happy day, little olivia

A few weeks ago, Olivia celebrated her 2nd birthday, but we've been so busy updating other blogs that she got forgotten. So goes being the third child.

Here and now, we present to you the newly 2-year old Olivia!

If you didn't look closely, look again. Please notice her eyes. This is the exact look I get from her at least 10 times a day. It is one that somehow completely portrays her determination and her absolute unwillingness to bend to the expectations of anyone else. While this could be great news for those tumultuous years when she will need to stand strong against negative peer-pressure, this will not necessarily be a trait that bodes well for our family life throughout the next few years.

With the fresh taste of chocolate cupcake in her mouth (all because of her not-to-be-trusted-mother forcing her to take a bite as seen in the photograph above), she understands the deliciousness of the treat sitting before her. And her demeanor immediately changes.

The Little People plane was a perfect choice for this little person. She has already flown 5 times in her young life, so she has some background knowledge of what a plane is. Plus, when she was at her Granny and Pap-pa's house back in the Spring, one of her favorite activities was verbalizing her amazement each time a plane flew over their house (which was quite often since they live along a flight path).

We couldn't quite make it through the birthday celebration with the pigtails staying in place, but even with the wild hair, I love the look in her eyes in this photo as she discovers the wonders of fun things being hidden inside paper that you get to rip!

And finally, the Little People zoo catches her attention and gives us a chance to practice animal names and animal sounds. (Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!). Even I am learning to stretch my imagination and role play with these fun toys so that Olivia will have some ideas of how to play with them on her own.

It was a mostly quiet, spread out day of remembering Olivia's entrance into our lives and being thankful all over again that she is here. She is the funniest, most opinionated, most intriguing, (and, yes, sometimes most tiring) little girl we know. We are blessed to know her and to have her in our midst.

(Heather)