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girls weekend!

Andrea & Julia flew in from Texas for a little R&R and to meet Olivia It was so great to have visitors and we had so much fun having girl time. Olivia fit right in and charmed them from the very beginning!

Everyone was all smiles at the Farmer's Market in downtown Charleston.

We took a break from shopping at King Street Grille so we could all cheer on the Boilermakers (who did have another win! yay!).

Mr. Monkey and Olivia sang 'Happy Birthday' to Andrea at brunch!

Mommy & Baby Girl

"OOOOOO"

Looking cute while enjoying some rice cereal.

It was a beautiful day on Sunday and we walked the battery and soaked up the sunshine.

Just the girls while enjoying breakfast at Hominy Grill. yummy!

SURPRISE! We made a stop off at 'Cupcake' to finish up our morning birthday celebration.

walking away...

"It is interesting that you chose the words 'walking away' when really it is a matter of what you are walking towards..."

These are the words that were spoken to me last week that solidified a decision that was months in the making. A decision that was difficult to admit to myself even though I always knew in my heart it was the right one. A decision that feels great even though, at times, it still surprises me to think about.

Andy and I have decided that it is best for me to leave my job and stay home with Olivia for awhile. I turned in my resignation on Monday and will be working my last day on November sixth. This is a decision that I prayed and prayed about because I love my job and leaving it isn't something I could jump into doing. However, Olivia needs me and that is reason enough in itself.

She still will not take a bottle and I must be either with her, near her, or "on call" to feed her whenever she decides it is time. This fact has made the last 2 months at work very challenging. I try to schedule my day around her feeding schedule, but she sometimes needs to eat early, is still sleeping when I arrive to feed her, or her feeding times overlap with meetings or conference calls and have interrupted many of therapy sessions with my patients. Daycare doesn't have a way to soothe her when she gets hungry unexpectedly, so I am constantly getting phone calls with her wailing in the background asking me to come over right away. It breaks my heart each and every time. Olivia can't understand why I am not there. I am her lifeline and she trusts that I will be there when she needs me. That is difficult to maintain on a good day, let alone one where I am in and out meetings, treating and evaluating a full caseload of patients, and managing a busy therapy department. It is just too much right now and my happiness and sanity were quickly deteriorating.

So, for now, I will resist the temptation to feel guilt in "walking away" from my job because the truth is that I am walking towards a place that is so much better. A place that brings me much joy. A place that has just as much purpose and even more reward. A place where there is a smiling girl known affectionately as Baby Girl. Ahhhh, I can hardly wait to get there!

rice cereal...

Sometimes the bib was more interesting than eating!

We took the plunge and Baby Girl tried rice cereal! The first time was a big failure and ended with a meltdown, but I tried again tonight and she loved it! Persistence pays off ;) (except when it comes to the whole bottle issue!) Despite our best efforts, Olivia is growing up on us! tear.

four months...

Baby Girl is four months old already! What a blessing she is in our life! She had her well-baby visit this week and got another clean bill of health. The shots were less traumatic this time around and she didn't show any ill effects from them. Her stats still keep her at the top of the percentile charts, but she is still our little peanut!

16 lbs 12 oz (75th percentile)
27.25 inches (>97th percentile) I am convinced she is going to be tall like her mommy! yay!
Blowing raspberries at the camera while we wait for the doctor! This is her favorite pastime=)

The doctor gave the nudge to begin rice cereal, but we haven't taken that plunge yet. However, when we do, I am sure there will be some fun pictures to share!

Grandma & Grandpa

We spent last weekend in North Carolina at Andy's parents. It was great fun as we had lots of time to visit and were able to bring Vegas home after her 2 1/2 month visit!

Thanks to AG & Debbie for "cat-sitting" for us! Vegas loved her vacation.

life in the Bumbo...

Sorry for the obnoxious number of pictures......I couldn't choose just one ;) Besides, I know that Olivia's grandparent fan club will 'oooh and awww' over each and every one of them!