6 Months

- You are wearing mostly 6 month clothes.
- Still wearing size 2 diapers even though Dad thinks you are ready for 3's.
- You love to play "Patty Cake"
- Paper is your new favorite toy, you love to crinkle it up and put it in your mouth.
- You mastered sitting up. You love to sit and play with your toys and will sit for a half hour at a time.
- You don't really move when we put you down, you mostly stay on your blanket. You hardly ever roll.
- This month you had your first taste of food. Mom and Dad fed you some rice cereal at Grandma and -Grandpa Barber's house.
- Stayed overnight in your first hotel.
- Went on your first road trip, we drove to Washington, stopping in Idaho and Oregon on the way.
- Played with your cousins in Washington.
- Played at the park, went in the swing and down the slide.
- Got in your first car wreck, well, you slept through it.
- You love to go to Grandma and Grandpa Hales house and watch their dog.
- Started sitting in high chairs at restaurants.
- Had your pictures taken.
- Went golfing twice with mom and dad.
- Aunt Andrea helped you pet a bunny.
- You are finally sleeping through the night more consistently.

6 Month Stats:
(At 6 months 9 days)
Weight - 15 pounds 3 ounces 31%
Height  -
Head -

Olivia 5 months

This was 2 weeks ago... I am behind. Better late than never.

Today you turned 5 months old. I can hardly believe that in one month you will be 1/2 way to your first birthday. This month has been a fun month, you have learned how to do a few new tricks and we love you more and more everyday.

-You sleep through the night 3-4 nights a week. The other nights you wake up once to eat and maybe another time to talk. We can't wait for you to be a little bit more consistent.
- Mom is super proud of you because you now sleep every night without being swaddled.
- Going to bed is a little bit of a challenge for you now. You cry and fuss for a little bit before you fall asleep.
- We now call your Bumbo chair, the poop chair. Every time we put you in there, you poop.
- You can sit up on your own and you usually last a few minutes before you crash.

- Sucking on your hands has now changed to sucking on anything you can grab, and you love sucking on blankets.
- Most afternoons Mom will lay you on your blanket and you will talk to yourself. This includes screaming and blowing raspberries. You also make a funny noise that sounds like you are trying to roll your r's. This can last up to 20 minutes.
- This month you got a goopy eye and went to the doctor to get some eye drops. You were on your first antibiotic.
- You love grabbing your feet. If you are laying on your back, you will brab both of your feet and hang out.
- Still wearing size 3 - 6 month closing and moving into 6 month clothes.
- Size 2 diapers
- You ran a 5k with Mom and Dad.
- Met a few boyfriends this month including, Jack Eyre, Kayson Frampton, and Hudson Fairbanks.
- Visited Dad at work, for the grand opening of Maple Mountain Pharmacy.
- Watched Conference with Grandma and Grandpa Hales.
- Had your first Easter, and experienced bubbles for the first time. Also you helped Mom and Dad color eggs.
- Spent a week at home all day when Mom had Spring Break.

The 2nd Luck of the Irish 5K

Bob, Olivia, and I ran a 5k on Saturday with the rest of my family. Bob is a good sport and participates even though its not his favorite type of competition.  This 5k was a fundraiser for my school and I bribed my kids to come and challenged them to beat Bob and I. In past races we have ran, I have always beat Bob and I am pretty proud of that since he beats me in almost everything else.

(Also a good side note is that I was never competitive about anything before becoming a Barber.  I was a go with the flow, do my own thing girl. Now I want to win things... For our school competition, the class who has the most students run the race gets a pizza party. Im pretty sure my class won.)

I made Olivia a onesie since they didn't have any race shirts in her size. 

She looks pretty cute in her sunglasses. 

My game plan was run pushing the stroller for the first mile, and then after the first mile I'd leave Bob with Olivia and I'd go ahead. (I had to beat my students.) We started out and we were running around a 10 minute mile pace and Bob said he couldnt go any faster. I encouraged him to stay with me and we averaged about a 9 minute pace. We were going down a long street that had we would run down and then turn around and run back. I knew we were past a mile, but I thought I'd keep Bob running until the turn and then let him have his turn with the stroller. Little did I know, Bob had his own plan in mind. At the turn he just took off. I have no idea where the energy came from. For a little while, I figured I would catch up to him... but I never did.

(When I bribed my kids I told them I would I would give them 100 viking dollars (class dollars) if they beat me and 100 if they beat Bob. And I told them that I was faster than Bob, so they would most likely get 100 for beating him.)

Bob beat me by a couple minutes. (I stopped to talk to my principal so I'll blame part of it on that. And I just had a baby a few months ago...)  Even though he beat me at something I usually beat him at, I was really proud of him. He also came in 2nd out of my family, when usually he is closer to 2nd to last. He rocked this race. He told me later that he felt so good he could run another 5k right then.

Don't you worry, ill be out jogging these next few months getting back in shape so I can beat Bob at our next race.

4 Months

Dear Little Olivia,

You are now 4 months old. You have been such a light in our lives. You make your Dad and I so happy. We can't wait for month 5.

This month you:

- Met your friend Olivia Burr, who is letting you borrow a few of her toys and clothes.
- Fell in love with the play mat. You will lay there and talk to Mr. Turtle who hangs from above.
- You have taken many naps in the jogging stroller. Mom puts you in at nap time and you go over to Orem Community Hospital and walk around the track. One day you took a walk with your friend Tyler Sodja.
- You tag along on dates with Mom and Dad. (Pizzeria 712, Waffle Love, Happy Sumo, and Station 22.)
- We have gone to visit Great Grandma Andrus a few times this month. She wants to hold you like a baby but all you want to do is stand.
-You have started laughing. We have only heard it a few times. You laughed when mom made some funny noises and when she blew raspberries on your belly.
- You are a pro at tummy time. You hold your head up high and are starting to inch your way towards your toys.
- For the first time you went to all 3 hours of church. The first week was hard, but each week has gotten a little easier. (For Mom.)
- You roll over a few times a week. Still only from your tummy to your back.
- You have found your toes, and when you are pant-less, you grab onto them.
- At night you try to sneak your left arm out of your swaddle.
- Your cousins came to visit. Abby and Ty came to hang out at our house, and then we met up with Coy and Keith for dinner.
- While mom and dad eat dinner, you like to sit in your bumbo chair. You also sit with the boppy supporting you.
- At night you still need to be swaddled, but during the day you will nap with your arms out, and sometimes above your head.
- You got sick for the first time this month. Mom went to get you out of your crib and you had thrown up. And then threw up 3 more times that morning. The doctor wanted to see you that day. You were super irritable and sad. Luckily it only lasted for 1 day. Mom and Dad both stayed home with you that day. You weighed in at 12 pounds 8 ounces.
- We finally moved up to size 2 diapers.
- You are using your hands more and more to hold and grab things. You pull your binky out all of the time.
- Mom bought you your first life jacket at Costco. Crossing our fingers you love the water.
- While at the babysitters you have been drinking 1 bottle with 2-3 ounces of milk. You finally decided that you are hungry enough for 4 ounces.
- You love Sadie and Sarah. You recognize them at church and give them big smiles.
- Once mom picks you up from Sarah's you come home and eat at noon. You eat again at 2, 4, 6, and 8 and then go to bed for the night.
- You have been sleeping from 8 PM to 7 AM and waking up once around 3 or 4 to eat.
- For the first time since being in your room and sleeping in your crib you slept from 8 until 7 without waking up in the middle of the night. (Night of March 12th)
- Sucking your hands is one of your favorite things to do.
- You still wear some 3 month clothes, some 3-6 are a tiny bit too big, but you still wear them.
- Almost every Friday, Dad has had the day off this month. So you get to stay home and play with him.
- We have been sitting on a blanket outside playing in the sun. We are so happy to be able to be outside after the long winter.


Your 4 month appointment isn't until next week, so I will update your stats then.
Weight:
Length:
Head:

Having a girl is so much fun. I love being able to pick a matching bow and headband to go with her outfits. We usually only dress up on the weekends. During the week while Mom is working, she mostly wears pajamas. Living by Target will bankrupt us, good thing we are moving. (And there isn't a Target in Pendleton.) Every time I go, I have to look at all of their baby girl clothes. I feel like I have an angel and a devil sitting on my shoulders. One trying to convince me to buy that cute dress and the other telling me we already have a closet full at home.

I can't wait for the school year to be over. I love my kids and I love teaching- but I am ready to be a full time stay at home mom. Only a couple weeks until Spring Break and then the school year is almost over. (At least I keep telling myself that.) I do have to say that I am lucky that I was able to go part time. I get to be home everyday at noon and I love that. We also are blessed with a wonderful babysitter.

The thing I hate about school is pumping. I will be so happy to be done with that phase. Every morning during recess I have to shoo all of my kids out. (Getting my slow pokes out can be a challenge.) Locking the door and having a student double check is a must. And then I get to wash all of my bottles and pump parts each night by hand. *Can't wait to have a dishwasher!

During the afternoons we follow the same schedule, and have done so since I went back to work. I will feed her, and then we will play for the next 45 minutes or so until she gets tired. Lately we have been reading a lot of books. She will sit in her bumbo or on my lap and listen to a few stories. Once I read 5 books in a row and she was still entertained by it. I used up all of my bonus points from my book orders and brought home a bunch of books for Olivia. She has her own little library, and will be needing her own bookshelf soon.

Taking her pictures this month was by far the hardest. She is wanting to sit up on her own, but can't quite do it. And she is so wiggly. Between trying to keep her in place and smiling, the pictures were far and few between. I am sure that it will only get harder from here on out.

3 Months!

Today Olivia is 3 months old, time is going by too quick! She is at such a fun stage right now and we love talking and playing with her during her awake time. Last night Bob and I were talking and he was telling me how much fun she is now.

- She went swimming for the first time.
- Started sleeping in her crib at night.
- She usually will sleep from 9-3, wake up and eat, and then sleep again from 3:30 - 7.
- Then I get her ready and drop her off at 7:15. I pick her up at noon and then we start our 2 hour schedule. Eat and play for the first hour, nap for the second. And we do that until bedtime.
- On February 3rd, she was blessed at church by her dad.
- She went to church for the first time.
- When we read a book to her, she looks at the pages.
- She loves sucking on her hands.
- Her eyes are still blue! Crossing our fingers they don't change.
- Sometimes when we coo or pretend talk with her, she will copy what we do.
- She started laughing.
- Holds her head up really well during tummy time.
- Still wears size 1 diapers, but we are close to moving up to 2's.
- Wears mostly 3 month clothing, 3-6 is a little big.
- Her hair is slowly growing, and she has a few random long pieces on top.
- Has great leg strength and loves standing up.
- Went on a run with mom in the jogging stroller.
- She loves Dad's singing and funny voices.
- She weighs a little over 11 pounds.
- Started drooling a ton.
- Likes to play (aka suck on) with her toys Minnie Mouse and turtle.
- Uses her hands to try and grab her toys, and will hold them.
- Rolled over for the first time, and a few times since. (Front to back)
- Loves sitting in her bumbo chair for a few minutes at a time.
- Had her 1st Valentines Day.

Going to work each day is getting a little bit harder now that she is doing so much more. I'm sad that I missed her rolling over for the first time, but I got to see it later that day. I am glad that it's only for a few more months.

I love how talkative and happy she is. If you talk to her for a few minutes, you are bound to get a smile, and most of the time she will talk back.

We love our little Olivia Faye!

Here she is at 3 months.

 I love this picture, it shows how strong she is. Standing for a few seconds on her own. 

 This happens every once in a while. Ooops!

Here is a little comparison over the past 3 months. 

Olivia's Blessing Day

On February 3rd Olivia was blessed at church. This was her first appearance at church because she is a winter baby. We were so happy to have so many members of our family there to support us. Bob's parents came down from Washington and his cousins Mitch and Kyle with their families were there. My immediate family was there along with Grandma Jayne, the Stewarts, Andrus' & Ren Hales' family.

Our friends Amber and Jordan Burr blessed their daughter Olivia that Sunday too.

Bob gave a beautiful blessing and Olivia was nice and quiet, even when her binky popped out. Olivia wore the blessing dress that I wore when I was blessed. My Grandma Jayne bought it for me.

After church we had lunch at my parents house. We had tapioca for dessert because it was my Dad's birthday, and it's his favorite.

A little comparison of mother & daughter on their blessing days.

Alyse- February 2nd 1987  Olivia- February 3rd 2013

I was a little over 6 weeks and Olivia was 12 weeks. 

Here I am holding Olivia, and my Mom holding me. 

My Dad, on his birthday with Olivia

My parents with Olivia.

Andrea and Brent

Our family!

Olivia and I, love that cute smile of hers!

Bob and Olivia

Blessing Weekend

Bob's parents were in town for a few days before Olivia's blessing. It was so fun to spend time with them while they were here.

On Thursday we went to Red Lobster for dinner. Little Olivia followed her schedule perfectly and allowed us to eat dinner while she slept quietly in her carseat. Bob was in heaven eating seafood and ordered enough to feed the entire family.

We made plans afterward to go swimming at their hotel. Shannon had sent Olivia a package in the mail before she was born and inside was a cute little pink swimsuit. I was so excited to finally put her in it. I already had swim diapers ready for the occasion, but the smallest size were still too big.

The pool was pretty cool and the hot tub was warm, but not hot - so we settled on the hot tub. We were in there for maybe 5 minutes max, and she seemed to enjoy herself. I can't wait for this summer when we will be outside in the sun, playing with our toys, and floating in the pool.

Just a little photo shoot of Olivia in her swimsuit before we went down to the pool. 

With Mom

With Dad

On Friday night we went to El Gallo for dinner. This is my parents favorite place to eat, and over time Bob has started liking it more and more. After dinner we went to the BYU Men's Volleyball game and Uncle Brent watched Olivia.

Saturday morning Bob went shopping with his parents while Olivia and I got ready at home. That afternoon we went to IHOP before going to the Men's basketball game.