So many "firsts"!

It's been a Spring and Summer full of "firsts" for Olivia. Her first ice cream cone, her first Merry-Go-Round, her first concert, her first visit to the zoo, her first wedding, her first road trip and her first graduation parties!


It turns out she loves everything that is summer...including playing in the dirt, playing in the water and playing with rocks.

It's so fun to see life through her eyes. She is so full of joy and laughter and she has a way of making everyone around her enjoy life too. Thank you Little O!

Six months ago...

Dear Olivia,
Six months ago I saw you for the first time and was amazed at how beautiful you are. Six months ago I held you for the first time and prayed that you would feel safe. Six months ago I fed you for the first time and you ate all that I offered. Six months ago I changed your clothes for the first time and you laughed. Six months ago I put you to bed for the first time, and then I stayed awake all night, watching you sleep. Six months ago my life and your life changed dramatically. Six months ago I became your mom, and you became my daughter.

I knew our lives would change, but I had no idea how much you would change me. I had no idea that I would see myself more clearly because I was a mom. I had no idea that I would want to become a better person, so that I could become a better mom. I had no idea that you would teach me what it means to love unconditionally. I had no idea that because of you, I would see God more clearly. I had no idea that He would use you to sanctify me. I had no idea that I could love one little person, so very much.

God gave me the most amazing gift when He put you in my arms six months ago. It’s been six months my sweet girl. We have so much more to learn about each other, and I can’t wait.

I love you very much,
Mom

Pray without ceasing!

So just last weekend, I was telling my bible study group that since becoming a mom, I’ve lost the spiritual disciplines that had once been such an important part of my life. And I have NO GOOD reason for it, I just prefer to plop in front of the t.v. or go to bed after putting Olivia down for the night ‘cause I’m just plain tired at the end of the day! So no more was I reading my bible, no more was I praying on a daily basis, no more was I getting my bible study done.

So guess how God is getting my attention? Through my daughter. The one thing I have been trying to be more regular about lately is getting into the practice of prayer before meals. Olivia folds her hands, smiles while I do the praying, and then when we’re done sometimes says “AMEN!” Well this past week, my sweet daughter has been folding her hands at the beginning of the meal, reminding me that we need to pray. She also folds her hands about ¼ of the way through the meal, reminding me that we need to pray some more. And most meals, she folds her hands a third time towards the end of the meal, reminding her mommy that we are to “Pray without ceasing!” (1 Thess 5:17)

God knew what He was doing when He gave me THIS little girl.




I’m attaching some photos of our first Valentines weekend together. We had a very special visitor (Uncle John joined us for the weekend), we went to the Children’s Museum with Sara and Molly, and ate lots of food (still one of Olivia’s very favorite things to do, though she is becoming more particular about what she’ll eat!)

3 weeks post surgery...

....and Olivia is doing great! After two weeks of full liquids, and then one week of soft foods, she got to progress to a normal diet today. Life is good! Her little mouth is healing wonderfully according to her surgeon, and each day she is drooling less and less! She hasn't quite figured out how to keep her tongue in her mouth yet though, ever since the surgery it seems to hang out quite often. I guess with no more hole in her mouth, she's having problems figuring out where it goes?!

We go back to the surgeon and also have a speech therapy evaluation in 6 months. They're hoping she will have developed some speech by then, and will determine at that time whether the 2nd palate surgery is needed. She's trying so hard to say words. She'll concentrate on your mouth as you speak to her, and then try to do the same thing. So far, the only thing that comes out are little sounds.

Even though her speech is delayed, her comprehension is amazing! As of tomorrow, we will have been together for 3 months and already she seems to understand most of what I say to her. This morning on the way to daycare, she took her shoe off while in her carseat. I looked back and said, "Olivia, where did you put your shoe?" She smiled and pointed to the floor of the car, the exact spot her shoe landed.



I'm attaching a photo taken on my cell phone the morning she was discharged from the hospital. It's a little fuzzy but you can tell she was ready to go!!

Successful Surgery!

Just a quick note to let you know we are home and Olivia is doing well! Surgery went very well, and just 12 hours later Olivia ate not just one, but 3 puddings. The night nurse said she's never seen a child eat so well post op...especially one with stitches throughout her palate! She's eating well, drinking well, and even blowing kisses again. They sent us home with soft restraints for her arms (to keep her hands out of her mouth) which we have to use at bedtime when she's not supervised. Tonight at bedtime, after we rocked for a little while I said, "Olivia, I'm sorry sweetie but we have to put these on again". The little angel held out her arms for me to put them on. What an amazing kid she is!

Thank you for praying for her!

Green light for surgery

Olivia received a good bill of health yesterday. The doctor said the only thing that would stop surgery is the development of a high fever. But that's not gonna happen!

Surgery is scheduled for 10am tomorrow morning (the 19th). Thanks again for your love and prayers.

Karis

My First American Bug!

No, my mom didn't buy me a Volkswagen....I got sick! Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you, Olivia here! I'm getting better and better at my computer skills and so far have only pulled one key off my mom's keyboard.



So last weekend, I got this yucky stomach bug (I even gave it to my mom! She said she hasn't been that sick since she drank a little water in Mexico!) and it's kind of a bummer that it's been almost a week and I still have it. Mom's had to keep me home lots this week so I miss my friends at daycare.

Grandpa's been coming to play with me lots since I couldn't go to daycare. He's fun to lock in the closet :)



Tomorrow I go see my doctor and he'll tell me whether I'm healthy enough to have my surgery next Monday. Mom said to ask you to please pray that I will be over this, so we can have my surgery and I can get all better and eat hot dogs and hamburgers!

Mom says there's lots of people out there praying for me....we say our prayers at night for you too! I can even fold my hands and say AMEN!

Love,
Olivia