It seems like it was just January 2013 and I was anxious. I was done nesting and the house was ready. I was big and uncomfortable. I was just not looking forward to getting bigger and waiting any longer to meet this precious little one snuggled safely in my belly. I kept telling myself that she was going to be late and I just needed to get over that feeling of being spoiled by Lauren's early arrival. But then one Thursday night I started having contractions, and infact I thought she was on her way. After a few hours of pretty good contractions, they went away. Just a few days later though- much to our surprise my water broke, sending us to the hospital. That was a long stay in labor and delivery. Although it was very clear to Matt and I, the doctors couldn't find any traces of fluid making it unclear to them what was going on. After a long night of wondering and worrying, the ultrasound doctor inferred that I most likely broke higher up and that it might have resealed upon itself. After much discussion with the doctors though, we decided it was time for her to come out. Just a few hours later I was holding my second child. With love in our eyes we just couldn't get enough of this gift, this tiny blessing from God.
The first three months of your life were pretty easy going- Olivia loved to sleep and got into a schedule pretty easily. She had no problems nursing and except for a rashy behind, that would not go away, she was happy, healthy, and we just loved on her. We settled into life as a family of four pretty nicely.
Right as she turned three months we had her baptized. Matt parents made it down and it was nice that Olivia's "God Parents" (no we're not Catholic, but we have picked out special friends to be extra special people for each of our children) were in town too. So many people were there to watch us give her over to our Loving Lord and our wonderful church family.
The welcomed warm weather had us going outside and spending time with friends. She continued to be such an easy baby. Thinking back it seems like nothing to just pack one more up and head out- although I'm sure at the time it felt like a daunting task.
Then we were off on our first vacation as a family of four and we enjoyed a week at the beach and Matt's wonderful family. We spent a lot of hot days swimming in the pool and playing in the water in the backyard through the spring and summer. Olivia enjoyed the water but it took her a while to get comfortable in the 'big pool', she was so cute in her swimsuit splashing around with Lauren. Oh what sweet memories.
Last summer was also the first time we camped in our back yard. Easy going Olivia just rolled with plan and enjoyed sleeping in the tent. Olivia started enjoying solid foods this past summer too- her favorites were vegetables and she didn't much care for oatmeal or cereals, but she sure did enjoy food.
Then, before we knew it, we were off on another adventure with some great friends! Melissa and Phil headed down our way to meet Olivia for the first time and spend a week at a lake not too far from our house. It was here that Olivia sat up on her own for the first time. It is so cool to have that memory! It was also the first time she rode on a boat.
I'm looking back at pictures to remember, what feels like the fastest year of my life. We were so busy just enjoying friends and each other. Doing things and adjusted to being a family of four. Olivia just seemed to fit perfectly into our craziness.
She is my little love bug- she loves to be loved on and yet she's also just goes off and busies herself with whatever toy she can find. She loves her big sister and wants to be doing whatever she's doing.
This fall we found ourselves constantly going as well. Playdates, school fun, and friends kept us busy. Olivia, and the rest of us, enjoyed the girls first trip to an amusement park. Enjoying time with Aunt Shauna, Uncle Charley, and cousin Finn while we camped out was tons of fun too. Olivia's rolls of "love" were enjoyed by her Aunt and her plump cheeks were given many kisses by Uncle Charley and Cousin Finn!
Before we knew it Halloween was here and were were enjoy the cool days of fall. Olivia started scooching around- no not crawling- scooching. Oh she was too funny. I think she enjoyed the upright position and the hardwood floors were nice and perfect for this crazy mode of transportation. Lauren was in for a surprise when Olivia could finally got what her eyes and heart so desired, Lauren's trains!
Fall quickly turned to winter and we found ourselves visiting with family again. We had such a great time with my mom, step-dad, sister, and nephew for a week of time away. It was sweet to watch Finn chase after Lauren, and Olivia scoot after Finn the whole week. Then it was time for Olivia's first Christmas, which I've decided might be my favorite one ever. Watching Olivia be more excited about the boxes and paper then the toys was too cute. And Lauren was so into the whole thing, since Christmas is the season I so love she's jumping in with excitement too, and it is starting to make sense in her little world. I know Olivia will catch on that much quicker as she continues to have eye only for her big sister.
This year with them has been an interesting one. My utopian moment of having Lauren fawn all over her little sister was gone before it even started. But I'm enjoying watching them, now more so, grow together to be best buddies. Lauren in her sweetness will out of the blue do the sweetest things for Olivia. Oh does she get praise for this. Then in my next breath Lauren is yelling "NO OLIVIA!!!" because she does want her touching her _________ (fill it the blank with just about anything). The best is when Olivia is clearly, completely uninterested(sometime not even in the same room as her) with Lauren and still Lauren is having a royal fit about Olivia's potential desire to play with her stuff. I can't wait to see how the next 12 months will continue to change their sweet relationship.
Oh my sweet Olivia. I am in awe of how she is 1 year old!!!! This past Monday my youngest girl turned 1. In one fast weekend she went from baby to toddler as she took her first wobbly steps to me at Matt's parents house. And if turning one and taking her first steps wasn't enough- she cut her first tooth somewhere in there too. But with all the packing, traveling, visiting, and excitement it was the doctor, at her one year check up this past Thursday, who noticed she finally got her first tooth. She continues to be an easy-going girl. She will however, stand up for herself now a days when big sister tries to take what she has or when she gets her diaper changed and she'd rather be doing something a lot more fun than sitting still for just a few moments in time. It is a true joy to watch her, play with her, and love on her. I especially enjoy as she hugs us back now and will give you a very wet, and opened mouth kiss (with some tongue if you're lucky- gross). We find that we are holding on real tight to this time before the full force of toddlerhood sets in. The doctor asked if her 'independence' has kicked in yet (or what is commonly referred to as the terrible twos) and I said "no" but with eyes that said do we really have to go there again? Can't this one skip over that stage!?! Honestly I enjoy watching their personalities unfold in front of my eyes- as God's little gift gets unwrapped just a little bit more- I'm not sure I'd really pass it by if I could- the 'good' or the 'bad.' So Amen and praise for a wonderful first year! Prayers and blessings for many more wonderful years!
Olivia may you always remember:
"Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all you ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight."
Proverbs 3:3-6
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