A Sip of Wine...It's Summer Time

The Family at our Bar

At only 2 months old I believe my little girl has spent more time at the bar then any infant I know. I hope that I am not giving her the wrong impression. If we didn't own a wine bar I'm sure she would not be spending that much time there. Hmmm...or would she?

Auntie, Grande, and GiGi with their favorite little Princess

I have even started working a few nights again and enjoy being there with my dad. Although it's hard because I can't bring Olivia with me. Ben loves his nights with her when I am not there. I am still not sure what they do without me.

Hanging out at the bar

I am very lucky that we have so many regulars that want to be part of our lives. They ask about us and Olivia, my parents now have a board by the kitchen door that is updated with pictures and cards. I can't even keep up with all the thank you notes that need to go out from gifts that they have brought in for the baby.

The Board

On the Move...Again

So it appears as if we will be moving again, I guess you could call us nomads. Ben and I have moved every year for the past 5 years and are so sick if it. Hopefully our next place we will remain in for longer then a year.

We have been having issues with the house that we are currently in and will be house hunting on Saturday. One good thing that came from all of this, is that we love the area that we are in and would like to stay close by. There is so much to do and great schools all within a few miles. It is bitter sweet, we love this house and it is where we brought home our first baby girl. In such a short period we have made so many memories here.

Family Dinner's

It's not very often that we get to have dinner with our whole family's, but Sunday and Monday we did. Sunday, we went to Taverna Opa and experienced a great Greek dining night. By the end of the meal almost everyone was up on the table dancing. They tried to get me up there, but my five inch heels (that I am finally back in) kept me from that.

Taverna Opa

Jacklee, Ben, and DJ dancing with the ladies.

Monday, we had a lovely home cooked meal at Mommom's house and since the bar is only closed once a week this rarely happens. Mommom and I even got in a quick run to the mall and we never leave there empty handed. It's been a great start to a busy week.

My Fam!

Great Grandparents and Grandparents.

Liv's Loot

I guess that I should not leave out some other big news. Sunday night Ben went and got a tattoo dedicated to our little angel. He has been talking about this forever and was able to incorporate 2 tattoo's into one. It's a hammerhead with Olivia's nickname in it.

Can you find Liv's name in the shark?

It's Official...

...Olivia and I have made the famous condo beach painting. I only had to wait 5 years to get my name put on it since I was "not family"!

There we are!

We had a great  weekend out at the condo and could not have asked for better weather. While poor Olivia is still to young to be out in the sand, Ben and I were able to get a little bit of sun. I am working on the tan that I haven't had in almost a year and this time I did it without the sun burn. 

It was off to the Chart House for a partial family dinner and then Julie, Ben, and I went out and got to listen to a wonderful singer at a local bar. 

Traditional Family 

Photos on the Beach!

2 Months Old

Dear Olivia

Today you are 2 months old and we can't believe how fast it has arrived. You have brought so much joy to our lives and look forward to many, many more months and years.

You have already grown out of all of your newborn clothes, they are now labeled and boxed up. It's amazing how small you were when we brought you home from the hospital and how much you have grown. You try to stand, crawl, and talk, I'm sure it won't be long until you will be doing all those things.

Everyday you learn new sounds, you say "O" a lot. We like to think you are trying to say your name. When you cry it sounds as if you are saying "Ma" and that melts my heart. I know that you aren't saying it just yet, but I know it will be soon. We love to listen to you tell us all about your day, its fascinating. I have tried to record you many times but you stop as soon as I hit the button.

In the 2 months that you have been here you have already done so much. You have been out to many dinners, spent time with your friends and family, driven to the keys, flown for the first time, and had your first sleep over.

We love you more then you know,
Mommy and Daddy

Two Month Stats:

10lbs.10ozs.......50th Percentile for weight

21inches.........25th percentile for height

Baby Play

Tummy Time

Everyday we have lots of time for play. Olivia loves her play mat with all her friends hanging over her head to talk to. Her favorite is the "baby" in the mirror, I would love to know what they say to each other. She could lay there for hours kicking her legs and chatting away. Well, that is until she tires herself out and falls asleep.

Olivia talking to the "baby" in the mirror.

However, when it comes to tummy time, she gets much more frustrated. She can't see as much or move the way she wants to. I guess she is just ready to move, move, move...no one can hold her back. 

Playing is such hard work!

A Look Back In Photos

About this time 9 years ago, we met on a beach in Longboat Key. We just happened to live in the same place, what are the odds of that? After dating for a year, we decided to go our separate ways. After 3 years and only a few phone calls between us, Ben asked me to go out on the boat. I begged my friend to come with me and the rest is history.

My 23rd. Birthday

Our 1 year anniversary at Discovery Cove

Colorado

Just Engaged!!!

Just Married

2+1=3

Our Family

Bye Bye Baby Weight

I never thought that I would gain as much weight as I did during my pregnancy. I mean the first 6 months I could hardly keep down water, I thought I would do ok. 45lbs later, I guess I was wrong. I do have to say that some of that was water weight from having to much amniotic fluid. Now I have lost just over half of it not doing much, but the rest I think I will have to work harder for.

I have set a goal fo myself, to lose the rest of the baby weight by our one year anniversary. So, Jamie has now become my personal trainer, she may try to kill me but at least I will look good doing it. I'm so excited to be able to fit in all the clothes I bought for the honeymoon and have only worn a few times. Bye-Bye baby weight, Hello old wardrobe!!!

Progress to be updated.

Photo Update

Olivia and I had a bit of fun today with a small photo shoot. 

"Mommy Knows Best"...

...is such an old saying and I now understand why it has been around so long. It's TRUE! Who knew? Well, I guess our mother's knew, but we must have had to learn from experience or we would not give our mom's or parent's for that matter such a hard time. Personally I have learned from having Olivia that I know what is best for her (of course Ben does too). After spending almost every waking minute with her, I have been able to decipher her cries, whines, and coos. I never thought it was possible to know exactly what would make her happy at any given moment.

"Mommy is so mean to you..." I have come to notice that many people say this to my child and I hate to say it really bugs me. I'm not sure if I'm the only one who feels this way,but I would assume that I am not. Is this some kind of sabotage, is this why kids grow up thinking that the "Mommy knows best..." saying is just something made up to make their lives miserable? My mom keeps telling me to wait until I hear that first dreaded "I hate you!" As I am not looking forward to it, I feel that this "Mommy is so mean..." is just the beginning. How come no one says "Daddy is so mean to you..." is it because many times Dad's are seen as the one you go running to when Mommy says no? Is it predetermined that Mommy is bad cop and Daddy is good cop.

Yes, I am well aware that my relationship with my daughter is going to have it's ups and downs, good times and bad, but I choose to look forward to the wonderful memories we will make together as a family. I hope for Olivia that she knows that her Daddy and I are only to here to protect and love her. I want her to be able to come to us and know that we may not agree with what she will do but, the love that we felt for her on the day of her birth will not change or diminish. I wish for myself patience and understanding as my little one grows. It is so amazing to watch as she learns new things every day.

Whom ever has said that children thrive on a schedule has spoken pearls of wisdom. Predictability has become our best friend, we plan everything we do, and it works perfectly. Our day is fairly the same from when we wake up to when we go to sleep. Olivia has done really well getting the hang of our schedule and she is a schedule baby!

The Southern Most Point

This past weekend Ben, Olivia, and I traveled down to the Key's with the rest of the Morse family! Olivia was amazing in the car on the way there she slept pretty much the whole time and we only stopped twice to feed her. We took along a Disney Kid Song CD to entertain her, but I think we entertained ourselves instead. "And the Green Grass Grows All Around...".

Our family at the square watching the sunset!

We spent 3 days in paradise and were grateful to have beautiful weather while we were down there. We got to snorkel and Ben was able to scuba dive. The water was amazingly clear, we saw the biggest barracuda, beautiful fish, and even some black tip sharks. Yes, I shared space with them and didn't even feel the need to race back to the boat.

Heading to the Island Party

Ben scuba diving a wreck.

Sunday evening we went into Key West to watch the sunset at the square and have dinner at Margaritaville. It was a beautiful evening and we got a gorgeous sunset. Ben and I have not been down to Key West since we were much much younger so it was nice to walk down Duval St. and see all the bars and shops.

Heaven

The Morse Family

The Morse Ladies at Margaritaville

Nana was in heaven getting to watch Olivia while Ben and I spent some time on the water.  Monday we took Olivia to the Southern Most Point before heading to the airport for her first flight. She did amazing not a peep the whole time. She was awake through take off and slept till we landed. It was a great family vacation and we are so lucky to have been able to go.

The Southern Most Point

Nana, Olivia, and I on the Hammock

Grandpa, the Boys, and Olivia

At the Key West airport for Olivia's first flight.

Oh the Things People Say

When I was pregnant I wanted to write a book about all the things that people said to me, instead I will just quickly fill you in. Let's start with my favorite:

1.) "Is that a fake belly?" Yup some woman asked me that when I was 9 months pregnant. Oh that is really what I want to do when it 90 degrees in May, walk around with extra weight just for fun.

2.) "Oh your having twins!"..."Nope, just one."..."Are you sure?"...No my doctor lied to me and the sonograms are fake!

3.) Ok so it's an old thing that if you are having a boy you are all belly and if you are having a girl you gain a lot in your hips, back, and butt... "Your having a boy."..."No, it's a girl."..."Oh turn around...oh yea its a girl."...Thank you I guess that means that I have gained a whole lot of weight.

4) Well, anywhere I went little kids always looked at me funny because I guess pregnant women are interesting. But one day I had  creepy little girl that got about 3 feet from me and continued to get closer until she was practically standing on my feet. The weird thing was that when she thought I wasn't looking she kept trying to touch my belly. Weird...where were her parents?

I thought the weird comments were going to be over once I had Olivia, but they continue...

Today at the airport a woman sat down next to me and said, "Oh is she 2 weeks old?," and I looked at her and said, "No, she is 7 weeks old.", then the lady said, "Oh I thought she was just a big one." The nerve saying that she was a BIG baby, she is pretty tiny for 7 weeks.

I also  have no idea how many times I have been asked when I was out if my child was a boy...my favorite thing is that she will have a bow in her hair, wearing pink, and be covered by a pink blanket. Why would I dress her in pink and put a bow in her hair if it was a boy?

I will continue to add more to this as they occur and I am sure they will because people don't think before they speak.

Busy Busy Busy!!!

Our holiday weekend was lucky enough to start with a surprise for me...Ben got off work early and joined me for lunch with our best friends. Once at Mark and Jenni's their daughter Caitlin was entertained by Olivia and it was adorable. We have already told them they would be bestest friends. Then we headed to Downtown Disney to celebrate Mark's birthday a few days early, at the Irish Pub Raglan Road.

Caitlin playing with Olivia!

Ben and Mark!

The Ladies!

Rain could not keep Ben from heading to Daytona to attend the 400 race on Saturday, rain will never dampen the ability to drink all day. He had a wonderful time with his Dad and DJ. Olivia and I missed him terribly, but we went to my parents house for her first sleepover. We watched movies and played since the rain kept us indoors. It was still a lovely evening and Olivia only woke up one time that night. I think GiGi has a special touch. 

So interested in everything!

Olivia's first 4th of July was a hit, she was up all day checking everything out. It was as if she didn't want to miss any part of it. She layed on the bar kicking and chatting away, she is such a happy baby. Aunt Kristen came up just like last year and past all the rain we were even able to enjoy the fireworks. 

 

4th of July

What does 4 adults, 5 kids, and zillions of animals give you? A great morning at the zoo with the stoller train. We might have had more fun then the kiddos but it was nice to take them all out for a little bit. Tatum was our tour guide and had us through the zoo pretty quickly...I guess she lost interest after awhile. Haha. Olivia slept through almost her whole visit to the zoo only to wake up in time for a bottle at the end. Jen and I took the girls back to the air conditioned Insect building to feed her. The funny thing is when I put her over my shoulder to burp her she saw the insects in the wall and got a huge smile on her face. I think I may be in trouble if my little princess likes bugs already. All in all it was a successful trip...next up Gatorland!

Caitlin, Tatum, Callie, Evan, and Olivia!

Our first trip to the zoo!