Gota Love The Hat!

Play Group

Today we had our weekly play-date here at our home. Karen & Piper Szabo and Melissa & Mia Meinen. The highlite of the play-date was Piper walking. She walked all on her own... she just took off. Yea, Piper!

Aunt Juju & Uncle Gary come to visit.

This past weekend my sister, Julie and her husband, Gary came to Tulsa. They live in Nebraska. This was their first time to see Olivia. The weather was great so we were outside quite a bit. We had a wonderful time!

Olivia is a pill today after getting so much attention from Aunt Juju & Uncle Gary.

We love having visitors and appreciate whenever anyone makes the trip to see us. Our door is always open for our family & friends. So, come see us!

Colette

Olivia's First Time In The Sand Box

Aunt Juju, Megan & Olivia

Getting To Know Aunt Juju

Playing Bocce Ball With Uncle Gary

Bath Time

When we first got Olivia she hated water. It quickly became apparent that she never had a "real bath" that she had been sponge bathed. After a few attempts of a bath while in China, I finally just gave her a sponge bath. Once we got home Olivia took a bath with Megan. She had to be sitting on Megan's lap. Well, there were many times when Meg was not home or unable to take a bath with Olivia. So, I would give Olivia a bath in the kitchen sink. The first couple of weeks she would only sit on the edge of the sink and put her feet in. Well, you can tell by the pictures she now will completely sit it in the sink. I guess now we are ready to move to the bathtub. I will keep you informed. Colette

update

We are doing great! The first 3 weeks we were home were a challenge. Funny, we got to the 6 week mark of having Olivia and things got better. I had heard about the 6 weeks for them to get adjusted and more secure with their new family..... WOW, were they right.

She is sleeping all alone in her bedroom. YEA! I had been sleeping in a twin bed in Olivia's room. I moved out the Wednesday before Easter. For the first 4 days she would wake up in the middle of the night and I would end up back in her room. She sometimes still wakes up in the middle of the night but I just go in there, lie her back down, leave and she is ok.

Plus I started putting Olivia to sleep awake whether it is naptime or nighttime. She might yell (not cry) for a bit. Her yell is short and actually funny. It is like she is saying "hey, I am in her, just want to let you know". Sometimes I check on her or I yell back to her that she is " ok, I love you, and lay down". Anyway, it has worked.

I can't tell you how a well rested mommy makes for a happy mommy. YEA!

Colette

Bubbles

Olivia Watching Her 1st Movie

Megan & Olivia watching "The Piglet" movie. Olivia loves the Winnie the Pooh characters so I thought we would try a movie with them in it. She watched the show for a bit then fell asleep.

Cute Outfit

This out-fit was Megan's, 10 years old. I wanted to take a picture of Olivia in it to compare it to Megan. I wish I had a scanner because I would scan Meg's picture to show you all. Anyway, I think the outfit has held up well. I had lent the outfit to my friend Susan and she gave it back to me. So it is on its 3rd baby. My Aunt Carol had given me the cute out-fit.

Colette

13 Months Old

Olivia is 13 months old today. We have had her in our life for 6 1/2 weeks. and have been home for 4 1/2 weeks. I can't believe how much our lives have changed. I can sit on the floor and play with Olivia for hours. She is such a sweetie, if I do say so myself. She loves stuffed toys, as you can see in the picture above with Piglet & Eeyore. She hugs and kisses her soft animals. I doubt while she was in China she had a stuffed animal. We took all of this for granted with Megan, but with Olivia we realized how little all of the orphans have. Bob & I feel so blessed to have Olivia in our lives, she brings such joy to each day.

Yesterday was Rachel's 3rd birthday. I can't believe it has been 3 years. It seems more like 2 years. We love and miss her so much. HAPPY BIRTHDAY RACHEL!

Colette

Easter

Uncle Steve & Olivia

Olivia playing with my oldest brother Steve.

Colette

Olivia & Nana

My Mom came to Tulsa this weekend to see her grandchild for the first time.

Colette