Today my sweet girl is 14 months old. My heart still skips a beat when I think of how I held her in my arms as a teeny little nugget 14 [short] months ago. Time has come and gone and memories seem to be made by the minute these days. With all of her exploring, moving, talking and walking...there is just no slowing that little lady down!
I was blessed to spend all of last Sunday with my own Mama -- antiquing, out to lunch & window shopping at our favorite stores. We enjoyed the most incredible meal at a new local "kitchen & press," which specializes in healthy fast-casual food and caters to a wide variety of diets [including gf/df/paleo/etc.]. Alongside her meal, my mom ordered a yogurt parfait which we shared -- greek yogurt with lemon raspberry preserves & quinoa chia granola. Every bite brought me back to one of my fondest memories: eating fruit+yogurt parfaits in the hospital the day Olivia was born. I didn't have an appetite for a full meal, but I was hooked on their parfaits. I probably ate half a dozen in the 48 hours we were there -- both before Olivia was born & afterward, as she slept so peacefully in the bassinet next to my bed just hours old. All of this to say, yogurt parfaits are near and dear to my heart, and I will always cherish my memories of those first few days as a Mama.
Olivia has also given me one of my favorite gifts lately...falling asleep curled up on my chest, with arms wrapped around me and a slow, steady breath in and out as she reminds me why I'm alive. She used to sleep on me all the time after feedings as a newborn and then as she got older, it naturally happened less and less frequently. Every once in awhile, though, she will find her same place on me and snuggle in as if we'll be sitting there forever. Those minutes, those hours...they are truly some of the best of my life.
14 Months || Wednesday, July 23, 2021
sleep + eat
Olivia is still eating, sleeping & growing like a champ! She averages 12-14 hours of sleep per night and takes one 2-3 hour nap in the afternoon. She has been growing a lot taller and slimmer lately and learning so much and her sleep patterns definitely reflect her need for extra rest.
She has had 6 teeth [4 top // 2 bottom] for quite awhile now, but we suspect her first molars are making their way in slowly but surely.
Her favorite foods are avocado, scrambled eggs, blueberries & chicken+cheese roll-ups. She loves to drink water, and drinks on command when I say "Take a sip please," even when I don't point to her sippy cup. She knows what that means and loves her water!
routine
In the mornings, she wakes up between 8:30 and 10am and I bring her a "pre-breakfast" snack, usually just a tiny bowl of fruit and a big sippy of water. She sits, snacks, and reads books while I shower, and then we head downstairs to make [and eat!] breakfast together.
After breakfast is playtime and then a bath. We usually spend our mornings and early afternoons out and about together -- whether at the park, shopping, or getting errands done.
Then it's lunch & a nap. After her nap, usually a long walk or time outside in the backyard. She loves to be outdoors more than ever before! She just lights up when she is outside. Then it's more playtime, dinner, books, and bed, between 8:30 and 10pm.
milestones
This past month, Olivia accomplished so many things! It amazes me how aware she is of her surroundings and how she responds to what Dustin and I say and do. She totally understands us, and it is so great! She loves to talk and it's been so much fun to try to figure out what she is saying.
Olivia learned how to...
» Walk independently [she has been furniture walking since 10 months but finally threw caution to the wind to take her first steps all by herself!]
» Feed herself with a fork || Olivia loves to eat and has started to feed herself using a fork. As if she could get any cuter...using utensils independently took it up a notch.
» Purposefully respond to commands, like "Sit down please," "Stand up please," and "Take a sip please."
The biggest change from last month is how much Olivia asserts her independence. With dressing, feeding, and even playing -- she is working so hard to be independent, which I think has a lot to do with her learning to walk. She now knows she can go places on her own, much quicker than by crawling. She likes to feed herself and sometimes refuses food if she isn't able to. It's been great seeing her discover who she is and what she is capable of on her own.
our favorite memories
Over this past month, we made so many memories with Olivia and as a family of 3. One of my favorites was celebrating her 2nd 4th of July together. It will be a lot of fun when she is old enough to see fireworks, because I've always loved going to them. We spend a lot of our free time outside, at the park, or in our backyard, and it fills my heart to see her so happy outdoors. Anytime she is wearing a bonnet, that automatically qualifies as a favorite memory of mine.
She also loves flowers and we often go to Trader Joe's to choose her favorites. I hold up one bouquet at a time and let her decide which we should get. She loves to smell them, softly touch the petals, and giggle when they are the perfect bunch! Be still my heart.
Finally, my favorite memory was just last week, when I went to brush my teeth before heading out the door. I set Olivia on the bathroom counter right next to me. I began brushing and she reached for her toothbrush, got it wet [I had water running] and started brushing her teeth alongside me. It was one of those mama-daughter moments that seriously made my heart melt. Not only was she so aware of what she was doing, but she wanted to do it with me. I'll never look at a toothbrush the same way again.
|| 14-month book: iggy peck, architect ||
monthly letter
Olivia,
You are so lovely. The silly things you do make me laugh every day and I still can't believe I am blessed to stay at home with you and be your Mama. The memories we make together are ones I will always cherish, and seeing you smile is one of the best feelings in the world. You are growing and accomplishing so much, but you'll always be my baby girl. You are so loved by so many. Happy 14 months, Via!
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