The Jumperoo: God's gift to new moms

My girlfriends bought me a motorized swing  for my baby shower and I thought I was set.  Turns out you can't predict what toys will be the baby's favorite.  One of my friends kept telling me to buy a jumperoo, but I kept refusing to bring one more bulky toy into the house.  The friend became so intent on me getting one, that she eventually brought me hers.  The outcome?  Alivia is in love!  Even fighting off a cold right now, she is the happiest baby when she's in this contraption.  She's standing on her own, bouncing around, chatting about her day and then......CRASHES.  One minute the music is going, the next minute she's face down in la la land dreaming about milk and naps.  How great is this?

I have a video on my phone of her struggling to stay awake, but it's pretty poor resolution.  I took another one on our camcorder so I'll see if I can get that uploaded. 

Thank goodness for summer!

Alivia was born on the coldest day in five years, and until recently we've been cooped up in the house unable to go for walks. I've been itching to take her out in the BOB running stroller Brian bought me. Here's a picture from a walk we took with Grampy last weekend. Alivia loves wearing her sunglasses. She looks around and kicks her legs as we walk, until the bumpy ride puts her to sleep.

First Mother's Day!

My first Mother's day was absolutely perfect.  We decided to start a tradition of taking a photo of Livy and I in front of our crabapple tree.  This is something my dad would do with my brother and I.  It will be so neat to see how she grows each year.  Here are the photos from this year:

Hi ho, Hi ho, It's back to work I go!

Sorry for the lack of posts.  I went back to work May 7th, and it's safe to say it's been an adjustment.  I was totally fine leaving Livy with Brian.  I wasn't ok, however, the day we brought her to daycare.  We dropped her off and explained the important things the provider should know.  We said goodbye and the minute I turned the corner to my car I was sobbing.  It's such an unnatural feeling to leave your own flesh and blood with a "stranger."  Luckily Livy is only doing daycare 1-2 days a week.  This should be great because she'll get socialization time, yet the majority of her days will be spent with mom and dad.

First day of daycare photo.  notice Livy's "backpack" (diaper bag) is in the photo as well. 

I'm also including some pictures of Alivia's 3 month photo shoot.  I cannot believe how fast she is growing!  She's turning into a little person.  She now rolls onto her tummy, puts her toes in her mouth, grabs mommy's hair, and picks up our TV remotes.  Oh, and the best is she is a talker!  i come home from work and she just babbles for up to an hour at a time.  I like to think she's telling me all about her day's happenings.

Month 3: The Month of Firsts

When she was born, Brian and I figured Alivia would learn to do something cool each month.  This month has been a busy one already.  It seems like she started learning something new every week, then it was every day, and now it's often a few things a day!

There's nothing I love more than seeing her find her toes, roll over, or squeal for the first time.  The best part is seeing her eyes get huge and her little arms flutter.

One of the biggest milestones this month is being able to play in the exersaucer.  While she's not playing with the toys quite yet, Livy has staring contests with them.

Stare down with the Monkey

The surprise "Ah-ha!" feature we learned about the exersaucer is that it doubles as a burper.  After meals, you place the baby in, and she lets out olympic sized belches.  

She's just starting to realize her toes can touch the ground and even started jumping a little today.  

Every Princess Needs Her Beauty Sleep

And boy is she getting it!  Livy is now sleeping up to 11 hours a night! Unless she gets to ride in her car seat, she's up playing all day and snoozing at night.  This is a relief, since I require 8 hours of sleep in order to operate.  My co-workers told me horror stories of running on 2 hours of sleep or else for the first few MONTHS!  We really hit the jackpot because she figured out night and day in the first 2 weeks of life.

Brian started working nights so he'll be taking care of Livy once I return to work next month.  Until then, I like to wake him up in the mornings by tucking the baby in bed next to him.  Can you think of anything better to wake up to?  This picture is the first time Livy got to feel mommy's fuzzy blanket.  Every time I would run it across her cheek he eyes would get big and she'd coo like crazy.

The Easter Baby

Our family had a great Easter 2009.  Brian and I, with Alivia's help, volunteered at church in the morning and then went to Grandma and Grandpa Sprafka's house for Easter dinner.  Holidays have a whole new meaning with a child.  We now have an excuse to celebrate them to the fullest.   

Photo-op with the CREEPY Easter bunny.  Brian and I were relieved she was sleeping.

"Daddy's Girl" photo frame from Aunt Chelsie

Admiring the new swimsuit from Grandma and Grandpa Sprafka.

Hey boys! Half a swimsuit and sunglasses (The top didn't fit)

Showing off her FOUR Easter baskets. 

"Pretty Lady" Outfit from Aunt Chelsie.  We were so surprised that she doesn't seem to mind wearing the sunglasses.

Easter dress 3 of 3.  After a long day, Livy was over Easter.