Today, Grandma bought Olivia her very own pair of shoes. We went to Stride Rite and got her sized and fitted for the perfect "early walker" shoes. She was such a good girl as she got measured and was very patient while we waited for the girl to bring her some shoes to try on. Some came with laces which we didn't even bother trying on because, let's face it, Momma and Daddy aren't gonna tie shoes every morning just to have her untie them over and over! We settled for a cute pair of Mary Janes that should last her a while! Here she is modeling for the camera!
After we left the mall, we headed to Kohls and Target to exchange some of her birthday gifts for bigger sizes, because as you read in my last post, she is a big girl!! We also got her a swimming pool and pool toys so she can enjoy some water time on the deck when the weather cooperates! She doesn't know it yet, but she's in for a lot of fun!
We had so much fun shopping and then we went back to Grandma and Grandpa's to play with Adam and Uncle Mark before enjoying dinner and heading home after a long day! What a big girl we have! I even thought she would take her first few steps in the shoe store!
Olivia had her 1 year appointment today. I know it sounds cliche, but it is just so hard to believe a year has gone by since Olivia joined our family. I just can't picture our lives without her. She is an amazing baby and just makes us smile and laugh every day! I couldn't wait to take her to see Miss Lauren, her nurse, because I wanted to see how much she has grown since her 9 month appointment. Quite a bit I would say!
Her stats at 12 months old:
23 pounds 3 oz - 82nd percentile - up almost 3 pounds from her 9 month appointment and up from 78th percentile
31 inches - 96th percentile - up 1 inch and down from 99th percentile
46 cm head circumference - 77th percentile - up 1 1/4 cm and up from 73rd percenetile
Miss Lauren was very happy with how Olivia is growing and thinks the world of her. :) I have to say, I love Miss Lauren! She has been there since the beginning and has always helped us with any questions we've had about Olivia and her development and growth.
O also got 3 shots today...... :( It was horrible. I've never seen her cry like she did today. It definitely brought tears to my eyes and I just wanted to make the pain go away. It only lasted for a few minutes, but those minutes seemed to last forever! We go back in 3 months, so hopefully it won't be as bad next time!
Our baby girl is growing so fast and so well. She is eating so many different things and loving all of it! She laughs and sings and says Dadda and Mamma and Uh Oh when she drops things.
Tonight at Grandma and Grandpa's house, she found Adam's cell phone (an old one of Grandpa's without the battery) and we caught her with it up to her ear having a conversation......oh boy are we in for it!!!
It's so hard to believe Olivia is already a year old! This morning started off great. She woke up around 6:30 and spent a good while just talking and singing to herself before I went to get her up. She was super smiley and ready to start the day! We came downstairs and started playing right away. She's just always in a good mood!
After a great breakfast of a blueberry waffle and some peaches and more playtime, down she went for a nap. She was still pretty tired after a long day at her party yesterday! When I got her up from her nap, I got her dressed in her "Birthday" outfit from Miss Nikki. Nikki is my co-worker who I've worked with for almost 13 years. She has always been a wonderful friend and has treated Olivia like her own since she was born! So, needless to say, she spoils Olivia big time! She bought her the "Birthday Princess" hat she wore at her party (briefly since she wouldn't keep it on....but it was pretty while it lasted). Here she is in all her PINK glory!
She ended up getting a little lunch on her dress so we changed into another dress. Glad we got the photos when we did! Olivia and I headed over to Grandma and Grandpa's house for the day so we could be with them for Easter dinner. After all, Olivia's birthday wasn't the only thing going on today! She got to play with Uncle Mark, Aunt Anne and Grandma and Grandpa all day! She was so happy!
It was such a beautiful day so Uncle Mark, Olivia and I headed outside to try out the swing under Grandma and Grandpa's deck. I would say she enjoyed herself, yes?
We even got some video!
She even got to play downstairs in the big open area with very little restrictions! Nothing she could really get into, so that was nice! We even found the rocking chair we all used as kids. She was really liking it!
She really loved playing with her new toy from Uncle Mark too!
Then it was piano time! She sat on my lap and "played" the piano for at least 30 minutes. It was so great and made me so proud! Future musician? You tell me!
Saturday we celebrated Olivia's First Birthday in style! Friends and family gathered at Grandma and Grandpa's house for a big birthday bash! I decided to make cupcakes for Olivia's party so she could have her very own cake to devour as she pleased. Friday night, I baked 4 dozen cupcakes. Yes, 48 cupcakes!!! Crazy, I know. And, after the party, I came home with 27! And, that didn't count the 6 I left with Grandma and Grandpa! I know, overkill, but as my grandfather always said...."'Tis better to have and not need, than need and not have!" So, I erred on the plentiful side! I made enough to fill two cupcake trees! Here I am making the homemade icing for the cupcakes.
I used a recipe my friend Sarah gave me, but added some lemon for an extra special flavor! I have to say, the icing was amazing! Super sweet, but yummmmy! I found an idea for her cupcakes here. You be the judge!
This was the first time I had ever decorated cupcakes like this, and I have to say, I think I did a pretty decent job! I wasn't super thrilled with the color of yellow, but it worked just fine!
I put together goody bags for all the kids that came too!
Lee took a few pictures of Olivia before we got her ready for the party. She was having lots of fun with one of her balloons!
Right before people started to arrive, we got Olivia in her party dress.......isn't she pretty?
Miss Nikki, mommy's coworker bought Olivia this Birthday Princess hat for her to wear for her party!
The birthday princess throne!
Why is everybody singing?
After singing the birthday song, it was time to dig in!!!
She did a pretty good job with her cupcake!
Papa wanted a taste too!
Andrew wanted some too!
She didn't make TOO much of a mess right?
My bestie, Sarah and Olivia's bestie, Vivien came to the party too!
This was a gift from Miss Sarah and Miss Vivien.....beach ball and personalized beach towel for our trip with them to the beach in July!!
Stefany's kids, Ethan and Sarah got these for Olivia. If she's anything like her mother, she will LOVE them!
Olivia was happy to have her big brother home after he was gone for a week in Georgia!
Daddy had fun taking self portaits too!
Lee had fun with both kids! Olivia and Adam are just the cutest aren't they?
Uncle Mark got Olivia the best gift! This will help her learn how to walk on her own! It won't be long....
Olivia had the best time at her birthday party! And to think, it's not even her birthday until Sunday! More fun to come!
