Hospital for Surgery 7:30 AM Tuesday

Just a quick update that we are in Hershey PA for my surgery (Caroline)- we head to the hospital at 7:30 am, so I think my surgery may start an hour or so after that. My mom is here to help us take care of Olivia which is great. Nate will try to post updates as he can- he may be a bit busy taking care of Olivia and me:) Thank you for all your prayers and sweet notes and calls, they are not missed and MUCH MUCH appreciated. I feel SO covered in prayer. Thank you!

Trip to DC

Apparently I am not good at updating the blog on a regular basis, but more in chunks- oh well! Not sure exactly who reads it anyways, but I hope you enjoy none the less:)

Even though we spent a month in MA visiting people, there were others a bit closer to home in PA we still wanted to see. Two weekends ago we got to Nate's college friend Mark and his growing family- since we last saw them, we both had children- our first and their second son. It was AMAZING how small he was- he was only a few weeks old, but only 4 months younger than Olivia. I cant believe how small she once was! Time really does pass TOO fast!

This last weekend we made to the DC area and it was a blast, though tiring, especially for Olivia. We got to use some frequent flier miles for hotel in the area- it was a BLAST staying in a nice hotel for FREE. As you can Olivia made herself at home!

We also made it to the air and space museum and walked along the mall.

Olivia found some comfy chairs along the way too- this was actually the first time we saw her shake her rattle! Seems like there are new things everyday!

On the way home we had lunch with another of Nate's college friends, Ryan in Baltimore. We actually visited his church first and got to hear him preach, something Nate had been wanting to do for a long time! Then headed through PA to see Andy and Emily Otto and their new house. Apparently Andy was VERY excited to meet Olivia- his facebook status before our arrival read:

"Any minute now, I get to hang out with Olivia Daman. I'm so excited I'm a little embarassed. Critics can say what they want, I think she's got really bright future. So original, unconstrained. They tell me she doesn't talk much. Hope that isn't awkward. Just going for eye contact really. I'm hoping to get pictur...es with her, but I left my camera in Philly. Anybody have conversation starters for a 4 month-old?"

Now we only need to meet the Paine's and Willard's and I think all of Nate's college friends will have met Olivia...now on to mine! haha. That might mean a trip to CA...maybe someday soon...

Baby Friends:)

When in MA, Olivia had a great time meeting Inez, photos on facebook:)

But this week we got to hang out with Lily who lives across the street from us in PA and who was born just three days before Olivia- we just missed each other in the hospital! Though we have gone on walks together before, I was curious to see how much they would notice each other. Not so much just yet. At one point they did play footsie, kinda...but they may have been all for now. I cant wait to see them get to know each other in the months to come though!

Reaching out to Summer Freshmen

Yesterday Olivia and I headed to campus with Nate to reach out to freshmen starting summer session at Penn State. It was a beautiful day on campus- Nate and I both got a little suburned but Olivia stayed mostly covered in her stroller and I COVERED her in baby sunscreen so she was good. We joined Nate and Eric, one of the guys Nate meets with, to ask students to fill out a survey for a chance to win a best buy giftcard or free pizza. In two hours we collected 52 surveys and 24 said they would like to be followed up in some way! Praise God! I was a bit surprised that Olivia didnt draw in more people. I thought she would be a huge draw but only one girl commented on her...I did have her turned away though to be out of the sun, so maybe thats why:) Nate went back yesterday evening and again today- last count I heard were over 50 people to be followed up with! And Nate is at the very first bible study meeting right now- I am home with sleeping Olivia:)
I tried to capture Nate talking to people without taking sketchy pics...
Olivia was content to play in her stroller the whole time- she did GREAT! Then took a nap while we had chick-fil-a for lunch in the student center:) She was awesome!!!

Four Months Old!

Olivia is Four Months Old today. She checked out as healthy today at the doctors and even survived her shots. By the time she was back in her carseat she was smiley:) Though she did take a good nap.

She weights 12 lbs, 11oz and measures 24 and 1/2 inches. So she is long and lean. Hopefully this trend will continue:) She has rolled over a number of times from her tummy to her back, has turned herself around in a circle while on her back, smiles and laughs alot, has started grabbing toys and putting them in her mouth- she still doesn't have great coordination so at times she hits herself in the head, but she likes it in her mouth. We are wondering if any teeth are coming in- Nate got his first teeth at four months.

Also during our time in New England, she visited all SIX states! She has spent a quarter of her life there so hopefully she will remember she is true new englander despite being born in PA:)

Here is her monthly photo and more are on Facebook:)

Sleeping...

Thankfully Olivia is a GREAT sleeper! As we have visited many people and places on this trip, Olivia has had many chances to sleep in new and cozy places:

Her Carseat is definitely a favorite- as long as the car is MOVING!

While visiting Great Grandma Beebe

At Kim and Chris and Baby Swanson's House

At Aunt Laura and Uncle Andy's Old Apartment

On Mom, while visiting the Shirley's

3 Months down, a lifetime to go!

A little over a week ago Olivia turned 3 months old- time is certainly flying! We have been in MA for a little over two weeks now visiting family and friends and its been great. Olivia has been a wonderful traveler and become a GREAT sleeper! She continues sucking her thumb, can hold up her head quite well, and "talks" a ton!