The Morrison Family Chronicles

Dilema

2008-08-05T22:30:00.001-07:00

Yes, I have come out of hibernation. But I have a dilema...what to do about this blog...

I have started a new one at mrslmorrison.blogspot.com. My main purpose in creating the blog is to chronical being a working mom.

This blog was created to be the "family" blog. It ultimately became the Olivia show, which is fine, but someday Ryan and I hope to give Olivia a sibbling. Also of note is that fact that we are no longer the San Diego Morrison's and there are two other Morrison Families from our extended family in Bakersfield.

So...I am considering shutting this blog down and started anew. What I would like to know is, do you think that's a good idea and if anyone has any ideas for a name.

Olivia pictures to come as soon as we decide. :)

Olivia's First Year

2008-02-20T00:21:00.000-08:00

When you are pregnant or just became a parent everyone who is a parent tells you how fast the time goes. And while you can understand what they are telling you on an intellectual level, experiencing it is something totally different. Olivia will be one in less than a week. The last three months of our lives have been very challenging and there is still quite a bit of uncertainty. But this beautiful, amazing, smiley, baby girl that the Lord has blessed us with weathers all the uncertainty and chaos, completely unaware. What a blessing! This year has gone by fast. I am looking forward to the journey ahead, but savoring each moment spent with Olivia and Ryan.
Here are some pictures from February.

Playing in the back of Grandpa Rick's Truck.

Look at the drool. Teething is a chore...and sometimes messy.

Can I drive?

One Down...One to Go

2008-01-29T14:52:00.000-08:00

The good news is that I go back to work tomorrow. The bad news is that Ryan is still looking. Please keep praying!

Family Happenings

2008-01-26T22:16:00.001-08:00

Greetings!

I know I am very past due for a post. So here it goes.

December was a whirlwind!

December 8, we moved out of our house. December 10 we celebrated Ryan's birthday. December 14 was my last day of work in San Diego. December 23 we left for Bakersfield.

December 25...Olivia's First Christmas!!!

December 26 - 30 spent time in Vacaville with Grammie and Papa - my mom and stepdad.

January found us rooting for the Chargers and looking for jobs. No luck with either endeavor. It's discouraging and does a number on the self esteem to be a willing employee who is unable to find employment. Until we can find employment, we cannot get our own place. We are blessed to have such giving parents (thanks Mom and Dad M.) who are willing to open their home.

Prayer requests right now mainly revolve around jobs and keeping us healthy as we do not have health insurance. A scary prospect with a little one.

Olivia's birthday is right around the corner. Hard to believe, isn't it? Will try and post more and more often!

Thanksgiving

2007-11-25T22:20:00.000-08:00

You see things through different eyes when you celebrate your first holidays as a family. We spend Thanksgiving with family and friend's on Lori's side of the family. Here's some pictures from the day.

Thanksgiving morning, playing with daddy's shoes...
GG...aka Great Grandma Bobbie
Introduced to another tradition...the post Thanksgiving dinner NAP!

October In Pictures

2007-11-25T21:55:00.000-08:00

She's getting ready to crawl in this picture, just before Halloween. About two weeks later she was crawling! The same weekend she crawled, she got her first tooth, too!

That same weekend, we went to Disneyland as a family for the first time. We had a lot of fun watching Olivia look around and take in all she saw. We even took her on a couple of rides.

...first parade

Watching the Playhouse Disney show at California Adventure....It was a big day...

Here's pictures from her first Halloween. During the day, she was a cowgirl for school. Their theme at the preschool was "Wild, Wild, West". That night for "Trunk or Treat" at church, she was a pumpkin.

And last but not least, we went to Sea World and she met her first dolphin!

Way Over Due

2007-10-25T22:10:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know it has been two months plus since a new Olivia post. I promise to remedy that soon.

Stay tuned.

I love my FEET!

2007-08-08T20:40:00.001-07:00

As hard as it is to believe, Ms. Olivia is now 5 months old! Her most recent additions to her development repertoire are sleeping through the night (Woohoo!) and playing with her feet! The latter finding their way into her mouth a mere 4 days ago while Daddy was on the phone with Grandma and Grandpa.

I neglected to mention on our last post that Olivia went to her first official major league baseball game in July...thank you to the Schoch's for a great and totally unexpected evening of fun!

Summer Happenings

2007-07-24T18:31:00.001-07:00

It's been an exciting summer with Ms. Olivia.

At the end of June, she began exploring the possibility of rolling over. On July 1st she accomplished the fete! The funny thing is, that if she rolls herself over and it's playtime, she's mad. If she rolls herself over and it's sleepy time, she's out like a light. In fact, last night was the first time she rolled over onto her tummy in her crib and she slept from 10:30 PM - 6:00 AM ...YIPPEE!!!

Great Aunt Sunny and Great Uncle Dave sent Olivia a great contraption called an ExerSaucer. Olivia does about 30 minutes at a time in it. As she gets stronger, she enjoys it more.
She's a fish! She loves the pool. We got two little floaties to for her. One is a boat and the other is a dolphin. Both provide some shade. She has gotten strong enough that she can sit in them and enjoys being pushed around the pool. But she also likes swimming with mommy and daddy.
She's developing a great personality. She wakes up smiling and has the best giggle. It just melts your heart.
Dad is busy with side jobs and Mexico trips with Amor. Mom is enjoying her time at home, but is ready to go back to work. She has an interview this Friday (7/27). Please be praying for a favorable outcome.

Love to all!

A Week Full of Firsts!

2007-06-22T18:01:00.000-07:00

Olivia has had quite a week! On Tuesday she had her 4 month check up and we were told that she was strong enough for solid food! So Wednesday was full of "firsts" for our little girl.

When Ryan got home from work, we all went swimming in our pool...a first for her!

Later that evening, she had her first solid food - rice cereal! She had it everywhere and of course needed a bath right after.

More soon!

3 Months Old ALREADY!

2007-05-31T17:16:00.000-07:00

Greetings from the San Diego Morrisons!

Life is busy and moving on in some ways for us right now. Lori is finishing up her second year teaching. She is not going to return to the profession next school year and is excited to see what the Lord has in store. Ryan has been busy with side jobs, work, and his passion, serving with Amor Ministries.

As for little miss Olivia...she is growing like crazy. She has graduated to the big bathtub, with Mommy's help. Her smiles delight her mommy, daddy, grandparents, and mostly anyone who is lucky enough to be the recipient of one. She's squealing, cooing, and vocalizing more. Her newest endeavor is practicing sitting up. Just last night we discovered that if we sat her just right in the recliner she could sit up and she LOVES IT!

That's a quick update for now!

The Latest in Computer Keyboard Trays

2007-05-05T20:51:00.000-07:00

Olivia's new job is daddy's computer keyboard tray.

8 Weeks Today

2007-04-26T22:18:00.000-07:00

Olivia had her 2 month check up today. She is in the 90 percentile for her head circumference, 100 percentile for her length and off the charts for her weight. When the pediatrician met Ryan she understood right away where her size is coming from. (This was the first time the Dr. had met Ryan.)

She is pushing up on her arms when she is on her belly. The pediatrician informed us that this is typically a 4th month skill at the level she is able to do it and that we better be prepared for rolling and more scooting very soon.

My How Time Flies!

2007-04-24T16:52:00.000-07:00

My last post said that we were getting ready for Olivia to take her first airplane ride. I am happy to report that she is a great traveler and had no problems with flying! We had a great visit with Grammy Deb and Papa Mike.

While Olivia and I were visiting Grammy and Papa, Daddy was in Mexico with our church on the youth's annual Amor trip. It was a very successful week. The completed the house that they were assigned, plus poured an additional slab. Daddy will be leading two day trips the weekend of April 28 and hopes to help make a dent in the 75 houses left unfinished this Spring due to cancellations and other situations.

The Saturday after we all returned home, we have joined the Myer side of the family in celebrating Great-Grandparents Janie and Jim's 60th wedding anniversary! A wonderful time of family and celebration.

Last Thursday she was 7 weeks old. According to our at home measurements she is 14lbs. and 23"...a very big girl indeed!

Happy Easter!

2007-04-08T19:39:00.000-07:00

Sleep Deprivation, Smiles, and Plane Rides

2007-04-07T13:50:00.000-07:00

Olivia was five weeks old on Thursday...where does the time go? She is a little love junkie and is to the point where she won't sleep at night unless she is being held. This started when she caught her first cold last week and she could only breathe when propped up. Now, it's a habit. Ryan says there's worse things...and he's right. Last night, he got up with her so I could finally get some sleep, probably the best birthday present anyone could have given me.

On Thursday Olivia smiled for the first time...no it was not gas. I thought she was just teasing me, but she did it again on Friday. One of those smiles that lit up her whole face. It will be fun when she does it more regularly.

On Monday she and I will take her first plane ride to visit her Grammy in Vacaville while Daddy's in Mexico for the week. More on that adventure to come soon!

Olivia's Dedication

2007-03-27T13:26:00.000-07:00

Sunday was a very special day for our family. We had Olivia dedicated at church. This is the tradition of our church which believes that baptist is reserved for those who have made a personal commitment to follow Christ. It has been interesting watching my family participate in this because they come from a Lutheran tradition, which baptizes infants. Anyway, it was a beautiful day and Ryan and I are privileged and thankful that the Lord has given us the blessing of Olivia in our lives and the adventure that raising her is sure to be!

And it was Ryan's idea for him to wear a tie...there was no coercion from the wife!

2 Week Check Up

2007-03-19T15:23:00.000-07:00

Olivia had her 2 week check up today and both parents and baby recieved an A+. She's growing well (she's less than one ounce from being 10 lbs) and eating well and is generally a happy baby.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2007-03-17T21:51:00.000-07:00

To some, it's an excuse to spend the day getting drunk and stupid, as ryan would say. To others, it's a opportunity to remember their heritage. For us, it was the day that Olivia attended her first party - a surprise for her Auntie (honorary) Katie, mommy's best friend. It was fun and her Uncle Ted, who loves Ireland (which there is some Irish in our blood) gave her a very cute outfit to wear.

Happy St. Patty's Day!