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Dog Whisperer

10-27-08
Oliver gets pretty excited about canines. "Dog" was his first word, he points them in out in t.v. commercials, and he's always first to identify a bark: "dog." He thrills to see Maudie's face peeking in the kitchen window when she stands on her hind legs on the deck. And when we went out of town recently, he walked to the Marriott's balcony door and asked where Dog was.

He seems fascinated by the tiny dogs from nextdoor. The three became very friendly during a recent romp in the front yard. After lots of sniffing and scoping each other out, Oliver consented to a special kiss.

An Autumn Sunday

Kins gave me this Lamb suit when Oliver was a newborn. No, it's not his Halloween costume--just for kicks. He was so funny sliding around the wood floors on his slick hooves a couple nights ago. It was just before bedtime, and he was a little slap-happy. Also, Maudie was thrilled to have her own sheep to herd at last.

Sweet Sheepy

Make it Go Away

Lately Oliver squeezes his eyes shut, like this, to signify protest or when he wants something to go away. It's funny. Like when he doesn't want another bite of food. Or when I tell him, "Night night" and pick him up to go to his crib. I think here, he was protesting the camera flashing in his face over and over. Another favorite means of protest is "going boneless." This happens often when we go for walks. When I try to take his hand or lift him under his arms to turn toward home, he's instantly floppy and impossible to steer. Also funny.

Pretty Baby

Taken during lunch 10-16-08

Catch Me If You Can

There are 42--yes, FORTY-TWO-- drawers and cupboards (upstairs) that Oliver can open by himself. All he wants to do these days is empty them all. And don't forget the closets, shelves, piano bench, and occupied shower:) Meanwhile, Brother has learned to crawl. If Daddy doesn't bring home some baby-proofing that works today, Mommy is sending Oliver to work with him tomorrow.

13 Months

Devouring Books

For months this book has remained in Oliver's crib. He loves to push the little button on the cover that plays a song, "Mommy loves Elmo" (aka Frere Jaques). Many mornings that twangy, computerized tune alerts us to the fact that Oli is awake. A few days ago I went in to find bits of saliva-soggied book binding littering his bedding. He's been eating his book. Mmmmm.

Note what you DON'T see in his crib: binkies. We went cold turkey on September 24th. We used to leave 2 or 3 binkies in his crib--only using them at bedtime. But he got into the habbit of chucking them onto the floor after we put him to bed and then wailing in despair because he couldn't reach them, until we would tip-toe back in and pop one in his mouth. For the last week of binky life it had become a game. He was winning. As much as I love a binky face, I decided to end it. He only cried for about five minutes the first night without a pacifier. As usual, he just soldiers on. He has helped himself to X's binky once or twice in the last 10 days. But they're usually in X's bed, and thus not a temptation.

See Ya

Lately, Oliver won't stay still for me to take any photos. He's way too busy.

Allergic

Oliver was taking Amoxicillan for his ear infection for over a week. On Monday, September 22, the day of his last dose, he woke up spotty. If I hadn't seen Asher and Malcom go through the same thing, I might have freaked out. He took the same medication at four months for his first ear infection--no trouble then. It's a mystery. It has been a week and a half, the spots haven't quite faded completely.

This is What 12 Months Look Like

Has it already been a year? Has it only been a year? Reflecting on last September's magical events coupled with the nostalgia that always comes with Fall...I'm walking around on the verge of sobbing. (And my baby is walking around! Moments ago he was barely bigger than his dad's shoe.) I've been reliving a scene in a Colorado hospital room where the bravest, dearest, most selfless birthparents placed 6 pounds of fresh perfection in my arms. And, to think, my heart is even fatter with love today than it was that day last year. Miracles.

THEN

NOW

Oliver's 1st Birthday

No Signs of Slowing Down

Dad has been working on a video of Oliver's super-fun birthday party; a thorough post should be up soon. Meanwhile in the week since our little monkey turned one, he has been very busy. Our 12 month doctor visit went well besides a couple shots, a minor ear infection, and a touch of eczema. L'Olly weighs 22 pounds, 4 ounces and is 31 1/4 inches. (45% for weight and 90% for height.)Still tall. The doc predicts he'll reach 6'1" or 6'2".

Oliver is done with bottles and formula and on to sippy cups and whole milk. And he consistantly says "dog" ("gog") and "cracker" ("ca-ca"). We are fascinated and thrilled at his learning and development.

Happiness is playing with a phone or a remote control. Often he opens my phone and holds it to his eyes to listen... he's getting the gist. :)

Our teetering little drunkard is getting more coordinated and confidant by the hour. He has really taken off this week.



Thanks for the leash--I mean backpack, Grandma Lori!



Brushing our teeth is fun to do, fun to do, to do, tooo dooooo! (But not as fun as biting Mommy's toes and lip and Brother's fingers.)

So BIG, so soon

If it's going to get cold already, I better buy some bigger socks. I love this big little boy baby!

Let the Games Begin!

Mischief

...lend me your EARS!

Sunday Dinner

Oliver is putting his eight tiny chompers to good use. He pants wildly in anticipation of his food. And, he can competantly and confidantly "wave bye-bye" on cue. We're so proud!

Sing us a song, you're the Pianoman

One of Oliver's favorite destinations, when he first learned to crawl, was the piano pedals. Now he even likes to play. The tip-toe action is my favorite.

First Swim * 4th of July

GET OUT 'the WAAAY!!!

Yesterday our little Evil Knievel stood up in his high chair the moment I sat him in it. He also followed me into the bathroom and leaned over the tub until he fell in head first (no water). This last week he gave himself his first fat lip--and don't forget the day he fell and bit into his tongue. He felt fine about things before he even stopped bleeding.

Canyon Picnic

Last week we drove up Little Cottonwood Canyon to celebrate Pa and Kinners' birthdays. The Swiss' blog has more pictures. Here's Oliver and Asher with their short hair and Oli toasting a marshmallow on Pa's famous golf club-turned wienie roaster.

What's new...

I cropped Oliver's hair on Wednesday. He looks like such a big boy. Handsome as ever and lighter blond.

Also, I spoke too soon on the "Nine Months" post when I predicted a snaggle tooth. In fact, the tooth I felt then was only a day or two ahead of the other three on top. So, for the past four weeks or so, Oliver has been cutting four new teeth. Every day his gums appeared more translucent until finally on Monday or Tuesday his teeth actually poked through. Whew! Relief at last for his sore little mouth. We hear him grinding from time to time. "Squeak, rub, squeak..." The sound makes me shudder. I always poke my finger in his mouth, and he's happy to bite it instead. Look closely on the preceeding post where he's smiling in a closeup. You can see two tiny, sharp teef growing down from his upper gum.

Oliver has discovered the toilet paper roll and swats a big pile of tissue onto the floor before I can bend down and scoop him up. Messy or not, everything he does delights me.

He and his brother grin at each other whenever they're within ten feet of one another.

And, last but not least, he went swimming for the first time today. Pictures soon.

Sherbet Stripes

WALK ON!

Thanks for sharing your walker, Mac!

Olive & Powder

Stand and Deliver

June 16th: the first morning Oliver was standing in his crib when I went in to get him. We lowered it a couple weeks ago after I put him in for a nap, and he almost pulled himself up. He pulls himself to standing, on anything (except for the dog, who darts away), in a blink now.

Father's Day

Stay Close!

A couple days ago Lennox and I left Oliver playing in his room while it was Lex's turn for a bath. Oli started whimpering and then I heard him making his way to the bathroom. He came plodding around the corner on his hands and knees, looking for us. Then he crawled over to me and pulled himself up on my legs as I sat on the stool beside the tub. It's pretty much the best thing that has ever happened to me. He even said "mama" (I know he doesn't associate meaning with that sound, but still) as he crawled. Since then he has been following me around the house and making his way close to Brother whenever X is awake. He's on the move.

Nine Months

Oliver is still in the 85-90th percentile for height, and he weighs an even 20 pounds, which is 45th percentile (long and lean). He had a rough couple of days early this week with a tempurature of 102.5 and spots in his throat. He's also cutting tooth up top, left of center. He's going to have a little snaggle tooth grin.

MANLY MEN