She went to fly with the Angels today..

Olivia,
It is with mixed emotions that I tell you Great Grammy Mal passed away on Thursday afternoon at the Kaplan Hospice House in Danvers MA. We had just left from visiting with her and about 20 minutes later she passed. They say sometimes people wont leave thier loved ones, so they will wait to pass after you've left the room. It looks like Grammy Mal didn't want to leave you. Grammy and Great Aunt Nancy were with her, so she wasn't alone. I honestly can not thank you enough Miss Olivia for the joy you brought to everyones life during a difficult time. You made everyone including Great Grammy Mal and all the staff at the Hospice House smile throughout the hardest days. You were our little angel on earth god sent to make things a little bit easier. I'm sad that Great Grammy Mal was only here for 11 months of your life, but happy that she was here for 11 months of your life. Its a really strange feeling. In that short time we spent many days together just talking and learning patty cake and showing Great Grammy all the new tricks you had learned that week. She really looked forward to all your visits almost as much as we looked forward to seeing her! She was an amazing woman...there was something extra special about her. She thought the world of you. We will tell you stories about her as you get older but just remember how lucky you were to have gotten to spend special time with her. She always told Mommy "She is going to bring so much joy to everyone" and its true you do. Even as we grieve you continue to make us smile. Great Grammy Mal is now in heaven dancing with her Nick and watching down on us, protecting us, and smiling.

Party Plans are in full swing.

Olivia,
I can't even begin to think about you really turning One year old in less than two months. I feel like it was just yesterday that Daddy was driving us to the hospital on April 1st and who would have known you would arrive just 5 hours later on April 2nd. You have brought more joy into our lives than we can ever repay you with. Every single day with you makes us smile and laugh. I am so incredibly grateful for this wonderful gift we have recieved.
Mommy finished all you birthday invitations, they came out great! I think the minnie mouse theme is going to be adorable! Next month we will do some 1yr smash cake pics I am so excited! You are going to look so adorable in your Minnie Mouse bloomers and dress!
Today we went to visit Great Grammy Mal and Great Auntie Nancy was there and then we even got to see Grammy! What a special treat that was. We have 1 more swimming class, its already been 8 weeks of it! You seem to be a lot more comfortable in the water than when we first started! We are going to sign up for the next session of classes so we can keep going swimming. You enjoyed your first Superbowl Sunday which was the colts against saints. The Saints won! Grandpa, Grammy, and Auntie Jenn came over and watched the game with us.

It's a diva kind of life!

You got your first coach purse from Auntie Bridget and Auntie Sha Sha! It is gorgeous, and Mommy may even have to borrow it sometime. You were given the nickname Diva by Auntie Sha Sha by the time you were two weeks old! Everyday you continue to live up to that name.....Daddy is in some serious trouble!

We're going swimming!!

In January! You started swim class at the YWCA in Newburyport. We got every Tuesday morning at 9:35 am. Grammy was able to come to your first class to help Mommy figure out how she was going to change you and me! You really enjoyed being in the pool which is a good thing since Mommy loves to be in the water! Your teachers name is Vickie and she is very nice! We sang songs in the water and floated around. You did not like being on your back at all! When they sang the wheels on the bus you laughed the entire time! Since crawling is not your thing, maybe swimming will be!

9 month growth spurt is going to be the death of me!

It's 8:30 am and Mommy was awake most of the night with you for the 3rd day in a row. I am barely even thinking correctly! My mind keeps going over and over what could be wrong....teethe? reaching a milestone? hungry? Maybe all three?? Your top teeth are trying to come in, and you are soooo close to crawling it is ridiculous! and you seem to be hungry at night which has made Mommy reintroduce a nighttime feeding which you haven't done since you were 3 months old! I sure hope this passes quickly, because we both need our beauty sleep!

Let's see, its been awhile since I last updated your blog. We welcomed in the New year 2010 by staying home, ordering subs, and watching movies! You went to bed before the ball dropped...maybe next year? We went to Grammy and Grandpas camp and went sledding! You loved it! We got so much snow, Daddy and Grandpa were able to use the snowmobiles while Mommy and Grammy pulled you around on your sled. What else do I need to update on??? Oh, of course! Your first Christmas!!! We spent Christmas eve at Great Grandpas house! You were such a good girl and played most of the night working on your crawling skills with Grandpa. Christmas day we went to Nana and Papas house in the morning,Uncle and Andy and Lindsay were there! You got a cool ride on toy, and some new clothes! Then we went to Great Grammy Mals house for Christmas Day. What a beautiful Christmas we had. Great Grandpa came there too, with Great Auntie, Uncle Bob, Nikolette, Danielle, Mike, Grammy, Grandpa, and Auntie! It was such a special Christmas for you. Your first and it was spent with everyone who loves you! That night we went to Aunties house and opened presents from Auntie and Uncle Derek and Grammy and Grandpa...It goes without saying you are spoiled...and spoiled with love as Great Grammy Mal would say!

Your very 1st Thanksgiving!

We love to spend the Holidays surrounded by family. You got to experiance it this year for the first time! As crazy and hectic as it gets always know that you are surrounded by people who love and support you. Try to do a better job than mommy at enjoying the holidays and being less stressed! You are teaching Mommy to do that as well, I am so happy for everyday we get to share as a family. We went to Grammy and Grandpa Smiths house first, then to Uncle Scott and Marks later on! You were a little social butterfly and busy little girl! You were so well behaved for having such a long day. It was so special Great Grammy Mal was able to come to Grammy and Grandpas house for Thanksgving dinner. She loved seeing you and everyone else! Great Grandpa Smith was there, and your Uncle Andy even came from North Carolina for a suprise visit! On our drive home from Nashua NH you fell asleep, you were so exhausted! I don't blame you!

We have Teefers FINALLY!!!!

After many nights of painful teething you have two bottom teeth that have finally popped through!! I guess it explains all the waking up in the middle of the night..teething is serious business around here!! You had about a weeks break and now we are back to painful top teeth trying to come through! It's a really good thing you wont remember teething when you are older!