Mike and Colleen Speer

She is 5 weeks old!

2008-12-15T08:25:00.000-08:00

Time has flown and in 5 weeks this little one has changed so much! She dosn't cry much at all, but, is very awake these last 2 weeks! Her dad is a night owl and seems she is taking after his sleep patterns:) At her month check up she had grown so much and made it to 10 lbs and 24 inches long! She wears all different sizes, because she hasn't gotten too much meat or fat on her bones but is too long for some one piece 0-3 mth sizes even! We love her and are so excited to be in California and share her with all the family and friends out there! Mike is really enjoying being peed, pooped and farted on:) We both are just so proud of her and how she seems to be a perfect baby!

One week old!

2008-11-18T16:39:00.000-08:00

It is hard to believe Olivia has been here for a week now! We are loving her so much! She is slept 4 hour stretches last night (we will see if that lasts:)) ! I am learning so many things about her each day! She loves to be naked...she loves having her hair washed....she loves her hands at her face and her legs stretched out far! Her hair has gotten lighter each day it seems and she has her dad wrapped around her skinny fingers already! She loves having Mike change her diaper and clothes, she is as calm as can be with him! I am hoping to see many of you at Christmas and share her with you too! What a fun time for Mike and I, we didn't have a clue how much love she would bring into our lives.

3 weeks or less....?

2008-11-02T09:30:00.000-08:00

So, we really only have 3 weeks until Olivia should arrive, but, we wouldn't mind it if she decided to come just a little early:) We are so excited to actually see her and hold her! What an exciting time for us! Our last visit as last wed. and the Dr. predicted she was already 7 lbs, we had a suprise ultrasound and everything looks perfect! She is definatley growing daily! It is so strange to have her moving when she is so big- of course, very fun too:) I have been trying to have the house as clean as possible and be ready for the big day! I guess nesting is a good thing...more energy to keep things clean and organized....

Counting Down The Days!

2008-10-26T17:08:00.001-07:00

It is getting closer and we are getting more anxious for Olivia to arrive! This last weekend we worked more on the house and I finished her mobile. The pictures honestly don't do it justice. Mike has been great dealing with some of my mood swings. I have a new level of hormone that seems to make me over-react in most situations:) I have the hospital bag packed and everything washed! We are hoping for a full moon delivery on Nov. 13th! That could be wishful thinking, but what 36 week pregnant women isn't? It is getting pretty cold here and our wood stove is working great so far! We were just about sweating downstairs and had the up stairs to 73! Can't wait to be home for the Holidays and enjoy the warmer climate for a few weeks!

Loving a warm weeked!

2008-10-12T17:42:00.000-07:00

So, this last week was pretty interesting with cold temps and rain. Mike got the wood pile ready and we had some toasty fires to keep us warm! Then we had an amazingly warm few days! We loved t hesunshine and the temps in teh high 60's low 70's! As we are getting ready for Olivia and the winter months (about 7 long months) we have painted pretty much the whole house now, and organized most everything possible! Mike is doing well at being patient for his slow moving pregnant wife and I am working at not being too crazy as hormones are reaching a new level! I have been reassured that I will forget all the pains and aches of pregnancy, but, until then, I have been caught saying "I don't think this will happen again!"
PA has brought a beautuful fall and the leaves do look amazing! Lots to rake and lots to enjoy! Mike has been working hard and having success with his research! YEAH! I am working, just a tad slower than normal! Olivia is moving whever she wants and has casued a few bruised ribs and pains! She is going to make me so happy once she is out:) A few weeks to go and then I am sure I will be singing a different tune!

It's fall again!

2008-09-29T17:33:00.000-07:00

We have just made it a year now in State College and boy has time flown! Mike hopes to go through fewer rakes this fall season and I hope to have Olivia by the 25th of November! We can't wait! Mike is busy doing research and even taking a few classes and I am working full time downtown. Our offices are on the so close we can have lunch together most days and Olivia's day care is only 2 blocks away so we will get to see her lots as well! Life has been busy and fun as we prepare for her arrival. We loved the week visit home, although, it seemed too short! We loved being able to see family and friends. We are already looking forward to the coming Christmas break! Until then, we have tried to stay in touch, and done a horrible job with that! So, here I am trying to at least blogg a few updates:)

Visitors!

2008-05-05T16:21:00.000-07:00

We can't wait to have Mike's family here the end of May! Mike and I are so excited to have family around! We will have lots to share of our fun time with them!

Spring is here....we made it through the cold dark winter!

2008-05-05T15:59:00.000-07:00

It is May 5th and we are just starting to have temps above the 50's! Night time lows are still very low, but, at least the sun is shining now! Mike is finishing up his 2nd semester already and time is flying! I am loving work and being able to spend the weekends "touring" around the east coast.
January, Febuary, and March were freezing, and pretty much a blur of dark cold days and nights, lots of shoveling snow and fire wood are all I can bring to my mind now. Mike actually broke his foot in January, and so he was on crutches for over a month! He just barley in the end of April, got the screws taken out! That put a hold on the house construction and his usual active lifestyle. It was sad.
Kurt came out for a few weeks in April to visit and did all the plumbing for our master bath and re-did all the pipes in our house to 3/4 in. piping (they were 1/2 1n.). While he was here we went up to NYC for a weekend, to D.C and got a White House tour by Brenden! Thanks Brenden! It is so fun to see Taryn every once in a while too! She will be missed, but I can't blame them for going back to California! Mike and I had fun with Kurt here, he was our first house guest! Mike misses going to Sheets with Kurt!
Things are really picking up with the re-model and with Mike's research! He is doing amazing work and getting really far, quick. He passed his entrance exams early in March and now has a raise in pay and is working hard in his lab! I am still doing the same thing...but really enjoying it! Mike and I have made lots of friends here and we are starting to warm up to the east. Although, we still make plans for our move back west!