Monday, March 26, 2012

My Heart Melts

This morning, Olivia and I took a walk around Coles Crossing Park with a good friend. We had bought a Groupon to Smart Drinks, and needed to use it soon, so Olivia and I headed there after our walk and play time at the park. I ordered a large smoothie and had the guy put some of it in a separate smaller cup for Olivia to have.

The guy and I were looking at a whey protein mix for Ethan, and all of a sudden, Olivia looks up at me from taking a long sip of her smoothie and says, "thank you momma." My heart melted. When she was itty bitty, we always spoke the words "thank you" and "you're welcome" in hopes of one day she would say them when she started talking. Since she started talking, we would always remind her of when to say those nice words and ask her to repeat them. But, she had never said it on her own without any prompting until today!

I have those days that can be oh so demanding and my energy is zapped by 1pm, but all of that is nothing compared to the joy I felt today with Olivia. Just one of those snapshot moments I will always cherish. I love you, Olivia.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Happy Birthday, Olivia!

This past Sunday, we celebrated Olivia Mei's 2nd birthday! It was a great day from start to finish. These images below are just snippets of the pure joy and happiness from my most favorite small person in the world.

Good morning, birthday girl!

 Morning hugs from daddy

 What's this?!

 A little smile, please!

 Getting ready for church

 Ms. Jacque, Olivia's teacher since 11 months. We are SO SAD to leave your class!

 Thank you daddy for the balloons!

 Having a chip

 Me and my two besties.


 Love this!








Forget the fork!



 Helmet for her new tricycle

 Great Grandma "GG" came in from OKC




We love you Olivia!

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Dear Olivia

Dear Olivia,

Two years ago, Daddy and I were blessed to see you come into this world. And in that moment, our lives changed forever and we couldn't ever imagine life without you and your contagious smile. Daddy was literally swept off his feet and changed all of your diapers in the hospital because mommy was too weak. And mommy could just look at you forever holding you while you slept so peacefully.



From your first two years here, you might only have memories of learning to crawl, walk, run and seeing Elmo at Sesame Street Live. But mommy and daddy witness so many miracles and happenings each day with you that we will never forget and want you to know when you get older, so that one day you will be able to pass them onto your little brothers and sister and your own children....and maybe have a little smile or laugh about. Happy Birthday, sweet Olivia Mei. Mommy and Daddy love you. You are our favorite small person in the world. Here are just a few things that we love about you, Olivia:

- We love your smile and soft skin.



- We love the way that you run to us at full-force to give us a hug and kiss. You know that we are always there to give you a safe landing.

- We love the way you love on Purple Bear and other baby dolls. One day, you are going to be such a sweet and caring older sister and mommy.



- We love the way you try to be polite, especially when you scream "No thank you!" when you are opposing something.


- We love how when we say our goodnights, you immediately respond with, "No crying." She definitely knows that mommy and daddy don't like midnight house-calls.


- We love watching you dance to Taylor Swift songs and sing, "Someday, I'll be...(blah....blah)...why you gotta be so mean?"


- We love how you know that Jesus lives in your heart and that when we pray, you always include your friends' names.



- We love all the words you say that just sound SO CUTE coming from a toddler, such as: "Otay," "Alrighty." The other day you wanted to stay outside to play with daddy so you said to mommy, "Go inside and cook dinner, mommy." Ha!


- We love the way you strut down the hallway with your shopping cart, arms fully loaded with bags and dress-shoes on. When we ask where you are going, you say "HEB."




- We love the way you find the oddest of places to chill and read a book


- We love how you like to wait at the front door in the morning to watch the school bus pass by and say "Bye bye friends."

- We love watching you play in your kitchen and when we ask what you're cooking, you always respond with "macaroni and fruit snacks."

                                                                ____________________

Mommy and Daddy love you Olivia and we wish you the best second birthday! We just don't have enough kisses to give to your sweet self. We can't wait to see what the future brings to our little family!


Love,
Mommy and Daddy