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!

Unfortunate Pattern - Sores :(

Olivia's Sore on Saturday after the Party

Olivia has adopted a pattern of falling ill when Kev goes on travel.  This time her little bite, lesion, sore, whatever it is that showed up on her arm Sat had several friends show up Monday night.  7 friends to be exact, the worst one being on her finger.  So we went back to the urgent care for the third time and were given a different antibiotic.  After one very fussy day with Aunt Patti, Olivia seemed to be somewhat improving by Tues night... and no more friends showed themselves.  Today, Olivia and Patti had a much more fun and relaxed, normal day.  At our follow up doctor appointment we learned that nothing grew in the culture, but Olivia is continuing to take the antibiotic because there may not have been enough of a sample to culture.  In any case, it also seems like a strong correlation between Olivia's improved mood and the timing of the antibiotic.  Tomorrow, Olivia returns to daycare.  She has one good sized blister on her finger, but the doc said she's good to go and if it's bacterial she isn't contagious due to the drugs.  Yay!

Olivia looking at a new sore that Mom didn't notice yet

I checked around for fleas and changed her linens... nothing turned up as suspicious.  I forgot to move laundry to the dryer tonight.  Oops.  Tomorrow.  Nighty night time.  Can't wait for Kevin to return Friday.  It's not as fun without him around!

Cuddling with Raggedy Ann at Urgent Care Monday evening

Sad little Ring Finger Monday evening.

First Birthday, and First Word?

Birthday Girl!!! on 7/24/14

Ok so the birthday party was awesome and I'll write more tomorrow, but.....

The big news of the day is Olivia said "Trixie" twice in the span of 10 minutes!!!!

She was concentrating so hard!  My parents were even here to witness the event.  So fun!!!  My little girl is growing up so fast!!! 

First Hamburger at The Counter in Fremont

Poor little one has a nasty bug bite on her arm and we went to urgent care after the party on Sat and again today - now we have antibiotics and are feeling better about the whole thing.

Sarah is home safe after a quick trip, and I just dropped off mom and dad at SFO for a red eye. 

Kevin Is Off On Travel Early Tomorrow Am And I'm Headed To work.

Party at Ardenwood Farm was a great success, the highlight being Olivia and her first birthday cake.  We had far too much food and about 49 guests.  The animals were cute, the bubbles a hit, and no big games because of the Ardenwood rules.  Olivia was fairly well behaved.  The shade of the trees was wonderful and everyone seemed to have a nice time.  It was really special to have my parents and Sarah come all the way out here for the party.  We really needed the help!  We are happy to be moving on to the next thing, whatever that will be.  

Sunday after the party, Mom helped me clear out the kitchen pantry in an attempt to eradicate the moths that keep infesting it.  That is a chore best done with a helper!  Kevin had a horrible headache and slept for most of the day.  Annie came by for a visit, but unfortunately that was the moment we decided to take Olivia *back* to Urgent Care because it looked like her sore was spreading/streaking.  So we missed the opportunity to socialize with Annie & Walter. :(  Eventually, we pumped up Rodi - grandparents  

birthday gift to Olivia - and put together a little tricycle and had a grand time playing out on the patio when things cooled off a bit.  I was speaking in tongues by the end of the day.

I need some sleep!  It's been a hot weekend!

Birthday Girl at the Party!  The Cake photos are on my other camera.

Tired Girl

Poor Olivia, we shocked her system and took her to daycare early with Kev back at work.  She only slept for an hour during the day and was so tired she started lashing out.... and biting other kids.  At nught she was so tired she wailed from the moment she awoke from her catnap until about 2 hours later when Kev finally managed to calm Olivia to sleep.  Poor thing, she was miserable.

Olivia needs more sleep and I need to figure out a way to give her the opportunity.  Hmmmmm.  Oh, and today at daycare she was pulling up without help all day!  Olivia just couldn't figure out how to sit down and would then get all fussy.  Doh!

Speaking of sleep.... I managed to get all 10 hours in for work, call to change the cake order, Kev confirmed the catering, and do a little work in the backyard after picking up Olivia, feeding her and tag team getting her to sleep.... all on a few hours' rest as the little girl had gas or something last night and was up at 4.  I sure hope we figure out what's going on so she is on her best happy behavior on Saturday!

Nighty night time for Momma, and fingers crossed Olivia sleeps through until 6 tonight. Dad's already asleep. :)

:) last Thursday

Olivia to sleep at 7ish, cocktails with hubby while debating landscaping philosophies and where to put Olivia's future playhouse, jalapeño poppers from our home grown peppers, dinner of chicken and salad (with another round), chasing the dogs around the backyard.... I love our little family.

Nice Weekend, Pulling up!

OK, OK, I still haven't written about Hawaii...

But, this weekend was relatively calm.  Saturday we prepped a bit for next weekend's 1st birthday party extravaganza!  The big news is that Sarah is going to travel out here from Texas and Olivia's party is included in her itinerary.  Fun!  We took a family trip to Costco for beer/wine and a few other party items, and Olivia had diarrhea.  So, we changed her in the car and went to the Party Store to pick out a few games and items... halfway through, Olivia had diarrhea.  This time we opted to go home.  Last Monday I was down for the count with food poisoning and it took all of Tuesday to regain my normal strength, so you don't want to mess with tummy problems!   Back home, I gave our angel a bath because she was stinky and sweaty from crying (very fussy all morning), and got her down for a nap.

Then went back out to the Party Store.  Lots of errands, and we have things somewhat under control.  At least, a cake is ordered.

Olivia is pulling up much better these days and even took a step to the side while holding on to the coffee table this morning.  Her hips are getting stronger and she's so proud of herself for pulling up.  Olivia's new trick is to be super loud and frustrated when she can't get something she wants - like having trouble pulling a book out of a box.  That one really ticks her off.  Today she's really wanted to be held.  Olivia will crawl after you and flap her arms at your feet, maybe tug at your legs a bit to get you to pick her up.  When she can keep up with my walking around the house, she sits in the middle of the room and starts crying!  Poor sweetie.  WE did have fun on the swings in the park today - she was loving it!    Mom really enjoyed the bonding too.  Our other moment was out on the front lawn while dad planted a tree we bought some time ago before it dies in the pot.  Olivia was crawling all over me and using me to stand up - it was really cute.  She kept putting her head down on me like she was sleepy too.



Tonight, Charlie and Delores babysat for a few hours and we went out for dinner and a walk around Lake Elizabeth - so nice to have some time with hubby!  Kevin returns to work this week and he'll be going from 0 to 110%.  There are several transports coming up so he'll be working long hours to prep, and then will be on the road.  It's been so nice having him around, and being Mr. Mom.  This will be a shock to all of us.  Our dog walker is also still on vacation so I'm not sure what we'll do with the girls. :(

Olivia has also been doing High-5s a bit more, and at daycare they're talking about prepping to move her to the next room.  I'm excited for her to have more stimulation, to be able to take a break and have Olivia eat school food... but the little girl still needs more sleep than what she gets and in the next room it's just one nap a day.  When we pick her up in the evening she's *exhausted* and super fussy, so it's right to bed.  I don't get to see happy Olivia much - and we'll see what happens this week when we have to take her in much earlier since dad's back at work.  We will have to come up with a better plan for the long term.  This is not sustainable nor fair to the little girl. :(

Can't wait for our First Birthday party!  At Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont.  We have somewhere around 57 confirmed guests - crazy!

OK, it's late and we have to get up at 5:30 am for work fun tomorrow.  Signing off - with a few photos!

Tonight's Bath

Olivia pooped in the bathtub tonight.  I was laughing so hard!   I couldn't get her out fast enough!  So, we did a second quick bath.  Lolz