Cherish the Time

Little miss is down for the night, and after a little cleaning, I find myself relaxing on the couch for a few moments before it is bedtime for me. 

Yesterday was our three year wedding anniversary. To my amazement, Mike had Wednesday off which meant that he was able to come out yesterday after work. I was supposed to do a college and career fair and was blessed by my friend and did not have to go. With Olivia here, it is hard to get time to ourselves. It is even more difficult right now because the little time we have together, we have to try and split the time between family and just the two of us. Grandma Sheila was willing (thank you!) to take Olivia for the evening so that we could go out for dinner and have some time to ourselves. Three years... Really? Has it been that long? 

I love to watch these two interact

Just for documentation purposes (my memory is not the best) I have to share this special moment Olivia and I had in the shower. She loves joining me but hates when I have to put her down so that I can shower. This time, like usual, she cried and clung to my leg. When I was done I picked her back up and she rested her head on my chest. I turned so that the water was coming down on her back while I slowly swayed back and forth. After a little while, I turned around so that I could get some of the warmth. My head was under the water enough that it was coming down the left side of my face like a small waterfall. For a few moments I thought about how we should get out and was about to do so when she slowly lifted her head. Without talking, she stared at my face with the sweetest look. I didn't want to move. Then, before I knew it she slowly raised her right had and stroked the left side of my face where the water was. My heart melted. <3 She just kept studying my face and the next thing I knew she had both hands up and was stroking both sides of my face. I wanted time to stop so I could get a camera and capture the look on her face. Pure and unconditional love. Cherish the moments.

So precious. All that bad and she sticks to the corner

Pleasantly surprised at how much she ate

Trying to dunk the big ball

Practicing unlocking the car... wrong door swetheart!

Helping mom do laundry!

She no longer has her tongue out :-)

Before we know it, that chapstick will be lipstick!

I am not sure if I have shared this or not, but I am slowly working on weaning Olivia off of her binky for the most part. At times it can be really frustrating when she gets fussy. But it is wonderful because she is starting to try and form words! We are working on dog and cat right now :-) when we were watching Frozen the other day, she saw wolves in a chase scene, pointed and said, "ga!". I was so proud! It helps that grandma and grandpa Niven have a dog here to practice and accociate with. Before we know it, she will have quite the vocabulary.

I know that there is nothing to worry about with her development right now. I was talking to Mike yesterday and was saying that once a child hits school age, I know what to do to help them learn  but I'm stuck at Olivia's age. Age appropriate and developmentally appropriate. There was a gal at the play date yesterday who was handing out flyers for a free parenting class to help parents learn how to get kids kindergarten ready. Free childcare and free toys for Olivia. Sure, why not. I have to check the dates again.

Alright, enough for tonight. Hoping for a Seahawk win tomorrow and looking forward to celebrating grandma Sheila's birthday!