Merry Christmas!

5 months already!

Olivia's new tricks

It's amazing how fast little ones grow! It's so hard to believe almost 6 months has past since Olivia was born. It has truly flown. She still continues to be a very sweet baby...just wonder what she'll be like when she's a toddler! We got her a walker for Christmas and she's been basically just sitting in it. Luke loved this thing when he was a baby, so we thought she would be excited to be able to see the world. Before long I'm sure she'll be going all over the house in this thing.
Her other "trick" is playing with her feet. Ok, so doesn't sound so exciting but every single time I change her diaper she gets so happy to be unclothed and loves to play with her feet. Since she's wearing at least 2 layers at all times these days, I'm sure she's just happy to be free a bit!

Saying goodbye

This weekend we said goodbye to a dear friend and teammate, Julie. We've known her for the last 5 years and have served with her on this team for the last 2 years. She has become practically a part of our family and loves our kids so much. In our 5 years overseas we've seen so many people come and go, but losing Julie has been the hardest. Seems like we are always in a constant state of transition and adjustment. The night we got back from the airport seeing Julie off, we talked about how thankful we are for a our sweet little family and for the people God has brought in our lives. We know we'll see Julie again , but we'll for sure miss serving with her and living life with her in Central Asia.

First taste of solids, not so much of a hit

Today Olivia had her first taste of rice cereal, and as you can see she wasn't a big fan. At first she opened her mouth and was eager (probably because she wants to suck on something all the time) but then she wasn't too happy about the taste. We used Luke's carseat as a seat (until she's sitting up better to use the booster seat). Luke was very upset that she used his seat. And he was so confused that she was getting food, since I drilled into his head already that Olivia only drinks mommy's milk. That's because multiple times he tried to share his snack or milk cup with her! Anyway , we'll see how tomorrow goes with the cereal. She's 5 1/2 months and I was waiting as long as I could. She just seemed so interested in our food. Just wait til' bananas Livi - you'll love them!

A few pictures of my sweetie

There's so much I want to write on here about and so many pictures I want to post...but never enough time it seems. We are on dial-up internet, so it seems to take forever . But anyway I want to do my best so that family and friends can see Luke and Olivia as they grow and develop. I'm trying to get lots of picutres of Olivia in her fun Christmas clothes. Here is an outfit that Luke wore also. But he was 3 months old at Christmas , and she is 5 months old.

Thanksgiving pics

We had a great Thanksgiving with our team and another team in town. Actually almost 30 people filled our house and we spent all day resting and hanging out, playing games and of course enjoying lots of yummy food. Luke was pretty hyped up with all the fun people in his house, plus the jello jigglers just about made his day.

Our teammate Julie is leaving next week to move back to the US. You have no idea how much we are going to miss her. She is a great stand-in aunt to Luke and Olivia and Luke ADORES her.

What in the world??? Check out my 2 kids' faces. Olivia is thinking "who is this crazy kid?" and Luke thinks he's looking pretty good.

Olivia is 4 months old!

It's hard to believe our sweet Olivia is already 4 1/2 months old! As I've said before, she truly has the sweetest nature. Here are a few pictures from our little photo shoot the other day. Here are a few of my favorites!

Nov . 12

Every week I take Olivia's picture on Wednesday (she was born on a Wednesday) with the same doll to show how much she has grown. I put out the blanket today to take her picture, and of course Luke had to grab his blanket and his "doe" and be in on the action. He wants to do everything she does.

What a sweet girl. I know I've said that a lot, but it's definitely true. Her hair is growing, so I'm itching to put hairbows in.

What would we do without a giraffe?

When Luke was 3 months old, he received a giraff blanket as a Christmas present. Little did we know , that giraffe became his best friend. You've probably seen this giraffe in many pictures on here but now that thing is definitely not so clean. I wash and wash it but it just doesn't look the same. He has to have it to sleep and if he gets hurt, he immediately starts calling for his "doe" . Luke speaks his own language, so to him giraffe is "doe". Anyway we found a pink giraffe for Olivia, "baby doe" as he refers to it. Forrest thought it would be good to see if she likes it yet - well she immediately took to it. Now she sleeps with her "doe" and rubs it on her face to go to sleep. Not sure if Luke will be able to give his up before he goes to college, wonder if Olivia's addiction will be the same?

Luke at 4 1/2 months

Olivia at 4 months

Fall fun

My adjustment to life in Central Asia with 2 small children hasn't been easy. Although I've lived in this part of the world for almost 5 years and the lifestyle is normal to me, it's been a harder transition this time. Maybe I got used to all the ease and convenience of the US, plus being so close to family and friends. (oh and did I mention a Target with a Starbucks inside?) But here we been having major power outages, cold weather already , and I'm really homebound with Luke and Olivia. But today I decided to have a better outlook on life - to stop from all the cleaning and washing diapers , etc and go outside and play in the leaves with my little guy. It's cold, but I he can just wear layers - I don't think he ever gets cold anyway. We're going to have to do this a lot this winter , to learn how to rest and have fun in the midst of a sometimes stressful life here.

Check out the new haircut. He was way overdue. Not too bad for only a $1, huh?

Finally I got a good smile!

Pictures I've been meaning to post ...

We've been back for over a month now, and it's been quite an adjustment ! For me, getting used to having an active toddler and a new baby plus the Central Asian lifestyle has been interesting. Luckily both Luke and Olivia are doing really well. Luke finally gave in and started drinking the milk here. Olivia is now going 3 1/2 hrs between day feedings and going all night long - which is huge for me to be able to get good rest. She still is a such a sweetie and Luke adores her. I mean adores her. But I 'm really wondering if he will ever learn that her name is Olivia and not Baby. Winter is starting to show it's face and I think we need to get mentally prepared for it. I made a trip to the market to find some leggings for both kids - it's all about layers in the winter. Anyway, enjoy a few pics!

Luke on his "bicycle" with some of the neighbor kids. We would always ask him if he wants to play with the boys, so he refers to all kids as boys or "the boys." Today I asked him who his best friend was and he said "the boy." ??

Luke has been reunited with his girl Madelyn. And she grew up to be such a cutie while we were gone! Her mother and I joked that this picture will for sure be in the rehearsal dinner slideshow.

Here's my sweetie pie. Olivia has the most precious face. Ok, so I know I'm biased but when I say her name or smile at her, she just lights up. She is SO calm and mild mannered (compared to Luke !). I keep wondering if she could ever be as wild as Luke when she's 2. I'm not in a hurry for her to grow up. I want to enjoy her as a little baby as long as I can.

Happy Halloween!

Being the scrapbooker that I am, I had great plans for some cute Ha,lloween pictures today. No, they don't celebrate Halloween here but Olivia has a cute "My first Halloween " onesie , and I found this Elmo costume at a consignment sale right before we left the US. I thought Luke would love it but actually today I had to bribe him to get him to put it on for pictures. I'll do anything for my pictures, right? Well today didn't go so well. First it was raining. So no outside pics. And then the power went out during the middle of our time, but at least I have a good flash. And also Luke is an extrememly active 2 year old who won't stand still, so getting him with the pumpkin and Olivia and smiling appropriately, well maybe next year. Anyway, I still think these are cute and scrapbook- worthy.

Olivia usually is a very happy girl, but as you can imagine she wasn't too happy about this situation. She can't sit up on her own, so this was my only option!

Our team in the mountains

Mountain Trip

I bet most of you who live in the South won't believe we are already wearing fleece here! So not everyday, but at least up the mountains we had to dress warm. Poor Livi, she had so many clothes on!

Luke was pretty pumped about a snack after our hike.

Julie and Miranda with Luke. Once again, not sure why his new smile is a wide open mouth.

Back in Central Asia with 2 kids...and a bit tired!

Luke finally is in a stage where he'll actually look at the camera when I ask him to. Of course his smiling is opening his mouth wide open, but I'll take what I can get. He adores Olivia so much and that makes me so happy.

Every day he asks to hold her. I have a feeling she'll get him back one day though!

Olivia is the sweetest happiest baby I've known. She smiles as soon as you say her name.