Family visitors

The first weekend in March Paul's sister, Stacey, flew in from Tennessee to stay with us for a long weekend and spoil her niece. She hadn't seen Olivia since Labor Day weekend last year when Olivia was not even 2 months old. To say she'd changed so much since she saw her is an understatement.

Hard to believe that just two weeks ago we were bundling up Olivia in her snow suit and the temps were in the high 20's low 30's.
The above picture was taken just before we took Aunt Stacey back to the airport. This was the day before Olivia woke up feeling pretty sick and had a fever for 3 days. I can tell just by looking at her here that she's not feeling well. We had so much fun with Aunt Stacey!

My sister, Mallory, came to visit last weekend. She gets to see Olivia more often but never has had one on one time with her like she did while she was here. She was such a HUGE help and is sooo good with babies. Aunt Mallory is getting her masters at SIU Carbondale and teaches during the day. She worked last summer in the infant room at a school and took care of 6 infants all day long.
Aunt Mallory taught Olivia how to blow raspberries and she does it quite well. She's really mastered the raspberry blowing while eating. Thanks Mal! You can come back and feed her from now on. We have to wear a full apron while feeding her thanks to you. :)

Uncle Phil was in town yesterday with his girlfriend, Rachel. The both live in DC but she is from here. It's nice when they fly in to see her family they can make a pit stop to see us as well. They too were amazed how how big Olivia had gotten. She was a tiny little peanut when they saw her at Thanksgiving. We took her to the park for her first ride in a swing. She loved it!
She loves doing anything outdoors. I think she would have stayed in this swing all day long! She's still a little small for it but that didn't stop her from having a great time!
It was such a perfect day to be outside at the park. I wouldn't trade this weather for anything!

Olivia is so lucky to have family that loves her to pieces. We always enjoy having family here and I know Olivia loves the attention!

Next up: My dad and step mom on Monday for dinner, my brother and step dad next weekendish, and the inlaws are planning their trip to soon. For having no family within a 3 hour drive, we've sure been spoiled with the visitors lately!

My lil shamrock

Olivia would like to wish everyone a happy St. Patrick's day weekend. She won't be taking part in any huge festivities other than looking cute in her shamrock shirt.

Paul's brother, Uncle Phil, is in town today visiting from DC. We've had out of town visitors for the last 3 weekends, grandparents are visiting Monday for dinner, and my step dad and brother visiting next weekend. It's been crazy busy at our casa but we wouldn't change it for the world.

The weather here in Chicago has been insanely gorgeous. It's pretty much gorgeous weather everywhere I believe. We're going to head downtown Naperville today I believe for a little walking, playing at the park (first time in a swing?), and maybe some outdoor lunching/green beering. :)

Have a great weekend!

Olivia with my sister, Aunt Mallory :)

8 months!

Olivia! You are EIGHT months old!! In the blink of an eye you've gone from a non mobile infant to this always on the move, in to everything baby! Life is passing us by so quickly and I truly do need to start working on your 1st birthday party.

You are soooo much fun. You've had quite the visitors lately. Aunt Stacey came 2 weeks ago and stayed for a long weekend and Aunt Mallory came last weekend for a long weekend. Both had so much fun with you and were amazed at what a big girl you've become so quickly. Every month I think "this is the best age" but then the next month happens and I like that age even more. But 8 months old? I think this is my favorite.

You started scooting on your belly a couple weeks ago. I got some great videos of you doing it! You get your mind set on something and you are moving moving moving. Your usual destination? Anywhere Chloe is laying. That poor dog has taken more torture from you in the last couple of weeks and you do the ONE thing that Chloe hates-you touch her paws first thing. In fact, you are infatuated with any one's feet or shoes. Hmmm...a daughter that loves shoes? You get that honest. :) Today daddy layed you down for a couple minutes while he did something and you were OFF! You are definitely moving more than just yesterday even. Time to baby proof the house!
You had your first official sickness 2 weeks ago. You had a high fever 102-103 for 3 days. Mommy took you to the doctor on day 3 to make sure it wasn't anything too serious and you checked out fine. (other than fever) You just had a nasty virus for a few days and the doctor said your throat was really red. Poor baby girl just wanted to snuggle with mommy and daddy like crazy. We did not mind though because all in all, you really are not a snugly baby. You are too busy to snuggle-always have been. Again, you get that one honest. I have to admit I wasn't going to be upset if you got your daddy's laid back personality but I don't think you did. We call you crazy (in a good way) on a daily basis because you have SOOO much personality and spunk. From what Nana Lindy says, your daddy was very calm and cautious when he was little and I don't see that in you. I have a feeling you'll be bull dozing a room once you start walking. But if not, that's ok too. haha.
Eat: you are still on breast milk 100%. Last monday I stopped pumping for your noon feeding so when that runs out in a couple weeks you'll start formula for that feeding only. Our transition with that has been great. I was worried that you wouldn't take a bottle from me when I'm home with you friday-sunday for that one feeding but you did fine. You are eating solids 3xdaily as well. You aren't a huge eater compared to some of your little friends but that's ok. All babies are different and you are pretty good at letting us know if you want more or when you've had enough. There isn't anything you don't like. You've adjusted very well to trying everything. We are going to start introducing pureed meat very soon. Although, mommy will not be homemaking your pureed meats. Sorry. Just can't go there.
Play: you are in to everything. Did I mention that? You don't want to sit on your blanket anymore and play with your toys right in front of you. Like your daddy said yesterday, you want whatever is just out of your reach. If we move that "thing" in to your reach, you no longer want it. You are constantly up for a challenge. You still enjoy your jumperoo but I'm finding you don't love it as much because it keeps you contained. Your favorite toys are anything that is not a toy. The remote, our cell phones, etc.etc.etc.
Sleep: doing great! You went through a little phase lately of waking up a couple times at night wanting your pacifier put back in. In fact, this went on for a little while and your daddy and I just got up to reinsert. It was no big deal but we are enjoying our interruption free nights lately. You haven't woken up at all for the last week or so. I think you are finding your paci on your own vs not being able to find it in the dark before. You sort of do a sweep in the crib with your arm and when you find it BAM it's back in your mouth. Good girl! You are taking naps about every 3 hours now and definitely on more of a morning and afternoon nap schedule. Some days they are 2 hours some days only an hour. Depending on how the day works out you may still take a late afternoon/early evening nap for 3o min or so. This is good on nights we want to go out to dinner and we usually cancel the idea if you don't get that late afternoon nap. If you get that nap you stay up a little later in the evening. If you don't get that nap you are fast asleep by 7. Otherwise, closer to 8. You are sleeping until 7 am the next morning.

Weight: 20 lbs 6.5 oz as of your doctor appt March 7th

Size 3 diaper (loving amazon mom for diaper delivery)

Clothes: 6-12 baby gap or 12 month carters pajamas. 9 month carters pants/shirts. The 9 month carters pajamas got way too short. Our favorite are baby gap pj's.

Still 2 teeth on bottom but I think you are working on the top front teeth.

Onward and upward to 9 months. The next few weeks are going to get really interesting with you. We are having an absolute blast watching you grow and learn.

We love you!
Mommy

Happy Birthday, Grandpa!

My dad was in town again last week for work and made a pit stop to see us. It's always good to have a night off of cooking and Olivia always looks forward to seeing Grandpa. I told her since I'm behind on blogging we would just do a "happy birthday Grandpa" post with some of the pictures I took. :)

I have the hardest time with her keeping her eyes open when I take a picture. She hates the flash. I don't blame her but it gets exhausting trying to get her to keep her eyes open sometimes. Any ideas? I have this super fancy camera and sometimes I feel like I'm better off taking pics with my cell phone because she doesn't seem to close her eyes as much.
Giving kisses to Grandpa. She's definitely not shy around him (or anyone) anymore. She's the first to greet you with open arms and a big sloppy kiss.
This is hands down my favorite picture of my dad and Olivia. I love the grin on her face.

We always enjoy when he comes up here for work. Hopefully next time we'll get to see Grandma too. :)

Happy Birthday Dad! We love you!

Lighter Load

Today is a big day for us. We made a decision this weekend that I've been thinking about a lot lately. The big question of "when will I stop breastfeeding?" When Olivia was born we didn't have the best time getting started with bf'ing. Looking back I was just being impatient and I strongly disliked feeling so tied down in the beginning. Several times I secretly wished it just didn't work for us so I didn't have to continue. Sure, I could have just thrown in the towel but so many "bf'ing is the only way to go" people kept telling me I couldn't stop. And I'm glad I didn't. Truly. But I'm ready. Starting today I came to work with one less bag. With one less duty. But not without a heavy heart. Is this the right thing to do? Is it too early? Will she take to the formula once all the frozen breast milk is gone? Am I being selfish?

I'm worried about the transition not because she won't take a bottle but because I've always had an oversupply. I'm giving up one feeding at a time because I feel like this will be the best way for my body to adjust. I am still going to nurse her in the morning, early evening, and bed time. Her noonish bottle is the only one she'll get breast milk/formula for. (for now)
She'll be 8 months old in a few days. She's starting to eat lunch solids for the first time today as well. We were only feeding her breakfast and dinner solids but I think with the transition it is also time to start feeding her lunch solids.

She won't likely even start on the one bottle of formula for another 3 weeks to a month because of my oversupply in the freezer (oh yay, I get my freezer back!). Is one brand of formula better than another? I haven't even researched that yet. Any advice from other b'feeding mom's who did this transition? Does all formula taste the same? Our plan is to mix breast milk and formula together once we start to get low on the frozen goods. I think this will be easiest on her.

My ultimate plan is to only nurse her morning and bed time. Once my body figures out that I've given up the noon feeding I will cut out the early evening feeding. I know not everyone's body adjusts exactly the way you want it to and I could dry up all together and I am prepared for that. However, if I was a betting gal, I have a feeling that won't be an issue.

I don't have a problem nursing to a year old for just the morning and evening feedings (as long as Olivia stops biting me!) but I need my freedom in the day time. Handing her a bottle while we are on the go this summer on the weekends or while we are at the pool will be much easier than constantly stopping to nurse. Or heaven for bid, another person can feed her! Imagine that. Oh the freedom!

It was so nice to have one less bag to carry in to work today. I don't have to plan my client meetings around pumping. I don't have to worry if there is a client in our waiting area that will see me carrying my pump parts to the bathroom. I won't have to worry about my male office partner starring at breast milk in the refrigerator during the day.

One less motherly duty at a time. While I'm so excited about this phase, it's only a reminder that my little baby is growing up and I'm not sure how I feel about this.

Completely unrelated but very important HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Grandpa Linduska! We love you!

Valentine's Day Catch Up

I realize it's almost March and Vday is history this year but I wanted to recap it for our memories. I must admit, I'm in a slump with blogging. I get like this from time to time and while I love to blog and have the memories for our family, I contemplate quitting more often than not lately. I'm definitely in a phase of wondering if I will continue this. Maybe it's just a phase?

I feel like Chloe doesn't get much love on this blog anymore. While she has definitely taken a back seat to Olivia (I swore this would never happen), she certainly is not forgotten. She's still the most spoiled dog on the planet. Paul had to go get her food yesterday and the helpful guy at the store told him he should be buying "senior" dog food rather than the regular food. He told me he got kinda sad buying Chloe "senior" food. When he told me that I got really sad and then I started in on my omg what will we do when Chloe is no longer with us talk. I talk like that more often than not lately. I know I shouldn't dwell on it but she's going to be 8 soon and it's a reality that our years are numbered with our sweet sweet girl. But, idontwanttothinkaboutit.

Moving on.

Valentine's Day was extra special and sweet this year! Extra special because we got to celebrate with our number one Valentine for the first time. Extra sweet because Paul's parents sent us this arrangement of goodies:

A bouquet of cupcake push ups! Who knew that these even existed and that they could be THAT delicious after traveling via mail from Colorado?? I'm not kidding, they were so moist and so yummy. My fitness pal did not enjoy me for a couple of days because these certainly threw me off track with my caloric intake.

My always thoughtful never forgetting flowers of a husband got me these beauties:

and about 5 cards that I forgot to photograph. He always outdoes it in the card department. I mean I have to get a funny and sappy one from him, one from Olivia and one from Chloe. Yep, we keep Hallmark in business.

And Olivia had to get a card from mommy and daddy separately. Why on earth would we buy her just one from both of us? :) She didn't care to read them, she just wanted to chew on them. What else were we expecting?
Paul and I celebrated that evening by going out to Gibson's Steakhouse for an amazing dinner. We got gift cards from my step dad and brother for Christmas that we were dying to use. I had crab legs and filet and Paul ordered the biggest steak on the menu (per usual) and let's not forget we had the BEST people watching of all time.

Lady Gaga with black hair sat to our left and as Paul said "she looked like she swallowed a few knives" because she never cracked a smile and hardly spoke to her date. Maybe it was the 3lbs of makeup that was weighing her face down?

Directly in front of my view we had what looked like the taping of a porn movie going on. Paul and I both decided that these 2 must have just met or she was a date for hire because I don't care how much you love your significant other you do not act like this in public.

Finally, my trip to the bathroom before we left was a perfect end to our evening. One that made me cry laughing the whole way home. The bathroom attendant had old school music blaring on her boom box with speakers that sounded like they were about to blow. She sang R. Ke.lly "i don't see nothing wrong with a little bump and grind" while dancing to the gals in the bathroom. It was fantastic. Girlfriend was working for her tips!

I'm sorry I made you wait this long for such a great Vday recap!

I'm alive

Hi all. I'm alive. We are alive. Just busy.

I have been called out a couple times the last couple of days for not blogging. Thanks. I guess some people really do care what I have to say. :) I don't even have a post of substance (do I ever) today but wanted to stop in and say hi to the interwebs.

Some things I need to catch ya'll up on is Valentine's day. Better late than never, right. And our trip to Indy to see my bestie and her family.

Not much else going on just feeling very busy with the things that keep you busy. You know?

Happy Thursday!

I'll be back soon, I promise.