Give me that camera!

Here is the reason I haven't been taking as many new pictures of Alivia... Every time she sees me with the camera she reaches for it and cries, cries, cries unless she can hold it!

Who are you?

Yesterday a package from Amazon arrived at my door for Alivia Bell. Inside was a Mozart Music Cube and a great recipe book for feeding toddlers and baby. What wasn't inside was any kind of invoice or card, so we have no idea who this great gift came from.
Whoever you are you know of Alivias love of music and my love of cooking and reading recipe books (which I did for a good part of Alivias nap upon arrival) So if by chance you are one of the three people who read this blog, then please kind gift giver let us know... we want to THANK YOU!

Christmas 09

Alivia made out like a bandit for Christmas!

You are very loved little one and oh so spoiled!

A birthday and Christmas a week apart makes for Toys-R-US in my front room.

Seriously Come play!

Alivia's First Birthday!

Alivia had so much fun on her first birthday she loves a crowd and she especially loved a crowd that was giving her all their attention.

She was not much interested in a free for all of cake. Just a dainty finger dip and lick.

Lots of Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and Cousins = LOTS and LOTS of gifts!

LOTS of CAKE!

Thank you Everyone and Happy first Birthday Livvy Lou!

Almost One

Alivia turns one on the 19th (I Can't believe it) I had my oh so talented sister in law capture these photos of my one year old and once again she did a beautiful job! You can link to her blog www.melaniericephotography.blogspot.com to see many more from this day.

 

 

 

 

Head banging... not a disorder

The other night I found Alivia sitting with her back against the wall, banging her head against it. I worried something might be wrong with her and quickly referenced my "what to expect the first year" book. When I looked up headbanging in the index I became more worried that there was actually a section on head banging. The title was actually "Head Banging' Rocking, and Rolling" I came to find out that Alivia might be trying to create rhythm. (a rocking or rolling infant may be trying to rock themselves or cope with teething pain but the "head banging" is a need to groove!) This made sense seeing that she grooves out to any beat she hears (IE. the washing machine, me beating eggs, windshield wipers etc.) I was relieved to read that head banging is not associated with neurological or psychological disorders. Some suggestions to help a baby give up this habit (aka problem!) were to sing to baby (already doing this) dance to music with baby (doing this) and to supply them with some musical toy instruments or pots and spoons. When I relayed what I had read to Sam that night he came home with an array of new instruments for Aliva to BANG!

She could not have been more excited to get her hands on her drum sticks... no problems with banging heads against walls since!

Play on little one play on!

"Bee" utiful Bumble Bee

Alivia the Bumble Bee

"Bee" cause you are sweet as honey and busy as a bee and...

for all the things you may "Bee" come!

Alivia may you-

"Bee" Happy

"Bee" Loving

"Bee" Honest

"Bee" Gracious

"Bee" Kind

"Bee" a Doctor
(or whatever you want to "Bee"!)