Old, New, & Overdue!

I haven't had very many pictures with my daughter lately, especially here in Indiana. I was severely overdue for some new ones. Side note, I'm also quite overdue for some hair-help! Luckily, I'll get that taken care of tomorrow (yay, Katie!) And my Mom was able to help me out with some new pictures yesterday afternoon:

Me & my Livie-Bug outside Mom & Dad's

The best shot we got with Liv looking towards the camera...

We couldn't really get Liv to look directly at the camera, and certainly not with a smile. I think it was just too bright outside for her. Her and those sensitive, blue eyes... Just like her Momma. How many countless squinty-eyed or no-eyed photos were taken of me over the years?! Oh, but I truly do love Livia's beautiful, blue eyes! Gosh, her eyes are just gorgeous...

With the dress she was wearing, they almost looked teal-blue. That dress was once worn by Liv's Aunt Laura and even by her Momma. I feel so blessed that my Mom saved it over all these years! She also saved the big white bow in Livia's hair. How awesome is my Mom?!

I so love the pics of us looking at each other

My Mom also snapped a few really good photographs of just me:

Love this pic... Just wish my hair wasn't two-toned!

Turning it black & white would help some... But hair aside, it really is a super pic! My Mom is turning into quite the photographer! It's so awesome so get a good picture of yourself; since I'm usually behind the lens, that rarely happens.

I usually do the whole the whole hold-the-camera-in-front-of-me-backwards-and-hope-for-a-decent-shot thing. (Like the one above) So I guess the only reason I like the one above at all is because I can't see [as badly] how much I need that hair appointment tomorrow!
 
Hahahahaha!
 
So glad I can laugh at myself   :oD

Leapin' Livie!!!

Today, Liv and I were finally able to make it out to a mall here in St. Louis. Needless to say, I had tons of fun shopping! Amazingly, Livia also had some fun while we were there...

Just inside the main mall area from the Macy's entrance, I saw a crazy trampoline / bungee contraption. My first thought was, "Whoa! That looks fun!" And my daughter must be a lot like me, because she said, "I wanna do dat, Mommy!"

There was a little boy already on one (he looked to be about 4) and he was just standing there frozen on the trampoline thing clinging to his Mom. The 'Mom' in me wanted to immediately take my daughter far away from the huge waste of money...

But the little kid in me said, "Wait! That's definitely something you would've loved to do... You should let Livie try it! For once, just throw common sense out the window & let your daughter give it a whirl."

Today is one of those days that I'm glad the little kid inside me is still alive & well!

Livia immediately went to the young man working there to get strapped in...

He told her how to hold on to the bungee cord

And Liv was ready to jump.

Though I had doubts of how well she would do, I enthusiastically cheered her on. I said, "Jump, Livia! Jump! You can do it, sweetie!" And boy did she ever...!

(Please excuse the side-ways-ness & poor quality of the camera-phone videos below)

I still can't believe how high that little girl was going! She actually gathered a small crowd -- I think everyone was amazed at how high such a little girl was jumping. They asked how old she was, if she'd ever done it before, and I'm sure they were wondering if Liv is afraid of anything!

Our daughter is absolutely fearless!

I'm glad I was able to capture a few memories. Even if Liv doesn't remember this day long-term, I definitely will. My one regret is that I didn't have my good camera on me (it was actually in the car). I certainly won't regret spending the money on giving our daughter the chance to fly!

Farmer Livie

Saturday over at my parents, I dressed Livia in her overalls for the day...

The second she had them on she said, "I'm a farmer!"

Below are just a few of the cute pictures of Liv in her cute little outfit:

I do believe she's the cutest little farmer I've ever seen!!!

Back to St. Louis...!

Looks like we'll be headed back to St. Louis today! My Dad spent about 4 hours shoveling snow last night to ensure we can make it out of the driveway without any problems.

We'll be back here again next weekend for an even longer stay! Perry will be going down to Louisiana for a work-trip throughout the 1st part of the week. We might as well be here in Southern Indiana while he's gone!

I do miss my husband like crazy though, and I can't wait to see him today!!!

An update on our move:  We're very close to narrowing down a more permanent residence around St. Louis! Right now we're in corporate housing, and within the next month we'll be moving for real. We decided that for a short time (about a year) we'll rent. We'll be selling the house we own in Evansville, and we're rather not be under more than one mortgage. So hopefully around this time next year, we'll be looking at buying a house within the St. Louis area.

For those of you who know the area well, we're planning on living in St. Charles County (both short-term and long term). The corporate apartment is located in Creve Couer; though it is a very nice area, we really love the 'feel' of St. Charles County. It really reminds us a lot of Newburgh (though a bit larger!)

Anyway, it's time to finish getting ready! Liv is still asleep (holy cow!) so I need to do what I can now! I may send a few traveling-pics thoughout the day... Otherwise, I'm sure I'll have more to write about once we're back in St. Louis!!!

Snowed In

[edited at add just a few more photos]

Well, my plan of heading back to St. Louis today was severely compromised by the several inches of snow Southern Indiana recieved yesterday!

The view from the front of my parents' house

And from the side

Sure is pretty, huh?

We obviously haven't even left the middle-of-no where, much to Livia's delight (and of course one of my absolute favorite places as well!)

In St. Louis, I see Cardinals everywhere... Not like this though!

Blue Jays & Finches

Finches - both brown & yellow!

A Blue Jay (& Woodpecker in back)

Blue Jay

Blue Jay

Blue Jay & Woodpecker in flight

Blue Jay & Woodpecker

Cardinals, Finches & a Woodpecker

Cardinals, Finches, & a Blue Jay

A male Cardinal, Blue Jay, & a female Cardinal

Cardinals & Blue Jays

Even though I'm having a blast & getting some fabulous pictures, I'm definitely ready to see my hubby again...

Luckily, I have a very loving & understanding husband who has no problem with me staying an extra day. We'd much rather be on the safe side when traveling.

The one down-side to being here today was that my mom & dad still went to work (such troopers!)... So Liv & I were here alone.

The second her Nana & Papaw came back in the door, Liv squealed with delight! And immediately ran to my mom to ask:

"Please wanna bo farm?!"

She was happy to comply, and I said that sounds like a great idea. I asked Liv if she wanted me to come along. Her response was an immediate & firm "NO!"

"Mommy, you hafta stay here. Just me 'n' Nana bo farm!"

I said, "You don't want me to come along, Livie?"

She said, "NO! You stay here!"

Something tells me that my little toddler has seen enough of her Mommy today!

Livia ~ all ready to go to the farm

P.S.  My dad is out there shoveling the drive way right now, in hopes that I'll be able to head out tomorrow. He said the SUV was dragging on the way in & there's no way I'd be able to make it out all on my own without some help. And my mom & Liv are now back from the farm and are making home-made noodles... Yum-O!!!Gosh, I love my parents!!!

Silly Slider

Yesterday out at my parents, Livia had a blast sliding -- in some of the strangest ways! Her Nana was always right behind her during every one of these crazy stunts, but I don't think Liv even noticed half the time. The child is fearless...

Nana helped her get sitting up right...

Liv would look at me & just GRIN....

And down she went!

Again...

And again...

And again!

And when she got bored going down backwards...

it was time for a new silly trick.

Going down Head-First!

(Notice how her socks are now missing?)

And of course, she found another fun way of going down:

Half walking/scooting down

(And notice now that the sweatshirt is missing)

And I think this is when she got the idea...

To start jumping from halfway down!

Without pants, of course.

It was at this point that we decided that she needed to start winding down... And put some clothes back on! Oh, that child is such a hoot!

Sweet Stallings

Livia has a habit of stalling every night before bedtime. Some of her favorites are:

"I hafta go potty!" ... minutes after she had just gone.

"I need my [Elmo/Cookie Monster/Big Bird/Baby]!" Insert the one thing that she doesn't already have in her bed.

"I'm tursty!" ...which has earned her a sippy of water to take to bed many a time.


I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that tonight was any different. Actually, I should probably be grateful it wasn't worse...! We're here at my Mom & Dad's spending the night, and Liv did just about every stalling tactic possible including:

"I need-da feed my bay-bee!"

In the end, Liv's Nana actually had to lay down with her to get her to go to sleep! Hopefully she stays asleep -- that little stinker!

But, boy do I love her :o)

Take it To Go

A few weeks ago, Liv & I met up with my sister & my mom to spend some time together. We decided to meet at Olive Garden, which is one of our absolute favorites!

Mom had picked up Livia from Day Care, so I was ready to go in plenty of time. Amazingly, I arrived there first! Mom, Liv, and Laura were very shortly behind me, and we had a GREAT time & delicious meal together.

Livie and I didn't quite finish our dinners, so we decided to get a to-go container. When the server brought the box over to us, Livia had her own idea of taking the left-overs home:

How funny is this?!

And bless her heart, our server actually said we could take the bowls home! Though I'm sure they would have been a fun souvenir, Liv had absolutely no attachment to the bowls. She just thought that's what she was supposed to do to take the left-overs home.

As we were leaving, Livia convinced her Aunt Laura to help her touch the lion:

To which Laura got LOTS of hugs:

And kisses:

SO sweet :o)

After our yummy dinner, we headed over to the mall (where my sis talked me into some fabulous outfits!), and where Liv provided even more entertainment for us. Please excuse the side-ways-ness video... Couldn't figure out how to turn it. Call it artsy... or call me ditzy! No matter what, I call it hilarious!!!

Notice how she never once even paused throughout the entire video? Well, she actually didn't really stop for like 10 minutes. I can't imagine what other shoppers thought of my toddler marching around in that little hat, singing at the top of her lungs!

Daddy's Girl

There's no doubt that Liv is very much a Daddy's Girl.

Just ask her who she loves.
She'll almost always say, "Daddy the most!!!"

And she knows her Daddy loves her VERY much as well.

Perry will often pose the question:  "What do all Daddy's love?"
And Livie will immediately respond, "Their little girls!!!"

Livia loves her Daddy SO much that she'll often latch onto something of Perry's & hold it (or even cuddle it) for hours. She's done it with his wallet, a sweatshirt, she still has his wolfie, and now the item of her latest affection...

Perry's new leather coat

My husband was in desperate need of a new coat, A huge bonus was that was originally priced over $300; my hubby picked it up for under $100 (I think 80-something dollars?) Anyway, Perry's just a thrifty as I am!

And Livia just loves that coat! She snuggled & cuddled it for close to an hour before Perry (well, ok -- we) convinced her that it was time to get ready for bed. Yeah, she definitely has her Daddy wrapped around her little finger.

Liv is SUCH a Daddy's Girl!

Group Shot!

A few Sundays ago out at my parents, Liv and I were there after church as well as the triplets. This was the last Sunday before our move over to St. Louis, and my Mom thought it would be nice to get a group photo of the cute little munchkins:

Pretty cute, huh?!

Another pretty good one

Livie's giggling like crazy in this picture (still love it!)

And guess who has completely lost interest in the camera...

So there are the best shots from that day! Mom, you'll have to let me know which one(s) you like the best. I can email them to you or just bring them along when we're back there. Just let me know!