Little Mama Olivia

I am frequently asked how Olivia is adjusting to being a big sister.  Ethan isn't very interesting to her from a sibling perspective, but she has certainly taken an interest in being a mama to her own babies.  She watches how I take care of Ethan and mimics all sorts of things.

This is a clip of Olivia feeding her doll Stanley.  Stanley is sitting in Olivia's chair and is wearing one of Ethan's hats.  

Ethan with Bearemy

Ethan was 2 months old on January 12.  He had his pediatrician's appointment late last week.  He now weighs 14 lbs 5 ounces and is 24 inches long.  He is our little Paul Bunyan.  According to the growth charts he is growing in the correct proportions, but at an alarming rate.  He is in the 92nd percentile, the doctor told me he is the average size of a 3.5 month old.  Way to go Ethan!  Way to go Mommy!  Nursing is surely working for this one.

Ethan at 1 month.

Ethan at 2 months.

Kristen's Birthday

On January 2, we celebrated Kristen's birthday at the same house we rang in the New Year.  I made a cake for the event.  While I was decorating it I remembered that Kristen had surprised me with a birthday cake back in May to celebrate my birthday.  Kristen and I have had many fun times decorating baked goods together.  I will miss her dearly when we part ways later this summer.

The Birthday Girl with Ethan.

Olivia drawing with Kali.

27 candles on Kristen's cake.

Kyle with an unhappy Olivia.

"Hello"

Big sister with little brother.

Chillaxin'

Ringing in the New Year

We celebrated New Year's Eve in St. Charles this year.  Our friend Kyle and Kristen were house sitting and it proved to be an excellent location to watch the ball drop.  Although we missed our six year run of parties in Sebewaing with our college buddies, it was memorable and enjoyable to share the evening with our Seminary friends.

Happy New Year!

Olivia went to bed at a reasonable hour.  Ethan snoozed on and off throughout the night.  Dennis held him in his arms at midnight.  Our count down did not disturb his slumber.

Festive hats for the holiday, Kali, Kristen, Molly and Valerie.

Kali brought a unique family tradition to the party--hat making.  45 minutes before the ball dropped the ladies were in the kitchen happily making hats for their husbands and themselves.  We took time to pose for a picture.  I plan on keeping this tradition alive in my family.  A little construction paper, some scissors, markers, glitter and glue goes a long way in the hat producing industry.

The Sebewaing Library

While we were in Michigan, we had an opportunity to visit the Sebewaing Library.  Much has changed there since I was a kid.  One of the changes is an expanded children's room.  We have been to a number of libraries in the Saint Louis area and I was quite impressed by Sebewaing's facilities.  Impressed enough to take some pictures and write about it.  The colorful character murals decorating the walls, wide range of books, age appropriate toys and clean environment made an inviting spot to spend an hour or two.

Olivia checking out some puzzles.

Dennis enjoying a good book with Ethan.

Comfortable chairs for lounging.

It is never to early to get your kids interested in books.  Libraries are a wonderful resource.  When the space is as inviting as this room, it makes an easy decision for parents to bring their kids to the library.

Olivia's First Hair Cut

When we arrived in Sebewaing over the holiday break, my mom mentioned that she had a hair appointment on Tuesday and offered to take Olivia with her.  I instantly agreed.  Olivia was long overdue for a hair cut that would take her from '80's mullet to cute bob.

Welcome to Hair Benders.  This is where I got my first hair cut some 26 years ago.

Snip here.

Snip there.

How cute!

Olivia is playing with a toy from the old toy box.

New look!

  10 minutes and $3.00 later Olivia had a whole new look.

A Christmas Picture

We worshipped at Immanuel Sebewaing on Christmas day.  Dennis assisted in the service.  Nana helped me wrangle the kiddos.  Olivia walked down the center aisle at the end of Communion.  She waved bye to Nana and casually left.  I was left stunned.  It didn't help that we were sitting in the front and the whole congregation quietly watched.  First of many church stories, I am sure.

Christmas Day 2011