9 months

Life is good at 9 months!

I love to be naked, and when I get really excited or have something exciting to share I scream talk...my favorite place to do this is Costco! Sometimes mommy worries I'm upset, but it's just me being chatty.

We've had to get creative indoors...it's been a long winter!

Somedays we sing and dance to music, play with scarves or my favorite...roll around the house!

Meal time is a bit tricky these days because I'm interested in helping out.

I like to wave my arms in the air when I'm ready for my next bite, and mom usually waits until I settle down before giving me more. Just as she thinks I'm ready and my hands are out of her way, I quickly reach for the spoon to put in my mouth and of course splatter food everywhere! All I want to do is show some independence and it's not working out so well!

Rolling is still how I get around, but unfortunately I'm starting to realize that this isn't the most effecient way to get where I need to go. Traveling this way has landed me in some pretty interesting spaces, but I don't mind...I am happy to play anywhere!

Mom keeps us busy during the day. Her most dreaded chore during the day is putting away laundry! I like to lighten her load by riding along to each room...I think this helps motivate her to put the clothes away quickly!

I have a new love...my baby! Each time she visits me I wave my arms, let out sheers of excitement and give all sorts of snuggles!

I'm very interested in my toys. I love to examine them from all angles.

I've grown so much this month! My 9 month check-up was exciting.

Dr. Ehly says I weigh 20.5 lbs and I am 27 inches tall. I still don't have teeth and my hair is slowly coming in on the back side.

Life is so good!

Great news!

Well, yesterday was an exciting day for Miss Olivia...or maybe her momma!! :) Livy's head measured beautifully at her appointment with the orthotist, which means our maintenance therapy is beginning two weeks early. Hooray! Olivia's expression is priceless...she was quite overwhelmed by my excitement.

For all you that are interested I'll explain her measurements as best as I can. When we first began treatment Olivia's head measured 144 from her right temple to the back left of her head and the other side measured 163. The ultimate goal was for both numbers to be equal on each side. We had no expectations, but we were ready to give our little lady a fair chance at having a more symmetrical shaped head. After all this was all caused by her low positioning in utero. In the beginning Dr. Thom, a very dry and a not so warm-fuzzy kind of guy, wasn't able to tell us one way or another if the helmet would help, but after peaking at his notes yesterday when he was out of the room, I was so relieved to read in all caps...AMAZING RESULTS!! We feel so fortunate that she responded so quickly to the therapy and that throughout the entire process she never once fussed!

So soon enough her helmet will be retired to the shelf in the closet, but for now she will continue to sleep with it and wear it during long car rides. During the off times however, I will relish in the joy of snuggling, kissing and rubbing her sweet head!

Snow day, fun day!!

Who knew, now that I am home full-time, that I would still get so excited to watch the weather and the ticking on every channel, anticipating a snow day?! Even last night, as we settled in to watch TV, I couldn't help but watch for my top 3 districts to post the news (we all know if Olathe and Shawnee Mission are out, then of course Blue Valley will pull the plug too). I think no matter our age or profession we all still get excited for a reason to stay home, be lazy, wear cozy clothes and do nothing!

Unfortunately, Livy and I have had a yucky cold this last week, and we have no baby snow gear so we stayed inside! In an effort to avoid more cabin fever, we decided to have some fun and be creative today!

Project 1: We created our winter picture. We've been creating handprint pictures for each season/holiday. Bret and I have little art in the house so this adds the little bit of interest we need! :)

Project 2: Cozy reading party! Olivia seems so big these days...she is content to entertain herself for long stretches of time. We pulled out lots of books and read many, many stories! She also enjoyed sitting quitely, looking at the pictures and having a taste test or two!!

Project 3: Test driving inside! We put together our new stroller, which consisted of attaching the wheels and canopy...best packaged baby gear ever! After the quick assembly we went for a stroll around the house! This new seat will come in handy for those quick trip around town!

We enjoyed our snow day...but I have to admit I'm already counting down the days until spring!!

Happy, happy birthday Bret!

We celebrated Bret's birthday at home this year. We had thought we might have a date night, but with a sick baby we decided to stay home! Pizza, cake and a sweet baby girl made this birthday extra special!

This last year was filled with so much joy for Bret! I can't wait to see what this year holds! Happy Birthday babe! XO

Livy's First Christmas

We had a very merry and memorable Christmas!

Santa came to our house for the first time...he brought toys and ski wear?!

Santa is either hoping for lots of snow or to go skiing!

Snow, snow, snow!

Can't wait to celebrate Christmas at Grammy and Bubba's house!

Gracie and I loved getting dressed up!

We love our new rocking chairs.

Christmas night at Momo and Bopbop's house!

My cousins were very entertaining!

I can't wait to play dress-up with Abigail and Mary...thanks Momo for our new dress-up clothes!

Christopher is very sneaky...he was tired of sharing his toys, so he decided to hide/store them safely in his jammies! So funny!

Thank goodness for cozy jammies....this holiday excitement is exhausting! :)

8 months

My new favorite spot to roll is in between the family room and kitchen. I have so much room and nothing seems to get in my way. I like chasing after my toys!

All my pictures seem so serious...but honestly I'm becoming quite silly.

Taking it all in...this busy place was filled with kids. Once I'm comfortable and familiar with a new setting I usually open up. I used to be pretty quiet, but now I'm proud to show off all my sounds. The louder the room, the louder become!

How big is Olivia??...SO BIG!!

Yep, this is her latest trick! I can't express how excited we were when she responded with her arms in the air, and a huge smile on her face, to this oh so fun game! It is amazing to think she's gone from a tiny infant who only coos and watches her world, to now a baby who interacts with her world. Life with Olivia continues to be wonderful! During this last month we've been busy eating, playing, sleeping and entertaining!

Also this month we've had the opportunity to visit some of our favorite doctors...the dermotologist and orthotist. Both visits were exciting and full of great celebrations.

Dr. Newell our dermotologist, saw Olivia for the 4th time since we started treating her hemangioma. He was amazed at the progress she's made. Thanks to the wonderful medication she's on, which has had zero side effects, the hemangioma is nearly gone!! Starting in February we will begin weening her off the medication, and by the time she's one she will be medicine free as long as her hemangioma cooperates! :)

Dr. Thom, our orthotist annouced that Olivia is his second fastest baby to respond to helmet therapy. In just 6 weeks her head has grown 14 mm and improved by 7 mm. This may not make sense to you, but this is a celebration! With that said, we were given the option to begin "maintance therapy" but we are choosing to continue therapy for another few weeks given her young age, and knowing she could regress if we're not careful. We are so relieved she's been so easy going through this entire journey!

8 months old seems oh so big, and of course I'm asking myself, "Where has the time gone?" Recently my sister-in-law put it best...the days seems to last, but the year is so fast! I'm reminding myself right now to not look ahead or wonder what's next, but to live in the moment and enjoy! Happy 8 months to our Little Lady! XOXO

Holiday Fun...

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