surprise!  When she woke up Sunday morning she was so excited with the "bloons!" 
I made her breakfast, her favorite, pancakes and bacon and we ate together as a family.  Olivia totally knew that it was her special day because she kept cheering "it's my bir-day! Hooray!"   After breakfast we opened presents.      We got dressed and played for a while.     We bought her a few things but her favorite was this Melissa and Doug shape sorter puzzle set.   My husband and I decided to take her out to lunch at one of our favorite little diners where she proudly ordered a "hot go (dog) and fries".  She told everyone "it's my bir-day!" and enjoyed all the attention! 

Acting silly at lunch!

 After lunch it was time for apple picking and unfortunately it was also time mother nature decided to start raining!  So, we improvised and had a short trip to the apple orchard and pumpkin patch.  Olivia loved it just the same.  We bought a few huge apples and some little pumpkins that Olivia picked out because the other ones were "too heavy!!!"  Since the weather didn't cooperate, we're going back one afternoon this week to do the corn maze and wagon ride.  

When we got home Olivia and I baked birthday chocolate chip cookies and enjoyed a couple of them warm, right out of the oven!     After dinner Olivia was pretty tired so we had a quick round of birthday cake, sang "Happy Birthday" about 5 times, took a bath and she fell fast asleep!      Olivia, I hope that you thoroughly enjoyed your birthday weekend!  Mommy and Daddy tried our best to make is super special and a ton of fun.  We love you more than words can express.  Happy 2nd birthday love!   (this week I'll share more about our plans for her birthday party this coming Saturday)   All pictures were previously shared on Instagram (my camera isnt working right, so sorry for the doubles)   Follow me on IG under username - Camarogirl819. All pics from this weekend are #OliviaTurns2 and #HappyBirthdayOlivia 

A Birth Story, 2 years later. Part 1

I never did write Olivia's birth story and as she's quickly approaching the 2 year old mark, I think it's about time.    Olivia's stubborn streak was made known even before she graced the earth with her presence.  On my due date of September 29, 2010 I had shown absolutely zero signs of labor. September 29th came and went completely uneventful.  I should have known that babies come when they're ready but being a first time Mom, this was the day I had looked forward to my entire pregnancy.  The day when I could finally lay my eyes on this perfect being that God had given us and hold her in my arms.  I longed for this day since January 19th when I saw that positive pregnancy test.     Turns out Olivia had no plans of coming on her own at all because 8 days later, I still had zero signs of labor and was induced.  Pitocin was started at 7:05am and my daughter was born at 1:21pm.   Those first few seconds after Olivia was born will be burned in my mind forever.  It was the most amazing feeling.  She was here!  I was holding our baby.  This was the moment I had been waiting for.  7lbs13oz of newborn baby girl, in my arms!   She was perfect in every way.  A good set of loud working lungs!  A head full of jet black hair.  Pouty lips and pink skin.  10 fingers and 10 toes with feet just like her Mama.    After spending a little while in the delivery room finishing up, we were moved to the postpartum floor and were able to spend the rest of the time getting to know our little Olivia.    Visitors came and held our sweet girl.  She met her Mum and Papa, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.    October 7, 2010 was absolutely the best day of our entire life.     

In 6 days...

This week I'll be reflecting on my baby girls first 2 years of life.  It's amazing how fast, but yet how slowly this time has gone.  After this week I plan on discussing my faith journey a bit more to share how I've come to know the Lord and bits and pieces of my testimony thus far.  Hope you stick around.   In 6 short days our sweet Olivia will be 2 years old!  Two!Years!Old!  How does this happen?  Where has the time gone?  I swear there is some kind of time warp after you have children.  There is this mixture of feeling like she was just born but yet not remembering life before her.    Our life has never been richer.  Filled with love and excitement at seeing everything through the eyes of a child.  Our child.    It's an amazing feeling to show the world to this little being.  Watching her explore and seeing her grow.  Witnessing her heart grow kinder and more compassionate.   Seeing her become the caring little girl I long for her to be.    It's been (almost) two years with her and these have been the best two years of our lives.  Nothing compares to having a child of your own.  She's filled a spot in our lives that we didn't know was missing.    

Taken October 7, 2010.  First day on earth.

  

The epic horse and carriage ride...

Almost 2 months later and my daughter is still talking about the "neigh (horse) & cawwiage (carriage) ride with Mommy, Daddy and YaYa (Olivia)"

While on our annual summer vacation in Old Orchard Beach, Maine on a warm Thursday night we were wandering the streets of the main pier at the beach and across the way, Olivia spotted the huge white horse!  She loves animals with a passion so we walked right over to visit him, John was his name.

John is a big white draft horse who is sweet as can be.  We "oooh'd and aaah'd" over him.  Pet him for a few and then went on our way.  Joe saw both of our excitement over the horse and carriage ride so while Olivia and I were checking out some shops he disappeared.  A few minutes later he hurried us back outside where the carriage was waiting for us!  He surprised us with our very first horse and carriage ride.
 

It was perfect. 

The weather was gorgeous.  

Olivia was so excited and happy and kept telling us that we were on!a!carriage!ride! 

The ride lasted about a half hour.  We toured the quiet neighborhood that's hidden between the busy pier at the beach.  We could smell the salt water and feel the mist from the sea.  It really was just a perfect end to our awesome vacation.

Almost 2 months later, in the dark of Olivia's bedroom last night, is the most amazing part.  I could sense that she was almost asleep as her breathing became steady and all of a sudden she jumped up onto her knees and exclaimed...

"Mommy!  Beach, Daddy, Mommy, YaYa neigh cawwiage ride!" 

These are the things my husband and I live for.  The memories we make with her.  The little things that she remembers and loves to talk about.  Despite the trying times, the discipline and the stress, these are the moments we love the most!

 

One Point Five

I feel like I'll be saying some version of this for the rest of my life.  As a Mother, I can NEVER get used to how fast time seems to go by.  How, HOW is it that I have an 18 month old?   One and a halfAlmost 2Toddler girl How did the last year and a half go by that fast?   I swear I just brought home a newborn and now she's a walking, talking spunky little GIRL! These past 18 months have been the BEST 18 months of my life.  Watching this child grow and learn and change daily has been the best experience ever.  I've loved every second of it.  Even the sleepless nights and tantrums that go along with it.   Olivia,  I love being your Mama.   I love the sound of your little pixie voice and the way you tease me when I ask you to say Mama and you proudly say Dada instead.   I love your fearlessness and the way you love to explore everything.   I love your curiosity and the way you constantly ask "what's that?".  I love your fascination with animals, wanting to know what they say and repeating it in your adorable little way.   I love that you are so caring and gentle.   I love how you know that you're doing something you shouldn't but do it anyways while smiling that mischievous little smile at us and saying "no, no, no".   I love how you always manage to take your shoes and socks off all the time. I love how I try to sing you to sleep but it never works because you force yourself to stay away so you can clap when I'm done with the song. I love that you look just like I did when I was your age.   Most importantly, I love every.single.thing about you my dear.  Always and forever! Love, Mama  

Haircuts and Look-A-Likes

I finally cut Olivia some bangs... her hair has been out of control since birth..  She hates having her hair in a pony or a clip and immediately pulls them out which makes for an even messier hair-do so, it was time.

Before and After

I love that I can SEE HER BEAUTIFUL FACE now. 



...and just for fun, I put her picture side by side with one of me when I was about her age. 

The resemblance is insane!  She's my mini me.

 

Back from Vaca.... BOO

I blog at work....

SHH, don't tell anyone because I'll probably get into trouble

but here is the only place where I can gather my thoughts enough to actually make any sense.

Last week my husband and I were both on vacation from work, hence, no blogging.

But, now I'm back (BOO) and not rested but what can you do, gotta make the money honey.

Lets talk about the vacation, shall we? 

Olivia got one heck of an attitude adjustment last week... in the WRONG direction!

How did my 16 month old cutie pie turn into a pubescent 13 year old girl overnight? 

I really don't know where she got her attitude but I wish she'd put it back...

at least until she's old enough to reason with!

She's super funny though. 

Seriously. 

She announces when she's doing wrong by saying "no no no"

all while smiling brightly at you and touching something she shouldn't be...

like the toilet, plugs etc. 

Then, when I walk over to redirect her, she runs away...

shrieking at the thought of being chased. 

So what does any fun Mama do? 

Chase her around the house saying "I'm gonna get you!"

and she squeals with laughter until she's hiccuping from laughing so hard. 


Her silly face!



 

She's also very cuddly and lovey dovey at the same time. 

She's generous with her hugs and kisses and she's such a sweet little girl.

During my week off, I really saw her personality blossom.  She's a feisty little thing with a stubborn mind of her own and now that she knows she has free will, there's no reining her in!

....if 16 months is difficult, I can only imagine my little munchkin at 13 years old!

 



Exploring the Museums

My husband and I work for the same company

and one of the amazing benefits they offer is free admission to several local museums. 

Over the past 3 weeks we've visited

the Providence Childrens Museum,

the New England Aquarium

and the Boston Museum of Science

(all for free admission!!!)

Let me tell you, these places are FUN!

Here's some pics from our visit to the Providence Children's Museum!

In the 4-way mirror

 

Olivia's favorite - the water room!



Playing with the fake rocks and tonka trucks.



Playing "house"



Playing "store"



This was our first time taking Olivia to the museum. 

She loved it and so did we! 

Needless to say, we'll be back!



~Laura

2011 Reflections

A little late but what the heck...

As 2011 comes to a close there are so many things that I'm grateful for this past year. 

Most importantly, 2011 was my first full year as a mother and as a wife. 

Let's recap, shall we?

~January 2011~

Olivia was baptized

Last month of maternity leave

~February 2011~

Hubby celebrated his 28th birthday

Went back to work full time

~March 2011~

~April 2011~

Olivia's 1st Easter

Easter dinner with The Degnan's

~May 2011~

Celebrated my 1st Mother's Day

Olivia's 1st trip to the zoo

~June 2011~

Celebrated Marissa graduating from highschool

Hubby celebrated his 1st Father's Day

Olivia's went to her 1st baseball game

~July 2011~

Olivia's 1st 4th of July

Olivia gets her 1st tooth

~August 2011~

I celebrated turning 28

1st family vacation to Old Orchard Beach Maine

~September 2011~

Trip to the New England Aquarium in Boston

~October 2011~

Celebrated Olivia's 1st Birthday!!

Olivia went Trick or Treating for the 1st time

~November 2011~

Olivia's 2nd Thanksgiving

Olivia starts walking!

~December 2011~

Celebrated Olivia's 2nd Christmas

Olivia starts RUNNING!

Started blogging regularly

So, as you can see, I didnt keep track of everything as nicely as

I'd have liked to last year which is why I'm grateful for blogging now because

one of my goals for 2012 is to document our lives a bit better!

I have so many future posts in mind but I've been feeling under the weather

and havent uploaded any pictures to my home computer so they are on hold for now.

~Laura

This Day Last Year

I saw a great idea on Pintrest (follow me) that I've stolen and put in place at home.  It's a box of index cards or a notebook, whichever you prefer to keep track of a little something you did every day of the year.  Whether you want to document your childs first steps, if you had an amazing dinner, friends over, your kids said something cute of funny, whatever you like. 

I'm keeping ours on the dining room table and each night at dinner time I write a little something down.  I put the month and day on the top of the page and the year next to what I write.  Next year, I'll go back to the original page, be able to reflect on what happened the year prior and write something new. 

I love this idea because I can keep this going and going and going forever!  I'll always have little blurbs of what happened to remember and it gives me a chance to reflect each day and remember the small things that may eventually slip my mind. 

Having Olivia has taught me to slow down and take it all in.  I never want to forget anything that she does, says or learns.  This little idea will help me keep those memories, with specific dates, right on my dining room table.