Skydiving!!

My co-worker, Mike, won a free skydiving pass at a Christmas party my work held last December, and decided to use it this past weekend with his Mom. At the last minute, she backed out due to a wind surfing accident and since I was planning on meeting up with him to watch, and he had already put down the deposit, he asked if I wanted to fill in. I had made plans with Chelsea to do some shopping until he was ready for us to meet up to watch him, but she was fine with switching up the plan and coming along so she could watch Olivia for me, and then we decided to do dinner instead. She's so sweet!!

When you first get there, they have you sign and initial a bunch of papers saying that you won't sue if anything happens, that you understand you could die, and that you have made arrangements for your spouse and children, if anything bad should happen. I think that was the scariest part about it. Then, they take everyone into a room and show you what position to be in when you fall and how you land. After that, we just waited around with Chelsea, Olivia, and his Mom for a couple hours until they called us to dive. I kept waiting for the butterflies to come, but they never did. Then, they geared us up, introduced us to our partners, and had us step into a fenced area to wait for our plane to pick us up.

These were the first pics his Mom took when we stepped out:

(Of course, Mike is being a comedian)



Then we were introduced to the photographer (Mike) who was going to be filming Mike dive. He was SO enthusiastic and pretty funny!

Then the Mike the photographer noticed Mike's Mom taking pictures and started making fun of our paparazzi.

He took one last pic of me on the airplane before we dove. (Yah, the head gear is a little embarrassing) You can kind of see my partner behind me... or at least his hair. When you get on the airplane, they have two benches and everyone sits in a line kind of straddling each other. I was still waiting for butterflies, but there was nothing.... even as we got higher and I was looking out the window, I was just really excited!

Then all of a sudden the door opened and before I could even process what was going on, they started pushing people out like rag dolls and then I was in the air. It was AMAZING!! Words can't even describe the feeling. I imagined that you would fall so fast that you wouldn't be able to see anything but the free fall actually seems pretty slow and it felt like we were falling for a while before he pulled the chute. Then we just glided for a good couple minutes. He pointed out a few places, taught me how to fly the parachute, and then we landed perfectly. (I was most nervous about the land) It was SO fun, and I can't wait to do it again!!

4 Months!

Olivia,

You have grown SO much this month, it's crazy! I can't even believe all of the things your doing, or trying to do. You are so determined, and I can't help but think that you're this big girl trapped in a tiny body. There's so much you want to do and say if only your body would work with you a little more.

You're starting to hold your bottle on your own. Sometimes you're great at it and other times, you just can't figure it out, but you always want to do it yourself. You also LOVE to wiggle now when you eat, which can make feedings a little difficult. You'll act completely uninterested in your bottle by pushing it out of your mouth or to the side of your mouth, but then when I take it out, you freak! 

You're getting so much better at tummy time now that you can sit up on your elbows, but you still get frustrated after a couple minutes when you can't move. You're getting there though!! You can lift up your butt with your legs, but you're still not too sure how to get your arms to work with your feet.

Now this is just making me sad.... there is so much more that you started doing! Can you just slow down a little? You can sit straight up in your boppy now. (with support, of course) And you're totally happy with it as long as you have toys to play with. You're getting even better at seeing a toy you want, and then picking it up, and everything still goes into your mouth. You'll play with anything... the shopping list at the grocery store, your toys, oh, and let's not forget the binky! You just figured out WHAT it is and how it works, and you love to take it out and then put it back in your mouth. I absolutely love watching you learn!

You ate cereal AND peaches (thank you auntie Shaylee) for the first time this month and LOVED it! You love watching people eat, and have even started begging for tastes. You also recognize your bottle and get all excited when I pull it out, because you know it's eating time.

And the funny faces... they don't stop, and it's even better now because you ALWAYS have your little tongue sticking out. Add to that your laughing and screaming, and we've got ourselves a little comedian. I no longer wake up to you crying in your crib, I wake up to you talking, or screaming and laughing to yourself. You LOVE to hear yourself talk, and even when I'm putting you to sleep and you have your binky in your mouth, you hum and make noises until you fall asleep. This past weekend with you was SO MUCH FUN!! I love how much you're learning and growing and understanding everything around you. It's amazing to see the world through your eyes.

I love you big girl,

Love Mommy

Olivia loves herself!

I had to take Olivia to the doctor a couple of nights ago because I thought she had an ear infection.

Turns out, she's just teething. This is going to be a FUUUUUUNN year! :)

Anyway, she LOVES the mirror at the doctors office and I had to share this video with you.

Olivia tries cereal for the first time!

Olivia has FINALLY started opening her mouth when she watches me eat, and she's showing all of the other signs such as supported sitting (almost unsupported sitting), holding her head up, and letting me know when she's full. So I decided that it was time to try cereal. I also hoped that it would help her sleep through the night, but that was pushing it a little. Here is the video: (it's really long, sorry!)

At first, she wasn't too sure about it, but by the end she was kicking, smiling, and grabbing my hands to feed her faster. I love this kid!