Olivia's - 1 year

Today Olivia is 1 year old. This past year has flown by before we could even blink our eyes yet we feel like we've gone through so much. First it was her acid reflux that started at 3 weeks. We both remember her crying (screaming) for hours at a time before we reached our breaking point and demanded some meds (which we like to call the miracle drug). Then because of the reflux - the many sleepless nights of Steve sleeping with her in the recliner until she was about 6 months...yes 6 months...every night.

Then at 5 months was her first urinary tract infection, which we later came to find out through several tests was caused by urinary reflux into her kidneys. And as we all know - after 3 UTIs and being hospitalized just recently - she'll be having corrective surgery next week.

Add in several colds, some major stranger anxiety, and 2 teeth later and Olivia is finally 1 year old. With all the crazy things that have happened we are so thankful to have our little girl. She's one of the funniest little babies and for some reason we think she'll be a spoiled little princess (maybe that's because she has the highest pitch scream and already throws fits when she doesn't get her way).

This past weekend, on the 4th of July, we had her first birthday party. Many of our family members came over to celebrate after the parade. In the 90 degree heat, we grilled, ate cake, and opened presents.

Olivia really wasn't that interested in her cake.

I had also made her a tutu for the occasion, but we didn't even bother putting it on at the party because it was so hot and sticky. (Later that evening, I had to try it on her just for some photos)

She got lots of great presents, including clothes, dolls, books, a bean bag, and even a new play table for her and Jack to use in the basement. We haven't put it together yet, but it should be the perfect height for them and includes some rolling bins for storage.

Finally, as I did for Jack, here is a slide show of some of my favorite pictures of her from the past year.