Girl Party

Tonight Olivia had her friends Maddy and Laney over for a little girl party. They ran around like screamin' demons for the first hour, just so excited to be together. They pulled out every toy known to man that resides in this house. Of course Olivia's toys are much cooler when there are friends to show them to (otherwise she never touches half of them)!
I thought Jeff was going to die...it was hilarious. He never realized what it would be like to have multiple girls. Not only the increased squeals and decibel volume, but the emotions as well. Everything is so dramatic. Half way thru the night he said, "we're never having another girl, I can't take it, this is exhausting." Little does he know that the Poppa Bear and Tickle Monster will have to play with ALL kids:)
We ended the night with an old fashion tent made in the living room, positioned just right to watch Monsters Inc, and Lion King.
What fun!!!!!...It's so much easier with more than one!

Do you like our tent? 

Three little monkies snuggled in a bed! 

I'm a good helper! 

Mmmm Sippy 

Sleepy Head

This morning Olivia slept in until 10AM!!!!!! That's right, she went to bed at 8pm and slept in an extra two hours. I actually got to sleep until I woke up....imagine that! I was thanking the heavens:)

Mark your calendars!

We had another appointment today for our little boy and all went well (after a little round about with the doctor). Anyway, we had another ultrasound and everything looks GREAT. His echogenic bowels are all gone!!!!!! That means no surgery after he's born:) YEAH!!!!
He's healthy as a hippo! He already weighs 4lbs 8oz, with two months left to go! He's going to be one big little boy! No one told me I was carrying a little baby hippo inside! He's going to be at least 8lbs, probably nine!
Good thing it's another C-section! We set the date for his birth too.....He'll be arriving on Thursday September 1st. So mark your calendars:)

Can we go back to this moment? 

enjoying the evening beach 

Do I fit? 

Tea party with my grandmas:) 

one, two, three- TOSS 

picking the perfect stone 

Passed out with the cell phone tucked in her neck and her hand across her belly...I think she's a little sleepy! 

Hi GiGi and PaPa Ron!...who's that wiggle worm on your lap? 

Hi MiMaw and Poppie! 

Isn't he cute, throwing rocks into the bay:) 

Vacation

Sorry to all those people that we didn't tell we were coming to Michigan and to everyone we didn't get to see. Please forgive us for being selfish and enjoying our time alone:)
We had a wonderful time! It was so nice to just relax and take in the fresh air. Olivia loved the beaches and sailboats...that's all we heard about the whole drive home. She was an angel, and didn't cry at all until we were about 12 miles away from home (go figure).
Wish us luck now that the hurricane doesn't hit us!

Picture Perfect Weather

Can we move here now please?...Do you have to stay in the Military another year and a half?....Those were our discussions this morning as we sat on the beach in 70 degree weather and watched our baby girl explore sand and fresh water for the first time!
Jeff's parents have a waterfront house in Omena (above Traverse City) and we are taking full advantage of that fact. It's so nice out. Perfect Michigan summer day, the kind you want to bottle up and keep year round. Bright blue sky with little white puffy clouds that float by. Just warm enough to sit outside in the sun without sweating, and a cool little breeze flowing off the water to keep you cool. Oh can we please stay?
Screw Louisiana and the hot sticky heat! I'm staying here! (sorry Angie, but I'll come visit you).

Helloooooooooooo Michigan

We decided to make a last minute trip to Michigan for 4th of July, and what a great decision that was! Someone knew we were coming and ordered up the best weather possible! It's amazing how much we miss this state after being gone. It's 70 degrees out with the slightest breeze coming off the beach. Oh my, it's heaven:) All Jeff and I can talk about it getting back here and staying!
Olivia fared the 16 hour car ride very well. No upsets until about 8am when she realized that it wasn't dark and a new day had started...and she was still in the car. But we curbed that upset with a quick fly-by breakfast with Aunt Kelly. We surprised her so she just had to play hookie that morning and go out to eat with us.
Next is was off to Grandma and Grandpa Newsted's house. Olivia took to her Great-Grandma right away. As you can imagine "great grandma" is a mouthful for her, so she settled with calling her "Misses." It was so cute, she kept saying "Misses, misses come see, oooh kitty cat do?" They had fun playing with Grandma's HUGE kitty. It always runs away from me when I visit, but for some reason it loved the attention from Olivia. She was SOOO excited and squealing with delight!
Olivia loved running in Grandpa's fresh grass too. It was soft like a "beek-da" aka blanket, and she ran laps up and down the yard like a track star. She also loved their massive (and I mean 100ft spanning limbs, massive) oak tree. She was jumping to touch the drooping branches and swinging with delight on the swings.
Oh how I wish we had more time to spend with family. Seeing her with them makes me so happy, yet so sad to know that the next time it will happen is months away:(
Next it was on to Great Grandpa Bob's house. She was sleepy and cranky, so she didn't get to enjoy it as she should. Then she re-opened her skinned knee and bled all over, and mean old daddy sprayed her with Bactine....OOOOUCH! Needless to say, we hope the next visit goes better.
We are all exhausted after traveling!