This time last year I was 5 months pregnant and we took my picture in front of this rhodadendron in our backyard. So we thought it would be fun to get a picture in front of it again this year of all of us. It may become an annual tradition! The shadows on my face look quite odd to me but we were running out of time and so this is the best we could do. The rains came today so the blooms might be too battered to try again this year. And as an update on Olivia, she began waving good bye today!! She brought tears to our eyes today when she waved night night to her daddy right before bed!! She also waved to her Great Nana and her Aunt Jessica when we were leaving the restaurant. Pretty big deal to me!!

These pictures where taken on the 13th, Olivia's 9 month birthday. We were snuggling and playing in bed and this blue cookie box has turned into her drum and her hat (not at the same time!). I just love these pictures and I just love this baby!

It was Steve's birthday on the 18th: HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEPHEN!
We went to one of Steve's favorite local restaurants for a lunch today with Steve's family. We took a few more pictures but this is the only one that turned out ok. Then we must have had a brain freeze b/c we didn't take anymore! (Camera-itis?) Olivia ate her lunch with us and then a lot of mine as well! It was the most she has ever eaten in one sitting! And it was Indian food so I hope the food likes her as much as she liked it! She had some potatoes, watermelon, naan, and beef meatball from my plate and loved it. And that was after she had eaten some homemade butternut squash mixed with avocado, cheerios and her "drink". Good eater! Takes after her mama.

Check out my new barrette.

We went to a party yesterday with Olivia in tow and she wore a barrette so that is news enough for me to post it here on our blog. This is when she was getting dressed for the day. It is one of those little velcro barrettes and it worked pretty well.

More from the first crawl.

Here are the pictures of when Olivia first crawled . . . motivated by the glass of ice water. Look closely at her hands and you will see the ice cubes!

Crawling Video finally.

Crawling!

Yesterday afternoon Olivia started a real crawl! She was truly motivated by her daddy's brand new freshly made glass of ice water he placed on the floor while we were playing with her. She went for it! Once she got the glass she splashed her hand in it and fished out ice cubes. It was hilarious. (But we couldn't find the video cam!)

She kind of still is going a little sideways sometimes and she doesn't do crawl all the time (only when really motivated) and still really wants us to help her "walk".

Today at Kindermusik class she crawled over to see Miss Tanya the teacher and another little girl. I think it would be safe to say she's over her peak of stranger anxiety! She still doesn't want most strangers holding her. Except, this last Saturday at our farmers market one lady stopped and cooed over Olivia. Olivia also found her very interesting. She was wearing a colorful jacket, and colorful necklace. And she had such a nice voice and was speaking to Olivia in an animated, sing song way, Olivia reached for her and gently the lady took her in her arms. Olivia remained oblivous for a few moments then turned to find me. Wow! Big step. Now if we can just get Steve's family to talk to Olivia the way that lady did I think she'll go to them too.
And very sorry, no video of the crawling yet. Will do tomorrow! Btw, Olivia turned 9 months on Monday of this week, May 13th.

She is sooooo cute!

Olivia is almost 9 months old in this video.

Olivia has been working hard at crawling (more like scooting) backwards, and pulling herself up. Mostly she wants us to hold her in a standing position. Many times she stands there on her own. She gets around on her bottom too. We are wondering if she is going to skip crawling and go straight to walking! She is always stepping and wants to be on the move with our assistance. She is really really close to both crawling (forwards) and standing on her own. Here she is trying to pull up, and the next pic is trying to crawl forward.

We went to a local Norwegian Pancake Breakfast in Edmonds last Saturday and boy, where they delicious! Cheesy grin on me! At least Olivia is looking at the camera. We didn't really want the pic to have soooo much of that flag in it, but hey, I am too lazy to crop right now.