My new friend Tigger

I got to open a Christmas present early! Today Jason, Angie, and two of their kids came over and gave me a Tigger toy that moves/shakes and talks when you squeeze the tail. I even helped open the present and pulled off a couple pieces of the paper all by myself. I was getting so excited over it that I screamed alot at it, but also smiled too when it talked. I even tried shoving its head in my mouth. But, I guess there's not much anymore that I don't try to put in my mouth. I had so much fun with it! Thanks again to the Gallegos family!

Make a Smilebox greeting

My new Bumbo

Today I got a new gadget called the Bumbo. It's an early Christmas present because I needed something to help me sit up since I can now hold my head up pretty well. It also has a tray you can put on it for my toys. I was playing with some until I kept shoving them off with my hands, over and over and over. I was having lots of fun!

I can hold my own bottle!

I've held a bottle a little here and there for short periods of time, but tonight I held my bottle for pretty much the whole time that Dad fed me! Now if I can just figure out how to burp myself...

Fighting Sleep

I was sitting on mom's lap tonight, and was just fighting sleep. She was sitting next to dad, and I kept looking at them both, and nodding off to sleep. Everytime my head fell down, I would wake up. Mom and dad sure got a kick about it, but I was so tired, I finally just gave in and went to sleep.

I'm 4 months old today!!

I'm 4 months old today and growing so much! I had my 4 month checkup and shots today :( I screamed alot but mom and dad got me soothed with a bottle right away and I've been doing pretty good since. I now weigh 15lbs 6 oz and am 24 1/2 inches long. I am in the 75th percentile overall for everthing. I'm sitting alot more now and love to stand as long as mom and dad have my hands. I'm even recognizing my own name now and have my own baby language! I still love to watch football, but I also love to watch my Baby Einstein movies. I can't take my eyes off them and even like to talk back to the movie. Mom thinks I may be starting to teeth soon. I drool alot, but I also love to spit too, which I guess is why I wear bibs quite a bit of the time now. I like to suck on my hands and put them in my mouth. And speaking of hands, I'm grabbing toys alot more, which also go straight to my mouth. One of the greatest sounds my mom and dad say is my laugh. I haven't done it too much yet, but they just love it!

Happy Thanksgiving!

For Thanksgiving this year, we got to go to my Grandma and Grandpa Driscoll's house. We were planning the trip for awhile, but then Dad had his surgery. He still wanted to go and wanted us to be with family over the holiday. Mom and I love him so much for being such a trooper. Mom got the Expedition all loaded up and we left the Saturday before Thanksgiving, and got there Sunday morning. We did stay in North Platte, NE overnight. I was getting extremely restless after 12 hours in my carseat, and I think mom and dad needed the break too. Once we got there, I had such a great time seeing my Grandma and Grandpa. We got to spend a few days with just them before my aunts, uncles, and cousins got there. I really got spoiled! I even got to see snow for the first time! I know mom enjoyed the break and help, and dad got to watch alot of football and hunting shows. When all my cousins got there the house got pretty noisy, but Izabella and Anna were always looking out for me!

It was real hard to leave on Sunday. We got on the road at 3 and two hours later we had to pull over to stay in a hotel because of the icy interstate. We got on the road Monday and drove for a long time and then stayed in Liberal, Kansas (just on the Oklahoma border). We only had 6 hours for home! On Tues, Dad decided he wanted to drive and after 3 hours of driving, I heard mom (who was in the way back keeping me entertained) ask dad if we were in Tucumcari, NM yet (which is where you get on the interstate to go to Alb.). He said that we were still in Kansas. Apparently he took a right instead of a left when we left the hotel and went 3 hours the wrong way. Oops! My little ears heard a few words I had never heard before! But we made it home safe and sound. I did such a good job and slept so much and really didn't mind the car ride. Once we got home, there was a rotten odor in the garage. Somehow the breaker had tripped sometime while we were gone and we lost power just in the garage and had a deepfreeze and refrigerator/freezer full of food. I heard even more words that I haven't heard before! Mom says that if we didn't have bad luck we'd have no luck at all. But, we do have alot to be thankful for this year and glad to have our health and family and friends.

Grandma and Grandpa Driscoll and I on Thanksgiving

My cousins Izabella and Anna

Dad reading to Izabella and Anna

My Uncle Justin and Jessica

Thanksgiving dinner-Uncle Heath has me now

My Dad playing with my cousin Ethan

Anna-Cute as a bug!

Because I went through so many states last week, Mom decided to keep track of all of them that I've been to. She added a state sites map on the bottom of my blog. I wonder where I will go to next?

Hanging out with Dad

It's been awhile since I've posted on here. Mom's been busy and hasn't had too much time to get on the computer. About 3 weeks ago Dad was playing some catch football with some friends and their kids during half time of Sunday football. Well, he caught the ball, came down on his foot wrong, and completely ruptured his achilles tendon. Mom took him to the ER just to confirm what he already knew. His orthopedic surgeon scheduled surgery for that Thursday. His surgery was kind of tough I heard. He had it in a splint with a lot of wrapping around it. Today he had his first appt post op with his surgeon and got a boot on it. He is still having to use his crutches and I think will be a slow recovery. I don't know if he wanted to be like his Aunt Jenny or what. She just broke her foot and also has a boot. I still get to spend alot of time on his lap though and sometimes get to squirm quite a bit. I hope he gets better real soon! He already told mom that she was right (and that she won't hear that too often), but he won't be playing any rugby like he had wanted, and done with football too. He is only going to be golfing, hunting, and fishing.

Catching Up

"I'm helping mom catch up on my blog. It's been a week & a half since we've posted anything. As you can tell, I'm getting a little tired. Maybe I (mom) shouldn't save so much to do at once!"

I'm 3 months old today!

"I'm three months old today! I'm getting so big so fast! I'm finding things with my hands and grabbing all kinds of things, ie, mom's hair and her necklaces, and my hanging toys. I'm also becoming real alert and love to follow things with my eyes. I absolutely love watching TV-it scares mom how much I seem to like to watch football-she always says she better start taking me shopping more. I notice the dogs walking by all the time now and that really makes me smile. I hope they know what they're in for when I get old enough to chase them around the house! That's going to be so much fun! I also know when it's changing time and help mom and dad out by holding up my legs for them. Sometimes I rest my hands on my knees when they're doing it-they think it's so cute. I guess they're waiting for me to roll over anytime now. I did when I was 3 1/2 weeks old, but haven't since-must have been some fluke or something. I'm also going to work with mom now at dad's office and behave very well there! I love being able to hang out with them all day!"

My 3 Month Pix

"I had my 3 month picture taken today at Penney's. I'm always getting my picture taken-mom loves to do that, but I just don't like to smile for the camera. I smile all the time and have such a big and pretty smile, but for some reason if you stick a camera in my face, I usually don't like to do it. Mom and dad sure make some goofy faces trying to get me to though! Maybe that's why I don't-it's too much fun watching them! If you'd like to view my pictures, click on the link, https://www.smilesbywire.com/home.asp?AC=LTPP0696101777JCP, and the customer name is Jodi Froehlich.

Halloween Party

Make a Smilebox slideshow

'Here's pictures of mom and dad's Halloween party at our house. Their friends Jason and Angie also helped with all the decorations, food, and planning. I guess alot of people couldn't make it but they sure missed a good one! I got to stay up for awhile but then went to bed. I've never seen so many scary things and cool costumes! I did hear alot of screams coming from some talking Hannibal Lector figure. I guess I'm a little young yet to watch the movie, but mom & dad love it and couldn't pass up on getting it. Hope you enjoy the slideshow!'

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

'Hello...Olivia here. I decided I wanted to write my own blogs from now on. That way, when my dad does ridiculous things like putting maxi pads on me when I run out of diapers, I won't have to write about them. But, I'm sure somehow they will end up being posted.
Today is my first Halloween. Seems more like my 5th. Mom's been dressing me up in things since last week. Dad just rolls his eyes and goes with it. I have a pea pod costume that I didn't like so much. I just can't seem to sit still when I'm awake and am constantly throwing my arms and legs, so I think it just made me feel a little restricted. I was good long enough to get my picture taken so I could send it to my Grandparents and all my cousins. I guess since I was called Sweet Pea before I was born, mom had to get that costume. Yesterday I went with my mom to my dad's office so she could work. I had a black Halloween shirt on...I found out right away why babies don't wear black-we tend to spit up all over them and it shows up all too well. Today I got dressed up in a pumpkin onsie with some pumpkin booties. I couldn't seem to keep them on for more than 30 seconds. Anyway, we are just waiting for our first trick-or-treaters now and then we're going to carve some pumpkins. Mom and Dad waited til the last minute for that. I'm sure I will have another picture taken with those so look for that. And, they are throwing a costume party tomorrow night at our house, so knowing mom, look for even more pictures! Hope everyone has a safe and fun Halloween! I am sure enjoying my first one! ....Love, Olivia'

My mom, dad, and I at the office today.

Sweet Pea

...30 seconds later

At the office yesterday

Happy Halloween!!

Bad Girls of Sturgis

Olivia in her onsie from her uncle Justin. He was in Sturgis over the time she was born, so he thought she needed her first Sturgis shirt. Now all she needs is a pair of black leather chaps!

Olivia has on her very first piece of clothing that she received. Grandma and Grandpa Driscoll had given this onsie to us last Christmas as a gift to Baby Froehlich.

It was too cute a picture not to post!

Week in South Dakota

Last Wednesday, Olivia and I flew back to South Dakota to visit family and friends. This trip was a little different than the week before. I don't think I will ever fly without Pat again! Olivia had gotten a little sick the night before we left, so we went to the Dr before our flight. She was congested and had one ear that was a little red, but not infected; so we got the go ahead to fly. Long story short, everybody in the airports got to hear her little lungs for quite awhile. Even flying wasn't very comfortable for her, which made for stressful flights for me. But we got through them. We got a lot done in a week and felt like we really didn't sit still. The first night I went to a retirement party for a guy I used to work with from the Sheriff's Office-Phil Toft. That was a great time seeing friends and former co-workers. My brother Dan and niece Izabella watched her while I was gone. Thurs night I went to my friend Paula's where a few of my girlfriends met up. On Friday we drove to Brookings to meet Dena and her family for lunch. We then drove to my Aunt Jill's where I met up with my parents. They were anxious as ever to get their hands on Olivia! It was opening pheasant season in SD so it was a big weekend for my side of the family to get together. My brother Heath and Kristi came on Saturday with big news that they are expecting their 3rd child! They dressed Anna and Ethan in cute shirts to announce the news. Sunday was my dad's birthday, so it was special that Olivia and I got to share it with him. Sunday night Olivia and I drove to Mitchell to stay at Heath and Kristi's, and then went back to Sioux Falls Monday to meet friends Nikki and Amy for lunch. Afterwards, we stopped at the Sheriff's Office so I could show off Olivia there. We then flew out at 8pm. I think we're both still recovering from it! We had such a great time and miss everyone and can't wait to see you again over the Holidays!! My niece Izabella and I at Paula's.

Jodie, Olivia, and I.

Amber, Paula, her son Parker, and Olivia. Parker is 11 months old, and just cute as ever!

Dena, her daughter Mia, and Olivia. She also has very cute girls!

My dad playing with Olivia.

Anna and Ethan announcing the big news that they are going to be a big sister..again, and a big brother!

Anna and Ethan playing with Olivia. This is the first time they've met her. Watch out Ethan-you've got some competition!! I can already tell that you and Olivia and will be running circles around each other!

Izabella taking a snooze with Olivia on the couch.

All 4 of the grandchildren were together for the first time so we got them rounded up for a picture.

Becky and Chauncey with Olivia and I-they are 4 weeks apart.

Happy Birthday Grandpa! Olivia gave him a mug with his favorite picture of her on it. I'm glad we got to be there for your birthday!

Grandma and Grandpa getting in their last few hugs and kisses before we had to say good-bye. We can't wait to see you again soon!!