Olivia's Sweet Friends

This afternoon we met my friend Brittany at the park again so the girls could all play. Molly and Mae are just the sweetest little girls and are so kind and nurturing to Olivia. I had to post a pic of these precious twins :-)

My husband is a novice carpenter! Who knew??

Max and I took Olivia to Home Depot Sunday morning because I wanted to price check some herbs and flowers to plant this year. While there, we saw a raised bed on a stand for use on a deck..well...Max was inspired to try and make me one! Check it out! So impressed and we enjoyed doing it together! I love it!!! Now my project is to get it stained and lined and ready for my herbs. Thanks Max :-) I love my hubby!!

WOW! Look how much she's grown!

The first picture was taken July 1, 2011 and the second on March 11, 2012...can you believe how much she's grown in 8 months!!! Hard to believe...I know everyone told me how fast it goes but it never really prepares you...I strive daily to live in each and every moment with this sweet angel! (Even the bad moments!LOL!)

Sweet cousins

Olivia loves all of her cousins but she ADORES her cousin Chelsea or "Kelsey" as she likes to call her. I took her over to Mimi and Poppa's house last week for a playdate and they had so much fun. It's so sweet to watch them play together and Livi just loves hugging on her ;-)

Oh Boy!

As much as I love my sister I wanted to kill her after she put Olivia in this laundry basket and pushed her all over the upstairs...did Livi like it? OF COURSE...I think LOVE it is more accurate...but what happens when Aunt Shana leaves?? Mommy has to do it! Over...and over...and over...you get the point! LOL..

Music, park, and fun with friends!

We've had another busy week! I can't believe how quickly time flies!! Monday Livi's Aunt Shana came over for a visit and later that afternoon Livi went with her Poppa for a playdate with her cousin Chelsea (Kelsey as Olivia says it ;-). It is so sweet watching the two of them play together. She just adores Chelsea! Tuesday we went to observe a Music Class to determine if Olivia would be interested...no shock there....she was a little ham!! She danced, played, and kissed up to her teacher by sitting in her lap and singing songs with her! It was great ;) Guess I need to break the news to Max that the activities are beginning...hehehehe! Wednesday we had an afternoon playdate with Livi's friends Emily and Kate. The girls play so well together. They fed the ducks, ran and twirled, tumbled down hills, and wore themselves out! Today was school day and tomorrow afternoon we are taking Livi up to the lake for the weekend to get some projects taken care of. My brother is coming home next week for a visit and I am so excited to see him and for Livi to spend some time with him. Hope everyone enjoys a fun St. Patty's Day weekend!

We've had a pretty busy week here in our house...We have been hitting the pavement visiting family and making sure Olivia gets to spend some quality time with those that aren't as conveniantly close as we'd like them to be. Sunday we visited with Livi's Granddaddy and had a great visit!! This was the best visit by far. She wandered all over the house by herself and gave her Granddaddy several hugs all on her own. I know it made his week! Max and I were thrilled to see how much she lights up his world. Tuesday I took Olivia to visit her Great-Grandmother who we call Mema. Mema made a special lunch for us girls and it included her famous "dressing" that we usually only get on Thanksgiving! Boy, oh boy, did we feel special. Olivia had 3 helpings! She loved playing out in the yard with the rocks and sticks and especially playing in the bird bath! Yesterday Livi's Great Aunt "B" came over for the day. We had a great time having a girls lunch and Olivia was so excited to show her "Aunt B" Dorothy! Aunt B and I have always been so close and it meant so much to me to see her spend some time with Olivia. We laughed and shared memories and had a blast! The little booger is at school this morning and will for sure be ready for a nap when she gets home! This week has been pretty busy so we plan to stay close to home this weekend and enjoy some family time with Max...he has had to work waaay late every night this week :-( Next week I have scheduled a visit with a group called The Music Class. Livi and I are going to observe a class on Tuesday and decide if it's something she'd like. I'll keep everyone posted on how it goes!! I'm sure as much as she loves music it will be a success! Happy Weekend All!

Look mommy a pink chair!

A few weeks ago Mimi found a cute Little Tikes table for Olivia. She just loves it! She uses it to eat her snacks and color pictures on but it didn't have a chair to go with it. Olivia has been using the rocking chair that used to be her daddy's when he was little. Yesterday Mimi found the matching chair and brought it over...but Livi was already asleep. So this morning when we came downstairs it was the first thing she noticed!!! She yelled our "CHAR" "SIT"! So cute ;-)

Her first kitchen

Mimi and Poppa gave Olivia her first kitchen at Christmas and she loves it! She pretends to be making dinner every night while mommy cooks and she loves putting her cups and plates in their cabinets. Thanks Mimi and Poppa!!!

Dorothy!!!!

Max and I took Olivia to PetSmart Saturday to pick out her first pet...a goldfish named Dorothy! This sweet girl is so in love with Elmo and his pet is a goldfish named Dorothy..so of course we thought Olivia would enjoy having one too! She gets so excited to feed her first thing in the morning and can't wait to go check on her after her nap. Dorothy is definately a welcome addition to our family!

My first pillowcase dress

I am so excited to get started sewing! I made my first pillowcase dress for Olivia a couple of weeks ago and it was super easy! Can't wait to get busy making more for her! My mother in law was so kind to lend me her AMAZING sewing maching and even give me a lesson to get me started...now I'm on my own and hoping to keep it up!

Fun with Aunt Shana

Olivia loved playing hopscotch with Aunt Shana and blowing bubbles! We had so much fun ;-)

My little gymnast!

Shana came over the week of Valentine's Day and the weather was too nice to sit inside so we took Olivia outdoors for some "old school" fun! Here is a photo of Olivia trying to do a hand stand like mommy! So sweet! My little cheerleader!!!

Sweet friends!

Today Olivia and I met my girlfriend Brittany at the local park so the girls could play together. Her girls are twins named Molly and Mae. They are 15 months older than Livi but they are so sweet with her and get along so well!!! I brought the camera today in hopes to capture some moments and I was thrilled with the one of them holding hands! We had just finished up playing and were walking to feed the ducks..Brittany asked her girls to hold Livi's hand as we walked...it was precious!

Cupcake delivery!

Olivia wanted to share her cupcakes with Mimi and Poppa so we journeyed over there for a "special" delivery. She was so sweet!!!! She walked up to the door, rang the doorbell, and handed them to Mimi all by herself! I was so proud of her ;-)

Valentine's Day Gifts ;-)

Cupid brought Olivia her very first box of crayons...not just any crayons but princess ones! She also got her own note pad to color and write her "grocery" lists in and her first box of sidewalk chalk. I couldn't resist dressing her up for the occasion in her red tutu, leggings, and big bow! What a cutie ;-)

My little Valentine!

My sister came over Monday and helped us bake cupcakes for Valentine's Day. We had so much fun! Livi was a great helper and she even got to lick her first beater! LOL

Getting ready for Valentine's Day

This weekend is supposed to be pretty cold so lots of cuddling and movie watching in our future...did I mention the movies will probably be Elmo in Grouchland and if we're really lucky Nemo?? HAHA! My how times have changed!! I love the weekends when my sweet little family gets to spend quality time together and just enjoy being a famlily. Olivia is becoming her own little person more and more every day. She is totally in love with her "Daddee" (me too!) and gets so excited to see him every day when he comes home (me too!). I never imagined staying home all weekend and doing little projects was something I'd look forward to but I do ;-) These two people are what makes my world go 'round and I am truly blessed. Have a great weekend everyone!

Our first craft project

We are working on our first arts and crafts project this week. Livi is making her own Valentine's Day cards to send to her grandparents and a few friends. This has been so much fun and I am loving making these memories with her! I love this kiddo!

Being silly with Granddaddy!

Last week Livi and I visited my dad, aunt, and MawMaw and I was so glad it went well! We had the best visit we've ever had..Livi just made herself right at home watching Sid and eating her snacks...walked around the house by herself looking for the "KitKat"...lol. So nice to see her opening up for my dad more! She just watches everything he does and I was glad to capture these moments.

Feeding the ducks

 

We just love this park! Livi loves to swing and play on the toddler playground and then we go for a walk collecting sticks and pinecones and finish up by feeding the ducks...which I must say are the best fed ducks in north Georgia! Livi still doesn't quite understand that she is supposed to feed the bread to them...not eat it herself...LOL!

Running in my shoes :-)

 
We bought Olivia her first pair of tennis shoes last week and she loves them. We took her to the park yesterday and she was taking off running and having so much fun ;) What great weather we have had this winter season!

Off to school...

 

I couldn't resist taking a picture of Livi and her daddy before she left for school! She looked too cute in her outfit and boy oh boy does she look just like her daddy!

Yogurt with Poppa

 

Poppa came by and dropped off a cute table that Mimi picked up for Olivia...(which now sits in our living room and she loves to sit in her rocker and color at her table!)and took us for some yogurt too! Olivia is so proud that she can say more words now...she says "Poppa" and "MiiiiMiiii" all the time!

Rough week erased in one sweet moment ;)

This week Olivia has been a little out of sorts. I think she is having a really hard time with this last molar she's cutting and is possibly going through a growth spurt. Her energy level hasn't been as upbeat as usual and she's been a little whiny this week. I got stung by a yellow jacket on Tuesday and it's still HURTING!!! Today Livi had her "school day" and when I picked her up the teachers said she just wasn't herself today...didn't eat any of her lunch...and whined a lot. I layed her down for a nap when we got home and she went right down but after about 20 mins she woke up crying. After going in her room and picking her up and rocking her she fell right asleep..in my arms..hasn't done that in months and months! I just sat there staring at her sweet, innocent, beautiful, loving face and held her for a while. I know these moments are going to come less frequently and no matter how much she and I are going to go through "rough" weeks these sweet moments make my job the best on the planet! Love being a mommy ;))

15 Month Update

Livi went to the doctor Monday for her immunizations and 15 month check up. Here are her stats: Weight: 23.2 lbs. Height: 33 and 3/4" (oh yeah...we've got a supermodel on our hands!..or we'd be ok with a champion volleyball player!) Head size: lets just say she has a big brain! ...LOL

Our new routine...

Well now that we have a little toddler on our hands my days are pretty busy and full of activities to keep Olivia entertained. Monday we are going to "Toddler Time" at our local library so that should be fun. Thursdays she is still in school which she loves and totally wears her out...yay for me! And we've starting going to the mall on Friday mornings so I can walk and then let her play in the play area. We usually get there before 9AM and it's us and bunch of senior citizens doing our "workout"! LOL...but she loves it because the lights and music are playing and she just brightens their day by waving and saying "HI" every time we pass someone. She is repeating everything now. Some of her favorite words are: UP!, shower (long story...), seat, Hi! (of course), Daddeeee (pronounced just like that!), and as of late NICE!. She says a ton more but these are just some the ones used most frequently. We are going through a fear of the bath tub lately. We have no idea how it happened or why..perhaps a bad dream, but now we have succeeded in getting her to shower with me..hopefully she'll outgrow it sooner than later. She is so much fun right now! I guess this is the cruel joke of it...hahaha...she's so sweet and fun now and then BOOM! she's probably going to wake up one day and in the "Terrible Two's" and I'm going to be like "ok..ok...joke's on me!". But until then...I'm going to dote and pronounce to the world how smart, sweet, and fun this little angel is!

Livi doing the worm

This little one LOVES to dance and listen to music! I had some music playing and the Party Rock song came on...(which she loves!) Check her out busting some old 80's moves out and doing the worm!!!!! I couldn't believe it~ SOOO FUNNY!

Playing at the mall

On Fridays I take Olivia to the mall so I can get my walking in before they open and so she can play at their indoor playground. She loves playing with the other kids and climbing on the plane and car. We have fun!

Family snow adventure

Max took us to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge TN last weekend for a day of adventure! We had so much fun..she didn't know what to think of the snow!

Happy New Year!!!

Well...we survived the first year as new parents! Yay for us!!!! It was full of love, joy, challenges, rewards, and laughter along the way. We feel so blessed to have such a sweet and loving little girl :))) I'm sure this year will be full of a whole new set of adventures with our mobile toddler and I up for the challenge..haha I THINK!! Thanks to all of our friends and family who have been following our blog and we look forward to sharing the ups and downs of our crazy lives with you all in 2012! Cheers!!!

The Meaning of Christmas

We are so grateful for such a wonderful celebration of family, friends, and life this past weekend! We truly enjoyed all the time we had to spend with family and Olivia was so excited, joyous, and loving ;) I know these holiday traditions will continue and become even more fun and meaningful as our family grows through the years. We wish all our wonderful family and friends a prosperous, healthy and Happy New Year~ Here's to 2012 and all it will bring!

My little chef....

We always go to Mimi and Poppa's house Christmas night for dinner and to open the gifts Santa leaves for the kids at their house...this year Santa left Olivia a kitchen!!!! Uh! Oh! I smell a little chef in the making!

Lots of love ;)

Olivia was spoiled ROTTEN with all the sweet gifts from her Aunt Shana, Grandaddy, Nana, and Mimi and Poppa!

Santa Claus Came!!!!

Santa Claus came to our house!...and our little Olivia LOVED her new toys!

Gooo Dawgs! Woof Woof Woof!

 

We lost ;((( but had fun!

Do I want bangs or should I let it grow out?

 
Aunt Shana trimmed Livi's bangs Monday and clipped this crazy baby hair off that she never seemed to shed. She hated it at first but we let her tire herself out a little and tried again...and SUCCESS! It looks great! Thanks Aunt Shana!

Football and Christmas trees!

 

We dressed Olivia in her cute little UGA pillowcase dress her granddaddy bought her for her birthday and watched the SEC Championship game. I've been pretty surprised she hasn't tried to tear the tree down!!! She loves to stand there and look at all the ornaments ;-) I love this sweet pic of her!

Gearing up for Christmas

Thanksgiving was a whirlwind of family fun! This weekend Max and I decorated the house for Christmas. We are having so much fun watching Olivia gasp and point at the Christmas tree and lights with amazement every day! She hasn't even tried to pull everything off of it like we thought she would. She is getting so smart and it's so fun discovering this world with her...;))
She says "woof, woof" now when you ask her what a dog says...and I've been teaching her that a bird says "chirp, chirp" and she just laughs and laughs at me! We are truly enjoying eachother more and I am loving watching this sweet, (and sometimes testy) spirited personality grow!
This is going to be a wonderful Christmas season!

Thankful for this little one!

I snapped this picture before we ate at my mom's house...love her sweet smile and happy spirit!

Thanksgiving Feast Part 2

The Friday after Thanksgiving we went to my mom's house for my side of the family Thanksgiving..it was DELISH! Olivia played with her cousins Grayson and Emory and as tired as she was she hung in there!

A Torrence Family Thanksgiving

I think this picture of everyone turned out great! We all went to the lakehouse for Thanksgiving this year and the girls LOVED playing with eachother ;)It was so much fun watching the 2 young girls (Chelsea and Livi) play together! Great memories ;))

Yeah... not so much liking the Santa..LOL

Poor Baby...everything was fine and then Mimi put her on Santa's lap...she was NOT happy!

Ready to meet Santa....

So...Mimi and I took Olivia to meet Santa today...let's just say she had fun before and after but the time spent on the knee was not the best experience for her! I love the picture of Mimi and Livi! She loves that Mimi to peices :)