Project 366: Week 28

190. "I love my books!" :)

191. Loving the library--more shelves with books!

192. Watching Little Man intently

193. We were swimming and I got out of the pool to check the time.  I thought I'd take a picture at the same time... that's the one second Olivia decided she wanted to climb out of her floatie.  This was the picture I got before throwing my phone down and yelling at LM to watch her!

194. (For the sizing of the pictures, I swapped 194 and 196) Reading books at work... after climbing the stairs at work for the twentieth time.

195. Can you tell this girl loves books?

196. We had our friends over for a Saturday afternoon swim.  The girls are 3 1/2 months apart.  They both stuck their tongues out on their own.  Hilarious.

Sensory Tub: Rice

I was off most of last week, so I decided it was time to do something with Olivia besides playing with toys.  I bought a $4 bin at Wal-mart, along with a 10 pound bag of rice.  It was time for a sensory tub!

She wasn't sure what to do at first.

After staring at it for a little while, she finally decided to touch it.

Then she took a handful and it went right to her mouth!

Obviously she didn't like it.  From then on, she would pretend to take a bite, but she'd shake her head no instead.  Hilarious.

Then she started taking handfuls and putting it between her legs.

Then she started throwing the rice like a dog trying to cover it's poop and that was the end of sensory tub time! 

It was a good half hour while it lasted... we'll try again next week.

Project 366: Week 25, 26 & 27

169. Modeling her Father's Day shirt... not a good picture of the shirt, but a cute picture of her.  Notice the foot! :)

170. Texting while driving.  We will need to discuss this.

171. Her classic "OH!" face. :)

172. Grandma feeding her

173. Watching Praise Baby

174. Cracks me up!

175. Happy Birthday!

176. Twins!

177. Reading a book!

178. Watching Little Man at Tae Kwon Do.

179. Crawling through her own little obstacle course.

180.  Cheering Little Man on while bowling.

181. Baby feet!

182.  She loves to put her feet up like this--both in her high chair and her stroller.

 183. Early morning reading with Boppa.

184. Climbing up on her chair... one of her new favorite things to do.

185. Riding on the carousel at a local play place.  Little Man played Star Wars and we went round and round. :)

186. I was trying to recreate her 4th of July picture from last year, but she was being difficult.  This was the best I could get.  Also, I bought this shirt about 3 weeks ago because she didn't have a single red or blue thing to wear.  Then she got a ton on her birthday, so she wore red, white and blue the entire week.

187. Thinking about taking a step

188. Playing in rice

189. CUTIE!

A Carseat PSA

Alright, I know some of you already think I'm a little loony when it comes to some of my parenting choices.  I am perfectly fine with this.  I probably think you are a little loony (uninformed) myself.  :)  I guess that's what makes the world go round, right? However, this post isn't about my opinion.  It is about fact and ultimately the life and death safety of your child.

My intention for this post is not to call anyone out or step on anyone's toes.  I don't have anyone in mind when writing this.  I am simply passing along information that I myself didn't even know 6 months ago.  I figure that if I didn't know it, then there is a pretty good chance that some of you don't know either.  I knew the law was rear facing for 1 year, but that the new suggestion was 2 years.  I had no idea how important rear facing is.  I was asked on Olivia's birthday if we were turning her car seat around.  My answer was an emphatic "No!"  So here we go....

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) announced that parents should keep their children in rear facing car seats up until age two (not one, as previously recommended). The newest research has shown that kids in rear facing seats are more than five times safer than those riding in forward facing seats. Statistics from recent studies have shown that children under the age of 2 who ride in rear facing seats are 75% less likely to die or suffer major injury during a collision. (source)

SEVENTY FIVE PERCENT less likely to be seriously injured or die!?!  Um, how can you argue with that?  Really, there is SO MUCH I could say on the topic.  Instead, I'm going to ask you to watch this 6 minute video.  Part of it is about a real life story, but it also includes crash tests.  If it doesn't change your mind about extended rear facing, then I doubt any statistic or tidbit of info I could share would. 


The words "internal decapitation" are enough for us to keep Olivia rear facing for as long as possible.  Some people argue that their legs are too long and it's uncomfortable.  Listen--legs can break and heal....spines, not so much.  Kids sit with their legs crossed all the time anyway.  Olivia is 95th percentile for height, so it's not like I won't be dealing with this issue soon myself.  Either way, we plan on keeping her rear facing for as long as possible.  Hopefully until she reaches the 40 pound maximum that our carseat allows.

I do understand that there are a few reasons why it might be necessary to switch sooner.  If she was getting car sick and throwing up every day, I might consider it too.  Or if she was screaming bloody murder every time she was in the car (and therefore distracting me from safe driving), then I might consider it. But I just don't buy into the whole "rear facing is boring" argument.  Olivia doesn't know the difference, and neither will your kid.  I also don't think you can justify your own comfort--having to push your seat up a little farther than you'd like--for the life and death safety of your child.

Like I said, there is a whole lot more that I could say.  Instead, I strongly encourage you to do your research!!!!

Also, I suggest going to a car seat check place.  It's usually free, as far as I know.  I've seen lots of kids (both in pictures and in person) strapped in incorrectly.

One Year Doctor's Appointment

We had Olivia's one year doctor's appointment last week.  I know some of this is boring for some of you, but I use my blog often to look back at things, so I like to keep all of the information on here.

And because posts without pictures are boring, I'm going to use the pictures from our little impromptu father's day session. :)

*As posted in her 12 month post, she was 24 pounds, 7 ounces (91%), 31 inches (95%), and has a head circumference of 19 inches (99%).  Her weight percentage went down from 98% at her 9 month appointment.  Her height went up.  It was 91%. Her head remained exactly the same percentage. :)

*The doctor came in and immediately said, "Wow! She's a tall girl."  He kept mentioning that she was going to be tall when she grows up.  I thought it was too early to tell that.  The earliest I heard that you could know something like that was 18 months.  Most say 2 to 3 years.  Either way, she is tall now.  Time will tell if she stays that way.  I've always guessed that she would be around 5' 6" or 5' 7".  She will most definitely be taller than my 5' 3 1/2"!

 

*The funny thing is, we had a different nurse than we've ever had before and when I watched her measure her, I thought she didn't get Olivia's full length.  She didn't draw the line at the bottom of her feet, but rather at the side.  It's not that big of a deal, so I didn't mention it.  I just think it's funny that everyone was going on about how she was so tall, and I don't even think they got the most accurate measurement.

*One of my main questions or concerns was about our switch from formula to almond milk.  I wanted to make sure that I was supplementing with any foods, vitamins, etc that she may need.  He said that since almond milk doesn't have all of the healthy fats that cows milk does, it's good to get that from other places.  His suggestion was avocado.  The ONE and ONLY food she refuses. :(  He also said eggs.  He did say that you can get those healthy fats through topical ways that absorb into the skin.  I have yet to put coconut oil or olive oil on her skin, but that was a recommendation.  I'm just trying to figure out the logistics of that (when, for how long, etc.).

*He said that almond milk was a good choice for her because she is a bigger girl and it's lower in calories.  However, coconut milk has some good qualities (insert doctor-big-word-gibberish) to it that almond milk does not provide, so it wouldn't be a bad idea to be giving her some of that as well.  I did find these little baby pouch smoothie things at Wal-mart that have coconut milk in them, so I am going to use those.  I'm thinking about using coconut milk yogurt sometimes too.  He was very pleased with the fact that I was giving her almond milk yogurt.  He said it sounded like she eats pretty healthy and he was pleased with my choices.

*They have  been very verbal in the past about exactly how much formula I was giving.  She had been taking about 18 ounces of formula, and I was assuming we needed to drop that.  He said that when it comes to almond/coconut milk, there really isn't a set amount she can or cannot have.  The reason why they give limits with cows milk (or dairy formula), is that too much can actually cause the baby to be anemic.  She is currently still drinking around 18 ounces a day, but I am thinking of dropping that some.  The difference is that her formula was 100 calories per 5 ounces.  Almond milk is 60 calories for 8 ounces.  She is definitely a good eater, so she doesn't really need those calories.  However, in the heat I like to make sure she stays hydrated.  She moved from her formula to her almond milk without skipping a beat!  Her 3 sippy cups of milk a day is one of her favorite things!

*The doctor did say that at age 2 we will be able to do some more in depth testing to see if she has outgrown her issues or to help us pin point exactly what strand of protein is causing her the issues.  Apparently this is a test that is usually only done at allergists offices, but since our pediatricians office deals a lot with allergies (and food issues being the root of other issues), the company allows them to do the testing.  Hopefully she will have outgrown it by then, but if not, it will be nice to know exactly what we have to avoid.  There are SO MANY forms that both dairy and soy come in.  To avoid them all is sometimes a challenge.

*That was pretty much it.  As we were wrapping up the appointment he asked "how's her amber necklace working out for her?".  I love that.  I was never recommended to get it by my doctors.  The fact that he knew exactly what it was pleased me.  Most people think it's for decoration. 

Twelve Months!

OLIVIA GRACE, you are TWELVE MONTHS old!
(Ok, so I'm a week and a half late--please forgive me!)

What have you been up to?

*Well, once again you were not into our little photo session.  Thank goodness this is the last one we have to do!  You even tried peeling your sticker off.  You've never done that before.

*At your doctor's appointment last week you were 24 pounds, 7 ounces (91%), 31 inches (95%), and your head was 19 inches (99%).  You are staying proportionate--healthy and strong!

(Michael was home for 3 days with her prior to her birthday and now she is making his "confused eyebrow" look all the time!)

*Oddly, you can still wear quite a bit of your 12 month clothing.  I still cannot figure that out.  In fact, the onesie in these pictures is a 6 to 12 month one! We have received lots of 18 month clothing as gifts, so we've started using more and more of those outfits.  However, some are still too big. (So strange to me!)

*You are still in size 4 diapers, but we have switched to size 5 for bedtime.

*Once again, your schedule has remained the same as the last few months.  Everyone tells us how lucky we are that you are a good sleeper.  We sure do appreciate it!  I thought your schedule might get messed up with summer and Little Man out of school, but it's worked out pretty well.  (However, a week and a half in to your first year of life and you seem to want to be giving up one of your naps?!)

*You are off bottles completely.  You drink out of sippy cups only.  You still drink milk 3 times a day.  I also offer water throughout the day.  You usually drink at least a little water a day.  You never quite make it through the entire sippy of water though.

*We were also able to pack up the bottle warmer with the bottles.  I'm not going to lie--I was worried about this transition.  One day you just started taking it cold and that was that. Thank you! :)

*You still eat almost anything given to you.  We have introduced a few of the high allergen foods that we were waiting on....like eggs and strawberries.  You love eggs.  You could live without the strawberries, but you eat them.

*Your top left lateral incisor tooth has come in.  It was on it's way in last month, so now it is fully down.  Your bottom right lateral incisor has just started to poke through.  For all I know, you could have more either in or starting to poke.  You are VERY stingy about letting us look in your mouth.  You are constantly chewing on things though, so I'm sure they are all working their way in.

*It seems like kiddos your age focus on one skill at a time when it come to verbal and motor skills.  Your focus has definitely been on the verbal this month.  You are not walking, but you have many words that you use on a consistent and appropriate basis.  Words you say are: uh oh (in correct context!), whoa!, hi, hello, bye bye, mama, boppa (the nickname you have affectionately given daddy), Go Go (Little Man), ball, book, and baby.  It also sounds like you say "gotta go" or something similar.  You also have a word that you say often (sounds sort of like "goya") that we don't know what it means.  You "talk" all day long, and string all sorts of "words" together.  Of course, non that we can make out.

*Even though you haven't officially taken a step, it appears that you want to.  You get close, but then chicken out.  We'll see what the next few months bring! :)

*You know and understand the word no.  Sometimes you listen...sometimes you don't.  When you are doing something you know you aren't suppose to (climbing the stairs, going to the fireplace at work), you shake your head no.

*Shaking your head "no" is also one of your new favorite dance moves.  You still love music and dancing.

*Besides music, your other love is books.  You LOVE them.  You will sit and turn pages for a long time.  You play, then go back to your books, then play, then go back to your books... Sometimes you like to be read to, but other times your attention span doesn't last.

*You are IN-DE-PEN-DENT!!!!!!!!!!  You like for us to be in the same room as you, but you are perfectly fine with doing things on your own.  You like to do things your way.

*You seem to have made the switch from being mommy's girl to being Boppa's girl.  I guess I got my one year....

*Your idea of play is to knock things over.  I don't know why this is fun to you, but it is.  If something is standing up, it must be knocked over by you.

(trying to get away)

*You love to climb.   At work you head to the steps as many times a day as you can.  At home you climb up on your chair, then back down again.  I call it your exercise.

*You are a little bit of a daredevil.  Yet another quality you got from your daddy.  I would like you to be a peaceful, calm, rule following, little girl.  Is that possible? :)

(Clearly thrilled!  Check out that hair.)

*You love putting things in and taking things out of baskets/containers, etc.  Your shopping cart with food from Grandma Hartman was a perfect gift.  You don't use the cart as a walker yet, but you stand there and throw the food out over and over.

*You started to only want to stand during bath time.  This just does not work.  So daddy just went to giving you showers.  You seem to really enjoy these.  You just stand at the end of the tub, play with the toys a little, and get washed while standing up.  I'm not sure if you'll ever want to take a bath again!

Things you love right now: eating, milk!, books, music, Boppa, being on the go, pulling things off a shelf, and your shopping cart and food.

Your least favorite things right now: diaper/clothing changes, being confined/held

One Year Pictures, Part 2

We did a quick outfit change in the park.  I wanted some pictures that were not "birthday" related.

Olivia did NOT want to keep the bows in.  This is a daily struggle.  If she doesn't see me put it in, then it might stay in for a little bit, but if she knows I am putting it in then her hand goes right up to her head.  Unfortunately, it's not even for looks.  She needs some sort of clip to keep her hair (that hasn't grown long enough yet) out of her eyes.

So what did I do to get he to put her hands down... sing the "Clap, clap, clap your hands" song!

 Another fan favorite

Her stinker face

Love her!

Hello, I look like my daddy!

And the bow is gone

So sweet! Her classic head tilt

Next up, cake smash!

I bought the purple romper just for the cake smash pictures.  I'm not a fan of the pictures in a diaper look.  I know why people do it, but it's just not my thing.

My friend was all concerned that the buttercream was going to ruin the outfit.  I told her that if it did, it was still a $20 well spent.  It didn't though! :)

You may remember that I mentioned our cake melted in the heat.  It was such a cute little cake and the colors matched perfect.  I had to try to save it.  I smeared the melted frosting around the cake as best I could.  Then our photographer edited it as best she could.  Just another reminder that you can plan and plan, but everything can't go perfectly.

She went slow at first

Maybe it's just me, but I think the romper and pearls help make the pictures!

"You are really going to let me eat this?!"

I really wanted to have some sort of cute decorations in the background.  Like yellow pom poms or something.  I mentioned this to my photographer, but she didn't do it.  Probably because she's new.  You get what you pay for!  I would have brought some myself, but I was already trying to finish the ONE, get the balloons, find a cake and platter.  Yeah. Didn't happen.

She would have eaten the whole thing had we let her!

Well, that's 35 out of the 49 we got.  Hopefully you enjoyed them.