More blue!

We welcomed another boy into the family.  Aiden was 8 lbs 13oz and was born at 7:24PM.  We are thrilled!

 

Thanksgiving

Since we've been married, we've always traveled to Dallas to celebrate Thanksgiving with the larger family.  What a blessing it has been to be surrounded by so many family members and children each year.

This year, since Lindsay was 38 weeks pregnant, we decided not to travel.  Instead, we met friends for a Thanksgiving meal out.  The meal even included a horse-drawn carriage ride!

We are installing under-counter lighting, so we moved our appliances to the floor temporarily.  Oliver *loved* having access to them.  Can you spot his sippy cup in the toaster oven??

Pumpkin Patch

We visited a pumpkin patch with friends and had a ball.  Oliver especially enjoyed selecting different (smaller) pumpkins and carrying them around.

Look at how much has changed in one year!!

Jabbering

For probably six months now, Oliver has been jabbering in his own language.  Recently (the last month), he has started to clearly mimic things we say.  He repeated "Daddy is funny." and "Gorilla"  Of course, when we try to get him to say them again, he just laughs.

Each evening, Mark does the bedtime routine and reads books to Oliver before bed.  Mark will ask if Oliver wants to read to Da-da.  Last night, he did!  He tried to say each of the animal names in his favorite bedtime book: "Good Night, Gorilla" by Peggy Rathmann.  He is working on "please" and phrases like "Hi Ma-ma" "Hi Da-da."  Today, he grabbed my purse and said "Da-da bye-bye. Da-da bye-bye."  I believe he was telling me Da-da went bye-bye.  (I am relieved that Da-da doesn't take my purse when he goes bye-bye ;)

We are enthusiastically enjoying this time with him!!

So BIG

Oliver is growing up before our eyes...

And he knows it, so will often times try feats that are maybe a little too aggressive, like getting the ball that rolled under the couch.  (I had to help him get out.)

Roar!

There are numerous topics I have saved to post, but for now, I have to post this adorable picture.  A neighbor gave us an 18-24 month costume last year, so I put it aside until today.  Oliver started carrying it around, so I put it on him...

Like father, like son...

Yes, that is Da-da's computer.

Bananarchy

Austin is big on food trailers, and we have thoroughly enjoyed supporting them!  Thus, when our lovely housemates introduced us to the Bananarchy trailer, we were more than excited to partake.  Oliver already loves bananas, so you can only imagine his excitement when he tasted a frozen banana dipped in chocolate and sprinkles and cookies...yum!!

"I think I understand, let's get on with the eating!"

"Wow, heaven!"

"Man, oh man, is this good!"

"Oh, it's cold!!"

First haircut

Our local Barber Shop, Crestview Barber Shop was happy to accommodate our little guy.

The "before" shot

Jarrod (Barber) worked amazingly well around this moving target.

Can he get any cuter?

Content as can be, he now looks like a little boy.

Loves to swing!

Love for food

Like Ma-ma and Da-da, Oliver has a love for food...

Even enjoys helping in the kitchen!

That's yogurt, baby!

Animal Fascination

Like many kiddos, Oliver loves to watch animals, and he is surprisingly gentle with them.  So gentle, that they tend not to run from him, but will approach him.  Still, he is not always sure what he thinks as they approach...

Helping feed our friends' chickens.

Saying hello to sweet "Quincy." He said "kitty-cat" for the first time here!

Such a big help!

Oliver has become quite the helper lately.  He loves to load and unload the washing machine.  Sometimes, while loading, he even adds his cars, toys, sticks, etc. to be washed so I have to check thoroughly before I hit "start."  To unload, he hands me one item at a time and I fold it, then wait for the next item.  I haven't caught this on film yet, but it is etched in my mind for now!

He also loves to brush his own teeth, twisting his toothbrush back and forth over his teeth and bare gums.  He does such a thorough job and he loves to do it.  Brushing his teeth seems to be the highlight of his evening oftentimes! (apart from Da-da's arrival home)

First tooth/teeth, finally!

Oliver turns 1!  It was quite the eventful day.  We had a family gathering, with grandparents, great grandparents, aunts and uncles, a great aunt and uncle.  Quite the event!

 Oliver enjoyed the activity, but especially the cake and ice cream. Yes, he was allowed to try Amy's ice cream and seemed to prefer it over the cake!  Confirmation that he is our kid.

 Celebrating outside, swinging - one of his favorite activities!

First steps

On his 1st birthday, Oliver took his first few steps behind his new lawn mower.  This particular toy does not hold weight like other walker toys, so it was perhaps simply to build his confidence as he walked unsupported! 

Before the Big Day

Before Oliver celebrates having lived a full year this coming Monday, I wanted to share two fun happenings around our house.

First, we have been juicing and Oliver has been partaking too. He gulps this green juice down! Then, we hang out outside before his morning nap.

A few weekends ago, Oliver's grandparents (Gramma Janet and Grandpa Dude) came into town and helped to build a bookshelf for Oliver's room. We just finished painting it, and he loves it already!

9, 10, 11 Months!

At 9 months, Oliver was loving avocado (this liking comes and goes):

And still crawling up a storm! (action shot!)

At 10 months, he loved crawling around the nearby park and exploring, no matter the temperature:

And he *loves* to swing:

Also, on January 30 (right before 10 months), he stood several times without holding onto anything! I never got it on film, but it was exciting to see his little feet and legs support himself upright! He spent his 10th month furniture walking on a regular basis as well.

Now, at 11 months, the standing on his own has become a more regular occurrence.

He also is regularly entertained by the washing machine...

Below is a "proper" 11-month picture, taken by his Aunt Amanda at his cousin's 1st birthday party. Tytus and Oliver are exactly one month apart!

Oliver Walks with Support

One of our sweet neighbors gifted Oliver with this cute Winnie the Pooh

little car. He loves exploring it. This evening, though, he stood up behind it and started to walk, supporting/balancing himself on it!

Crawling In and Out

Oliver crawls in and out of things regularly now. He is definitely in exploratory mode!

His bath tub...(yes, he is doing a push up on top of the bathtub, which led to the next picture)
"Mom, I'm kind of in a predicament here."

What a smiler!

"Hi Mom, whatcha doin? I'd like to check out that camera..."

Loves suitcases...a traveler at heart already!

Found the tag right away. (Still no teeth! I'm in love with that gummy smile.)
Getting a closer look...