Calgary

We have been in Calgary for the past week and I really think we are going to like it here. Of course, we might have a different opinion this winter when it is -30 degrees outside! We are staying in a hotel, which I was really worried about with Olivia. It turns out, there is more to do here than at home! There is a beautiful park not 50 yards from the hotel that has a river with tons of ducks and geese, a playground with infant swings, and even a little splash park. It is so green and beautiful. We have taken long walks each day and Olivia has loved it. The weather is spectacular. Bright and sunny and in the upper 60s/70's during the day.

Calgary is gearing up for their annual rodeo called, "Stampede". It has been interesting watching the city transform for this huge event. It is the largest rodeo in the world, apparently. Here are some things that are now in our hotel lobby.

First Father's Day

Mike kept telling me that he wanted to have pictures taken of Olivia and I, so that is what we surprised him with for Father's Day. Olivia was a mess trying to get pictures done. She had NO interest in sitting for the photographer. She kept crawling away. I was EXHAUSTED after the photo shoot! Amazingly, she got some good pictures!










Olivia had absolutely had it with us!

Meeting Sophie

Last weekend, Olivia finally got to meet Sophie Leedy!! Sophie is the latest "Al Malki" (our compound in Doha) baby to be born. All Olivia wanted to do was grab her. Maybe once Sophie is a little older they can really have fun! Congrats to the Leedys!

Fancy Camera

I got Mike a book about photographing children for Christmas and he is just now reading it. It told him about some setting on his fancy camera. Here are some of my favorites from this cool setting!






This is the new face that Olivia has started making whenever she thinks something is really cool. It is too funny! She really liked the grass.




The funny face again. She stole the lettuce from Aunt Carrie's taco salad.

Daddy's birthday

Mariachi singing Happy Birthday

For Michael's 33rd, we went to El Tiempo with my parents and his parents. Olivia hates going to restaurants right now, but she was fantastic that night. Fife called and asked what we were doing for his birthday...going to dinner with in-laws and parents! My how times have changed, in a good way! :)

Pong Pong giving her queso for the first time

Her "band in a box" was delivered while we were out to eat. She must have been inspired by the mariachi

More Austin Fun

Here are some cute photos from our recent trip to Austin. Olivia had the best time with her bud Chase. They really had fun!

Chase teasing Olivia with her favorite thing in the whole world, a cell phone

O checking out downtown Austin and their labs from Fife and Courtney's

Walking to lunch from Courtney's new office

At the Hagarty's party with Uncle Joel...maybe next time she can do the huge slide

Driving the police car with Chase

At their pool

With Daddy at the pool

Miss Helpful

Olivia has been rather helpful around the house lately :)

Taking all of her dirty clothes out of the hamper each day

Testing out the security of the baby gates

Making sure the dog beds are comfy enough

Unrolling the toilet paper

Clearing off her book shelf

SLEEP!!

I finally caved and let Olivia "cry it out". While she was sick recently, she started getting up sometimes five times a night. I was exhausted! When it was one time a night and I could be back in bed in under 20 minutes after feeding her, I really didn't mind getting up with her. In fact, I enjoyed our night time snuggles. I also didn't have the heart to let her cry it out. I had also read that it is not a problem to have one or two night feedings as long as you didn't mind. Well, I reached a point where I needed some sleep!

Amazingly, it only took one night of "crying it out" to get Olivia to sleep through the night. I was SHOCKED! I did the Ferber Method. That is where you go in after increasing amounts of time to reassure them, but don't pick them up, talk to them, or rock them. This ultimately teaches them to self sooth and fall asleep without your help. I am still amazed this actually worked, much less in just one night! I guess we were both ready. She is sleeping 11-12 hours at night with two hour+ long naps during the day.

This has continued for 4 nights. I hope I am not jinxing it! Friday night was the first full night sleep I have gotten in 11 months! The only problem was that I kept waking up amazed that she was still asleep!

Aquarium

The same day that we went to the zoo, we also went to the Aquarium Downtown to celebrate both my birthday and Nonna's 60th birthday (we share a birthday)!!! Olivia has not really been interested in going out to eat lately. Now that she can crawl, she wants to be on the move and sitting at a table is NOT FUN! So, we figured the aquarium would be great to keep her entertained. She loved it. She really loves fish! Turns out, the food was fabulous, as well as the view. I highly recommend it to anyone visiting Houston.