MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Since I was a bad mommy last year and never took you to get Christmas pictures done for your very first Christmas (I know...BAD, BAD Momma!!), I thought I'd try it this year. It probably would have been much easier last year. You just couldn't sit still. We left the Superstore and I was sweating from chasing you around the photo studio. Your brother Jack was a pro. That kid can sit and smile for the camera all day long....you'd think he was some kind of supermodel or something. Looking at these pictures I seriously should have taken you for a haircut beforehand, but heck...it was a last minute thing and there was no time!!! I did kind of try though. On our way we had to stop to get Jack's haircut and when I asked them to trim your bangs they kindly told me "We don't do girls" - They did try to trim your bangs when the owner left the room but you looked at him, shook your head and said "NO"....he then gave you a sucker and went towards you with the scissors again. You shook your head and said "NO" again. I left it at that.

A few milestones for the baby book

The baby book! ha! Sorry Livi but Mommy's really slack in that department. Sweetie, you don't HAVE a baby book. I know...bad momma!

So yesterday we took you and Jack to a movie! Chicken Little. You've been in a theatre before with Mommy watching movies but you were just itty-bitty then and slept through the entire thing. At Reel Babies. But this time was different. You were like a BIG kid now. You sat there for probably the first hour in awe of the big screen. You ate so much darned junk food. Let's see....popcorn, doritos, chocolate covered raisins, sour candies....I had brought a juice box for you with watered down lemonade but you downed that so fast that I filled your box back up with .....um.....I can't believe I'm tying this for everyone to read......diet coke..... Ahem....so anyways, the last twenty minutes or so of the movie, Mommy & Daddy had to take turns letting you run around. That was okay....all in all it was definitely a positive experience!!!

THAT was the first milestone...the second milestone is you actually RAN FROM ME at bedtime. You love love love going to bed. I couldn't believe it. "Come on Livi....let's go 'night-night'" - "NO, NO, NO" you said running. WOW! I looked at Daddy kind of stunned...I wasn't sure what to do? Do I say, 'bed-time' and take you upstairs knowing that you are WAY overtired and really need to go to bed.....or do I let you stay up for a few minutes and try again. I let you stay up for a few minutes and tried again and got the same response from you. This time you came with me. And thank heaven's you went to sleep. I was afraid with all that sugar you had injested you would be up all night!!!

Milestone number three!! Last night was the FIRST time you jumped out of your crib! I hope that was a one-time thing. Lucky I can lower your mattress just one more notch. I hope that does the trick!!!

Christmas At The Forum

Today Mommy, Aunt Jo-Anne, and Aunt Paula took me to Christmas at the Forum. I don't know what the big deal was. Mommy didn't buy me anything. She spent her money on food stuff (popcorn seasonings, christmas suckers and dips and cheese) She then took me to this lady that kinda scared me. Her face had all sorts of weird stuff drawn on it. She tried to talk me into putting that stuff on my face but she looked kinda funny to me and I said NO. Mommy then took me out of the stroller and let me sit on her lap while this silly scary lady drew this ladybug on my face. Everyone said I look really cute but I don't know. What do you think?



At the end the silly scary lady said I was a very good girl and that she never did one on anybody so young.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Livi had fun today in her costume. The day started when she went to daycare at the gym. They had a little halloween party and everyone there was dressed up. She had that darn costume on pretty much aaaalllll day!! Here she is with her little cuz Mad-Dog:



And here she is later with her big brother just before they went trick or treating:



And last but definitely not least....here she is with her best bud Brookie! Check out the size of the feet on this kid!! LMAO



It was soo much fun taking her out. I'm not much of a Halloween person but I already can't wait for next year.....it'll be even better!!

No more BA-BA

....that's right! No more bottles in this house!! Well, they are in the cupboard but she hasn't had one in three...that's right....three days!! She naps in the daytime with nothing but her soothers (that's another story) and at night time she's going down with just a sippy cup with a little milk in it. She doesn't really drink much from it though.

We are sooo happy here! No more washing those little freakin' nipples, no more bottle brushes, no more BA-BAS!!

we have them still in the cupboard though - just in case!! LOL

Just look at the big girl! Ain't she a cutie?

18 month stats

Livi got her needle last Friday. She was so brave. The nurse told me to be sure to have a good grip on her leg and her arm so that she doesn't squirm when the needle goes in. Okay I said, I've got her. No sooner does the needle touch Livi's leg when she jerks her leg away and grabs the needle with her hand. I thought I had a good grip. Really, I did. BAD BAD Mommy. That made it a bit more uncomfortable than it really needed to be. Oh well, the needle did go in anyways. That's it! We're done. No more needles until she starts school. Oh gosh, that's just around the corner or so it seems. Livi, STOP GROWING!

As of last Friday Livi weighs 25.7 pounds and is 32 inches tall.

Apple Picking

Yesterday we went apple picking. It was big brother Jack's field trip day and they were going apple picking down the valley so I thought we'd drive down too and hopefully we could see them!! It didn't happen. We had a good time anyway.

Here's Livi just chillin' out:




And here she is looking like an angel from heaven:




One of these buggers nipped my elbow looking for food:



Picking apples:



And eating them:

Girls!!

Yes Livi, your cousin Brookie is a monkey. No Livi, it's not nice to laugh!!

Temper, Temper

ooohhh is Mommy ever in trouble. I figured you were going to have a temper. I've seen glimpses of it here and there. Today I had a front row seat to the main feature. I hear a blood curdling scream coming from you. I look to see what you're doing and you are trying to get your bubble popper thing (the thing that drives mommy absolutely nuts) out of the toy cubby. It's caught on your little bike. There you stood screaming and screaming and yelling some type of gibberish baby talk at the top of your lungs (okay, not the TOP, but loudly nonetheless) And bad mommy I am, I stood there trying not to laugh because honestly it WAS funny and I wish Daddy was here to witness it too. In fact, I wish everyone who knows you could have witnessed it because it really was comical. So you figured out how to get it; along with every other darn thing in there. I hope you don't trip over the hockey sticks again!

Loungin'

I don't know where you learned to lounge like this on the sofa. You sure as heck don't see me doing it!!



Now I know what you and Daddy do together!!

Baby!!!

For as long as I can remember I always pictured myself with a baby girl that loved girly things. Imagine my surprise when last week you suddenly took interest in your dolls. You carry them around the house, hugging and kissing them saying "BABY". Yesterday I bought you a stroller for your baby and you walked her all the way to the store. You were too darn stinkin' cute! One is just called BABY and the other for some reason you call MIMI. Here you are playing with BABY.

What a cool babysitter....

....you have. See how much fun goes on in this house when Mom & Dad go out for the night? I bet you just love your God-mother Sarah....she's so much fun!!!

I took this one whatever time we got home (I honestly can't remember):



And this one the next morning:



Yes readers....this is my picture window!!!

Mom!!!

Look what I can do!!!

Nothing Like It!!!

There is nothing like sitting on a brick wall on a hot summer day and sharing a bag of cheesies with your cousins!



Brooklynn, Livi and Max.

The Waterfront

Livi, today Daddy had a slow day at work so he was able to spend some time with you, me & Jack....yippee, spending time with Daddy on a workday is fun!!! We hung around the house most of the morning, you napped, Jack played, Daddy did paperwork and Mommy cleaned the car. We went downtown for lunch and ate on the waterfront. Boy, there sure was lots to look at down there. You were so good in your stroller. You did get to run around a little bit too, but there were quite a lot of people around. Maybe I need to get you a leash? Just kidding!! After lunch you & Jack played a bit on the playground ship thingy down there and then we went to COWS for an ice-cream. You didn't get one....sorry kiddo. You were wearing a nice white t-shirt so Jack let you have a couple licks of his. You really enjoyed the waterfront today. I think we'll definitely have to go back!!! Here's a few pics:

You and Jack, sitting on the picnic table after lunch:





Here's you climbing at the playground:




Here you are getting ready to take off:



And....there you go!!!!

Livi No!!!

Livi, you are starting to get sassy with Momma and she's not too proud of that trait!! Last night we were out on the deck and you kept on ripping flowers off Mommy's plant. I kept saying "Livi No!" "Livi No!" and you would just look at me with your hand kind of hovering above the plant and the second I would stand up you would rip off a flower and take off. We did this about five times. The last time I said "Livi No!" I stood up and do you want to know what you did? You ripped the flower and took off saying "Livi No!!" - I think you're gonna be a handfull!!!

My Aunt Jam Went To Portland........

.....actually, this t-shirt is not crummy. This t-shirt is not yours either. Aunt Jam brought this back for Jack but you were so darned and determined to put this on that I had to let you wear it around the house for a while just to make you happy. Aren't you cute?





Actually, Aunt Jam brought you back the cutest outfit and bathing suit...wouldn't you know the weather isn't that nice today so you won't be wearing either!!!

Happy Canada Day

How cute are you all patriotic and stuff? I meant to post this yesterday....so it's a day late....Happy Canada Day everybody!

Wild THING!!!!

.... You make my heart sing
.....You make everything groooovy!!!



Daddy's not a fan of this look but Mommy thinks you look cool!!!

The Beach

Well Livie this weekend past was our first weekend together at the beach. I know you've been there before with your big cuz Sarah but this was OUR first time. You had the time of your life there. Jack couldn't go because he had to go to his cousin Jake's birthday party but we'll have fun with him the next time we go. I told everyone that the next time I take you to the beach I was going to have to bring some babysitting reinforcements. You were such a busy girl!! I had to pay Logan 5 bucks to watch you for 20 minutes just so I could take a break!!







By the end of the day your face was full of sand and strawberries....(and so was I!!)

Kissin Cuzins

Have you ever seen anything cuter than this? This is you and your cousin Max at Grampy's house on Father's Day!!

You & Jack

Here's a pic of you and your big brother Jack. You love him more than anything I think. The best part of the day is when you wake up in the morning and we sneak into Jack's room to wake him up. You walk right up to his bed and look him straight in his sleeping face and scream!! It's become a game to you both. He pretends to be still asleep (even though you woke him up) and you scream and scream until you get a reaction from him.

Looking Back

It's been a while since I've written anything about you Olivia. It is now June 16th, and it's five minutes to midnight. Daddy is away for the night and I had a much needed nap when you went to bed....kicking and screaming I might add. You're teething these days and right now you have what looks like about six teeth coming in. Bed time is a challenge. Your gums are hurting and my GOSH I wish there was something I can do to take the pain away. It takes anywhere from one to two and a half-hours to get you to settle for the night these days. You go down fine and just when I think you're asleep I hear you upstairs in your crib. On a normal, non-teething night you may be up there talking to yourself in your mirror, but not now....now you just scream....UH UUUHHHHH!!!! UGGHHHHH!!!!! Me and Daddy have been averaging about three or four trips into your room a night to comfort you. I'm not normally one to endorse medicating children but thank heaven's for tylenol. I should be wise now and give it to you about an hour before you go to bed. I love you sweetie and I hope these teeth come in real soon so your pain goes away.

Anyways, this post was supposed to be just short and sweet. I wanted to show how much you've grown since last year. Here you are exactly one year ago today in your cousin Becca and Mitchell's pool on Aunt Annette's deck:



And here you were last week in the backyard. You're such a big girl now! You love this swing!

Come Out, Come Out Whoever You Are

I just KNOW there are people reading this entry. You probably check in here and there to see what's new with Olivia. You read, then you move on. Come on people, I know who some of you are....Jody? Lindsey? Sarah? - I would love to show this to Olivia someday and she would love to hear your comments.....so come on! LEAVE EM!!! funny? sarcastic? whatever....just write something!!!

Seriously, is there any need?

I think not!!

It Appears That I'm It

Tagged by Nita, ...passing on the favor to the 3 at the bottom.The rules are simple when you're tagged.Choose 5 items from the list to write about.Tag 3 other individuals when you're done.

If I could be a scientist...

If I could be a farmer...

If I could be a doctor...

If I could be a painter...

If I could be a gardener...I would know immediately when gardening season came around exactly what I wanted to plant instead of going from market to market, trying to pick out what flowers or shrubs I want. And it would look fabulous! Absolutely fabulous!!!

If I could be a missionary... I would devote my time to feeding and clothing children in third world countries.

If I could be an athlete...I would be a gymnast. Not only are they extremely bendy and stuff, they have nice lean muscles.

If I could be a lawyer...

If I could be an innkeeper...I would have a nice old victorian home in the mountains that had the most breathtaking view that there would never be any vacancy.

If I could be a professor...

If I could be a writer...I would write books for children about bullies, abuse, etc. in a way that is fun and educational for children to read.

If I could be a llama rider...

If I could be a bonnie pirate...

If I could be an astronaut...

If I could be a world famous blogger...

If I could be a justice on any one court in the world...

If I could be married to any current famous political figure...

Okay now Liesl, Marita and Beth....you're it!!

Baby's First Haircut

...well, not a baby anymore. I can't believe how a few snips of the scissors and you don't look like a baby anymore. I had this cute little rhinestone barrett in your hair when I took you to the hairdressers to hold back those crazy long bangs of yours. Gosh, you sat stiller than a deer with it's head caught in headlights. You watched every single move she made. You were such a good girl. I picked up your hair from the floor and put it in an envelope. It took no more than five minutes I think. We walked out of the salon, I went down the hall a bit and took that barrett out and tried to get enough bangs to get that barrett back in. I got it in.....but it just looks different now. I can't even explain. I think I could cry. I wish I could turn the clock back 10 hours because I'm not so sure I was ready for this.

Before the tramautic (for me) haircut:



The new, older Olivia:

Walkin' and Whinin'

What? Do walking and whining go hand-in-hand? You're walking....you're really walking. It's so bloody cute to see your wobbly legs coming towards me, arms outstretched.....whining!! WHAT? whining? What the heck is that about? You're not a whiny baby? How come this started. There's no escape, wherever I am, you're walking towards me....whining. I'm not sure what you want. Actually, you want everything now. Now that you seem to be a little taller because you aren't crawling on the floor, you "see" more. You want everything you can see. Now I get it....I gotta put stuff out of eye-sight!!!

The Toothberg

Finally, teeth are coming in....you have one that's half-way up and another one that's just poked through the gums. 13 months old and just getting teeth. I tried to capture them on film, but as you can see, you really weren't that cooperative. I really truly will miss your toothless grin that I've come to love so much!!





I think that by this point I was starting to 'tick' you off!!

FIVE MINUTES

Leave you alone for FIVE minutes so I can check my email and look what you get into!!

The Party

Well, the day didn't get off to a great start. Before I knew it it was 12:30, Daddy had gone to work, I was home with you & Jack and I forgot to do a ton of things. I thought I was so well-prepared. I still had to pick up the cake, the meat tray, go to the Italian Market, make the veggie tray, get you dressed and put away the dishes. The party was starting at 2:00 and I had no idea how I was going to get all that done. Aunt Paula came over at 1:00 while I picked up the few things I still needed. I think Jack was getting a bit upset because he sensed it from me. I know you'll never remember your first party, but I will and I wanted it to go off just perfect. Well, we managed to get everything done and I think you had a lot of fun with your little friends. You 'really' enjoyed messing in the cake. I'm so glad Daddy got the job of cleaning you up afterwards.