What a bunch of Sicko's!!

We ate way too much food today! We had Thanksgiving at Marcus aunt & uncle's house (Ronda and Ed). It was a lot of fun and probably the best turkey that I have every had-ever!
Olivia has decided to spend her holiday's being sick. It's been coming on since Sunday but it really got bad today. It's the whole runny nose thing and coughing, deep chest coughs. She doesn't even cough if she can manage it b/c it hurts her, she winces when she does. It is heartbreaking as a mom to watch b/c you just want to fix it. She's not like critically ill or anything-just a bad cold, but this is probably the most sick I've seen her. It doesn't even bother me at all to be up with her because I know she would RATHER be sleeping, her throat just wakes her up. She's not even being that whiney, which really makes me think. I can be the biggest baby when I am sick, so if my "almost not a baby anymore" can take it like the best of them I could probably try not to be so wimpy the next time I am ill. Which honestly will probably be in the not to distant future. I can feel my throat getting sore and Marcus is starting to feel it too. It is nice when she will cuddle you and sit there still, when she is feeling good she's all about her independence. So I guess if there is one good thing you could pick out from her being sick is we get some serious bonding time in those late night hours. It brings me comfort to know that just by being with me it can calm her and make her feel at least a little bit better.

Best Day EVER!!!

So Saturday was pretty much the most fabulous fun filled day of this stressed out mommy's life! (slight exaggeration as my wedding day/having a child probably tops that list). Every single part of that day was fun and hilarious and EXACTLY WHAT I NEEDED!!


The day started out with Jayme, Kaitlyn and I mini road tripping it to Lynwood-Awesome conversations abounded. We claimed out tickets, grabbed a snack and were totally the first people in line for our showing. Suzanne joined us followed by Kaitlyn' mom (Deanne). We didn't even care how nerdy it made us look- we rocked that waiting line. The people next to us in line were old enough to be my grandparents and it was a little weird to hear them talk about how much the LOVED the book.
Totally scored awesome seats and laughed a ton before the movie started. Even the previews were magical. We laughed as Kaitlyn was hollering at this lady who she thought was her mom, but wasn't. They totally showed the preview for Harry Potter and with all my excitement over Twilight and then seeing the Harry Potter trailer I totally broke out in applause. I also broke out in applause when the movie started, mind you I was not the only one that excited, there were many tweeners who were happy to join me and even a few from my group! Erin and Kim made it just in time for the start of the movie. I hooted when Edward first graced the screen (did I mention Jayme may never want to see a movie with me again with all my craziness? She was sitting right next to me, acting all embarrassed but I know deep down inside SHE LOVED IT).

After drooling over teenage vampires it was on to Claim Jumper. Sarah Y. joined us at dinner. Holy amazing food-ate way too much--onion rings--. There was the analyzing of the Fabulous movie and I totally bonded with another fellow avid reader, Erin I can't wait to hang out with you some more! After eating way more than any of our stomach's could hold it was time to head home.

But first we needed to make a stop at the outlet malls-really good deals @ The Children's Place. It was almost an emergency as SOMEONE drank way too much at dinner and almost peed themselves until we made an unforeseen stop at a Port of Subs. (SOMEONE being a certain curly haired girl who's first name starts with a V and rhymes with....... dang it nothing rhymes with my name but it would have been obvious it was me anyway).

Shopping was amazing-gotta love sweet deals- and after revealing WAY too much information about myself (you guys will still be my friends right????) we decided we had abandoned our families long enough. The ride home was the icing on the cake with more awesome conversation and laughter. I'm really not trying to bore anyone with the breakdown of my day, but writing it all out is kinda like reliving it and it was just SOOO MUCH FUN! I'm sorry if I have made anyone jealous by how truly euphoric this day was, but maybe it will inspire you to have a totally awesome girl day of your own.

A note about the movie: I really like it. I think what helped me to like it was A) I knew it was a small production company so I wasn't expecting amazing special effects. And B) It had been a while since I had read the books so I remembered all the main plots, but the more specific things were a little fuzzy so I wasn't analyzing that during the movie, I just took it all in.I am really going to practice that for when the Harry Potter movie comes out next. I have the tendency to want to read the book first and I think it ruins the movie a little bit for me.
So basically this day rocked and I just want to say it was so fun to be with those girls watching chick flicks, eating food and having a blast!!!

BEST DAY EVER!!!!!!!!

What a Week!

Isn't she so cute! She is getting better and better at her balancing, it is so fun to see her grow into a big little kid. She turned 11 months on Sunday so she has only one month left of being a "baby". I watched a little boy named Jonas this week, I watch him on and off, and Olivia had so much fun playing with him. She is still being a rascal about napping and such so having a distraction of a fun little baby to play with has been really nice. It totally distracted her from her crankiness b/c she just wanted to party with him.

It was so cute b/c Jonas would be IN the excersaucer playing with all the toys and Olivia would be standing on the OUTside of it. She would just walk in circles around and they would talk to each other in baby talk and press all the buttons and laugh at each other.

It's been a really challenging time with her lately. Especially so b/c I never really had to deal with this problem, I guess just a little spoiled with how well she slept, so it's like a whole new ballgame. It's like you know she will be happier if she just got her rest, but there is no way you can explain it to her. I implemented some new techniques this week and I'm starting to see a little improvement but it will be a while I think before she gets to a good point. (At least that's what I'm telling myself so I will be prepared for the long haul and if she gets it together sooner than I will just be pleasantly surprised).

So pretty much the fact that tomorrow is "Girl Day" couldn't have come at a more perfect time. It will be the longest I've ever been away from Liv. It will be a fun filled day of shopping (or in my case "look-see" which is like window shopping, or exactly the same as window shopping, "look-see" is just what I call it) and TWILIGHT!! Followed by yummy food at Claim Jumpers, I couldn't be more excited and whenever Liv has been especially "rascally" I just keep visualizing the fantastic time I will be having on Sat! Although I might have to plan something fun for every week if all this no-sleeping craziness continues ;)

Thankfully while my Mom has been gone I've some help so I can have breaks for my sanity. Marcus' aunt Helen hung out with me one morning so I could get some MUCH needed housework done. I've found it is surprisingly hard to clean your house when there is a baby following you from room to room screaming her head off! Also Kaitlyn watched her on Wed night so Marcus and I could have a date. We haven't been on a date since July! It was so nice, we had dinner and went to go see the new James Bond Movie. Also (drum roll please)...................

Marcus actually stayed awake for the WHOLE MOVIE! I couldn't believe it! He normally falls asleep anytime he is sitting for more than 5 min. We also got to see our new niece "Vienna Lou Becker", the cutest little baby of Candice and Steve! So basically it was a Fantastic night.

Well I think I've reached my thresh hold for how long I can let Olivia try to cry it out for nap time............It's Girl Day tomorrow, It's Girl Day tomorrow, It's Girl Day tomorrow, It's Girl Day tomorrow.

What Stinks??

So for Halloween we had to choose between two costumes-cow or skunk. My amazing friend Kaitlyn had a surplus of costumes that she totally let me bum off of her for Halloween-Thank you SOOO MUCH!

Blogger has been uploading them in opposite order lately, sorry! The skunk outfit was so "stinkin" cute! Even though it was last minute I managed to find her black tights and a long sleeved white shirt for underneath! Above she is trying to make a get away from the picture fest!

Here she is with Grandma Teri at her and Darrol's Ward Trick or Treat. I got off work early that night, it was totally dead (surprise, surprise) and I was able to make for the last little bit. Olivia loved spending time with Grandma-or maybe it was just Grandma's mesmerising flashlight?? It is so great to have so much family that lives close by and that will be a part of Liv's life. All of her Grandparents, near and FAR-Sunnyside-, are so loving and caring and always rooting for our little family. Getting married was so great b/c my family doubled (or more like tripled what with all the Radders, Ericksens, Scotts, more Radders and MORE RADDERS).

This ward used to be Marcus and I's first ward we attended as a married couple. It was so much fun to see people we hadn't seen in a little while, like the Froberg's and the Pratt's. I guess I just missed seeing Emily and little Reagan by a few minutes. The Pratt's always hold a special place in our hearts. Steve taught us out temple prep classes and both he and Stephanie were always so supportive of us! Steve has especially been a wonderful person in Marcus' life, they are a family we look up to in a very big way. I feel so grateful that through Marcus I was able to get to know them better.

Here she is hanging out with Mom before it's time to go to work. SO ADORABLE! Marcus had a heck of a time getting her buckled into her carseat with all this getup. He was even so nice as to swing by the Nuthouse so I could see her and show her off to the people I work with! It makes me excited for all the Halloween's to come and all the crazy things we will dress her in.

The sleeping thing started to level out after my last post-until today. She figured out that if she is in her crib she doesn't have to be laying down the whole time. She can crawl, stand, play with the window, throw her binkies on the ground and then scream and cry b/c she is SOOO TIRED! Heaven forbid she actually lay down and take a nap, not when her used to be peaceful sleeping place has now become PARTY CENTRAL!!

I immediately consulted BF Kaitlyn as I know Blaine went through a similar phase and I now know I just need to ride it out. That she will eventually figure out how to lay back down and get comfy for sleeping. Oh well, I'd rather everything happened at one time then get her back on track only for a little bit and then have a wrench thrown in the wheel. My new motto is BRING IT ON BABY! Baby being quite literal, as in MY baby, MY hard partying-dancing around in her crib- deliriously tired baby.

Someday I'll get to it

So I have pictures of Halloween to post, that I have been procrastinating. I know it doesn't take that long to download the pictures, it's just annoying. So everytime I think "I should post that.." I put it off. It's been a little trying here the past couple of weeks.
Olivia has decided she doesn't really care to take naps anymore-which is driving me CRAZY! I think it might be a combo of teething and the age she is at. I think she may be transitioning between 2 naps and 1 nap, she isn't quite tired enough for two naps but by the time the afternoon rolls around she is either over tired and cries forever without sleeping. Or she will conk out and wake up 20 min later ready to party. So I no sooner start a project and then I have to stop to keep an eye on her (she gets into everything). Plus there are just some things I can't do while she is awake, like mopping or laundry room things b.c she gets all into everything!
I know that phases can change fast so I am trying to get through it, but it is hard. I love being home with her and getting to see her explore her world everyday, but I relish her nap times. It is the time I get to do WHATEVER I want/need to do. I can read, clean up, vegetate in front of the TV, those breaks recharge me so I can tackle whatever comes up next in the day. With the teething she will be cranky about everything, so it can be hard to think of things to distract her or what will make her feel better. I know I am making her sound like a maniac, she really is a good baby, but this phase is just hitting a little hard. She is happier when she can just crawl around everywhere and explore-which makes it my full time job to make sure there is nothing I don't want her to get into, and that everyting is clean. As I am writing this she is flirting with herself in the mirror. She looks at herself smiles and turns away, then looks back quickly and smiles again-SO CUTE!
So, if anyone has any tips about how to keep on trucking-or get more zen, I am ALL EARS!