Magic vs. Kings

Wow, what an amazing night! Olivia attended her very first Magic game on February 23, 2011! She was all ready in her little jeans and Magic onsie that I had her name embroidered on the back. Oh she looked adorable!!! She also loved her first ride on the O-Cart that we took to the game (its an electric golf cart that seats 6 and they take you places downtown.).

First O-Cart Ride

Just Hanging with the Magic Dancers

My Little Shortie

Meet our new friends.

My Outfit

So Cute

We were a little concerned that it might be a little loud for her but she loved every minute, except when 2 of the cheerleaders rushed over to us. They thought she was adorable but I think they scared her just a bit.  We took in every second of the game and her eyes never left the court, even when she got a little tired. She just put her head on her blanket and her eyes were on the players.

SO interested in the game.

Check out my hat!

Watching the game with her blankey!

We ended up leave after the 3rd quarter and took the O-Cart back to the car. All in all it was an amazing night and my little Princess did extremely well!!!

9 Month's

Can you believe that we are only 3 month's away from your 1 year birthday? Your Daddy and I can't, each day we look at each other and say how fast time has flown by.

9 Month's Old

Weight: 16.9lbs

15 th Percentile

Height: 25 1/2ins.

5th Percentile

We headed to the doctor for your 9 month visit and I was so excited to see how much you have grown and releaved that you did not have to get any shots! You were excited because you are finally able to play while we are in the waiting room.

Waiting Room Fun

Playing on the table while we waited for the Doctor.

Dr. Peltason remeasured you on the
table.

On your the day you turned 8 month's old, you started to crawl. Not just the 2 or 3 steps but across the floor like your on a mission. You are in to everything now and we can't turn our backs on you for a second. You go after your toys, anything on the low shelves, and Oakley's bones. He doesn't really care for that.

This is how I crawl.

This is how I stand.

This is why I now get many pictures of the back of your head, you are always on the move and generally in the other direction.

You are finally eating 8 ounces at each feeding which is between 5-6 times a day. You get your fruit and veggies twice a day and you love it, especially at Great Mommom's when you can look out the window while you eat. You are becoming so independent, grabbing the spoon to try to feed yourself. You finally are holding your own bottle while you eat, until you get tired and then its back to us.

Olivia you have always been a talker and have vocalized since the day you arrived, but recently this has more then doubled. I think your favorite is the loud squealing. You have begun saying 'O' like you did when you were only a few weeks old. This time you have added this cute face with it. You say 'Da Da Da Da...' and it melts your Daddy's heart.

First's This Month:
-First trip to Busch Garden's
-First Valentine's Day
-First began crawling

Daytona 500 Weekend

This past weekend was a big weekend with our family, we headed out to Daytona for the 500 on Saturday morning. Thankfully the weather has been beautiful and warm so we were able to enjoy just a little bit of time down on the beach. Olivia is now old enough to enjoy the sand and the water, but the water was a little to cold so we stuck with the sand.

Checking out the sand!

More sand!

Sandy Toes

Baby Butt

"I don't think I like this stuff on my finger!"



We dressed her in her new Lady Bug monokini, yep we were stylin', and set up our area. Once I sat Olivia on the blanket under the big umbrella I waited for her to crawl to the sand and just keep going. But that didn't happen the sand stopped her in her tracks, she just touched it with her fingers. I guess she really doesn't care for the texture of sand. She wouldn't move past the edge of the towels. Great idea for a babysitter, just fill the living room with sand and make her sit on a blanket in the middle.

I love this pic...Ben was trying to get her to
crawl to him using his beer.

Our Set Up



Below are two videos that we took of Olivia playing at the beach, she was so cute.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCwLbQMUdo0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxvwJjL7thg

Our beach day was a little short because the breeze still made it pretty cool out after about an hour we got chilly and headed back up to the condo. After a quick bath to get all the sunscreen off, Daddy gave Olivia her first Babyhawk. She was pretty pleased that she finally has enough hair to do fun things with.

Olivia's First Babyhawk!



Once we were all dressed and thoroughly hungry, it was off to lunch at the Brickyard where we were super lucky that Olivia slept until we were leaving. That never happens, so a big thank you to the Nap Gods! After a beer and great burgers we took Olivia to see the trailers and festivities taking place the the race track since we were not taking her to the 500 the next day. She loved looking at all the new things, cars, the Clydesdale's, and souvenirs. Grandpa even bought her a Digger onsie. (For those of you who don't watch the races, Digger is a cam that shows a track view of the oncoming cars. He is a little gopher).

Another on of my favorites! She looks so small next to that giant tire.



Saturday night we met the Rose's for dinner at Clancy's Cantina and again a shout out to the God's of Sleep, Olivia slept almost the entire meal even through a live band!!! If you are ever in New Semerna, find Clancy's on Flagler Ave. their food was fantastic.

It was finally the big day, my first Daytona 500! I was so excited to get to the track, sporting my lanyard with our Garage and Pit Passes we headed straight out to the infield. It was going to be a great day. We wandered through all the grarages, watched Dale Jr.'s car go through inspection (my favorite driver), watched Dierks Bentley perform a song for Fox (I even got his autograph, although Julie just about passed out when he took her camera to get a photo with her.) We ended up hanging out a little to long and didn't have time to get to our seats, so we decided to just watch the race from behind Tony Stewart's pit box. It was such a great experience for all of us and ended up being a great day.

Ben and DJ in Tony Stewart's Garage

Ben and I on the track.

Jules and I at Mark Martin's Trailer

Watching the race behind Tony Stewart's Pit

The End!

Yup, we are so sexy!

Ben and I even have duling tee tan's to prove it.

Now, check back because this is going to be one busy week for us! Olivia's 9 Month Birthday, her first Magic Game, a special Birthday, and festivities!!!

Bringing Work Home

Olivia and I were outside enjoying the beautiful afternoon as it faded into evening. The light was so perfect and allowed me to capture some amazing images as we sat together in the grass. Olivia sat for a few minutes just peaceful. Then her curiosity got the best of her and she began to pick at the blades of grass on her left. She smiled, picked a few blades, and then just opened her fingers and let them fall again. She did this a few times and that curiosity came back and she wondered what it would taste like. After I said NO a few times and swatted the grass from her hand, she got it.

This could be my favorite photo that I have taken todate!!! Notice she has a leaf in her hand!

Trying to decide which blade to pick up.

I could not love her more then I do everyday!

This little girl has made me whole. I thought I was complete after
Ben and I got married, I guess I was wrong! Olivia was missing from our
life.



Then we heard Daddy's truck coming down the street and Olivia got a huge smile on her face as she saw him pull up to our house. While I got a look of surprise, attached to his truck was a trailer with an Escavator on the back. Hmm...I guess he has a delivery in the morning. I was thinking this could make for some great pictures.

Look at those faces...pure JOY.



A Daddy's girl at heart!



And did it ever, Olivia loved being on the big machine, just taking it all in at first. She sat on Daddy's lap and looked on either side of her at the buttons and levers. He put her in the driver's seat and she tried to crawl to the side to play with the levers. I couldn't stop laughing as I just kept shooting away. I noticed neighbors expressions as they walked by with their dog's and I am sure they were thinking we were crazy to have a baby on this machine. But it truly made our day as I am sure that it made Olivia's!

'Oh Baby The Places You'll Go'

Ok I know that I have procrastinated on getting this post up, but I have been relishing every moment watching Olivia go from what Ben has lovingly referred to as army crawling (she learned this on December 13) to taking 2-3 tries crawling only to go back to belly-to-floor scooting. But as I was dressing her on her 8 Month Birthday she gave herself a great present, she began to crawl. Not just the 2-3 tries, but the whole way across her room.

She's off!

Why are babies so much faster when they are naked?

Oh Baby, the Places You'll Go, now that you are mobile and so interested in what this world has to offer. You are off and ready to experience as much as you can. I love watching you crawl from one place to another and how when you are about half way there you turn and look over your shoulder to see where Daddy and I are. When you fund us you just get this big smile on your face and continue on your way.

Trying to find us amongst the tulle.

When you have reached a destination and you really don't mind what it is, you reach up and hold on as you pull yourself to standing. One of your favorites is the toy basket in your room. I love watching you as you stand over it peering inside trying to find just the right toy to pull out. Sometimes you find one right away and others it takes a few moments and you get this very serious look on your little face.

I have learned to sit back and just drink in every moment with you, I chant to myself...'Stay the way you are, don't grow anymore, stay little.' I know the sand in the hour glass continues to drip out and with it your babiness fades to Big Girl time.