Rollin, rollin, rollin...

Big news in the Olmstead household...  Christopher rolled over for the FIRST TIME today!  You know how I took a personal leave from work so that I could stay home with him and not miss all the little first time things?  Yeah - well while I was working out at Curves today and my mom was watching Christopher, he rolled over not ONCE, but FOUR times with her! Of course he would.  She was so excited to tell me and show me when I got home though, I didn't really mind.  And he was so proud of himself!  I got the camera out to take a video of it this evening, and I put him down on his tummy - but before I could even turn the camera on he'd already flipped over to his back!  It's so funny too because he realizes it's super-simple and he doesn't even have to put any energy into anymore, after a good month of grunting and groaning trying to push himself over.  It's like - easy schmeasy! He is growing SO so much and it makes me sad and happy at the same time.

{Sorry it's got the huge black boxes on either side - I took the video with my camera and I did it holding the camera portrait instead of landscape, so I had to rotate so that you didn't have to turn your head to view it, so this is what it looks like after flipping it.  At least you don't have to tilt your head to the side to see it, though!}

We had a great Christmas!  It flew by and of course we enjoyed it, but truthfully I was more looking forward to next Christmas because I know C will have so much more fun and understand things a little better.  We went to my mother-in-law's house on Christmas Eve, but we took about 6 pictures before my camera battery went dead.  We got some great things though!  Christopher got some of those crinkle books for babies - he LOVES them.  The whole time we were there he was crinkling it and chewing on it and just wouldn't put it down!  He loves it still - so, great present, Nana!  He got a few other books, stuffed animals, diapers, (yay!) etc.  Stephen and I got a shop vac, pajamas, a new Bible, 2 Wii games - one of which is the Biggest Loser "game."  Yeah, right.  More like having Jillian Michaels in your living room as your personal trainer.  It's tough!  I know if we stick to it we'll be able to see results, though. Stephen and I are both doing it, and after just 2 workouts we are sore sore sore!

We leave for Utah a week from tomorrow and I am already freaking out about packing and traveling.  I hope and pray that everything goes smoothly.  We are really excited about visiting Stephen's family!

{All the pictures we took on Christmas Eve pretty much looked like this. Either I didn't look good, or C-Man didn't. Then, big flashing battery sign.  Next year I'll remember to charge the battery beforehand!}

From Our Family to Yours...

Merry Christmas!

Stephen, Stephanie, and Christopher

Speer Christmas '09

So - last night we did Christmas gift exchange with my family.  Tonight we are doing dinner and a small gift exchange with Stephen's mom.  Tomorrow morning we're doing a brunch with my family (minus Britney) and then in the afternoon we'll head to Texas for my mom's side of the family's big get-together.  Then next weekend we'll get to my brother-in-law & sister-in-law for Christmas/New Year.  We had a great time last night!  Stephen and I are blessed with wonderful families!

First off - this is me at my first Christmas - 2 1/2 months old, and Christopher at 4 months old. So many people think he looks like his Daddy, but I think he looks alot like me!

The tree...

The absolutely ADORABLE stocking that my mother spent HOURS making for C!

My brother and I both have stockings like this {I will show a picture of them later, I didn't take any last night} and I am so glad my little boy has one now too.  He will use this for the rest of his life!

One of Stephen's gifts - 1 "AA" battery.
I got the same thing... it was the first gift we opened and we had NO IDEA what was going on.  They were from my bro & sis and they were like, "well, we wanted to get you something, but we had a tight budget...."  Ummm..K?

C wearing a cute little hat that matches an outfit that B got him.

SHOES!  I knew I was getting these - my feet stretched during pregnancy and these are 1/2 size bigger than my old shoes. I wore them today and they are SO much more comfy for my little toesies!

C got a BUMBO from Granna and Papaw!
He looks like such a little man here!

Stevo got a saw from my parents.
He had mentioned wanting one...
I'll let you know what he does with it.  Haha.

C seemed to like the bows and ribbons more than anything else!

Cookbook!  I always get a cookbook from my mom for Christmas!

And a new Bible!

A noisemaker! Yay!

I've been needing these for awhile for a blank spot on my walls! Whoohoo!

Stephen opening up our last present of the night - to us from my parents.

A remote!

TO A 32" SONY TELEVISION!!!! WE NOW HAVE A BEDROOM TV!!!!!!

{it was a "joint gift" from my whole family.  that's the reason for the 2 "AA" batteries. so sweet!}

C pulling some wrapping off a gift.  He liked to pull the paper off then, of course, stick it in his mouth.

He got new shoes! They are Tommy Hilfigers and are TOO CUTE!

I'll post our pictures from my mother-in-law's tonight after we're done... but for now - Merry Christmas Eve!

Four Months (Four Days Late)

Christopher...

You are FOUR MONTHS OLD!

You are getting to be so big and cuddly.  Every day seems to bring some new discovery or adventure for you and your momma loves experiencing each and every one of them!  I am excited for your first Christmas in just a few days, but I am even more excited about Christmas NEXT year when you're a little older and more into unwrapping gifts and playing with toys!

{Somehow the individual pictures of him in his crib didn't make it onto this post, and I'm not on my laptop right now, so I'll have to add them later!}

You met Santa for the first time in Branson, Missouri, at the Bass Pro Shop at The Landing!
{The shirt says, "Who needs Santa, I've got grandparents!}

You have been really watching us lately when we are eating and drinking.  A few days before you turned 4 months, you leaned forward to try to get a bite of something Momma was eating!  This is a picture of you ready to start chowing down on your first bowl of cereal!


You weren't really sure what to do with it!  Ha!  We've tried it a couple of times now and you're getting better, but mostly you still prefer to drink from a bottle.  We've added rice cereal to your bottles and you just slurp it down!  In just 2 short months we'll start you on baby food!  I'm having fun deciding what your *first* food will be!  Green beans?  Avocados?  Peas?  We'll see!

You had your four-month appointment today!

--You weight 18 pounds, 6.5 ounces
-- You're 26.25 inches long
--You are ticklish on the sides of your belly AND the bottoms of your feet!  It is SO precious!
--You are SO observant.  With food, your surroundings, our mouths - you watch everything we do and try to mimick us.  You have even tried "talking" and I have a video I'm going to upload soon that will just BLOW some folks AWAY!
--You went on your first family vacation to Branson last weekend, and you did great!  It messed up your sleeping pattern a little bit, but we are getting back into the hang of things now.
--I think you're starting to teeth.  You are CONSTANTLY.CHEWING.ON.YOUR.HANDS.  And you've been waking up more during the middle of the night.  You'll spit your paci out and stick your hand in your mouth and it wakes you up.
--You're wearing size 3 diapers.
--You are wearing 6 month clothing.  (3-6 month onesies are still fine, but most 3-6 month pants are too short. I think you'll be wearing mostly 6-9 months pretty soon!)
--You are 100% on formula now.  You weaned so easily!  I think you did alot better weaning that Momma did.  I was a trainwreck!  I am so glad I was able to nurse you for as long as I did and wish I had been able to do it longer, but you are just such a big, growing boy and I wasn't able to keep up with you!
--You LOVE your jumparoo.  It is a lifesaver and I love it too!  You are becoming much more independent.
--You can sit and stand with help.  I think you may be getting a Bumbo for Christmas, *wink wink* and I think you will really like it!
--In just 2 weeks you'll be flying for the first time to meet your grandparents and great-grandparents out in Utah!  We are excited but nervous about that trip and praying that everything goes well!
--You are the light of my life {and your Daddy's too!} and I thank God every day for sending you to us!

Holy Crap, Y'all

It's been a crazy week.  The trip to Branson was SO much fun, but so, so exhausting.  And C's schedule has been off ever since.  I'm not complaining, it's just made my normal daily routine a little different, and it's hard to adjust!  I've been catching up on laundry, housework, and Christmas shopping. {And I'm done! Yay!}

I haven't really felt like blogging because I felt like I had SO much other stuff I needed to be doing - most importantly, getting our Christmas card taken care of.  I had big plans this year to get the three of us dressed up all cute and Christmasy, but it never happened.  So then, I decided to just take a picture of C in front of my mom's tree.  {It's so pretty!}

See, before C was born, I was given lots and lots and LOTS of clothes, and one of the outfits I was given was an Old Navy 3-6 month Christmas shirt and pant suit that I just adored.  It was a white long-sleeved shirt with a cute little Santa face on it, and a pair of red-and-white striped pants.  Too stinkin cute.  WELL.... after I got to my mom's house and got it on him, we decided it MIGHT be a girl's outfit.  PLUS, it was a little too small, and C's sweet little Buddha belly kept poking out of it.  Then, he got his feelings hurt because (1) Granny said he looked like a girl (2) Momma and Granny kept taking pictures of his tummy poking out of the aforemention {girly} outfit.  He decided he didn't want a picture like that being circulated among his family & friends. 



So, we went to Branson, and I kept meaning to take a family picture of us in front of a tree somewhere, but we were never all 3 together when I thought about it.  And now it's been on my mind all week - and I seriously considered just not sending one out - but HOW could I do that on Christopher's first Christmas?  Finally, yesterday, my mom came over and we got a good one of C to send out, and I went and printed off a cute little card tonight at Walmart and I love it!

I would love to upload some pics but I really must get to work addressing and stamping these cards so that they make it to their destinations before Christmas!  Tomorrow is C's FOUR MONTH birthday, so you KNOW you'll see plenty of cute pics tomorrow!

Branson, ER, HP!!!

This is gonna be really quick and (picture-less) because we're leaving for Branson TONIGHT!  C is sleeping so I am running around trying to make sure I've taken care of everything while is he napping. I hope he sleeps on the way there tonight... it will make the trip {and our lives} so much easier!

I took a trip to the ER yesterday morning with gallbladder problems again.  I had flare-ups a few times after C was born, but nothing as bad as yesterday morning.  I had an ultrasound done and I don't have gallstones, which is good.  They suspect I just have  "dysfunction gallbladder" which means watch my diet (don't have an excessive amount of fried or spicy foods) and I should be fine.  Hopefully we won't have any more problems.  (Seriously - I felt like I was in labor again.  It HURT.) And hopefully I won't need to have it removed!

Lastly... go HERE  to find out how to win an AWESOME HP laptop!  This a giveaway that Kelly is doing - HOW FUN AND AWESOME IS THAT?!?  I would SOOO love a new latop!  And this one is NICE! 

Have a great weekend... we're off to Branson in just 4 or 5 hours!

December 5, 2008

One year ago today, Stephen and I found out that we were pregnant.

We suspected that I might be, and Stephen said that he knew I was.  What he didn't know was that I had already taken TWO tests that had both come back as negatives - one of them just two days earlier.  I had one test left to take, but I had decided that I was going to wait another couple of days before taking it first thing in the morning, like the tests suggest.  But for some reason, I decided to take it Friday, December 5, sometime in the afternoon.  I think we had just got home from Walmart, and Stephen was in the kitchen putting up groceries.  I have absolutely zero patience most of the time, and for whatever reason just decided to go ahead and take it.  It was one of those "Clear Blue" ones with the digital readout.  Imagine my surprise when I looked at it and saw the word "PREGNANT." I was shocked, especially since I had taken a test just two days before that - Wednesday - that had said "NOT PREGNANT."  I was speechless, and just took the test to Stephen in the kitchen and let him read it.  He turned to me and said, "I knew you were."

That night was the Christmas parade in Mena.  My cousin Robyn, (HI ROBYN!) who was 8 months pregnant at the time, and her little family had traveled from Texarkana to see the parade, the train, and the fireworks/Christmas light at the park.  We played games at my parents house afterward and I wanted to tell everybody SO badly - but I knew I needed to keep quiet a little bit longer, plus I wanted to find a creative way to tell them - not just blurt out, "I'm pregnant!"

Someday - in a long, long, loooooong time, I'll tell the story of exactly how Christopher came to be.  It's a good story, but not one that I'm ready to share yet. 

How did we tell our families?  For Christmas, I made little onesies that said "I love my _____" and filled in the appropriate title (Granny, Nana, etc.) then wrapped it up as a gift for everybody to open. Deanna was going to be on a cruise over the 25th, so we did Christmas early with my brother & sister-in-law in Texas.  It was a good surprise and we got a pretty good reaction out of everybody.  Since I had told Deanna early, I wanted to tell my family too - so that same week we visited my parents house and my family opened "a gift" early.  It was really fun and I am definitely going to have to find a fun, creative way to tell them when (if) Christopher becomes a big brother! (In [hopefully] several, several, several years.)

Right now, the Little Man is sick and has been for 2 days.  I am hoping he starts feeling better tomorrow!  I can tell he just feels awful and I hate it for him.  He is just not his normal, happy, smiling, laughing self!  So please keep him in your prayers.  =)

Angel Tree

So -- just in case you didn't know, I'm a huge fan of Kelly over at Kellys Korner.  She is such an inspiration and she is a great Christian woman to look up to.  I have really learned a lot since I started reading her blog a year ago and I have loved watching Harper grow up.  Kelly is just a really amazing woman who inspires me with every blog she posts.  She recently went on a mission trip with a ministry called Compassion to El Salvador, and since she got back she has been talking alot about sponsoring children through Compassion, donating money to charities like Compassion, or finding some way to give to others - even if it's just volunteering your time.  Recently Kelly shared that her family is not going to exchange Christmas gifts this year - instead, they are going to donate what they would spend to Compassion. Stephen and I cannot really afford to sponsor a child, so I have been thinking alot about how I might could give to someone else this holiday season.

Yesterday, I walked by an Angel Tree at Walmart.  I immediately knew that I would LOVE to give to a child in need in my own community.  I looked for the youngest boy on the tree and found a 7-month-old in need of shirts, pants, socks, and diapers.  I told Stephen that I wanted to buy for this little boy instead of receiving gifts for myself this year.  SO we bought a big pack of diapers, a box of wipes, three outfits, one package of socks, and one heavy coat for some 7-month-old boy who we (possibly) don't even know.  And seriously, I was SO happy when we were checking everything out and turning it into the service desk at Walmart.  I was just ELATED! Stephen and I will not be getting each other gifts this year, but it was totally worth it.  I hope we can do this every year - maybe we will eventually be able to afford to do it AND buy each other some small gifts too.  I would definitely recommend that YOU go find an Angel Tree or other Christmas Charity and give to others in need.  It will make you smile for weeks!

i promised pictures!

This is...

a sweet, sweet boy

the frame I won at Bunco! (♥ it!)

again, a sweet sweet boy

the first thing I saw this morning after I got out of the shower
(I SQUEALED with happiness!)
(and I know it's hard to tell, but those are HUGE wet, heavy snowflakes)

the black truck at 10:45

the black truck at noon

my front yard (and an adorable doggy)

the front of my house
(my roof is black under all that beautiful SNOW!)

the slushy road that went away about an hour later
(sad Stephie.)

the Winter Wonderland Village I created within my own home

after I fixed the drooping felt & added snow

another view
(one of those houses is missing a bulb, and the other one takes a tealight.
we're just going to pretend they're not home.)

a sweet, sweet PRECIOUS smile

an even bigger smile

the best thing that has ever happened to me!

Baxter wanting some attention

Baxter wanting to come inside - OUT of the snow

Baxter wanting attention again... =)


I hope that makes up for my lack of pictures over the holiday!

We had a great day today!  The snow was a great way to start my day, plus I got to go work out at CURVES (love it!) which just added endorphins to my already good mood.  Christopher and I stayed inside the rest of the day (even though the sun came out and melted all the snow.)  We watched movies, put up my Winter Village, (it was my mom's and I LOVED it as child - but she hasn't used it in several years and she offered to let me put it up this year and I am so excited about it! I don't own many Christmas decorations so the more that I can borrow, the better!)  listened to Christmas music, drank hot chocolate (MMM) and took lots of pictures!  I tried to get some good video in tonight too, because Christopher has really gotten into "talking."  I didn't get a good one of him talking to me - but I did get a good one of him laughing in his jumparoo.  He was in such a good mood!  The other video is of Baxter... and it is just TOO FUNNY not to watch.