It's About Time!

Well, the day has finally come and my sister and Jared decided to tell the name of the newest Smith model before Christmas. Thank God! His name is James Hunter Smith. I do think it is fitting since I think he looks a lot like my dad's mother and my dad, who is also named James. Most of you know that Jared is an avid hunter as well, and James was born in the peak hunting season. Now I have to change all the tags on his Christmas gifts.

Our family is just keeping busy getting the final things in order for Christmas. We did our last shopping this evening, and I just finished wrapping the last of the gifts. Four more days of school and I get to have two weeks off to enjoy with Olivia and family and friends! We hope all of you have a truly blessed and wonderful Christmas. Oh, and a white Christmas too!

Zsolt's 2nd Birthday party

Olivia, Andy and I headed up to Portage on Sunday, December 9th for Zsolti's 2nd birthday party. I don't know who was looking forward to it more, Olivia or Andy. We started the party at Jungle Joe's, a large facility with indoor inflatables that you can climb, jump in, and slide down. Andy had checked it out online and couldn't wait to go because it was for children and adults! Or at least those adults with the child still inside of themselves. Olivia had a blast going down so many slides and jumping around. I think the Shark slide was by far her and daddy's favorite. She was also so excited to see Zsolt and had to find him whenever he disappeared from her sight.
As the pictures show she had a grand time playing with her daddy!
We went swimming as a family last night too.
We definitely have a swimmer in our midst. She loves to blow bubbles and "kick, kick, kick!" She would kick the entire length of the pool and back if we had our hand under her belly. She's even starting to use her arms real well.
At the moment she is sleeping on our bedroom floor. I got a message at work today (12/13/07) that she was running a temperature. I got a sub for the second half of the day and went and picked my little girl up. She was so hot and definitely wasn't herself. She had gotten sick once at Jackie's, but thankfully has been well since we've been home. She is perking up too. Hopefully it's just a 24 hour bug.
Oh, and for those of you who think I have forgot to tell you the name of my newest nephew, I have not. I have not been privileged with that information as of yet. They just officially decided his name on Monday, so they could get it on his birth certificate, but have decided not to tell anyone his name until Christmas. So I've decided to name him myself since they don't seem to care. I am calling him Elijah James. He can go by Eli or EJ.

Mommy was scared to death watching daddy carry Olivia up such high heights!

A Visit with the Dentist and Santa Claus

Well, it's been a while since our last entry. Our flash is not working on our camera so we haven't had much luck taking any cute photos lately. We took it in to be repaired and they said it wouldn't be fixed until after the holidays, so they advised we hang on to it until then. So in the meantime I can only take photos with a lot of natural light.
Olivia went to the dentist for the first time on Monday, November 19th. I noticed a discolored spot on the underside of one of her top teeth a month or so ago. I went to brush them one morning and saw that same tooth was chipped. I didn't know if she had just chipped it playing or it was decaying. I figured better safe than sorry, so we made an appointment. We weren't too sure how she would do, especially at 7:00 A.M., but she couldn't have been better. She lied back in the chair, let them look around in her mouth and didn't seem the least bit scared. Thankfully the dentist said her tooth is just discolored, no cavities, and she must have just chipped it. He didn't feel the need to do anything to the tooth as long as it wasn't bothering her. Olivia loved her first trip to the dentist. A new tooth brush, stickers, and some toys, what could be better?
Today we bundled up and walked up town with the snow blowing at us. Sturgis was having a Christmas in the City, and Santa and his reindeer landed at the Free Church Park. Olivia was so excited to get to go see Santa. The line actually wasn't real long when we got there, probably because of the cold and blowing snow. Even though the line wasn't long doesn't mean the wait wasn't. She was so good for the longest time, but then she started getting really cold. As you can see in the photos, she was trying to keep herself as warm as possible. She looked like a little turtle tucking her head in her coat. Visiting with the reindeer eased the bitter cold for a bit. I had thought of just taking her home, but her little heart was set on seeing Santa and we were getting so close. Finally, it was our turn and aunt Jen showed up to join us right when we were going in. She wanted to sit on Santa's lap (a change from last year!) She told him she wanted "a prize" and "Krek" (Shrek, her new favorite movie). A woman from the Sturgis Journal came in while we were in there and snapped a photo to put in the paper as well. Aunt Jen was kind enough to give us a ride home so we didn't have to walk in the cold anymore. She then had to tell everyone all day that she saw Santa!

The First Noelle!

First of all my sister Elizabeth and her husband Jared gave birth to another healthy little boy. He weighed in at 8 pounds even and 20 inches long. As most of you know, that is pretty tiny for my sister's boys. The jury is still out on his name. I will keep you posted.
Our family was graced with a wonderful visit from one of Andy's childhood friends. Tom Roehrig, along with his wife Natalie and their adorable daughter Noelle came to visit this Saturday. Noelle and Olivia hit it off right away after the first five minutes of shyness. They had a blast hanging out together in the backyard playing in the playhouse, sliding, and swinging, while the adults got a chance to talk and catch up. Once inside they did great at sharing with each other and taking turns pushing each other around on one of Olivia's little ride on toys. The two are so alike in many ways, but still have some apparent differences. Noelle doesn't eat much for one, and Olivia doesn't stop eating for the most part. Also, Noelle is a very cautious child at doing most anything and Olivia would jump off the roof if given the chance. Noelle watched Olivia climbing stairs, going down the slide, and swinging fast and quickly gained some confidence to join in on the fun. Their voice and vocabulary is similar as well. At times I'd hear one talking and not know which child I was hearing. We had a nice lunch and visit, but both girls were overdue for naps so the Roehrigs headed out before it got ugly. It was great to get together with another girl for Olivia to play with. Too bad they don't live closer. They are expecting a little boy in January as well.














Time to say good-bye! Precious hugs and kisses!

Hoppy Halloween!

Olivia and baby Gavyn all dressed up to go trick-or-treating!

Olivia with Grandpa McNeil. He had to stop by and see his cute little frog on Halloween.

Well another successful Halloween has come and gone. Olivia was thrilled to dress up in her frog costume and go trick-or-treating around the neighborhood with daddy. She did so well at going up to every house and saying "trick-or-treat" and "thank you!" She would even say "Ribbitt, ribbitt!" at some houses. When she returned she helped me pass out candy to all the trick-or-treaters. She started the day at Jackie's having a Halloween costume party with all of the the other kids. She wore her bear costume there because mommy didn't want her to get her frog dirty and ruined before the evening. Hopefully we can reuse it down the road for any siblings that may come along. She had a great time at Jackie's and made a shaker toy and decorated a pumpkin. We are so glad she was able to find a spot at Jackie's daycare again. She adores Jackie and her husband Bill and does great with the other children there. We are so comfortable with her staying there that it brings such a peace of mind. Not that Olivia staying at my sister's didn't. Elizabeth just had too much on her plate with the new baby coming and all. Everything worked out for the best. Elizabeth is due with baby number 4 any day now. I'm convinced it's a girl for once, but then again, I am almost always wrong at these things. I just pray she has a smooth delivery and a happy healthy baby. I will keep everyone posted with that information.

Olivia with Jackie at her Halloween party.

Watch out! A ferocious bear is on the prowl. Roooaaarrrr!

Dressing up in Mommy's things!

Olivia sporting a pair of mommy's granny panties!

Look at me! Future super model!

Here's attempt number two at putting these photos on. Hopefully they show up this time.

Fall fun!

Camouflage Queen! Can you find me?

Fall fun!

Olivia had a ball playing in the leaves with daddy the other day. She is much happier in these pictures than she was earlier in the week. On Monday, October 22nd, she had a doctor's appointment and had to get some shots. Daddy took her and said she only cried for a short moment. She weighed in at 21 pounds 4 ounces, which put her in the 3rd percentile. Her height was 34 inches, which put her in the 75th percentile. I don't know where she gets that from? The following day we had to go to the lab at the hospital and have blood drawn. Mommy was on duty for this endeavor and it wasn't a fun experience. She had blood curdling screams for what seemed like ten minutes while they were drawing her blood. She then continued to cry for the entire ride home, and wanted nothing to do with me. She wanted daddy so we went and found him at work. He managed to calm her down a bit. She is still going around showing everyone where her boo-boos are from having all the needles poking at her poor little body. She is getting so into putting on all of mommy's things. The other day daddy found her rummaging through laundry baskets in our bedroom trying on all of my clothes. She loves wearing my bras and underwear. She had to put on my tall boots today and pose for us. She was trying to walk around, but would fall with almost every step. They were so huge on her. I don't think her feet even went to the bottom because they were too tall for her to even play in. Oh well, she had fun and we were able to snap some cute pictures to remember it by. It was a fun and relaxing day together as a family.

Flashback to Winter Fun (Jan. 2007)

Andy hooked Molasses up to Olivia's sled and she pulled her around the neighborhood. Olivia had a ball, and I don't think Molasses even noticed there was any extra weight she was pulling. We can't wait until sledding season starts again.

Slower than Molasses

Most of you know we have a very large, but wonderful dog named Molasses. For those of you who haven't had the pleasure of meeting her I have decided to put on some of my favorite pictures of her. She is great with Olivia and lets her climb all over her. Olivia used to use her as a stepping stool to get up to places she couldn't reach. We couldn't ask for a sweeter and more gentle dog than our Molasses.

Sleeping Beauty!

I have my eye on you!

Pictures from Olivia's 2nd birthday!

Titus, Olivia, Jadon holding Gavyn, Asher, and Zsolt all at Olivia's birthday! Can you tell we need to get some more girl friends?

Olivia jumping on her bum! She loves to do this at home to on the hard floor and laugh. We can't help but laugh when she does it, but we're sure it can't be good for her so we won't let her. She was thrilled to have a place that she was allowed to do it as often as she wanted.

Zsolt and Olivia knocking each other over!

Ride 'em cowgirl!

Olivia Turns 2!

The big day has finally arrived and Olivia is now 2! She was very excited and couldn't wait for everyone to come over for her party today! She showed a lot of patients for a 2 year old waiting to eat cake and open presents, although it was difficult. We started the day by heading over to the Nazarene Church because they were having a free family fall festival. Nana and Papa, Csaba, Kristian, and Zsolt all came along too. Olivia loved riding the horses and jumping in the giant bouncer. She got her hand painted, made a bracelet and a pumpkin and also got to take one home. She was a sticky mess when we returned from eating cotton candy. When we did arrive back everyone started showing up for the party! Aunt Jen, Libby and the boys, Aunt Joan and Scott, Aaron, Jamie, and baby Gavyn all came, as well as those at the fall festival. She got way too many presents, but she enjoyed them all and will continue to do so. She was even nice and let her cousins help open them up for her. After the presents we had cupcakes, ice cream, and an ice cream cake! Olivia literally licked her plate clean. Olivia, Zsolt, and Gavyn headed to the backyard to play at the end. I do believe a good time was had by all. After everyone went home Olivia settled in our bed watching Peter Pan and taking a well overdue long nap. Mommy and daddy need one too. It was a great day and has been so much fun watching our little one grow up. We look forward to the coming year with her and all that she will teach us as she grows. Thank you to all who came and sent well wishes her way. She as well as Andy and myself are all grateful for each and everyone of you in our lives.

Tomboy or Girly Girl?

I definitely thought I would have a tomboy for a daughter. I was a tomboy and didn't care about all the girly things in life. Why would Olivia care about them? She spent most of her days with her three rough and tumble boy cousins and wasn't really exposed to girly girl things at home or elsewhere. All her friends are mainly boys as well. I have learned (and accepted) that some of the girly girl traits are just naturally born in girls.

She was given a tutu from Nana and loves to wear it and dance around. Her favorite movie is Cinderella and now she wants to wear Cinderella pull-ups all the time. A few aunts have influenced her in the make-up department too. She now loves to wear lipstick, (mommy doesn't own any so she has to settle for lip gloss) and she loves to have her fingernails and toenails painted. She gets in my jewelry box all the time to put on jewelry and wants to wear earrings now. She also has a few dolls given to her as gifts in the past. They were just buried in the basket, but she found them on her own and quickly knew how to mother them. She still has some tomboy traits in her, but I am afraid we have a little princess on our hands.

She has a few friends that are boys that are into the fufu stuff that I blame for influencing all of this on her. As you will see her good friend Zsolt loves to wear her tutu also.

The count down to Olivia's 2nd birthday is on. She is so excited and is telling everyone she is going to be "two." Well, sometimes. She often confuses it with Halloween rapidly approaching and says "frog" instead, which is what she is going to be for Halloween. She looks so adorable in her frog costume and hops around and says "Ribbit, ribbit."

Thankfully, Olivia is healthy again. We battled the flu, fevers, colds, and we believe croup for about 2 weeks. We even popped into the ER in Alpena when we were up for Uncle Patrick's surprise 60th birthday party. She was a trooper through it all, and nothing too serious came out of it. She was thrilled to get stickers from the ER nurses and put them on her face which you can see in the picture of her worn out lying in bed. She had a great time up there and loved seeing all the aunts and uncles. She went swimming with daddy in the pool every chance she got, which was great to help get her fever down. We even checked out some hunting properties in Presque Isle while up there. Who knows, maybe we'll buy some property? Here's a picture of the Mighty Doyle Clan all together (Uncle Steve was unable to attend).