Here we go again....

in the waiting game!

We have officially been waiting since April.  In the meantime, enjoying every minute with our sweet girl.

What's new.....

....a bunch!

While I am still mourning the death of my Oma, we have had a WONDERFUL summer so far with Olivia.  Each morning, my husband and I still can't believe that we wake-up to a happy, smiling, little face.  She is such a joy.  We also count our blessings that we are both home with her all summer long.  She gets  us, all day....every day.

What is amazing to me is that I don't want her to get bigger, yet I enjoy each new phase even more than the previous.  I always think that she cannot possibly get any cuter....but she does.  Ohh.....what a little love.

Anyway, instead of writing, picture updates with captions it will be!

Mother's Day---Four Generations---Oliva, me, my mom, Oma
I look at it, and cannot believe how sick Oma looks.  I look at this picture, and I don't even recognize her.

My friend Marilyn's little girl, Ava, with Olivia. Isn't she a doll!

We got a gift from some friends to have Olivia's picture taken by Andrea Peardon. She came to our home back in May, and we went out in the backyard and she took some really beautiful pictures.

sweet baby girl......
check out more pics here.....

 Lexington 

In the yard with Daddy and Winston (the pug is never far behind...)

Someone got their ears pierced!

Suttons Bay---First time in sand.

Suttons Bay with Daddy.

Suttons Bay with Mama.  Water was too cold for baby to go any further, otherwise this little fish would have been in.

 Uncle Beau is soooo good to me.

Playing with cousins Nolan and Quinn.

At one of the wineries!  I think we visited 4 this day.....

 Me with Aunt Kitty at Lynda's wedding.

Pretty Girl

Leland, aka "Fish Town"

Cherry Republic in Glen Arbor

Grandpa always tries to find a chair to sit and relax while we all scatter and shop.

On the way home from up north, we passed through the town where Olivia was born.  I had Bill find the hospital, and we drove around wondering, "what if........."

I looked out the kitchen window and saw this.
(Daddy was watering flowers nearby.......)

I ran outside, and this is how she now uses her bouncy chair....or at least how she did.  It has been retired.
She is a very determined little girl.

Loves to touch.

Sticking Tip of Tongue Out phase......

....which coincided with the Suck Bottom Lip phase.

 

Winston has quickly learned where to hang out when Olivia is eating.

She loves her doggies.

First time in high chair.....Look at that happy face!

Loves to chase the dogs in her walker.  Poor Gretel is blind and doesn't see her coming.  She has ended up on her stomach more than once.....

Who could not resist waking up to this every morning?!

full tummy.....

Ann Arbor Art Fair....I must try to touch everything!

Another post long overdue...

...I wonder if anyone is even reading anymore.

June was a busy month...a sad one as well.

My dear, sweet Oma passed away in June.  If you remember, my Ota died in January, and ever since then she lost her will to live.  In fact, we thought we were going to lose her a week after we lost my Ota.
Sadly, we did not see it coming....or at least we chose not to.  Medically, she was healthy.  She did have dementia, however, it was not yet advanced.  Emotionally, she was tired.  She missed my Ota...her husband...her companion for over 60 years....her one true love.

I am heartbroken.  Completely heartbroken.  I loved my grandmother so, so much.  I still cannot believe that she is no longer with us.  Each night, in the quiet peacefulness of the baby's room, I rock Olivia, I sing to her, and I cry. I remember my Oma, and what a strong, beautiful woman she was, and how much...oh, how I miss her.  How I wish she could see Olivia and how she has grown.

My faith tells me that she is with me still, and always will be.  However, I am selfish, and right now that is just not good enough.

I was, and am still not ready to let her go....

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.....

update with pictures

                  

          Bouncy chair----early Easter gift from Oma.

                     

Love the new swing.  We wanted one that did not use batteries, and this one plugs into the wall.  

Sleeping with Daddy and Winston.

What a face......

First walk in the bassinet.  The weather has been beautiful!

(This stroller is from my mom, and it was a floor model.  We got it at an obscene discount....It was less than most every stroller of any brand at regular cost.  It is a U.ppa.bab.y, and it is an an awesome stroller.)

I had to include this....He is not supposed to be on this chair.

First trip to the zoo.

I LOVE to take a bath!

we've been busy!

I have not had time to blog lately.  Life has been a whirlwind of activity.  All good I might add!
Getting used to being a family of three, schedule changes, doctor appointments, photo shoots, registering for baby, visitors, phone calls, two baby showers.  It is amazing to us....the generosity of all our loved ones and friends has been overwhelming.

We have had two baby showers in the past week.  The first one was last Friday given to us by a group of friends.  I have to say...it almost seemed unreal.  I don't recall how many times I sat at baby showers and dreamed of the day that I would be the "mother". I also don't recall how many times I sat at baby showers and wished that it would go by as quickly as possible.  Thinking who would be the next one to have a baby....knowing it wouldn't be me.  So, with that being said, it was just so overwhelming.  I tried to savor each moment.  And then this past week, we had another shower at the school where we work.  Again, the generosity was almost too much.  We have quite a bit of gear, clothing and other essentials, that I have to add items to the registry for our family baby shower.

Not only have we had two beautiful showers, but students past and present have been sending gifts.  Each day Bill comes home with at least two gift bags.  While the visitors have slowed down, we have gifts from them as well.  It is amazing.  And I was expecting to go out and buy most of what we needed!  We actually don't know what to do with all of it.  Our garage is filling up with strollers, walkers, the basement is filling up with toys, and the clothes.....

Another highlight of our week was a photo session with a co-worker.  She did an absolutely beautiful job as you can see from the picture in the header above!  Also...she did not charge us.  Not only did she give us a gift at our shower, she took beautiful pictures.  Today, Bill brought home a DVD with pictures set to music.  I sat on the computer and watched it at least 20 times....sobbing through each viewing.  Believe it or not, two other people who are photographers have offered their services....for free.  We are planning a 3 month picture, and then a 6 month.

On Wednesday we had our first post-placement visit.  This one was not required by the state, but by our agency.  We had to take Olivia to the office, and spent about half and hour with the social worker.  It went very well, and we will be seeing her in our home again in April.  On our way home, we stopped at one of our favorite Indian restaurants.  I was a little nervous taking Olivia with us, but as usual, she did great.  She slept, ate, and then entertained us with her cuteness.

Yesterday, Bill took the day off and we took Olivia to the pediatrician.  It was our first time taking her, and I was so excited to see how much she had grown.  When she was born she weighed 6 pounds 11 ounces, and was 18 inches long.  She is now 9 pounds 8.5 ounces, and 21 inches long!  I could tell she had grown quite a bit, as some of her clothes were getting a little snug.  It went very well, and she was the happiest little baby.  She was smiling during the weight and length measurements....What a sweet little girl.

This weekend we are gearing-up for some friends to visit, and then Olivia will get to meet her other great-grandmother.  Hopefully, we will be able to squeeze in a nap, too!

one month

Our dear, sweet, girl is one month old today!  I wish I could slow down time.  She seems to be growing and changing each day.

Right now she is eating about 5 oz. every 4 hours.  She smiles at us, grabs onto our fingers, pacifier, and bottle.  She loves to take a bath, and is so happy and cheerful for about a half hour following one.  She also loves to be held, and will nuzzle her little face in our neck so that her cheek is touching our skin.  This is her favorite way to fall asleep.

Her neck is getting stronger, and she holds her head up for some time.  She just started taking her legs, push them, and bounce.

She also likes to "squawk".  Instead of crying when she is upset...she squawks.  This is followed by crying if her demands are not met!

I thank God each day for "B", my wonderful husband, and our precious baby Olivia.