Ravioli Monster

Olivia seriously loves ravioli.

Happy Easter!

The Bunny Came!

The Easter Bunny came to our house for the first time ever to leave little Olivia a basket of goodies. Books, eggs, play dough, bunny ears, stuffed lamb-- such goodies!

She was pretty impressed by the slinky!

Hop Hop Hop

Somebody is ready for the Easter Bunny in the cutest bunny coat ever!

Poor Penny

Our sweet Penelope Grace was attacked by an evil pit bull this week at the park. Despite the very scary event, Penny is luckily okay and escaped with just a deep bite and scratches. For all those who ever doubted my love for Penny, I think I showed that my love runs deep by saving her life. She deserves all the extra lovin' she can get this week. Poor poor Penny.

Happy 7th Birthday Ellie!

How did my sweet goddaughter and niece Eleanor get so old and mature? Watching you grow up in front of our eyes for the past seven years has been a delight and pleasure. You are becoming a smart, witty, funny and beautiful little lady. We love you!

Happy Birthday Ellie!!!

Bye Bye

Olivia's official second word is "bye" or "bye bye."

She generally uses it totally appropriately and waves her hand at the same time. We say it when Daddy leaves for work or when we put our lovies and nuks back into the crib when we wake up or when we are checking out at the grocery store. Smart little Livie.

Stitch by Stitch

Olivia is one lucky little girl to have many handmade treasures, especially those made by her grandmas. Pat is an expert knitter and I swear this is the cutest jumper and matching bootie set that I've ever seen! She could open her own store on Etsy!

And before Olivia was born my mom started working on a special blanket for her. Nana finished it just in time for her first birthday. It was knitted all around the globe from California to New Zealand! I know each stitch was done with love and Olivia knows how fortunate she is to have such loving grandmas.

Easter Bunny Adventures

Olivia and Ava ventured out today to meet the Easter bunny in their cute spring dresses. Olivia did better with the Easter Bunny than with Santa, but still wasn't exactly her happy-self.

Don't the girls look cute?!

Unfortunately after leaving the Easter Bunny, I realized one of our car tires was leaking and we headed to the local Firestone to get it patched. Olivia did some of her best flirting to get them to fix it ASAP and she thoroughly enjoyed checking out all the different tires on display.

Giggles

Spring Has Sprung! (Finally)

It appears that spring has finally arrived in Chicago with today's beautiful, sunny 64 degree day. Olivia and I soaked up the warm weather walking around and playing at parks. Everywhere we started to notice signs of spring, from the daffodils and tulips to the green hue coming to the grass.

Now if only it wasn't suppose to be 40 degrees this weekend. Boo.

These Are My People

I could spend every minute of each day with these guys. Love em!

(From left: Aunt Meg, Liv, Colin, Ellie, Finn, Brendan, Saoirse and Seamus)

Thirty

I officially turned 30 this Sunday and entered a new decade of my life.

We celebrated my birthday by celebrating Olivia's first birthday. I thought it was the perfect day. Seeing all the love and cheer towards my daughter just reiterated how blessed my life is. I have the most fabulous, supportive and funny husband a girl could ask for. My beautiful daughter is hysterical and exploring the world on a daily basis. She has the best smile I've ever encountered, which only makes those around her smile back in return. We have a loving family who enjoys one another's company and is always there for you. Our lives are filled with friends who bring laughter and good times. Really, what more could a girl ask for?

Just as I am sure my mom cannot believe that her baby is now 30, I cannot believe that my baby is now one! So in this next year of my life, I plan to see it through the eyes of a child and take each new day as an adventure. Soak up all the little things and enjoy every minute of it!

Butterfly Birthday Bonanza

This weekend we celebrated baby girl's 1st birthday with her grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends! Butterflies were everywhere (I might have gone overboard!). We decorated butterflies, caught butterflies with nets, ate butterfly cakes, chocolates and cookies! Even my little Olivia wore a butterfly dress and wings.

The Toilet Paper Bandit

One Year Check-Up

Olivia weighed in today at 22 pounds, which puts her in the 50-75th percentile. She is 31 inches long, so in between the 90-95th percentile. On the same growth track she's been for the past year, so she's perfect!

First Purse!

Cousin Sam sent Olivia her very first purse for her birthday! Not only is the purse beautiful, but it's filled with a phone, a debit card, keys and lipstick!

She's been trying to call Sam all morning to say thank you...

But he doesn't seem to be answering...

So in the meantime, she's been online shopping with her new debit card!

Thanks Sam, Aunt Alyce and Uncle Michael!

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

We had a delightful time today celebrating little Olivia's first birthday. We had breakfast, played with balloons, and opened a few gifts (her new baby doll and stroller).
Then it was off to the Chicago Children's Museum where we played at the firehouse, splashed at the water display, dug for dinosaur bones, slid down slides, pretended to be a flower, delivered mail, hula hooped, fished for frogs, and planted vegetables. Busy busy and super crowded!
We had a low key afternoon of playing around the house, opening a few more gifts (a soft puppy dog, her own laptop and a shape sorter).
Then it was onto our family dinner celebration. Daddy made homemade pizza which was delicious. Then we all had Sweet Mandy B's cupcakes, yummy! Pink frosting everywhere required a bath.

Happy Happy Birthday Olivia!!!

Twelve Months Old!

The fact that my little baby girl is turning ONE today really shows how fast a year goes by. Each and every single day of Olivia's first year have been wonderful. She gave me the best gift of all in becoming a mommy and I have loved each experience that it's brought. I never imagined that my daughter would have such an infectious smile, a silly personality, and a mischievous mind. She is perfect in every way and we find her to be completely hysterical. I cannot wait to see how she continues to develop and soak in the world around her in the days, weeks and years to come.
In the past month, Olivia has become a seasoned walker with impressive balance. She can squat down to pick things up without falling over and she has the perfect downward dog motion that she uses to get herself back up when she does take a tumble. And she's quick! The minute you turn your head, she sneaks away into the bathrooms or bedrooms to see what trouble she can stir up (which usually is trying to get a hold of the toilet paper!). And she totally knows when she is being naughty because when you find her, she breaks out into laughter. It's pretty cute.
Liv is really starting to understand a lot more and respond with actions. She loves to give high-fives and constantly is pointing at things, especially pictures around the house. She can point to her head when you ask about it and we're working on the other body parts.
Last night at 5am on the monitor we heard "Mama Mama Mama," which Sam promptly said that clearly Olivia was calling me. So I guess we can officially say that's her first word. Hooray! She's constantly blabbering and chatting all day long now which is adorable. She has lots to say and I love to listen :)
Likes: Looking out the front window, snacking on goldfish, walking around the house chugging water from her sippy cup.

Dislikes: Wearing hats, pineapple.

Favorite Books: "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" and "Kiss Good Night"

Favorite Toys: Lovies

Favorite Food: String cheese

Up Next: Lots of fun playing at the park once spring finally arrives!