Jeremiah, Olivia, and I went to see the "Winnie the Pooh" movie last night. We thought Olivia might be a little young to sit through the movie, but we wanted to try. The movie was only about an hour long and she loved it. It was fun to watch her face light up as she watched the movie and saw the characters she loves to read about. We decided to get her some popcorn because it was her first movie. Olivia kept her hands in the popcorn the entire movie. It was sweet to watch her because she only took out one piece at a time.
When the credits started rolling, I put Olivia down on the floor. She looked at me (with a quivering lip) and said, "More...I watch more Winnie the Pooh." I told her that it was over, but we'd watch it again. The entire way home she was sad. When we talked about the movie (or asked her questions about it), she started to tear up! We got home, put her pj's on, and then started to put her to bed. Olivia lost it and starting hysterically crying. I hugged her and told her to use her words. All of the sudden she blurted out, "Want more." I said, "What do you more of?" Between her cries she blurted out, "I want more popcorn." Oh my gosh...we were trying so hard not to laugh. After Jeremiah explained that we could have popcorn another day, she stopped crying and went right to sleep.
We thought she was sad because the movie was over, but she was actually upset because we threw the remaining popcorn away.
Many of Olivia's little friends have started the potty training process. I decided that I would start trying to potty train her after we got back from Hilton Head. The night we got back we got out the potty and made a huge deal about it. She sat on it one time and then decided she didn't want anything to do with it (and this lasted for about a week). Then we went out to lunch with Ava and Nicci and Olivia watched Ava go potty on the big potty. Olivia decided that she wanted to sit on it too. For the last week, Olivia has sat on the potty but hasn't gone to the bathroom. Of course we've been praising her like crazy for just sitting on it. We got a huge jar of M&M's and told her she would get three every time she went potty. She wanted the candy, but didn't care enough to go potty. On Monday, Jeremiah and I were in Target with Olivia. She saw a Cinderella barbie doll and wanted it. We told her we would give it to her if she went pee pee on the potty. Olivia was thrilled. When we got home she held the doll, sat on the potty, and then within one minute she went to the bathroom. We started clapping and dancing and she said, "Cinderella doll!" Now I always thought it was silly when people gave their children rewards for going potty. I thought that it was just a natural thing and that I wouldn't need to reward my children for going potty. I was wrong...the Cinderella doll was a great motivation for her. So after Monday I thought she would go potty on the potty chair...but again, I was wrong. She has sat on the potty numerous times and has never gone again. We still tell her we'll give her M&M's, we bought her this cheap toy microphone (like Grace has), and my mom even bought her big girl underwear for a reward. Olivia was excited about the underwear, but she still won't go potty.
Yesterday, I decided that I was going to take her potty multiple times during the day but I would also leave her diaper off. I thought that she would tell me when she needed to go potty (after we talked about how to tell me if she needed to go). She went from 8:30a.m.-10:00a.m. without going to the bathroom. I took her at least three times during that time and she didn't go. About 10:00a.m., she looked at me and said, "Uh oh..I go pee pee on the floor." She had gone on the floor and on her blanket. I know every child has accidents, but I don't know if Olivia is ready for potty training. I'm going to keep trying to get her to go, but I'm not going to push it. She's going to go when she is ready. I just hope it's before she starts first grade-ha.:)
Yesterday, I decided that I was going to take her potty multiple times during the day but I would also leave her diaper off. I thought that she would tell me when she needed to go potty (after we talked about how to tell me if she needed to go). She went from 8:30a.m.-10:00a.m. without going to the bathroom. I took her at least three times during that time and she didn't go. About 10:00a.m., she looked at me and said, "Uh oh..I go pee pee on the floor." She had gone on the floor and on her blanket. I know every child has accidents, but I don't know if Olivia is ready for potty training. I'm going to keep trying to get her to go, but I'm not going to push it. She's going to go when she is ready. I just hope it's before she starts first grade-ha.:)
My parents are taking us to Hilton Head to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary. Isn't it nice that they are taking us, when it's their anniversary!?:) I can not wait to spend an entire week at the ocean with my family. Olivia and I went to Target today to get a few items for our trip. She had me cracking up the entire time we were in the store. Here are a few things that I heard her say while we were in the dressing room-I was trying on clothes and she said, "Mommy, that cute." I asked her if she liked my outfit and she said, "Yah...that cute."
Olivia was looking at me and said, "Mommy, I so wonderful." Later on she said, "I so cute." I guess she doesn't hear us compliment her enough at home-ha!
As we were walking through the clothing racks she said, "Mommy, I want boy look at me." Then she started saying, "Boy..look at me!"
When I was looking at shampoo she said, "Are you happy?" I told her I was very happy. Then a few minutes later she said, "Mommy..are you so sad?" I told her I was happy, not sad.
Then we started walking down the food section and she was belting out the song, "Jesus Loves Me" as loud as she could. The rest of our Target experience consisted of Olivia singing a few different songs, shouting "Hi peoples!" to everyone we saw, and talking about everything she wanted ("I want take that to beach" and "Oh my gosh, Mommy..I take that beach.").
She was an absolute doll and I enjoyed being with her. She sat in her cart for at least an hour when she said, "My booty is so hot." I started laughing and asked her what she just said. She repeated it again. I don't know where that came from!
I hope the people in Target thought she cute and not annoying. But...I'll never get enough of this little girl of mine. :)
Olivia was looking at me and said, "Mommy, I so wonderful." Later on she said, "I so cute." I guess she doesn't hear us compliment her enough at home-ha!
As we were walking through the clothing racks she said, "Mommy, I want boy look at me." Then she started saying, "Boy..look at me!"
When I was looking at shampoo she said, "Are you happy?" I told her I was very happy. Then a few minutes later she said, "Mommy..are you so sad?" I told her I was happy, not sad.
Then we started walking down the food section and she was belting out the song, "Jesus Loves Me" as loud as she could. The rest of our Target experience consisted of Olivia singing a few different songs, shouting "Hi peoples!" to everyone we saw, and talking about everything she wanted ("I want take that to beach" and "Oh my gosh, Mommy..I take that beach.").
She was an absolute doll and I enjoyed being with her. She sat in her cart for at least an hour when she said, "My booty is so hot." I started laughing and asked her what she just said. She repeated it again. I don't know where that came from!
I hope the people in Target thought she cute and not annoying. But...I'll never get enough of this little girl of mine. :)
Hey! Jeremiah and I have created a new blog just about our adoption journey. I'll still post on this site about Olivia and other family things. If you want to follow our adoption journey, please go to this site:
www.ourjourneytofour.com
*If this site is down, please go to www.ourjourney2four.blogspot.com.
Thanks!
Kortny
www.ourjourneytofour.com
*If this site is down, please go to www.ourjourney2four.blogspot.com.
Thanks!
Kortny
I really enjoy being home with Olivia. We had the most delightful day together today! We went to the park and then had to run many errands. I took her to lunch and we had such a great time. Olivia heard music playing in the restaurant and she started dancing. My girl loves to dance. It's hilarious. I think she has better dance moves than I do!
It's one of those days that I just tear up looking at my girl because I know that God has greatly blessed me. I know that Olivia isn't perfect, but she is perfect for me. As I drove home today, I was thinking about my number one responsibility as a mom. My first responsibility is to help her know God and the great love He has for her. Of course I want Olivia to be a great person. Of course I want to teach her to be respectful and care about other people. Of course I want to teach her the importance of contributing to her community and serving others. However, the most important thing for me is to teach her about Jesus and hope that she accepts Him into her heart. It's crazy for me to think that I love Olivia so much, but God loves her more than I do. I'm thankful that I go to Quest and the people will help me teach Olivia about Jesus and the love He has for her. But..at the end of the day, it's my job to teach her about accepting Christ in her life. This feels like such a big responsibility, so I know that I need to start teaching her about His love now.
It's one of those days that I just tear up looking at my girl because I know that God has greatly blessed me. I know that Olivia isn't perfect, but she is perfect for me. As I drove home today, I was thinking about my number one responsibility as a mom. My first responsibility is to help her know God and the great love He has for her. Of course I want Olivia to be a great person. Of course I want to teach her to be respectful and care about other people. Of course I want to teach her the importance of contributing to her community and serving others. However, the most important thing for me is to teach her about Jesus and hope that she accepts Him into her heart. It's crazy for me to think that I love Olivia so much, but God loves her more than I do. I'm thankful that I go to Quest and the people will help me teach Olivia about Jesus and the love He has for her. But..at the end of the day, it's my job to teach her about accepting Christ in her life. This feels like such a big responsibility, so I know that I need to start teaching her about His love now.
Olivia was the flower girl in my cousin Jake's wedding. Jeremiah and I were a little nervous about how she would act because well..she's 2! She did a great job at the rehearsal (maybe it was because I told her I would give her ice cream if she went down the aisle-ha!). There was a mix-up with what time Olivia needed to be at the church for pictures so she ended up not getting a nap on the actual wedding day. Since she didn't take a nap, she was very crabby for the wedding pictures. Olivia would not take pictures with the bridal party. I was embarrassed, but then I realized that I can't expect perfection from a 2 year old.:) I tried to think of everything I could to get Olivia to take a picture with the bride. So, I had to bribe her again..this time with a cookie. If you know me, you know that I am usually very consistent and I don't give in to her. However, I really wanted her to take a picture with the bride. Finally, she took two pictures with the bride and then shouted, "Cookie!!!!!" Oh gosh..I felt like such a bad mom.:) The wedding took place a few hours later and Olivia did a fabulous job. She literally ran down the aisle to my dad and me. We only have video of her running to us, but my parents took some pictures. I'll have to post them later. It was wonderful getting together with my cousins and extended family members. We don't get together enough! Olivia was a doll at the wedding and she even stayed up until we got home at 11:00 (again..I felt like a bad mom for letting her stay up late!). Overall, the day was great. I'm thankful for the time we got to spend with family.
Snuggling with Daddy at the hotel
My family
I need to add a few things about Olivia: She is such a delight to be around and she's started saying hilarious things. My dad said, "Oh my gosh" the other day and now she says it too. The other day Jeremiah brought out a toy baby bottle that she hadn't seen in a few months and she said, "Oh my..gosh Daddy!" Today we were at the store and I asked Olivia if she wanted oranges and she said, "Oh my gosh....oh my gosh...yes, mommy!" It's adorable how she responds with "Oh my gosh" when she's excited. I just love being home with her and hearing her talk all the time. She has grown up so much in just the last week. Here are a few other phrases I've heard her say this week-"Mommy, follow me. I'm going home to see my Daddy at home," "Mommy, my baby is so hot(she was in the sun)," "I dialing for pizza," "Ba-Pa go work to see peoples," and "Mommy, let's run really fast." She runs through the house saying things like, "Mommy..what you doing?" and "Mommy..what is that?" The other day she asked me, "Why is that blue?" She has said many other adorable things, but these are just a few of the phrases I want to write down for myself. I know you probably aren't interested in what she is saying, but I plan to print this out for her someday and I want her to read about what she was doing at this age.
Snuggling with Daddy at the hotel
My family
I need to add a few things about Olivia: She is such a delight to be around and she's started saying hilarious things. My dad said, "Oh my gosh" the other day and now she says it too. The other day Jeremiah brought out a toy baby bottle that she hadn't seen in a few months and she said, "Oh my..gosh Daddy!" Today we were at the store and I asked Olivia if she wanted oranges and she said, "Oh my gosh....oh my gosh...yes, mommy!" It's adorable how she responds with "Oh my gosh" when she's excited. I just love being home with her and hearing her talk all the time. She has grown up so much in just the last week. Here are a few other phrases I've heard her say this week-"Mommy, follow me. I'm going home to see my Daddy at home," "Mommy, my baby is so hot(she was in the sun)," "I dialing for pizza," "Ba-Pa go work to see peoples," and "Mommy, let's run really fast." She runs through the house saying things like, "Mommy..what you doing?" and "Mommy..what is that?" The other day she asked me, "Why is that blue?" She has said many other adorable things, but these are just a few of the phrases I want to write down for myself. I know you probably aren't interested in what she is saying, but I plan to print this out for her someday and I want her to read about what she was doing at this age.
Today was my last day of school. I was jumping around our house this morning before I left. Olivia was looking at me like I was crazy (I can't imagine why..ha!). I was shouting, "Last day of school! Last day of school!" Then I started telling Olivia that we were going to be together all summer. I know she has no idea what it means but she got a huge smile on her face. She knows that we are going to be together and that's all that matters to me! That past few weeks have been stressful for me. I've been getting to work early and working until late at night on school stuff. I'm so glad it's summer! Summer means time to spend with my hubby and Livi. I'm so thankful that I am a teacher and I get the summer off.
Even though I'm happy that it's summer, I'm sad that my students won't be "my students" anymore. I developed strong relationships with this class and I am so sad to promote them to 4th grade. They were an awesome group of kids. Sure, I had some challenging kids, but I loved them. Isn't it funny that the kids who cause us the most stress, energy, and time end up being some of our favorite students? I am really going to miss these kids. I had amazing parent support this year too. Over the past few weeks I've had multiple parents e-mail me or send me cards of encouragement. Today I had a parent crying when she was saying goodbye to me. She was crying because I've had two of her daughters and she appreciated me as a teacher. I don't tell you that to brag, but just to show you how wonderful the parents have been this year. These parents have just reassured me that God wants me to be a teacher. Even though it's hard leaving Olivia, I'm making a difference in the lives of children. What a way to end the year!
*Olivia was the flower girl in my cousin's wedding this weekend. I'll have to post pictures soon. She was hilarious as she RAN down to my dad and then dumped her flower petals out on the floor. Priceless-I love her so much!:)
Even though I'm happy that it's summer, I'm sad that my students won't be "my students" anymore. I developed strong relationships with this class and I am so sad to promote them to 4th grade. They were an awesome group of kids. Sure, I had some challenging kids, but I loved them. Isn't it funny that the kids who cause us the most stress, energy, and time end up being some of our favorite students? I am really going to miss these kids. I had amazing parent support this year too. Over the past few weeks I've had multiple parents e-mail me or send me cards of encouragement. Today I had a parent crying when she was saying goodbye to me. She was crying because I've had two of her daughters and she appreciated me as a teacher. I don't tell you that to brag, but just to show you how wonderful the parents have been this year. These parents have just reassured me that God wants me to be a teacher. Even though it's hard leaving Olivia, I'm making a difference in the lives of children. What a way to end the year!
*Olivia was the flower girl in my cousin's wedding this weekend. I'll have to post pictures soon. She was hilarious as she RAN down to my dad and then dumped her flower petals out on the floor. Priceless-I love her so much!:)
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