A post overdue

Each day, I faithfully sit down at my computer and eagerly anticipate the updates on my favorite blogs.  By the time I am done reading, I need to throw the wash in the dryer, Olivia is crying, the phone is ringing, the dogs are barking....Something is always going on.  I just have not had the time to sit and write, even though I have been dying to do so.  It is much more fun for me to sit and read what is happening in the lives of all of you.  I really do look forward to reading each and every day.

I have really cherished the time at home with Olivia these past few months.  Next week will be my last week at home, as I return to work on June 1.  However, just a few short weeks later, both hubby and I will be off for the summer!  While it breaks my heart to have to leave her each morning, I know that it is only a matter of time before school will be out.  Speaking of which, we get out very late this year....June 17!

As of right now, I am planning on going back full-time in the fall.  We have reserved a spot for Olivia at a woman's house who watches a small group of teacher's children.  We have several friends who have used her for daycare, and highly recommended her to us.  When we met with her, we felt very confident that our little girl would be loved and taken care of.

That's another thing I am struggling with right now.  I can't even think of going back to a classroom full of kids, when the one little girl I want to be with is at daycare.  I know I am not the first person who has gone through this, and I did not expect myself to get worked-up over this.  It's just hard.  There is a small chance that a part-time position would open up at our building, but we will have to wait and see.  I work for a very large district, and I love the building I teach in.  I don't want to lose my spot there, as I have taught in a building before where days were very stressful.  We will see what happens.....

It is amazing how Olivia is growing.  She is not longer a newborn....She is all baby.  Oh, and she is just the sweetest thing.  Happy, content, determined, strong....and just perfect.  We still pinch ourselves.  We are so very blessed.

Here are a few updates:

• She is smiling ALL OF THE TIME
• Rolled over from back to front (to the right) for the first time Wednesday night
• Lots of cooing and other assorted adorable noises
• Her legs are very strong....Pulled out the Jumperoo and doorway jumper a few weeks ago, and she loves to use these!
• Captivated by anything that lights up, in particular her Bab.y E.instein crib aquarium and F.isher P.rice soother that projects a scene on the ceiling and plays music
• She loves to put things in her mouth, in particular both of her hands at the same time
• Grasping at rattles, toys, hair, arms....everything (uses mostly right hand), and of course then pulls it all to her mouth
• Sitting with support
• Lying on tummy with head at 90 degree angle
• Recognizes familiar faces
• Loves to take a bath....Loves, loves, loves to kick her legs and splash
• Quite a bit of baby hair has fallen out, and new growth is beginning
• When she hear's my voice, or hubby's voice, turns head to find us
• Loves to watch TV ( I am completely ashamed... we are not big TV watchers and I don't even have any special baby DVDs for her......this is not intentional, and I turn it off for most of the day, but if it is on and she is in her jumper, being burped, on the floor, or anywhere, her eyes are glued to it.....)
• Cries only when hungry or a nap is needed within the next few minutes

We had our second meeting with our awesome social worker from our agency on Wednesday and
I am preparing the second letter and pictures to send to Olivia's BM and BF.  Our agency recommends 6-8 pictures, but I have been sending well over 20 each time.  I can't resist.

This post has gone on for too long.  If I updated more regularly, I wouldn't have these long posts!

Here are a few pictures. Oh, our sweet little girl.....