You're Not the Boss Applesauce!

Saturday we started Olivia on some food.  She has been eating rice cereal for a few weeks now but mostly just in her bottle at night.  So, I was able to snap a video of her trying applesauce for the first time.  I gave her some right after she ate a bit of oatmeal for an afternoon snack.  I'm not sure she really likes applesauce, but I guess I would make these faces too if all I'd been eating for 6 months is breast milk, formula and rice cereal!

Sweet potatoes next!!!

6 Month Appointment

Olivia had her 6 month Dr. visit this morning and all is well!  She is definitely ready to start eating some solid foods!  We started her on rice cereal a couple weeks ago and it seems to be agreeing with her so we'll start her on oatmeal for a few days and then get started on some fruits and veggies!!  We are so excited for Olivia to try something with some flavor! 

Olivia's nurse is super pleased with her progress as far as her growth but wants to see her sitting up on her own soon.  We are working on it, so I know she'll be good to go in the next few weeks.

Her stats at 6 months old:

15 pounds 15 oz - 51st percentile - up 2 pounds from her 4 month appointment but down from 57th percentile

27 1/2 inches - 96th percentile - up 2 inches from her 4 month appointment and up from 90th percentile

43 cm head circumference - 67th percentile - up 1 cm but down from 78th percentile

I took some pictures of Olivia at the Dr. office but for some reason, they are no longer on my phone, so I have none to share!

I look forward to how much Olivia will grow over the next 3 months!  9 month appointment next!

Busy Sunday!

The past Sunday was a busy one!  Not only was it Olivia's 6 month birthday, it was my mother-in-law's 65th birthday!  So, we packed up and headed to Danielle and Eric's house for a surprise breakfast for Ruth.  She was definitely surprised.  The whole family was there to celebrate.  The only person missing was Jon.  He had to work so wasn't able to come up with Michelle, Staci and Courtney.  He was missed!  Olivia got to meet her Aunt Michelle and her cousins, Staci and Courtney.  She loved them lots!!

Olivia laughing with Miss Courtney

Olivia chillin' with Miss Staci

 After breakfast we all went outside (gorgeous by the way) and set up the camera on the tripod to get a picture of the whole family!!

Then the fun started!  We tried to get all the different family combinations since almost all of us were there!

Nana and the Grandchildren

Bob and Ruth with the kids

Bob and Ruth with the boys

Bob and Ruth with the girls

 The visit with everyone was so nice and Olivia was so great despite not having a nap!  Here are a few more shots from the day!



Andrew Chillin'



Olivia with Aunt Dani



Cole Bug!

After our visit, Lee, Olivia and I headed over to Bob and Ruth's to have some one-on-one time with them and watch a bit of the Skins game.  Olivia finally got her nap in!  Long day for Olivia, but she was a trooper!

Cousins!

Saturday, Olivia and I took a field trip out to Auntie 'Reen, Uncle Andy and Adam's house to visit with them and Grandma and Grandpa.  Olivia has been using an "Exersaucer" at school and Adam was nice enough to let Olivia borrow his, so we had her take it for a spin!  This is what happens when a 1 year old plays with a 6 month old.....

After we hung out at the house for a bit and watched the Hokies beat the Blue Devils, Mom, Maureen and I headed out to Kohl's for a little BSS (Birthday Shopping Spree) for me!  Olivia stayed at the house with Grandpa and Uncle Andy.  Grandma even bought Olivia her first Christmas dress!  Oh boy, it's absolutely gorgeous and I can't wait to put her in it!

Trip to the Pumpkin Patch!

Sunday morning, we packed up and headed to Ticonderoga Farms to take pictures of Olivia and her BFF, Vivien.  Sarah called earlier in the week to see if we could get in without paying since the girls obviously wouldn't be partaking in pony rides, hay rides or burlap sack slides!  Since we were just going for pictures and pumpkins, we didn't have to pay.  Perfect! 

Ticonderoga is a local farm that has both pumpkins and cut-your-own Christmas trees.  I see this place being visited by the Diehrs and Wyshynskis for years to come. 

We walked back to one of their many patches and gathered a bunch of pumpkins to set up a mini-studio for the girls.  Since they can't quite sit up on their own, we had to prop them up with some pumpkins.  This is what we got!  We caught some smiles from Vivien, but I think she might have been a little tired.  Olivia was hamming it up, as usual!

After a while, the girls were a little over having their pictures taken, so we picked them up and headed back to the main area of the farm and had fun taking random pictures.

Vivien is watching Olivia to learn how to smile!  I know she knows how!!

Vivien is definitely not enjoying this little photo session!

 We look forward to making this a tradition!  Maybe next year the girls will be easier to photograph!

Shelley and Jason's Wedding

October 1st, Shelley and Jason got married.  Shelley has been a good friend of mine since 6th grade.  From making up dances to Milli Vanilli (yes, I am being absolutely serious) to playing softball to managing the high school baseball team, Shelley and I have remained friends for a LONG time!  I was very honored to have been invited to be there to witness her special day.  This day was even more special because back in April, her father, Tom, or "The Big Foote", suffered a major heart attack.  Things were very touch and go for a while and they weren't even sure he would be there to walk her down the aisle.  Well, he fought hard and was there to make the day even more special for Shelley.  He still has a long road ahead of him, but you could tell how happy he was to be there.  I definitely get emotional at weddings, but watching Tom walk Shelley down the aisle and witnessing the Father-Daughter dance, was just amazing to watch.  Why I had no tissues with me is a mystery!  He didn't recognize me, but when I told him my name, his eyes lit up and he gave me a big hug! 



Tom walking Shelley down the aisle

As part of the ceremony, Shelley and Jason had a "Passing of the Rings".  They passed the rings around to everyone to say a little blessing or prayer to wish the new couple well.

Passing of the Rings



The Programs



 

The Bohlens!





Beautiful!

 The weather was absolutely gorgeous!  It was slightly windy, but what a beautiful night!  Perfect for a wedding. 

 The newlyweds went around the venue getting their pictures taken and we enjoyed a cocktail hour with passed hors d'oeuvres and an open bar.  I enjoyed a nice glass of Pinot Grigio and caught up with a few friends from back in the day.  After the cocktail hour, we headed upstairs to the reception area.  They had a photo album instead of a guest book.  They had a friend taking pictures of each guest as they came into the room and we wrote our names next to an empty space in the album where the picture would go.  Neat idea!

Wine charm favors!

When Shelley and Jason enjoyed their first dance together as a married couple, Tom watched and smiled. 

Dancing to Michael Buble's "Crazy Love"

Tom watching with a smile!

The night continued with dinner and dancing and everybody was having a great time.  Brad came to me and requested a picture of the three of us who have known each other since 6th grade! 

Friends for 22 years and counting.....

After the last dance, we hailed a cab and headed back to the hotel for much needed sleep.  This was our first night away from Olivia so we had no reason to wake up in the middle of the night except for the sirens that seemed to never stop! 

All in all, we had a fantastic evening and we wish the new couple a safe and wonderful trip to Aruba!!