Olivia is growing like a gorgeous little flower. She is 11 months old. She will actually be 1 in a week! She is so sweet and very curious about everything. She is beginning to comprehend a lot. If I say "where's mommy's nose?" she'll point to my nose. She knows Sammy, the dog, and loves to pull his tail, rub her face in his fur, and lay against him :) He never complains when she climbs all over him, he usually just gets up and moves within 30 seconds :)
She loves baths/water. I'll start the water for the bathtub, and she comes crawling so fast, and even tries to swing her leg over and climb in :) When I comb her hair after her bath, I give her the comb and say, "Comb mommy's hair" and she'll "comb" my hair; it's pretty cute :)
She's starting to a few take steps, cruises along furniture so easily, & gets around in her walker very fast! She stands really well without holding onto anything. I just know she'll be walking soon enough.
She's eating pretty much what we eat now & even likes meat. I think with her eating solids has helped her sleep through the night a lot better, love it :) She's been sleeping from 8pm-7:30am lately. I'm so thankful for a good sleeper and napper. I'm starting to wean her too, so I'm hoping in a few months she'll be weaned completely.
A few months back, I was debating going back to work. But we decided to just suck it up and sell one of our cars. I am so glad I'm able to stay home with her, it's worth every minute & worth the investment in her precious life. I am still teaching violin lessons and cutting hair here are there, but it so much more flexible than going back to work-work.
Church has gone through a lot of transition the last couple months. It's been pretty emotionally and spiritually draining. Personally I love the new changes, Saturday night service, new location, new name, even some new faces. I definitely miss some of the people that have decided they don't want to be part of the changes, and have moved on. I don't understand all of the reasons, and won't, because we've only been at this church for 8 months, as opposed to years for some of the congregation.
I love my husband for the integrity he has shown through all the trials and challenges that have been going on lately. He's a good man and I'm grateful for how hard he works and how much he loves people. He actually just got back from taking the youth group to Joplin, MO to help with the tornado destruction - so proud of his obedience to go where God wanted them. So proud of the leaders and youth who went and loved on people by serving, & working so hard to help those is so much need; the stories are amazing and heart-wrenching. Loved how they shared Christ's love with the people of Joplin in such a tangible way. I so wish I could have gone, but little Olivia is still pretty dependent on me, and I'm ok with that :)
Today has been a challenge. I've been reading Ephesians 4 and Romans 12 several times today to try to stay focused instead of getting discouraged. Such good passages - love how when I actually take the time to sit and read the Bible, my mind and heart are so much more relaxed and at peace.
I'll leave you with a few pictures that make me smile :)
5 months
7 months
8 months
Easter
11 months :)
