Tree Frog

It is fun to hear Olive explore her newfound vocal talents. Seems like each day she makes a new little sound at some point. Today she gave me a vocal warning whenever she was getting tired - sounded like a creaky little tree frog. So funny.

My little deck plants. Lettuce, flowers, tomatoes, herbs. But darn little birds! They keep rooting in the dirt trying to find tasty seed morsels. I strung a couple pop cans above one planter trying to scare them away (unless I find some wire or something better).



This isn't her tree frog song, but I like the vocals on this one.

Another video

Here's another video from last weekend. Sorry this post is so "unjazzy' but the video is what you care about anyway.

Playtime!

I'm trying to learn how to publish a video on my blog, so here goes my first attempt:

Olive - 3 months old

Miss Olive is 3 months old! I can hardly believe it. Trying to intentionally enjoy each moment to the fullest, remembering how fleeting this sweet time is. I want to really look her in the eyes and remember.

Thanks to Auntie Michelle for the sweet sweater. :)

 

Olive loves walking but not the bright sun in her eyes, so we christened the still-too-big hat from Grandma Sandy. [And I am borrowing B's sunglasses? How is it that sunglasses go missing during winter?

 Abbey loves Olive. To lick or not to lick... I feel bad for telling Abbey not to lick her when she is trying to show Olive her approval. 

These last two pictures I took this morning. I love this look. So many fun moments. And then letting me know I was taking too long.

A moment to blog

A moment to blog... and I don't really know where to begin. Olive is asleep and for once I have not yet zonked out at the same time. One of these days I have to get better at blogging, posting pictures & videos, and actually making my blog look - a little less boring anyway.

A pair of Canadian geese have made our pond their home this spring and mama goose has been diligently setting on her nest for some time now... it has made me think about my own 9 months of nesting. Yesterday I looked out the window and they were hatching! So cute.

This morning Olive and I went with my mom to visit "great-gpa." His surprise and delight to see us was sweet. The moment I set Olive's carseat down, he was scrambling past his cane from his armchair down to the floor beside her just to gaze at her. Cute. I guess I do quite a bit of gazing myself. It's so fun watching a life unfold... a personality and face and toes that will always be like no one else's.

Olive has increasingly enjoyed going for walks... and we've had some mild days lately. Here Olive is holding her first dandelion. I walked all over showing her trees and flowers; when I stuck this dandelion in her palm to let her feel the texture she hung onto it for the rest of the walk.

Brian loves being a dad. It is fun to be in this new season together.

Final disclaimer... this blog formatting is funny but I can't figure out how to load the newest version of blogger and it's past my bedtime! Until the next stolen moment...

Olive's Escapades

It's been so fun seeing Olive graduate from recognition to a twinkle in her eye, to a small smile, to huge grins and coos... this morning we were trying to catch some of her happy morning antics on video.




Despite these delightful moments, it's actually been a hard week. She has been extra fussy, naps have been difficult, a routine difficult to foster... but alas... it is nevertheless sweet - and hopefully will get a bit easier soon.

My Olive

I am charmed and mesmerized. I am a mom. Something so vast in someone so small. I still feel that I can't take her in. It is hard to reconcile this child in my arms with any previous notion of parenthood. The little body nestled into my neck is a person I will know the rest of my life--someone who will continue to delight and fascinate me.



It has been a day absent of routine for Olive but now we are totally enjoying a moment together--both of us with full tummies, enjoying the peaceful swoon of Aram Kachachurian (a classical composer I was unfamiliar with). The computer screen is now rivaling the lingering twilight as our primary source of light. The fire has dwindled to a glow but I'm hesitant to disturb Olive to add another piece of wood. Her breathing is quick, uneven wisps and sighs intermittent with grunts or a solitary hiccup.

Hugeness

I am getting so big. Today has been a tumble of fists, elbows, heels and knees.... a day of jabs, roundhouse kicks, sweet pokes and hiccups. Who is this little person? Seems to be quite a vivacious peppery sort. I hope she's not the kind of girl who's always late... I've been telling her she should come a couple weeks early. None of my recent pictures are very flattering... but here's one taken just before Christmas while I was making oatmeal cranberry cheesecake bars.