9 Months

I couldn't help myself..I'll just post a bunch. She's just so cute. The last 9 months have been so fun getting to know this sweet little girl. Sweet is the best words to describe her. She's smiley and lovey, and giggly,and adventerous..she tumbled out the front door today, but sweet is her greatest attribute. I can't imagine our family without her.

She checked in at 17 lbs 5 oz. today at the doctor. She's 27 1/2 inches tall. Right on target. The doctor joked that she must have read the book about how she is supposed to grow and develop because she does everything she is supposed to and is just the right size.
She just started pulling herself up on things, and she loves when her sisters come around. She gets so excited. She cries for "ma-ma" when she wants me and loves to spit. Especially when she is eating.

If I could be Sammie for a day...

I would wake up giggling because I'm so easily amused. I would eat my cereal dry because I don't like to be tied down to a bowl of cereal that will turn soggy if I don't eat fast enough. I would hate getting dressed unless I was putting on a dress or a skirt. If it was a preschool day I am much more motivated to get going in the morning. Otherwise, I just like to hang out in my pajamas. I would ask for lunch at 9:30 because I never got around to eating that bowl of cereal. Mom says, "How about a snack?" and I protest. "No! It is lunch!" and then watch "Little Einstein's," but I don't like to sit still for it. I jump and twirl with the music. I would do a puzzle and then color. I love to color. I would ask when Olivia was coming home because there is no one to play with. I would want some apple juice many times during the day. If I'm lucky I get a juice box.

Then mom would give me another lunch. I would ask for three things for lunch. I open the fridge and choose salami, a fruit, and sometimes cheese. I would help mommy with things because I'm really good at that. I really like to put the laundry in the washing machine. I would curl up with mom when she reads to me, but I don't like to sit still. I would play with barbies in my room and shut the door so I don't wake up Abby because I sound like 5 kids when playing. I would talk really loud and dress up and prance around the house and talk to myself in my own little world. I play with Olivia when she gets home. We would make a big mess. I would have the most genuine smile when I was happy and the grumpiest face when I'm not.

At night, I would hate getting my hair washed and combed and I would not like to pick up my toys. I would say, "If you want to say the prayer raise your hand," and then raise mine the highest. I would despise going to bed. I would never get tired and get up a lot for an extra hug and kiss from mom and dad, because that's what I really want. Then I would ask for another drink and curl up with my "night-night" and go to sleep. I would love being Sammie.

Have a Good Day :)

Going to School

Olivia looked so cute the other morning all ready for school. It was the day of her Valentine's Day party at school and she was so excited and happy that morning. Getting everyone out the door is not always a happy experience. We are usually running late, searching for shoes, socks, sweaters. Back pack? Is is time to bring the library book back? We usually get in the car, get everyone buckled, I climb in the driver's seat, shut the door and take a deep breath. Then I turn around and usually have to apologize for being so impatient with everyone. What a terrible way to start the day! I try to make an effort of getting out the door each morning a less stressful experience...but I'm not perfect. We always make up with lots of kisses and hugs as Olivia gets out of the car at school. Olivia is such a sweet girl, always giving me hugs and her sisters too. She is growing so fast...too fast. I'm glad kids are so forgiving of imperfect parents.

If I got a dollar

for everytime I kissed these cheeks in a day...

I would be one rich lady.

It's Official. I'm 30.

Goodbye 20s. You were good to me. I graduated from college, got married, had 3 kids, bought our first house...February 4th rolled around and ding! That's how quickly you go from one decade to the next. I'm excited for the 30s. Joey was supposed to be gone on my birthday for a trip with the high school. Since he was going to be up in Sacramento and I didn't want to be all lonely at home on my birthday I went along and stayed with my parents for a few days. We had a little party to celebrate. It was wonderful and rejuvenating to be with family. And while my health isn't where I want it to be (Still hoping to be better soon-4 months is a long time to be sick and I'm not very good at laying around), I'm looking forward to good times, lots of growth, and lots of love. Life is a blessing when you have such wonderful people in it. Hello 30s. I think we will be good friends.

P.S. Thanks Dianna for the DEEElicious cake :)

Am I boring?

or just getting old? When Joey called last Saturday he said, "I have your Birthday present. Is it okay if I come home with it?" (My birthday was still a couple of weeks away)

Me: "Sure. Do you want me to close my eyes while you hide it?"

Joey:"Well, I can't really hide it."

Me: "ummm...okay." Thinking, what on earth did you buy? I can think of a million practical things that I would love to spend money on. I hope he didn't get something that I don't need. Then he pulled up with this:

I was so excited. I've been wanting a new mattress for a year and I was completely surprised. Soooo happy. I never thought that a new mattress would be one of the best birthday presents ever.

I love love love going to bed even more :)

Science Fair

Olivia wanted to participate in her school's science fair. First graders aren't required to do a project, but her teacher said that if anyone wanted to do a science project they wouldn't have to do homework for 2 weeks. That was enough to inspire Olivia. I listed off a few of the suggestions that were in the science packet and Olivia lit up when I said, "color mixing." So our "science project" became a little bit more of an art project. She mixed color after color and wanted to display everything on little hearts of course. We cut, painted, and came up with a pretty stinkin' cute art, er science project.

It just looks like Olivia. I asked her questions and typed up her answers. It was a lot of fun to work on together, but also messy and she was painting all day long. She was very proud of her project, though she didn't win anything, she still felt special for completeing it.