Olivia

Tap, tap, tap. Is thing on? Is anybody still out there? I took an unplanned hiatus from blogging - I just didn't feel like it since April. But now I come roaring back because I MUST write a blog dedicated to the firecracker of our family - my niece, Olivia!

Just a few days old -  chillin' at her house

Livvy, you are three years old today! How wonderful! You are at such a fun stage right now. You have so many things to tell me that require my immediate attention. You often come running up to me immediately when you see me to tell me some very important news like you got a new pair of shoes, or that you are playing Power Rangers, or that one of your brothers got a time out for hitting another brother. You like to share information so much that you'll even share information with someone, just for the sake of sharing information! Example: last week I was at your house and my shoes were by the door. Your brothers had a neighborhood friend over to play. When their friend's dad came to get him, you greeted him at the front door and stood there for a couple of minutes and then picked up my shoes and thrust them toward this stranger and said, "These are my auntie's SHOES!" He was not impressed. But you were excited to share this with him! I just burst out laughing.

Your favorite face to make. You call this "finger face."

You are also in the "remember" phase. You often like to ask me if I remember things that just happened a couple of days ago. It's your way of processing what's going on around you as you begin to grasp the concept of time. You will say things like, "Remember when I pet Roscoe and he said, 'Meow! Meow!'?" You also "remember" things from several months ago, but I think you remember us talking about it more than the actual event. A few months ago you were standing by me and I accidentally scratched you on your nose a little bit with my ring. You have often said since then, "Remember when you scratched me with your ring on my nose?" But I doubt you actually remember that happening - you just like to talk about it. Same with my wedding day. Every time your mom drives by the church you like to point out that that's where I got married and you sprinkled flowers. But I doubt you actually remember that day since you had just turned 2.

At the roller rink!

You are also in the "watch me" phase. You are constantly telling me to watch you do something. You will say, "Hey Melissa, watch my trick." And then you'll proceed to run in circles. Or do a somersault. Or run and jump off  the couch. I either praise you or tell you that's not allowed. :)

Eating ice cream on the deck at Grandma and Grandpa's cabin

You are also developing an imagination. Last week we sat together in a chair and it was the first time I ever played Barbies with you. Our Barbies sang and danced, and then needed to sit down to rest. They also were driving pretend cars. Basically I would do and say something with my Barbie and you would repeat it. But you really like to pretend things. Sometimes you're a singer, sometimes you're a ninja guy, sometimes you're a dancer.

There was face painting at your brothers' birthday party. Out of all of the things to choose from, you insisted on a shark

One of your favorite things to do right now is to sing. "Twinkle, Twinkle" and "Itsy-Bitsy Spider" are two of your favorites. "Wheels on the Bus," "Happy Birthday," "Jingle Bells," and "He's Got the Whole World In His Hands" are also part of your repertoire when you get on a singing streak. You also like to make up a lot of your own songs. And, you are a big fan of the Beach Boys.

Wearing Uncle Chip's hat at your brothers' baseball game

Olivia, I can't tell you how many times I have said to your mom, "I am so glad you had her." You totally round out your family and complete the LaBlanc six. You hold your own with your brothers. Even though they are getting bigger, you are too. So many times you can push them away or slug them when they are smothering you with attention and are up in your personal space. They constantly hover around you and sometimes you reach your limit. Often times I encourage you to tackle them and sit on them. You aren't really hurting them because you're too small, but you're holding your own. :)

I sure do love you, you little punky pistol!