Memorial Day Weekend Wrap Up

I finally bring you part two to this. I really really wanted to blog more, especially with all the fun Summer stuff going on. "It must be officially documented!" said I. But, the said Summer stuff happened and the documenting part of it fell by the wayside. In an attempt to play catch up, my posts will be less wordy and more picture-y. This way I'll be more inclined to blog because adding pictures is a breeze. Right?

To catch you (as in me) up to speed, we were supposed to go to Vermont over Memorial Day weekend, but Sydney got an ear infection so the Memorial Day festivities remained in PA. We were able to join in on my side of the family's get together at my grandparents house. There was a nice spread of cold cuts, and lots of treats to satisfy any one's sweet tooth. Of course, Sydney was the COA (center of attention). The weekend ended with a relaxing day at home, and then a visit to my parents where I just had to do a mini photo shoot of Syd in her patriotic outfit.

What a ham!

Kisses for PopPop

Lots of heart eye faces

Can't get enough of standing

I'd kill for those lashes!

It's only been a month and a half and that neck roll is gone...SAD.

Rubbing the sleepies out of her eye just like daddy does ;)

Ear infection or not, life is so much more fun with this girl!

Next up on the blog...June! I don't think we could fit anymore in that month if we had tried.

Holly xoxo

We were supposed to go to Vermont [part 1]

Remember how we stayed home from church on Mother's Day because Sydney had a cough which then turned into a cold? Well, fast forward two weeks and that cold turned into her her very first ear infection. Which meant we had to cancel our plans to visit friends in Vermont over Memorial Day weekend. So. Bummed. Not knowing how a nine month old with an ear infection would be feeling for a 7+ hour road trip, we decided to play it safe and stay home. But, we already rescheduled our plans to take that road trip to Vermont in the near future, so here's to hoping for a healthy, sick-free Summer!

The antibiotics did what they were supposed to do rather quickly. Sydney woke up Saturday morning a much happier child. We had a whole three day weekend before us. What ever shall we do? It did not take long to fill up our schedule. After a quick lunch at a small pizza joint, our family of three headed over to Hayloft Candles, where there is a free petting zoo. There's also a store where they sell their homemade candles, primitive home decor items and the like. They even have homemade ice cream! Shockingly, Sydney was not at all impressed. And I get it, the girl can't walk to or really pet animals yet, and apparently the sound of a pond fountain is enough to send any high strung nine month old girl over the edge. So, Steve pushed an empty stroller while Sydney held onto mommy for dear life. The zoo was small, yet cute, and even had a kangaroo! Considering it was free, I would definitely visit again and recommend to other families with children.

Thirty minutes later and Sydney had had enough. So, we loaded into the car, stopped for some much needed iced coffees while Sydney got a much needed nap. Then after a quick stop at Target, we made our way to the other Olsens for a good old fashioned impromptu BBQ.

There was lots of picture taking, lots of futile attempts to get Sydney to smile for said picture taking, matching cousin outfits, and of course beer, steak and Laurie's famous home made mac and cheese.  One then leaves promptly after dinner when there is a child recovering from an ear infection with parents who refuse to stay in on a holiday weekend, because that child needs some much needed rest.

And it was deemed a lovely family day, filled with lovely family memories.

Holly xoxo

A Very Casual Mother's Day

"She'll look so cute," I thought to myself as I picked out a purple and white striped dress for Sydney to wear to church the next day. The little number had Mother's Day written all over it. She never did wear that dress, nor did we ever make it to church. Sickness strikes at any time it darn well pleases. After a frantic midnight call to her pediatrician, our nerves were put at ease to know, that indeed, she did NOT have a piece of burger stuck in her lung {ahem, first time parents}. We were told it sounded like croup or the start of a cold. Which, it was.

Needless to say, we did not go to church. But that is okay. Steve made breakfast, and Sydney gave mommy a new fossil tote! At such a young age, this girl has quite the fashion sense. 

We enjoyed a leisurely, cotton romper, pizza eating, back deck sitting sort of afternoon. And the day ended with a lovely, casual back yard cook out at my sister's place. There were hot dogs, and burgers, and delicious drinks make with gin and pineapple. There was laughing and baby holding (albeit, tears). We even managed to get a family picture of all of us, sans Allison, which rarely happens these days it seems.

hipster in the making. #kale

 

 

So, alas, the only picture I have of myself and daughter on my first Mother's Day is sitting on a camping chair in our non-church attire. What matters is that we were together, and that is enough.

Thanks for hosting, Mandy! 

Holly xoxo

Lately: at 34 weeks

The windows are open. Cool breeze is flowing through the house along with the sound of birds singing. It's hard to believe it's the end of July! Not just because it feels like the dry mountain air of Montana, but because there's still no baby! I thought for sure I would have a July baby {I know, knock on wood there's still three days left}. In fact, looking back at my time spent in the hospital it was looking like we would be having a June baby!

I am just feeling so thankful today. It's probably the weather. I mean really, I was sitting outside on the deck this morning and I was cold. It felt so lovely though. It has left me longing for the smell of camp fires and the taste of all things apple and cinnamon.

Another reason to be thankful...

 

We've reached a huge milestone: we are into our 34th week of pregnancy! Not much else is new around here. Steve is almost finished making a bookcase for the nursery. And then, the nursery will be complete! Sans baby of course. :) Pictures to come, soon.

Surprisingly, the weeks have gone by fairly quickly. But, by the time Friday rolls around, I am itching to have some human interaction and appreciate having Steve around the house. Most days I start off watching the Today Show while eating my cereal and drinking coffee. Then follows in no particular order...reading, watching TV or a movie, floating in the pool and day dreaming about Sydney's arrival until Steve gets home. I will admit it's very relaxing and I'm trying hard to appreciate this down time without being jealous of the scores of people heading to the beach or mountains for long weekends and doing other normal summer activities. I keep telling myself there will be a time for that again soon enough. But, oh, am I itching bad with the travel bug! It is what it is.

In other news, I've been craving watermelon, cantelope, lemon yogurt, soft serve ice cream, and cereal. Can't get enough of the previously mentioned. I thought that was worth noting.

Sleeping has become a joke. If I can sleep three hours straight at a time I deem the night a success. My poor bladder. She can only handle so much. I consider this a good thing, though. My body is getting ready for baby's arrival! Soon I'll be needing to get up every couple of hours to feed her anyway.

Tomorrow I have my weekly doctor appointment. We shall see where things stand, but I have noticed these darn braxton hicks contractions seem to be getting a tad more uncomfortable and intense lately. Does this mean labor and delivery are right around the corner? That seems to be the question of my summer.

Oh! And I forgot to mention that last Wednesday we had a growth scan ultrasound, and Sydney is continuing to grow steady in the 14th percentile and weighed in at approximately 4 lbs 4 oz! We will have one more growth scan at 36 weeks.

We are just so excited to meet her and hold her! We are still in awe at this miracle growing inside of me.

Holly xoxo