Olivia's First Easter

For Olivia, her first Easter was pretty much like any other day - eating, sleeping, making dirty diapers -except with more people around. We decided it would be easier this year to celebrate the day at home with Nana, Grampy, Uncle Richie, Auntie Beth, Cousin Gracie and Dottie. Olivia seemed unfazed by so many people at her house. And she didn’t notice the little stuffed bunnies given to her or the Easter baskets and surely didn’t care yet for the ham feast. She didn’t even fuss when we put the bunny ear hat atop her head. But just having her around this Easter made the holiday even more special for those of us who love her especially when she flashed big toothless smiles (a new feat), making everyone else smile back. It was a lovely day. Happy First Easter, Olivia Leslie!

Day at the Beach

When you've been cooped up in the house for the better part of a month even a trip to Wal-Mart sounds like a day in the park. It even felt like that when I ventured out alone the other night to pick up a few necessities while remembering what it was like to go any where without a tiny tot in your arms or in her carrier (not that that isn't wonderful; it's just different). So when the weather folks said it was going to be a beautiful weekend here in Tampa Bay I told hubby we MUST spend a day outside and there was only one destination beckoning me: the beach. I'm not talking about a full day baking n the sun clad in bathing suit (heck no - not just weeks after giving birth because strange things happen to your body). A perfect day would include some time strolling along the water and getting sand stuck between my toes. Better yet, dipping Olivia's brand spanking new toes in the Gulf of Mexico and watching her reaction. This is exactly what we did after enjoying lunch at a little pizzeria with umbrella-protected tables on a boardwalk. After taking in the views and too much pizza we drove across the street to Sand Key Park, just south of the Spring Break soaked Clearwater Beach.

There were two no-nos in mind at the beach: trying to drag the stroller through the sand and sunburning our newborn daughter. The simple solution was to try out the baby sling gal pal and multi-talented Lorie Jewell and I made just a week or so before Olivia arrived. (OK, she really made it. I picked out the fabric, cut out a couple of pieces from the pattern with Lorie's guidance and stitched a seam or two). Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised to see a sleeping Olivia fit snugly in the sling as if still inside the womb. She barely opened an eye while transferring her from the car seat. I made sure the cute paisley fabric covered her tiny parts while David and I walked the beach and admired the gazillions of tiny shells under foot. Once we hit the rocks it was model time. Under the bright sun, we birthed Olivia from her makeshift womb, slipped on her tiny sunglasses to protect those bright eyes and David started clicking our camera. The modest waves were enough to keep you paying close attention as the water pulled out from underneath you. Carefully watching what was happening, I swooped down with Olivia's little legs in hand and briskly dipped her little tootsies in the salty water. Immediately it came. A little squeaky shriek and one certainly not filled with delight. But as quickly as this sleeping beauty awakened she quieted and really didn't have much to say the couple of other times I submerged her feet for the sake of a Kodak moment or two. After, I snapped a few images of her Daddy and we tucked Olivia back into the sling, I wore her back up the beach. She didn't make a peep and didn't open her eyes, just quietly breathing while the waves swooshed next to us. It was truly the perfect day.

Olivia in Pictures: The first Month

Here are a few of our favorites so far...

(Above from Christine De Lessio Photography (813) 363-0058)

David's artwork...

Olivia's way too big going-home outfit...

Proud Uncle Rich...

Olivia's first hours...

First St. Patrick's Day...


Four-week Birthday...

Baby Olivia's First Month

First Family Photo

What a blur the past month has been but a wonderful - albeit exhausting - one indeed. Today Sweet Olivia is one month old and growing and learning more by the minute. Much like the day she entered this world (March 5, 2009), she continues to be a thriving strong, alert and responsive baby whose future we are eager to help shape.

Since we brought her home Sunday, March 8, she has packed on more than a pound and a half, grown longer, grown more hair, grown more vocal and has become more bright-eyed. She enjoys snuggling and hanging out on her play mat batting at the toys dangling above her tiny head. She likes it when her mommy sings silly made-up songs out of tune and loves when Daddy uses funny voices when talking to her. She's had her first walk down to the bayou, her first (and a few extra) trips to the pediatrician, her first outing to her Aunt Beth's house on her birthday and wore green for the first time on St. Patrick's Day. Olivia hates being buckled into her car seat (or any other seat for that matter) but once the car starts moving she loves the ride. She dislikes her swing when she's awake but can sleep in it for three hours during the day. She's even started getting used to bath time. Oh, and she's already had her very first modeling session when my girlfriend Christine De Lessio took some beautiful pictures of our adorable angel. Most of all, of course, Olivia does what baby do best: eat, sleep and make dirty diapers. But she also melts hearts.

Each day David and I are learning more and more about Olivia and Olivia learns more about Mommy and Daddy and the world around her. It's an amazing journey for all of us and we will use this blog to share hightlights with friends and family. We hope you enjoy the ride as much as we do.

In case you missed it here's the note we sent the day after out her birth:

Friends and family sorry for the delayed announcement but for those who haven't heard the news (and trust me you're not alone because when it was all over we made few phone calls) we welcomed our daughter, Olivia Leslie Davis, at 9:07 Thursday night. She shares her birthday with David's biological father which is pretty cool. Briefly, because we still need to try to catch some zzzzs, it was a long, difficult day. It started at 6 a.m. and Olivia remained stubborn and even more than a week late wanted to continue chilling in her mother's womb, which clearly must have been one heck of a place. Throughout the day she showed signs of minor stress requiring her mom to be placed on oxygen several times. Once pushing finally began around 8:30 p.m. Miss Olivia decided nearly immediately she didn't like all the pressure so off we went - after nearly 14 hours of labor - to have a c-section. She came out will a hardy cry and we were so very relieved and immediately very much in love. She weighed in at 7 pounds, 1 ounce and is 21.25 inches long. We are all doing well but are, as you can imagine, very sleepy and still as of nearly 8 a.m. today have hardly slept a wink with all the medical folks in and out of our room. So please forgive us for not reaching out sooner and for sending out this relatively short e-mail. We will tell you more later. Thanks to all for your continued love, support and understanding. Warmly, Lisa and David (the very proud new parents) and the star of the day and now our life, Olivia.