Olive is making lots of mmm and mumm sounds. Wonderful!

We took Olive to the doctor on Thursday for her 4-month checkup. She's just under 16 pounds (which is what Chris had guessed; he's so in tune) and 25 inches long. They kept saying how perfect she is, and that was really gratifying for me. She got 3 shots, after which she and I both cried. I hate that! But she definitely earned herself a chocolate shake.

In other news, the doctor said we could try out some rice cereal if we wanted to. My thought all along has been to just follow Olive's lead - if she seems interested in something I'll help her along, but if not I won't force it. We gave her some rice cereal the evening of her doctor appointment and she took to it really fast. She figured out the spoon right away, and she seems to really enjoy the cereal. Guess she was ready!

She's been reciprocating affection - puts her arms around my neck when I lay next to her, touches my face a lot, nuzzles her face in my neck.

We love our pretty girl!

4 months, with Josh

First time we left Olive with a babysitter! We went to see Phantom of the Opera and we left her with Amber. That was a little hard on me. I cried a bit, but Chris pulled the car over as soon as we left her and we said a prayer. After that I did miss her but I was able to relax and enjoy the show and Chris.

Some things that Olive's been doing lately -- getting better hand-eye coordination, putting things in her mouth more, hanging on to things with her hands (including my hair), grabbing her toes, smiling and laughing a ton...

Spent Memorial Day weekend in Utah. Highlights -- Dane told Olive, "I like you forever." Shane was adorable with her, holding her a ton and loving on her. I finally said, "Let me know when it gets old," and he said, "It will never get old."

Olive has been able to get her little hands up to her eyes and she rubs them when she's sleepy. It's adorable. And I'm amazed that she has that coordination now. If she doesn't have anything to hug to her face as she's falling asleep she puts her arms over her eyes. So cute.

Olive has been reaching for stuff and grabbing stuff lately. And when I lay her on her back she rolls to her side and arches her back. I guess it's not going to be long before she rolls completely over. When we lay her on her tummy she arches her back and lifts her head and legs, and pretty much hates it. Amber let us borrow their Exersaucer and Olive likes it a lot. So, she's growing and progressing and getting bigger. It's fun to watch but sad for me too.