Eugene Livin'

Olivia,

Not going to lie, the past couple of months have been tough on you in some ways. We have moved from New Mexico, where we spent a glorious year of exploration and having the most grand time with our dear friends The Brinton's. Annika and you were like two peas in a pod, literally seeing each other every day. We all loved that part :) It was so hard to see you leave that place and harder still to leave it myself. Dad didn't come with us on the drive back to Oregon, which I think, shook you up a good bit. Your sleep pattern has been off since about late July and here it is November. You're finally starting to go down better, but I'll say you've become a little daddy's girl :) I'm not surprised, since he's rad. You love him like crazy and it's so sweet to see you two together...doing anything! We have fun, our little family.
At this point in your life you can do so many things, yet you are still in a stout, little baby-ish body that makes everything lovable :) Seriously, it's hard to even get mad at you for putting a bunch of pumpking goop in the toaster. Yes, you did this the other day while we were separating the seeds out! You thought it was a good thing to do. You're figuring everything out these days. I love spending time with you, for it won't be long until you are off without me at your side so often.
I do want you to know that as you grow, I'll always be here for you to talk to about anything and everything. Dad too, we love you more than you know.
Some really fun points to remember about you and for you to know are:

• You think squirrels (and pretty much all animals) are "cute". We're pretty obsessed with the way you say it! 
• You have got the word "no" and "I don't" down pat.
• You're still really into books and love Pookie the pig every night. 
• You're super quiet around others, you don't particularly like getting into the mix with other kids unless you've been around them tons and there aren't very many of them at one time. I think you may be a bit of an introvert. Very interesting to observe. 
• I think you are going to be really fast and physical in your life. You are incredibly strong for your age and weigh 30 pounds at 2 years. You're a chip off your old blocks and you're beautiful from head to toe. 
• You melt everyone's heart that you meet. They always think you're so sweet, which you are. You are a very sweet soul and it nourishes mine every single day. 
• You're totally stringing your words together and listening more. Internalizing things all around. 
• Really understanding moods and emotions more. You're able to empathize with us if we're sad or upset, or if someone else is. 

We just love your two year old little self. 

You're so funny

Olivia, It's been too long since I wrote, but I love you so much. I think you help my heart grow.

You've been hilarious lately. I try not to laugh, but sometimes when you get upset you say "Honey! Honey!" Like in a frustrated, whiney way. It's because you hear me call you honey and it's just too funny! Honestly I try really hard not to laugh because I know you're frustrated. I love everything about you. 

Mama

A Thought...

I have been thinking a lot about perfection lately. I think that it's a facade in this life. I think that we, as women, are too hard on ourselves. There is no such thing as perfection here on this earth. I am learning to accept that in my life, and hope that you can do the same someday (Olivia.) 

What prompted this post is the fact that our physical bodies are capable of so much. Having children, physically, as we can is amazing and I am so grateful I was able to have Oliva. Although our bodies are wonderful temples that we are to respect and treat as a temple; we often don't. For one reason or another. It's easy for us to pass judgement on others, and say "How can they eat that fast food?" "How can they drink and do drugs? Don't they know it's bad for you?" But in reality, I find myself doing it all the time to myself. I say things like: "Why am I not thinner?" "Why can't I just have this type of body?" "I'm not the weight I want to be." Truth is: Grass is always greener on the other side. I always think that if I can just do a little bit more, then I'll feel happier and be where I want to be. It's just not always true. I think goals are wonderful things when thought up with worthy intentions. I just think that my idea of perfection has translated to what happiness I can allow myself to have and enjoy. The main thing is that you have to love yourself as God does. He loves us so much, and knows us much better than we know ourselves. We have to learn to do the things that are good for us (with slip ups along the way :) ), and realize that we are blessed when we do the right things for our bodies and minds. 

I love you Olivia, and the last thing I want to give you is a complex about what you should or should not be. Heavenly Father made you, and you are a sweet daughter of Him. I mean that in the most sincere way, because I know how much I love you, and dad, and imagine that times infinity. That is how much He loves each of us. Be true to yourself, and remember that you are lovely in His sight. I love you. 

A Year Has Come

A month ago today, you turned one! How you've grown. It's amazing to me and your dad that you are walking around, talking a bunch, and just being a sweet girl. We had a fun party for you, which is documented on the other blog. I think you enjoyed the cake, although you haven't had any more of that since then :) Sorry! We are just having so much fun with you. We hike a lot; just you and I go too. It's fun to be outdoors around here {New Mexico}, and the weather pretty much can't be beat. 

Today was the first day that you went down for a nap with just a bottle of whole milk and no nursing. You actually liked the milk, which was good, but I am pretty sure that you still wanted to nurse since you were crying for a while before you crashed. Poor girl. It's so hard to hear you in there still! It never gets easy hearing your baby cry, even though I know you are okay. I think that this is the beginning of your weaning. I have tried before, but wasn't sure if you were ready or not {and for that matter, I didn't know if I was ready either.} 

You are learning so much lately, and can point to your nose when I ask you where it is. You are also liking to mimic animal sounds and I think you will do it on your own soon :) 

It will be Thanksgiving this week, and we just have so much to be thankful for! We will go over to the Brintons house and you will get to play with your little bestie, Annika. You guys are so cute together, and are together a lot. It's fun to have a little playmate for you :)  

Summer at the Fuller's

It has been awesome to be with my parents while we make the transition from Portland to Las Cruces, NM. You have done many things here too. You said your first cognitive word: "Kitty". Which sounds more like "key". :) I makes us smile every time you point and say it. You have grown a ton here, and your dad has really missed you the last few weeks that he has been without us. I don't blame him, I would miss you like crazy too! He is flying in today for your 2nd cousin, Andrea, and Curt's wedding. It is going to be a wonderful day! It is already the second wedding you have been to since you have been born.
You are fast asleep again, and I am taking a minute to myself. I must say that being a single {non-working mom at the moment} has been enough for me to gain much respect for those single working mothers. It is a tough business; one that I would not trade for anything. I love you dearly, I hope that you know it. I am still currently nursing you, you have two teeth that are beautiful and white, and you have much more hair than you did when you first got to my parents a month and a half ago.
I don't know if you know how much of a joy you are to those around you. You are SUCH a happy baby. I have nothing to go off of, but you, and you are such a good girl! I just know you are going to grow up beautifully and do fun things in your life. You already have that spark that makes our family say "That Olivia, she is going to be something someday." And I agree whole-hearted. I want you to know that you can always talk to me about anything, and your dad too. No subject is off limits. I can't promise that you will always like what I say, or feel about something, but I am always happy to talk with you. I love you so much and am enjoying watching you grow. You are my little beanie!
Love, me

Baby Sleeping

You are fast asleep under a tree, 

dreaming to wake up

It's a nice summer day 

and you can feel the wind sway

My thoughts go back to when 

you were a wee baby and now you are growing

Sweet girl you are and very bright too

I kiss you every chance I get

Almost 9 months

Amazing how you grow! You want to stand up on your own from all fours so bad. It is cool to watch you try to figure it out. We have been hanging out in Eugene for a bit before we go to NM. Dad is going to be out of town for about a month before we go back with him to move officially. We will miss him for sure.
He will of course miss you and your sweet flat smile {there are so many photos of your flat smile on our other blog}. You also have a big toothy, gummy smile that is the best. I think you are teething again and you have been a little sad lately :( Bummer, it will pass soon though.
I love you and I am going to go take a little peek at you before I go to bed. I ♥ You!

Love Mama {go ahead, you know you want to say it more...}