Olivia's Birthday Party

I've started planning Olivia's birthday party this week. I can't believe she's going to be two next month. Amazing. People say they grow up so fast, but you really don't know what that means until the baby you swear you just brought home from the hospital is getting ready to turn two!

Right now, Olivia is really into arts and crafts. She loves anything that involves crayons, markers, colored pencils, stamps, stickers, playdough, etc. So, this year, I'm planning an art party for her birthday. I've rented out a community room here in town, and I've been furiously planning what activities to include. Some of her friends are arty like she is, and some of them haven't had much experience with art supplies beyond crayons.

I'm planning three different activity tables. The first one will be for paper crafts, including crayons, markers, stamps, and stickers. A playdough table is also a must. I'm going to make homemade playdough using this recipe because some her friends still like to put things in their mouths. I'm planning to include a sign that the playdough is safe to eat, so parents can relax a little. I'll provide the usual playdough toys and cookie cutters, and I think I'll also include some other sculpting materials such as pipe cleaners and feathers. The third table will be a painting table. I toyed with the idea of making a no-mess baggie finger print activity, but then I decided that they can do that anywhere. Olivia's party should be the real deal. I included information in the invitation to wear art clothes, and I'm planning to make each child a smock as their party favor.

I've already started the invitations. They are so cute (if I do say so myself). I was inspired by an invitation on Etsy. I created the palette on my computer and printed it onto brown card stock that sort of resembled cardboard. Then, instead of glitter paper cut into paint blobs, I used glitter glue and painted on the blobs myself. I had the glitter glue on hand from the Toddler Christmas Tree I made, and I didn't have any glitter paper. I only used stuff I had on hand for the invitations, so they cost me nothing. In fact, I have enough postage leftover from Christmas cards that I won't have to buy more. Love saving money!

I'll post pictures of the invitations when I'm done. I'm really pleased with how they are turning out. Last year's were really cute too. I'm not sure which I like better. I did forget to include a date for RSVPs this year, but I think it will be OK.

Last Day of MOMS

Today was the last day of the Morning Out for Moms program that Olivia was in this year. Each week, she spent Thursday mornings with two wonderful teachers and a few other babies younger than two. The MOMS program follows the school schedule pretty closely, starting a little later and ending a little earlier.

Olivia sure is going to miss her teachers. And I am going to miss having Thursday mornings for crafting/errand running/napping/coffee with the girls/etc.

First Day of School
Sept. 2011

Last Day of School
May 2012

Olivia with her teachers and a classmate.

Teacher Appreciation Gifts I Made
See how I made these here.

Yesterday was Olivia's 1-year due date. I can't believe it's already been 6 weeks since her birthday. In honor of her due date, we went out to dinner as a family. And she learned two new signs: water and cat. Maybe I'll be able to catch some of these signs on video one of these days.

Signs Olivia knows:
More
All done
Milk
Water
Dog
Cat
Bird

Sometimes she lets us know she's all done
by putting her bowl on her head.

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.

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?

First Tooth

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!

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!

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.