Happy Birthday Dear Bubby.....

I can't believe my baby is 1!!! Time has gone too quickly - well, the last 8 months have. The first 4 months she was here and we were wondering what on earth possessed us to have another baby dragged on and on and on and....well, you get the point.

What can I say about Livvy - or Bubby as she is mostly called in our house? She is the light of our lives. Adored by her big sisters, idolized by her daddy and is the reason I smile when I feel like crying and/or screaming for various reasons. She has learned how to walk and will do so intermitently, she is babbling a ton and can definitely say Dadda. She has also hit that tricky age between 12 months and 18 months where she is throwing fits when she doesn't get what she wants, it told no and just smiles and prefers to be on the ground crawling if at all possible - which is why Jeremy and I spent a better part of Gospel Doctorine and Elders Quorom/Relief Society out in the hall with our little bug. We are really looking forward to nursery! =)

Her first birthday was as exciting as it can be for a one-year-old who has no idea what's going on. We did have hot dogs (her favorite! Not kidding, the kid will eat two faster than you can dump them on her tray) and I made her a cake. Two members of our bishopric had asked if they could come and visit with us last night which was very nice, and we just sang to Livvy while they were here and they had some cake and ice cream with us too!



Apparently Livvy enjoys cake. She ate the whole thing and washed it down with a bit of mint chocolate chip ice cream.


After a much needed bath she was ready for presents. I have never seen a baby do this, but she got a couple of cute outfits from Grandma and Grandpa VanDyke and she picked them up, rubbed them against her face, and showed more interest in them than I expected. It was VERY cute. Grandma and Grandpa Van Dyke also gave her a little walker/scooter. She loves it! The best part is she looks like a little old lady with a walker - she has the straight legs, is a bit hunced over and rattles it as she goes. Grandma Holt sent an adorable card with some cash to buy something cute! I will accomodate that request!



Mommy, Daddy and the twins gave her a new skirt, a tube for the pool, a new beach towel and a baby Elmo. It was love at first site! She adores watching Elmo on television and she talks in this high voice when he is on. As soon as we unwrapped the present She stood up and started babbling in her Elmo voice. She loves his head the most - it is plastic and she really enjoys chewing on his eyeballs.


I can't imagine our lives without Olivia. I can't help but think back to the day she was born and the complications we had during labor. I am so thankful for the power of priesthood blessings and the comfort that comes when making hard decisions. I am in awe of my children and the love I have for them. I am so thankful to my Heavenly Father for the three beautiful girls that I have the privilege of raising in the gospel.