Baby Proofing Outside

Well it came time to come up with a solution to baby proofing outside.  We have a lovely deck with a porch underneath that we use a lot.  BUT it is quite dangerous.  Since we moved in 8 years ago we have made some improvements to make the backyard not so dangerous, because off the porch is a hill that goes down to the pool.  A few years ago we had steps put in that go to the pool- much easier to get down to the pool.  Now we had the problem of Olivia walking and we are so afraid she will step off the porch and roll down the hill.  So we spent today working on the solution.  We didn't want to put anything too permanent in.  So we got some lattice, cut it in half lengthwise and stained it today to match the deck.  I am not sure why we always end up painting on days where it is 90 degrees but we do.  It took 3 hours to stain 4 pieces of lattice- front and back.  I never want to paint lattice again.  I thought our Adirondack chairs were bad last year but this may have been worse. Thankfully Olivia slept the whole time we painted.  Brendon even had time before dinner to install it! We have a few minor things to do but it is mostly done!

We also went swimming today and Olivia wore her life jacket for a bit.  But she liked to be in her floaty today.  After dinner we went on a special trip for ice cream! The whole family- Jake included went to Brusters for ice cream.  Jake got a doggie scoop with a bone and Olivia got a baby cone.  She loved it! It was fun to bring her for her first official ice cream!

Olivia left us a message on top of the garbage can this morning... P U

Floating in the life jacket

Loves to use the skimmer

Ice cream time!

Baby proofed porch

Hot Day

One word to describe today- HOT. We have had a pretty mild summer so far but it has gotten hot fast.  I started out today with a hot 6 mile run and I went at 7:15ish and it was hot already.  After I got home and showered, Brendon and his friend Mike went for a bike ride and they said it was hot.  Olivia and I ran some errands while Brendon was bike riding and Olivia did great at the 2 stores we went too.  She loves Target! A chip off the whole block.  She likes to look around and point and name things.  So fun!

After lunch I took Olivia to play in her sand and water table.  We keep it in the shade which is nice.  She loves the water side and was splashing all over...so much so I just took her onesie off and it was just cute diaper girl splashing and playing in the sand. Then she was ready for her nap!

While she napped Brendon and I were ready for the pool.  It has finally gotten warm...well my kind of warm for the pool.  When Olivia woke from her nap we brought her in the pool.  She showed off some of her swimming skills.  She wasn't in the mood to kick though.  She did love jumping off the side though!

Then we made dinner- spaghetti.  I know we are crazy for making spaghetti when it is 90 degrees outside but we had some sauce we needed to use.  Olivia ate it up though! She ate almost a whole piece of garlic bread and lots of spaghetti. Then we played in her room and read some new Karen Katz books before bed.  Olivia loves that author!

Sand and water table time

I got sand on my hands!

Yep- just clap them and it comes off!

Spaghetti time!

Impressed myself

I impressed myself today.  After I took Olivia grocery shopping- which I now consider exercise- not only do I carry all the groceries in the house with toddler in tow- but I do it at a rapid speed.  Talk about some cardio.  After last week I decided this week I was going to wear some workout clothes because I got so sweaty last week.  But it was so hot after grocery shopping- it was already 88 degrees at 11:30, I decided I was going to take Olivia in the pool all by myself.  I have been so nervous to do this, but I think I got some confidence after the swimming lessons this past week.  I made sure to have everything in hand so I didn't have to come back up to the house.  I got her down to the deck and had her sit on the side.  I told her to sit and wait for mommy and she did.  I did the key phrase from swimming lessons, "Are you ready?  1, 2, 3, jump!" and she jumped right into my arms.  So we stayed in the pool for about 20 minutes and she was great! I was so impressed with myself taking her swimming all by myself!

The funniest part of today was tonight after dinner.  She was not in the eating mood tonight so I waited to have a scoop of ice cream until she was done.  I didn't want to eat ice cream in front of her and then her want to have that and not her dinner.  So I was about 1/2 way through my scoop and she came and sat on my lap.  I was going to give her a little taste.  When I did she turned her head...no biggie.  But then I caught the smell....gross...she pooped.  I asked her if she pooped and she did her crazy head shake.  Gotta say that I was livin' the high life tonight- you truly know your a parent when this sort of thing happens and you laugh about it- thanks Olivia.... mommy didn't need to eat the rest of that ice cram anyways!

Pointing to the eyes and nose.

Just being cute

Blurry but soooo cute!

15 Months Old =)

Dear Olivia,

You are 15 months old today! I can't believe it already.  You are officially a toddler and not a baby anymore (well you have been a toddler for awhile now).  Today we went to swimming lessons and you did great.  You jumped off the side in a sitting position and even from a standing position.  You also did better kicking today and you even moved your arms (almost like dog paddling).  Too bad the pool was so chilly today that I took you out 5 minutes early- sorry your lips were turning blue! But I got you all warmed up quickly!

After swimming lessons you had snacks with Nikki.  You are doing a great job of sharing with your friends.  You took a nap on the car ride home and were very happy when daddy opened the car door when we got home.  When I asked you if you wanted lunch, you replied, "Yes." We had lunch and then put you down for a short nap.

We had your 15 month appointment today and was so proud of you walking all over the office.  You did not want to be weighed though today and cried on the scale =( Dr. Morgan was so happy to see you and said you are growing just fine. You sat nice in mommy's lap and let her examine you.  You did not like the shots today- all 3 of them. 

After the doctor's office on the way home I tried you to a trip to the Loganville Toddler Park.  We went on the swings and walked for a bit.  Too bad it was so hot or we would have stayed longer.  We came home and I let you try your first popsicle.  You wanted to bite it and not lick it.  It was funny! So you had a few bites and then we had dinner- and you ate EVERYTHING!

After dinner we watered the plants and played with chalk and bubbles in the driveway.  You wanted to help Karyn water her flowers and we visited with them.  We ended the night with a bath and milk.

But I can't believe 15 months ago you were placed in my arms with no instructions on how to take care of you! Your daddy and I are so proud of the little person you are becoming.  You love reading, sitting on couches and chairs (at home and other people's houses- Goldilocks!), and walking all over the place.  You love to eat vegetables and still really don't like real fruit unless it is bananas or if mommy is eating an apple.  Your vocabulary is growing every day.  You know several words- fish, airplane, flower, apple, bubble, mama, dada, dog, Jake, dirty, bird, shoes, ball,  and many more.  You love to laugh and giggle, which I hope you do forever.  You know 3 body parts- tummy, toes, and hair. You love to color with crayons! You are becoming quite a helper!!

Here is how big you are:
You weigh 20 pounds and 8 oz (25-50th percentile)
You are 31 1/4 inches tall (75-90th percentile)
You have a large head! 46 3/4 cm (75-90th percentile)

We love you so much Olivia!! Can't wait to keep seeing you grow!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy

Not happy about being weighed!

Waiting for the doctor

I am 15 months old!

Swimming and Gymboree Day

It was double activity day again today.  We went to swimming lessons this morning.  It was MUCH better than yesterday.  She whined a tiny bit when we got in the pool but we stayed towards the edge today...plus it is a little deep for me and I have to stand on my toes...good work out for the calves though! Michelle and I were laughing because our calves are sore! Olivia did so much better than yesterday.  She sat on the side of the pool and then jumped to me.  Then I got her to jump from the side in a sitting position and then start to kick! Olivia did lots of kicking today.  At the end I got her to stand on the edge of the pool and then jump into my arms.  I was so proud of her!

After swimming we went to the mall and had lunch with Nikki and her mom.  Then we had Gymboree class with our friends.  It was fun.  Olivia got a boo boo though.  Before class started she climbed up a ramp and when she got to the top, she slipped and bit her lip.  It bled and there is a little scab and she cried.  But she seems fine tonight.  She kept trying to lick it during class.  But she played during class so it couldn't have hurt too bad.

She was exhausted after class and napped on the way home and then slept 2 more hours when we got home.  We had a busy day.  Tomorrow we take Olivia for her 15 month appointment in the afternoon! I hope she has grown and gotten heavier!

Loves when the water drips from the flowers!

Got my toes a little wet!

Airplane!

Bird!

Tried to get a picture of the lip but not quite!

1st Haircut

It was another busy day today.  We had swimming lessons again today which was an epic fail.  Olivia cried the ENTIRE 30 minutes.  Brendon took her in today and it was way worse than yesterday.  So tomorrow it will be me taking her in the pool, so maybe it will be a tad bit better.  It can't get any worse can it?

After swimming we stopped on the way home for her first haircut! Her bangs were really getting in her eyes.  We stopped at Just Kids Kuts in Grayson on the way home.  Olivia did a great job.  We had to wait just a few minutes but there were toys to play with.  Olivia sat in the little Barbie Jeep and did great.  We only got the bangs cut and left all the curls.  I was so impressed.  The hairstylist even put the hair in a Ziploc bag for us to put in her baby book. 

After the haircut we had lunch at home and then she napped.  Then we ate dinner and went to Kindermusik.  There was a conflict this week with swimming and Kindermusik, so thankfully Ms. Dana let us come tonight! She is so wonderful.  Olivia had a great time tonight... of course I didn't bring the camera.  But it was a busy but fun day!

Everyone loves the mommy this morning...even Jake under the chair!

Swimming lessons Day 2

Not Happy!

Let me out!!!!!!

1st haircut!

Happy Anniversary!

We had another day of celebration today! It is my mommy and daddy's anniversary! They have been married for 8 years! That is a long time since I am only one!

We started today with swimming lessons.  They were ok.  I still don't like to put my face in the water.  Mommy says we have to practice monkey face before our lesson tomorrow.  I hope I like it better tomorrow.

After swim lessons we went for lunch.  Nikki and her mommy and daddy went with us.  We went to a restaurant called Local Republic.  It was so yummy.  I had some snacks while I waited for my grilled cheese and I ate really good there.  I had green beans and grilled cheese.  Mommy and Daddy were surprised when Nikki's parents bought them lunch.  They did not have to do that! Mommy and Daddy were very thankful though and enjoy their friendship a lot.

Then I went home and napped.  After my nap we had dinner and I ate really well.  I ate everything on my tray.  Then we got dressed and went to the Gwinnett Braves game.  It was so fun.  We sat on the berm so I could walk around and not get all fussy sitting in a seat.  I did really good and wanted to explore all over the place.  I had fun and so did my parents.

I hope they had a great day because I know I did (even though I was fussy after the game but I was just tired!)

XOXO

Olivia

Waiting for swim lessons to begin

Ahhh.... what are we doing

Fish!

After the lesson

At Local Republic

Nikki and I being good at lunch

Go Braves!