10 months, really?

I have been a terrible blogger, and have not contributed as much time to my lovely family blog as I should.  SO many wonderful things have happened since December too.  The store is doing quite well for a tiny Vegas mom and pop shop, and we are (hopefully) influencing these kids in a very positive way.  I think we have been successful at promoting the positives of skateboarding, which was our whole intent.  I have felt pretty stifled creatively though.  I haven't been able to focus on anything makeup in quite a while, which is sad!  It has always been my passion, and I can't forget these things even though I am a wife, mom, and store owner/buyer/merchandiser/everything.  Before I met Tim, my whole goal was to pursue real makeup artistry, no more freelancing, and I think I would have been successful.  I know I am still able to pursue it, but in a different light.  SO, I am contributing to a beauty blog (this helps calm the writing bug too,) makeuptalk.com, and starting up the freelance business again.  I am not even charging right now as I have to build an entirely new portfolio.  It will take some work, but if I can secure a bride a month, or photo shoot, I will be fulfilled. 

And of course, there is Olivia.  We are just so blessed with her, such a happy easy baby!  Since December she is eating all kinds of solids, graduated to a much bigger and better car seat instead of the carrier, and started crawling at exactly 9 months!  She is moving right along, and her doctor is very happy with her progress.  She used to be in the 90th percentile (yikes) in weight, and she has been since the day she was born!  A big baby, but typical in moms with gestational diabetes.  She is now in the 80th, which is much better for her.  Crawling has certainly thinned her out, and it has made her a lot happier.  She used to get so frustrated when she couldn't move the way she wanted!  Now she goes everywhere, including straight to the cat water dish and litter box.  She is fascinated with the refrigerator and freezer too.  She still gets to hang out all day long with me at the store, so we save lots of money on babysitting and I don't have to miss anything.  This can sometimes get frustrating though, as I often have lots of work to do with no time to actually do it. Once in awhile Tim's parents will spend the day with her and give us time to work.  At first this was hard for me, but I am now used to it and realize it's sometimes nice to get a break.  Plus, she has Grandpa wrapped around her finger.  He just melts with her, it's so cute.

Throughout all of Olivia's stages, I have been so impressed with the toys available to babies now!  There are some that she can play with everyday and never get bored. Leap Frog's Picnic Basket is the coolest, by far the best and most entertaining.  I am hoping this comes in "boy colors" too, so every baby can love this.  It's just so cute, it sings picnic songs and teaches them to open and close and put things in and take them out.  Always a favorite, Fisher Price's Glow Worm is still amazing, and she has loved it since day one.  I went on eBay to find a classic childhood toy of mine, the Fisher Price Happy Apple.  Very simple, it just has a nice chime inside and is fun to roll around.  She loves this also.  Olivia loves music, and will stop an activity just to dance.  All the musical Leap Frog toys have been awesome for this!  I think for the earlier months, nothing beats the Munchkin Mozart Magic Cube. It's easy for babies to move, has big buttons, and plays amazing classical music.  Every time a button is pushed, an instrument is added in. It's great to hear the full orchestra deconstructed.  At the Vermont Country Store (love this site!) they carry some old-fashioned Fisher Price toys, like the record player.  

 I wouldn't mind buying these for myself!

 

Speaking of toys, when I was growing up my most prized stuffed animal was a beat up Grover. He is still my favorite and I have him even now.  Well, Tim also had a Grover, the same one in fact, and his Mom recently found it.  Now our Grovers can live happily ever after, just like us!  If that isn't a "meant to be" moment, I don't know what is.  Tim and I just celebrated our 2 year anniversary and are still as happy as ever.  Even working side-by-side every day hasn't caused any issues.  There is really no secret to a great relationship, and it comes down to respect.  We hold each other on pedestals, and we'll never forget it.  

Hopefully soon Olivia will start pulling herself up on things, and these two teeth will appear!  They have been causing her issues for months, and are just taking forever to pop through.  Soon she gets to visit with her aunt and uncle, 4 cousins, grandma, and great grandparents!  We can't wait to see everyone too.  Sometimes it's nice to take a quick trip out of Vegas. I recently submitted Olivia's picture to a local baby boutique that was holding a casting contest for their TV commercial. Olivia wasn't chosen, nor was she cast as ANY of the 8 background babies!  All I can say is that when I see this commercial, the babies better be SO CUTE they make my eyes temporarily blind.  How can you not choose this cute face??  :)

I will be better at posting.  For now, I will leave you with my number one favorite product at the moment, Retinol Fusion PM Serum by Peter Thomas Roth!  It's a must-have.