Happy 3rd Birthday Olivia!

Yesterday we celebrated Olivia's 3rd Birthday.  We kicked off celebrations Friday night at our Navs dinner at our house.  Saturday morning we had a change of plans :)  Originally we had planned to head to Bolton to spend some much needed time with Nana and Papa, but they called early in the day to say they were heading to Boston...more on that in a minute.  So we had breakfast at Atkins, Olivia enjoyed some apple juice and a chocolate chip scone, while we visited with Mary, our edger, and her parents who were down visiting from Maine.  Then our other Edger, Becca, offered to watch Isaac so Nate and I could take Olivia out for a special lunch, juts with Mommy and Daddy.  We headed to Friendly's where Olivia enjoyed some chicken fingers and fries with lots of ketchup, followed by a sundae!!!  The staff even sang to her and she blew out her second candle.  When we got home she opened her presents and played with them the rest of the day.  Later in the afternoon, we found out her very first cousin (my first nephew!) had been born!!!!  What a present!!!  Next Saturday we will have a party to celebrate both Olivia and Isaac!  

Olivia is one amazing little girl- independent, extroverted, expressive, fun, caring- she loves to help cook in the kitchen, or make her little brother laugh.  Recently we noticed she can color within the lines, really well, and is often drawing pictures of everything.  She went through a Cinderella movie phase, but currently likes to watch the veggie tales JONAH everyday.  She also likes Sesame Street, Word World, Daniel Tigers Neighborhood, and Sid the Science Kid.

This last year she had many changes and she really handled them well for such a young girl.  She welcomed her baby brother with open and gentle arms.  She moved to a toddler bed.  She said goodbye to PA and friends there and moved to MA with us.  She visited a new church every week this summer- doing amazing in each churches' Sunday school while we visited grown-up church.  She shares a room with her brother and sleeps in a twin bed.  She is fully potty trained, day and night, having completed potty training boot camp.  And really that was all before October!  

I am so thankful for Olivia- Happy Birthday!!!

First Birthday Cake on Friday Night with Navs Students

SO excited face about her birthday presents!

Learning to stamp with Mommy

Isaac 11 Months

The boy can walk!!!  He has been cruising around for awhile now and would even take a few steps between Nate and I but it was often with a leaning launch towards Mom and Dad after a step.  But just in the last week, and especially today, he is walking!  This morning Olivia was pushing her rocking chair around their room and said Isaac was walking. I assumed he was using it as a walker, but when I looked he was not holding on, just walking!  So that is definitely the big news for the month.  He has a full four teeth top and bottom, prefers nursing, especially at night and continues to just be a happy kid.  Here are the photos:

To Remember...

One of many highlights at PSU was meeting Carina and Rachel as freshmen women and walking life with them the next three years.  I hope I still walk with them through their lives.  I was so touched when Carina posted this on facebook the day we left:

"When I arrived at Penn State freshman year one of the first people I met was a barely pregnant Caroline. Three years, two kids, and many meetings at Panera and Starbucks later, I could not have asked for a better mentor and friend. Thanks for putting up with me for so long! State College is losing an awesome family and Amherst is gaining one. I love you guys! — with Nate Daman and Caroline Peirce Daman."

I am sure it will forever be on facebook, but I am not sure how I will find it so I wanted to document it here as well.  Thanks Carina!!!

Isaac 10 Months

Yes!  He is really ten months and though he does not officially walk- he is oh so close!  At his 9 month check up he was 29 inches long and 21 pounds, 7 ounces.  12 month clothes are a little small, but 18 months are a little big.  He has a voice and he is not afraid to use it- sometimes it sounds like he is really saying "mama" or "dada."  He loves his big sister.  He has 7 teeth and counting, 4 on top, 3 on bottom.  Wants to eat whatever he can get, and lately he really wants to feed himself- i.e. nothing from a spoon, only what he can pick up.  So eating can be a messy time for us these days.  Still not sleeping great.  Likes nursing, but is easily distracted.  And anytime I leave him somewhere, people comment on what a happy kid he is.  I agree!!!!

Riding his new motorcycle on Christmas Day from Aunt Liz

And these are from today- 10 months old!

Jesus' Birthday

Today is the first day back to school for some children, though college students are still on break.  So Olivia, Isaac and I headed to the Amherst Family Center for some fun this morning.  We went often earlier this fall and then life seemed to get busy and so we had not been in over a month.  A wonderful woman named Erica runs the center and remembered us- I don't know how she remembers so many children!  The family center is in the basement of a local church but is run by UMASS and other grants I believe.   Its an open playroom center with a snack and story time and lots of toys.  Basically a good place to connect with other parents- especially when its too cold to be outside much.

So as we were eating snack and chatting- Olivia asked Erica "Did you celebrate Jesus Birthday?"

Inside for a split second I wondered what I should say to explain or smooth things over.  But without missing a beat, Erica said, "Yes I did."  Followed by, "That was the first time a two year old has ever asked me that."

My heart soars a little bit that Olivia can and will share so openly and honestly   We talked over Christmas about how we were celebrating Jesus' Birthday.  (We also visited Santa at the mall:) And this reminds me about the time Olivia requested "Amazing Grace" during story time at the library and we sang it!

But this was quickly challenged by the reality of the culture we live in when Erica told Olivia that she also celebrates Winter Solstice.  We asked her more about what it is and how its celebrated- a big bonfire at the Audubon center telling native american stories.

It is great to learn about new things, but also a good reminder to figure out how to help Olivia and Isaac know and love God as well as navigate other beliefs as well.  I pray they will be shining lights to others for Jesus!

Friends

Randon Willard, Brita Jessen, Ryan Casey, Kim Simpkins, Steve Bramlett, Meredith Chase, Dan Byler, Liz Peirce, Groom, Bride, Matt Peirce, Laura Papia, Ben Holt, Hannah Daman, Chris Paine, Julia Scott, Joshua Grohman, Rhiannon Byler

I have been thinking about this post since late summer when I realized that of the 19 people in our wedding party- who live all over this country- we have seen all but three this year, and I have plans to see one of them by Christmas.  And really I think we saw them all between May and August.  I count this as SUCH a blessing to me personally from Jesus.  I wrote as we moved about my "list" of friends God reminded me of just before we moved back to MA.  I am so thankful for how God has always provided friends for me.  And some may have counted us crazy to have such a large wedding party but I am still so thankful for these people who have walked life with me leading up to our wedding day, and still do 5 years later!  AND at first I thought it was just the bridesmaids, but soon realized, we have even seen most of the groomsmen as well!!!

Let me recount our wonderful visits:

Randon, his wife Kelly, and baby boy spent the night with us in PA just a few weeks before we moved.  How fun to see them multiple times during our years in PA.

Brita, I am coming for you this Christmas!!!

Ryan met us on our summer vacation at Sandy Cove.  He joined us for lunch and then Nate and Ryan hit the Frisbee golf course and took a quick dip in the pool before he headed back to Baltimore.

We got to meet Kim's baby boy Edan at her parents house in DE on our way home from Sandy Cove.  Even better, we connected again at the zoo this October when she visited MA. Twice in one year is a new record for us the last few years!  Lets keep it up!

If you read this Steve, we need an update!!!

Meredith came all the way from NYC for the night to meet Isaac, tour UMass and treat us to dinner.  We had a wonderful visit catching up on everything!  Thanks for visiting.

Dan was on the east coast long enough to grab dinner with Nate :)

One of the best parts of being in MA is that our family is close- and not just our parents, but all of our siblings as well!  We have seen Liz, Matt, Hannah, and Laura multiple times this year which we are so thankful for!

I wish we could say we have hung out with the Holts more since we have been back in MA, but I am thankful to say we did grab dinner with them at least once which was a blast.  His little girl Alice and Olivia had a blast together.

Sadly we have not seen the Paines in a long time- but we have stayed in touch.  Maybe we can make a trip to TX soon, or coordinate a visit to PA in the near future:)  You are always welcome in MA too!

We had a blast with Julia and her family in NH this summer!  Her little girl Sadie and Olivia got along SO well, I wish they lived down the street!

Joshua DID make the trek not only to MA from TX, but to our house!  He even showed Olivia how to do a front dive roll from our deck!  

And Rhiannon we are thankful  for all the fun we have had together this summer and fall!

So there you have it.  What an amazing day- 6.7.08.  Thank you all for being a part of it and thanks for continuing the journey with us!!!

(and I should say I love all our "new" friends too)

First Dentist Visit

This past Tuesday Olivia, Isaac and I headed to the dentist for Olivia's very first appointment.  Honestly, I was nervous.  I had not confirmed with Nate to watch Isaac so I had to bring him with me- not a huge deal, but a factor.  And I just didn't know if Olivia would love it or hate it or something in between.  We talked about and practiced how to open your mouth and I even stuck my fingers in her mouth like the dentist might to count her teeth and make sure they are healthy.  

As you can see, the dentist was a positive experience for all parties involved,  I am so thankful!!!  In fact, I must brag on Olivia a little bit- the hygentist, Kelly, said she was acting like a kindergartner she did so well!!!  She sat in the big chair all by herself, let Kelly count her healthy teeth- ten on top and ten on bottom.  Olivia had her teeth brushed, by herself and with the fancy spinning toothbrush with fruity flavored toothpaste.  She even allowed Kelly to floss her teeth AND apply fluoride   She requested a mint flavor for that one.  When she was all done she got to pick out a sticker that she wore all day and take home a goody bag with a toothbrush and floss.

I am seriously SO proud of my big girl Olivia.  I can only hope the next visit goes so well!!!