Bath Time

Bath night at the Tammaro's...

Liv was first up.

 Fresh from the bath and looking adorable!

Ben found some clearance bath toys I'd picked up at Target after Christmas so I told him he could open one. He went with the Toy Story Shaving Kit. (Gammy recently bought him the Toy Story 2 DVD, so he is all about it these days.)

Mike showed Ben the ropes.

While the boys bonded, I got Livvie ready for bed. Nothing better than a baby straight from the bath!

She's really big on eating her hands/arms these days. They are constantly covered in drool.

Which means she is usually in need of another bath 10 minutes after it ends, what with the drool, spit up, poop, and greasy, crazy hair. Oh Livvie Lu!

Another Last Trip to Portillos

Before Mom headed back to Texas, she requested one last trip to Portillo's. It's kind of a tradition.

Ben went with his usual spaghetti and meatball kid's meal. And ate it in his usual fashion.

Mike went with his usual double cheeseburger. And ate it with his usual speed.

In a surprising turn of events, Mom strayed from her beloved wet beef and went with something completely new. Fettuccine Carbonara, I believe. She gave it a thumbs up.

She put the chicken and some pasta on a plate for Mike, just in case...

It didn't take long before he was digging in.

I don't have a usual at Portillo's, but this night I went with a chicken ceasar salad. With a side of cheese fries. (Darn you Jenn for getting me hooked on these!)

It is hard to make out in these awesome (as usual) shots Mike got, but I got my hair cut the day before. It is now just at my shoulders. (I'm all about anything that shortens the time it takes me to get ready these days.)

Mom looking anything but pleased with my shenanigans. Though I do not recall what I was doing or saying.

Mike eating stolen food from Ben. He stole from all of us; mom's pasta, my cheese fries, Ben's spaghetti. If Liv had had a bottle, he'd probably have downed that too.

But she slept through it. Baby feet! So cute.

Gammy's Park

Mom was driving around checking out neighborhoods, as mom is apt to do, when she spotted a cute little park right off downtown Lisle. The next morning we decided to take the kids (all 3 - Ben, Olivia, and Dee; 4 if you count Mike) and check it out. It did not disappoint.

Lots of climbing for this little guy.

No park is complete without slides.

Meanwhile Gammy kept Olivia out of the sun and happy.

The park also had a splash park that started up while we were there. Only mommy failed to bring a swimsuit for Ben. I did have a spare pair of undies/jeans in case of an accident, so I told him to take off his shirt and go ahead. I thought he'd love it, but he was self-conscious of being the only kid without a shirt on. It really surprised me, but I didn't want to traumatize the poor kid, so I put his shirt back on him but he still preferred just to watch the action.

Meanwhile Dee spotted a squirrel and gave Gammy a run for her money!

Olivia spent a good part of the park visit trying to kick the sun blocker by her feet. Check out that determined little face.

After the park, we checked out downtown Lisle and popped into this little sweets shop for milkshakes. Delicious!

Ben now refers to this park as "Gammy's park." We'll have to visit again soon -- with a bathing suit for Ben next time.

Girls' Day Out

Mom arrived a week before my maternity leave ended so that us three girls could hang out a bit before I returned to work. On one of those days, we headed off to Ikea, just us girls. Because Ikea is not much fun with a man along, and even less fun with Ben in toe.

But Olivia was a trooper, which gives me hope that one day she will love shopping and we can have many mommy/daughter shopping dates.

But before we could get down to the business of shopping, we had to get down to the business of eating. She decided she was hungry as soon as we arrived. 45 minutes later she was fed, changed and finally ready to shop.

After Ikea, we grabbed lunch at Panera Bread...where mom discovered that Olivia was not strapped into her car seat. I felt so BAD! After changing her at Ikea, I put her in the car seat and we decided I didn't need to strap her in. But then we put a blanket over her and I completely forgot that she was not strapped in during the bustle to load up the car. Ben is 3 yrs 4 months and I have never once EVER forgotten to buckle him in. Poor Olivia was only 11 weeks old when I did it to her. Sorry Livvie. Mommy loves you.

Thank goodness Gammy was driving that day and is a safe driver. Olivia made it to Panera Bread unscathed, and you can bet I double-check that car seat every time now.

Happy 3 Months, Livvie Lu!

Olivia is 3 months old today. It is flying by, yet it is hard to remember life without this little sweetie.

A few facts about Liv, just so I can look back one day and remember the details: She is drinking about 4 - 5 oz of formula at a sitting; she is a good sleeper and sleeps about 9 - 6 but is a TERRIBLE napper. We call her "kitty cat" because she just likes to catch a few cat naps each day but very rarely sleeps more than 30 minutes at a time, usually less. She seems to know when that clock hits 9 at night and will not fall completely asleep before then. She loves to watch TV and to sit in her bouncer seat. She loves to coo and talk to her mobile on her swing. We just transitioned her into 3 - 6 month clothes and moved her from a pack n play in our room to a crib in her own room. She transitioned with no fuss at all. She is quick to smile and doesn't fuss or cry too much, but when she is hungry you will know it! She goes from 0 to 60 in 10 seconds flat.

I am trying to soak up all the cuddles that come with a newborn. If Liv wakes up for a bottle before 6 a.m., I like to bring her into bed with me because she will almost always want to go right back to sleep. Yesterday she fell into a deep sleep, so when it was time to get up for work, I left her on our bed and checked on her periodically. 

I caught her smiling in her sleep here. So sweet!

She was still out like a light when I left for work at 7:30, so Gammy hung out in our room keeping an eye on her and waiting for her to rise and shine. It was 8:50 when this one finally opened her eyes.

Big yawn!

And here are a few pics of her today, at 3 months exactly. I'm sorry to say the hair is only getting worse...

But her smile only gets better.

Gammy giving kisses to her little love bug.

We love you Livvie Lu!

Olivia's Guys

The other day mom took these pictures of Olivia "talking to her guys." Which basically means Liv was staring and cooing at the mobile on her swing. She loves those sheep!

Photo bomb.