My cute baby!

Content after a bottle and a bath.



Taking a nap a few minutes later.



Playing on the playmat even later while I read to her.

Uncle Charlie and a milk allergy

Nicholas's brother Charlie came into town Tuesday and Wednesday. He was great with Olivia, and she loved him! We just hung out at the house and the trip was probably boring for him, but at least he got to meet his darling niece!





And, yesterday, I took Olivia to the doctor in the morning after seeing some blood in her stool. It was there, and Dr. Roberts said that it has probably been there ever since birth microscopically and it was just now big enough to see. She said that in 95% of cases where there is blood in the stool of infants, it is because of a milk allergy. The other 5% is infection, but because Olivia didn't have fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, she ruled that out. So, we have switched formulas to one with out milk protein. It stinks badly, but Olivia doesn't seem to mind it. Dr. Roberts said it will take 4-6 weeks to get the other out of her system and we will still see blood in her stool for a couple of weeks. She also said that most babies grow out of the milk allergy by 6 months and we can transition Olivia back onto regular formula then. Poor little stoic Olivia. She had been having a few bad days, and she had her inconsolable times, but I didn't consider that "colic." I hope this new formula makes her feel better. This does explain why she would curl over her stomach and have lots of gas. My sweet baby.

In better news, Olivia weighed 11 lbs, 11 ounces, so she is still growing well! And the pictures below show her in an adorable dress that I could not pass up at Baby Gap (with my rewards coupons). So cute!

Happy Father's Day!

I haven't posted enough about what a great dad Nicholas is! Happy Father's day to a dad who is not afraid of diaper duty, who takes Olivia with a smile even when she is crying, who doesn't mind when I call him in to the room just to look at the funny face Olivia is making, and who let me sleep through the night for the past two nights! Awesome! I feel almost normal!

And, of course, a video of Olivia that has nothing to do with anything except that she is getting so big!

Unsuccessful tummy time, a smile, and a hug

Tummy time is NOT Olivia's favorite time of the day. Sometimes she cries, which makes me turn her back over. And sometimes....she falls asleep, which is so cute, but unsuccessful in terms of tummy time.



This is Olivia looking at herself in the little mirror hanging from the toy thing in her bassinet. Love that smile!



And, sometimes, you just need a hug. This is Olivia's friend, Rinki.



Okay, so that one was staged. But, Olivia really does love Rinki. This one is after she pulled Rinki's leg toward her and held on:

A day in the life...

We wake up for about the six o'clock feeding, and I change Olivia's diaper and feed her. Sometimes she stays up, and we go for a walk with Ringo. And sometimes she goes back to sleep, and so do I.

Later, Olivia plays on her play mat, has tummy time, and I read to her or talk to her. After, she kicks around in her portable crib while I make Nicholas's lunch, do laundry, and clean.

Then we have another feeding and diaper change. Say this is the nine o'clock one. Then, we repeat the previous paragraph (except for making Nicholas's lunch). We usually have more diaper changes than feedings, and Olivia now likes being on the changing table. Here is video to show her talking to me about it:


After the twelve o'clock feeding, I rock Olivia, sing to her, and see if she will sleep a little. Sometimes she does and sometimes she doesn't. Here is a picture of her in my arms while we are rocking:



After the three o'clock feeding, I try to get a little work done around the house. Yesterday, I vacuumed and mopped with Olivia in the Baby Bjorn. The day before I ran out and did errands with Olivia in tow. Here is Nicholas with Olivia in the Bjorn:





Nicholas usually gets home by around the six o'clock feeding, and Olivia plays with Daddy for a while. Sometime before the next feeding, Olivia, Ringo, and I go for our second walk of the day. And Nicholas and I have dinner.

After the nine o'clock feeding Olivia begins to wind down. We rock and sway and sing and sometimes walk around the house. She has been falling asleep for the night around 10:30-11. Sometimes she stays up for the 12 o'clock feeding and then starts sleeping. She still wakes up every three-four hours, but sometimes has a five hours stretch between feedings. That is, she eats at nine, falls asleep at 10:30, and maybe will wake up to eat at 1:30. So, of course, all those feeding times are estimates as she might eat every 2.5 hours for a few times and then have a five hour stretch at night.

Hanging out with my girl...

Going for a walk...





Talking in the kitchen...

One month (on Monday, June 7th)!

I can't believe that Olivia was one month old on Monday (and will be five weeks tomorrow!!). I took her to the doctor's office and used their scales to weigh her on Monday to get the milestone marked: 10 lbs, 9.5 ounces! So, she gained just over two pounds in a month of life!! Awesome!!

We are starting to get into a better routine. Olivia takes cat naps during the day and is starting to sleep better at night. She has an inconsolable period every day, usually from 4-7. But, Nicholas and I are doing well with walking, rocking, singing, swinging, and just trying to love her.

And, some pictures:


I love her chubby little arms!


Isn't she sweet in that dress!! And those eyes!