Life Lately

We had another school project - for the 100th day of school.  She had to bring in a collection of 100 things, grouped together in 5s, 10s, 20s, etc.  She had some pretty strong opinions all involving 100 pieces of candy...but luckily I was able to steer her towards a centipede.  Once I gave her the idea, she took it and ran -- choosing to do it in Kinkaid colors and making sure it had a bow, so everyone would know it was a girl! :)

We worked on it when Matt was out of town one weekend and I could tell she was SUPER proud of the finished product.  They could take it in any day that week.  I told her to wait till Wednesday once Matt was back so he could see it and help her.  She was very disappointed to wait that long!

  

The 100th day of school also coincided with Go Texan Day for the rodeo.  A cute Olivia story for the memory book: I told her the night before that she did not have to wear her uniform to school the next day and instead she could dress up for Go Texan day, so please go set out jeans and her shirt.  When I went up to tuck her in, I noticed she set out her Texans football shirt.  I adore this girl.  Moments and slip-ups like this are so precious to me because in all other instances she seems so big and mature -- I love seeing these fading glimpses of "little"!

I am still going over at lunch to feed this little man and I've gotta say its probably my favorite part of the day -- no matter the weather, no matter my schedule, I've religiously gone every day.  And although breast feeding has been quite a journey this time around (especially with the refusal of bottles and a recent diagnosis of mastitis), I know I will very much miss these daily moments with my baby.

Olivia was basically one hot mess when I picked her up that day - Go Texan + 100th Day of School and a petting zoo on the playground.  Thank goodness it was  a Friday!

We've had a couple instances lately where I've seen Olivia display a quick loyalty and sense of protection for Eric.  I'm always careful to just enjoy this moment for what it is and not expect anything from her with respect to Eric and their relationship.  I want to make sure that their relationship is whatever they cultivate.  Matt & I will do what we can to foster a healthy, close relationship, but I know at the end of the day, I've got very little control over it.  So, for now, when they are little, I'm happy for small displays of sibling harmony.

As Eric gets more mobile, he is learning his boundaries and limits and has taken a few MINOR falls.  Of course he cries when he falls and Olivia is usually the first one to SPRINT from wherever she is to him.  If Matt or I get there first, she rushes over and takes him and bounces/shh's with a very concerned look on her face.

We recently left Eric for the first time with a babysitter and went to dinner with Olivia.  Initially, she was THRILLED with the idea, but as it started getting closer she became more and more nervous about leaving Eric.  Is this girl a chip off the old block or what?!  I assured her that I too hate leaving her and Eric and that's why I rarely do so.  I explained this is really the best of all worlds because he will be sleeping the entire time we are gone.  She was skeptical all night, so when the sitter texted that he had woken up early and was crying, she was a tad judgmental with Matt and I (she barely contained her "I told you so!" as we sped home) and raced up the stairs as soon as we got home to comfort him.

And for his part, Eric seems to be constantly entertained and enthralled with this big sister of his.  He shows his love to her in the ways he can -- lots of kisses, hugs and puts his arms out to be held anytime she walks by.  If she walks into a room, he is unable to concentrate on any activity other than watching her.  He also continues to be tickled by most things she does.  Recently, we were in the car and Olivia was singing some crazy gibberish song AT. THE. TOP. OF. HER. LUNGS.  Just as I was about to ask her to be a little quieter, Eric burst out laughing -- like a baby belly laugh that came out and filled the car.  Which, of course, only egged her on more.

Olivia's teacher does this thing called "Model Making" at school.  Basically the kids bring in odds & ends from home (empty toilet paper rolls, boxes, corks, etc) and the kids can use them as supplies to create.  I love this idea because it encourages and fosters Olivia's creative side.  And she is OBSESSED with model making.  My office manager at work recently started collecting items for her too, so she's got a constant supply of goodies.   This was her most recent creation - I think its some sort of treehouse/stage.

Things have finally slowed down a bit for our family and I feel like I'm finally coming up for air after a pretty stressful few months.  As we head into March, we are hoping for some sunnier weather - literally and figuratively!

Love Day

I was so happy to have TWO little love bugs to celebrate this Valentine's Day!

And of course their big-hearted daddy

Our photographer from Eric's newborn pictures and Christmas emailed me asking if Olivia would like to participate in her "what is love?" campaign for Valentines Day.  Of course we said yes and luckily she featured Olivia's answer:

The kiddos were showered with love (i.e. presents and candy) from mommy & daddy; their aunts; and grandparents.

 (Side note: Is there anything cuter than babies in jammies?!!)

Olivia took Valentines for all her friends at school & they had a little celebration

Olivia has been really into writing and books lately.  Although it changes from minute-to-minute, lately she has been saying she wants to be an author when she grows up.  Kinkaid brings in various authors and illustrators to speak to the kids and we have taken her to a few local events as well.  Most recently, Matt took her to listen to the illustrator Robin Preiss Glasser, of the Fancy Nancy books, speak about the latest (and last!) Fancy Nancy book.  She was so proud to take her autographed book in for show-and-teach that week.

So, almost everyday she comes home with a "book" or short story for us.  But on Valentines Day, she came home with a song she wrote for us.  She was so proud to sign it for us and it was about the most precious thing I'd ever heard.  (I care about you.  You. You.  You. Oooooo.  Never mind anyone else.  I love you.  I love you.)

Eric and I had our daily "lunch date"

And we continued our Valentine's fondue tradition.  This year we added cheese fondue into the mix and it was a pretty big hit.  If you're looking for a kid-friendly recipe (i.e. no wine), this one was really good.  Also, apparently if she can smother it in cheese, she will eat just about any vegetable.  (Not that I'm judging - that's basically my life philosophy too!)

And, after we put Eric to bed, we indulged in some chocolate fondue

It was a good day and a nice opportunity to take a minute to love on my people.

Life Lately

Recently Olivia enjoyed her first International Fair at school. This is a huge event at school where they choose 2 countries and transform the school into those countries.  This year's choices were New Zealand and Peru.  Matt and I volunteered in New Zealand and It. Was. Amazing!  The time, effort, planning and forethought that went into this event was unbelievable and it was such a fantastic experience for the kids.

The week started with a parade of countries

And then throughout the week, each class got to visit New Zealand and Peru

In preparation for the event, Olivia had to choose an animal from one of the countries, learn about it, write 2 facts and create the animal out of a paper bag.  She chose the scarlet macaw from Peru.  The decision on which animal to choose was aided by an "animal draft" courtesy of Matt Dean. I was happy when the macaw won because I knew I'd be the one helping her make it!

She had a very specific plan in her head of how it should look...

And luckily we were able to make reality match!

Eric's school project for Valentine's day wasn't quite as precise..

Eric's latest trick is that he has learned how to push himself into a sitting position from laying down and how to pull-up.  So nap time has been made a bit more challenging...

And we FINALLY sold Queensbury!  

It was a little bitter-sweet for me.  Although we were happy it sold, that was our first home, the one where we learned how to be homeowners and frankly, where we learned how to be married; it was where we brought Olivia home to and where we began our journey as parents.  I hope its new owners love it as much as we did.

And most recently, we were lucky enough to have a visit from Aunt Jill.  It was easy and snuggly and low-key -- exactly what we all needed!  We filled our days with reading, art projects, movie watching and baby cuddling.  

And after the kids went to bed, we continued our tradition of ordering in sushi while we delve deep into solving the problems of the world...(with sparking rose/pink lemonade)