May 4, 2012

Friday, May 4th

Today was a very full day. Our day started right about when Daddy came home for breakfast. Olivia decided to wear Daddy's favorite corduroy overalls and a fun orange shirt with chickens on it from Sherrylee. Olivia is so lucky that Adam gets to come home in the mornings right now. It's her favorite part of the routine.

One thing that was clearly not her favorite was a small 'incident' - Olivia was relaxing in her vibrating chair, visiting with her bugs and I left the room to start a load of laundry. When I noticed a different 'fussy' sound I came back to find Olivia laying on her stomach on the bedroom carpet! She must have scooted herself right out of the seat and turned over. Adam & I both made it to her at about the same moment, but boy was she unhappy. And we were both a little shaken ourselves. Although it was only a matter of inches that she slid down, it still drove home the point that she is becoming mobile and can no longer be left somewhere without being strapped in.

After Daddy went back to work, Olivia & I went out on errands. We had a long list of miscellaneous items to get and so we went to a couple of stores. Olivia was very cooperative & quiet at our first stop - although I was still feeling guilty about the tumble so I was wishing she would burble at me. By the time we got to the third store she was 'talking' up a blue streak. Phew! All was well.

The tumbling incident compounded some feelings I'd been having lately about not being a 'good mom'. Intellectually I know that is not the case and that I'm doing the best I can, but emotionally I was a little glum. Today I had to buy some infant formula because I've been having trouble meeting Olivia's nursing demands. I know it is at this age when this starts to happen, hence the introduction of 'solid' foods; that many many children have been happily & healthily raised on formula (including myself!); and that supplementing her diet isn't a bad thing. I know all this. I still felt lousy. I wanted to be able to continue this wonderful bonding that we've had and the thought that it's coming to a close made me a little sad. So, I bought myself a box of animal crackers & a soda and called my dear friend Jessica and she cheered me up and gave me some really good advice. She's so wonderful.


After we got home we spent a lot of time playing in the nursery. Olivia prefers to be naked some times, so that's how she spent the afternoon. She also seems more inclined to roll when she's au naturel. She kept almost going all the way over, stopping as she lay on her side. But she really enjoyed it and so did I. We played with a great toy from Anne & Pete R. I think it may be her new favorite.



Adam had a very busy afternoon and only had a few moments to spare when returned at four. A whole 'crew' from his platoon was here to help him retrieve our piano. Olivia & I stayed home with Corinne Z. and set out a spread of healthy snacks for the fellas to enjoy when they got back. It seemed to take them no time at all and then voila! we had a piano in our front room! What a fantastic Mother's Day gift for me, and for Olivia, too. It felt really good to sit down & play.

Today was a day where Olivia's favorite musical artist really nailed it, we "get by with a little help from our friends."