Marchtimes

This March has been chock full of fun times. We have been struck with spring fever and took two trips to St. George to bask in the sun and warmth.

We went on several hikes around St. George. Olivia loved running around and climbing on the rocks. 

The kids loved swimming, but we didn't stay too long - it's still a bit chilly for that. Olivia's favorite activity had to be playing in the sand dunes in Snow Canyon. We went back over and over. We buried her up to her neck a couple of times, and she thought it was hilarious! She enjoyed sorting the sand, throwing it at people, jumping in it, and running around. We found sand in her diaper, her ears, her belly button, her hair, and in our house for a week afterwards! Here she is enjoying a drink of milk after a long afternoon of sand romping.

Driving back home, Olivia was exhausted!

March marks Olivia's 18 month birthday and brother Henry's year birthday! We threw a party for Henry but were too busy to get any pictures. Here is a pre-party we had with Aunt Heddy. Olivia was sure that the presents were for her. She gets indignant when he dares play with his own toys!

18 months old! She is still a big girl: 34 inches (96%), 29lbs 1oz (97%), 49.5cm head (99%). The doctor says she's doing great and developing just as she should.

One of Olivia's favorite things is arranging things. She lines up her bowls and puts food or doll clothes in them or she finds all her Yo Gabba Gabba bath toys and places them like this on the edge of her bath tub.

Grandma Christa came into town! Olivia had a great time playing with her until we wanted her to pose with Grandma - then she wanted nothing to do with her!

There are very few things in this world that Olivia loves more than this moment. Hanging out with her Daddy, playing on the iPad, and eating numnumz.

Olivia's verbal skills have just exploded in the last few weeks. She points to dogs whenever she sees or hears them, puts two words together to make lots of mini-sentences, and seems to master at least one new word a day. Our new favorite is Brobro (her version of Brobee from Yo Gabba Gabba) - she has shoes with Brobee on them and loves running around pointing at her feet yelling BROBRO! At this rate, you can nearly have a conversation with her, though she'll most likely interrupt you to have you put on some ZIC! (Music.)

Happy Valentine's Day, Olivia!

Olivia had a fabulous 2nd Valentine's Day. We had lots of festivities. The Fawsons threw a fabulous Valentine's Tea with Valentine's box making, Valentine writing, cookie decorating, and red velvet food cake eating.

On a separate occasion, Olivia got to decorate cookies with her friends Mason, Grant, and Avery (not pictured). She basically just shoved food into her mouth as fast as she could until finally we had to stop her. This girl loves to eat!

A rare opportunity to go for a snowshoe adventure. We've had so little snow this winter! Olivia loved hiking up and at the top she enjoyed her snow romping so well she started sobbing when we had to pack her up and haul her out. She fell fast asleep on the hike out - an afternoon well spent!

Our afternoons usually look more like this. Hats and coats, but warmish and sunny. Olivia loves wandering over yards and through the grass and trees at the park. We enjoy getting out, because with two kids close together and one of them (Olivia) quite feisty and opinionated, there are daily tantrums!

This particular incident was over a string cheese. Cassandra ripped off part of it to give to Henry, and that was incredibly upsetting to Olivia.

Olivia is such a sweetheart. She remains extremely attached to blankets, stuffed animals, and giving hugs. She has such a loving personality and will spread a blanket over anything when you tell her that it needs to go 'nigh-nigh.' (Her favorite is the dog.)

Eating is easily Olivia's favorite hobby. She is constantly asking for "more" and "num-nums!" Henry also repeats num-nums now, so first thing in the morning they both incessantly chant numnumnum until breakfast is served. Note Olivia's puppy purse in the upper photo- handy for carrying phones and treats. Below, she enjoyed her lunch of mac and cheese immensely. We were at a restaurant, and it took a lot of scrubbing in the bathroom to get her clean!

Olivia's new cuddly sheep vest her daddy bought on a trip in Australia. She looks so big in it!

This picture accurately captures the Olivia Sass we know and love. What are you doing in my face, Mom?

Olivia is growing up! She's gained three molars in the past month, which has been rough! We're glad to see them because they've been hurting her for a while and now she can start chewing more grown up foods.

Her biggest achievement this month? A two word sentence. She has been saying 'more' a lot, meaning that she wants something. Cassandra came to get her after naptime one afternoon and she was freaking out yelling "No more! No more!" and pointing to something in her crib. Her diaper had leaked and there was a little piece of poo sitting in her crib and Olivia did not want it there anymore! We were so pleased for her cognitive skills, though cleaning up the poo was less thrilling.