On the way to Grandma's house...

(Friday, March 6th)
Some fun pictures:

A ride with Momma and Daddy to spend the day with Grandma Mendoza. They were both working dayside so they could go see the Spurs. Livy spent the day with Grandma and then Mommy took her to Aunt Holly's house for the evening while Mommy and Daddy went to see the Spurs.

Ms. Independent

I've heard rumors that Grandma Mendoza was working with Olivia to teach her how to standup in the crib - holding onto the railing. It's not a myth - it's fact! Check her out. Little Mama here had a blast - holding on and checking out the world outside the crib. She took such joy in it.



And yes, the pacifier is too big for her. But it was so cute to see.

Mommy and Daddy's Getaway

Our one year anniversary came and went with just a night out for dinner - because our dream girl was only a month old. She's 6 months old now, so we ventured a bit further away and treat it as an overdue anniversary trip.

Of course we took pictures of her sleeping, eating, doing everything and took those pictures with us on a trip to... VEGAS, baby!



We headed there Feb. 17-19th. We left at about 6:55 am on Tuesday morning and she got up to greet us before we left her. Grandpa Harrell chauffered us to the airport while she played with Mamaw Micki.

We stayed at the Encore at Wynn in Vegas - the 2nd tower at Wynn. It was GORGEOUS!







The Joint Task Force of Grandparents took care of our little Livy during those days. I don't know how they did it - but they did. And we owe them!

We hear all went well Tuesday and Wednesday was manageable. Thursday, she just fell apart, apparently. She couldn't be consoled until we walked through the door at about 8:30pm. She sure lit up when she saw us. It was beautiful!

Important to note: I lost most of my money. Eddie won about as much as I lost. I still feel like a winner.

Cousin Hailey's First Birthday Party

On Feb 15th, we headed to her cousin Hailey's first birthday party. We had so much fun!

She wore a party hat and never complained about that.


Then, she got to ride in a car -- which she felt necessary to eat the steering wheel...
And then hit her first pinata. Well, okay, we held the stick for her.


What a ham!

Misc Goings On...

New Year's Eve - We hung out with Mamaw Micki and Grandpa Harrell, Big Momma, Michael Holly and kiddos, and Uncle Layne. They gave her a bib that said she could make it past midnight.





And she did! We headed to her great-grandmother Sanchez's home to finish off the evening. She rang in the new year there.



Jasmine came and hung out with Olivia and I - and she was so good with the baby. (of course stating that she was no longer a baby herself)
She read to Olivia, and changed 2 diapers.


This is our little drama queen after a bath. She's such a ham and a camera hog!

The Big, Cold Race

November 16, 2008:

It was Olivia's introduction to a lot of things... The cold, weird people running in tiny shorts in that cold, and the News 4 cheering section.



We headed to the station to support our co-workers - my new heroes - who ran the Rock N Roll Marathon. It was amazing to see.

Lunch at Jim's

Early November 2008:
Olivia and her Mommy were enjoying spending time with Mamaw Micki and Grandpa Harrell before Mommy had to go back to work from maternity leave.

It was a nice lunch at Jim's...Olivia's favorite restaurant. She was her normal happy self... and Loves Grandpa's yellow hat.













Because it's Olivia's favorite restaurant - we go often. The 2nd group of pictures is with her Daddy on a Saturday at Jim's.

I know it's in poor taste...butt... I mean but...

Early November 2008:
I know in poor taste... butt, I mean, but, I had to share! Grandma Rosemary was changing Olivia in her bassinet.

She quietly called me over and said she swears she's not the kind of person who buys into the whole Jesus in the tortilla thing....but...

I looked at what she was seeing. Olivia had dirtied her diaper, and the way the diaper was folded, then unfolded made what you see in the picture. Holy Crap! (Pun intended)

Love,
Olivia's Mommy

Long Overdue Update: Halloween Pictures

Well, we've taken pictures like dutiful and doting parents, but we've failed to share them. Not dutiful enough. (Sorry, Livy)

Olivia spent her first Halloween (2 months old) with her grandparents...All of them! yeah! We all handed out candy at Grandma and Grandpa Mendoza's house - including Mamaw and Grandpa Johnston, Big Mama and Michael, Holly and the Kids. Eddie had to work (frown) but came during his break so we could take her trick-or-treating for the first time. You know...because babies really need candy (Smile)

More Pictures From The Holidays

Here's the family picture from Grandma and Grandpa Mendoza's house on Christmas Eve. Olivia received 6 presents from Santa and the Mendoza's. Hers had angels on the wrapping paper while Rylan's had Santa.

She looked gorgeous in her little red dress, until she puked milk down the front of it. Ahhhh....


We later went to Steve and Alice Mendoza's house -- where she was given a little Olivia the Pig stuff animal. She leaned towards it and smiled.

Joining the Mom Squad

Olivia and I have started a blog at work along with a tiny group of moms -- called the Mom Squad.

Check out our posts and leave your comments!

Bird Poop on a Baby: Good luck or just good aim?

Protect Yourself From Projectile Poop!

4 Months & Already a Mover and Shaker

Olivia is a busy girl. She's always wiggling, moving, standing up (with help balancing) and talking. By talking, I mean humming, squealing with delight, and cooing.

Check out some fun early morning video with her...

Olivia's First Christmas

Olivia...well, she just became spoiled. She has more teethers, toys and clothes than she can shake a stick at. She really turned it on for Christmas...flashing those gorgeous eyes and melting everyone's heart.

We spent Christmas Eve at the Mendoza's for a wonderful spaghetti dinner. Ricky and Lynnette brought Rylan down the street for his first visit to Grandma and Grandpa's house. Uncle Christopher was there to walk his "precious" neice anywhere she wanted to go.

Grandma, Grandpa and Santa hooked little Olivia up! She got toys and books.
Her godmother, Allison, sent the most adorable head band and tu-tu. She looks precious!

She was worn out by the time Mama and Dada swept her away to the casa to sleep before Santa could show up.

8:15 a.m. Christmas morning -- Mama and Dada anxiously await baby girl opening her eyes. By 8:45 she was up and we opened our gifts to each other. Her daddy got her a cool walker/play station, some adorable clothes (including a little blue jean dress that's sooo cute), and a playpen. Mama got her some new binkies and a bathtub splash fun kit.

By 9am, Uncle Jim and Aunt Julie showed up for breakfast. Followed soon by Mamaw and Papaw Johnston.

Uncle Michael and the gang were there by 11am...and the fun was in full swing.
A really memorable moment -- when cousin Jasmine opened one gift -- she said, 'Oh, Thank God!" Out of the mouths of babes.

We ate, laughed and loved.

Around 4:30, Mama and Daddy scooped up Baby girl for the next locale...Uncle Steve and Aunt Alice's house...for the big Mendoza get-together. Olivia REALLY turned up the cute-ometer at the party. Everytime someone complimented her...she smiled a HUGE grin at them. Flashed her eyes, batted her eyelashes. She had a really good time -- but conked out by the time we needed to leave.

Her uncles, aunts and cousins got her so many gifts - and they were all personal and wonderful. Even Grandma Mendoza brought over gifts from the Sanchez family. Oh my goodness!

Baby girl had a WONDERFUL first Christmas -- and thank you for everyone who took part! We love you!

2008 Is Great - So Many Changes!!!

Eddie and Mandi - we were married on September 29th, 2007 and learned we were pregnant about 1 1/2 month later. We welcomed our daughter, Olivia Jess Mendoza, on August 22nd at 10:10 p.m..

It's a whole new world and we've never felt so blessed or so much love!