just a week ago

...we spent our first night at home with our new baby, India Isabella Oliver, and only her.  It was amazing to have the house quiet and our newborn safe, warm, and healthy.  After the scare that was her birth, it was so great to be home with her here, too.

Just home from the hospital ~ 11.12.11

The last week has been heavenly.  She is an angel.  She hardly ever cries.  She eats, uses the restroom, and sleeps.  That's about it.  When she is awake, she just lays there and looks around.  


I am just so happy.  

just 5 am

Yes, it really is 5 am.  


No, I am not a morning person.  


I don't know if it's a blessing or a curse.  Am I being prepared for the middle of the night feedings/changings?  Probably.  Perhaps, I will be grateful in a month...


I've tried EVERYTHING to get to sleep for the last 2 hours.  Yes, even yoga.  I feel better stretched, but not any sleepier than I was 2 hours ago.  Therefore, while the house is dark and the kids in bed, I will post the most recent event in my life: 

My New Baby's "Welcome to the World" Party

37 weeks - officially full-term 10.18.11

I feel so blessed to have friends who wanted to throw a shower for someone who's on their fourth baby.  Honestly, for me each one of my pregnancies has not been like the other, each has felt like the first time. (Mostly due to a lapse in memory, I'm sure.)  In addition, the reality of this new life being in my arms while it's still in my womb has felt - surreal.  It's these parties that make it more of a reality.  Life has gotten busy for us all, and the years melt away.  I was able to see friends & family last night that I don't get to see very often and for that I am so grateful.
  

Thank you to all who came & all who wanted to come!  

Now, when is she going to come?

just a ringing in our left ears

Here we are happy as clams basking in the sun on an Oregon beach...errr, I mean happy as clams can be watching the Foo Fighters play live in Salt Lake City!  It was glorious to be a clam last night.

Foo played for 2.5 hours (22 songs, if I counted right) and hit all the right notes.  It was melodic and raging, acoustic and ear-drum damaging.  (Literally!  Our left ears especially have a lovely, continuous ringing still.  Does it sound crazy to say it was worth it?  If you're a fan, you'll say, "Of course!")  The following highlights were particularly memorable: walking up the stairs into the venue right as they played the first notes to the opening song, "Bridge Burning"; listening to Dave describe his experience writing his most favorite song, "These Days," then hearing the band play it afterward; listening to an amazing Pink Floyd cover from The Wall; hoping for a few acoustic songs and getting more than we bargained for--Dave sang "Long Road To Ruin, Best of You, and Times Like These" from an elevated platform, which transitioned into and culminated with the entire band completing the finality of "Times Like These"; witnessing the on-screen, backstage banter between Dave and Taylor, who argued over how many songs to play during the encore (they ended the show with six!).  The best Foo Fighters concert I've seen to date (this is Aaron writing, not Tana) ended with "Everlong" and an invitation to come back, following the completion of the next album.  I hope our babysitters put this on their calendars, and we hope the opportunity presents itself.  All grandparents and Aunt Lacey would dive at the chance to have another overnight romp with our four tikes, right?

just reflections part II

Phoenix had entered the reflections contest last year and did VERY well.  This year we prepared him to be happy for just participating and to be happy for whomever won. (Due to the fact that he entered into the Visual Arts category, which is usually the most popular category.) 

To our surprise...

...his project was 1st place!  

just seven

Hard to believe, but true.  Phoenix is seven!

Sparkler candles do not blow out, they go out.  Luckily, kids don't usually realize this, at least this kid did not!

The next day, celebrating with friends.

just reflections

diversity means
a daughter
who's different
than most


who stands outside
a ring of girls
and tries
gently
to breakthrough


her mother watches
wants to cry
make them listen
make them see
the pearls
of beauty and kindness
she offers

but

they don't.

just a protruding navel

I thought that this was an indication that one was done being pregnant...apparently, it's not.  I referred to a book, and low and behold, this is something that can be present as early as the 6th month of pregnancy.  I guess I can count my lucky stars that mine did not began protruding until the 7th month.  

From what we can tell, she is worth all of the protruding navels in the world.  We have been so grateful to Shannon for letting us take a peek at our little one, in fact all of these 3D photos were taken today!  In addition to her cute little face, we saw eyelashes, hair, and thumb, pinky (& chord) sucking!  She truly is beautiful.


This morning, Skye was talking about "holding her little sister" and Liam chimed in that he would also be holding her.  Skye said, "No!  She's MY little sister!" and Liam responded with, "She's OUR families!" 


It has been so much fun to have the kids be apart of this process. They are SO excited and ask about her all of the time.  "When will she come out?" being the most common question.  "Your belly is ginormous!" being the most common remark!  Liam told me yesterday that my belly was like a BIG basketball!   


Even though being pregnant isn't the easiest thing in the world, I'm so grateful to have this little life growing inside of me.  What an opportunity, one that despite the aches and pains, I'm trying my hardest to focus on the positives....protruding navel and all. 

just back problems

Me: Do you want to watch a movie with me now?
Liam: You need to clean that up first (pointing to a game he'd dumped out)
Me: Can you come and help me clean it up?
Liam: No, cause my back is really starting to hurt!

just mister rogers

it just feels like a good thing to share:


"We all know how meticulously new parents look over their new baby to be sure there are no blemishes - no deviations from what they anticipated.  But no matter how beautiful the baby is, there are always deviations from what his or her parents anticipated.  The greater those deviations the more those parents need to have the opportunity to mourn - mourn the loss of the image of the perfect child they dreamed they would have.  They need to work through the sense of disappointment about things that the child is not.  They need to give up the image of having the perfect child before they can appreciate the child they really do have." (Many Ways to Say I Love You: Wisdom for Parents and Children from Mister Rogers)


Isn't this so bittersweetly true?  When I read this, I felt like crying and smiling at the same time.  So beautiful to me.

just gay

I don't care how gay I am for loving them!

just 1+10=11

That's right, it's our anniversary plus the anniversary of our 10 year anniversary dream honeymoon trip.


We went to Burano, an island of Venice, 1 year ago today.  I wish we could have spent a lot more time there than we did.  It was an amazing little fishing village that is known for it's handmade lace.  

Burano, Italy, 7.15.10

We had bought very little and realized, "we are leaving tomorrow!"  So Burano was the lucky little village where we purchased gifts for Skye.   

The dress she's wearing we purchased from a shop in Burano.   The lady we bought it from was the very one who made the dress!  Amazing!  And then the little bag we couldn't resist, a little curly-red-haired girl with a kitty!  Too perfect for our kitty loving, curly-red-haired girl!  

It was an amazing day!

Burano, Italy

7.15.10

The other great news about today was that we got to see this gorgeous "lady":

Already she looks so much like her big sister.  I'm just "Amazed" how lucky I am!  An amazing husband, three amazing kids (with a new baby girl on the way), and amazing memories... 

just my mama's name

A year ago tonight we were on a gondola ride in Venice.  Totally cliched, but it was AWESOME!

Venice is an amazing place.  It's only downfall (besides the obvious) is that the Venetians really are not very friendly.  Despite that we had an amazing day!

just florentine heaven

"Heaven

I'm in heaven 

And my heart beats

So that I can hardly speak"

This is how I felt at the Academy of Fine Arts in Firenze, Italia.  To be surrounded by Michelangelo's sculptures & what felt like his presence.  David is truly amazing.  I could have stayed there forever.

Firenze (a.k.a Florence) 7.13.10

We completed our goal of seeing the Four Ninja Turtles (by seeing a sculpture by Donatello).  At the Vatican the day before, we'd seen Raphael & Da Vinci.

Walked up Giotto's Bell Tower.  Aaron really isn't fond of heights.

On top Giotto's Bell Tower.  Gorgeous view of Florence.

We now know how grateful we are NOT to be a Cartusian Monk.

just san gimignano

7.12.10

The tuscan village, San Gimignano (gi-min-yano), is a magical place (or medieval dream) with A LOT of tourists!

7.12.10

These towers, streets, and buildings are more than 1000 years old (and still mostly intact), so you truly feel like you're in medieval Europe.  (If you want to walk these streets and climb these towers, play Assassin's Creed II.)  The other fantastic experience here (for Aaron only) was visiting the austere Death Penalty Museum and Torture Museum!  It added to the ancient authenticity of this town.  

just day three in rome

A year ago today, I had my second "WOW" of the trip. 

7.11.10

Two words: la pieta

We luckily had brought binoculars & were able to see Michelangelo's only signed sculpture.  But to see this with my own eyes was a memory I will treasure forever.

Aaron's "WOW! Can't believe I'm here" also happened a year ago today...

7.11.10

Upon exiting the tour bus, I (Aaron) walked as if in a dream-state.  I couldn't believe I was nearing the Roman Colosseum!  Once inside, we beheld the gargantuan and mesmerizing location of ancient violence.  Oh, to walk where gladiators walked!  (Truth be told, they don't let you down where the gladiators prepared and fought, so let me try this again.)  Oh, to at least walk where Roman citizens walked who actually saw gladiators fight (and walk) was a divine spectacle!  Did I also stand where Bruce Lee fought Chuck Norris in Return of the Dragon?!  There were too many glorious moments to contemplate during this sweltering day in Rome.

just day two in rome

It takes a lot to truly make me say, "WOW......" 

The Pantheon is amazing. Words can't express just how amazing, you will just have to go see it for yourself! (I double-dog dare you!)

"As I was walking today, I tried to think of what it would have been like to be one of the earlier Romans here." (taken from my journal, 7.10.10)

We are not risk takers, so this was a big one for us:  We dared fill our water bottles from some of the 10,000 fresh water fountains that are in Rome (this was one of them).

  Talk about refreshing!  

just day one in rome

July 9, 2010 ~ As we were walking through an alley on the way to the Trevi Fountain, I snapped this great photo of Aaron.  

Yes, the alleys of Rome are as amazing as you think they will be.

"We are now at the Trevi fountain! It's the first time of the trip I feel totally and completely happy! Not nervous, or insecure, or scared.  I feel happy!  It's so surreal to be here! Pinch me!" (from my journal)

Speaking of time, I am much wider in the stomach this July 9th than in this photo!

just an Anniversary of a Lifetime

A year ago today, we were on our first transatlantic flight!


If I could use a time machine, you'd see us 4 hours into the 14 & 1/2 hour flight.  We didn't arrive in Rome until July 9th (due to an 8 hour time difference).  Had we been in the States, it would have still been July 8th.


I've been thinking about this trip the last couple of days.  Rather in awe of the way time does seem to pass us all by, and doing my best to not lose sight of wonderful opportunities we've had in this thing called life. 

This is the first photo of our trip, taken in Las Vegas just before boarding the plane, 7.8.10.

just "How Lucky I am!"

The blood, sweat, and worries all paid off for Aaron this past week.  The bureaucratic runaround that the school system puts their teachers through, has ended in our favor.  Despite getting fully qualified to teach at a Dual Immersion school three years ago, Aaron had to re-qualify this year, due to a changing of the guard.


The PRAXIS tests in English are often dreaded by teachers.  Add Spanish to the front of that word PRAXIS and it is dreaded even more.  Especially when a practice question is the following:


What is the name of Christina Aguilera's baby? (Translated to English from the Spanish form it was in originally.)


Not only does one not want to take this test, but they charge $150.  Hey! But you'll be reimbursed if you pass.  If not, insult to injury.


Last Tuesday morning, Aaron came in early that morning with the look of just having seen a ghost.  "The test results are posted."  He says.  But he hadn't looked yet.  With the click of a button, Aaron became even more shocked.  Honestly, I wasn't that surprised.  (I had watched him prep for this test.)  He passed! (Aaron would add, "Just barely.")  We are excited to say that we will be getting reimbursed and for now, he is again qualified to teach in Spanish.


Who knows what will happen in three years if a changing of the guard happens, again.  Somewhat disillusioned with the teaching system.  Especially with the announcement of next year's .015% pay increase.  Previously it was about .03%, but despite Aaron's outrage, at least he still has a job.  


He's just angry because he spent 2-3 weeks of his summer taking college classes so he could get a .06% raise next year (not to mention his 1 credit History Fair assignment that turned into over 40 hours of extra work on top of the new Treasures program and his first year teaching in Spanish)....and he just found out that it will be half of that.  At least it isn't .015% I tell him.  

Read this for the first time yesterday, it totally applies to our recent disappointment in the lack of pay and runaround teachers are put through.  Because at least we don't live "in that forest in France, where the average young person just hasn't a chance to escape from the perilous pants-eating-plants!"  My pants are safe!

just missing art

Aaron & I were lucky enough to get a movie night this past week.  We went and saw the Woody Allen movie, "Midnight in Paris."  I really enjoyed the movie, but it has caused me to ache inside due to the lack of art in my present life.  


Miss studying the great artists of the past & present.  Miss the process of creating art.  Miss breathing in great art museums and working in groups with other artists.  


I've always questioned whether I ever would have made it in the art world, but despite my insecurities in this area, I still love it.  Luckily there are moments when I do get to exercise my creative juices, thank goodness for them!  

Thought I'd share one of my favorite paintings from 

one of my favorite artists.

just phoenix playing piano

When Phoenix was 5 years old, he began taking piano lessons.  The reason:  he wanted to play Aaron's saxophone.  We told him that he needed to learn how to play music first and the best way was to learn to play the piano.  However, if it hadn't been for my brilliant sister-in-law, Jenny, the lessons would not have lasted.  She told us how she gave Eben video game minutes after he did his homework. Phoenix could earn a minute of video game time for every minute he practiced the piano.  Did I mention that video games were contingent on learning to play the piano?  As you will see for yourself, it worked! He's also very good at video games!

5.16.11

This is Phoenix's first piano recital.  I think he was a year or two younger than all of the other students, and he's now been taking lessons for 1 year and 4 months! 


Now, we just need to upgrade from a keyboard to a Grand Piano!

just a day of firsts

This is a first for me.  I was able to break off my first crookneck squash this morning, and another should be ready in the next couple of days. 

I know this is no biggie for many out there, but it is for me.  Not only because our backyard consists of a 20'x8' cement slab and everything we grow has to be in containers, but I had attempted a squash plant a few years ago and lets just say it got thrown away before the plant produced any fruit when the baby squash bugs invaded.  So far, no squash bugs, just squash and I am enjoying the moment.


More firsts are coming today.  We are going to get our first 3D ultrasound (and hopefully) find out for the first time what to expect in November.

just great news

This, that I'm about to write, is one of those great moments.  When you take in that deep breath that fills you up, and when released, gives a satisfying, refreshing feeling to your body and mind.


Skye had a follow up appointment for her eye problems (i.e. Strabismus, or lazy eye).  This battle began in October of 2009.  We have been to the eye doctor more times in a year and a half than I care to count.  We've patched, dilated, and watched this left eye of Skye's strengthen, and without surgery, grow strong!

This photo was taken before she got her glasses. 10.09

The doctor said that the lazy eye no longer seemed to be a problem at this time, that her glasses are working, and we don't have to go back for 6 months!  Six months!!!!  After that, we could possibly go every year!  Wooo hooooo!

This photo was taken before her hair cut (see birthday photo)

This is a small step for Skye but giant leap for oliverkind! :)  Over the moon with happiness!

just eight

Skye, blowing out her eight candles.  I know what I would wish for...it would be for her.  

I wonder what she wished for.

just blogging

Never done this before, ironically, never thought that I would. Never.  A word I should know by now, that one should "never" say; (whatever you do again!)


However, I have officially been in my second trimester for almost 4 weeks, and my hormones are all over the place.  Hormones.  Not to be trusted.


To be honest, there is a particular reason for this blog...I'm just not going to tell.  Especially since I will probably be the only one following it.