Schneider Summer

Rob and I officially began our household de-cluttering typically referred to as spring cleaning over Memorial Day weekend. We decided we would finally deep clean the garage, and once we started we couldn't stop! Below are some before and after pictures of the garage project (Rob ultimately decided to resurface the floors and paint the walls - he did a great job), and we've since started making our way through each room of the house, which is bound to have remarkable chi once we wrap things up!

After pressure washing, before re-surfacing

Here's a close-up of the floor

In June Olivia made Rob's first Father's Day phenomenal by crying every time he left the room! She had to have known the significance of the day and was energetically showing how much it meant to her. Here is a lovely photo of Father and Daughter on their special day:

I also tried to make the day memorable for Rob by making him a delicious breakfast and presenting him with a new wine aerator. It looks like some sort of contraption from the future:

On the Olivia front, we are happy to announce that five pearly whites have officially made their grand entrance into her mouth! She cut each one of these five teeth like a champ and is in the process of cutting a sixth one as I type. She is very proud of this feat:

On the nursing front Olivia's new teeth have Mommy feeling a bit apprehensive! My goal was to nurse her for one year, and I'm still planning on meeting that goal barring any unforeseen injuries!

Olivia is also crawling and cruising like crazy now.  It won't be long before she takes her first tentative steps on her own and inaugurates toddlerhood in the Schneider good-chi household.  She recently learned how to say bye-bye, wave, clap and give a high five, which pleased Rob and I to no end (check out the first video below for proof of this)!  The second video demonstrates Olivia's version of pinball.






Following are some random photos that are too adorable not to share!

LiviLou laughing on the changing table

This is one of Olivia's favorite activities!

She finally figured out how to play with Pedro without hurting him

Hamming it up with Mommy on the Fourth of July

More Fourth of July fun

She loves being pushed around in her laundry basket

I'd like to end this post with a photographic update on our canine children, Buster and Pedro. They've felt a smidge left out since Olivia's arrival and we are trying our best to give them large doses of love throughout the day!

Our Playful and Snuggly Pedro

Our Beloved Bubba, Cherub's Resident

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

May Merriment

It's time for an Olivia update!  We've had a busy month since our last post.  Olivia went on her first official playdates with my moms group in mid-May and had loads of fun hamming it up with her new friends.  It is fortunate that she enjoyed herself at the time, as she inevitably contracted her first cold shortly thereafter.  Our poor baby was completely clogged and struggling to breathe, and also cut her first tooth at the same time.  Needless to say we spent a couple of sleepless nights taking care of our bundle of joy, and we are glad to report that she is now back in tip top shape!

Olivia happy to be using her new tooth to eat shredded cheese

A snapshot of Olivia's first tooth inching it's way out into the world

Rob sporting the 'Major Attitude' bib
(he was upset that Olivia got him sick)

Olivia has perfected crawling since our last post, and she is constantly on the move!  Upon reaching this milestone, we immediately discovered that Olivia couldn't wait to get her hands on Buster and Pedro (to the chagrin of her huge box of toys and stuffed animals [and Buster and Pedro!]).  If she catches a glimpse of our canine companions she makes a mad dash for them and isn't happy until she gets a handful of their fur and twists away!  Pedro sees Olivia barreling towards him now and immediately jumps to higher ground (i.e., the sofa); Buster is a bit crotchety in his old age and doesn't want to budge when Olivia approaches. Since Buster recently snapped at our darling Missy as she tried to touch him, we have to be very careful that the two never make contact.  Nevertheless Olivia has currently made it her daily goal to finally get ahold of Bubba.

Olivia bolting after Bubba

 Here is a video of Olivia just before she perfected her crawl:



And another one of her finally on the move:



This past weekend, Olivia finally got to spend some quality time with the Hauser Family (Kathryn, Wade and David).  Wade worked with us at Prosodie Interactive and he and his family have been good friends of ours ever since.  Here are some photos of our visit:

 

Olivia had fun playing with David's birthday favors

 Last but not least, here are:

A lovely little video of Olivia listening to her Dad:



And another fun video of Olivia giggling:

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to The Grand Mimi, Oma, Omi and all of you moms out there!  We are so grateful for your steadfast love and support.  Now that Rob and I are parents we fully understand and appreciate the sacrifices you made as parents, and our love for you has grown in such a beautiful, divine way.  We hope you enjoy this special day!

Olivia gave me an early Mother's Day present this year:  the gift of mobility!  Although she isn't fully crawling yet, she is able to creep very slowly to an item she desires, so she is well on her way.  Check out this video of her new talent:

And here are some lovely snapshots of a happy, creeping baby Olivia!

This is LivyLou perfecting her downward dog yoga asana!

Earlier this week we were delighted to welcome the Spitzbarts to our  house for an afternoon visit.  Olivia was on her best behaviour, and enjoyed meeting her Great Tante Katie and Great Onkel Josef.  Congrats to them both -- they recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary!  They traveled to Destin, Florida, to celebrate this wonderful milestone, and on their return trip to Canada stopped by our place in Marietta to visit with us and meet Olivia.  Here are some photos of our abbreviated time with the Spitzbarts:

Olivia was also on her best behaviour twice this Mother's Day weekend while dining out!  This was a huge accomplishment for her, and marks the first enjoyable restaurant experience for us since Olivia's birth.  It was also another priceless gift she gave us in honor of Mother's Day (okay, and cinco de mayo!):

She was so happy to be in a high chair at the table with us!

These Puffs are a lifesaver!  They kept her happy for at least 45 minutes.

Mom and her delectable sangria!

Dad chippin' it!

Hats off to my husband for making my first Mother's Day unforgettable!  Chef Robert whipped up a delicious breakfast for us this morning, and has made me feel like a queen all day.  I woke up to a strategically placed gift on the dining room table, together with mood lighting and all:

My new Pandora charm bracelet, with one charm for Olivia (a flower with her birthstone) and one charm for Rob and I (wedding bands on a pillow).  I love it!  Thank you so much Rob :)

Needless to say it's been a great Mother's Day for us in Marietta!  We hope you have enjoyed your day!

Here's another video of Olivia giggling that we hope will wrap this post up with you smiling:

Spring Vacation

We returned from our spring vacation to Florida two weeks ago and I'm just now getting around to blogging about it!  Traveling with a 7-month-old was difficult and it took nearly 4 days to get back into our groove once we returned to Atlanta, but the disruption in our routine was entirely worth it, as we thoroughly enjoyed our family getaway!

Our first stop was at The Grand Mimi's house in Orlando.  She was delighted to see her first and as of now only grandchild (if you don't count canines of course!):

The lovely recliner/rocker The Grand Mimi purchased so she could rock her Grand Daughter.

Olivia and her Daddy checking out each other and the new rocker.

The Grand Mimi and her Mini-Me.

Aunt LouLou stopped by after work to pay her niece a visit.  They had an enthralling conversation!

 After two days in Orlando we ventured to west Florida (Largo to be exact) to visit Rob's Mom (aka Oma) and Papa Steve at their winter home in the Down Yonder mobile home park.  It was so nice to see them, and to finally see their Florida digs!  We had a lovely visit:

Olivia spending quality time with her Oma.

Olivia's profile is so cute!

We had a lovely time at the Veterans Memorial Park in Madeira Beach!

One of my favorite pics from the trip!

After a couple of days in Largo, we returned to Orlando and met up with Rick, Christina, Blake and Evan at a time share near Disney World.  Many thanks to Oma for giving up her timeshare week to us so we could stay together in comfort!

Blakey Bear loves his cousin Olivia!
Every morning he was so excited to hug and kiss Olivia! 
It was adorable :)

Dinner at the Rain Forest Cafe at Downtown Disney. 
The brothers and their babies!

George and Inge were also in Orlando while we were, so they stopped by the timeshare and paid us a visit:

Opa imparting knowledge to Olivia

Hey there's Blakey Bear giving Olivia a Schneider kiss!

Although we didn't join Rick, Christina, Blake and Evan at Disney World, Olivia was delighted to wear Evan's Mickey Mouse Ears when they returned!

Rick and Evan

Family  Snapshot

Tante Christina, Olivia and Evan

During our stay at the time share, we took Olivia swimming for the first time.  She did great!

Olivia's new swimsuit and hat ~ so cute!

When we arrived at the pool, Blakey Bear was ready to give Olivia another awesome Schneider hug!

At the end of our week at the time share, we ventured to Aunt LouLou and Uncle Jamie's house in Winter Springs for an impromptu BBQ and pool party.  Thanks  for throwing the shindig together at the last minute Lesley and Jamie!

The first time Gramps has held Olivia!  Such a sweet picture :)

Before hitting the road to return to Atlanta, we stopped back at The Grand Mimi's to pick up Buster and Pedro and have one last visit.

Pedro ready to go home, or at least to go wherever Dad is going!

The Grand Mimi giving Olivia her first piano lesson.

Olivia ready for the return trip!