Oh, Miss O....

Yesterday, we finally left the house for a good chunk of time. We went to visit Nana, Olivia's former baby-sitter and soon to be Mia's baby-sitter. After a couple of hours there, and some chips, juice and candy for Halloween, we had to go to the doctor for mommy. Olivia got more candy, some grape glitter lip gloss and a sticker. Then, since we were in the neighborhood, we decided to stop and say hi to daddy at work. Olivia got some Pepsi while we were at daddy's work. Apparently, this was too much for Olivia and she fell asleep on the way home. Also, her sunglasses were not enough to keep the sun out, so Olivia used her sticker to create black out shades for the car nap that she took.....

Just aother day at home....

Mia is starting to be more alert for little bits at a time. Here she is on her baby gym, just checking everyone out and observing as Olivia tries to get her attention.

It's just nice to get pictures of Mia while her eyes are open, and she is docile. It doesn't happen that often. :-)
....and we can't take pictures of Mia without Olivia needing to pose. Get ready for Halloween, ya'll. We may actually learn how to post videos.

The Kids at Laima and Jeff's 30th Anniversary Party...

Congratulations to Laima and Jeff on their 30th Wedding Anniversary. Here are some pictures of the little ones at the party....

Olivia and Hannah playing in Hannah's room.

Both girls hamming it up for the camera.
"Really - no more pictures, please. Oh, okay Daddy. One more for you."
"It's cold out here. I'm just trying to keep my lips warm!"
"You're right, Daddy. My hair is cold too!"
"Look, Mama! I found a leaf. Can I keep it?"
Uncle DD - why are you dressed like a lumberjack? It's not THAT cold.
And last, but not least, Mia - enjoying the festivities in her own little way.

Uncle Derrick comes to visit....

So, this weekend, we had Derrick blow in from the desert. He spent much of his time trying to corrupt Olivia, avoiding diaper changes, staying up late with Uncle JJ and trying to get me to let him drive the Nissan (never gonna happen, my friend).

"Uncle DD, why are we laying on the cold grass? You could be pushing me in my swing. Let's play telephone."

"Uncle DD, why are you dressed like a candy cane with Police sunglasses on? It's not Christmas, and the sun is not shining."

"Hi Uncle DD! Are you enjoying my grass? Daddy works very hard to keep it soft and green."

"Uncle DD, why don't you answer my football phone? I want to request a horsey ride!"

Uncle DD went home today. He should be back in Vegas by now. He will be dancing in the Vegas production of Mama Mia again very soon as his doctor has given him permission to dance again. Also, thanks to Uncle Derrick for taking Olivia to get the rest of her costume from the costume store. We'll see him again sometime after the show closes in January and he moves to NY. Good Luck, Derrick. Or should we say, "break a leg, not a foot."

Folliculitis....

Folliculitis....is a bacterial or fungal infection of the hair follicles. This can be caused by staph bacteria, yeast or other fungals. This can be caused by tight or constricting clothes, hot tubs or swimming pools, or lots of sweat.
So, we finally have a name for what ails Olivia. Apparently, she has a stubborn case of this as her three daily showers in Dial soap, with a rub down with rubbing alcohol, and then slathering of Neosporin over her infected areas is not getting rid of this infection. Finally, today, we got a prescription of an oral anti-biotic to get rid of this crazy infection of Olivia's hair follicles.
Also, we found out that this is not contagious. Wish we had known that before as we have been treating her like Typhoid Mary to make sure that Mia doesn't contract this infection. And, she hasn't gone to pre-school in two weeks either. Again, wish we knew this earlier. Olivia is finally going back on Wednesday for her first field trip to the pumpkin patch!
Now, I just feel awful since Olivia is dying to kiss, hug, hold, and touch Mia and we haven't let her yet. Not to mention all these awful baths, the washing of the clothes, trying to keep relatives from hugging and kissing her which she just loves. So, now, I can't wait to make it up to Olivia and will be holding her and kissing her and making sure that she is feeling well loved again and not like a leper.
Gotta love folliculitis that manifests as if it's Chicken Pox when we bring a new baby home. Oy....

Some more Olivia and Mia....

Okay, so the weather is gorgeous and I am inside trying to get some laundry done and cleaning of my house. It's just not fair. I want to be outside swinging and playing. However, because of this crazed infection (aka rash) that Olivia has, I can't get away from laundry or the bathtub. I have to wash her three times a day with Dial anti-bacterial soap, then we rub her rash with rubbing alcohol, and then we lather on Neosporin. Three times a day. After each, we change her clothes and wash the others along with her towels and washcloths. Also, I am the only one getting up with Mia at night because Tony is back at work. I am tired and worn out, but things are slowly getting into a routine. Once I can finally get into a routine with Mia and Olivia and going outside, and cleaning, and cooking, I will be a much happier person. I need a routine for my life.

Anyway, I'm sure that you are tired of my whining, but sometimes, I gotta whine to someone.
So, here's a second picture of Olivia on her swing set.












"Yeah, that's right. I taught Mia everything she knows about being cute. Now, mom, gimme the camera. Please. Very, very please?"
"Mom, I am too tired for this picture crap. Now, give me my bottle or put me to bed."

Mia is sleeping for mommy.












"Mom...no more pictures, please."

The budding photographer.....

So, Ipulled out the camera today to take some pics of Olivia and Mia. However, Olivia wanted to take pictures herself. The following is her portfolio. She is very fond of still lifes as her subject....

This is Olivia's toy room. She cleaned it up today....for once.

Next is the refridgerator, with one of Olivia's original artworks as the subject.





This is the entrance to her toy room. Yes, she moved some of her toys out of the room while cleaning.
Olvia's feet. Please notice the hole in the toe.





These are Olivia's feet again.....

The baby's swing....





The Dora baloon.....







Mac....our super fat cat, and Olivia's only living subject.



And finally, the laundry basket.

Scary Morning.....

So, yesterday morning, after waking up to get ready for Mia's first Doctor's appointment, I went to check on Olivia. Olivia was watching cartoons and she needed to get dressed. She took off her shirt and that's when I saw it. Chicken Pox. All over her tummy. I freaked out. Here I am with a newborn, a husband that hasn't had chickenpox, and the Olivia, the walking petri dish for this virus. I got Olivia in to see the doctor as well, and we headed off. They split us into two rooms and checked Olivia out. After the doctor saw Olivia, she came to see me. She said that Olivia didn't seem sick enough for these to be chickenpox, and that usually chickenpox start on the face and back, not on the tummy. She asked if Olivia had been in a pool lately, and that's when I remembered that she was in the hot tub. The doctor said, "That's it! It's not chickenpox, it's a bacterial infection that looks like pox." Oh my God, what a relief!

So, Mia barely slept the first night we were home, but thankfully, has gotten into a three to four hour feeding/sleeping routine and Tony and I were able to get quite a bit more sleep last night.

Freedom...

Well, we are finally home from the hospital. Since Tony and Mia are napping and Olivia is not home yet, I thought that I would use my time to add to this crazy blog thing. Obviously, we have big news. This past Friday, Mia made her entrance at 8:36 am via scheduled c-section. Mommy is understandably still sore, but doing better every day. Mia was born at 7 lbs. and 8 oz. and 20 1/2 inches long. At 39 weeks, that's not bad. She has blue eyes, daddy's upper lip, and possibly daddy's nose, but we aren't sure yet. She has lots of dark hair around the sides and back of her head, but not so much on top. She sleeps a lot, and eats a lot. So far, she really likes to be held and she loves skin to skin contact, namely cheek to cheek. She's been a very calm baby so far, and just a joy to watch and snuggle.

Olivia is very excited to be a big sister. We will see how she reacts soon, as she is on her way home right now. By the way, check out the pics of Olivia. We went to the Renaissance Fair and she learned about fire safety at Preschool. Please enjoy the pictures, and I'm sure that we will have more for you soon.