On the day you were born...

Dear Olivia:  July 18, 2015  Welcome to this world, Baby Girl!

I have waited my entire life to meet you, and the day you arrived could not have been more perfect. It was a warm but rainy day in Boblingen Germany, and with your Dad by my side we cried with joy when we first saw you. We waited 9 months to find out if you were going to be a baby girl or a baby boy, and Dad was right- you were a girl! A tiny, beautiful, head-full-of-hair baby girl. 

Just born!
One of your awesome doctors (Dr. Weiss) is in the background of this photo!

You were so content being in my arms for the first 2 hours of your life, snuggling and opening your eyes to your new world around you. You held onto Mommy's and Daddy's finger for awhile and even fell asleep briefly. When the midwifes finally took you away to be checked, you weighed 6 pounds even, and you were 19.68 inches long. You were two weeks earlier than we expected and much smaller, but perfect in every way. I always wanted a blue-eyed and blonde-haired baby and you came out just like that! Your Dad and I were thrilled and over-the-moon in love. I feel thankful every day that I was chosen to be your mother. Our wonderful friend, Brittany Jones, was in the delivery room with us to capture this amazing time on camera- and we are so thankful for the wonderful photos we got!

About 10 minutes old

The first night in the hospital I stayed awake and watched you all night. Daddy went to our home in Germany to keep the dogs (Jinx & Sandy) company and get some rest, and you and I had a slumber party at Boblingen Hospital. The next day, Daddy came back and we had many visitors come to greet you. Sara & Devin Cables stopped by first (she was pregnant with your friend Paisley at the time), and they brought you a really neat "diaper cake" filled with little gifts. Next came our wonderful friends Casey Cartwright, Tim Jones (and his kids Kenzie & Landyn), and the Quednos! On night two I finally got some rest, and you slept like a champ as well (especially being a newborn)! The morning of day 3 of your life, your Dad drove to Frankfurt Airport to pick up your Oma, Papa, and Aunt Kelsey who had just arrived!!

Daddy's Girl

It was an emotionally wonderful moment when they walked through the doors of the hospital to meet you for the first time. You lucked out with your extended family, as they all love you so much! Your Grandma Sheila and Grandpa Chuck wish they could've been there, along with your Uncle Drew, Aunt Caitlin, Uncle Brian, Aunt Laura, Aunt Jaime, and Aunt Jenny! Later that afternoon, we were able to pack up, have you checked out by the doctor, and head home for the first time ever!

July 20, 2015 || Arriving Home on Patch Barracks, Vaihingen Germany

Once you arrived home you were introduced to your puppy-siblings and we finally got to relax (and open more gifts)!! We FaceTimed with your family in Wisconsin and began our new life at home as the Anderson Family of 3. You are the light of my world, baby girl, and I will love you forever.


Love, Mom