Happy 12 Months! {Olivia's 1 year Update!}

Olivia turned 1 on May 23rd. On her birthday we started off the day with a photo shoot at a local park followed by a cake smash in our yard. After Olivia's bath we had lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings. We actually chose it because it was a beautiful day and they have a nice patio. Also, Bdubs was where we frequent in our small town so a lot of people know us and Olivia AND it was one of my MAJOR pregnancy food cravings while pregnant with Olivia :) After lunch we came home and napped. After our nap we played and then some friends took a walk with our family of 3 and we took Olivia for ice cream. Jeremy had to work at night so Olivia and I got some QT together just us girls. We spent lots of time cuddling, looking through pictures and we watched her video I made her :)

The day was perfect! :)

...and SURPRISINGLY there were no tears! :) 

OLIVIA 12 MONTHS

(SHIRT/ TUTU/ LEGGINGS/ HEADBAND/ SHOES) 

Olivia weighs 19.75 lbs, is 29.5"long and has a head circumference of 17.5"!! Girlfriend is in the 97th percentile for height (for her corrected age, 9 months!!) OBVIOUSLY she got her height from me! :) Olivia is wearing 12 month clothes, size 3 shoes AND size 3 diapers!! She also has 2 teeth!

Olivia is CHATTY CATHY!! She LOVES to say "hi!" and this month has been saying dada AND daddy. Mama is still in the vocab too :) Olivia LOVES music. If she hears you singing she will try to copy and sing the same tone. She also likes to make different noises with her mouth like "clicking" with her tongue against the roof of her mouth and her new thing thing is making a fishy face haha

 Olivia can now sit up from laying down and sits like a pro! Olivia doesn't seem interested in crawling but VERY interested in standing and walking. Olivia isn't pulling herself up yet but loves to have her hands held when she walks and stands. She also HATES being changed. Diaper changes and clothing changes are VERY difficult! She screams and cries most of the time and sometimes 2 adults need to be involved! haha I thought newborn diaper changes were hard...WRONG!! lol

Olivia sat and touched grass for the first time this month. She was VERY interested and she loved pulling the grass. She also sat in the sand at the beach during her photos. Olivia decided to take a fist full of sand, she ate it, and she liked it lol we gave her water after, she is just too quick!!  Olivia LOVES to pound her hands on things especially her highchair tray. She also learned how to clap her hands this month. Her newest thing is she will laugh when others are laughing. It is VERY cute.

Olivia does NOT like wearing her sunglasses and now thinks it is funny/funny to pull her headbands and bows off her head. They ALWAYS go straight to her mouth :) Olivia still LOVES phones the tv remotes and she now LOVES paper. She wants to touch it, eat it, and wave it. Olivia would basically chew on everything if we would let her. She also loves watching other kids and babies. She seems interested but depends on her mood. Sometimes she wants to play and sometimes not so much! At her birthday party her cousin Natalie (6 months) tried to play with her but Olivia was anti-social and wasn't interested in sharing ANY of her toys! Guess it is time to get involved with a playgroup!

Olivia also got her first haircut (trim) this month!

Olivia can be VERY shy. She prefers small groups of people and although she loves attention, she's not fond of strangers or big groups. You would never know she is shy around people she knows, but she is! Also, when she wakes up she is very shy and just wants to be cuddled and loved on while she wakes up. She has also been very clingy with me. No matter what, she wants me, no complaints here :)

Olivia is sitting in her high chair at home and when we go out to eat but she def prefers sitting in our lap :) She also ate puffs and yogurt melts for the first time. She LOVES the puffs but she won't eat the melts unless we break them up for her. We have also been giving her more whole foods, she tried eggs, zucchini, squash, chickpeas and she also starting eating meat this month and LOVES it! I wasn't sure if she would like the texture but it doesn't seem to bother her. We will see if this continues. She also has been feeding herself, and seems to prefer to feed  herself! 

Olivia LOVES water, the colder the better and she is getting very good at using her cup! With assistance we let her drink from a water bottle, she loves feeling the outside when it is cold. 

I still can not believe Olivia is 1. It feels SO bittersweet! I am so proud of my girl. 

The perspective I looked at was, while Olivia was in the NICU we saw many families go home without a baby. I am SO happy we were able to bring Olivia home! We have been through a lot and having her home, watching her grow, change and learn has been a HUGE blessing! I am so proud to be Olivia's mom. Every time I look at her sweet face I just feel SO lucky. So there were no tears because Olivia's birthday was a great day! I can now change my outlook on May 23rd to one of the happiest days of my life instead of the scariest! 

...On to the next chapter!! :)

Olivias 1st Birthday Pics {Professional}

How was your weekend? Since we are still exhausted from the party yesterday, we are going to skip our weekend wrap-up.

We had Olivia's 1st birthday pictures taken on her 1st birthday! {May 23rd}

What do you guys think? :)

What is a cake Smash?

Thank you ALL for the wonderful messages!! Olivia's birthday was PERFECT!! Next week I will do a separate 12 month post and birthday post! =)

In the morning we did her 1 year photos and did a cake smash at the end. What is a cake smash you ask? 

I was SHOCKED how dainty little Miss was! I think she was tired. We are doing another little cake for her at her birthday party on sunday. We will see if she will go for it more then!

{P.S. Don't mind my annoying giggling! It was just too funny and cute seeing her play with cake!! haha}

Happy FIRST Birthday Olivia Adele

I'll never forget the day you were born, Olivia Adele. It was just another Monday. The alarm went off for me to wake up and get ready for work, and of course not wanting to get up, I did. I drove to work, passed the hospital/doctors office, and thought about my "routine" appointment that day.

To back up a couple days, you were an EXTREMELY active baby. I felt you move 24/7. NO ONE believed that you never stopped moving, but since meeting you everyone NOW believes me :) On that saturday before you were ripped out of me  born, you hadn't been moving as much. I read online to see if this was the point that unborn babies tend to slow their movements because you are getting bigger in a small space but didn't find anything. I let daddy know and he didn't seem worried, we just figured we would talk to the doctor about it on Monday at my appointment.

So Monday....Monday, Monday, Monday. I had waited all day for a sign from you. A sign that said "don't worry mama, I'm ok!!" Around 10am you kicked me HARD, SO hard in my side. It felt weird, it felt different, I just didn't know what to think. I texted daddy and told him. He asked if I was ok, and I told him I was fine, I didn't want him to worry. So, I worked, I scheduled interviews, phone calls and meetings for the week and then headed to my lunch time doctor appointment. No one knew I was worried. No one knew I had a gut feeling something was wrong...

I went into the doctors office. I checked in, read a magazine that was ACTUALLY recent and then got called in to the room. The nurse did the routine, weight gain, tested urine (lovely, I know) asked the routine questions and then asked if I had any concerns. I told her, and she assured me that everything was ok. (I was still worried).  LUCKILY this day I was having another ultrasound done. 

My doctor was on my maternity leave so I was seeing one of her partners. He was nice but hard to understand with his thick african accent. I told him my concern and he said he would take a look. As he conducted the ultrasound I knew something was wrong. He was SO silent as he was doing my scan. The monitor was facing only him because we didn't want to know your gender and he was looking in that area during the ultrasound.

I can say that I now believe in "follow your gut," because that mama instinct I had that something was wrong, well that instinct was right. You were in trouble baby. Your heart rate was erratic, the doctor couldn't see many of your organs (meaning they thought you didn't HAVE them) and you amniotic fluid was almost non existent!

No one was telling me what was going on, or maybe they were and it just happened too fast...All I remember was dropping to my knees, thinking I was going to faint, sobbing hysterically asking G-D what I did wrong, why was this happening and PRAYING that my baby, the baby your daddy and I wanted SO SO bad would be ok.

Everything happened so fast after this appointment. I still have flashbacks... Daddy drove the 40 minutes to the hospital in probably 10 or 15 and met me at the hospital, we had another ultrasound, were wisked away to maternity and then were told we were going to have a baby...Say WHAT?! We were only 26 weeks 3 days. Daddy called our parents, I was prepped and they gave us the facts, STRAIGHT! The doctor gave you a 10 % chance...they got you out in under then 3 minutes. The first time I saw you was on daddy's phone in a pic he took. I had to beg for him to do it, but you were surrounded by so many doctors and nurses that I couldn't see you and I NEEDED to see you. Your life was saved that day, so was mine. 

What a year it has been! Lots of tears, worrying, praying but MOST of all positivity, laughter, & giggles! From a 10% chance to now you would never know you had been born premature.  I don't know how I lived my whole life without you. Everyday we spent in the NICU, all 80 days,  daddy and I KNEW you would be home with us. You are our whole world sweet girl. You make everyday more fun, and you are my little hero. You fought for 80 days to be with us and there are no words to thank you. My heart could burst with the amount of love I have for you. Being a mom is the best gift I have ever received, and being your mom is a BLESSING. You are SUCH a miracle and my greatest achievement! You are so perfect in EVERY way. I look at you and think "WOW," she is ALL MINE!!

Thank you for fighting! Thank you for proving everyone wrong! Most of all thank you for making EVERY day more special!

Happy First Birthday Sweet girl. You are my dream come true! I love you!

xoxo Mama

Olivia's First Year Video

NICU Moms {Link Up}

I am linking up with Heather for "NICU moms." This linkup couldn't be more perfect since OUR miracle NICU baby turns ONE tomorrow!

 Olivia Adele was born on May 23rd 2011 at 5:51PM at 26 weeks 3 days (gestation age at birth) at 1 lb 7 oz and 13.8" long. Olivia's due date was August 26th 2011.

How long you were in NICU: 

80 days

Why you were in NICU: 

We will never really know what caused the reason for the emergency c-section. One doctor said maybe the placenta didn't attach correctly. You can read more of Olivia's birth story/ journey here.

(The first time I held Olivia)

Any obstacles you had to overcome: 

Olivia learning to breathe on own, blood transfusions, constant checks for brain bleeding & a heart murmur, gaining weight, keeping body temp up, premature eyes, and eating. Olivia easily tired when eating so she was tube fed up until 2 weeks on and off before her release.

(Olivia 1 month old)

A personal obstacle was choosing to go back to work. I went back just shy of Olivia turning 1 month old. The hospital Olivia stayed at was 1 hour 15 minutes way, one way, from home. I returned to work because I was going crazy at home and needed to keep my mind busy. Also, being at work brought me 35 minutes closer to the hospital. So, sometimes I would head to work (would get up at 545am so I could pump, get ready and make the drive to work) work from 8am-5pm, (pump throughout the day) drive to the hospital, stay as long as possible, (most nights til 8:30-9pm) get home, eat dinner, pump, shower and go to bed. It was an exhausting time, but worth it.


I also had a VERY hard time sleeping at night. The first 2 weeks before I got to hold Olivia, I MAYBE slept an hour or 2 a night. I would spend my nights researching prematurity and then to be positive I started to plan her nursery.


I also couldn't leave Olivia's bedside if she was awake. Sometimes I would stay a lot longer until she fell asleep just because it was so hard to leave.

 (Olivia FINALLY in a crib!)

 We were lucky to have SO much support and positivity around us. Our family & friends were everything! Jeremy was my crutch, when I needed to cry he let me and held me tight, he made the nightly calls when I had already called 12 times and I didn't want the nurses thinking I was crazy and most of all he was VERY supportive of me pumping. It was VERY hard pumping but it was important and I knew it was the right thing for our princess.

It might sound funny but facebook helped me as well. People were constantly messaging me and posting on my wall. Whether it was to tell me our family was in their thoughts, telling me a story of a preemie baby like Olivia who is now perfect and healthy, offering anything we may need help with and even asking for updates on Olivia. I really loved sharing our experience, hopefully it will help others.


Something I did for myself was I showered and got ready every day, no matter if I was going to see Olivia or not. I would blow out my hair, do my makeup and get dressed. It honestly helped. 


I also became superstitious, I wore the same exact essie nail polish all 80 days of Olivia being in the NICU. If it chipped, I would take it off and put on a fresh coat. 
(One time I didn't have it on and that was the day Olivia needed a blood transfusion)

(The day we left the NICU as a family!)

It is crazy to think that a year ago today, I had NO idea I would wake up the next day and become a mom. I thank G-D I had that doctor appointment, Olivia's life was saved. I thank Olivia too, I thank her for fighting and beating the odds. She is our miracle baby :)

(Olivia on her due date)

Weekend Wrap-Up

This weekend was BUSY, BUSY, BUSY!! I spent the weekend running errands, cleaning and of course with my favorite girl!! I also did LOTS & LOTS of DIYing!! :)

Friday 

I (FINALLY) ordered Olivia's cake/cupcakes for her party and her smash cake for her actual birthday!

(You may have read on twitter, lol)

{Smash cake inspiration}

At night, Jer and I went out for a late dinner and just relaxed!

SATURDAY

Saturday Olivia and I did LOTS of crafting and errands running. 

That night we had dinner at the resort with Jer and we met with the head chef to narrow down the menu for Olivia's birthday party! (One thing down, a million to go! lol)

SUNDAY

In the morning we went for an early morning walk before it became SUPER hot out! We went and grabbed coffee and breakfast and spent a good part of the morning outside. We grilled out and then Jer went to work. In the afternoon I got LOTS more crafting done and we ran MORE errands! 

{Before Bedtime}

I got A LOT done for the party this weekend but still have a LOT more to do before wed! I would like to use some of the things for the party for Olivia's first birthday pics ON her birthday.

How was YOUR weekend? Any mamas out there with any last minute first birthday advice?! :)

Happy Friday!!

Anyone excited that it is the weekend?! 

I'm not going to lie, I have been DREADING it! This is the LAST weekend that Olivia will be "months" old. On wed, she turns O N E!! 

This weekend LOTS of DIYing will be going on! I have turned our dining room into a makeshift pink, girly, 1st birthday decor studio and I am VERY sure Jeremy is ready for me to finish which I think is why he volunteered to help me! (We shall see! haha I am a tough 'boss' lol)

Here are some of the things we are hoping to re-create!

{Water bottle labels and table tents}

LOVE both of these mason jar pics, can't decide which one to do!

I'll be using this Tulle...

To make SOMETHING like this! :)

You may have seen my AHEM attempt at making a tissue paper pom.. SO SAD!

Well I found a GREAT video tutorial for the craft impaired like me! 

I went to the dollar store and found a GREAT shade of pink for the balloon weights but they had flamingos all over them (yeah, "why" is my thought exactly!) so I cut them off and they are perfect now! :)

It will DEF be a busy weekend preparing for Olivias birthday, cake smash/first birthday pictures AND her first birthday party!

I STILL can't belive this little girl is turning one!!

ONE WEEK...

 ONE week from TODAY this little girl will be turning ONE! 

It is ALL I can think about & I don't think I can handle it!! :(

My FIRST Mothers Day!

My girl {and guy} did NOT disappoint! They made the day VERY special!! :)

Sunday Morning Jer had to work brunch at the resort so my mom, Olivia and I went to visit him and were treated to a VERY yummy brunch!!

 Then Olivia and Jer SURPRISED me with a VERY nice gift!!

 We came home and my mom and I opened cards and she got me these super cute flats!!

SUNDAY NIGHT

When Jer got home we were napping so we got ready and then took a walk downtown and went to one of our fave restaurants for dinner!

 {I may have taken a couple bites before taking this pic!} :)

Then we came home had ice cream and relaxed. It was a beautiful day! :)

Good job Lou Lou and Jer, mama LOVES it!! :)

How was your mothers day?