playing in the sun

Today we played outside for a little and took some cute pictures. Olivia is getting stronger and stronger! She is now 24 inches long and 12.5 lbs. She's also learning to smile for cameras which is great. She is def a little ham. Normally she screams in protest when on her tummy, but I started clapping and saying "Yaaaay Olivia!" And viola, she's happy as can be. Funny girl.

Sometimes...

Sometimes I don't sleep because I can't take my eyes off you. The way you fall asleep in the crook of my arm with a smile on your face is priceless. I know I am losing precious sleep watching you, but I know there will be a day that I'll need these memories of watching you sleep in my arms. I start to wonder about all the amazing things you're going to do some day, and I realize my imagination isn't big enough. Sometimes these moments are better than sleep.

Memorial Day Fun

So life has been busy since Sean has been home. We have been having lots of fun, espcially on Memorial Day. We started the day with a nice a breakfast at Crackers & Co., where I ran into one my cute students from Keller and found out he's going to regular ed for first grade next year! I am not too surprised, he is a very bright boy, and so cute. Anyway, then we looked at a house that needs work, but great layout, great neighborhood (Recker and McKellips) and a great price. However we were 1 of 3 offers. So we'll see. Then we went to the park to play with more family, and then we went to a car dealership for Sean and Becky to get a car, while Aaron and I went to the mall and I got a cute new swimsuit, and then we grilled burgers, and went in the hottub at Sean and Beckys, then had some ice cream, and then finally called it a day! And Olivia was a trooper through all that. She's an awesome baby. I was feeling guilty when it was 9:30 and she was sooo tired and we were still out. But she slept amazing that night! And all day yesterday too. In other news...

I have lost 3lbs since getting our WiiFit! I absolutely love this thing. It's like having a trainer in your house... kinda. I get into the game part of it, trying to beat my last score, wanting to rack up WiiFit credits (minutes working out) to unlock new exercises, etc. But I love being able to see my progress in a graph, and I also love how the balance board works, and the game tells me I am shakey, or favoring my left side and to try to stay steady and balance using core muscles and all that stuff. Yoga poses that I never really felt a stretch or a burn before I am feeling now because I'm actually doing it right. It's really a lot of fun. Plus I'm running outside too, prepping for the 5K coming up in June. I still have a ways to go to get to my ideal weight, but I am having fun getting there.

And of course some pictures...

Sometimes Olivia is so happy it takes over her entire face.

And other times she's just really sad that she has to be in her carseat, again.

And sometimes I clean the kitchen one spoon at a time.

Routines...

So we're getting onto somewhat of a routine around here! However, Olivia is now not sleeping as good at night. She's still sleeping at night, but I'm not sure if things are better or worse. However we'll continue with how things are going and I'm sure it will get better. I think now is more normal for her age anyways. Typical day looks like this:

7:30ish - wake up, eat, get dressed, play a little
8:45 - Nap time
10:45 - Wake up, eat, play, go for a walk etc.
1:00 - Nap time
3:30 - Wake up, eat, play, etc.
5:00 - 45 minute catnap
5:45 - eat
7:00ish - eat
8:00 - bath, get ready for bed,
8:30ish - eat
11:00 - "dream" eat
3:30 - kinda wakes up and eats

Welcome Home!

Feel good story of the day...

Aaron's best friend, and cousin has been in Iraq for the past year. He got married May 15th, 2007 and reported to New Jersey on May 27th. He and his bride were reunited on their ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY May 15th, 2008. Sgt. Sean Stoddard and all the soldiers he was deployed with all made it home safely. Our whole family has tried very hard to have someone from the family in the temple every Sean was gone. It's so good to see an answer to prayers. And getting to be reunited on their one year anniversary is just extra blessings. So happy to have our friend back!! And I am so grateful for these young men and their service.

And for the update with words....

Well we had Olivia's baby blessing on Sunday. It was beautiful and she was an angel. Afterwards we went to Grandpa Opie's for cheese and nachos, and my beautiful cake:

Thank you very much to my friend Sarah for letting me borrow her stuff. I had so much fun making the biggest mess in my kitchen, and this cute little cake. Anyway, it was great to see family and celebrate our beautiful little girl.

Olivia also went in the pool for the first time. I'm not sure if I already blogged this or not, so I will tell you again... Last Thursday we got O all ready for the pool with a little swimmer diaper that was entirely too big, lots of sunscreen, and her cute little bikini top (which may be inappropriate for an infant, but figured it was more modest than the nakie alternative). We got in the water and she was calm and serene as could be. She just loved it. By the time I got done taking pictures and finally got in the water myself, it started to rain! So we quickly got out and got into the house. But it was fun while it lasted. I'm glad she loves the water.

In other news, I decided to run a 5K in Flagstaff in June. This is in preperation for a Sprint Triathlon to take place possibly in October. I really want to get back into shape and this is the most fun way I have found to push myself. That and purchasing a WiiFit first thing tomorrow.

Well that's about all the going's on around here lately. The schedule thing is coming along. Thank you for your book recomendations. Right now I think O is having a major growth spurt because she has been eating every two hours like clock work, and taking more naps during the day and still sleeping like a champ at night. Oh and she giggled for the first time on Friday. She only did it once, and despite trying as hard as I can I haven't been able to get her to do it again.

Oh... and I had my piano recital last night. Yes, I barely started piano lessons about a year and a half ago, but I have learned so much in this past year. I played the Winnie the Pooh theme song. I have to laugh at my recitals because my teacher teaches a large range of students, the youngest about 5 and then there's me, 23. I think the 5 year old played a more complex peice than I did. And I messed up 3 times. I always get so nervous. I feel like everyone in the room is like, "Oh an older person, she's probably going to play something she composed herself... or something really hard." And then I pound out and stumble on "Winnie the Pooh". Ohhh good times.

And I think that's it for real, this time.

"The Joy of Motherhood is found in the moments"

me too

nothin like a big stretch

First swim!

just bein cute

priceless

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