Like Sands Through the Hourglass, These Are the Days of Our Lives...

So, there are not a lot of super interesting things going on here...nothing so earth shattering that it would put a blip on a historical timeline or anything, but David and I are still walking around with our feet about a foot off the ground and smiles on our faces from ear to ear.

I'm married to that man, and that's our baby - how could I not be smiling from ear to ear?!

Let me fill you in on some of the recent occurances:

Last Thursday through Saturday, David and I took Olivia down to San Diego for a textile trade show.  Now, please, don't everyone bombard me with questions about how exciting it was because I simply won't have time to answer you all.  We stayed right on the harbor and enjoyed daydreaming about having our own catamaran to travel from port to port in.  We explored the Gaslight District in San Diego where I fell in lurve with a Dr. Seuss Lorax print that went for $950 unframed and then promptly got on the computer to search for a poster that would go for...oh, $930 less!  Oh, and did I mention that I had the best cinnamon bread french toast for breakfast (yeah, I still eat like I'm pregnant, what about it?)...move over Richard Walker's Pancake House, The Mission is where it's at!

I also found the most adorable sunglasses for Olivia.  She absolutely cracks up when they are on, but then immediately takes them off to put in her mouth.

I have added some solid foods to Olivia's diet - so far she has had rice cereal, sweet potatoes, prunes and today we tried carrots.  She's just like her mother and thoroughy enjoys the carbohydrates!  It has definitely made feeding time a lot longer of a process and a whole lot messier! 

Gotta love those sweet taters!

Olivia is also starting to sit up on her own.  So what if it is only for about ONE second at a time, it's still a milestone in our book.  Oh, and did I mention that she's also sleeping through the night?!  Well, she's not really, but I am so sick of hearing that question and answering it with a "Nope" that my new answer is going to be a resounding, "Heck Yeah she is!"  I just won't be sharing that half the time she's sleeping through the night in my arms.

(No, I don't count that as really sitting up on her own - she does it better, just not on command!)

In non-Olivia news - FALL TV IS HERE!!  Yeah, yeah, those other two girls can blog about fall football, but I'm blogging about new episodes of House, The Office and my new favorite, Cougartown!  And, my guilty pleasure of The Hills is back too! 

And, last but certainly not least, our Hoosier Baby is going to be making her first official visit to Indiana.  We are heading back home on October 24th and will be out there through the first of November.  There are so many of you that we want to see and will be trying to make plans with each of you.  I absolutely cannot wait to see everyone and of course, sample some of my favorite eats.

Olivia will be submitting this picture in her application to I.U.

Oh, and did I mention that this is my family???  Yep, still smiling.

Halloween Ideas

Hey All - I'm bringing the poll back!  Dave and I are trying to figure out what to dress Olivia up as for Halloween this year.  We are OBSESSED with these Tom Arma costumes.  Let us know what you think Olivia will look best as!  (Or, if you have other ideas, let us know that too.)

More images and ideas can be found HERE!

Papa Bear and Baby Bear

Here are some cute pictures of David and Olivia from the past few days.

Letters From My Children..

Olivia has been practicing her talking exercises with me, and I'm pretty sure this is what she's been saying...

Dear Aunt Kristen and Uncle Brian,

Congratulations on getting married! Aunt Kristen, you looked SO beautiful this whole weekend. Your wedding dress was gorgeous and I got to see where you had your reception and it looked like there were lots of fun things to play with. Thank you for having a fun party on Friday night and letting me come. I had so much fun meeting lots of new family members and getting all dressed up. I tried to be on my best behavior and smile a lot, but boy was it overwhelming.

I loved petting Chevy, but I can't wait for more cousins....

Love,

Olivia

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Dear Pedicab driver,

I LOVED going for a ride in your bike. Thanks for taking us all over downtown Portland - I was sick of hearing Mama complain about her feet hurting in those heels. I just wish you would have taken us to Voodoo Donuts.

Love,
Olivia

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Dear Auntie Lauren,

Thank you for my new outfits! I had fun modeling them for Mama and Papa. Thanks, too, for always making me smile and wiping my drool when Mama can't get to it!

Love,
Olivia

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Dear Nana and Poppy,

I love you, I love you, I love you. I had so much fun with you this weekend. Poppy, I love it when you walk all over town and carry me with you. Nana, thank you for letting me sleep on you when I wouldn't take a nap on my own. No, I'm not stubborn or spoiled, I just like spending time with you. Mama and Papa wanted me to thank you for letting them have some alone time too. Can't wait to see you and give you a big slobbery kiss.

Love,
Olivia

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Dear Grandma and Grandpa Michelson,

Thanks for loaning me your swing. I loved looking at the fishies swimming. Mama said it was a lifesaver! I can't wait to see you at Thanksgiving. I promise to give you more smiles and lots and lots of kisses. And, this time, Aunt Marissa better hold me!

Love,
Olivia

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Dear Jergen's,

Wanna use my picture in an ad?

Anytime,

Olivia

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And from Mr. Magnum.....

Dear Hotel Monaco,

Thank you for the pet bed and bowls and for making me feel so welcome. I had WAY too much fun running around the lobby. If that sassy little Papillon is still staying there, will you slip her my number? Oh, and is THAT why I got my name on the board? If so, you need to put 2 check marks behind it because I was humpin' Pepper and Timmy too.

Your Furry Friend,
Magnum

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Dear Pepper,

Were those humps unwarranted? Because I saw you makin' eyes at me.

'Til Next Time,
Magnum

Too Busy To Blog

Between being a single parent for 4 days and 4 nights, preparing for our upcoming trip to Portland, and discovering & treating some pesky little fleas on Magnum, I've been a little too busy to put anything up here for a few days.

Being a single parent is TOUGH.  For the majority of the time while David was working on 5 different projects up in the Palo Alto area, we Michelson ladies were doing wonderfully.  Olivia was in a great mood most of the time and I was feeling pretty proud of myself for juggling things with ease.  However, there were definitely a few times where it would have been really nice to have an extra set of hands at the house.  Let me just give you a visual (er, maybe you don't want it...).  Picture it:  Sicily, 1927.  Wait, I'm not Sophia Petrillo.  Picture it:  Friday night, 8:30, me on the phone (hands-free) with my mom trying to explain to her how to look at a video I had sent her of Olivia, Olivia in my arms nursing, and the oven blaring at me to take out my dinner.  So, yeah, I got up with her still attached, her little body holding the phone for me, and grabbed a hot pad to get the food out.  In the wise words of David's father, Aye
Papa-ito.

One of our many smiling moments together.

 My much needed helping hand after a day of shopping in Santa Barbara.

The Magnum situation has gotten better - although yesterday, I had a slight meltdown at Pet Smart.  I spent all of Olivia's morning nap time yesterday putting all bedding and pillows in bags and storing them outside until they could get washed. (And, if you know Magnum well, you'll know that he has about 5 beds, 15 blankets, and then also uses our blankets for his own personal use!)  I took Magnum to get a flea bath yesterday afternoon at Pet Smart and they wouldn't do it because I didn't have proof of Magnum's rabies shots.  (They are stored in the filing cabinet in our garage which David locked before he left and then ever-so-wisely proceeded to take the key with him.  AND, the vet and kennel were closed for Labor Day.)  So, I ended up buying some flea shampoo and making David wash him down when he got home.

I think I added about 5 more bags to this pile before it was all said and done.

Yeah, he was so mad at me he wouldn't even look in my direction.  (And, no, David is not naked up there!)

I am delighted to have David back home, however he is clearly coming down with something and is headed into the doctor this afternoon.  So much for that extra set of hands.

Little Miss Chatty McChatterson

Olivia has been extra talkative these days and today I was able to catch her on video playing in her exersaucer just chatting away. Funny how her favorite toy is the $4 rattle that I lay in the tray for her to grab onto!

And, of all the songs that her toys play, this chameleon one is by far our favorite.