Two months

Yay!

Olivia... I cannot begin to tell you how much your Daddy and I adore you.  Everything you do is amazing! Not to mention, now that your little personality has started to come out, you are one of the coolest kids ever! Two weeks ago, when you first smiled at us, we were so excited! It was the most beautiful smile ever... until the next one, and every one after.

that's a pretty nice boat!

Last week, you started cooing, and mimicking sounds of words.  How smart are YOU! You can pretty much stand on your own, with only our hands to keep you steady.  You have the world's strongest baby legs!!! You can inchworm your way across your bedroom when you press your feet against our hands. You love tummy time, if fact, you'd rather be on your tummy than on your back.  And you continue to Houdini your way out of even the most perfectly folded swaddle. You are staring to grasp at items and you love to look at the Shapes, Color and Numbers books that we read every day.

big smiles!

I should also mention, you LOVE being out of the house.  Anywhere we take you, people always comment what a well-behaved and calm baby you are and you are perfectly happy being passed around to other people.  Because you are so interested in the world around you, home is a little boring for you, I think.

 Grammy and Grampy are coming up to meet you next week and hang out with you, they are so excited- I wonder what kind of yummy things Grammy will make for us! When you get a little older, you will be able to taste all of the wonderful cooking she does.  Then, a few weeks later, we're going on our first big trip- to see your Aunt Dani and new Uncle Joe get married on their farm!  You'll be able to meet their chickens and turkeys and their dog Sarge. (I'm going to take you to the work farm so you can practice meeting the chickens there first... Dani and Joe have a LOT more so we're going to start small.  'Course, they don't have a piggie, but meeting Milkshake will be fun!) We're going to stay in a hotel and play with the whole family.  We have a very pretty dress for you to wear and lots of great outfits to show off your fabulous style.

Just the other day, you slept in your own crib, in your own room! You are growing up so fast







Ollie-by Gollie, we are so excited to see what the next amazing thing you will do. You are growing up so fast already, we can't believe that just a few months ago, you looked so small in your car seat, and now you fit in there very well. There are so many exciting things for you to see and experience- your first fall with all the pretty leaves... maybe even your first snow! By this time next year, you will be such a big girl probably walking and starting to talk, playing with Sydney and Marbles. We love you so much!!!

L-I-V-I-N'

So...

36 weeks, baby!  Whoooo! I don't know about you, but Daddy and I are ready for you to make your appearance. Your room is finished, including your mobile:

Super Ninja will protect you!

We have all your stuff washed and ready to go and my hospital bag is almost fully packed.  All your grandparents are prepped to come up as soon as they hear from us that you are on your way! But, there is no rush, kiddo... you stay put as long as you'd like (well, not THAT long...)

Today, Daddy and I are heading out to Lancaster, PA:

to get some fresh honey and just to take a day trip out of town for relaxation and fun.  We are also about to buy a new appliance... a juicer! The juice aisle in the grocery store is so confusing these days and I LOVE juice.  I figure with all the healthy fruit and veggies I get from work, we should just make our own. Daddy and I have a hard time making decisions, but I think we are about to take the dive and get one.   Things are super busy around here... not only are we anticipating your arrival, but your Aunt Dani is getting married in October, and YOU will be there! She and her soon-to-be-hubby Joe just bought a farm and house in North Carolina and they are going to have the wedding there and have chickens and other animals, and grow all kinds of yummy things to eat.

PLUS... Daddy has been busy building a cellar:

mmmm, cellar!

to cure meats and cheeses, store wine and veggies. I know, I know... you think we are crazy, but trust me baby. This is the GOOD stuff :)

What else?  Well, my hands and feet hurt due to them being swollen... but I've been able to keep my heartburn under control with some medicine.  I've been doing my yoga at home for the past few weeks because I usually try to rest on Sundays after long days at work outside. 

We just can't wait for you to come! I hope you are happy and healthy. Love you!

Mobile time!

Remember the post in which I said I was making this mobile?

Well, kiddo... I just ordered 1 ninja:

and 2 moustachios:

Why just one ninja you ask? Pshh, because we already OWN two that are just jumping at the chance to be a part of this little project! (we already own a moustachio as well, but it's too big for your mobile) Plus, I wanted to make sure Daddy was represented in your mobile and we didn't want you to have the same mobile as some other kid.

Hopefully they will arrive soon so I can get started making it for you!  This is the last thing I have to do for you and then it's just keeping everything together while we wait for you.  I hope you are as excited as you are!

Plantin' and Paintin'!

Woot!  Wow baby, can you believe it was just a short time ago that we were at the beginning of this journey?  It seems to be going rather quickly, even though I am so anxious to see you and get you outside!

Funny how these fruit and veggie size comparisons are matching up with things on the outside right now.  Eggplants are ready to be planted!  Usually in this area we wait until after Mother's Day, but we've had a weird, funky winter and a dry and temperature fluctuating spring.  Speaking of planting... We prepped the "farm"!

it looks small, but you'd be surprised how much can grow!

We're planting tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, green beans, lettuce, carrots, another kind of beans, radishes and strawberries! Hopefully, the strawberries will get strong and we can pick them together next year! I kept telling myself to keep it simple this year and grow only a few things... I don't have as much energy as usual, work is going to be a bit hectic... I have a BABY coming! But, in the end, we borrowed a tiller from work, and because of all the hard work we put in last summer getting the weeds under control and putting the ground "to bed" for the winter, it was actually pretty easy (Daddy may not say that, but he seemed to like running the tiller A LOT!) In that box over on the right, I seeded in carrots and radishes. This week, we have the tomato, pepper and strawberry seedlings to put in and then a few days after that, we will plant the cucumber, lettuce and bean seeds.  By the time you are ready to see it, it will be overflowing with beautiful, tasty food which we will then can, sauce, pickle and freeze for winter and make into yummy baby food for you and tasty meals for Daddy and I.

I took my first "Holistic Birthing" class on Sunday; it's the first of 4 classes and  and the last one Daddy will come to so he will know what he needs to do when it's time for you to come.  There were about 9 other ladies there in various stages of pregnancy and we talked about our Momma Bodies and all the things that are happening inside as you are growing, kicking and getting yourself situated. I learned how to keep my lateral abdominal muscles in shape so I can help get you out when its time and also to help me get back in shape afterwards!

We also started painting your room this week:

your crib will be in this corner!

A cute little pond!

We have some detailing work to do, get the decals in place and then start assembling your crib and all the other fun stuff that will be your new home.  I hope you like it! So... VERY busy since we got home a little more than a week ago. It's been A LOT of work and some other things have been pushed aside... like house cleaning and school for me... not good things :(.  But, this is all important and I know in the next 3 months, I'm going to have less and less energy and time to get everything ready for you, so I'm getting as much done now as I can.  I'm sore all over, but happy.

Love you, kiddo!

23 weeks!

First, the good stuff:
Look how big you've gotten!

not only have you been getting bigger, you've been getting CUTER (how that is possible, I have no idea)!

We've been getting baby gear deliveries all week... I can't wait for you to see your new home! We already have a nice stash of clothes to dress you in, a car seat and stroller so we can take you out into nature and the world, plus adorable bath stuff! I've designed the walls of your nursery; a big tree with jungle creatures and a pond with lillypads and frogs plus a nice big sky with puffy clouds.  It's going to look so great with your new crib and all the great blankies and sheets. I'm going to have a painting party when we get back from out trip home to North Carolina! I hope you are ready for all the yummy food that you get to taste while we are down there!

YUMMMY!

Now for the not so good...
It's been a tough week, baby.  You are kicking up a storm, expecially at night so I've been having trouble sleeping.  I've also devloped some serious self-image issues that I didn't take too much notice of for a few weeks, but has since come to my attention.  When I was younger, I always felt kind of awkward and weird but I was able to project confidence to the world.  Now, I am not able to... I just want to hide away in the house and not go out in public. I'm not sure if its fear of stangers touching me and making inappropriate comments or people just looking at me and thinking whatever they are going to think.  But, it's really bothering me.  Plus, I've been a little neglectful of daddy :(

Work has been very busy also, and there have been a few snafus that I can feel my emotions getting the best of me.  I feel weak, I can't lift as much as I used to and I am out of breath after one flight of stairs.  I'm having a hard time just letting people do things for me that I was able to do myself just a short time ago. I feel tired and a lack of the energy I'm usually so full of. I'm also scared about labor and delivery.  I know that my body is built to be able to handle it, but I'm scared that something bad will happen.  You move around so much, I get scared that you will get tangled in your umbilical cord and choke, or you'll start being born the wrong direction. All taken, just been a brain monstery week.

Scary :(

However, baby I want you to know, NONE of this is your fault.  These are just my old demons being dredged up and I have to be strong and fight them back.  I want to prove I can do it, so if it comes up for you later in life, I can help you fight them too. I'm not sure why it's all coming up now, maybe so I can beat them all down and be ready for you when you come.  I'm sure everything will be fine and you will be the most beautiful, smart and amazing baby this world has ever seen. I just have to be a good mom and be strong.

baby, baby baby oh baby

Well, we certainly had a whirlwind week! Most of it was spent making sure everything was ready for the baby shower and working. You were kicking up a storm earlier in the week, but it seems you have tired of the poke, poke you kick game... I keep trying, but you don't seem interested.  We've been playing music for you, which makes you swimmy!  Friday, Daddy and I went to school and picked up a bunch of plants to give out to our friends and family to thank them for coming.  We also walked around Philadelphia putting up posters for the beer store.

Not looking my best, but Batman doesn't seem to mind

 Before we knew it Grandma Iline  and Aunts Dani and Aimee had arrived and we were off to one of our favorite restaurants for dinner. Chef Robert made us a delicious Pastrami burger, but you and I had already filled up on amazing pork belly and octopus fried rice! Apparently, all the foods we are introducing you to will help you be a good adventurous eater.

Saturday, Daddy and I were getting the final preparations for the party; he stayed up late to get the pork smoked just right, we orbdered buffalo wings and all the items Jodie and I bought were brought up to be placed out. But... we were so ready... we had lots of time left over! So, Grandma and your two Aunts and I had some time to sit and relax, we made signs for the soda and beer and soon, people starting arriving.

Baby, you are such a lucky kid... we have the BEST group of people who are so excited to meet and play with you.  Everyone commented on my pretty dress that Aunt Dani gave me (so comfy!) and how good I looked and what an awesome kid you are going to be.  Your daddy and I are so proud to have such good friends who love and support us. Oh, and we got so many amazing gifts! You are going to be the most stylin' kid!

Soon, Jodie and Erica and I will start painting your room... it'll probably take two days, but it will be really great.  I already have it planned out; big blue sky with puffy clouds and a big tree and a pond with lots of animals. Makes me want to paint something fun for Daddy and I to sleep with too!

You are the size of an Avocado!

That's pretty cool, becasue I LOVE avocados (as you've probably noticed by the way I've been gulping them down!)

not quite ripe yet!

And, apparently, your ear bones are forming so you can hear me! The ear, specifically the middle ear, consists of 3 bones known as ossicles. Since the human body has 2 ears, there are a total of 6 middle ear bones.These bones function in transmitting sound waves to the inner ear.  Interestingly, ossicles are the three smallest bones in the body.

3 little bones are we!

What else?  Well, we've been talking about names.  If you are a boy, we have a name all ready for you! But, if you are a girl, we are having a bit of a harder time with it.  Not to worry, we won't let you go to school with no name, I think once we are closer to the time you are ready to see the world, we'll have it figured out.

I can't WAIT to get started on your nursery! I'm excited about spring because that means GARAGE SALES and I can't wait to see all the cool stuff I can pick up and repurpose for you.  I hope that you are into that idea, because I'm feeling like being pretty crafty.

Also, I am planning a nice little party for you in a few weeks.  All of our friends (your soon to be aunts and uncles) are going to be there, just to celebrate YOU! It's a tad early but we figured it would be okay due to how awesome it's going to be.  AND... as if that wasn't enough,  we are heading to our homestate for ANOTHER party and lots of family time soon after that! Of course, you are the major topic of conversation already but by then, all the family will be busting at the seams (it's a Southern thing, you'll see soon enough)!