There's a First Time for Lots-a-things!

Hi, everyone.  It's me, Olive.  It's been an exciting months of "firsts" for me, and I can't wait to tell you all about it.  But first things first (pun totally intended).  I turned 6 months old!  On my six-month birthday, We had a cookout and my Great Grandparents Gilland came to visit me.  Cousin Caroline never left my side.  

  

Here I am blowing bubbles for my Dad.  I will definitely be ready for a candle in 6 months:

Here are a couple pictures from my six-month photo shoot:

At my six-month check-up,  Dr. A. said he wanted to see me sitting up all by myself soon.  I'd been practicing in this funny chair Emily lent us called a bumbo.

Mom went home and got on the internet to look for ideas to help me sit up on my own.  She read that letting me play in a blanket-lined box with a few toys would help, so...

A wise man once said, "Nobody puts Baby in the corner," and I admit, I was skeptical, but after two days I could sit all by myself.  I know what you're thinking... "I hope they at least poked some holes in the box."  No, silly!  She didn't leave me in a box for two days.  Just for a few minutes at a time (in an open box) did the trick.

Here I am showing off my new skills. 

But sometimes even the mighty must fall:

I was humbled.

But now I'm a total pro:

Sitting up by myself meant I was ready for solid foods.  Here I am trying rice cereal for the first time:

I got pretty bored with rice cereal, so onto bigger and better things- CARROTS!

But I wasn't so sure about them...

So, in honor of my first Cinco de Mayo, I tried tacos:

Just kidding!  Those were Mom's.

Of course I know that eating right isn't the only way to stay healthy.  I'm also vigilant about maintaining a rigorous exercise regime.  Here I am getting my favorite workout on the jumperoo:

Another great way to stay fit as a fiddle?  Dance!  I attended my first ballet recital to watch my cousin Caroline, and I brought her this pretty balloon.  I can't wait until I'm big enough to go to ballet class.  Mom says she'll sure miss my shapely legs, though.

I got my first pair of fancy jeans to show off these curves.  Dad thought they were so cute on me that he  asked mom to send my picture to the jeans company.  What can I say?  I did showcase the pant, here:

Here I am telling my dad all about it.  You can see where I get my model-esque looks.  I got the genes to fill the jeans.

What's next?  Well, I met Mom's friend Katy for the first time.  They went to high school and college together.  She thought I was pretty great.

I voted for the first time.  Well, I tagged along, anyway.  

I wore my special patriotic outfit.  

It turned out to be a pretty sad day in North Carolina history, but I won't get into all that.  After voting, I met my Dad and my Uncle Bailey for a fancy lunch in downtown Charlotte (No, not at Hooters... that was next door, and Mom didn't see it when she was taking this picture).  He's not my actual uncle, but Bailey is one of Mom and Dad's oldest friends.  In fact, he was Daddy's roommate when my parents started dating 10 years ago... That's right- 10 YEARS! 

And finally, we celebrated our first Mother's Day as a family of three.  Unfortunately, Mom and I both had nasty colds, but this picture was taken just a few days before.  Mom loves kissing my head.  I'd estimate that I get about 78 head-kisses a day.  She sure does love me a lot. 

In fact, no one can make me laugh quite like my mom, as you can see in this video:

 


As you can see, all these "firsts" have transformed me from a sweet, shy baby into the cool, confident woman you see today.

Lots of love,

Olive