All Camped Out

Okay... this would have been cuter in focus, but you get the point. They had a fun time riding in the hammock
We just got back from an impromptu weekend camping trip and it was wonderful. Steve only had two patients scheduled for Friday, so he cancelled them and we spent the weekend at the Blind Sucker River Flooding soaking up nature (and some rain last night). We always seem to forget at least one thing when we go camping, and this trip was no exception. It was not fun to blow the air mattresses up without the pump, but we managed (somehow... taking turns to avoid passing out). Abby had a great time enjoying nature and learning how to live with no toys or t.v. She was ready to go back to her house after about 24 hours.

Easter Egg Hunting

We took advantage of the nice weather this morning (it is now raining and supposed to rain tomorrow a bit too) and let Abby have her own Easter egg hunt, since we will be missing the Easter egg extravaganza at Great Grandma Jennie and Grandpa Steve's house tomorrow. Our small group had brought by an "Easter" basket for us as a gift and it had lots of great things like diapers, wipes, candy, bedtime body rub, and filled Easter eggs. So we took those filled eggs, filled a few more that I picked up at the store, and sent Abby out into the backyard to hunt eggs. She found one, opened it, realized it was full of candy, and decided she was all set. It took some major coaching to get her to pick up another egg, but after about the 3rd or 4th one that she found and opened she realized that there was lots of eggs and lots of candy available. It was pretty funny. So was her egg hunting outfit. I love how she refused to wear her "fuzzy boots" all winter when they would have kept her feet warm and has recently decided they are the best shoes ever. It makes life interesting around here... we never know what is going to tickle her fancy.

Olivia decided to pass on the egg hunting fun and took a nap instead. We picked up some gas relief drops for her (she was and is a gas passing champ) and we have all been sleeping much better in the hours that we are sleeping. It has really solved her grunting/moaning/groaning all night long problem. So it must be working at making her feel more comfortable, although it isn't really preventing the gas passing. So while we are sleeping better, we are for some reason also getting up much more frequently. I think she must be about to grow a ton since I was up about every hour and a half to hour and forty-five minutes last night. I was really hoping for the every three hour schedule, but it was not happening. I'm hoping we aren't in for many more nights like that. She has been back on the two to three hour schedule during the day today, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Since we've got the gas problem about under control, Olivia decided it would also be a good day to have a plugged tear duct. So her eye looks crusty and yucky, but it doesn't seem to be bothering her and she doesn't have any signs or symptoms of sickness. We are keeping a close eye on it, but other than needing some extra washing it seems to be manageable.

Steve and I are starting to find a routine for dealing with a newborn and a precious little lady who is hitting the terrible twos with all her might. Our only problem this weekend is exhaustion coupled with an ill dog (digestive issues... worse than having to clean the biggest diaper blowout). So we are pretty tired... to the point where I remembered to move the laundry from the washer to the dryer and then walked up the stairs without starting the dryer. Whoops. I did manage to get a nap for a whole hour, so that should help. I think another nap is in the plans for tomorrow - the weekends and having Steve home are so much nicer.

First Real Bath

Olivia had her first real bath today at the same time that her big sister Abby was washing up. We just put the little tub right next to the big tub so that I could see both girls and then we did some major scrubbing.

Olivia also had her first playtime outside. She rode in my baby carrier, so she was pretty much snuggled up next to me and with the new moby wrap carrier I have she was totally covered in fabric. Abby had a great time with her sidewalk chalk and we all enjoyed the 65 degrees and sunshine. I even planted some seeds so I'm counting on the weather staying warm enough for them to make it.

Finally Final

We signed the last scrap of paper and finally closed the contract for the purchase of our new home. Hooray!!! So now we are well on our way to home ownership. Needless to say we are relieved that this negotiating and bartering is done. Now on to the fun part - making this house into our home!

Abby and I worked on our tans outside today in the 68 degree sunshine. It was great! Abby helped "mow" the lawn with her bubble mower, picked up golf balls, and showed Maize all the flowers that are blooming. We are hoping for another great day tomorrow since Steve has the day off. And now, I am being begged to read another book... again...

Barks and Balls and Books

I am doing an experiment today to see how many books I actually end up reading in a day (and how many times I read the same book). So far we are in the 20's, and I've been busy so I haven't read every book that's been thrust upon me. I hope Abby always enjoys reading as much as I do.

Now that our backyard is almost snow free we've cleaned it up and started playing outside whenever we can. Abby and Maize have a lot of fun outside. Maize loves taking naps in the sun and Abby enjoys walking up and down on the cement and petting her poochie. Last night Abby and I went to K-Mart and picked out some outside play toys. She was most impressed with the micro sized soccer ball. We had a great time playing with it inside and it should be lots of fun outside too. We also picked out a kids golf set so that she can decide whether to follow in her daddy's club swinging steps. We'll just have to be extra careful and make sure that the clubs don't get swung at dogs.

It is rainy and cold today, so we will have to wait a day or two before we can find out how much fun our new outside toys are. Stay warm and dry :-)

The Party Pictures

Here are a few of the pictures from Abby's actual birthday. The weather was so wonderful yesterday that we went to the park after having dinner and cupcakes. And today was great again, so we played with Abby's new bubble mower outside, but it wouldn't bubble. So we have to see if we can trouble shoot that mower when Steve gets home tonight.

Three Months Old (Yesterday)

Yesterday Abby turned the big 3 months. I had every intention of putting our pictures from yesterday up in a timely fashion, but the evening got away from us. Abby started her first day as an infant (apparently the switch from "newborn" to "infant" occurs at 3 months) by sleeping until quarter past 10. She did wake up around 7 am for her first breakfast and to see her dad off to work, but it was a very short burst of energy before going right back to sleep. We had a fun morning of folding laundry and learning about clothes and colors. She was especially entertained by wiggling socks in front of her. We had lots of laughing.

Yesterday afternoon was a particularly splendid day for laying around in the backyard. There was a good breeze, lots of sun, and most importantly no bugs. So, Abby and I took our playtime outside and relaxed under our new beach umbrella. We had such a fun time that Abby wouldn't take her nap (again). When Steve got home we took Abby to our local library. She got to check out two books this time. We are going to be reading Piggies (about our fingers) and Seven Blind Mice, since it has lovely pictures. I've also been working with Abby on learning to control her hand movements - we've been playing a lot of open and close hands games and songs. She still isn't getting it on her own most of the time, but I bet she isn't too far off.

Since we had an unproductive nap time, we had to take a ride to our favorite store (WalMart) to get some milk and pick up contact lenses. Abby stayed awake the whole time, but the ride at least ended the crying. On the way home we celebrated with Dairy Queen :-)

So now we have a very beautiful, very happy three month old little girl. We can't wait for Melissa and Glenn to have their own sweet little Baby H - only 7 days until he or she is due!