Olivia's 1st Christmas

Olivia woke early Christmas morning to find that the cookies and milk left for Santa the night before, were gone and only crumbs remained. While we were waiting for the whole family(s) to arrive she had breakfast and changed into her Christmas morning outfit. Still waiting she sat in amazement under the tree just staring at the mound of presents before her. She tried to eat one package in particular.

We had a wonderful Christmas and made amazing memories that will never be forgotten. We spent the morning with my family at our house opening gifts and having breakfast. Then it was off to Ben's family for more gifts and dinner.

I think that Olivia got more then she could ever want and will have so much fun playing with all of it.

Our new tradition...reading "Twas the Night Before Christmas"

Olivia's Gifts.

Christmas Morning

Opening presents.

Loving her new wagon.

All her toys from Christmas #1

Ball Pit from Mommy and Daddy

Adorable

Merry Christmas

7 Months

Olivia, every day that passes I thank God for the blessings that He has bestowed upon our life. You may have come in the littlest package but you have brought the biggest fulfilment. Your Daddy and I consider ourselves the luckiest people in the world for you to have chosen us as your parents.

Watching you as you grow and change is magical. In just 7 short months you have become so independant, of course you still need your Mommy and Daddy but, not nerely as much. Every morning I wait for you to wake up in anticipation of our cuddle time even if it just a few short minutes. When I hear you talking I come into your room. As you look up at me with a huge smile on your little face I remember what was said to me when I was pregnant. I was told that there was no chance that you would not be the happiest child because I was always happy and smiling. Each day this has been proved to me over and over.

You are so content to sit in your playpen surrounded by your toys and watch out the window or cartoons on TV. You love to be in your jumpy making all sorts of sounds and talking nose to nose with Oakley. But this month we have BIG news to announce...you began to scoot and you are pulling yourself up on anything and everything around you! You are so close to crawling, we think that is what you will be giving us for Christmas.

The Thursday before Chrsitmas along with shopping we had to squeeze in a quick trip to the doctors so you could get your flu shot. You were amazing you just laid there playing with a toy and before you knew it she was done and you were still smiling. Unfortunatly they didn't weigh you at this visit so we have to wait a few more weeks to see how much you have grown.

Olivia, your smile lights up every room you are in. No matter where we go people stop and chat with you , everytime you smile back and put on a little show for them. They all make the same comment about how happy and beautiful you are.

 

Look Mama I am getting really good at using my sippy cup!

So excited about Olivia on TV.

All bundled up and ready for the cold.

Santa's Coming Hurry

As it got closer and closer to Christmas I realized that the only one I had done any shopping for was Olivia. Yes, she may be the most important but I think it was time to head out and tackle the mall. Thursday I was lucky to be working from home so I finished up in the wee hours of the morning. After bundling Olivia up we were off. I was so proud of my little munchkin she did so well, lots of running around and she shopped like a pro! By that night we were finished and everything was wrapped and under the tree.

After our first stop we were already halfway done.

We met Daddy for lunch at our favorite pizza place in College Park.

Olivia loves to go there and put on a show for all the waitresses and let me just tell you

they love when she comes in.

We ran into a few people at the Altamonte Mall, everyone out doing last minute shopping.



It's Finally Here

I made this book several months ago, but when you don't have the extra money things must wait. The day finally came that the paycheck arrived and several days later so did this!

Click here to view this photo book larger

Back at Work

What a great way to end my first day at work...taking Olivia to see Santa!

I have truly been blessed to have spent 6 months at home with little Olivia. I have been there for every smile, laugh, all of her firsts, and every new adventure. But, we all knew that the time would come that I would have to return to the real world. It's now been a month that I have been back at work and it's been a big adjustment...for me that is! Olivia loves spending so much time with all of her Grandparent's and the Greats even though I know deep down she misses me!

Leaving her each morning has to be the hardest part of my day no matter what is thrown at me in the office. Yet, coming home every day and seeing her face light up with the biggest smile when she sees me, well that just makes me melt. I love coming home every day and spending that special time with her sitting on my lap either watching cartoons, reading our favorite book, or just cuddling. We have settled into our own little routine, around all the holiday events that have been going on.

Olivia I cherish every second that I am with you, there is no time when we are together that you do not put a smile on my face.

Happy Holiday's

Happy Holiday's

This little family has been so busy over the last couple weeks. We love the holiday's and do anything and everything that has to do with them. I just wanted to share some photos with you of our adventures. 

Crofoot Christmas Lighting

Charity Event for Down Syndrome

Olivia just loved meeting Scooby

Her second meeting with Santa

The Baker Christmas Party

BFF's Forever

Attempting to take a picture of all the kids

Didn't quite get one

The Girl's

The Boy's

My Ornament Exchange

I LOVE my girls!

Christmas Photo Shoot

We enjoyed a lazy Sunday, ok it was only lazy for Olivia because Ben and I tackled some cleaning, painting, and gift wrapping. But, after I was through with the chores I decided that it was time for a Holiday photo shoot and Olivia was so happy to oblige to anything I asked of her.

"Shhh Don't tell Santa I am peeking!"

"I can help Dada!"

"Where do they go?"

"That's my tree!"

1st Words

I have been putting this post off, but I now feel we can safely share this. For almost the last month Olivia has been saying Mama and Mom but I was sure that she did not get the connection between the words and Me. But since I have been back to work this past week I think she has the connection between the two. And an even better way to end the week is with hearing her say Dada for the first time today. I know that Ben felt even more excited then I did when those precious words escaped her mouth.

I never thought 2 such small words could ever hold so much meaning, yet to us I think they hold the world.  I can't wait to hear what is next to come out. I always thought that 'Oakley Stop' would be the first thing she would say, I am glad that it was Mama.

Dear Santa,

I want it all!

Love Olivia

Monday night Olivia visited Santa for the first time. Ben said that it could have gone one of two ways: 

1) she would cry or 2) she would grab his beard (and pull it off). How did it actually turn out you ask? Olivia LOVED it! This is no stretch, she sat in his lap with a huge smile on her face the whole time. She was laughing and hamming it up for the camera. She turned to Santa and was petting his beard I think she was trying to grab it. We ended up buying the CD of the session with 20 photos on it. 

It was such a wonderful experience to see her reaction to her visit! We will cherish this time forever. I hope that next year goes as smoothly.  



It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

We picked out our first Christmas tree as a family. We took a trip to a local Christmas tree farm and were greeted by very friendly "Elves" and we even got our first candy cane of the season. It smelled so amazing and and just made it seem so real that the Holiday's are upon us.

Us with the Christmas Elf and our beautiful tree.





Olivia's 1st Thanksgiving

This year Ben and I have so much to be thankful for, the most precious gift we have ever received, Olivia. Not only was it her first Thanksgiving but it was also Ben and mine. We decided that we would do Thanksgiving in our home for the first time. I began cooking on Wednesday and we were both up early Thursday morning to finish the feast. Luckily for us Olivia decided to sleep until 8:30! By 9:30 I had appetizers out and a glass of wine in my hand. (Do not judge me...it was 5 O'Clock somewhere.) Bring on the Macy's Parade!

Oakley's Thanksgiving Meal

We were all able to sit and enjoy a beautiful day. Even Olivia was able to take part and her feast was sweet potatoes. Ben cooked his first turkey and it was delicious. By the amount of food you would have thought that I channeled my Mother-in-Law! She feeds an army even if it is just us, you will never go hungry when you come to their home for a meal.

That afternoon we were off to our 2nd meal of the day and it was another great time with our family. We celebrated Julie's Birthday that night with lots of cake and cupcakes. Olivia was in the football pool and she won $25, her piggy bank is filling up so fast.

OK so Ben and I braved the insane people who began there shopping at 10pm Thursday night and went out for a few hours. Let me just say that Ben and I have agreed that we will never be doing that again. We will save our Black Friday shopping for Friday afternoon. Olivia was even able to get in on the shopping action, (no it was not at night but Friday afternoon! Someone has to show her the ropes. Aunt Vicky will be telling Olivia stories of that night when she is old enough to understand how loved she is and how none of us will be that brave again.

I forgot my camera when we went to our 2nd Meal so I will have to add photos at a later date!