When oh When?

She has been patiently waiting waiting all these weeks for her new couch to come.  I tried to explain that Su Casa is custom making our couch to exactly the color and fabric we requested and that sometimes the best things in life take time and are worth waiting for.   

But today she decided that the lovely people at Su Casa needed some encouragement...

Fells Point/Ellicott City

In March, we went to Su Casa to pick out our new couch.  Here are some of our pics from the day...

He we are choosing our fabric and accent pillows.  Olivia didn't have much input other than whether the ones we liked tasted good or not.

Theis is a view of the Fells Point location. It's just a few doors down from this building and I thought this was an easy landmark for you to find it if you end up visiting.  If it wasn't clear, Su Casa is on BOND STREET!!

We were testing out our Moby wrap that day...

We ended up at the Ellicott City location as well.  Jessica was extremely helpful once we got there. She patiently waited while I agonized over colors and textures.  I asked her permission if I could take her pic and post it on the blog.  She said no, so then we tied her hands together, shoved her behind the counter and forced her to smile. I told her that I was going to give her a fake moustache in photoshop if she didn't straighten up.  

The store is so cool.  They have tons of unique home decor items.  If you like modern with a touch of vintage, this is the place for you.  

I was shocked at how many swatches they had for fabric selection.  I mean, seriously, how do you ever decide? It's a good problem to have though I guess!

The sectional we chose is made by Rowe Furniture. I went to their website just out of curiosity and found this...
"Some of the best moments in life are spent on the sofa.  Relaxing, reflecting, and yes, dozing. You can sit on any sofa. The perfect one cradles you.  From contemporary or traditional, full size or you-size, curl ups or formal, Rowe can create for you a reflection of you. A personal harbor that doesn’t just capture your eye but also captures how you want this sofa to be a part of your life. The uses for the perfect sofa are virtually limitless. The choices for creating the perfect one should be as well."

If I could write like that, I would win this couch hands down! I know it's a little cheesy but I feel like it's so true. Joe and I have spent a long time hoping for some way to afford a new couch, especially now that we have Olivia. It becomes the focal point of your family room and I know that I remember the sofa set that I grew up with and am somewhat nostalgic when I see something that reminds me of it. We had pillow fights, wrestling matches and plenty of family games and talks on those couches. So hopefully this sectional will help Olivia have sweet memories of her childhood too.

She's 6 Months!

Dear Olivia,

Happy 6 Months Livy Lake! Has it really been half a year that you have been here?? I know I say something to this effect every month, but it really is amazing how fast the time goes. 

This big thing this past month was SOLID FOODS!! Yum yum! The first food you tried was peas. I know. Gross. Why didn't your Mommy let you try yummy peaches or bananas first?? I think I shocked you with how different real food is from the milk you have become accustomed to. But then you moved on to sweet potatoes, carrots, green beans, bananas, peaches, pears, oatmeal and rice cereal,. And so far you love all of them! 

The same week you turned 6 months, you started cutting your first tooth on the bottom. I had off several nights in a row from work and then you waited until I went back to work and it came in when Daddy had you all on his own. You cried for a long time and he had to put you in the car to drive around the neighborhood at 4 in the morning. But it only lasted one night and then it was all over and now you have a little tooth on it's way in! You spend all day rubbing your tongue over the new stranger that has invaded your smooth gum line. Yup, it's there to stay! 

You are a rolling machine now. You can go from one end of the room to the other, usually in search of a favorite toy. I walked away for 5 seconds to grab something today and I turned around and tried to save you but it was too late... you whacked your head on the entertainment center. I had no idea you could move as fast as you did. But now I know and I am so sorry. And hopefully social services doesn't tune in to this blog. 

Bedtime is much easier now. You are almost always down around 8pm and wake up between 3 and 4am and then will nurse and go back to sleep until 7. What a huge thing that is for your Mommy. I wasn't sure how long you were going to get me up 3 to 4 times a night. 

Your Aunt Steph and Uncle Kevin got married this month and you went to stay with Mommy's friend from work, Miss Erin. You were such a good girl for her and you loved playing with her son, Tag. He wanted to keep you as his little sister but I insisted that you come home! 

We went to the beach for a few days with family after the wedding and you got to see the ocean for the first time. I know you won't remember it, but I was so excited to show it to you. You dug your little toes right in to the sand and had a ball kicking it and rubbing it on your feet. I resisted putting your toes in the water since it was so cold, so we still have to do that this summer! 

You weigh 16lbs this week and the doctor said you are doing very well! Your weight slowed down but she said you are probably burning lots of calories with how much you are moving and even because of how much you drool. You probably go through 8 bibs a day with how much drool comes out of you! 

I love you so much sweet girl. You are a happy giggly baby and I love watching you take in the world around you. All of the sudden you are aware of all the amazing things around you that would surely taste good if put in your mouth!

You are Always Loved, 

Mommy and Daddy

Day Before the Big Day

May 10th... Rehearsal Day!! We waited sooooooooo long for this week to finally come. And I sure it seemed twice as long to Steph and Kevin. Some of the bridesmaids met up with Steph and Mom to get mani and pedi's in the afternoon. I don't know what happened but all of the sudden Steph started glowing on this day. Really! I swear. It's like she woke up and realized she was less than 24 hours away from being a bride and started radiating happiness from within! She got back from her honeymoon this past weekend and is still glowing. Part tan, but still part glow. 

I don't have any pictures yet from the actual rehearsal. It was 40mph winds while we were standing on the water's edge so I was too busy keeping the baby warm and keeping my dress from blowing up to worry about documenting the occasion. But I know there are pics out there and I will find them! 

The dinner was at Brio in Annapolis and we had a delicious dinner. Here are Bryan and Holly....

and Mike and Emily too...

 Me and Him...

Grandpa and Livy. She couldn't seem to keep her eyes open for any of these pictures. But it is the first time she has been exposed to flash after flash of the camera. She had a gorgeous dress on that matched the wedding colors that I found for her months ago. But then because it was so cold I had to keep her bundled up the whole time!

Mom and Dad looking way more relaxed than they probably actually felt the night before the big event. 

 The main attraction...

Eyes closed again...but a smile still!

Steph and Kevin had everyone sign a letter "K" as their guest book. 

5 Months!

Dear Olivia,

You are 5 month old today! And what a big girl you are getting to be! I can see how people say that this time passes so quickly and to savor it. It seems like we just brought you home from the hospital yesterday. And sometimes when my stomach growls I still catch myself thinking it is you inside me kicking away.

Your Nana is always saying what a happy baby you are. You are always smiling and laughing at new faces and your new fun trick is to blow razzberries at us. There's lots of drool involved in that trick! We gave you your first taste of rice cereal this month and you have had it every night for about a week so far. Every time you take the first bite you make a face like we have served you rotten eggs and then after the first bite you are happy to eat the whole bowl and sometimes will eat two! We will start some fruits and veggies very soon.

We started putting you to bed and letting you cry for awhile instead of running to your rescue each time. The first night you cried for 50 mins and every night seems to get better. You are so tired but you fight sleep with every ounce of your strength, much like your Daddy. That is certainly not a Critchfield trait. You go to bed around 8:30 and sleep until 1 or 2 am when you wake up to nurse. Then you sleep until 6:00am and I bring you into bed with us and let you nurse again and you usually sleep with me until 8:00. Those two hours are so sweet with you curled up next to me. This morning you laughed in your sleep, a good three chuckles so whatever it was must have been pretty funny. We both woke up on Saturday morning on our backs with our arms up above our heads. I wish I had been able to get a picture.

I want to remember everything single thing about this time with you sweet girl. I feel like I know you more with every day we have together but I can't wait to find out what makes you laugh and what your favorite food is and what your voice will sound like when you say your first word. Olivia, you are such a fun baby and a joy to take care of every day. Even when you are a crankypants or poop in a freshly changed diaper or spit up all over my new outfit!

We love you so much,
Mommy and Daddy

Our Easter Hammy

We had a great first Easter with Olivia. We went to church and then over to my parent's house for lunch. We got some super cute pics of her in her little dress.... I could just eat her up. She was cracking up at my parent's dog and it made for a great photo shoot! Here is our little Easter ham....

 This photo below cracks me up...I had to post it. Could they be more excited??

Need a cheap shopping fix?

After seeing the cute household items they have in the store this past weekend, I definitely want to try to get to this....




YARD SALE
Su Casa - Fells Point
DATE: Sunday April 1, 2012
TIME: 8a-10a
LOCATION: 901 S Bond St

We've only done this 2x before!
We've been cleaning up the warehouse and all of our backrooms to roundup all of the leftovers, slightly dinged/damaged, one of a kind, fun items you love from Su Casa!
No Furniture for this, just the little stuff!
Most things will be less than $1!
Come Early and Bring Your Own Shopping Bag!