Olivia's Adventures: February 2012

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Monday, February 27, 2012

Finally!! Olivia has her first tooth. She's been working on it forever (or at least it feels that way). We woke up yesterday morning to her usual gummy smile. Then she got crabby. Terribly crabby. And after nap: a tooth! It's the bottom left. I'm pretty sure the bottom right isn't far behind either. I'm going to miss that sweet gummy smile, but I'm excited to see what she's going to look like with a mouth full them!

Of course she won't let me take a picture of her tooth. I've barely even been able to look at it. It's a shy tooth apparently.

Good thing she didn't have teeth back then!

Saturday, February 25, 2012

A Very Hungry Caterpillar Birthday

It has come and gone. All the planning, crafting, and stressing has finally come to fruition. Her birthday party was this afternoon, and I think it was a success. From the dress (thanks Grandma!) to the cake, the photo board to caterpillar paper lanterns, the snack table and all the guests. It was so much fun!

I made this sign for the party room door using scrapbook paper, my Cricut, and pompoms.

We hosted her party in one of the party rooms at the Discovery Museum. We were still setting up when the guests began to arrive. 20 minutes to set up isn't much time! But it worked out. We served pizza and cake. And of course we served all the fruit that the caterpillar munches on in the book: apples, pears, plums, oranges, strawberries, and watermelon.

Here's the food table. We served all the fruit from the book. I also made the photo board on the table.

The food table. I downloaded the labels for the food here.

On Monday he ate through one apple.

On Tuesday he ate through two pears.

On Wednesday he ate through three plums.

On Thursday he ate through four strawberries.

On Friday he ate through five oranges.

On Saturday he ate one slice of watermelon.

Photo board I made from newborn to birthday girl. Amazing to see how she's grown.

Above the table I hung a paper lantern caterpillar.

I got the inspiration for this big guy here.

I printed out the labels I made for the favor tins.
The Baby Caterpillar Food tins are filled with puffs.

The regular Caterpillar Food tins are filled with M&Ms.
I bought the frames at the dollar store and spray painted them different colors.

For her guest book, I used a hardback copy of The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.
I made the pen using a Sharpie and a green pipe cleaner. I glued a red pompom on top.
Then I attached google eyes with hot glue and twisted on a piece of black pipe cleaner for antennae.

After fruit and pizza, Olivia opened her presents. Her friends and family were so generous. She is very loved.

After presents, we changed Olivia out of her pretty caterpillar dress. And we tried (without success) to get her to wear the silly birthday hat I made.

The hat was inspired by this one.

Then, it was time for the cake! Our friend Amanda made the cake from scratch and even learned how to work with fondant. It turned out beautiful. And pretty tasty too! Thanks, Amanda!

Here's the cake Amanda made for us. It was chocolate and vanilla. YUM!
I made the cake stand. I bought a plain white stand and hot glued grosgrain ribbon around the rim.
Then I hot glued pompoms to the ribbon.

Olivia had her very own large cupcake. She loved everything about it. The way it felt, the way it tasted, the way it made her hair stand up on end when she rubbed the frosting into it. What a mess! But so much fun.

And while a picture is worth a thousand words, here's a video. Those photos don't quite capture the messy baby Olivia is.

After cake, it was already time to clear out of the party room. But Olivia got to enjoy some playtime in the museum with her friends.

You can see most of the dress my mom made.

Now both Daddy and Olivia are down for the count, and I have a few minutes to get the pictures uploaded.

Thanks to everyone who played a part in Olivia's special day!

Monday, February 20, 2012

Happy Birthday, Olivia!

Today is Olivia's first birthday. I've been anxious about this day for at least a week. But it came and went, and it was a sweet day (mostly--we'll get to that later!)

We met up with Daddy at Kindermusik this morning. Lots of fun singing and dancing with our friends. Everyone sang Happy Birthday to Olivia.

After Kindermusik, we had lunch with our friend, Jessica, and Grandma. We went to one of Olivia's favorite restaurants. Unfortunately today the service was pretty poor. Olivia enjoyed her lunch anyway. And she got to open a present from Miss Jessica!

Ribbons!

Ooooh! A puzzle. Thanks, Miss Jessica!

After lunch Olivia took a much-needed nap. And then we went to dinner with Daddy and Grandma. When we came home, we surprised Olivia with a cupcake of her very own.

Strawberry and white chocolate. YUM!

Happy birthday to you!

Frosting....

I can eat the whole thing. Watch!

Sharing with Baxter.

The aftermath.

Afterward, we got in our jammies, and read stories on the floor. Then Olivia crawled into Mommy's lap for a quick cuddle. So sweet. Not really. Turns out she had too much of a good thing. She threw up all over me. Awesome. I thought that was reserved especially for 21st birthdays. So we ended the day with a bath, a cuddle, and bed time.

Happy birthday, sweet baby. Let's not have a repeat performance at your party this weekend.

I love you.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Bittersweet

I can't believe a year has already passed. I feel like it was only a few months ago, but at the same time I feel like she's been a part of our little family forever. Tomorrow my sweet baby will turn one. Unbelievable.

Over the past 12 months I've changed about 3,000 diapers. I've lost at least 400 hours of sleep. But I have gained so much more.

I've gained a love more intense and amazing that any I've ever known before. I've watched her learn to nurse, to hold her head up, to roll over, to sit up, to eat solid foods, to use sign language, to crawl, to stand, to laugh. Everything she does amazes and delights me.

Tomorrow I will wake up to my one-year-old smiling at me signing for milk and then breakfast. Truly amazing.

I miss my sweet little newborn. I miss when she used to snuggle close and fall asleep on my chest. But I love the little person she is becoming. I'm sad to see her leave infanthood behind, but I'm excited to see her grow and change.

Next up: Walking, talking, and tantrums. I hope we get some snuggles in too.

Olivia's Stats:

Then:
3 pounds, 14 ounces
17.5 inches

Now: (as of 3 weeks ago)
19 pounds
27.5 inches

Here's some of my favorite photos of the past few months. Watch her grow!!