Olivia woke up smiling this morning.  She does this sometimes, but not enough, for it is my favorite. She squints, stretches, then lets loose that big smile that shows off miles of toothless gum, the one where the paci falls out and she doesn't even care, the one where you can't help but kiss her little perfectly round, perfectly pink, perfectly wet little mouth.

Oh is there anything better?

11 months already?!

11 months is a bit bittersweet.  Bitter because my baby is almost one.  Sweet because she is almost a toddler?!  That doesn't seem right.  Yet it is, as proven by the three jars of toddler formula in my pantry...

11months has been a bit rough on us.  For one, the constant worrying that she doesn't have any teeth yet.  Every cry, fever, midnight feeding (yes those started again), we think could it be she is teething?  I have pretty much given up, I figure there is no reason why she should have no teeth, may as well just go with the flow.  But every time I see her little gumline, not a hint of redness or swelling, I am a bit disappointed.  Not that i expect her to wolf down a steak with one (or two) teeth, but right now she chokes on orange pulp!  WTF.

At 11 months, my baby is crawling everywhere super fast.  She likes to prop herself up on her knees and play with her toys, and a few times already, she pulled herself to standing.  She still says the same few words (mama, dada, nai nai, and yei yei).  I try to get her to say xie xie or ai ma ma, but so far no luck.  She will shake her hand and wave on command, but really no one can make her do anything she doesn't feel like doing.  Such is the life of a baby.  I do think she understands me more.  She will hand objects to me, smile, then take them back.  She even clapped for me one morning.  I think she understands when I yell at her (no Olivia, stop scratching!), because she frowns and give me a toothless yell back.  It makes me laugh.  So many of her antics make me laugh.  Sometimes even in the middle of a screaming fit I laugh at her.

Just for our records - crib training has NOT started.  Sleep training has NOT started.  Paci training has NOT started.  Olivia 1, Parents 0.

We are in between illnesses right now.  After the second round of antibiotics for her ear infection, she has been in a good mood and back to my healthy playful giggling baby.  This is not to say that I don't live in a constant state of fear.  Every sniffle and I hold my breaths...  It's emotional exhausting.  Just last night some crusty eyelashes had me probing her eyes for evidence of red eye.  I'm not crazy but at 12:30AM, I swear her eye looked red.

 Just woke up from a nap here.  It was Monday night and everyone is super tired, but we don't want to skip this tradition at the tail end.  She looks a bit surprised here.  S and I captioned this photo - what? I'm 11 months old today???

Celebrating my birthday!  Olili was very well behaved at my birthday dinner.

 Holding a bottled one handed.  Showing off.

Note the red bow in hair.  Cuteness.

Just chilling and watching TV with some friends. 

New Year... New Resolutions.

2016 started with an ear infection.  Here is to hoping that this new year brings much needed health.  For Olivia and for me.

I'm never one for resolutions but since I'm now a mom, self improvement is mandatory.  So here goes:

1. Just Do It (in reference to going to the gym).

2. Just Say No (interference to compulsive shopping).

3. Just DON'T do It (in reference to driving and the phone).

Olivia is almost 11 months and I am in the middle of planning her birthday party.  I may be going a bit overboard but it has been a HARD year and we (she and I) deserve a bit of celebration.  Here and now, I'm making a vow to NOT be stressed.  It's a baby birthday, a day of celebration, and no matter how imperfectly things go or look, I will NOT be stressed.

10 months...

At 10 months, Olivia spiked her first fever.  I was driving home from work one Saturday, thinking all is well with the world, when S tell me Olivia feels "warm".  I hate that word.  I don't want to hear "warm"... I want to know the exact number the thermometer reads.  103.  I panic a bit, calls coworker, give tylenol, holds her warm little head while it droops on my shoulder.  This repeats for the next 36 hours until Monday when we go to the pediatrician.  Ear Infection.  Two weeks of Amoxicillin and Olivia is good as new.  We celebrate Xmas in a big big way.  Olivia is back to her happy (snotty) self, when 2 days later (again on a Saturday), fever of 101.  WTF.  Back to the Doctors - same ear infection!  Now we are on Omnicef, one more day to go.  Fingers crossed...

10 months if filled with big milestones - Olivia went from military style belly crawling to up on all fours zooming from place to place.  Sometimes her limbs get ahead of her body and she splatters on the ground.  She can also go from laying down to sitting no problem.  It's really cute when she sit mid-crawl to take a break.

She has been waving "bye" for awhile now, but recently she can hold up one finger when you demonstrate first.  I think it's in anticipation of her first birthday!

Some Christmas pictures of the cute little elf from her first Christmas.  She was very well behaved, esp for a baby with an ear infection (we didn't know at the time).

'Tis the Season...

'Tis the season to be grateful - For family.  For health.  For career.

Olivia's first Christmas is approaching.  She has taken the cutest picture with Santa in school and I have an 8x10 for her scrapbook.  She is recovering from both an ear infection and a cold (likely all related).  I'm ready for my baby to be healthy again.  I can't remember the last time when she didn't have a cough, and it's hurting my heart.

As 2015 comes to a close, it can be summed up in one word - "Olivia".  She has happily, unknowingly, unapologetically consumed our lives and truly, we wouldn't want it any other way.  S and I are so grateful for her.  This little package of cuddly cuteness frowns with a intense dismay that is beyond her years.

We love you Olivia.

On sleeping through the night...

Last night Olivia slept though the night for the first time in her OWN crib!  It is quite an accomplishment.  It feels strange not to have her next to me after nine (long) months.  I was whimpering on the inside while she whimpered out loud.  All in all it wasn't bad.  No loud hysterical crying in the middle of the night.  I heard her usual "where did my paci go" noises, which was much easier to ignore since I slept in the adjacent bedroom.  I scooped her up this morning at 6:30AM.  She was on all fours looking around with her head bubbling up and down.  There was the familiar smile when I kissed her belly during the morning diaper change.  I think we both made it without being too heartbroken.

My BFF visited me this past weekend.  It was just yesterday we were studying and eating and shopping all over NOLA, now here we are talking about our babies.  Oh life...

Family pictures on a beautiful November weekend.  Gerald Park Landing. Photos by Sara D. Harper. 

9 months...

Steve said to me tonight- what makes our baby so lovable is that she returns the love.  So true!  The smile, the giggle, the stare in the eye and little toothless kiss.  There may be cuter babies, but none sweeter!

On her 9th birthday, Olivia started to crawl.  She was crawling towards her diaper on the bed while skyping with grandparents.  

Her eczema is starting to look better (knock on wood).  I optimistically decided not to see her dermatologist whose office is so far away.

First episodes of diarrhea.  Booooo.  Uncle Hyler is watching Olivia tomorrow because she has been kicked out of daycare.  Fingers crossed all is back to normal tomorrow.

Still... no... teeth...

More on baby sickness...

My baby threw up in bed tonight.  Three times.  In a hour.

My husband and I changed her sheets, our sheets, her clothes, our clothes, her diaper...  We washed and rewashed her red little face while she screamed on the top her lungs as if we were trying to hurt her, instead of cleaning the sticky formula off of her hair.  Then she fell asleep on top of me while we both rocked her on the double rocker (exactly what we had in mind when we bought the darn thing).

Originally I wanted to spend a quiet Sunday night with my husband, a few min to sit side by side.  Instead here I am in bed, at 9pm, with my baby close by in case she projectile vomits again (maybe I can catch it??).

Oh parenthood.  The key is to remember this too, shall pass... and we are left with nothing but sweet memories.

On baby sickness

Olivia has been sick three times in the past four months.  I have been sick for the past two months straight.  I would rather be sick than having her sick.  I know all parents say that, but it's for the selfish reason that I never want to suck snot out of her nose again.

Notice the bilateral snot bubbles.  A definite sign of stuffy sleepless nights to follow.

Eight Months

I took a girls trip (yay another reunion for Asian Mafia) and came home just in time to celebrate Olivia's eighth month birthday.  Eight months mean officially - 

- Olivia still has no teeth.

- Can say da da, nai nai, yei yei, and a variety of other sounds (especially when angry like during a diaper change and nose suctioning).

- Caught her second cold.  This is not a happy milestone and we are all very worried.  Except daddy, daddy knows Olivia will be just fine.

- Can drink up to 9oz of milk every 4 hours during the day time.  This does not set any records but she has come a long way.

- Can sit like a big girl!  Can wiggle and turn and push her way from point a to point b, but not quite crawling yet.  We are in no rush.

- Towards the end of 8th month, Olivia started to say ma ma.  She first said sitting in her high chair in the kitchen skying with grandma.  Both of us heard it.  It was magical.  Many squeals and kisses followed. 

Oh baby.

 Almost her first Halloween.  This was for Orange Day at school!

 First trip to the pumpkin patch.  Very proud of my little pumpkin.

I'm starting to feel a little panic inside at how big my baby is getting.  I saw a newborn at the pediatrician's office yesterday and can't believe that my baby was that small once.  Spring cleaning today, I opened the NB box of clothes and oh my goodness, was Olivia ever that small.  When she was born despite everyone telling me how small she was, she was so resilient and strong... with a loud cry and that little stubborn personality.  But yes, in retrospect, she was quite a small little package.

Seven Months...

                                     

Olivia turned seven months old September 11, 2015.  My mom is visiting and we had our regular (somewhat unsuccessful) mini photo session for my baby.  Olivia is a fast turner now and can flip around 365 degrees in bed.  I often wake up in the middle of the night with her little feet kicking my back.  Often I'm too tired to re-position her.  Hours later, she is completely upside down.  It is very cute.  We are poised to start sleep training soon!  She is still wobbly when sitting unassisted and still has no teeth.  But, notice the hair?  It is nothing to brag about but I'm excited.

The biggest milestone this month, I suppose, is that I'm finally stopping breast feeding.  I packed away my (three) pumps, various parts, bottles, etc into zip lock bags and stashed them deep in my closet.  I hope when it's time to unpack them again (god willing), I will be mentally and physically ready to give it my best shot once again.  For I have done that, despite all the struggles, given BF my best.  When I think about Olivia BF (the times she has done so peacefully and cooperatively), it is not without nostalgia.  I will never experience that bond with this baby again.  But then I remember all the howling, screaming, tears, and her little arms flailing around rejecting the boob, and once again I am happy at the end of this era.

Olivia also caught her first cold right around middle of August, and has been under the weather ever since.  For the past four weeks she has been snotty, coughing, and had an episode of conjunctivitis.  Poor baby does her best to keep the smile on her face, but hates the suction bulb with a passion.  We have a continuous delivery of bibs at our front door and lots of snot flying.  I haven't taken her to the doctor yet.  I still think it's just a cold.  Also because I have similarly been sick for the past month.  I figure it's some kind of super bug she passed to me and she will get over it when I get over it.

Olivia's first injury.  While I was away on my Scottsdale girls weekend, she slipped out of her bouncy seat onto the floor.  We are all blaming ourselves (except Steve, I don't think he blames himself).  My mom is devastated.  Olivia is ok though.  Other than the bruise, she does not appear hurt.

Olivia caught her first cold two weeks ago, and passed it to me almost immediately.  My first cold in a year.  Last time was when I was pregnant.  Nothing more pathetic than a baby that can't breath.  Thank goodness for the nosefrida and S's large lung capacity.



BF is slowly coming to an end.  I am both relieved and sad.  I hope my baby gets more used to frozen milk.  I hope I get more used to the idea of her drinking formula.  One day I will sit down and type a blog about all the pains (physical and mental) of BF.  For now, I should just pad myself on the back that I have surpassed my goal of six months.  Olivia will be seven month in two days!!

First hair clip in my baby's hair!  What a milestone. :)

Napping with mommy...

Napping with daddy...

 O so cute!

Six Months...

Hello gorgeous!  How did you get to be such a big girl already.  Six months ago today at noon we welcomed our beautiful perfect tiny baby and have been in love with you every minute since.  You're truly our world and we try  not to be too careful, too dotting, too protective of you.  But it will be hard... and harder as you grow...

At six months you're finally starting to sleep (somewhat) through the night.  You love to kick your little legs when happy, sad, frustrated, excited, bored...  A few nights past you kicked your little legs in the middle of the night and mommy has no idea what it's all about.  You love your rice cereal, love your sweet potato, are indifferent to peas, and threw up when we tried to feed you banana.  You love sucking on fresh white peach but mommy thinks it could be a choking hazard.  You love your paci, almost more than anything else.  It will be a hard habit to break someday.  We won't worry about that today!!

Grandma left you a week ago and daddy has become quite the baby whisperer.  Just the sight of him makes you smile.  Grandma and grandpa misses you and we Skype every day.  Sometimes they cry.  Sometimes we all cry.  You are surrounded by so much love.  I hope you feel it, soak it all in, and let it become apart of your heart and soul.  You are so loved Olivia.  

Favorite Baby Products...

*updated 3/9/2016, when Olivia is just under 13 months old*

On diapering.

I wish someone had told me, straight up, don't buy any newborn sized diapers.  I found myself with bags of newborn diapers and always reaching for the reliable size one.  Olivia was just under six pounds when she was born, by no means a big baby.  In the hospital they put a size one Pampers Swaddlers on her and that has been my favorite ever since.  Not only is it the softest, most absorbent, but the yellow line (which turns blue when wet) is ever so helpful to the inexperienced mom.

http://www.target.com/p/pampers-swaddlers-diapers-super-pack-select-size/-/A-14723176?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=google_pla_df&LNM=14723176&CPNG=Baby&kpid=14723176&LID=9pgs&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=14723176&kpid=14723176&gclid=CP6I8KbTisUCFdgWgQodQTgAxA

I think the bigger sized diapers also prevents diaper rash.  I always sized up whenever possible.  For example, size 2 diapers is for babies who weight 12-18lbs.  As soon as my baby is close to 12 lbs,  I put her in size 2.  It feels big and roomy, exactly how I like them for her. 

The only other brand I tried is Honest Company diapers.  I heard many good things plus the patterns are so cute, but they are just not as soft as Pampers.  

I do, however, love many other Honest Company products.  I love their nipple cream, which I used by the jar in the beginning stages of breast feeding.  It's not as thick as the Medela Lanolin cream so it's easier to apply to sore nipples.  I also love their baby lotion, laundry detergent, even their dish washer.  Their diaper cream is also my favorite.  A close second is Boudreaux's Butt Cream (the yellow, not green, one).

Olivis in her very first oversized diaper.

I didn't consider, not even for one second, of using clothes diapers for everyday pee pee and poo poo. However, the Gerber clothes diapers are perfect for cleaning up everything else, from little bottoms to little faces.  They are SO soft and durable.  I have a dozen and still use them every day. 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005J0MFYK?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s01

http://www.amazon.com/Dekor-Diaper-Plus-Disposal-System/dp/B00005V6C8/ref=sr_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1457540694&sr=8-3&keywords=diaper+bin

BIBS

You can never have too many bibs.

Some babies drool more than others, and my baby is a drooler.  At 13 months old, she still does not a single tooth, so I can expect more drooling days ahead.

A few things to consider when it comes to bibs -

First, most of them have velcro on the back.  What I didn't realize in the beginning is that the velcro sticks onto everything in the drier and looses its velcro-ness with time.  Not to mention it can ruin other clothes too (lace trimmings and such gets pulled and torn).  The baby can also pull them off easily with a forceful tug.

I buy them for daycare since they are still the cheapest and most commonly found.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004CLYYV4?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00

My favorite bibs are the Aden and Anais snap bibs.  They are pricier but so soft with three button holes for an adjustable strap for the growing baby.  They somehow get softer with each wash.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CG3CE76?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00

Another one of my favorite Aden and Anais product are the burp-bibs...

They are big and soft, can be thrown across the shoulder as I burped my baby, or she can wear them as a bib.

http://www.adenandanais.com/en-us/content/burpy%20bib.aspx

soft bib with adjustable length by Aden and Anais

BOTTLES

I committed myself to Avent bottles early in the game, and accumulated no less than a dozen before O was born, along with various sizes of nipples.  Since Olivia goes to daycare I have more on hand just for the turnaround, I think 9 - 10 bottles is perfect.  Sometimes I wish I had bought a variety to try before committing to one kind.

http://www.usa.philips.com/c-m-mo/bottle-feeding/natural-bottles/latest#filters=MCC_NATURAL_BOTTLES_SU&sliders=&support=&price=&priceBoxes=&page=&layout=12.subcategory.p-grid-icon

My friend uses munchkin latch bottles for her babies and they look so natural.  Will definitely give a try next time around.



Bottle Sterilizer

My all time favorite baby purchase has been this sterilizer/drier in one.  Early on all the wet bottles coming out of the regular microwaved sterilizer container frustrated me.  Who has the patience to wait for them to dry?!  Not to mention that they didn't really all fit on the drying rack.  I googled some and decided to purchase this because it's available at Buy Buy Baby.  I loved it right away!  So much so that if it were to break one day, I will buy another one immediately.

http://www.buybuybaby.com/store/product/baby-brezza-reg-bottle-sterilizer-and-dryer/1042607892?categoryId=32056

(I reluctantly put away my sterilizer when Olivia turned 1.  In the end it was more for the drying function than the sterilizer function.  But still, One seems like a good milestone to put it away and save it for the next baby).

Pack and Play

Initially, I registered and got this pack and play (http://www.buybuybaby.com/store/product/graco-reg-pack-39-n-play-reg-playard-with-newborn-napper-reg-station-lx-in-amelia/1042043515?Keyword=pack+and+play).  It seemed simple and not too expensive.  Right away though, it had problems.  The pockets on the side of the changing table is slanted and shallow, making holding diapers and wipes super inconvenient.  Before O was even born, we decided to switch to this one and really liked it.

http://www.buybuybaby.com/store/product/graco-reg-pack-39-n-play-reg-playard-with-cuddle-cove-trade-removable-seat-in-glacier/1043979172?Keyword=pack+and+play

It has spacious side compartments for holding diapers, wipes, and many other little things.  We also like the little vibration and sound machine, mostly because O seems to respond really well to motion and music.  At five months, we still use the changing table daily.  What is entirely wasted is the little sleeper (that's detachable).  Oh well.

Clothes

The first 24 hours that O is home, we went through our entire stash of newborn onesies.  The next day my mother in law and sister in law made emergency target runs and got us many more.  Before baby, i bought whatever is cute.  24 hours in, I have clear favorites.

O lives in her onesies (also called footies), the kind with attached hand and feet covers.  Preferably it also has a zipper, making night time changing so much easier.  As far as I know only Carter and Circo makes the zipper ones.  I grew very attached to the hand covers as babies have incredibly sharp nail and they love scratching all over their face.  Olivia had a scratch on her face every time I let her hands free.  My infant class says do not clip their nails in the first four weeks.  I think I waited two weeks.  But even with clipping and filing, her nails grew very fast and she is still a danger to herself.  I also purchased mittens but they are always falling off.

Baby heads are so big and floppy,  I just didn't feel comfortable pulling clothes over them.  So all her clothes without front openings went unopened and unworn.

 The hand covers are wonderful on these NB onesies...

Hanna Anderson sleeper/onesie are my favorites.  They are by far the most expensive but the softest and most durable.  Not to mention almost the only brand to make them with hand covers after the NB size.  

If you're having a winter baby too, it's a good idea to get lots of soft hats.  Babies loose a lot of heat through their big head.  Olivia was definitely a hat baby.

Winter baby.  We always put a hat over her head those early months.

(Olivia wore her onesies for as long as possible.  When she was almost one her daycare teachers told me that she has to start wearing shoes to school if she is to ever graduate to the next class.  So... now she only wears onesies at home and to sleep.  It's end of an era. )

Swaddles and Sleepers

Is swaddling a phase?  It seems that everything I read and heard about caring for a newborn involved a swaddle of some kind.  Olivia didn't mind being swaddled, but I don't think she loved it.  It seems cozy and makes a floppy baby somewhat easier to hold.  My favorite swaddles are the Aden and Anais.  They are so big and soft.

Once Olivia got out of the swaddle phase, we put her in a sleeping sack of some kind.  She does not keep a blanket on and the house gets cold at night.  My favorite is the Hanna Anderson sleeping bag http://www.hannaandersson.com/pdp.aspx?styleid=43849&clr=BK8   Notice how soft and thick it is. This one I also love - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005LLWO02/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 .  It is surprisingly soft and warm.

Stroller

My bestfriend loved her stroller and got it for Olivia as a present.  We have it in "sand" color.  It is so sturdy and easy to push around.  The straps, though, can be tangled easily (or is it just mine?!).  

http://www.babyjogger.com/product/city-mini/

Car Seats

I don't have strong opinions about car seats.  They are all so heavy and hard to clean.  We like ours fine, but by no means in love with it.  

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/graco-snugride-click-connect-35-infant-car-seat-in-tangerine/1041245545?skuId=41245545&mcid=PS_googlepla_nonbrand_baby_&adpos=1o2&creative=43742622109&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=CPP1p4O5_MYCFcESHwodgmQI0g

Toys

I bought a pink little piggy for Olivia before she was born and never thought she would grow so attached to it.  I remember holding it next to my big belly and wonder if my baby is as big as the piggy.  One of my favorite purchase for her.  Olivia agrees!

Next time around, I have my eyes set on this.  It should be a worthy investment.  I imagine hours and hours of napping...

http://www.target.com/p/4moms-rockaroo-infant-swing/-/A-14958163?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Baby%2BShopping&adgroup=SC_Baby&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9010956&gclid=CJml9uzKyM0CFU0vgQodJEkNtg&gclsrc=aw.ds

On pooping...

Olivia hasn't pooped in three days (today is day four), and we're all sick with anticipation (actually just me, Steve is quite relaxed about it.  He actually sent me an article today on why there is no need to worry).  I'm hoping when I pick her up in 5 minutes from daycare she has a whole new outfit on, meaning there was an explosion of some sort.

In other news - I bought a toy elephant for my daughter.  The thought of her sitting next to it is too cute not to make a reality.  Also her Jumparoo arrived today.  Too bad at this age she doesn't understand the excitement of getting presents yet.

Milestones

Olivia rolled over 360 degrees while skyping with Grandpa.  She went from back to belly, then to back again.  There were lots of hugs and kissed that followed, while she looked most confusedly at us.  She is also getting the hang of daycare and I managed to drop her off and pick her up a couple of times without seeing her cry.  I want to think that she is happily spending her days there, rocking away on here electric swing.

 Look who is sitting tall!

5 months!

Oh that face, that smile, those little feet...

Milestone

I'm not good at remembering milestones but this is one!  Olivia rolled from back to tummy today!  She has been hinting at doing it for days now, but every time she does it S tells me it doesn't count - whether bc the mattress is slanted or bc I positioned her arm to her favor.  But today, unassisted, this little girl flopped over!  I am SO proud! :)

She is also sitting quite well with a little assistance and staring at everything we eat and drink.