First Time Out

Today, Olivia is 6 weeks old...I can't believe 6 weeks ago today I was thinking "how much longer can this possibly take...I'm so tired..." (24 hours into labor!) She's staying awake during the day so much more this week...is very alert and loves to play on her activity mat. She is, however, becoming more and more frustrated with the fact that she can't figure out how her hands work. If she could only open them and grab for that toy she so desperately wants she would be THRILLED! :0)

The soy formula seems to be doing the trick and her tummy's MUCH better. Let's keep our fingers crossed that it continues to work well. Olivia sleeps for about 4 hours at a time at night - we still need to figure out how to sleep a little longer between the first and second time she wakes up, but we'll get there.

Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Vasel surprised Olivia with a visit after their doctor's appointment this week!

Last Saturday we took her out for the first time...Jeff asked if we wanted to get something to eat and after much hesitation I decided to brave the public dinning experience. I haven't had her out of the house except for doctor's appointments and going to my mom's or McCuaig's, so this was a big step! She did GREAT and was very content at the restaurant...once we got to the bar (it was 7pm and no one was there...non-smoking as well) she got very restless so we lasted for a beer and then it was time to head out. Thanks, Jeff for understanding that we never know how she's going to react to new experiences!

The "restless" experience at I-Tap

On Sunday Grandma and Grandpa Wrinkle came to visit Olivia for the first time since Christmas and she had a wonderful time with them...they couldn't believe how big she's gotten! She's changing all the time and as I look back at photos it's amazing how quickly it happens.

Not much on the schedule for this weekend, but Alyssa will be here on Sunday to hang out with Olivia for awhile...Jeff said she's super excited!!!

Happy 1 Month Birthday Miss O!!!

This past Monday (January 18) was Oliva's 1 month birthday!!!! I can't believe a month has already gone by. She's so alert, LOVES playing with her activity mat (THANK YOU LEAH, JOHN & ADREY!!!) although she's very frustrated at this point that she can't figure out how to open her hands to grab onto the panda or bird...she hits them VERY well, but after 20 minutes of not being able to grab on she "yells" at them! ;)Olivia is holding her head up very well, able to turn it from side to side with great control while laying on her tummy or on your shoulder. She's LOVES her food...4 oz every 2-4 hours and we're trying to see if we can start cereal. Yes, you read that correctly, cereal...she's not able to fill herself up so as soon as we get her formula situation under control the doctor's going to possibly put her on a little cereal.

Today we had her 1 month checkup and all went well! She's 21 inches long, 10.2 pounds. We're going to start her on Soy based formula today...the milk based is not going too well and causing problems..hoping this works well. She was fussing at the office because she was hungry and the doctor asked me if I had a pacifier...she latched on to the pacifier and he said..."oh my...she's a very aggressive eater...I can tell by the was she's taking the pacifier...that could have caused you some pain had you been breast feeding"...YIKES is all I have to say about that!!!! Chad and I saw nipples for bottles that were for "aggressive" eaters, but we had no idea what that meant...well, now I know.

Below are several pictures as of late...hoping to get the posting thing down so I can keep better track of what's been going on. Have a great weekend!!

Playing with Dad on my activity mat

Bath time with Daddy...I'm starting to like them a little better but not 100% sure I like it

Chillin' in my swing from Diane and Scott!!

Uncle Kyle gave me his dinosaur...I LOVE IT! (Kyle had this when he was younger and my mother kept it...he went into the basement and got it out to give Olivia at one of my showers...she loves it and we actually travel with it now)

Olivia's First Christmas!

Christmas day Olivia was 1 WEEK OLD!!!! I couldn't believe it...the week flew by! I think we spent most of the week just staring at her and taking the whole thing in...

Christmas weekend was a FULL weekend and a FULL house for us...My mom and I spent the week getting ready for Christmas day at our house. Chad's parents came in on Christmas Eve to spend the two days with us and my family came over on Christmas day (Mel and Kyle even drove down from Chicago to celebrate with us). Chad was in charge of the meat (prime rib and it was great!), my mom did several sides, Chad's mom brought homemade bread and a strawberry pretzel side and we had tons of cookies for desert...it was quite the spread!

On Christmas Chad and Olivia surprised me with a BEAUTIFUL gift...a Tag watch with diamonds around it...it's more than I ever expected and I was a little upset at first because we said no gifts this year...he let me know it was my "mom" gift from him and Olivia. I LOVE IT and LOVE THEM BOTH so much

Below are several photos since she's been born

...we are so blessed to have a happy, healthy and beautiful baby girl...AND, her nights are getting much better too ;)

Grandma Wrinkle

My first "bath" (if you can call it that!)...NOT a big fan!

MUCH better after the bath!

The Vasel Family Christmas Photo

Olivia chillin' in her bouncy seat with the Christ

mas outfit Uncle Kyle and Aunt Mel got her

Back side of my very cool outfit!

The Wrinkle Family Christmas Photo -- Grandpa Wrinkle's hidden!

Grandma Vasel

Aunt Mel and Uncle Kyle

Grandpa Vasel

My Christmas Outfit From Great Grandma Kamman

Uncle Doug