March 4 - 5, 2012

Sunday was Nana's birthday! Although we didn't get to celebrate with her, we talked to her on the phone. Soon she'll be here! It's so exciting! And because she's magical, in the way that all Nanas are, she managed to send us presents today! The package must've come Saturday afternoon, but we got a box full of goodies. Isn't she wonderful? 

In the afternoon we went to Family Yoga with Jessica & Sarah Abel. I had never been to this class before and wanted to check it out - Adam has promised to try yoga with Olivia & I - and Jessica was wanting to try it as well. It was a great family activity. Sarah had a lot of fun. The teacher was great (Elizabeth) and we even used the kids in some of the poses. At the points when Olivia was too small to 'assist' me in some of the stretches I got to 'borrow' Sarah for part of the stretch. What a fun thing for a Sunday afternoon!

We stopped at Wendy's on the way home and Sarah gave Olivia the book that came with her kid's meal, again. Such a sweetie! Olivia enjoys a little light reading while we eat. Olivia was not happy on our drive home. This bug, or whatever, is really bothering her. Perhaps they injected her with the 'rage virus' while they were giving her her vaccines? We spent the rest of the afternoon fussy, feverish and spitting up. I was relieved when she finally fell asleep, even if it was in a strange position. I am developing very strong forearms from these 'exercises'.

Monday morning I think Olivia was finally over whatever has been plaguing her for the past two weeks. Whether it was a growth spurt, a reaction to her vaccines, or just a bug, I'm glad it's over. We finally had a day with no fever of any sort and no spitting up. Hallelujah! On the other hand, I started out the day with a stomach bug, but it quickly passed. Double Hallelujah!

She was so smiley in the morning and ticklish too! Check out the video. Once we were up, I decided to wash everything. I had already scrubbed the bathrooms, but now it was time to wash linens and myself! I put Olivia in her vibrating chair and as I was sudsing, I watched as Olivia learned something new - cause & effect! Olivia figured out that if she kicks her legs, the bugs above her chair will swing. Watch as she does it. Her actions are clearly purposeful. She watches them and as they slow down, she kicks some more! Amazing! All this development and kicking was clearly hard work, because soon she was sleeping.

Another developmental 'step' Olivia's at lately is that she is really into textures. She's starting to feel all the surfaces around her. Today it was the funny fabric on the pack 'n play. It even made a funny noise when we rubbed it with our hands!

We were just so ticklish today! I'm so glad that I have my happy baby back! Our next thing, now that we've got a great bedtime routine going, is going to be to try and introduce naps during the day. Other than these past two weeks where she's been so fussy she has napped during the day - mostly while we're out & about - but now I'd like to try and find specific times that work best for her. That way I'll know it's time for her to sleep, and so will she! Our nap today ended up like this - with Olivia edging me off the couch. Nap hog.

This afternoon we spent a lot of time Skyping with Mimi & Pop. It's been a rough time in Connecticut, with my grandfather in the hospital. Seeing Olivia, and for me sharing Olivia, is a cheery thing! Olivia obliged by playing in her chair with the bugs for over half and hour and then playing in her new baby gym for another 15-20 minutes! What a great attention span!

In the evening Olivia snuggled with me and was very pleasant. I'm so glad that we had a nice day. I was beginning to think this fussy phase was not a phase. Phew! 

We got to 'talk' to Daddy on facebook, and that was just the icing on the cake. This was a very good day for Olivia & I.