Thursday, January 22, 2009

toe anyone?


Olivia has progressed from thumb sucking to toe sucking. It's hilarious. Like mother like daughter I guess. Actually, I never sucked my toes (at least I don't think) but I did suck my thumb. My left thumb to be precise. A lot of people call Olivia my little mini me. I'm starting to think it's true:
  • We're both left handed. Well, she sucks her left thumb and holds everything with her left hand, so I'm assuming.
  • I was my parents third child and Olivia is my third, also a girl. My parents had boy, girl, girl just like me.
  • My mom had me when she was 29 in the year 1978. I had Olivia when I was 29 in the year 2008.
  • Olivia and I share the same baby expressions. In all my baby pictures I have a very stoic look on my face. Olivia often pulls the same face in her pictures. She's actually a very happy, smiley baby but she just takes pictures very seriously.
  • Olivia and I both love to sing. I took her to a Christmas Eve service and she sang when the choir sang, right on cue. Pretty good for a 5 month old.
  • I was my parents easiest baby and Olivia has been my easiest baby...so far! Don't tell Ethan and Lilly or my other siblings, but it's so true.
  • Last but not least, we're both gorgeous! I had to throw that one in for fun :)

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

My New Years resolution: START BLOGGING MORE OFTEN

If none else just to keep a diary of my life, since I don't keep one. It's true, the blogging world can be a blessing and a curse. Thank you Eric C. (founder of Blogger and good friend from college) for making my life a tad bit more complicated.

Family and friends keep asking me about updating my blog and I really want to please. No more excuses, at least one post a month. I've got to start small that way if I do more I'll feel really good about myself :)

There's a lot to cover since September. I'll just give you a quick recap. I turned the big 30 in November and I was a little apprehensive to leave my 20's behind. After a couple months of reflection I feel invigorated about my 30's. These are a woman's best years. A time when she really comes into her own. This is a good thing.

We've adjusted to life with three children, and yes, three is a quite an adjustment. We're getting into our groove now and things are getting a little easier. It helps that Olivia is seriously the best baby on this planet earth right now. She's been an angel right from the start. She's very laid back (unlike #1) and pleasant. She sleeps through the night, eats like a champ, hardly ever spits up, smiles, coos, plays in her bouncer and lights up our hearts with her smile. We love her to pieces.

Lilly is the best big sister a girl could ever have. She loves Olivia and attends to her needs as well as any 2 1/2 year old can. When she can't be of help to me she practices with her dolls. Her latest passion is reading the Olivia book series with mom and playing with her strawberry shortcake dolls. She loves to play dress up and is becoming quite the fashionista with her fancy shoe wearing ways and her lovely accessories. She dresses herself every morning and I love the ensembles she creates.

Ethan's medical condition is under control now. He was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis/Chrohn's disease back in August. He's on medication to keep the inflammation down in his colon. He'll most likely be on some form of medication for the rest of his life or until they remove his colon which the Dr. said could be in about 10 years. His growth was stunted for about a year due to malnutrition from the side affects of the disease. He's eating well now, gained weight and growing again. Our little busy man is back. He's a handful, but we're glad he's healthy again even if that means more destruction around the house. Ethan is attending preschool and doing very well. He started the reading program this year is loving it. He's reading at a first grade level right now and we're really proud of him. He's a smart boy.

Ryan and I are staying busy with life, kids, jobs, etc. My mom has been visiting us for a little over a week now and we've enjoyed her being here. She's a wonderful help around the house and I feel so spoiled when she's here. She cooks, cleans, does the laundry, plays with my kids and lets me sleep in. Any mother's dream come true. The kids love having Grandma around too. She was even generous enough to watch all three kids (no small feat) last weekend while Ryan and I went to Las Vegas for a convention. We'll sure miss her and it's back to real life after tomorrow. We're grateful for her and appreciate all she does for us.

Here are some pics from the past few months: