Santa

Today we took Olivia to see Santa.  We didn't know what to expect.  We weren't sure if she would cry or what.  We went to the Vines Botanical Gardens for Breakfast with Santa.  It was great.  It was not crowded at all and we didn't have to wait long to see Santa at all.  I admit I got a little emotional because I was feeling so blessed to take Olivia to see Santa for the 1st time.  She did great! She didn't cry- I don't think she knew what to think at all.  I think she asked Santa for some teeth- lets see if he delivers that! Then after we saw Santa we had breakfast and Olivia sat in a restaurant style high chair.  She loved it.  She played with her keys and dropped them a million times.  She also kept checking out our plates.  I let her try some grits.  She loved them and ended up taking a few bites.  It was such a nice morning to spend as a family!!

Outside Vines Mansion

Waiting to see Santa

The big moment...

No smiles but at least we got a look!

Sitting in the high chair being a good girl!

Trying some grits!

yummy!

I liked them- I really did!

Outside at Vines Botanical Gardens

Olivia saying dada!

Growing up way to fast!

Olivia is growing up way too fast.  Today she was definitely talking more and saying Dada.  Even though there is no correlation between her saying it and making the connection to daddy, I am thankful she started making some consonant and vowel sounds.  I admit I was getting a little worried.  I was reading an article the other day that talked about gross and fine motor skills in babies.  They say usually babies are dominant in one or the other.  Olivia is definitely more dominant in the gross motor skills- crawling and pulling up etc.  Fine motor skills are her weakness.  She does fairly well picking up things- stacking cups, blocks, teething toys, opening and closing books but when it comes to picking up small things like Cheerios etc. she has a hard time- at least getting them into her mouth.  She is getting better though.  We know it just takes practice.  So this self feeding thing may take awhile.  She has improved with the bottle holding but still needs support.  But time is just flying by and everyday she does something new!

Playing with my magnets!

Olivia and Jake - best friends

Olivia and Jake are best friends.  She loves to look at him, smile and sometimes even laugh at him.  She loves to watch him run up the stairs! Why?  I have no idea! Jake now loves that Olivia drops food on the floor for him.  So they have a mutual agreement to be best friends.  Jake has now claimed the recliner as his new bed.  Often Jake throws his bed around and it gets taken away, so now he loves the recliner.  Olivia loves to crawl over to the recliner and pull herself up and tap at him.  Here are some funny pictures from today...

Hi Jake!

I am going to touch your paw ok?

Oh no! Jake got Olivia first- time to sit down...

Just kidding...I am dancing for you! I love you Jake!

Olivia telling daddy it is coffee time!

Last Day of November

Where did November go? Gosh time flies.  I can't believe that tomorrow is December 1st! Well I thought this whole standing in the crib thing was cute- not so much.  Her nap in the afternoon has gotten shorter- way shorter.  The past 2 days it was only 45 minutes.  I kind of rely on her taking longer then that so I can get some school work done and housework done.  That 45 minutes goes by quick! I have tried to let her cry it out the past 2 days but that doesn't seem to work.  I have rocked her the past 2 days and she did fall asleep and of course when I lay her down in the crib she wakes up! But I guess that it just part of growing up!

She had a pretty good day and held her dinner bottle for about 95% pf the time and held her bedtime bottle about 70% of the time.  We are getting there! She also picked up one Cheerio and it made it to her mouth! I was so excited! Finally! I know it was just one but one is better than none!

Holding my bottle!

My really bad formula hair- at least I held the bottle mom!

Playing with my activity table!

Olivia standing in crib and some da da da

Fun Discoveries Today

We had lots of fun discoveries today.

1. 1st boo boo- somehow when she was bee-bopping around in her crib for a nap she hit her head.  So she has a little red mark.  Before she went to bed it looked way better than it did earlier.

2. She learned to stand in the crib this afternoon. When I went to go check on her during her nap because she was crying/making noise there she was standing in her crib! I put her back in it later and sure enough she pulled herself right up! Yikes!

3. We got one piece of a finger food to the mouth.  Granted it was a huge apple wheel thing but she got it there!

4. Also she leaned forward in her bathtub tonight and started splashing.  It was funny to watch!

5. I pulled out her Leapfrog learning table and she loved it! Her little legs were shaking from standing.  She did not want to sit down!

My boo boo!

Standing in the crib!

Playing with my activity table!

Putting up the Christmas Tree

Today was a rainy blah day.  We decided to put the Christmas tree up tonight.  Olivia was great.  She was more concerned with standing and holding onto Jake's crate more than anything.  She did touch the tree though and looked at the lights.  Our hearts were overflowing with a lot of happiness and joy tonight setting up the tree with Olivia!

Playing with magnet letters!

Touching the tree

More touching

What is this?

Daddy's Little Deer

The only time I am allowed to touch the tree

Wearing mommy's reindeer ears!

A better shopper today

We took Olivia out shopping this afternoon.  I was a little nervous with her past performance the past few days in the car and at the stores.  She did great.  At Sam's Club she rode in the cart.  She was a little nervous at first in the parking lot because of the noise but once we got inside she loved it.  She loved looking around and smiling.  We made another stop at an electronic store and she was probably the only one that could sleep with all the noise in the store- the stereos, the tvs... and she was out like a light.  It was a little heavy to carry her around because she is getting so big.  Also we took out a toy that requires standing.  We have to hold the toy and she stands up with it.  We took out another toy a ball popper and she is scared to death of it.  Not sure why...it plays music and the balls pop up and sometimes shoot out.  It is not fun for us because we have to chase and pick up all the balls.  It is funny to see what things she likes and does not like. 

Stand up toys!

The only person sleeping at the store!

The scary ball popper!