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

Olivia's Here - December 18, 2009

On December 18, 2009 at 5:5pm Olivia decided it was time to make her arrival after 28 hours of labor. Olivia was 20.5" and 8 pounds...yes, I had an 8 pound baby! She's the best early Christmas present that Chad and I could have ever asked for.

Both of our families were with us for most of the 28 hours and Doug flew in on Friday just in time for Miss O's big debut! Olivia had a lot of visitors while in the hospital and this past week at home...she's pretty popular at this point in time! ;)

The first week has flown by since she's been here and she's changing everyday...she has a GREAT temperament and this upcoming week we're going to try really hard to figure out a plan for her nights...that seems to be the struggle right now, but Dr. Light has informed us this is completely normal at this age.

I'm finally feeling pretty good and my mother has been a HUGE help for Chad and I...she's only gone home a few days since Olivia's been born. I'll be able to drive this week, which will be nice since I feel like I can't go anywhere if I needed to.

I'm going to try and post more, but need to get the whole schedu

ling thing down before that can happen more regularly...thanks to all for the texts, calls, presents and emails!

Thanksgiving Weekend --- Part 2

Ok, if you haven't seen the blog below...start there and then come to this one...I ran out of room.

After the race and tree buying Chad, Kyle, Mel and I headed to the Botanical Gardens. The "display" we went to see was bust and complete disappointment...thank goodness it was about 68 degrees outside so we could walk around...2.5 hours of walking for someone 3 weeks out from their due date...can you say tired!

Thank goodness for the Climatron...it's like being in a rainforest. You can't really tell, but we're in a cave like structure with a waterfall behind us.

Chad growling inside a tree...this tree actually grows this way and you could sit all the way inside it if you wanted to.

Sorry, Kyle...I didn't get the great waterfall in behind you all...didn't notice until I uploaded these today.

After the Gardens we headed to Ted Drew's for some much needed custard! We all finished the day up by having dinner at Charlie Gitto's Downtown...it was great AND I have dinner for several nights this week! Mel and Kyle, we hope you all had a great weekend with us as well!

Chad, my Dad, Tyler (Chad's brother) and Kyle are all at the Ram's game as I'm writing this...hopefully they look good today, although that's very doubtful.

Olivia and I are doing great...Wednesday is the doctor's visit this week...we'll keep you all updated as it's getting closer and closer to the BIG DAY!

Thanksgiving Weekend --- 37 Weeks!

This past end of the week/weekend was great (this is going to be a LONG post)! Chad and I went to my family's house the night before Thanksgiving and then had a wonderful breakfast before he headed to his family's for Thanksgiving...I stayed with my parents since I am only three weeks out from having Olivia and I didn't want to chance it.

Most of my Dad's side of the family came to our house on Thanksgiving and we had so much food and an awesome time visiting...it was a little chilly on Turkey Day itself, so all of the activities were inside.

Kyle and Maddie -- Poor Maddie's almost 14 years old.

Mel and I relaxing after a huge meal...not the most flattering photo of me and Olivia

Me snacking about 9:45 at night...Dad just couldn't resist!

On Friday Mel and Kyle drove me back to my house, Chad and Doug came back from Lebanon and we were all able to catch up and hang out for the evening.

Saturday started very early with the 1st annual Warson Woods "Trot Through The Woods" 5K...Everyone did great and we had a little breakfast get together after.

Chad yelling at Doug who's taunting him as he ran past our house.

Joe was the big finisher out of the group...we're 99% sure he finished in the top 10.

Kyle and Mel after their first race together.

Chad, me and Olivia after the race

Chad and Kyle goofing around once they got back.
After the race and breakfast Chad and I headed to the store to get our tree (photos to come later of the Christmas decorations).

Baby Shower #2!!!

3 weeks ago today I had my second baby shower...yes, I'm behind! Diane and Carrie McCuaig and Donna Rothschild gave me an awesome shower where little Miss "O" got even more wonderful things!

We had a wonderful luncheon with Donna's famous vegetable lasagna, Diane's awesome salad and for desert....my favorite --- Cupcakery Cupcakes! Carrie made chocolate favors in white and milk chocolate in baby shapes - rattles, trains, ABC blocks, etc...Olivia thought those tasted great!!!! (me too!!!)

Below are a few photos with all the awesome friends and family that were able to attend...my brother even surprised me and came in for the occasion --- it was wonderful!