Hangin' Out with Dad

About a week ago, Chris had reconstructive knee surgery. The doctor took a tendon from his right hamstring and attached it to the kneecap to the inside of his leg inorder to replace a stretched out ligament. Then they took the petellar tendon, which runs over the kneecap, and moved it into a position which would keep the kneecap from popping out of place. Well, Olivia wanted to do what she could to help Daddy feel better. Here they share some time together watching cartoons. Liv couldn't take her eyes off of the TV.

Playing with my cousin

I couldn't resist sharing these pictures of Olivia with her cousin Aurora. Olivia is starting to figure out how to interact with other babies. These pictures are just precious...

"Hey, whatchya got in there?"

"Here Liv, I'll help you with your pacie."

"Well if you don't want it, I'll take it."

Binder Park Zoo

On July 5, we took Olivia to Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek. Her Uncle Joel, Aunt Stefani, and cousin Taylor joined us on this outing. It's hard to tell if a 6 month old enjoyed the zoo or not, but I know the rest of us did. By the end of the day, we were whipped. Chris and I went to bed when Olivia did (in other words...9:30 PM!) Here's a few pictures from the zoo:

Olivia and Aunt Stefani

The Fleck family by the Galapagos turtles

(I think she was sleeping at this point...)

Aunt Stefani braved the goats in the petting zoo with Olivia

Here dad is making sure Liv is OK while we were in Africa

Uncle Joel making Olivia laugh on the tram ride back to the zoo from Africa.

Mom and Olivia checking out the bunnies.

The girls: Aunt Stefani, Amy, Taylor, and Olivia

6 Months Old Already!

Oh my, where has the time gone? I am sorry it has been so long since I have had a chance to update everyone with how we are doing. Olivia had gotten sick just a couple of weeks after we returned from vacation. For her, it lasted a week. Then it moved on to Chris for two days, and ended with me. Thankfully we are all doing better now.

About a week ago we had Olivia's 6 month check-up. She now weighs 18 lbs. 4 oz. and is 27 1/4" long! She is in the 95th percentile for weight and height. I feel she is doing great developmentally. Olivia has discovered her feet, so now whenever she lays on her back her feet go in the air and she is always grabbing them.

Just a day or two after her check-up, Olivia started sitting up all on her own. Now heaven forbid we want to hold her in our arms like we used to! She always wants to sit up so she can see what is happening around her.

These 3 pictures are my amateur attempt at taking her 6 month pictures. Chris has been extremely busy working on pictures for a wedding that he photographed right before vacation, so he hasn't had a chance to take any for me. So, I took matters into my own hands. Not too bad if I say so myself. I know every parent says this, but I can't believe Olivia is 6 months old already. Where has the time gone? Chris and I really enjoy being with her and watching her change every day. I will also work harder at updating this blog more regularly. =)

Outer Banks Vacation

Life has been a little crazy lately, but I finally have the opportunity to update everyone on our recent vacation to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. For the past 3 years we have been staying with family that we only get to see once a year. Chris' biological dad rents a house in Duck for this mini-family reunion. This year was especially exciting because there were 2 babies in the house! That's right, 9 adults, 2 babies, and 1 dog! Here is a picture of the gang:

Back Row: Larry, Holly (Larry's wife), Josh (Nate's buddy), Nate, Luke (Larry & Nate's cousin), Amy, Chris

Red Chair: Phil (Chris' biological dad) holding Aubree (Larry & Holly's daughter)

Yellow Chair: Deb (Larry & Nate's mom; Chris' stepmom) holding Olivia

We had such a great time. I did walk Liv down to the beach, but she was asleep by the time we got down there (the ocean was about 3 football fields away from our house). So, I just left her in the stroller and enjoyed the view.

The weather did turn very hot and humid, so our adventures outside were kept to a minimum. However, we did enjoy the pool and Olivia enjoyed getting to know her cousin. Here are a few more pictures from our trip.

Olivia & Mommy enjoying the pool.

Grammy & Pap enjoying their time with Olivia & Aubree.

Olivia enjoying being by her cousin.

The girls: Holly with her daughter Aubree and Me and Olivia.