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Monday, June 13, 2011

love this girl!

As we count down the final days before Baby #2 arrives, I find myself full of many emotions. Fear...of how everything will unfold. It has been 4 1/2 years since I have done this and I feel like I am doing everything again for the very first time. Excitement...that we are bringing another little person into our family. I can't wait to see how Olivia will react and bond with her sister. Sadness...that I am going to be giving up having Olivia as my only child. I know this may sound strange, but for over 4 years she has been the center of our world. It is strange to think that I will soon be sharing my love and time between two girls. I have no doubt I can do it, it just brings a tiny bit of sadness to my heart that soon she will no longer be my one and only. But out of everything I have been feeling lately I have realized just how full of love I am for this girl. She has given me the most amazing 4 1/2 years of one-on-one time and I would not change a single second of it.

With the baby's arrival days away it is becoming increasingly harder for me to do the day-to-day tasks I am used to doing. I feel like a huge whale at this point and although I am feeling good, it is safe to say that I am ready for this to be over. My current condition has not stopped us from packing in the activities with Olivia in these final days. Just recently we took a day trip to the Indy Children's Museum. This was Olivia final wish as an activity to do with Mom and Dad before her sister arrives. We made arrangements to meet some friends at the museum so our kids could run around together. Once we arrived we immediately made a bee-line for the Dora and Diego exhibit, which was Olivia's main reason for wanting to go.

She had a blast exploring all of the different stations. I was really surprised by how long she choose to play in this area. Usually she just runs from one thing to the next, not taking time to enjoy or explore. But this time was different. I think we spent about 30 minutes in this area alone. The Dora and Diego exhibit seemed to live up to her expectations and helped to make the trip worth while.

We spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the other areas of the museum. I mainly just sat on a bench and watched her play. Normally she would be begging Todd and I to run around with her but this time she had a little friend to keep her company. I think she enjoyed this trip to the museum more than any other for that reason alone. I was surprised by how quickly the afternoon passed. By late afternoon we realized that it was probably time to head home. It was a fun afternoon at the museum and I am glad we found time to squeeze in one last visit.

Olivia also just ended her 3rd year of school at Peace Montessori. It was another fantastic year and she accomplished so much. We could not be more proud of our little girl or impressed with how much she has grown in the past year. She can read short books all on her own now, do simply math and write many words without help. I give all of the credit to her amazing teachers. This was her second year with Ms. Laura and Olivia just loves her. They work very well together and she has gotten Olivia to progress in so many areas.

She also became very attached to Ms. Julia, who was new to her classroom this year. Unfortunately, Ms. Julia will be moving to another classroom next year. Olivia will miss working with her each day. We have always been blessed with such great teachers, so it is sad to see them move on, or to different classrooms.

Like I said, it was a great school year and the kids all celebrated with a day at the park. They played games, had lunch and just enjoyed spending time with each other before saying goodbye for the summer. Olivia will be attending summer camp at her school for several weeks this summer, and believe it or not she is already excited to go back.

I am pretty sure this is the last blog post I will make before we head to the hospital to have this baby. It is exciting to think that the next time I hop on here it will be to post pictures of our new little bundle of joy! Until that moment arrives I am going to enjoy every second I can with my amazing Olivia. She has taught me how to be a Mom so that I am prepared this second time around. She has showed me just how much love I have inside to share with her and a second child. She means the world to me and I will do everything in my power to give her the same amount of love and attention I have been able to give her during the first 4 1/2 years of her life.

4 comments:

Wormie said...

What a great post! Olivia is amazing, and she will be a fabulous big sister! I understand all your emotions - a lot is changing, but it's all good.

We can't wait to read your future blog posts about your new bundle of joy and her Big Sister Olivia.

Good luck, have an easy birth, and then share tons and tons of photos of the two girls!

Love,
Delia

Anonymous said...

You do have the most amazing little girl and we all can't wait to meet that next amazing one. Good luck with everything and I know your family will just get better and better. We look forward to future blogs about Olivia and baby #2...Love Aunt Sue Sue

Anonymous said...

I understand exactly how you feel. I wasn't sure I wanted to share you when I found out you were having Olivia. I know this new little person will enrich our lives just as much has Olivia has. I can't wait to meet her.
Loves,
Nana

Uncle Larry said...

Hey Jess, Todd and Livie; Sure looks like that Dora and Diego exhibit was a blast. I think the charachters had as much fun as the kids. Are they Hiring?

Have an easy birth my "Whale" of a niece, can't wait for the photos. Also hope the wedding of your uncles daughter (cousin?) is great this weekend. Send photos of both.

Take it slow and easy, you'll soon have more than you can handle...and LOVE IT !

Love, Uncle Larry