One Year Photos

Last week we had Olivia's one-year photos taken by my friend, and very talented photographer, Sara Buonassi. Check out her website (http://www.buonassi.com/) if you're local and want some photos done!

Sara was so accommodating to my whims and my mess. I'd seen some really cute first-birthday photos on Pinterest. I really wanted to do a cake smash. Thanks for seeing my vision!

So, I bought a huge cupcake bunt pan and made a white cake. I topped it with pink cherry frosting to go with her pink tutu and pink hair bow. I used the same cake stand I used for her birthday party, but this time I glued pink and white daisies on grosgrain ribbon and wrapped that around the edge.

I just love the way they turned out!

Thanks again, Sara, for putting up with my mess (and what a mess it was!) to create some really cute cake smash birthday pictures for us.

Thanks again, Sara! I think they're beautiful!

Wordless Wednesday

Spring!

The last week or so has been so beautiful. Flowers and blooming trees are everywhere. Spring came early this year. Olivia and I have been making the most of it.

On the swings in a neighborhood park.

At a nature center.

Enjoying some sunshine!

We've spent several afternoons outside with our friends at various playgrounds and nature parks. We're very fortunate to live in a place that has a lot of outdoor places to play.

Olivia and Baby Z at the playground.

And, it's been so much fun watching Olivia play outside with her adorable little baby friends.

This summer will be so much different than last. We're going to have so much fun!

Crawling is for Babies!

Our crawling days are officially over. She started walking (taking a few steps at a time) about a week and a half ago. Then, about a week ago, walking became her preferred method of transportation. Now, crawling is a thing of the past.

Walking with Lovey on St. Patrick's Day

I'm so glad that Spring is here. It's finally nice out just in time for Olivia to take me for walks. Yesterday we went outside and walked up the front walk and back over and over for about a half hour. The sunshine and the breeze made Olivia a very happy baby.

In fact, walking has taken over our lives. She walks everywhere, and wants someone to walk with her. All the time. Today in Kindermusik it was all I could do to get her to stop walking so we could sing and dance together.

It's sunny out this afternoon, so as soon as she wakes up from her nap, I think I'll let her take me for another walk outside.

Fun in the Sun

Today Pete and I took baby O to the park. The weather was beautiful (even if it was a little windy). First we put her on the baby swing. She loved it. All smiles. She kept looking down, watching the ground and her feet. Then she discovered a leaf on the ground and could not stop watching it "move" while she swung back and forth.

After swinging, some friends joined us on the playground. Olivia enjoyed crawling through the tunnel with baby A. It's so nice to have friends who live so close and can join us at the playground on a sunny afternoon.

First Steps

While Olivia isn't technically walking yet, on Wednesday night she took her first unassisted step. And on Thursday she took four in a row. Of course, she hasn't done it again. I think she lacks confidence in what she can do. It won't be long now. Look out world. Here comes Olivia!!!

The dog motivates her to get moving!

"MAMA!"

She did it! She said "Mama!" loud and clear. And she said it more than once. I'm pretty sure she meant me. She had to mean me? Didn't she?

After weeks months of hearing her say "dada" (since Thanksgiving!!) she finally has graced me with my name. "Mama." So sweet.

It actually went more like this... "Mama. MaMaMaMa. MuhMA!"

Of course she stopped when I whipped out the video camera. I'll try to catch it later when she isn't paying attention.

I love my little Baby O!

I bought her this giant alligator at Sam's. How could I resist?