Fussy and Funny

Today was a weird day.  Olivia had fussy moments and funny moments.  When I got home from work we ate lunch and then played which was mixed with some fussing off and on.  Then we ran to the bank really quick and had a snack when we got home and then she took her nap.  She was not a happy camper when she woke up.  It took her a REALLY long time to eat dinner- 45 minutes.  But she was eating...slowly.  After dinner we went outside for a bit.  She is so funny.  I tried to show her how to squirt her watering canteen and she wanted nothing to do with it even though she had been carrying it around the house for 10 minutes.  Then we did some bubbles and walked up and down the driveway a few times.  We then came in to play in her room.  She is loving Peek-a-boo! So much so that she finds a blanket and holds it up... it is hilarious.  She tried to play it with Jake but he did not like it.  Then she carried the blanket around like Pigpen for a bit and then grabbed one of my science books and started reading it! I guess it is not too early to get her interested in science.

One other picture from yesterday

Science book!

close up!

Reading the science book

Pigpen!

Happy Mother's Day

Well it was pretty rainy today but that didn't dampen our moods today! What a great 2nd Mother's Day! Can't believe it is my 2nd one and it was so different than last year.  Olivia slept a lot last year...this year... different story! We played and had so much fun today.  We got up early and went to church.  Olivia was pretty good and entertained with books and had some snacks while we were there.  After church Brendon made me a delicious breakfast and gave me presents! Olivia made me a card that looked like a flower pot! Brendon got me a beautiful card also. Then he gave me a really cute coffee cup with pictures of Olivia on it! It is so cute!! I love it! I have another present on the way though... Then Olivia napped.  Then Brendon fired up the grill and started smoking some chicken! We had a great dinner with our family- not related by blood family but they are as close to family as you can get- our neighbors and Olivia's Godparents- Rick and Karyn and their children Kristy and Shawn.  Kristy and Shawn loved playing with Olivia.  Since it was raining we used the new Man Cave garage for a bit.  We had a great family dinner and some fabulous Key Lime Pie! After dinner we Skyped with Grandma and Grandpa and they were so happy to see Olivia walking ALL over.  Then more playing and daddy gave Olivia her bath tonight. 

Overall it was a great day despite the rain! I couldn't ask for a better Mother's Day.  I loved spending it with all of my favorite people- my family and our friends!

This was last year's Mother's Day!

This year- Happy Mother's Day mommy!!

Having fun in the man cave!

Godfather Rick enjoying the man cave!

Olivia at Charlie Elliot Discovery Center

Fun Day in Nature at Charlie Elliot

Today we took Olivia to Charlie Elliot WMA (Wildlife Management Area). It was called Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center’s JAKES Day (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics, & Sportsmanship).  It was a little bit of a drive but well worth it.  The best thing- it was FREE! Brendon was so excited to go and thanked me several times for going. 

We parked and walked and found the festivities.  We got to see Turtles, Hawks, and Snakes outside.  It was really cool to show Olivia all the animals and watch her point at them.  We then went into the Discovery Center and checked that out.  They had several stuffed animals and a few live animals in there.  One of the employees took out a snake and it started going in her shirt...ewww... no thanks! Then we took a short lunch break.

After lunch we went fishing.  They had free fishing poles to use and bait.  We brought Olivia's pole but had to get some bait- they gave us hot dogs.  So we fished for a bit but didn't catch anything.  Some other people caught some HUGE Catfish.  But it was a great experience for Olivia's first time fishing.  She sat with us for a bit but then wanted to get up and move around.

Then we came home.  On the way home we were talking about getting Olivia a bike and what do you know... we saw a house with some bikes for sale in front of it.  So we stopped and got a cute pink Barbie bike! We know she won't ride it for a long time but it was only $15.00!! Best part- it has training wheels with it already too!

But lots of good memories were made today!

Butterflies

Hawk

Snakes!

Deer

Fox Pelt

Please No Bear Hugs!

Snake in the shirt...yikes!

This is your fishing pole!

One proud daddy

Watch the bobber

Mommy's turn

Here fishy, fishy

Letter to Mom

All this week I must have looked like a disaster when I got to work.  Everyday this week on The Bert Show (the radio station I listen to Q100) in the morning, the DJs have taken turns writing letters to their mothers.  Talk about tears...every day... even with Jeff's letter- he usually doesn't show much emotion! So mom, I know that we sent you a few things but just wanted to write you a short letter too.

Dear Mom,

I am not even sure I can write or list all the things that you have done for me throughout my life that have meant so much to me.  If anyone ever had to have a representative for a mother it would be you.  You are Betty Crocker, a teacher, a nurse, a wife, grandma, and a best friend all wrapped up into one person.

I aspire to be like you even though I have had some disasters in the Betty Crocker department.  But I at least try baking and find myself enjoying it on Sunday afternoons.

You helped me find a career path that I truly do love.  Thank you for being the listening ears about schools things and sharing ideas.  You go above and beyond what you need to do for your students- especially when you make each child feel special on their birthday by making them a cake- now that is a super teacher! You also share your family with your class and love that Olivia is a superstar to them!

When I was younger and sick you take care of Dustin and I like a first rate nurse.  Now I use some of those skills on our family.

Thank you for teaching about love and especially about unconditional love.  You taught me how important communication is to have a successful marriage and how to love Brendon with my whole heart like you love Bill with your whole heart. What you and Bill have is so special and I aspire to have a marriage like yours. 

Thank you for being my best friend.  I couldn't ask for anyone else. You know just when to call when I am feeling the blahs (like last night).  You always see the good in every situation and help me try to see the good even when it is difficult.  Sometimes we talk about nothing but to me it means everything.

I can't thank you enough for being Olivia's grandma.  I know that you cherish every moment with Olivia since your mother didn't get these moments with Dustin and I.  You go above and beyond with helping us with Olivia and I love to see you playing with her.  The love you have for her is like a volcano that keeps erupting. We know that you read the blog nightly and sometimes when you are bored and can't sleep you go ALL the way back to the beginning but that is just because you love us!

But most of all I thank you for your support and encouragement.  You have gotten me through some difficult times when all I wanted to do was give up.  You have dried my tears and somehow made me want to laugh to make things better.

Thank you for loving me, even though I know it is difficult at times, and thank you for loving Brendon like he is your own son.  You are an incredible person mom and I hope to be just like you some day! Thank you for being my mom and teaching me so many things.  I couldn't ask for anyone better because I already have the best!

I love you mom!
Love,
Melissa

If you are interested in listening or reading the letters from the radio show, click on the link below.

The Bert Show Honors Their Moms For Mother’s Day With Letters…And How You Can Honor Yours, Without Having To Break The Bank

Publix Mother's Day Commercial

Happy Mother's Day, Mom -- You're Doing OK