Snot Girl

Olivia survived her first cold. Or should I say mom and dad survived her first cold? It was pretty rough for a night or two when she couldn't breathe. We felt so bad since she didn't understand what was going on. She was miserable. At least we got through one so we can somewhat know what to expect in the future as we're entering cold season.


Really just a bad photo, but it seemed like this is what she felt like.


Breathing a little easier.


Feeling much better.

Trip to San Jose

Brian had a business meeting in the Bay Area, so Olivia and I tagged along for the ride. We got to visit my college roommate, Sara, and her family as well as my cousin Lisa. My mom also came over from Friday night to Saturday. It was a quick trip but fun to see everyone and introduce Olivia.

Friday afternoon I hung out with Sara and the kids, Sara and I went and got haircuts and then we had dinner that evening with the whole family. It's crazy to think that we were in college/roommates over 7+ years ago. So much has happened since then and it was really fun to catch up. I can glean all of Sara's wisdom about being a mommy since she's a pro now having three. Thanks Sara!

Friday night we stayed with my cousin Lisa, as did my mom. Then on Saturday we all went to a children's pumpkin festival at a park in downtown SJ. Even though Olivia couldn't do much, it was fun to walk around. It actually felt like Fall this weekend, so it was nice to be out enjoying the weather.


We've come a long way since Westmont!


Eli, Jillian, and Ava


Olivia having fun with the pumpkins and the hay.


Hanging out with Grandma W.


Playing with Lisa.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Daddy's birthday was about 2 weeks ago. Mommy and I weren't feeling well so we had a low key day. We gave him presents, he had dinner from his favorite pizza place in Buellton - Antonio's, and mommy made him a cake.






Birthday cards from family.


Helping daddy open his gifts.



Wrapping paper is fun!


Daddy ate the entire cake (minus one small piece that mommy ate)!
They wouldn't let me have any. :(

Hair

See, I really do have hair!

Fall in Solvang

Gotta love the crisp, Fall weather in Solvang. Temperature today: 100 degrees.

Perfect day to go to a pumpkin patch with friends. We tried to stay in the shade as much as possible. Olivia and I met up with Joanne, Caleb and Cassidy, and Janel, Ella and Lucie.




Olivia, Lucie, and Cassidy

First Solid Food (other than rice cereal)

This is really out of order because this video was shot at the beginning of September, but we figure better late than never!

Olivia eating sweet potatoes.

6 Months (Well she's really 7 months now, but we're catching up...)

I know that people tell you to enjoy every moment and milestone because the first year flies by, but seriously!! We can hardly believe that 1/2 of Olivia's first year of life is already over. It's exciting to see her grow, change, and develop her personality each and every day but it makes me sad as well. Our little girl is growing up!!

6 Month Stats:
16 1/2 lbs (between 50th and 75th percentile)
28 inches long (above the 97th percentile)

Olivia still isn't sure what to think about solid food. We started in August, right after we moved back to CA. So far she's had rice cereal, yams/sweet potatoes, carrots, butternut squash, mashed banana, mashed avocado, and natural applesauce. Banana and butternut squash have been her favorite, but she's still more interested in smiling or "talking" while we're feeding her and spitting it all out. We'll get there someday, I'm sure. Peas are on the menu next so we'll see if that changes anything.

Helping Mommy Shop for my fruits and vegetables
-- also my first time sitting in a grocery cart!


Mmm...sweet potatoes



No crawling yet, but this girl sure does like to move around! Olivia has been up on her hands and knees for the last month rocking and doing a centipede sort of move. However, she mainly goes backwards. Her latest trick (this week) is laying on her tummy and sort of grabbing/grasping the floor or rug and dragging her body forward. That girl is strong! This started when she was trying to get to the remote control for the TV and one of the cat toys. Pretty funny. She also loves sitting up and just playing with her toys.

Instead of crawling Olivia is hoping to fly; she uses her bib as a cape.


Sitting Pretty


Other things Olivia loves: "talking" -- [mamamama (really it's more like muhmuhmuh), dadadada (she's said it once or twice), babababa], being scared by daddy -- she just giggles and giggles, being tickled, her musical bunny (courtesy of Chloe Merrick), blowing raspberries, and going on walks in the evening.