Painting

Liv got a special birthday delivery from Oregon! 

Inside were some really fun fun presents from her Hansen family!

She jumped right in, literally, and wanted to play with everything.

This was her first time to paint and I think she mostly loved painting "nail polish" on her fingers.

Rare is the day when she doesn't find someway to color somewhere with something on her body!

You can tell when she's getting serious because she puckers her lips:

"Let's cut the charade. I really just want to paint my nails."

She sure keeps my life interesting and I wouldn't have it any other way!

Cancelled Plans

Instead of going to our playdate this morning, I washed vomit out of this cute girl's hair.

I hate canceling plans, and I hate being sick.

This morning I woke to a whole lot of vomit all over the place in Liv's crib and on her blankies. This was, of course, after I had been up all night throwing up too.

We were warned about the stomach bug going around, and it seems we couldn't dodge it. Do I have the weakest immune system or what? I feel like I always catch whatever it is going around, and B never does. Oh well, I guess I should just be thankful he is always able to pick up the slack when I have to spend the day in bed/laying on the couch.

I was totally confused this morning because Liv didn't even cry last night (I should know since I was up) so I definitely did not expect that she would have been throwing up too. Then to top it off she was soooo happy this morning. I felt like crap, and did all day. Slowly she became lethargic and I could tell she wasn't feeling as good as it seemed this morning. Hopefully we're done with it for good! 

Apples

The other day Liv had asked for apples! 

It was exciting because she usually doesn't like apples.

It's literally different day to day with that girl as far as eating.

She was watching her most favorite ABC movie and eating her apples quietly, so I snuck out to upload some pics to the computer.

She came in the room a bit later and I asked if she had eaten all her apples.

She said yes.

Then I came across this scene on the couch:

She had eaten one tiny Liv sized bite of each.

Silly girl!

Oh well, at least she took a few bites.

I'll write it off as a success :)
But really, how cute and tiny is her little bite?

Instas

1) Loving having a big backyard to run wild in

2) Fun headband I made for Livy's Bday

3) Pink Bday cake

4) Messy face

5) Fancy straws

6) coloring on herself, as usual

7) Dehydrated pear trees in the backyard. We need more rain!
8) At the park with Grammy

9) Showcasing her rings from the Hansen's all at once
Pretty little princess...with black fingernails :)

Lazy Sunday

I just found these pictures from our photobooth and had to post them.

I totally remember that day!
We came home from church and just wanted to relax/nap.

We went all went and hung out on our big (un-made) bed and took a bunch of silly pics.

I guess photobooth has a face recognition thing where (if you choose) it automatically puts hearts or birds on your head

Liv was watching and totally freaked out when she saw the hearts dancing on her hair :)

Then, since she put her hands up there, they went away

Don't you love it when you find old pictures that bring you right back to that happy memory?!

Olivia turns two

Happy 2nd Birthday my girl!

*click here for her 1st birthday

My first time making a double layered cake! Good thing my Mom was here to help!
Strawberry cake w/ pink buttercream frosting = delish and girly

Yummy food! Ham Sammies, creamy tuna on mini bagels, farfalle w/ spinach and mushrooms, veggies, and of course cake and butterfly cupcakes!

She LOVED the hanging balloons

Trying to figure out how she's supposed to blow these candles out

After we cut her a piece of cake, she made me put the candles back in her piece so she could blow them out again and again

Jumping in the balloons

more balloon fun

trying on her lovely bracelet from Claire-bear

kissing her baby from Brett and Shannon

After all the presents were opened, she just wanted to pop balloons! This kills me! Her face! She loved it.

*the deets (for myself)

I've been planning this little shindig for 2 weeks, thank goodness for pinterest! 

I didn't have time between packing, a mini vaca in PC, and the actual move to even bother with thoughts of a party, but I knew I needed to do something to make this little one feel special. It was just a family party because we don't really know any kids well enough yet to invite them to a party, and that was probably really good for her. She still having a little trouble with her new surroundings so it was nice that she knew everyone that was there, but we wished so badly that she could have had some of her Utah cousins there too! She would have really loved that. 

When we got here, I got to work scheming and coming up with ideas. It was so nice to be at my parents house because my Mom already had a lot of the stuff I wanted (ie: cake stands, mason jars, a furnished home!). Thanks for letting me make a mess of your kitchen and house! I think the only thing I had to buy was fabric to make the banner, the paper straws, washi tape, and tall candles. The rest of materials came from my own crafting bin that has started to accumulate some good stuff over the past 4 years, and of course my Mom's crafting supplies! When it was all over, my dad said, "I think the Momma had just as much fun planning the party as the baby had AT the party" Probably true! I love planning, organizing, and crafting!

After starting the party with a mini meltdown, and then dropping her juice cup only to have have it break open (has NEVER happened before) and spill juice everywhere, things went smoothly. The best thing we ever did was have birthday candles and balloons. That was all she needed! 

She called the candles "fireworks", and she made us re-light her 2 candles over and over and over so she could blow them out again, even though she couldn't do it on her own, ha! We spent a good few minutes trying to teach her how to blow, but she kept sticking her bottom lip way out and blowing her bangs everywhere. It was quite funny.

She LOVED the balloons! We knew she would so we were prepared. We hung balloons upside down from the ceiling, and every time she saw them her eyes got big and she said, "OH, balloon"! Then we had  two bags of balloons blown up on the floor where all her presents were. I hung streamers from the doorway (which I loved to do because I remember having that for all of my birthdays and every single one of my brothers and sisters birthdays as well) and when it was time for presents she slowly peeked through the streamers, and then bolted into the room to jump in all the balloons. She didn't notice the presents for quite awhile.

The very first thing she noticed about her presents was a little bracelet made special from her cousin Claire. She made me open it immediately! She didn't really understand the "ripping the paper" stuff so I ended up opening most of the presents. She was happy to take what was inside, but she wanted to take each toy out of the box right away. I could have given her one present and she would have played with it and been overjoyed.

Today when she woke up, instead of doing her normal routine of getting some juice and watching a cartoon, she jumped out of my arms and ran into the living room to check on all her new toys. To her delight they were all still there along with all the balloons! She literally touched each toy and said something. Oh how I wish I knew what she was saying! Then she played and played. She is one very happy birthday girl!

**I just have to share this because they are so darn cute and great for decorating anything kid related-- the abc cards hanging over all the presents is a free download from here!

To our sweet girl on her 2nd birthday

Today you turned two!

Dear O,
The world was made a little bit brighter and a whole lot happier on this day 2 years ago. You are so very special to me and your Daddy. We love your fun personality, and you seriously make us laugh everyday! You have brought us more joy than we'd ever imagined, and it just keeps getting better! You are still learning that crying doesn't mean you get what you want, but you are inherently a very sweet and gentle girl, even if a little bit clumsy :) We love singing with you when its "tuckie time" and doing "tickle arms", and I love walking by your room after you've been tucked in to hear you singing to yourself. You have music in your heart! You are so beautiful and very smart. We love watching you learn, grow, and imagine. We know as you get older, you can do absolutely anything you put your mind to. Thank you thank you sweet girl, for blessing our lives! We love you so very much!
Lots of hugs and kisses,
Mommy and Daddy

spare time

**Pretty much everything on here I found on Pinterest

When I'm not chasing down a toddler or gathering proof of my identity for the Texas State Dental Board, I try to keep busy. 

I'm currently waiting to get my TX Dental Hygiene License in the mail and then I can get to work, but until then I've got some extra time. 

Thanks to my talented sisters, I am a beginner crocheter (is that a word?). 

These are a few of the things I've made (sorry for all the random pics from various mediums):

 {knotted headband}

 {super bulky beanie}

{slouchy hat} 

(thanks for the idea Care! I finished it on our drive to TX)

I've learned how to do lots of different braids, all of which I practice on Liv 

{yay for having a little girl!}

Unfortunately they only last about 2 minutes on this rambunctious almost 2 year old.

Liv and I have been doing some toddler activities like this and this.

And I've tried some new recipes:

-fruit dip 

(nutella and plain fat free yogurt- 

totally takes the edge off when I need something sweet)

-peanut butter smoothie

(mmmmm)

-baked oatmeal 

(I'm a breakfast person)

-blackened chicken w/ papaya salsa 

(so yummy and SO easy)

I've also started leisurely reading again! I was so excited to be

 done with school to get back to reading for fun :) I've read The Help 

and my current read is The Palace of Illusions (thanks Danee!).

And now I'm crafting for a small celebration for Liv's 2nd Birthday!

The very best part of all this time is being able to spend so much of it with my big girl! 

After spending the first 20 months of her life in school, I needed this time to be home. 

Finally "just" a wife and a mother, which brings me far more happiness than anything else.

Finally we can all sleep in! We like our sleep around here :)

Since we've been home...

We've...

-had a movie night

-realized that not all of our things made it out without a scratch or two

-played some late night tennis

-crafted my heart out

-splashed in the tub

-visited Mike's family in Round Rock (I gave all the girls fishtail braids)

-went to the UT v BYU game
-on our drive home from Round Rock on 9/11 we saw several American flags waving on the overpasses and we remembered where we were on that tragic day 10 years ago

Park City

We got to spend some time in Park City with my family before we left Utah.

While there we went swimming a lot. 
Biggie (One of my many names for Liv. She's just such a big girl now) loved the kiddie pool because it was only 1 foot deep. She can now jump to me in the deeper pool and go under. She loves it. 

She would get cold in the pool sometimes and just want to cuddle, but not get out. 

When it was time to get out, she always wanted what she calls a "towel hug". Basically we'd swaddle her in the towel.

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It was fun to go to the farmer's market too.

I was bummed that they didn't have any mint limeade (like last year), but these fresh fruit sorbets helped me get over it. They were so yummy!

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We also went to Uncle Kerry's Barn to swim. 

Brady and Brett couldn't get enough of doing flips and dives off the rock wall (and climbing too). Livy liked the little kiddie pool and kiddie slide.

First they had to play a few games of ping pong to establish who was the best (it was Brady, by the way) and then they moved to the pool. Don't you love their cheerleader?

My Dad spraying everyone with the water gun :)

We finished off with some fishing, and caught a couple of little guys.

Thanks Uncle Kerry and Aunt Eunice! We had so much fun!

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The Bodines were playing a free outdoor concert while we were there. 

It was nice to get out and enjoy the view, weather, music, and good company.

Liv immediately started clapping and waving her arms in the air when she heard the music.

Carrie, me, and Shannon

Love these two

And this photo kills me. I laugh every single time.

We also went to Main Street one night and enjoyed some Java Cow's ice cream, and then of course there was my cousin Matt's wedding (which was why my parents were out in the first place)! I'll have to post a few of the pics from the wedding (I didn't get many) and a video of Livy's sweet dance moves :)