Li'Vinci...?

Our daughter seems to be QUITE an artist! Perhaps it's [way] too early to compare her to the 'greats', but I couldn't resist the funny title for this post! Thanks to a super gift from her Aunt Kendra, Liv has been having tons of fun 'coloring' in the bathtub... and just this week those random colorings have totally evolved.

She's now drawing people!

There are still several scribbles, but look at all Liv's 'persons'

I love the big ones she drew!

I'm hoping to get the video I took from this evening onto the other blog -- hopefully the stars will align & technology will cooperate with me to do so.

:o)

Livia's First Haircut

Livia's little bangs were getting so long that they were beginning to get into her eyes. I especially noticed it Saturday on our way to my cousin's bridal shower... I looked back at her & she was grabbing at a piece of hair that was getting into her eyes. So I knew it was time to call in the pro - My Aunt Bonnie!

Aunt Bonnie used to cut hair professionally for years & years. She still gives cuts to close family (like the triplets) and I was tickled pink when she said that she would be glad to give Livie a trim.

She did a wonderful job! This is the end result:

Doesn't Liv look excited?

It took a lot of work to get to that point though! Let me back up...

Livia just turned one in April... I know, I should be able to keep track of her exact number of months. But after she turned one, I stopped consciously counting how many months old she is. Is that bad?

Anyway, I have a toddler who has a LOT of energy. She's very much on-the-go, busy, and doesn't care much for sitting down (sounds a lot like me even today!) It took both me sitting her on my lap, feeding her banana to corral her for just a couple of minutes.Can you imagine how hard it was to get this kiddo to hold still long enough to carefully snip all 15 hairs perfectly across her forehead? I'm still not sure how Bonnie did it, but she sure did! And she did a fabulous job :o)
And even though Liv was a squirm-worm, she did great. You can't even tell from these photos how unhappy she was about the whole situation!
Well, perhaps she's showing a bit of annoyance in this pic...
But this one perfectly shows her general attitude about the whole thing! Doesn't she look bored/annoyed?

I did save every little bitty piece of hair (that's what the envelope was for that may have seen in the above pictures) Hopefully I'll figure out a way to make them show up - and not get lost! - in a scrapbook...

Here are just a couple of photos of Livia & her Great Aunt Bonnie...



And finally, the many faces of Liv... I wish I knew exactly what's going through her little head in all these pictures (taken literally within seconds of each other)
I know in this one she's looking at her Auntie Laura Belle... maybe even saying her name? (She'll use her little tongue to say "La-la!")

In this one, I know Laura's talking to her - obviously making her quite happy.

And Livia was starting to get excited because she thought Laura was coming to get her (out of the pool). Laura Belle was actually going to get one of the triplets though...

And her was Livia's expression after Laura jumped back in without her:
She almost looks indignant, doesn't she! Like, "how could you get right back in there without getting me?!"

At least that's what I think she's thinking...!

Right now, I'm just thinking about how much I love Livie's little hair-trim! Much love to you all and God Bless!

My Little Fish

Livia has had so many firsts lately, and this past weekend was no exception!

I'm so lucky to have parents who have an above-ground pool. It didn't really get used a whole lot over the last few years, but I have a feeling that this year it certainly will!

Sunday Livia had her first experience in a pool... And before I go any further, I must be sure to thank our friend Jessi Marvel! She and Laura Belle are great friends, and Jessi & her husband came out for some fun after church on Sunday. Jessi is an amazing photographer & videographer, and she was sweet enough to take all these wonderful pictures for me!

We wondered what Livia would think of it (you know - some kiddos aren't too keen on all that water) but she could barely wait to get in!

As you can see, Liv liked it from the get go. And me right in there with her - yes, there is a swim suit under the shirt! But it's the only swimming suit that fits right now and it's a bit PG-13. I'm trying to keep things rated G (online and out there), so hence the t-shirt cover-up.

Livia splashed and squealed in her new water-world.

My daughter seems to think she's a fish! She wasn't at all afraid of putting her head under water. Though she did get a little choked up a couple of times when she tried to 'eat' the water.

She loved it when I jumped up & down with her - I think it was the big splashes that made her laugh.

I just love the look of sheer joy on her face.

She even let me lay her on her back. Though I'd never actually let her go, I'm totally convinced that she could have floated in this position.

My Mom held her on the edge of the pool when some of the big kids got a little rowdy - she thought they were hilarious!

But then I took her back in and we had some big fun!

I took Livia under the water with me for just a split-second...And she loved it!

She got so excited and started bouncing like she wanted to do it again.

So we did!

And all smiles once again. Yeah, I think I have a little water baby!

Something else that just tickled Livia was when I tossed her up in the air...

Oh it was so much fun!

(**Note - I'm sure that some of you noticed the 'GUARD' on the back of my shirt, and yes I really was a lifeguard for 3 years. If anyone's ever heard of Holiday World, that's where I saved lives - or at least got a pretty good tan those years!**)

After a while, Livia started getting really tired. All that swimming takes so much energy!

Before she got too sleepy, I managed to get one of Jessi playing with Liv....

And one of Livie's Auntie Laura Belle

Oh, yeah! And one of Laura and Livie.

And my Dad got in on the fun too - pretty rare for him to be having fun, as he's usually working in the summer sun.

Livia loved all the attention and people in the pool.

It's so crazy to think that just a year ago, Livia was a teeny little baby. I loved her just as much then as now, and we certainly had fun back in those days as well... But it sure is awesome to be able to get her out in the sun - with sunscreen, of coarse.

I think she has her Daddy's skin tone (she seems to tan pretty easily) but that doesn't mean she doesn't need protection from the sun. I even use the baby sunscreen on myself - 50spf baby! And with all the damage I did to my skin during my years of life guarding and (*gasp!*) fakin' bakin', I want to do all I can now to protect and prevent against further damage.

Anyway, sorry about the lecture there! I'm sure I'll be posting more about our outdoor adventures soon. Maybe even a few more from this day - Laura & her friends were a hoot in the pool!

Oh, it sure looks like we'll be having a great time this summer!