I remember looking down at your little face and thinking to myself… Holy shit, that kid is BLUE. Okay, so maybe I didn’t think it, maybe it came out of my mouth… and maybe everyone told me that was normal. And maybe? Just maybe? I didn’t believe them at first. But then you turned a normal shade of normal (because really? Peach just doesn’t cover it….) and I was okay.

And yes, I said you were born in a bathtub. Why? Because you try giving birth without drugs without some warmth around you. Thankyouverymuch (BTW, MAD respect for those of you out there who have done that). Except you’ll never have to give birth, because you’re a boy.

Speaking of which… having a boy? Changed my life. Having a baby changed my life, but seriously? A boy? What in the world was I going to do with a little boy? I’m a girl. I don’t know what little boys like, I don’t know how to pee standing up, I don’t even really like blue all that much. What in the world was I going to do with a little boy???

Well….

The minute you were born, I knew that things were going to be okay. How could I not love you with all of my heart and soul? How could I not want to protect you from anyone and anything that might ever hurt you? How could I not want to be your mommy forever and ever and ever? Because you, my darling little man, are the light of my life. You’re my reason for being. You’re the reason I get up in the morning. You’re the reason I do everything I do.

You’re so fun to be around. You’re so social. You’re so smart. You’re so strong. You’re so…. you. I couldn’t have asked for a better baby. You smile all the time. You are interested in whatever I am doing (and everyone around you). You are so intent on learning everything about anything around you. You’re my little Philosopher… always thinking. Yet, you’re your own little man. With a personality that charms everyone around you. A snuggle bunny at heart, yet an old, independent soul. You amaze me each and every day. I couldn’t possibly love you more.

You’ve started walking. Not just a few steps here and there, but full on truckin’ it around the house. You spend a majority of your day moving the furniture around and getting into whatever you can get your little hands on. I find you in the strangest places, getting into things that you know are off limits, with a smile so big, it’s hard to get upset.

With everything going on, it’s hard not to look at you and forget about all the stress… all the anger… all the sadness. It’s hard not to look into your face and see all the love that you feel for me… that I feel for you. It’s so hard to picture a life without you. You help me feel whole. You help me feel loved. You’ve helped make me a better person.

You’re amazing. You light up my life, you complete my heart, you are my world. I love you with every fiber of my being, and I can’t possibly express all the love I feel for you. Just know that one year ago today, at this very moment, bringing you into this world change me forever. For the better. And for that? I will give you everything you could ever possibly want…. except for that. And that. Well… and that, too.

Happy birthday BabyOliver.

I love you more than you love your fingers.

I wish you were a little bit older today. I wish that this day could have waited until you were old enough for me to explain everything to you. But I know, deep in my heart, that this country needed this… and needed it right now. You see, BabyOliver, today we, as a country, made history. We have our very first African American President of the United States. And he, little man, he is going to change the world. And I wish that you were old enough to understand. Because I want you to know that you can do whatever you want to do… even be president.

But alas, you are only 11 months old today… wait just a minute… back up a second. 11 months? Are you freaking kidding me? You’re 11 months old ALREADY? ARE YOU SERIOUS? WHERE THE HELL HAS THE TIME GONE???

Well, let’s talk about all the things that you’ve been up to this month shall we?

There was Christmas:

And then there was that time that you put that thing on your head:

Oh yeah… and there’s all the walking that you’re doing. Yeah… there’s that.

You’re not quite walking on your own… but you’re getting there. I bet you’ll be doing it before long. And oh boy! I can’t wait. No really, I can’t. Then I won’t have to carry you around everywhere… but I’ll be chasing you. And the cat? Yeah, he’ll be SUPER happy about it, I’m sure.

You’ve enjoyed your car seat a lot this month, as basketball is in full swing, and that’s all we’ve been doing. You sure are happy to go places and hang out with your cousins.

All in all, it’s been a pretty quiet month, what with all the snow and stuff. But today? Today baby, is the start of a new month… and a very exciting one indeed.

I can tell you’re ready.

Start studying baby, you’re gonna be president some day.

I love you.

Momma

This last month has been very busy. You met your Daddy’s dad, Grandpa Ron for the first time, and Grandma Cookie, too. They came for Thanksgiving, your first ever. And while he was shoving the camera in your face, you were doing some pretty interesting things… like growling.

While they were here, Grandpa and Grandma spoiled you. I supposed that’s what grandparents are for. You only get to see them once or twice a year after all. One of the things they got for you was your new car seat. At first, you didn’t know what to think about it…

But after a while, the box became more interesting than the actual car seat.

You sure do love that car seat now, though. You like the fact that Mommy can’t take you to the grocery store all strapped in. You like the fact that Mommy and Daddy have to carry you to and from the car. We can see that look of longing to be crawling around outside… but right now? Yeah, the ground is frozen. Probably not such a good idea.

Mommy and Daddy had a big Thanksgiving Day dinner. We got you all dressed up for it, but I could tell by the look on your face that you didn’t really care about what was going on… you just like to be the center of attention.

And while you spent most of the day playing with your cousins, and Mommy spent all day cooking, you loved your dinner… when it was all over your face and your highchair. All in all, it was a very fun Thanksgiving. Even Auntie Lindsey was there.

All in all, it’s been a pretty busy month. You had your 9 month appointment, which Mommy won’t go into here… but let’s just say that Dr Jen was really impressed with you. You just might be getting too big for your britches… hence the apartment shopping. Better get on that… I hear they’re going fast these days.

All kidding aside… you really are the sweetest little man in the whole wide world. You’re social, you’re active, you’re interested, and you’re always wanting to know more about everything. People adore you (not that Mommy is surprised) and I’m so very proud of you. You’re getting to be so big, and I can’t wait to see what interesting thing you’re going to do next. I said you’d be walking by Christmas… that’s only 5 days away… you’d just better get on it!!! I love you with everything I have, and I’m so very proud to be your Mommy. Keep up the good work, kiddo! Seriously, you’re the easiest baby eva!!!

Here’s the first of many 10 month old pictures:

Love,
Your Mommy

Today you turn 9 months old. I just cannot believe it. This 9 months has gone by so much faster than the 9 months (well, 10 actually… well, 10 months and 9 days… but who’s counting) you were in my belly. Do you even remember that? God, I hope not.

You’re pretty amazing, I must admit, and I just can’t take my eyes off of you. Except when your uncle is around putting his hat on you… I’m pretty sure it’s what your Daddy would have looked like when he was your age, and well, that’s a little creepy. Not that your Daddy is creepy, no, he’s super wonderful. But, well, uh, it’s just that Mommy and Daddy… well, I’ll explain it to you when you’re older.

Your favorite thing to do these days? Well, it’s stand in front of the TV while the Little Einsteins is driving your Mommy crazy going over and over again educating you in the background. Oh yeah, and tormenting loving the kitty. That seems to be fun too.

Most of the time, you refuse to stand up on your own. You’d rather that we do it for you, or that you’re death gripping holding onto something while you do it… but when you get to dancing, everyone look out… he just might take off.

You’ve gone to taking just two naps a day now… which sucks is fine. It just means less computer time more baby book reading which you just want to eat love. Obviously your father’s hatred for the written word love of literature has worn off. That’s super.

All in all, it’s been a pretty amazing month. I just can’t keep my hands off you… before you know it, we’ll be doing this again.

I love you with every fiber of my being…

Momma

* 9 months? Are you freaking kidding me? Already? Someone stop this kid. Seriously.

Apparently, you think that it’s funny to dress me up in things that I just don’t understand. Will you please stop it? I don’t care what holiday it is, it’s just not fair. Thank you.

Love, Oliver.

Mommy dressed me up for Halloween this year. Daddy said that I should be a pumpkin, Mommy wanted a dinosaur, so they compromised and I was a dragon. I’m not sure what compromise means, but I think it has something to do with Mommy being right. Anyway, here are some pictures of me dressed up in my costume… I hope you like them!

This is me and dad on the day that Mommy decided I needed to try on my costume again to see if it still fit. It did, so we didn’t have to go get a new one.

This is me at Great Grandma Jean’s house. Playing in my costume.

This is my whole costume. Feet and all.

This is where I put all my candy.

And here’s one last picture of me in my costume.

I hope you all had a wonderful Halloween!!!! I don’t know what I’m going to be next year, but I had better be able to walk around in it. I’m getting closer each day!

This is me. I’m getting my fourth and fifth teethies, so I drool a LOT. I was all wet and crawling around… so Lindsey took a picture of me. Mommy likes it.

Okay, in Mommy’s defense… she was in the kitchen cooking. I don’t know where Daddy was, but Uncles thought it would be funny to give me the beer can UNOPENED to play with. It was cold, so I liked it. Plus, it’s shiny.

Yes, I like to chew on shiny, cold beer cans. Mommy was very busy at the time.

Mommy was doing something to that punkin, and I didn’t understand… so I wandered over to see what was going on. She scooped me up and Lindsey took this picture. Then she shooed me away. Apparently that thing in her hand… not a toy. Who’d a thunk it?!

Look! It’s Daddy, Mommy, and Me. This almost never happens.

I was helping Mommy carve this punkin, but I didn’t really wanna touch it. It was slimy and gross, and it smelled funny. WAY worse than my diaper does sometimes. So I just got up close and watched Mommy do it.

These are our punkins. Daddy’s is on the far left, then Auntie Lindsey’s, then mine (see the binky??? Mommy’s really proud of it), then Uncle Tim’s, then Mommy’s. Uncle Justin’s is on the porch. Uncle Tim carved it for him, and he didn’t even hollow it out… so Mommy might make a pie out of that one. She doesn’t know yet.

All in all it was a really fun night. Mommy roasted the punkin seeds, and Lindsey and Tim took them home. I’m okay with that. I don’t like them much anyway. Look for pictures of me in my costume coming soon!!!!

*She’s not my real Auntie… she’s Uncle Tim’s girlfriend. But I love, love, love her… so I call her Auntie.

Today, you turn 8 months old. I just can’t even believe it. Seriously. Time has gone by too fast for Momma. Stop growing up so fast.

There have been a lot of memorable things happen in the last month. You got another tooth (that would be tooth #3) and you’re working on two more at the moment. You got the hang of pulling yourself up all over the place, barely holding on to anything… you’ll be walking before we know it. You started crawling like a normal baby instead of a worm, although you still use the worm crawl when you want to chase after the cat really fast. You’ve taken to sitting up and playing rather than laying on your tummy. But most importantly… you started swimming lessons.

I can’t even tell you how excited I was that first day. I put your little swimmin trunks on, and we were ready to go. Little did I know what exactly that day had in store for us. You decided that it was more important to eat the pool toys than learn how to swim. I guess it’s not too outlandish because the swimming instructor paid no attention to it, and basically let you do whatever you wanted. And eventually her patience paid off, because you now stick your face in the water every time we go. Secretly, I think you’re showing off… but she thinks you like it. I guess we’ll keep going.

You got a new toy recently. Your “bouncy, bouncy” is what Momma calls it. And while I was secretly hoping you would hate it, you don’t. You actually tolerate it most of the time, and think it’s really super neat to jump half way to the ceiling giggling while you do it. I just want you to know how hard it was for Momma to take that picture. I’m pretty sure it took me three or four tries just to get you to look at me… and another ten to get you to hold still.

You met someone new this month, too. Little Anastasia Rose came to visit us for the first time, and it was the first time you were around a baby smaller than you. And while I wasn’t exactly sure how you were going to handle it… you really just wanted to hug the crap outta that cute little baby. Maybe next time… or when you’re 30. Girls have cooties… just remember that.

Momma had to leave you a few times this month with a babysitter due to her horrible need to go see the dentist. It was pretty hard for her, but you seemed to be okay. Apparently, you like playing in the grass at Auntie Barb’s. Huh. Weird.

My favorite time of day is when you wake up from a nap. You’re always so excited to see me, like you forgot that just three hours earlier I was the most evil person on the planet because I made you stay in your crib all alone with that darn singing turtle. I finally captured the joy, and I am going to frame it and hang it above your bed when you’re a teenager to remind you how happy you are to see me when you wake up. Then you’ll never forget.

Or I could always frame this picture and hang it above your bed. I’ll call it “The Classic Oliver Look,” because it’s the look I get all the time. I know the little wheels are a-turnin’ inside that big head of yours. I don’t know what you’re thinking yet, but when I figure it out… I’m sure I won’t like it.

All kidding aside, you’re the best little boy we could have ever asked for. You eat anything we put in front of you, you sleep through the night (unless those pesky teeth are bothering you), you’re good for other people, and most of all… you’re super happy. We love you so much, and not a day goes by that you don’t teach us something about our lives, our relationships, and our world. Thank you for being you little man. We love you more than you will ever know. Happy 8 month birthday!

You mohawk wearin…

sunglasses stylin…

toy reachin…

awesome lookin little boy.

Love, Momma and Daddy

There’s really not too much going on right now. I’m getting my third tooth. Well, it’s already in a little ways, but Momma said that it has to come in some more. It’s the one next to my top middle left tooth. I look kinda silly… but Momma said that I should be getting my top middle teethers soon.

I met a new friend. Her name is Anastasia Rose. She’s really pretty, and nice, and small. Auntie Courtney and Uncle Derek brought here to see me and Momma and Dada. Wanna see a picture???

Yup, uh huh, that’s me and her and Momma. I wanted to hug her… but Momma said that I was too big to do that right now. She said that I could do that in a few more months. I don’t understand… but she sure did look hugable.

I’ve been taking swimming lessons. They’re really fun. I started last week, and I’ve had four already. I really like the pool. Today, I put my face in the water three times and didn’t even swallow any water at all. The swimming lessons lady was impressed. Momma said that I should be able to do it since I was born in water. Well DUH Momma.

Dada is my new favorite word. I call everyone Dada… but only that one guy answers. I love it when he talks to me. He’s my favorite.

Other than all that… Momma is just waiting around for me to start walking. I’m taking my time though. Don’t wanna grow up too fast.

Last night I got to take my very first big boy bath in the bathtub… I miss my baby bathtub, but this was super, super fun.

Here’s another embarassing picture of me in the bathtub… I wish Mommy would stop taking these.

Pre-bath, I got to feed myself my first real dinner. I love, love, love spaghetti and meat sauce.

Yup, I love it.

Here’s me and my Daddy. I love him. He’s the bestest Daddy in the whole wide world.

Papa Don sent me some clothes… and in the box was this AWESOME Denver Broncos warm up suit. I love the Broncos. GO BRONCS!!!!

This is me, trying to get up into Mommy’s lap. She said I was so cute that she just had to take a picture.

And that’s what we’ve been up to. Yesterday I had my very first bleeding injury. Don’t worry. I’m okay. Mommy said that I was a brave boy, I tried to tell her it was just a little scratch, but she wouldn’t listen. I was just crawling around on the ground with my binkey in my mouth, I hit my face weird, and the binky got jammed into my gums. But I’m okay, and it only bled for a minute. I was crying, and then there was this weird stuff in my mouth, and as soon as I tasted it… I stopped crying. Mommy said something about a vampire… but I don’t know what that is. I just know that the stuff she called blood didn’t bother me. Sure scared Mommy though. Daddy was my hero. He was calm and kept telling me that I was okay. I believed him.

Mommy has a few videos that she is going to put up on her website (as soon as she gets around to getting them off the camera… she’s very busy you know). She said she’ll tell me when she does that so I can point you in the right direction.

Other than that, we’re doing really well. We’ve been going on walks and stuff, that’s been really fun. Mommy said someday I will get to play in the water. I hope it’s soon. Well, I’m off. See you soon!!!

That’s right… I’m too cool for school!

Check out my new ride! Mommy and Daddy pushed me around the mall in this cool dinosaur.

That’s right… I can do it all by myself. I’m gonna be walkin before you know it.

Well, that’s all for now. Have a good day!!!