Sickness and other things

It's dreary here today. Perfect weather for hanging out with the munchkin. Actually she's sleeping right now. She's had a cold and yesterday she got her 6 month shots. She's six months old today. It's hard to believe how quickly that happened.

She's trying so hard to roll over. It's hilarious she'll get on her side and almost have it but she just can't figure out what to do with the arm.

She loves pretty much everything I have given her so far. Her teachers say she especially loves squash, which is good because that is a staple in the Oliver household.

We went to a Thanksgiving lunch at her school this Thursday. I don't care what anyone says, she was so excited to see us (especially Ryan). She sat in that buggy and stuck her chest out, she was so proud! We had a great time visiting with her teachers Ms. Maria and Ms. Jeanette. They love her so much and take good care of her.

Grandma came to visit last week. She now tries to copy the noise that grandma made with her mouth. It's so funny to watch because she opens her mouth but no sound comes out and then she looks confused.

She is a cuddle bug and is so sweet. She'll lay her head down on your shoulder and just bury.

This morning she was in the bouncer and I wasn't sure if she was done playing or not. I held my hands out to her but she kept right on playing. I love it, when she's ready for something different she'll hold her hands out, it's so much better than crying!

We have six more weeks until the end of the year...Thanksgiving, Christmas, going home, getting to see loved ones and family. I'm excited.

Life is so much more exciting and fun when you have a child.

Loving the weather

It's fall. I love this season. The crispness. The beautiful days that hint of cold weather but are actually just perfect to sit out on the back porch with a glass of wine. I love the pumpkins and scarecrows and the little kids so excited about costumes and such.

I cooked a pumpkin tonight. I roasted the pumpkin seeds and baked the pumpkin with some butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar. I also cooked artichokes, but I'll never do that again. To much work and not enough of a result.

I went to a party Friday night. A girlfriend of mine's sister sells diaper bags and burp cloths. Such cute stuff. I spent way to much money but had a great time. No Deborah or Ryan, just me and some girlfriends hanging out.

We took Deborah outside Friday night and put her on a blanket in the grass. Pictures to come tomorrow. I'm going to bed now...another perfect day tomorrow!

Pictures and other things

Going to the football game

Daddy's little girl

Mommy's princess

Aunt Pat...we got to go visit her this weekend...Deborah loved her!

Pappy and Deborah

And of course, Deborah's favorite person, granny!

Okay here are some pictures of the munchkin....I'm sorry it's taken me so long to post these...

Peace

All is quiet, the munchkin is sleeping, Ryan and our company went to a cigar shop and for the first time in a long time, I have the house to myself.

Life is good, the munchkin is growing and changing and coming into her person. She loves to smile and laugh and mom and dad will do anything to get one out of her.

We are going to go to the aquarium this afternoon. It's funny, we were just there it seems with Jim and Keri and Hannah yet the munchkin seemed so much younger than. This time the bright colors and movements will hopefully keep her attention some.

I wanted to post a video but I'm computer illiterate and have no idea how to edit the 1/2 video down to something that people will want to see.

Fall is in the air for which I am so grateful. I love summer but I'm always ready for fall and I love this time of year, it's the perfect temperature and there's just a feeling. Besides this means only 6 more weeks until the deadlines are gone for another year.

The munchkin and I are taking a road trip. We're going to fly up and meet Aunt Bekah and the boys and drive back down South with them. So much fun. Although they will be too young to remember we can tell them when you were little your mom and I drove all three of you by ourselves to granny's. It sounds like such an adult thing to say. It makes me feel old but it makes me feel great. I'm a mother.

I love being a mother. I love how she loves me and knows who I am. How she trusts me 100% not to drop her, to meet her needs. I love that when I pick her up from school she smiles at me. I love that she loves her daddy just as much as she loves me. I love it when I put her in bed with us and she lays in between us and talks and laughs and holds on to my hair like there is no tomorrow. Definitely being a mother is the best job in the world.

The quietness is coming to an end. I hear the munchkin stirring..it's time to eat again.

Fathers Day

My father played and continues to play a huge role in my life. He played with me when I was little, he encouraged me in my dreams, he gave me his wisdom. However, the most important thing that daddy did was teach me about Christ. Not only did he lead us in Bible study but he has lived his life in such a way that reflects Christ. He is a great example. He also made me feel like I was the most beautiful, most wonderful girl in the whole world. I remember one year I wanted flowers so bad to be delivered at school on Valentine's Day. I didn't date in high school so I wasn't holding my breath. I will never forget when my name was called over the intercom. I went to the main office and there on the counter were roses from my dad and brother...oh how that makes a girl feel! Now, if you have seen pictures of me when I was in high school I wasn't exactly Barbie...okay not even close. I was very overweight, had acne and a bad haircut for the majority of my high school career. However, I never knew that I wasn't the prettiest girl in school until I pulled out my annuals years after I graduated. My dad made me feel like a princess.

Now that we have a little girl, I see the importance of this even more. I'm not saying that I made all the right choices when it came to boys, or that I don't have any regrets. I do. However, I can honestly say it's not because my father was not involved in my life or because he didn't do his job as daddy to make me see how special I was. He showed me that and continues to show me that all the time. My wedding day was so special when we were dancing. He didn't cry but he just held me and sang to me.

Part of the reason I married Ryan was because I knew that he would make a good father. Not just in general a good father but a good father to a little girl. It takes a special man to be a good father to a little girl. It's hard work...girls are needy and have all kinds of self conscious issues...I know guys to do but it's just not the same for them. They get their rewards by working and being rewarded. I don't care how smart, pretty, "perfect" a girl is if she doesn't have a good daddy she is one screwed up girl.

Anyways, I just wanted to say thanks to my dad for being such a great, incredible dad and to Ryan, you already are a great daddy and Deborah can't even talk yet! I know that you will be awesome with her.

Pictures!

Uncle Nathan with Deborah

My first bath!

Aunt Sarah with Deborah

Holding dad's finger

Napping

Pictures

We loved the head covering and the nurses even made a bow for her

These were taken by a professional at the hospital. I was so glad I got her in her headband!!