Little Tadpole

Livi has had an eventful past couple of weeks. I would guess that for her, the highlight was getting to go swimming for the first and second time. The first time Yale and I took her to a local rec center. She was a bit tentative at first, but after about 20 minutes she was splashing and laughing. Of course, Yale and I got a big kick out of the whole thing. We couldn't get over how cute we thought she looked in her itty-bitty swim suit. The second time she went swimming was with her Aunt Beckie and me in Lamar, Colorado at the Cow Palace Inn. This is also where she got to spend her first night in a hotel. Beckie had to do some work there, so Olie and I decided to go with her (it ended up being about a 5-6 hour drive including all of the baby-care stops). We stayed just one night in booming metropolis of Lamar. While Beckie was working, Olie and I went out to eat together, which was also a first. She can sit in a high chair now, so that makes eating out more interesting for both of us. Overall, Little O was a pretty good traveler. This week Livi got to go to her first movie. I know she seems awfully young for that, but a local theater has a BYOB (Bring Your Own Baby) movie time on Wednesday mornings and a friend and I decided to check it out. I was a little nervous about how it would work out, but it ended up going really well. The folks at the theater were exceptionally nice. At first Laura and I were the only two there to see Neverland, and one of the employees asked us if we wanted to volume adjusted, so they turned it down for us! After checking out the new surroundings and getting used to the movie playing, Liv settled down and slept through most of the movie. It was definitely a treat for me to get a break from what can be a fairly monotonous routine. Laura and I are definitely planning to go back!

Hawk Baby

First, I want to apologize to those of you who read my last entry before I got a chance to reread it. It was so full of typos it was laughable. Now, I do have a pretty good excuse. I couldn't sleep one night so I was typing it at 4:00 in the morning, but I also have to admit that I am not the best at editing. Usually Yale reads over what I write to make sure it isn't too messed up. Olivia had her 6 month check-up this week. Yale was able to work at home that day so he could go with us. It was nice to have him along. First to hear what the doctor had to say, and second, to help console O after her shots. Luckily, she only had to get 2 (instead of 4) this time. Again, the doctor said she seems healthy and strong. She is right on track developmentally: transferring items from one hand to the other, rolling over both directions, making babbling noises, and close to sitting up on her own. Olivia grew 2 inches (now at almost 26 inches), putting her in the 75th percentile for height. She gained about a pound and a half (13 pounds 11 ounces), which puts her between the 25th and 10th percentile. That part I wasn't too excited about, but Yale keeps reminding me that the doctor said it isn't unusual for breast-fed babies to lose weight at this stage. He also points out that most people would love to be tall and thin, including me. The doctor also said she looks like a healthy, thriving baby. Olivia is back to making her high-pitched screeching noises. So much that Yale has started calling her Hawk Baby. He loves to flap her arms and soar her around the room while she is making these little noises. He also likes to sit her on his lap while they squawk back and forth at each other. Whatever it takes, I guess.