Oliver's "Stella dog"

I snapped this picture on Friday, while little man was taking a nap - for which, I might add, he went down for without a single noise of fuss.

The whole 'Ferberizing' thing we've been doing (an adjusted version of) suggests that they have a consistent stuffed animal to snuggle with as they fall asleep. We have a small stuffed animal that family friends gave us as a gift before Oliver was born, because it resembled Stella. We bring it with us in the car, wherever our real Stella can't come with us. (Ironically enough, it is one of only two of Oliver's toys that Stella reeeeeeally likes). I've been letting O snuggle with this in the car, and he's fallen asleep with it up against his cheek, but I obviously couldn't snap a picture - whenever I stopped to, he woke up!

I love this picture, and hope he enjoys it someday half as much as I do :)

Stella's smiling knowing how much trouble she'll get into with this guy.

Sweet Potato!

The latest phase of Oliver's almost 6 months (gasp!) has involved REAL food. Well, it's pureed, and has some breast milk added, but it's still food I suppose! This is a video from today *8/21* of his very first taste of sweet potato. He polished off the whole Baby Bullet serving. He'll have it for three more days, to ensure that he doesn't have any reaction. Then, we can try another food. As much fun as it is to make and give him food, I can't help but be a little sad about how fast he's growing up. He also sat up, unassisted for about 2 minutes today (until Stella came and kissed him). As my mom would say "my baby's not a baby anymore!" He's far from Kindgergarten, but it sure is flying by.... I'd like to pause it all. Right at this age. Thanks!

Chatterbox...

I took this video this afternoon, at my mom's house, and I'm very glad I captured the chatterbox on camera. The reason for the weird angle? (and not from above) He doesn't talk when the camera is there. I'm sure that will change...

Make sure you have the volume up before you watch this! :)



He's been like this for hours on end the last few days - at Stroller Strides, in the Grocery (Tarzan in Aisle 3!) and in the car so much that I've turned off the radio to listen to him singing :)

The Saucer....

This is the latest example or evidence that this child is going to be active, and quite a handful. Is he content to stand in his saucer and play with the lovely farm animals? Nope, not this kid. He (at 5 months, 1 week and 5 days) has figured out how to MOVE the saucer across the room with his own 17 pounds of body weight. Physicist in the making? perhaps...



P.S. I love how Stella is just laying there.... and for all of you concerned, I stopped the video to remove him from the saucer - as it got dangerously close to the stone behind him :)

88 GREAT Years so far... and a few more updates

Last Wednesday, July 27th, was my grandmother's (Oliver's great grandmother's) 88th Birthday! My mom planned a lovely picnic at Island Beach (Little Captian's Island) for her, and we had a little help from above with the weather. As the radio said, "one of the top 5 beach days this summer!"

Oliver even took a little siesta on the beach towel/blanket from his CO grandparents (good buy, guys!).

Amie (Oliver's aunt, aka A-squared) and her boyfriend took the NJ/NY bar exam. We are LOVING being so close to them, and Auntie Sarah:

5 Months Old

Today Oliver is 5 months old. I can NOT believe it.

It really seems like just yesterday I was checking into CFVMC, but at the same time it feels like he has been here forever. What did I do with my days before him? No clue.

Here is munchkin playing with his saucer, he loves the cow. Notice the adorable shirt we bought at Gymboree the other day (such a fun store, great boy's clothes), Ben picked it out and the little lamp thing glows in the dark! I love how he and the fish are facing the same way with similar expressions!

We are really starting to be on a clear-cut schedule, which means only one thing - it will inevitably change very soon! Perhaps we will sprout a tooth. Drool + boogers + items into mouth = potential tooth on the way.
On an average day, we are up at 5:45/6:00 to eat, and go back to bed for another hour or so (for both of us, most days).... a quick power nap around 9:30 or 10:00, and then another one around 12:30 or 1:00.
Finally, a nice afternoon 'Oprah' nap from 3:30 - 5 here or there.

Our bedtime routine consists of reading until Daddy gets home, then taking "Stelladog" to the dog park, taking a bath, listening to a CD while eating and then falling asleep.

Here we are reading today:

We had been using the Sleep Sheep, but I bought a projector/sound machine today (at the suggestion of a friend, thanks Mary!) that doesn't automatically shut off after 23 or 43 minutes.
Side note: I had noticed that Oliver wakes up immediately when it shuts off during daytime naps in the crib.... hmmm. Fingers crossed this works well to help him stay asleep, and get himself back to sleep. It's very hard when you're still getting up every 2 1/2 - 3 hours. He doesn't need to be changed, or fed, just wants to be rocked back to sleep. And it's even harder because I love cuddling.... ::sigh::

Here's my 5 month old.... crazy how quickly it goes by!
(How did I get a kid with blue eyes and blonder hair each day?)

Swimming - take 2

Yesterday we took Oliver swimming again, this time in a little baby pool which was much more productive for everyone. He LOVES Auntie Sar, and much enjoyed being able to put his feet on the bottom of the pool. It was 18" deep, just perfect for his little self. Check out the belly on this kid! :)

He managed to suck his thumb and walk in the pool at the same time. Talk about multi-tasking!