First Week in Toddler Room

Olivia survived her first week in the Toddler Room at Kindercare.  She was a little dubious at first, but had mostly warmed up by the end of the week.  Her new trick is when she sees me coming to pick her up, she looks at me and starts crying.  Oh goodness!  But they say she's a really good eater.

Last week in the Infant room

Olivia came home with her first sunburn yesterday.  They go outside 3x a day, and now I've filled out her sunscreen form, so we should be all good.  She still won't wear her hat!  Bad girl!

Kevin was on travel to FL again last week, and has to go again next week.  Sad about that.  Poor guy is being put through the ringer at work.  I feel for him.  He's so tired when he's finally home for a bit.

Oh, Olivia has this little toy house with 3 little piggie balls from her birthday and she has figured out to put the balls down the chimney, and then knows how to flip the house around, flip up the lid, and pull them out!!!!  I'm amazed at the coordination!  I didn't expect that so soon!  According to Kevin, she was saying "Trixie" again tonight.  She loves to say "Uh OH" and when I say "momma" and point to myself, Olivia says "momma" and points to herself.  Hmmmm..... need to figure out how to fix that one!  We had our Friday Night Dance Night session tonight - she liked that.   It's amazing how little Livvy-Loo will bop to the beat of songs.  And absolutely adorable!  She's getting so big.  Generally, she liked the new room at daycare - there's lots more to do.  She's still adjusting to the new teachers in that room.  I think Olivia will be walking in no time!

I keep trying to read to Olivia in Spanish - also for my own fun of trying to remember the language.  That will take awhile though.

We're working on teaching Olivia to brush her teeth - that's pretty fun! :)

With our friend, Baby James!

I love having the rocking chair from MD out here - it fits in Olivia's room and that's where we have night time story time with her bottle before attempting to brush teeth and go to bed.  It's so cute, she has three teeth on the bottom but the fourth is taking it's time.  I think it broke through in the last couple days though.  I'm also pretty sure there are molars coming in.

We will buy Olivia shoes tomorrow on our way home from Maddie's birthday party up in Santa Rosa.  I'm looking forward to being social and seeing Natalie and Steve.  Also looking forward to camping with them in a few short weeks.  Today I managed to book a second night at Gualala Point Regional Park - very much looking forward to it, though the drive will be long.

It's been a tough week at work, I'm still working on decompressing.

Homegrown Flowers

My two favorite peeps!

Kisses for Mommy!  (Or Bites)

Band-aid attack - trying to heal her bug bites!

Not so happy stuck in crib.

Yes, I have HF&M Virus and it STINKS!

Very end of Infant room, sharing toys with Ms. Gurdeep

I like grocery shopping with mom!  Lots of plastic bags... and eating puree pouches off the shelf.

Mum-Mum's handiwork, transported from MD!

Food all over our face!  Glorious!

Tonight Delores and Charlie came to babysit and we had a nice dinner at Buffalo Bills - a nice chance to just sit and look at one another. :)  I'm hoping to get a little run in tomorrow morning if I'm up early enough, or in the evening after our big day.  I'll need to harvest some tomatoes as well.


My sunflowers are fun, one plant fell over completely in the wind the other day.

Sadly, Kevin returns to FL next week and that will kinda ruin our Labor Day weekend, and the chance to get much done on the house.  I'm holding out hope that we'll make progress on the stonework out front though.  WHo knows.  I wish I knew how to do the work to fit the door to the guest bedroom.  It sure would be nice to have all the real doors up, with doorknobs and everything.

Beddie-bye time for momma.  She's tie-tie.  xoxo

Obstacle Course!

I forgot to mention that Olivia loves crawling between our legs now, and under your legs if sitting on the edge of the couch.  She just thinks it's the funniest thing!  Still dances to music, and loves banging the drums.  She also climbed up on my legs while I was doing pushups - silly little spider!

She also has learned to put the 3 Little Piggies balls in the chimney of their house.  I managed to capture that on video today.  Super cute. :)  It's fun to watch her learn things.

We went to Robert Crown State Memorial Beach this morning as a whole family to get some exercise and have some time outside of the house.  That was a nice change, but never as relaxing as I picture it will be in my head.  ;-)

Oh yes, and she's learning to brush her teeth!

Continuing the Pattern - Hand, Foot & Mouth, and Recovery!

Olivia is changing so much - what fun!  It's been too long since a really good post, so let's see what I can summarize.

Last weekend we had a lovely time - I was home for a quick house clean-up before the cleaning ladies, Olivia seemed somewhat OK when I picked her up from daycare.  We had the Reilly's over for dinner Sat night and Olivia danced for them, refusing to go to sleep - I thought because she wanted to be the party girl.... but after dominoes and falling asleep, she proved me wrong, being up crying in discomfort from 1:45 until sometime around 4am.  Poor thing.  She finally fell asleep on me in the glider in the family room (thank goodness we still have it!)  She was just not happy.  I didn't know what to make of it.

Sunday we had a nice time with Aunt Annie & Cuz Walter at Roberts' Park in the redwoods - gorgeous!  Olivia was sitting on my nap, not being her normal social self, and she really hadn't been eating well at all over the weekend.  Fortunately, she would down bottles of milk without hesitation.  Annie and I did notice what seemed like a rash on her knees... and she was a tad warm to the touch. We hung out for a few hours, did a little walking, then headed home for lunch and naptime.  Sunday night though, same thing.  Olivia was up for several hours in the middle of the night, just visibly uncomfortable.  I tried all sorts of things and nothing worked until we had some Tylenol and parked in the glider again.

Monday at 1pm, I got the call.  KinderCare sent her home.  Fortunately, it was a time when I could easily break away with various management out of the office.  So, I picked up O and she just wasn't happy - Hand, Foot & Mouth virus.  A child had it in her room the week before, I later discovered that Baby James had it as well late that week... and when I took Olivia into daycare yesterday there were only 2-3 kids there; the rest were home sick.  But, being the concerned mother, and given all the other drama my poor daughter had been through with non-healing bug bites and spider bites/staph infection on her skin 2 weeks earlier, we went straight to Urgent Care... again.  The doc was really good, and Olivia's prognosis was a standard case of H,F&M - rash all over, blisters on her feet, blisters in the back of her throat, rash like diaper rash, and general discomfort.  The verdict was hastily announced over a cacophony of Olivia screams.  I really liked this doc.  I was worried there might be some bigger issue that would tie all her bumps together into some horrible disease.  But no.  Just H,F,&M.  So we went home and when Kev came home that night I went and picked up the prescription ointment to try and make her bug bites and lesions fade & heal faster... and some band aids while I was at it.

Tuesday, Kevin left for FL on a no-sleep-for-48-hours trip shipping the CLIO satellite to CCAFS.  These trips suck.  So unhealthy in so many ways.  So I arranged various forms of childcare to get us through the week.  We are lucky to have help around.  Tuesday, Olivia was not a happy camper when I got home and was fast asleep within 45 minutes (by 6:15).  She slept a lot to get over this virus.

By Wed morning the worst had passed.  While I couldn't take her to daycare, and Olivia still wasn't eating much, she would suck down milk, and cold fruit puree pouches.  Those seemed to soothe her mouth.  Patti had fun recounting the story of one long, difficult BM Olivia had... and the 3 additional ones afterward.  She also acknowledged how much Olivia does NOT like having her diaper changed now!  She's quite a handful.  I worked late into the night to try and get my hours in.

Thurs was another day home with Patti and they had a ball.  I was very late from work and walked in to a nice surprise - a bathed and bottled baby!  We cuddled for a bit and Olivia went to sleep shortly afterwards.  What a great thing!  That was the best part of my day.

Friday, I only had a few hours to finish so I took a healthy Olivia into a sparse daycare for her LAST DAY in the toddler room!!!!!  I picked her up around 3:15 and we had a lovely late afternoon together running to the grocery store and the library.  I cooked some more fancy food for Olivia in the evening  - which she spat out today  :(.

Today, I hung a few pics before Kevin got home :) :):) and we had a nice walk around Lake Elizabeth with Toni and Baby James (who also had H.F&M last weekend).  The dogs tagged along for the good walk. :)  So nice to see Kevin.  I'm flattered that our new neighbors came by and are super nice.  What a fabulous addition to the neighborhood - I just hope our dogs aren't too annoying.  If we maintain the friendship, and have our little ones playing together, this could be a beautiful relatioship come time for school.  Royce is a SAM, Thomas the hubby works at Cisco as a Network engineer and their son Lucas is 20 months.  They're from Taiwan, lived in Canada for awhile and moved to Cali about 7 years ago or something (Kevin got the scoop).

So..... after all the drama, Olivia is the cutest and happiest and sweetest little girl!!! She smiles and loves hugging her dollies.  We skyped with Mum-mums and Pop-Pops Bellenger Friday night and I saw Olivia side-step along the coffee table  - more movement development!  She really enjoys feeding the dogs from her high chair.  Her fun trick now is saying "Uh Oh" when she drops things, and making sounds like "Thank you" when you hand her something.  TOo cute!  She's also throwing tired temper tantrums, so we'll have to work on nipping those in the bud.  What else.  Dressing Olivia after her bath is like WWIII every night - not sure why.  She sticks her finger in the pouch openings and is trying to learn how to use a spoon - trying to pick up food with the wrong end, then getting food in the spoon and picking it out with her fingers.  Olivia likes bath time in the big girl bath, with bubbles!  Moving up to the toddler room is exciting... I don't technically have to bring in any food for her anymore, which will free up significant time at night.  Sometimes I'd like more healthy foods though, so I'm not sure about that yet.  What else... I call her my little Spider crawling all over, loudly smacking her hands into the floor.  She really wants to go outside after the dogs but isn't quite ready to try navigating the threshold on her own.  But she'll sit there and protest, flapping her arms.  I've hung the alphabet and numbers that Mom made for us girls in Olivia's room.  The moths did some damage, but they're adorable still.  Olivia squawked when I showed her the fixed alphabet one today. :)  Love that little girl.  She's much better on her feet, confidently standing and sitting at the coffee table.  Tomorrow I'll have to try and hold her arms to see her walk a little that way.

I'm whisking Kevin up to a new park we haven't explored yet tomorrow - Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach up close to the Bay Bridge.  We need some time together as a family outside of the house & chores.  Kev and I have hardly seen one another for the last 3 weeks and he's gone again next week; it'll be nice to have some quality time together.

We are settling in our our schedule for the next several weekends - family events mostly.  We're looking forward to a bday party next weekend, then bday golfing Sunday with the Janeiro crowd.  Next is Labor Day weekend, possibly putting up the Pergola, or the front stone work if the wood doesnt' arrive in time.  Then there's camping up at Gualala State Park (trying to get a second night, I have to call tomorrow) with Natalie & Steve.. then there's probably Monterey right before my bday (using a free Marriott room I have), then a few weeks later Tahoe with the Bellengers in early October.... Halloween.... and Turkey Day in MD.  Phew!  I'm tired just thinking about it!  I'll have work travel coming up and Kev always does.  But, it's great to be employed. :)

OK, Kev is now in bed snoring and I should follow suit.  I'll have to add pictures tomorrow.

Socialite

Quick one before work.  Apparently when Olivia isn't trying to bite other kids, she's quite the socialite!  Waving and blowing kisses, just a ham!  So that's fun.  She's been having trouble sleeping the last few nights and I'm hoping whatever she's fighting passes soon before Kevin leaves tomorrow for FL. 

Ok, time to work....

A Good Day

We had an eventful and pretty good day.  The morning was relaxed, Dad watched Olivia while Mom slept in.  Then I got up in time to administer Olivia's medicine and put her down for a nap.  I read two books in Spanish to her in the rocking chair from my parents (love it - perfect size for my short legs!) and Olivia hardly cried when I put her down.  I ran off to the grocery for a few last ingredients to cook Olivia some tasty yum-yums for while I'm gone.  (I feel like we're raising a fruitarian and desperately need to introduce a little variety into Olivia's diet)

Olivia hopped in the shower with me for a few minutes around 12:30, then we dressed while Pops showered and all went over to Kailani's First Birthday party at Shinn Historic Park.  (Kevin will be quick to point out that we tried to go the party on Saturday because I was all confused.... and there was a big Indian birthday party going on that looked like fun too!)  What a lovely event!  Deanna and I complimented Shonna (the mom) on her choice of venues and announced that we plan to steal her idea for next year. :)  We also agreed to get on the calendar for another Mom's Night Out - it's been far too long!  Olivia was a little fussy during the party because I think she has several molars trying to come in.  The little girl is constantly chewing on her fingers on the sides of her mouth.

Next stop, The Counter to celebrate Charlie and Delores' 54th anniversary!  Steve & Patti, Kathy & Dave were there as well.  Delicious food  - and too much of it, of course.  Afterwards, they all returned to our house for cake.  I ran off to have a massage at 5pm (scheduled a month in advance) and when I returned, they were just having dessert - more calories.

Right after cake, I took tired Olivia (it was 6:30 and way past her bed time) to her room and rocked her in the same rocking chair with her bottle.  I wanted to read more books and brush her teeth, but I looked down and Angel's little eyes were rolling up and she was shortly out asleep on my chest.  I love those moments.  So I sat, and rocked, and enjoyed.  I can't imagine my little girl growing up and not being able to cuddle with her.  I love the cuddling.  Gosh, it's hard to think back to when she was so small it felt as if you couldn't hug her.  I love that little girl!

After everyone left, I cooked up two delicious batches of food for my little girl - a pasta dish with tomatoes, yams, onion, garlic, cheese, delicious.  And a salmon corn chowder - also delicious.  Both recipes are from the Baby Lead Weaning book that Annie lent me.  As fate would have it, I cleaned out the freezer a bit to be able to fit all this tasty food.... and threw out the last of the breastmilk I had pumped (likely on my last business trip).  I figured I had to write a blog entry tonight to remember that milestone!

As it turns out, Deanna is still nursing Leo - I'm so impressed.  Part of me is jealous, but I know that Olivia would be biting like crazy and that just wouldn't work for us.  We really have determined that Olivia is happiest with LOTS of stimulation.  I think part of why she gets to antsy with us at home is that she is bored.  Olivia wants people and activity all around her.  I'll just have to play more games with her.

So at the end of the day, I actually didn't spend that much time with Olivia since I'd slept in during the AM.  Tomorrow I fly to the East Coast.  There are several chores to do in the morning (like pack), but I hope to spend some time with Olivia and drop her off at daycare after she awakes on her own.  Maybe we'll even eat breakfast together and read a book.

Oh, Kevin say that Olivia's been trying to say "balloon" while they play with the balloons from her first birthday.

What a bummer to have to travel this week.  I still need to figure out how to pick up Olivia from daycare earlier in the day so we have some happy time with her during the week.  We're missing out, and she's so tired she bites other kiddos. :(

I'm sure there's more to write, but I'm at a loss.  Olivia was very very cranky on Saturday.  Kevin and I were both at wits end.  She only slept 20 minutes, so the rest of the day was tough.  I think that again, it's because she's teething.  The sores / welts are much better, Olivia scratched off the crusted blisters on her legs today, they must've been healed and itching lots.  Oh, and I've witnessed Olivia sitting there in the crib, slowly pulling off band-aids from her legs - and crying in the process.  Kinda funny really.

She's also supposed to be drinking from a sippy cup during the day and only using a bottle at night - at least that's my plan.  But we didn't stick to it very well this weekend since she's been so fussy.

OK, sleepy time for Kate-ba-Date.  Kevin had to go into work tonight for a few hours.  I'm at least proud of myself for cooking up some tasties for Olivia.  Now I hope she sleeps through the night.  I didn't set up a milk bottle for her 4 am wake-up.

Nighty Night!  Don't let the bed bugs bite!

Feeling Better!

I am happy to report that Olivia's sores are MUCH better!  We never did really determine if they were bug bites or a bacterial infection, but the antibiotics seemed to help them improve and no more bumps of that type have surfaced.  This is all a wonderful thing!

Olivia now goes to bed right after school - ideally by 6pm.  She is so incredibly fussy when we bring her home that she will hardly eat dinner or drink her bottle.  I confess, the early bedtime and all-fussy time in the evening makes it harder for me as a mom to feel like I'm missing all this childhood happy time.  I only see Olivia when she's crying or sleeping.  That's not fun at all.  I read the activities they do at school and am jealous that I don't have the time to do those things with my daughter.  The weekends are full of chores and obligations.  Next week I go on travel and won't see Olivia for four days.  Sadness.

Olivia has graduated to the Big Girl Tub (I have to take some photos of that while Kevin and I are both home).  That took a little adjustment period, but I think she's getting the hang of it.  We are using the hammock from the sink and that helps keep her from slipping all over the place.

Olivia is also now super adorable with giving her stuffed animals, or loveies hugs and kisses.  Mum-mums had her start doing that with her dolly Mum-mums had given her at birth, and Mom had been giving her a stuffed bunny from Aunt Sarah to hug - and those two events really kicked off the hugging!  I'll have to get lots of pics of the various hugs. :)

Unfortunately, Olivia is also still biting at daycare, and catches my shoulder occasionally.  The bites are HARD too.  We are working to teach her that the behavior is not ok.  She's also very upset when her toys are taken away or she doesn't get what she wants.  Hmmmm.... new things to learn about parenting!