Twerrific Twos!

Olivia's Second Birthday Celebration!

Oh, what a two years it's been. Wonderful, and tiring, beyond compare. Alot of Olivia's friends -old and new- joined us Sunday in celebrating her birthday. So did the weather, it was sunny and warm.

Olivia blew out her candles on the first try! She wasn't sure what to do until mama said it was just like blowing on a dandelion - without further delay, whoof!, out went the candles! Olivia had cake and ice cream this year, but mainly ice cream. yum!

Just in time for Halloween! Abby gave Olivia this lion costume - rroaarr! She likes to see herself in it in the mirror. She also got alot of fantastic books and some great toys. Thanks everyone!
On Monday, Olivia's birthday, we had a leisurely morning with more presents and then a trip to the zoo, where Olivia got to see more lions(of the tooth-and-claw variety), tigers, zebras, enormous tortoises, and best-of-the-best - ponies.

One Thing to Say Today

Olivia is lucky to have a mama blessed with so many wonderful and caring friends. Thanks for taking care of us while Bob's gone.

Great developments!

Olivia's been moving up in the world lately. We'be borrowed a stable chair (none of our "regular" chairs are safe for standing on since they fold up) and so now Olivia's able to stand at the counter in the kitchen and help us with all manner of chores! She especially likes to play with water in the sink; which generally ends up in a rather wet kitchen floor... Here, she's giving some water to her dog (feeding her flock is another favorite!)


Also, as avid cyclists, we're thrilled that Olivia is starting to get the hang of her new bike. We've had this for a few months now, but until recently Olivia hadn't been able to do much with it without help from one of us. Until recently, that is, because Suzanne had the brilliant realization of what the problem was: the handlebars could swivel 360 degrees. So poor Olivia didn't have much to grab on to in order to hold the bike up (they'd just turn around), let alone start riding it! Other 'trainer' bikes (like the "like-a-bike") have constrained handlebars, and this may be part of the reason. So clever Suzanne pulled out her trusty ball of string, and a few minutes later the bike doens't turn quite as sharply, but Olivia can handle it now! She's taking to it like, well, like Olivia to a bike. Which is to say, beautifully!

Olivia Update

Hurrah! for tomato soup!

Well, Olivia's doing great in general. Specifically, we're all slightly under the weather with some vague, nondescript malaisey yuck. It seems to be causing Olivia (so Bob and me too) to be sleeping poorly many nights. Discouraging, as Olivia had a long run of not nursing during the night in the first part of September. We're all tired. Olivia and I took a long nap this afternoon. Bob is upstairs putting her to bed right now. I haven't heard anything for a long time, so I think he may have fallen asleep too!

Olivia got her first pair of wellies the other day. I would have gotten some earlier for hopping in puddles, but it was hard to find a pair that fit over her squeezable calves.
Olivia has been talking more. Sometimes she sound like she's stringing together sentences. Yesterday, when I was gone for a few hours, Bob was sure she said "I want Mama", or "I wah mama", at least! 'Quiche' was a big word for her a few weeks ago, when we were eating it alot. 'Wow' is a big favorite right now. "WwwOww!" Other new ones, 'mummy(to my mild chagrin), nipple, hop. Hm, can't think of any others right now. She's 15kg and over 34 inches tall. She loves horses and trains. She loves to be played with and hold hands. She's beautiful.