All packed up and Ready for KY

We made the six hour drive and thankfully my little cousin Madyson rode with us. She is 8 and really helped with entertaining Olivia on the ride home. We just took our time.. stopped at Cracker Barrel and ate... then finally arrived home about 11:20 Georgia time. Of course, Olivia woke right up to greet Mom and Jim... then off to bed she went. I really couldn't have asked for a more wonderful little girl.

Rob's New Ride

I meant to post a picture for those of you that want to see Rob's new car, but I keep forgetting.... So better late than never. Here it is. He picked it out online.. basically did all the negotiating online.. all I pretty much had to do was go to the dealership and sign for it. We really love it! It's the perfect combination of truck for Rob, but it has great gas mileage and Olivia fits right in. I can't wait for him to get home to really enjoy it. Sorry it's dark outside, but you get the general idea.

SHE DID IT!!!

For those of you that saw my little video yesterday of O trying so hard to roll over.. SHE DID IT! She fought tonight until she made it from her back to her belly... then actually to her back again. As I write this I am so excited for her, but thinking... wow this is going to make things so much wilder for me once she becomes more mobile. I also watched the video again tonight and thought I should probably note that the nature sounds are from that little playmat for those of you that aren't familiar. I laughed because it sounds like I am having her roll over in the middle of the woods somewhere : ). These pictures are from tonight when she was so proud of herself for being on her belly. She kept tucking her arms back to her side so she totally looked like she was flying. It was really funny to see, but even now when I look at these pictures it still cracks me up.

Getting so close to being a complete family...

November has officially begun and that means that this is the last full month that Rob will be in Iraq. I can't believe this time is almost over... I am feeling so relieved already. Olivia is wonderful... she rarely ever cries or fusses... but I am going to take a serious nap once Rob returns. : ) He is on diaper duty for a few weeks.

He and I were talking tonight on webcam and he got to see her laying on her belly holding her head high. and proud (and wobbly). She so desparetly wants to roll and scoot, but we are not quite there. She has rolled from her belly to her back, just once. But I give her another week or two and she will be flipping from side to side. Just in time to head to KY for Thanksgiving.

She is definitely becomming so aware of everything. She reaches and grabs for all of her toys. She loves her new exersaucer. Lately she has ever been helping during time to dress by holding her legs for mommy.. it's so sweet!

I am attaching pictures. One of her on Halloween. I have no idea why this picture is sideways.. I can't seem to turn it around?? Anyway... we went to trunk or treat and it was super cold... so basically she was dressed as a beautiful cat in a blanket and a hat... but we still had fun serving popcorn to our community. The other pictures were taken this weekend when my mom and sister came to visit. I hope you all enjoy them.

My Family

Hey family and friends, it has been a minute since I last posted on here, for that I am sorry. Are Summer and I blessed or what? Wow I cannot pull myself away from my laptop long enough to accomplish anything over here because all I can do is stare at pics of Summer and Olivia. I am so amazed by all of this. On a different note, I am expecting to see you guys very soon. I say that in a way that compares it to how long I have already been gone. I am not for certain when I am coming home I just know it will be soon. And to be honest I cannot really write it on this blog or I might get in a little bit of hot water. However, I do promise you this we will make a bee line straight to Kentucky when I do. I love you all and I thank you for the awesome support that we have received the last 10 months.

Rob

2 months old today!!!

Olivia is two months old, so I thought I would post some cute new pictures of her in one of her halloween outfits today. She has some especially crazy hair today... she is working a mohawk... but I love it!

Back to School

I have completed my first week back to school. My students were all so great.. I love my job... BUT this past week has been SOOOO hard. I just wish I could take her to work with me. It was hard every morning to leave her with our sitter and yet again I dread tomorrow for that same reason. I always feel relieved in the afternoon to know that everything has gone well and I can only assume that as time passes it will get easier and easier.

Olivia has grown so much. I had to put away some of her newborn clothes this past week also. That was bittersweet. All of her little newborn pants still fit her waist, but they were starting to look like capris. Now the 3 months fit her in length, but she needs them to be drawstring.

We got to talk to Rob for a long time on webcam today and he got to see her smile and laugh alot and he noticed how squirmy she is. When she is awake, she is definitely moving. She has also started to keeps her hands open alot, which is new. It's crazy the things you notice when you have a baby. I have never paid so much attention to such things as her little clinched fists.... or going to the bathroom... or how much weight she is gaining. By the way... she is also blowing little bubbles with her mouth and starting to slobber a little, so I am guessing that sooner than later a tooth may pop out.

So 8 weeks has past and if there is one thing that I can say about the past eight weeks it is that I have developed a whole new respect for single parents. I have been pulled in so many directions and stretched beyond what I thought was possible and yet I can go to sleep (well sometimes) at night knowing that I only have to do this for a short while.... then my husband/daddy will come home to be such a huge help. And there are so many moms out there that do now have that hope for one reason or another... I cannot even imagine. Like I said, a whole new respect.

Love you all.