Happy 4th birthday, Livi

4 years ago, we were in the hospital, snuggling the newest little love of our lives.

Baby liv

The day before, my heart was filled with anticipation.

I had started to feel contractions, but I had no idea if it was finally time to head to the hospital, and if we’d finally get to meet the baby girl we’d dreamed about for so long.

We went to brunch with the family, and I had to awkwardly put my head down in between bites and take deep breaths during each contraction. Tom and I laugh about it now; I must have been quite a sight that day. 😉

4 years ago, I had no idea that my life was going to change in the best way possible. I had a long and intense labor, and afterwards, we got one of the best gifts we could ever wish for.  

Newborn livi

It’s hard to believe that it was 4 years ago. It feels like a second and a lifetime. 

Some things about 4:

-4 is a heart of gold; pure kindness and love.

Livi and the goats

-4 is endless curiosity and questions. Where did that come from? How do you spell that? Why?

Solar system

(This is when she asked Tom how gravity worked, so we were watching videos about the solar system.)

-4 is pure wisdom, and a constant reminder to focus on the present and honor how you’re truly feeling. Sometimes you need to run around a go crazy, kick back and watch your favorite show, or have dessert in the middle of the afternoon. 😉

-4 is spinning, singing, and jumping over puddles

-4 is joy and giggles

Livi and pluto

-4 is tiny ballet shoes and mini soccer cleats. It’s when you’re big enough to do big things, but small enough that a kiss from mama or dada still makes it all better

Livi swinging

She’s a spunky, beauty, brilliant little star, and the sweetest big sis to Penelope. 

I love four, and can’t wait to see what the next year has in store.

Four years old

Happy Birthday, Olivia!

Thank you for making me a mama. <3

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39 Comments

  1. Laura T. on January 8, 2016 at 6:27 am

    Happy Birthday Olivia!! You are blessed. She is a beautiful little girl!!

  2. Kelli @ Hungry Hobby on January 8, 2016 at 6:29 am

    Happy Birthday Liv! I always Love her livism’s they crack me up!

  3. Sana on January 8, 2016 at 6:48 am

    LOVE the picture tradition!

  4. Lauren @ Oh Hey! I Like That! on January 8, 2016 at 6:55 am

    Happy birthday to your gorgeous girl!!

  5. Amber @ Busy, Bold, Blessed on January 8, 2016 at 6:56 am

    Such a cute post! Happy Birthday Livi 🙂

  6. Bri on January 8, 2016 at 7:01 am

    Happy birthday to your sweet, Livi!!! Those pictures you take each year of you and her are going to be something you guys will treasure forever!

  7. Tia on January 8, 2016 at 7:02 am

    Happy Birthday lil Livi! She’s so stunning!!

  8. Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious on January 8, 2016 at 7:04 am

    Happy birthday Olivia! She is just precious and looking at her baby pic I can’t believe how much her & P look alike!

  9. Jessica C on January 8, 2016 at 7:09 am

    Happy, happy birthday, Olivia! Hope you have a wonderful day!!

    Such a sweet post, Gina – thanks for sharing your sweet family with us! 🙂

  10. Ashley @ A Lady Goes West on January 8, 2016 at 7:19 am

    Happy Birthday to Livi! She is so beautiful, just like her Momma! 🙂

  11. Ali on January 8, 2016 at 7:23 am

    Awwww! She’s such a snuggle bug! Happy birthday Livi, and I love love love the photos at the end each year, so incredibly sweet.

  12. Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine on January 8, 2016 at 7:27 am

    She is such a little lady now!! Happy Birthday Liv!

  13. erin on January 8, 2016 at 7:30 am

    OMG happy birthday livi!! and keep doing those pictures!!! i adoooooreeee it! it’s so fun to see livi grow up!

  14. Anna on January 8, 2016 at 7:38 am

    She’s totally your mini me- so beautiful! Hope you guys have fun celebrating today

  15. Meg on January 8, 2016 at 7:42 am

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETHEART! <3

  16. Maria on January 8, 2016 at 7:47 am

    Happy Birthday Liv! You’ve been blessed with two beautiful girls. I love the curiosity! We’re in the “why?” stage of life.

  17. Gianna @ Run, Lift, Repeat on January 8, 2016 at 7:51 am

    She is growing into such a lovely little girl with quite the personality! I love the picture tradition but the first year one is just beyond. Happy Birthday Livi!

  18. Jacki on January 8, 2016 at 8:04 am

    Happy Birthday, Livi! Five years ago today, I was at my baby shower and had to stop between opening presents to breathe through contractions. I wound up in the hospital that night and had her the next morning!

  19. Jessie R on January 8, 2016 at 8:07 am

    Happy Birthday Liv! Such a smart, kind, beautiful, and playful girl 🙂

  20. Cassie on January 8, 2016 at 8:15 am

    I love those pictures! So sweet!

  21. Hillary | Nutrition Nut on the Run on January 8, 2016 at 8:44 am

    It’s been so fun to watch Livi grow up through the blog. You have 2 beautiful daughters! 🙂

  22. Sara @ Oats & Rows on January 8, 2016 at 8:49 am

    Happy Birthday to Liv! She is so beautiful. I love the yearly pictures you’ve done…what great photos to always look back on 🙂

  23. Carrie on January 8, 2016 at 9:17 am

    Tears!! I remember when she was born! Where does the time go!? Even seeing other people’s babies grow up is so difficult. Livi is a beautiful dolly- Penelope looks so much like her!

    Happy birthday, Livi! Hope all is well, Gina. 🙂

  24. Erika S. on January 8, 2016 at 9:27 am

    Happy 4th to Livi…she’s absolutely hilarious and growing into such a lovely lil lady! The pic on the swing is adorable!

    The yearly pics are awesome!

  25. Roselie on January 8, 2016 at 9:33 am

    Happy Birthday sweet Livi! She ‘s such a treasure! May you all have happy and healthy lives together and everything you wish for come true!

  26. mary on January 8, 2016 at 9:56 am

    I would’ve never noticed if you hadn’t used the top pic to show it before but your braces seem to have really worked! Good job!

    I remember ages 3 and 4 being so much better than babyhood (from a mom perspective), and I have to admit it just keeps getting better.

  27. Gina on January 8, 2016 at 10:10 am

    OMG! Crying at work – what a heartfelt post – she is a beauty! Happy 4th to Livi! Gina (from Mass)

  28. Morgan @ Morgan Manages Mommyhood on January 8, 2016 at 10:26 am

    Happy birthday to your little lady!!!! It’s been so fun to watch her grow up!!

  29. Tracy on January 8, 2016 at 11:17 am

    A great BIG Happy Birthday to you, Liv!!!

    Can’t believe it’s been 4 years! Sheesh!

    I know you think Liv looks like you and P looks like Tom, But Liv’s baby pics sure look like P to me!!

  30. Amanda on January 8, 2016 at 11:35 am

    Happy Birthday Livi!!!!!

  31. Amanda on January 8, 2016 at 1:44 pm

    Such a beautiful little girl! Can’t believe she is 4 already.

  32. Lori on January 8, 2016 at 3:02 pm

    Happy birthday, Liv! I love the pictures of you and Liv at the end of the post, they are absolutely beautiful!

  33. Kailey on January 8, 2016 at 7:05 pm

    Happy Birthday, Livi!
    Where did the time go?! Seems like just yesterday we were anxiously awaiting the birth announcement. She is just gorgeous!

  34. Ali on January 8, 2016 at 7:36 pm

    Happy Birthday LIVI!! Sending you guys all my love on her special day! First borns are the best 😉 <3 <3 <3

  35. Catherine on January 8, 2016 at 8:32 pm

    Happy birthday to your beautiful girl! I hope she enjoys her “birthday weekend” (as I believe it is a rule that having a birthday on a Friday means you are celebrated the entire weekend :))!

  36. Leah on January 8, 2016 at 8:52 pm

    Aww! This makes me tear up! I have a daughter that recently turned 5. Time sure flies. Happy birthday, Livi! She’s just adorable and has quite the fun personality. Enjoy celebrating her special day!

  37. Emily on January 8, 2016 at 9:14 pm

    Please keep taking a yearly photo of you two like that — it is so cute! Happy birthday Liv!

  38. Amy on January 9, 2016 at 7:59 am

    Adorable post!!

  39. Eva on January 9, 2016 at 6:25 pm

    I just have to say– Livi is SO pretty <3 i love her eyes so much. i can't help but say this– she's going to be such a babe when she grows up (sorry if that's not what you want to hear haha) 😉
    happy birthday to her!!

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