Who says FEBRUARY is depressing?!?!?!?

....NOT WHEN YOU CAN GO PLAY IN THE SNOW!!!!

Here is Olivia sitting at our front window watching Daddy shovel the snow:
..."Hi Dada"!!!

Here is Olivia enjoying some winter fun in our backyard:

...trying to catch the wildlife under the bird feeder... ...and finally before we go in...MAKING SNOW ANGELS:

Olivia really enjoys being outside!!!

Olivia is TRYING to CRAWL!!!

I suspect it will still be several weeks before our little miss is actually able to crawl...but in the meantime she has the will and she really is trying with all her might!!! Here are a few snaps of her attempts:

"Hi hi mommy!!! Want me to show you a new trick"...?
"Ahhhaaa!!! Ok, now how to coordinate these arms AND legs..."

"Dang it...FACEPLANT...again :) "

Olivia's FIRST TOOTH is in sight!!!

Well...on the LAST day of January we finally had Olivia's FIRST TOOTH in sight!!! Barely but it is there...working it's way through her little gums!!! Sightings are infrequent, but since she will knaw on ANYTHING right now, feeling it's razor sharp little edges are frequent!!!

She has been such a trooper during this teething process (so far). Although she drooles worse than a puppy and chews on anything for releif, she has been pretty well tempered.
Thats not to say she doesn't have her days...fussiness and sleepless nights have occurred, but overall she is doing great so far!!! One tooth down (ALMOST) and many more to go!!!

Mama made me some more FOOD today!!!

Todays post written by Olivia...

This is mommy and I...just hanging out...like we love to do!!! My mommy is the coolest!!!
Yesterday mommy and I made baby foods for me...Well mommy did most of the work...I did most of the supervising!!! Yesterdays project was spaghetti squash and sweet potatos!!! YUMMM YUMMM I love both!!!

Hereis our first step...We've roasted the veggies...well mommy roasted, I napped...ISH...:

...After scooping out the guts...we then PUREE the heck out of it, adding water till the consistency is just right for me...I really DON'T like this step...I am VERY SCARED of the noise that little chopper makes:

Ohhh...Here is a picture of ME. I am the OFFICIAL taste and texture tester...This is the MOST important step of all. As mommy learned the texture has to be JUST PERFECT or there is no way I'm eating it:

Oh, here is our prepared food cubes!!! This is great...mommy just freezes these food cubes then once they are frozen she puts them in labelled bags and we have a variety of foos stock piled in the freezer for me to choose from:

This whole eating food thing is going pretty well. I'm now consistantly eating cereal, veggies and fruits. My favorite veggies so far are sweet potato and squash...YUMMM...I haven't made a decision on carrots yet..and I definitely DON'T like peas!!! Mommy says she'll try them again later to see if I change my mind. So far I have eaten Apples, pears, bananas and peaches (sauces)...and they are ok...but mommy has to mix my fruit in with my cereal right now cause I find them really sweet. I'll get used to things...

Right now I am trying new things every week and exploring lots of different tastes and textures!!!

Overall... I LIKE FOOD :)

Ian (and Wanda) Come To Visit!!!

Last week Ian and Wanda came from Sudbury to visit with us!!! Olivia and Ian I think really enjoyed each other. Admittedly, Olivia was maybe a little bit bossy with Ian regarding her toys and how to play and what to play...but we will work on that with her...

Olivia and Ian posing for the camera:
I'm not sure what Olivia is trying to tell Ian, but she was no doubt bossing him around. It looks like he was taking it ok though:

Olivia and Ian watching "their show" before bed (and while daddy and the mommies ate supper):

Olivia and Ian started out with the same number of plastic rings. Somehow Olivia ended up with them all...hummmmm...Either Ian is a really good sport...or it must be love... :

Ian Playing in Olivia's Jumparoo:

Olivia hammin' it up for the camera:

Don't forget to VOTE FOR OLIVIA...as often as you can!!!

Don't forget to VOTE FOR OLIVIA...as often as you can!!! See the details from JAN 17/08 article!!!

Love the O'Neil's xo

UMMMM "REAL FOOD"...

UMMMM...Today was a VERY exciting day for me!!! In addition to my formula and the 3 kinds of baby cereal (rice, barley and oats) mommy and daddy have introduced to me...today I had SQUASH for the very first time!!! My very first VEGGIE!!! to be honest, I wasn't too sure what to think...mommy even accused me of making a face...but once I got into it I realized that this new taste was fabulous!!! YUMMMM ... I really like squash!!! To celebrate...I decided to wear this very pretty dress my grandma gave me at Christmas!!! See Dress (and my totally adorable face) below:

Olivia Michelle 5 months, 3 weeks old

PLEASE VOTE FOR OLIVIA!!!

Our Miss Olivia is starting to become quite the little camera ham (See Pic below):


Also I entered the "little Pink Dress" Pic (in Black and White) in a contest...

Please visit THIS WEBSITE!!!

You can find and VOTE for OLIVIA buy going to the bottom of the page where it says "search for a photo" and enter the id # 138426!!!

I think you can vote a max. of once per day (per email address)...SO KEEP YOUR VOTES COMING PLEASE!!! I think the contest doesn't end till June :) Thanks Everyone!!!

Love,
The O'Neil's

OLIVIA 5 1/2 Months Old!!!

The introduction of CEREAL!!!

This post is perhaps slightly outdated...but thought I'd put it up anyway since this was a pretty MAJOR event in the wee girls baby life!!!

On Christmas morning (at 5 months minus 2 days old)...Miss Olivia dove into her first bowl of rice cereal!!! She was very interested in this new thing (perhaps more in all the fuss caused by her parents and grandparent who were scurrying around ...oohing and awing , clapping and taking photos/video) and did very well at getting most of in to her belly rather than all over her face!

It's been a few weeks now and this past week seems to have been a bit of a turn around. She actually gets excited to eat and we can see her swallowing the majority of the cereal (rather than pushing it out)...

So far she has had rice cereal and Barley cereal and is now up to two times a day in addition to her formula. Next week we will introduce oatmeal cereal I think.

Anyway, here is Olivia's first crack at "EATING":
...that wasn't so bad eh?!?!

Oh...now what is that I see. Olivia likes the odd sip of water. She especially likes her sippy cup which she is also getting more skilled at handling:

"Ahhhh...a job well done. I think I have done enough today to entertain all my LOYAL SUBJECTS":

I LOVE all my toys!!! Especially all the ones that make NOISE!!!

Olivia and her daddy playing with toys:

Miss I'm 5 1/2 months old already!!!

Our Little Water Baby!!!

Olivia went swimming for the first time last week!!! Once with mommy to her Aqua fit class and then mommy and daddy took her to family swim.

She was so brave...she really does LOVE the water!!! As soon as she saw the pool she got very excited...kicking her legs and big high pitched squeal (her new favorite sound)!!! Her eyes lit up when she saw the pool. I can only imagine she must have thought she was in big bath tub heaven!!!

Here is Olivia and mommy at the pool:
...and Olivia with daddy at the pool:

The O'Neil Family - BABY PICS

Daddy Brad...Sometime in 1976...I think he is probably 6 months here? Maybe 4-5 ...Not sure...I'll have to ask Nanny:

This is Olivia...2008...5 1/2 months old:

This is mommy Stacy...1976...about 6 months old...

Just Hangin with Mom and Dad on NY's DAY...

Happy 2008 Everyone!!!

...Yes Grandpa Light...I know my mommy promised never to make me wear a dorkey headband...she just couldn't help it!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

First of all MERRY CHRISTMAS to EVERYONE!!! I hope you all were as blessed AND spoiled as the O'Neil's were this year!!!

Now I'm sure it didn't go unnoticed that our Annual Christmas letter did not get put out this year in our Christmas cards (or even on the blog)...what can I say...I guess the only thing to do is blame it on our Olivia who keeps us very busy!!! I guess technically we still have, oh...about 8 hours till we ring in the new year thus giving me a last chance to nutshell that annual letter...

I'll do so now...

Remember the highlight of last years letter of course was announcing that BRAD AND STACY were expecting their FIRST BABY!!! Early on in 07 we confirmed that this wee little bundle of joy (who we affectionately called sweet pea for 9 months) was to join our O'Neil family of two around July 24th...!!! The reality of it all hit us at our 18 week ultra sound when we got our first glimpse of sweet pea (an incredible feeling)!!! It was emotional (in a good way) and the excitement and anticipation of the arrival of our little one intensified to say the least!!! It's safe to say the first 7 months of this year was spent enjoying our first pregnancy (and a joy it was)!!!

You know it's amazing how fast the months went because before you knew it...there we were...July 24th (our "due date")...but no baby yet!

Three days later our wee baby decided to start the journey towards a whole new world and miss Olivia Michelle joined us on July 27, 2007 making us a beautiful family of three!!!

Brad and I are now the proud parents of this little baby girl (I always had the feeling she was a girl)!!! but...After all the books in the world, all the advise I got, the prenatal classes and all the other "preparations", I now tell people that there is nothing that can prepare you for the reality of having this wee person in our lives. That said it didn't take us too long to get the hang of things and I think Brad and I can both agree that Olivia's birth has so far been the best day of our lives and truly the most amazing experience for us both (as individuals and as a couple)!!!

This brings us to the second half of 07...The most amazing year of my life by far! Brad and I finally gave in and let Olivia be the boss of our family. Things run alot smoother now. I have learned that being a parent is the most rewarding opportunity life can offer. More so, I have learned that being a mother is the most AMAZING job I have ever had and will ever have... There is 'something' that happens to a women both physically (obviously...lol) and emotionally when she becomes a mother...But that something I have also learned can't be described in words (or at least not by me..)...It is so amazing though... a women never fully understands until that day when she becomes a mother...so like I said...it's been an amazing year for our family (but especially for me).

Olivia enjoyed the lead up to the holidays attending several parties, parades and numerous Christmas shopping outings!!!

Christmas was a wonderful time for us this year and we had so many things to be thankful for... Each other, our new daughter and our families who we spent the holidays with. Olivia was extra lucky on her first Christmas as she was able to celebrate with both sets of grandparents. Olivia is very grateful to her grandma and grandpa Light who chose to make the trek up here to Ottawa to share this year with their granddaughter!!!

Anyway, I know this was a supper dupper nutshell version of our 2007 year, but know that it was a wonderful one for us (as we hope it was for you)...and we are looking forward to everything (positive) that 2008 is going to bring us!!!

Here is the little miss Christmas morning:

Olivia with her Grandma and Grandpa Light:


Our beautiful family of three:

Olivia with her Nanny and Grandma:

Olivia with her cousin Logan...taking a ride in his new wagon:

...So again, Merry Christmas to everyone and have a happy, health wonderful year in 2008!!!

SLEEPING BEAUTY...

...Well I have to say one thing is for sure...ever since Miss Olivia hit the 3-month mark it seems we have a WONDERFUL little sleeper on our hands!!! Up until recently Olivia had been going to bed around 7pm...waking once in the night to eat (usually around 2am)...waking for the day around 6:30 am...Plus two 2-3 hr naps in the day!!! How luck are we?!?!? Well...If I could sleep (instead of still waking every 2 hours to check on her) that would be GREAT!!! Anyway... our little girl is still a great sleeper, however the last 2 weeks she has changed her sleeping schedule...Now she goes to bed between 6-7 pm (we are trying to get her consistently closer to 7) and she generally doesn't wake until morning between 5-6 am. WOW. Even waking that early she basically lays in her crib and 'plays and talks' until either mommy or daddy come to get her!!! What a GOOD girl! The only downfall of this long night sleep is her two (sometimes three) naps in the day have been reduced to an average of 45 ish minutes (less time for mommy to get her daily stuff done)...Anyway, like I said we are very proud of our wee girl!!!!

Last night around 4pm after a hard play with daddy, brad said she was getting a bit cranky and he would try and put her down for a short nap. Great I thought!...Went downstairs and put a load of laundry in came up 15 minutes later to check on the progress...

...to find sleeping beauty and her side kick....indeed taking a short nap!!! How cute! I couldn't resist the photo!!!

Look at ALL our SNOWWWW....

Well ...here's the out come of the big storm that came through today!!! I believe brad shovelled the driveway 3-4 times!!! Olivia and I watched (and waved) from the window :) If it wasn't so cold I would have taken her out to play...lol

Here's the front of our house!!! Oh yes, and ALSO, please admire the VERY pretty lights we have up for the holidays!!! Daddy Brad worked very hard on them :)


Here's our house looking on from the other side...



Our entrance way...



...and lastly...looking down our street!!!

Olivia is getting even stronger...!!!

In the last couple weeks Miss Olivia has been working very diligently on getting her back and stomach muscles very strong...She makes her best attempts at SITTING UP...and each time she 'folds over' less and stays upright for longer periods of time...!!! Olivia's mommy and daddy are very proud of her!!!

HELPING DAD MAKE PUDDING!!!

Often times Miss Olivia just wants to "HANG OUT' making it difficult to get ANYTHING done around here...
Daddy just goes with it...doesn't let her slow him down...
...I'm beginning to see that once this wee girl is mobile (walking especially)...Mommy is in BIG trouble!!! How will I ever keep up...lol

Our little Christmas helper!!!

Olivia is helping her daddy and mommy put the lights on the Christmas tree!!!

Olivia's FIRST visit with Santa Clause!!!

Olivia had her very first visit with Santa Clause and she was SUCH A GOOD GIRL!!! She wasn't too sure about letting him hold her at first...but with Brad and I jumping around and being silly behind the camera we FINALLY got a wee smile from her!!!

Olivia Michelle

Dec.4/07

...GEARING up for the HOLIDAYS!!!

Olivia is getting VERY excited about her FIRST CHRISTMAS!!! She is on her way to see Santa Clause today since she never did get her letter to Santa written!!! Her wish list is short and sweet, just like her!

OLIVIA MICHELLE

4 1/2 months old

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY BRAD!!!

Olivia trying to help daddy open his birthday prezzies!!!
Olivia and daddy on his birthday!!!

To the best hubby...and daddy in the whole wide world...

Hope you are having your best birthday ever!!! We are so happy that we have had a FOUR day weekend to celebrate with you!!!

Love,

Stacy and Olivia

xoxo

Olivia is FOUR months old already?!?!?!?

Olivia turned 4 months old on the 27th!!! I can not beleive how quickly the time goes. She is doing SO amazing. She has developed quite the personality now!!! She is so much like both Brad and I in her looks and personality. She is full of laughs and smiles. She has recently mastered rolling and is currently desperately trying to crawl (or at least scoot herself from point A to point be). I amazes us the new "things" Olivia seems to do every single day and both daddy and I REALLY enjoy our time with her!
Olivia is currently gearing up for her first christmas which she is lucky enough that she will be surrounded by LOTS of family...including BOTH sets of grandparents!!!