AmiJane

It's about time for an update on our little girl. She is venturing on 6 months...I have no idea HOW that happened. The most common thing that people say about her, is that she looks just like a little doll. She is amazingly social and whenever I am in the middle of a conversation with someone and I'm holding her, they finally say, Ok I cannot focus on what you're saying because she just keeps smiling at me. She thinks that everything and everyone is so interesting and is always paying close attention to her surroundings. This may be because she has a very busy brother she is used to watching all day. She is also dying to get moving. She can get on her hands and knees and sort of bounce herself back and forth, waiting for her arms and legs to figure out how to get her body moving. I give her a few weeks before she is crawling. Nothing's going to hold that girl back from keeping up with Ollie. She is the happiest baby I have ever met. She is constantly smiling and laughing. Even when she is sad and cranky, she is still trying to smile. She squawks all the time, it's hilarious. Ryan calls her "gaviota" (little seagull). The girl loves to eat and has thighs to prove it. She thus far has refused to take a bottle although I haven't tried lately. She loves nursing and I haven't minded that this time around as much, after all it is free:) She started off a much better sleeper than she's become and I'm waiting to get into our own place to start sleep training. But something tells me it won't be too difficult. Now whether Oliver will mind sharing a room with her while she's sleep training is an entirely different subject. Basically we couldn't have prayed a better baby girl into our family. She makes life so much happier.

Notice she is wearing her Korea onesie for her Auntie Laura...and in the last picture I think she looks just like her cousin Carson, don't you think Lee?

Ps...We may be moving this weekend if all goes as planned. Details soon to follow.

Yesterday was Ollie's birthday

Can someone tell me how this happened? Seriously, how is it that my "baby" is a full fledged big boy. I don't think I'm ok with it and the sad thing is it's happening whether I like it or not. It's so rude. Ryan and I have said on multiple occasions that we'd like time to freeze, and frankly, it's just not happening. Well I guess I have to get with the program. Here are some of my favorite things about my new 3 years old Oliver.
-There isn't a kid who's more fun to surprise than Ollie. He is ultimately excited about everything. Like last night we went to Chuck-E-Cheese and he had seen commercials on TV and had probably thought in his mind that this was some far off place in dream world. Well when we pulled up and he saw Chuck's head on the building he yelled "I found it momma, I found Chuck-E-Cheese"! He was SO excited like he just couldn't believe it was real.
-Oliver is very good at convincing others that they want what he wants. He'll ask you to go swimming and to make sure you heard him right, you say "You want to go swimming?" Then he says simply "OK", like it was your idea to begin with. This might take him places one day I think.
-Whenever Oliver thinks something is cool he must get EVERYONE to recognize it. If he sees something or has something to show you, he will go to each and every person in the room individually and show them, making them repeat exactly what he says. If you do not cooperate (Jeff) he will stand in front of you insisting until you cave. IE: Last night my Dad came in with a big chocolate bunny and Ollie needed to show it off to everyone. He finally runs over to Jeff, the last one to validate, and says "Jeff, look, a chocolate bunny", waiting for Jeff to be just as excited. Jeff loves this game to just looks at Ollie and waits, saying nothing. Ollie repeats himself about 5 times until, alas, Jeff caves and says "Chocolate Bunny" as excited as Ollie deems fit.
-Oliver has pretty much endless energy. Although exhausting sometimes, I think it will serve him well in life to have such a zest for it. He can wake up at 6, no nap it all day, and still be asking to play at bedtime.
-He loves treats. I should say I hate this but secretly it reminds me so much of myself. I lived for sweet things growing up(still do)and although I am not willing to indulge him all the time, I smile a little about how excited he gets about Lucky Charms, or as he calls it, "snack cereal".
-Oliver has a great sense of humor often laughing out loud to favorite books and shows. He uses the word "silly" a lot because life really is pretty silly through a toddlers eyes.
-Ollie loves puppies, kittens, bunnies, etc. Anything that is an animal and is small, he loves. He watches this Baby Einstein that has a scene where there are lots of white bunnies. Whenever they come on the screen he runs up and scoops them off the tv and holds them next to his cheek. He does this with most animals. Actually we have a weekly ritual to go visit the puppies at the mall pet store.
-He is always so excited to see Ami when she wakes up from a nap. His trademark welcome involves calling her "bubby" and tickling her under the chin, which she of course loves.
-Oliver loves to snuggle and I must spend a minute at night snuggling him before he goes to bed.
-Whenever prayers are said, Ollie must be the one to end it with an amen. If he isn't, we have to say the prayer again.
-He is pretty fearless and will always try anything. Whether I'll like that later, ask me then. But I do admire that the kid has guts and when he falls, he gets back up. He's never been the type to cry a lot at physical pain.
-He is very sensitive. I knew combining Ryan Facer and I would probably get this sort of outcome. I love that little tender heart.

Well I could go on and on. I love my little Ollie boy and thank God for him every single day. What a privilege it is to be his mom.

Seriously cute kids

I got some pictures of the kiddos taken a few weeks back and just forgot to post them so here they are! This is Ollie at almost 3 (on St. Patty's Day actually) and Amelie at 4 months. Just two peas in a pod...

A bit of an announcement...

The materials...


What we did with the box they came in...


What Amelie thought of it all...

So if you know me, it probably doesn't come much as a surprise, but say hello to your Doula in training. Books bought, classes signed up (almost), and excitement through the roof. So meet your future Doula, world, if you so desire. And if you don't, that's cool too. We Doula's are totally accommodating. It's part of the business. For someone who's been watching "A Baby Story" since she was ten, I must say this is kind of a dream come true. And as an aspiring Labor and Delivery Nurse, this is another stepping stone to that dream as well. And I promise I will be an awesome Doula, not one of those crazy hippy ones that scare everyone just a little. I am SO excited. Ps, as part of my training, I need to attend 3 births. So if you'd like someone at your beckon call free of charge, you just let me know.

Love these girls

Saturday I got to go to lunch with some of my best friends from high school. It was so fun to see these girls and reminesce about the good old days. I am the first out of all the girls to have kids so we had some awesome talks about labor and babies, and I'm pretty sure I scared them all enough to put off that for quite some time. However, when the time comes, I expect to be called for advice! We were commenting on how funny it was that we all looked the same. I was thinking, we look better! I thought I was semi-attractive in high school but now when I see pictures, I can see that wasn't so. I think we've all turned out pretty good if I do say, almost 10 years later. Crazy that our reunion will be coming up in the next few years. I'm sure I'll be poping out another child...ahhh the life of a young momma. I have to say, I just love it. 10 years ago I was a junior in high school. This is just what I would have wished for myself.

Vegas Weekend

We went to have a little visit with Ryan and Mary for a weekend in Vegas, which actually was a lot more fun that I thought it would be. You see, when I was little, I remember trying to fall asleep if we went through Vegas during the day on a road trip because I just thought it was so dirty. I still think Vegas is gross, but with great friends, it's a lot more fun. Plus we stayed in Mr. Donald Trump's Hotel which did not dissapoint. Honestly, the nicest hotel I've ever stayed at- totally recommended. And it was rainy while we were there, which makes everything better. We brought Ami who is still nursing and can't be too far from mom yet. She got to watch the water show at the Bellagio which was also Ryan's first time seeing it. So they got to share that moment. Next time we might have to do Vegas without an infant. I think that's when the phrase "What happens in Vegas..." really counts.