6 Months

Okay, so we kind of fell off the face of the earth for a minute. It's not even half way through January and Olivia, Brad, and myself have all gotten sick. Booo, might I add. We have been very fortunate that Olivia has avoided a lot of what has gone around during her first 6 months. I guess she could only avoid it for so long. We now have a little germ incubator on our hands, because not long after she got it, we got it. It's hard to avoid getting sick from Miss Megadrool. That was the only time I have ever hoped that Olivia was a little older, so she could take care of herself. It's tough being sick and trying to take care of a baby. Did I say Booo, because Booo is the only word that describes the past few weeks. Not two O's, but three! However, all is better now, as we sit and wait for the crappy weather.

Now on to more important things...we have a 6 month old!

Olivia, you've got more stuff going on with you now than ever. We can't keep up with you. You're growing teeth, sitting up, giggling, reaching for us, reaching for everything else, slobbering - A LOT, eating solids, taking normal naps, and sleeping through the night. You are one hell of a child and your daddy and I are enjoying every minute we get to spend with you.

You still have absolutely no desire what-so-ever to start crawling, but you love to stand up. You totally impressed the pediatrician at your 6 month wellness check up with your crazy balance skills. We will be surprised if you don't walk before you crawl, or shortly after.

Have a mentioned how much we love to be around you?! We lose ourselves in your presence and melt every time you smile and laugh. You seem very happy to be here with us, and quite frankly we wouldn't want it any other way.

Olivia, we love you <-----------------this-------------------> much!


...and then some

Homemade Baby Food

Brad and I decided before Olivia was born that when the time came to introduce solids that we would go the homemade route. Not only because it saves money, but because it allows the child to taste food the way it should be. Also, if we are making food for each other, why not make it for our child! So far, at six months now, we have been sticking to it. It has been quite the experience learning how to make baby food. Much of it has been new to us, as we have never cooked some of the things that are considered first foods for baby, like squash or sweet potato.  Through a lot of trial and error we seem to have a system going now, for the most part. Unless its a food that cannot be easily frozen, like bananas or avocado, most of what she currently eats is mashed or pureed and frozen in ice cube trays, then moved to freezer bags. We chose ice cube trays because they are good 1oz portion sizes and the individual cubes are easy to quickly thaw when on the go. We are also allowing Olivia to feed herself as much as possible, which she already wants to do anyway. We hold the spoon, but she guides it in. It can be messy, but it allows her to decide what goes into her mouth and when. She's actually more receptive to trying new things with this method, rather than us trying to coax her. Another good thing about making baby food is that we don't feel bad about wasting what Olivia doesn't want. We only thaw 1-2oz at a time, so there is hardly ever waste when she decides she is done. If she wants more, we just thaw another cube! No half eaten jars of food or forcing her to eat more so less goes to waste.

So far, Olivia likes:

• Sweet Potato - by far her favorite!
• Potato
• Carrots 
• Oatmeal
• Peas

Indifferent to:

• Squash
• Avocado

Dislikes:

• Bananas - not sure why, but we're experimenting with the ripeness factor.

Next on the menu are apples and peaches!

Mmmm Wrapping Paper

Olivia loves to open presents...more importantly, eat the wrapping paper.

First Christmas

At almost six months old Olivia experienced her very first Christmas. The month of December was packed with adventures.

Grandma Lori and great grandma June time

Grandma Lori and great grandma June came for two whole weeks! They seemed to enjoy every minute of it, as they got to spend it all with Olivia. There was plenty of spoiling to be had and made up for. 

Olivia and grandma Lori

Olivia and great grandma June

Gift from grandma's - Nom nom nom

While mom and grandma were here, we hosted our first holiday dinner with the Turner side of the family.

My attempt to get everyone together for a family photo...

 Finally!

 Christmas morning...just the three of us

 Olivia was the official bow holder

 Taste-testing daddy's new blu-ray - she seems to approve!

Christmas with the Blumensheid's

 

Hangin with grandma and grandpa Blumensheid before everyone arrived

Who's this guy?

Cousins Meet

My mother, grandmother, Olivia, and I made the trek up to Michigan to see my sister in-law Jaime and nephew Micah while they were here from Colorado visiting family. The two are only seven days apart in age and will make great buddies when they are older!

 Micah Andrew Criswell

This was the point that we realized...Olivia has a big noggin!

Olivias new hat from grandma Perry!

Giggles!

We have a giggler! I hope this never changes...

Number Twoof!

Not even two weeks have passed and we have another tooth! You're on a roll little lady! Grandma Lori got you your first tooth brush set for Christmas. Looks like we might be using it sooner than we thought! Let the drooling begin...again!

Peek-A-Boo!

Now We Can Breathe...

The time finally came for Olivia to have her heart procedure, last Tuesday at 1pm. It turned out to be a perfect time for all of us; both my mother and grandmother, and Brad's family was there for support. I have to say, Olivia is one hell of a child. She did absolutely wonderful! Better than Brad and I did for sure. With what we were up against going into the day and up until the procedure, we could have easily had a cranky baby. Seriously, who makes a baby fast?! The only thing we could give her was Pedialyte from 5am until 11am. We thought for sure that she would refuse it and go crazy, but after a few gags and snares, she took it like a champ. She was totally chill the entire morning. Even when we arrived at Children's and got checked in, she was cool. The doctor was surprised at how calm and relaxed she seemed. He said that by the time most babies get checked in they are super fussy. But not Olivia, she was just hanging out observing everything around her, playing with her toys. 

Four hours later, we finally got to go see her in recovery. She was still asleep, waking periodically very groggy and congested from the anestesia. We were able to take her home later that night so she could sleep in her own bed. She recovered very well. A little hole in the crease of her thigh and some congestion from the anestesia and breathing tubes were all that she had to recover from. The incision healed up very nicely in a couple of days with mild tenderness, and although she is still raspy, her congestion has cleared up quite a bit. The doctor said he was very pleased with the procedure and feels that she may never have to undergo it again. She went from a 40% gradient blood flow from each side of the valve, to a 10% gradient, which is very good. We are very blessed to have such a wonderful child that is so happy and easy going, and such a loving family to be there for us and Olivia during this time.

We Have a Tooth!

Finally, after all of the drooling and gnawing, Olivia's first tooth has appeared! We noticed it tonight when I got home from work. Brad mentioned that she had seemed a little off today and when she was hanging out on the floor she was moaning every time she chewed on her fingers. I reached in her mouth to let her chew on my fingers and I suddenly felt this sharp little tooth peaking up above her bottom gum line. Very exciting stuff! The first of many Olivia!