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!