Olivia at One Month

Happy One Month Birthday Olivia!

Olivia, we can hardly believe that you have been part of our family for one whole month already, but at the same time, we can't imagine what our family was like before you joined it. You have changed our lives so much, and that change has been for the better.

At one month Olivia you are already doing so many things that amaze your mommy and daddy...

-You are a great little eater. You latch on quickly and burp when mommy asks you too. You do spit up quite randomly, and have gotten it all over mommy before, but she loves you still.

-If you wake up from a nap, you are always ready to eat. If you don't get to eat right away you let us know, you have a very persistent cry when you want what you want. We are trying to teach you that you get your bum changed, clothes on and then you get to eat.

-You have been a great little sleeper, usually sleeping about 4 hours at a time, even at night. You wake up without really crying to be fed, do your business and then settle back in to sleep. I think you have spoiling mommy and daddy a bit.

-The only problem with sleep, and that is that you won't sleep in your bassinet. The longest you have gone is about 3 hours, when we all had a nap. You sleep great on the sofa or in the bed next to mom, but that's not something we want to encourage, so we are trying to figure that out now.

-You are a BIG snuggle bunny. You will sleep so well when you are snuggled next to someone, if we put you down, you can sense it and usually wake up which is sweet but frustrating all at the same time. Sweet because it's nice to know you love being next to us and frustrating because it makes it hard to get things done.

-You have the most adorable little face. You have these dainty, little cute features and we could look at your little face all day. You use these little features to make the FUNNIEST faces. Some of our favourites are your big eyes, your cross eyes, your stink eye, your little O lips and your forehead wrinkles. When they are combined it's just the most cute, and funny expressions.

-You are tracking people with your eyes so well. You know mommy, and when she walks past you when someone else is holding you, your eyes follow her. You were quite taken by Dr.Lee at your last appointment, you couldn't stop staring at him.

-You are wearing a mix of new born sized clothes and 0-3 months. What's hard with you for clothes is that you are a skinny mini little lady, but you are long. So most pants don't fit you in the waist and some of your little sleepers are not long enough, but don't worry mommy is still having fun dressing you up!

-You have a love/hate relationship with your soother. You enjoy sucking on things, but you have a challenge keeping it in your mouth and settling down to keep it in your mouth. Once it is there though, you are one happy camper.

-If you can't get the soother you LOVE sucking on your hand and on your arm. I joke sometimes with people and tell them your going to give yourself a hickey on your arm. You are getting close some days.

-You have the softest hair after your baths, if I could give you a bath every day I would, but I don't. Sometimes in pictures your hair looks really dark, Nanny thinks it looks strawberry blonde when she sees you, but other times it looks really blonde, I guess time will tell what your hair is going to be like. There is a little tuft of hair in the back that stands up, it's so sweet.

-You have had your finger nails cut twice, and in both times mommy has only slipped up once and clipped your thumb. She felt HORRIBLE, but you forgave her.

-You love movement. Poor daddy gets home from work super tired, but he will always walk around and bounce with you. It's funny when he tries to sit down, you sense it and wake up, which makes him keep moving. It's too funny. Luckily we like to walk and dance around with you.

-You have had your first sleepover at auntie Kathy. While daddy was away with uncle Jeff we stayed over there and you were cuddled lots by your cousins and mommy was fed so great. You also had your first visit to one of mommy's schools, and every body loved you!

- You have been given a name and blessing at church by Daddy, it was such a special day. Your looked beautiful in the dress Nanny Bing made you and daddy gave you a beautiful blessing. Mommy was so proud of him, and was thankful that he was all hers.

-You have been starting to make more little noises. We laugh often at the sounds you make, from cooing to squawking, from making duck noises to pig noises, we love every single peep that comes from you.

-You calm down well to music, but you already have songs you like or don't like. The two that you calm down to the best are "Count on Me" by Bruno Mars and "Just the way you are" by Boyce Avenue. When mommy sings along you settle right down, it makes mommy smile so much.

-You've sneak attacked both mommy and daddy when diaper changes have happened. Daddy got the first few surprise pee's that got everywhere and mommy has been able to catch them in the diaper pretty well, although she did get the first poop surprise. Lucky her!!

-You have put weight on well. When you were born you were 8 lbs. even. When you left the hospital you were down to 7 lbs. 9 oz. At two weeks you were up to 7 lbs. 13 oz. and at one month you were over your birth weight, coming in at 8 lbs. 8 oz. We were so happy and proud of your birth weight.

-You and the bath sometimes agree, but sometimes you don't. Mommy tries to wash you as quick as she can, but she's not always fast enough. Other times you are calm and content in the tub, I'm hoping you grow to LOVE bath time.

-We think you'll either play soccer or be a dancer because your little long legs never stop moving when you are awake. They are very strong legs so you stretch and bounce on the often.

-You HATE tummy time and usually cry through the entire time. You have a pretty strong neck anyway, but you just hate exercising it, unless you are propped up on mommy or daddy's shoulder.

-You have ROLLED, it's not common for babies to do it, but your just so strong. You did it the first week we were home from the hospital, but daddy and I missed it. You've been doing it again quite a bit because it is your escape from tummy time, you smart girl.

-You have experienced your first walk in the snow, you were bundled all up and didn't seem to mind the white flakes that were collecting on your carrier. Mommy was worried about slipping in the snow holding you, but she stayed on her feet.

I hope that I have remembered it all, you just do so much that we just want to remember it all.

Olivia, you have brought so much love into our family. Daddy has so naturally fallen into the roll of being your daddy. You have him wrapped around your little finger and he would do anything for you. Mommy can't get enough snuggles from you and could sit and stare at your perfect little face all day. Daddy often says that we make beautiful babies and I would have to agree with him. We both just love you so much. You are such a sweet baby and have such a great disposition. You are easy going, and settle without much fuss. We are so looking forward to watching you learn and grow. This first month has been the start of a great journey for us all. We look forward to helping you become an amazing girl, who is kind, friendly, smart and so much more. We are always here for you, and we would do anything for you. Thank you for coming to our family and making is parents. We love you with all our hearts.

Hugs and Kisses,

Mommy and Daddy