I think I'm in love...

I have the most amazing baby girl. She is really starting to develop a personality, and she is the sweetest thing. She's turned into such a good, easy baby since her reflux has all but completely disappeared. She's had some major adjustments in the past few weeks, and she's handled them so well.

I've been back at work now since November 2. Olivia has done really well adjusting to daycare. I think she actually likes it. There is a lot to entertain her there, and they take really good care of her. We were lucky to get her into the daycare that is on site at my work. So in the mornings, she just comes to work with me! It's nice because I can stop by and see her whenever I want, and it's just comforting to know she is so close. Whenever I have gone to see her, she is always been sleeping or playing, which makes me feel good, as well. Going back to work hasn't been anywhere near as traumatic as I thought it would be.

We had a scary moment a few weeks ago. Olivia had been kind of fussy and just not real happy for a day or two. One night, we just couldn't get her to stay asleep. I thought she just had bad gas, because she was fussy and squirmy. In the morning (which was my first day back at work), I mentioned to my mom (who was out in Utah helping me with Olivia for the first week) that she should try giving her a bath, since that seems to calm her a little and help her pass her gas easier. As my mom was drying her off, Olivia let out a yelp when she touched her toes. My mom noticed that some of them were a little red and swollen. Upon closer inspection, they were wrapped up in a little, essentially invisible string.


I felt so horrible when I found out - I don't know how long it was on her toes. She had an indentation on her toes for weeks after - it was really wrapped tight. I'm just so glad we found it when we did.

Olivia still loves going on walks. One Sunday, we decided to walk to church. We had Olivia in her stroller, and she just sat there beaming. She knew we were going on a walk and she was so excited.


It's gotten really cold, and I still want to take Olivia on walks every now and then because she enjoys them so much, but I worry that she'll get cold. So we bought her a "snow suit" to wear on walks.


Jeremy got out the Christmas lights, and Olivia was so enthralled with them. I can't wait to get our Christmas tree up, to take her to neighborhoods with lots of Christmas lights, and to bring her to Temple Square once all the lights are up.

I just love this expression!

She loves her daddy!

Happy Halloween!

It was Olivia's first Halloween! She got a cute little Halloween sweater and onesie from her Grandma Rose. She wore it for three days in a row, I had to wash it every night!

Olivia was a penguin for Halloween. I had way too much fun parading her around everywhere.

How she fell asleep at our very noisy, loud, bright ward Halloween party, I don't know.

Her daddy can always make her smile.

Going for a walk outside with Daddy, after Mommy almost burned the house down (long story).

She's so grown-up, look at how well she holds her head up! I've been reminded that I haven't posted an update on Olivia's reflux in a while. I'm going to just pretend that the last couple of nights never happened. Her reflux is getting MUCH better. She is actually happy most of the time that she is awake now, and she is sleeping for longer periods through the night. She doesn't make her horrible choking noise as much, and she is eating a lot more, as well.

I am having to pump, and then mix the milk with rice cereal to thicken it up. We also have to add apple and/or prune juice, because the rice cereal gets her a bit constipated. We've been able to take her off most of her medicines, as well, which makes me much more comfortable. I really hated all the medicines she was on. She is sleeping better at night. Every now and then she even sleeps the whole night! She has recently learned to poop on her own (I suppose I always took the art for granted), so Jeremy and I haven't had any unfortunate projectile poop moments for a while (although often we get a blow out of some magnitude).

She is learning and growing and developing so quickly. It's amazing to watch her. Every single day, literally, she is doing something new. We really do love her!

Who knew Winnie the Pooh was so funny?

Olivia has recently discovered her fingers. The other day she was in her bouncer and it sounded like she was getting fussy. I went to check on her, and she was just "yelling" at her fingers.

Ready to cheer on the stinkin' Cougs :(

Watching Grandma and Grandpa on the webcam.

Olivia still loves her walks, even though the weather is turning cold. Jeremy and I love this hat, because when she moves her head it looks like the little ears are wiggling.

Netflix and the Wiggles!

Jeremy and I finally caved and got a Netflix subscription while I'm on maternity leave. It is cool because it is connected to the X-box, and we can actually instantly stream movies online through the X-box. Yesterday I decided to search for some children's movies and shows, since Olivia is starting to become even more aware of her surroundings, including the television, and I am wondering what damage I'm doing to her to "allow" her to watch my type of shows (like Law and Order, and the Colbert Report). I got a few infant/toddler videos, and we started by watching Sing a Song of Wiggles.

I must confess, that I think I liked it more than Olivia. She fell asleep right after it started, and I continued to watch the rest of the video. The following day, the same thing happened. I'm wondering why I didn't discover The Wiggles until now. I'm beginning to feel an unwavering devotion to them similar to my love for 'N Sync in high school. Jeremy and I finally caved and got a Netflix subscription while I'm on maternity leave. It is cool because it is connected to the X-box, and we can actually instantly stream movies online through the X-box. Yesterday I decided to search for some children's movies and shows, since Olivia is starting to become even more aware of her surroundings, including the television, and I am wondering what damage I'm doing to her to "allow" her to watch my type of shows (like Law and Order, and the Colbert Report).

My favorite Wiggle is Sam...

Olivia's Busy Week

The past week has been very eventful for Olivia Rose. On Sunday, October 11th, she was blessed in church. She wore a dress that her Grandma Jan made, and her cousins Sofia and Fiona were blessed in. We had a lot of family and friends come to see her blessed including her Grandpa Mitch and Grandma Rose from California and her Uncle Curtice from Washington. She behaved herself very well during the blessing, and her daddy did a wonderful job of blessing her.

Olivia also took her first plane ride from Salt Lake City to San Jose. I was really worried that she would be a terror on the plane and everyone would hate us. She did really well. She slept in my arms most of the trip, and only made a few noises the whole flight. When we were deplaning (is that a word?) the woman sitting right behind be said she didn't even know there was a baby in front of her. Olivia has spent the past week meeting her Uncle Kevin, her Great-Grandma Mary, and of course spending a lot of time with her Grandpa Mitch and Grandma Rose.

Olivia's First Day at Church!

Last Sunday Olivia made her debut at church. She only lasted for sacrament and sunday school - and even then we spent most of the time walking in the halls or rocking in the mother's room.

Olivia has spent some time getting to know her cousins.

And finally, a picture of the Olivia that I know!

The Elusive Smile ...

... has finally been caught on camera!