Why Hello...

Our little Olivia is figuring out how to wave. We just started to really demonstrate and repeat it a few days ago to her, but we think she's getting the concept!

O Christmas Tree...

Now that Thanksgiving is officially over, like her mom, Olivia couldn't wait to start decorating for Christmas. So we headed over to my favorite tree lot to pick out the perfect tall tree...

Once it was up in the house, we realized the tree was a bit larger on one side but that it was still a good pick...

It was Olivia's job to untangle the lights...

And she was pretty impressed once they were plugged in...

Once we got the lights onto the tree (minus one little issue with me buying a strand of twinkling lights), it was time to trim the tree with my little lady's help...

We were very happy once the tree was done!

Isn't she pretty??

Cute Cousin

Isn't Olivia's cousin Sam super cute?? They are exactly four months apart, but practically the same weight. It will be fun to watch them grow up being so close in age!

Happy Thanksgiving

Olivia's first Thanksgiving was filled with family, food and festivities. Unfortunately she was feeling a little under the weather and fighting a bug, so she was quite attached to her mommy. But she had a good time regardless, especially seeing her cousin Sam who came all the way from Washington, DC! Plus Nana taught Ellie and B how to gamble with "Left Right Center." Let's just say, they were hooked! With my little baby almost being eight months old, there was much to be thankful for over the past year. We are a very blessed and lucky bunch!

Getting Ready for Turkey!

Insane or Adorable?

I would have to say this face of Olivia's is both...insanely adorable! She seriously has the most facial expressions of any baby I have met.

Cruising and Chewing

Olivia is a busy lady these days. She loves pulling up on the ottoman and cruises around. She's still pretty unsteady, but she's getting the idea of how to move around using her hands for support. And when's she's not doing that, her other favorite activity is chewing on toys. For weeks I have thought she is teething (but still no actual teeth), but all signs point to teeth coming soon. We shall see when they actually arrive!

Baby in a Basket

After Olivia dumps all her toys out of the basket, she now likes to get into the actual basket herself. Funny girl.

First Words or Babble?

According to Sam, Olivia's first words are "Dada."

According to Megan, Olivia is just starting to babble and one of the sounds she has learned is "da."

Please feel free to comment with your own opinion below!

Puffs and Penny

Ever since Olivia has started to eat puffs (which she is obsessed with), Miss Penny has taken a sudden interest in the baby-- especially during meal times. As soon as Liv drops a puff, Penny pounces on it immediately. Just wait until Olivia starts eating foods that aren't pureed -- Penny is going to hit the jackpot!

First Carousel Ride!

Olivia had her first carousel ride today at the Brookfield Zoo. She instinctively knew how to hold on and thought it was a riot when her polar bear started to move up and down.

Soaking Up Fall

Before the snow arrives and with the unseasonably warm weather, Olivia and I have been out and about this week! We got in a few last swings at the park which resulted in some good laughs and smiles. Tomorrow we're off to the zoo!

Jumpers

When I was little, we always had "jumpers" after dinner. Essentially Dad would let us jump around all over their bed while Mom did the dishes. There were even characters that my dad made up who would attack us or try to knock us off the bed-- good times. I think Olivia is going to be a fan of jumpers because she already thinks playing on our bed is totally hysterical.

Still No Teeth

The Art of Imitation

Little Olivia has started to imitate us. Very funny.

Climbing

Olivia in action...

Seven Months Old!

Olivia turns seven months old today and she's definitely changed over the past month. She's a crawling machine all over the house. Her favorite game is chasing after poor Penny who runs away in fear when Liv gets close. Occassionally Olivia will creep up when Penny is sleeping and grab her paw- I find it quite funny (so does Liv).

Liv currently weighs in at 17 pounds, 6 ounces and 27 inches long. She's on the same growth pattern-- about 50th percentile in weight, 75th percentile in height and only 25th percentile in her head size.

Still no teeth, but the pediatrican thought she could feel them coming. Liv's eating two solids meals a day-- particularly loving her yogurt. She's started to eat some puffs and is figuring out how to get them from the tray to her mouth with much success. Such good hand-eye coordination!

Her newest trick is pulling herself up on anything- stable or not. She figured out how to stand in her crib and has started to cruise around in there, frequently falling and bumping her head. I swear she know where the monitor is because I often wake up to her starring directly into the camera as if she is saying, "I know you see and hear me!"

When you hold onto her fingers, she does her little walking moves like she's dancing or prancing around. She's figured out the correct way to move her legs and feet forward, so I think with a little more practice she could be walking in the next few months. Then Penny better really watch out!

We are still waiting for her to really let the belly laughs out. She gives you a chuckle, but never the full laugh that her face implies she's having. We even asked the pediatrican and her advice was for us to be funnier. (A crush to her dad who thinks he's already pretty hysterical.)

Every day I love watching her explore the world around her and discovering her own talents along the way. I can't wait to see what the next month holds for my sweet baby girl!

(PS- My official 7 month onesie hasn't arrived yet-- but will take those pictures once it does!)