The Sprouse House: May 2008

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

A day of "firsts"

Today was exciting for us! Olivia did 4 new things:

1. she was turned around in her crib when I went in to get her this morning (head against the side slats)

2. she blew raspberries (started drooling yesterday)

3. she laughed when I blew raspberries back at her

4. she sat in her bumbo chair (picture below)

Eventful Week

Thursday

Olivia loves hanging with Daddy

Last Thursday, Bill took us on a picnic lunch to Sandy Bottom Nature Park. We ate near the lake and rose garden.

Her hands find her mouth quite often!

Olivia was sleeping with her hand in this position.

Jodee and Olivia

Friday

Friday night we headed out to Newport News Park to walk around and play cards by the lake. Olivia zonked out before we even got on the road.

At the park, we saw a water snake trying to kill a small catfish. It was a first for both of us!

After the park, we went to Busch Gardens for dinner in Italy and a few rides.

Monday we decided to take Olivia to the beach for the first time. It didn't even enter into our minds that it wouldn't go well. We packed up, lotioned up, and headed out. We arrived at Grand View Beach at about 3:30pm. Some friends of ours and their kids were there also, so we set up camp next to them. Now, you'll notice that Olivia is not wearing a hat in any of these pictures. This is not due to a parental oversight. As soon as we set foot on the beach, she started screaming the "gas cry." We all tried different things and only taking off her hat did the trick. That lasted for about 3-4 minutes. Then something else must have made her uncomfortable or irritated, because the crying started again and didn't stop. Needless to say, our first beach trip lasted 15 minutes. We're both hoping that she'll do better next time! I'm determined to have a beach baby!

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Happy Birthday Tifiny!

Today is Bill's sister Tifiny's birthday. Olivia has a special message for her:

Olivia singing

Here's the American Idol in 2028! :-)

Our new friends

Wednesday night we had our new friends Stew and Claire over for dinner. We met them through church and they host our Monday night community group each week. They're both from Cape Town, South Africa. I love learning about the differences between our cultures, including several baby terms: nappy=diaper and dummy=pacifier.

Claire with Olivia.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Growing so fast!

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Mother's Day

This mother's day was a very special one! We went to church in the morning with Grandpa and Grandma Sprouse, and then met Bill for lunch at Uno's, after he was done tearing down at the YMCA. Olivia is now very responsive to facial expressions, and it's so fun to get her to smile back. The wait staff kept coming over to see the cute baby. Of course, that makes me so proud!

Mother's Day marked her 2 month birthday. How time flies.

I've realized how much I enjoy being a mother. For those of you who don't know, this is actually unexpected. God has given me this unending love and the ability to care for her no matter what the circumstance (not much sleep etc.)

Last night she slept for 7.5 hours! She really has done well with a routine and I hope this continues.

I've been working at a friend's booth at the Parade of Homes here in Hampton Roads. Bill watches Olivia and I head out from 6-9pm. I really enjoy the time alone, but definately long to get back to my family as well. Friday night, we (the baby, Bill, and his parents) toured each of the 9 homes. I think we all left with feelings of awe and discontentment:)

Did I mention I had one Dairy Queen Blizzard a day this weekend? Yikes! So good, though.

Grandma Sprouse and Heidi and Olivia. We're laughing so hard because Olivia wouldn't stop crying.

I Love this outfit! She's sporting a quilted top and bottoms from my friend Ambre (the store is called Janie and Jack.) Greta loaned her the hat, and she has matching pink booties. Is it wrong that I think even her cry is adorable?