New Pictures...

Kisses from Daddy & Putter Livie discovers ice... Busted!... The "lip-smacking" face...

First day back to work

Today was Livie's 4th day at daycare (the first truly full day) and Mom's first day back to work. It went really well. It was great to be back at work and back in the swing of things. And Livie had a great report card today...she was happy all day and played a lot...totally different baby than Monday. The teachers said she has adjusted really fast. The downside...we got home at 6:00, pulled something together for dinner in about 20 minutes, gave her a bath and only had a few minutes to play before she crashed. She was fighting to stay away until 7:00. I LOVE my job and I absolutely believe that daycare will be so great for her socially & developmentally....but this will definitely be an adjustment. We'll now live for the weekend!

Daycare -- First day

UGH!!! The short version... Livie cried & cried & cried…her face was blood red and hair was wet with sweat. I slipped out of the room and watched on the monitors in the lobby….she finally calmed down and put her head on the teacher’s shoulder….I think she was just exhausted. We called to check on her a couple of hours later and she had made a new friend and they were playing with blocks. Steve came home from work early and took me to the beach for lunch...the first time we've had lunch without Livie. It was a beautiful day and nice distraction to help pass the hours. We picked her up at 3:00... she was fine and we all survived.

Daycare orientation and 12-month checkup

Big Day! Steve & I went to Livie's daycare today for orientation...she starts on Monday. We went through an orientation last summer wehn we first reserved a spot for her but needed a fresher not that she's ready to start. We're excited for her to start...it'll definitely be tough but I really think it will be so great for her. Olivia also had her 12-month check up today (yes, she's actually 13 months old now). Everything went well and she did great. Dr. Kim seemed to be impressed with Livie's progress and how quickly she's adjusted & bonded with us. She's totally off formula/bottle....she eats some babyfood but mostly table food and she drinks from a sippy cup. This baby LOVES TO EAT! We've found nothing she doesn't like...and she never says she's had enough. We just have to stop her from eating when we know she's had enough. Since her first appt on 11/28, she's gained 6 oz and grown 1 inch. We really thought she'd gained a bit more than that since she eats so well...but she's obviously burning it off. She's a healthy baby...but she's tiny! She's in the 5th percentile for weight and the 50th percentile for length. The doctor has no concerns about her weight...she's just little. The worst part of the day...Olivia got 4 shots today. Yes, she screamed...but she was over it almost as soon as the nurse left the room. She had a Bugs Bunny bandaid on each arm and each leg...attached are a couple of pics...

Olivia's first play date

Today we attended our first official play date with 3 other China dolls who have come home in the last year....Annalisa (our travel buddy), Casey & Kimberly (Jade was planning to be there but both Mommy & baby were a bit under the weather. It was so great to see all the girls together. We new parents all went through the "waiting" together and dreamed of the day.... We had dinner with Jade (and her parents, Alan & Lisa!) last weekend...so I've attached a few of those pics also. Side note about these pics...yes, Livie is wearing pajamas. We were at Lisa & Alan's house, and in the middle of dinner our precious angel had a major BLOWOUT! We had to strip her down and give her a bath. Thankfully we had the wisdom to put a change of clothes in the diaper bag!

Florida in January!

Picnics, sunshine & trips to the beach!!....