Although today was the 'big chore' day, Adam & I got a bunch of them done Sunday night because today was going to be very busy. It's a good thing we did! Olivia & I had to get gussied up for the troop picnic and sometimes that can take quite a while.
We both got nice and clean, although Olivia's bath seemed like a lot more fun than my shower. Then Adam to came home and put the finishing touches on his baked ziti. We waited until the last minute to get Olivia dressed, just as a precaution. I have to say, both she and Daddy looked very nice!
Tuesday, May 22nd
Today was a very long day. Olivia & I spent most of the day together because Adam had to work long hours. We did a few errands - notably we got the second season of the new BBC Sherlock which came out today. We can't wait to watch it!
I was impressed with how light the birthmark ("storkbites") on the nape of Olivia's neck has become. It's mostly covered by her hair, but it used to be quite purplish.
I went through her clothes today. (Although it seems like we just did this!) Olivia has been growing & growing and her dresser & closet are in a perpetual state of flux. We moved all the 'too smalls' to a plastic bin and brought out & washed the next sizes up (6-9mos). I found two more bathing suits...it appears I have a problem. I just can't help it! They're just so cute - they're irresistible! We'll just have to justify it by doing lots of swimming this summer.
Adam & I bought a dvd of Curious George episodes - specifically the "Curious George Goes Green" collection. We watched it the other night - yes we are going to be the parents who watch things before their children can see them. There'll be no surprises here! So today Olivia & I watched an episode, which lasted about ten minutes. It was nice to sit and 'watch' together & for me to know what was coming up so that I could play along. Since we've eliminated cable, this & The Muppet Show may be Olivia's only television for a long time to come! (Not counting her favorite Ringo & Sesame Street numbers on YouTube, of course.)
Wednesday, May 23rd
Today Olivia & I went on some 'early' errands (maybe around 8am). Since the fellas had worked so late the night before, we decided to bring them some breakfast goodies. We also got some treats for our friend Veronica F. who had surgery yesterday. After we stopped by the troop building we went to Miss Veronica's and had a nice long visit. It's been strange to go from seeing all these wonderful women on a regular basis to all of us being so insular with our families. It'll be nice to get back to a more balanced way of 'being' after we're all back from block leave.
This evening Olivia spent some time with the Abels while Adam & I went to a Hail & Farewell dinner for Lt. Col. Raugh & Sergeant Major MacFarlane. It was held at the Two Rivers Lodge. We could only stay for a short while - we wanted to get back to Olivia - but it looks like a place we'd like to eat at sometime down the road. Alaska is looking very beautiful this spring and the cloud formations were spectacular tonight. We won't have any darkness here for about the next two months! What an interesting place to live!
Thursday, May 24th
Today Olivia is five months old! It seems like the days have passed in a blink, but at times it also feels like Olivia has always been a part of our lives. It's funny how that is. We snuggled a bunch this morning and it always melts my heart when she reaches back to touch my face (or grab my hair!). More recently she will also turn towards me, as if to give me a kind of kiss. Being a mother is pretty amazing.
We put on a little romper and set off on our daily adventures. This morning it was a trip to the pharmacy - surprisingly quick - and we had to run some things over to the Abels. Olivia loves visiting with Sarah. Even when she is sleepy, Sarah always makes her smile - guaranteed. She's such a good sister to Olivia. Today she "sped away" in the car with Olivia "to Africa". I hope that Olivia is just as much fun to play with when she's four.
Next Olivia & I went to the Garden and transplanted seedlings at the greenhouse. It was challenging at times because Olivia wanted to be held and one-handed gardening is new to me! We have several trays of seedlings that will be going into the garden at the beginning of next week. It's so exciting! We were working for a couple hours when Adam met us there. He came bearing manna from heaven...well at least a hotdog & a Dr. Pepper from the gas station. Yum! Better yet, he was able to snuggle with Olivia while I finished the transplanting and we watered our baby plants. Right now we have:
44 Swiss Chard (Multicolor Bright Lights)
44 Kale (Savoy Cross)
24 Cucumbers (Diva)
30 Cabbages (Dynamo)
25 Peppers (Blushing Beauty)
36 Chives
10 Nasturtium (Alaska Mix)
41 Disco Granada Marigolds
16 China Cat Marigolds
...and we'll be direct-seeding more! (Obviously not all the trays pictured are ours.)
We went back down to the garden where Katie showed us how to use the Rototiller. Then we ran home, fed Olivia and put her in clothes a little more suited to late afternoon temperatures (plus we'd been having some sun showers). We also decided to be extra adventurous and took the dogs on their first real car trip. They loved it! We got our plot tilled in a little more than an hour, including breaks for playing with Olivia. Adam worked the heavy machinery & I handled the garden fork. It was such a spectacular evening, I couldn't resist getting a family portrait. We count ourselves very fortunate to be gardening here - in the shadow of Denali...which lies behind us in the distance. It's magical. I really do love Alaska...if only our families weren't so far away.
Since Olivia didn't get a nap today, she fell asleep immediately after I nursed her at home. She looked like such an angel - which she is - I had to take one more picture for the day. Perhaps all these pictures will embarrass her one day, but I hope not. I hope that she'll enjoy looking back on all our wonderful adventures & how her father and mother were inspired by their daughter's tiny but indomitable spirit. She makes us want to be our best selves & to change the world - just for her. Happy five months Olivia and thank you.