Early birthday party - 3 years old!

This past weekend, we had a birthday party for Oliver with a few friends and family members.  Since O's birthday falls on Memorial Day weekend, we didn't want to hold people hostage in case they had plans already.

A side note, I am going to be uploading videos to YouTube now.  For some reason, Vimeo does not think my videos are valid files.  I've also updated my YouTube channel so that my prior videos are public, however it made them out of order.  Just a little FYI for you.  :-)

One of Oliver's request was for pumpkin pie (in May, sure, why not?), but we of course had cupcakes. 

One of his gifts was a parachute.  Since we had enough people, we broke it out.  I love how Oliver just walks right through it like it wasn't even going up and down!

We all had a great time.  Oliver loves his new toys and enjoyed the day.

Bonus video of my mom with Oliver playing with Zurg!

Santa!

We went and visited the big guy this past Tuesday.  I know it wasn't even December yet, but Oliver just got his haircut and there was NO LINE to see him.  Since there wasn't a wait, Santa and his helper were more patient with making sure we had a good photo before we left.  Oliver didn't want to get down.  Santa asked him what he wanted for Christmas.  Oliver said, "Um... presents!" 

This years photo.  He smiled (yeay!) but I didn't notice that his socks didn't match until afterwards!  Oh well. 

And to compare, last years, and the year before that:

Can't believe this is Oliver's third Christmas!  Where has the time gone?

Oliver and Chelsea

Oliver has been spending some quality time with his cousin, Chelsea.  The other day, we went to my brother's for dinner; my mom then deemed them both to be stinky so they took a bath together.  So cute.

Oliver loved having a bath buddy. :-)


Sunday, we watched Chelsea for a while. I thought it was going to be a scary situation as they were both due for a nap at the same time. Luckily, Oliver slept like normal in the crib, and Chelsea took a nap with me in the bed.

She has taken her first steps so soon enough she and Oliver will be chasing after each other. Speaking of the crazy man...

Eating like a dinosaur.  Just like his Daddy.  ;-)

Dentist and weekend update!

Our little O had his first dentist appointment this past week, and he did WONDERFUL.  We went to Greenlake Kids Dentistry (the name drives me crazy.. Greenlake - one word??  WTH).  This place makes me wish I was a kid so I could get my teeth checked out here!  It is in a pretty new building, and the place was full of Oliver's favorite things.  Duplos.  Thomas the Engine.  Cars movie.  It also had big windows for Oliver to watch all the buses as they went by!

Sadly I only have one photo to share.  Somehow they didn't save??  I dunno.  Stupid phone.

These folks were WONDERFUL WONDERFUL WONDERFUL.  Love.

Saturday, Oliver and I went downtown to pick up some bridal shower gifts for my awesome friend Brooke.  We got there a little before opening so we watched the cars and buses from the parking garage.



Oliver had a wonderful time helping me pick things out.  We also checked out my old hangout at Westlake Center (back in my Sunglass Hut days), and my how things have changed! 

We went to the grocery store afterwards where Oliver had a sample of an orange.  He sucked on that thing the entire time.  Then, we went for a walk around the neighborhood - Oliver had to check out every nook and cranny of every rock, stick, leaf, and crack.  Good thing we were not in a hurry. 

       

After I got back from the bridal shower, Oliver and I picked up some Paseo sandwiches. Oliver was busy running through the riverstones next to the building.

Sunday we went down to the Farmer's Market. Oliver loved watching all the musicians. He was dancing for most but this one he is just content on having Tim hold him.

Another great weekend under our belt.  Can't believe he will be two in less than two months!  What?!

A stomach bug

Last night, Tim and I had our real first round of Oliver vomiting every 20 - 30 minutes.  It started in the car (the WORST place) when Tim was on his way to pick me up from the Seattle office.  The smell of vomit wafted in the car the entire way there and back (in stop and go traffic).  After that, Oliver was like clockwork with his puking.  He and I both had numerous wardrobe changes.  Why must he want to snuggle with me and then barf on me?

We put him down pretty late to make sure most of the vomiting was done before putting him in the crib.  Tim is staying home with him today so I hope he is feeling MUCH better today.

This was one of his outfits that he wore for about 20 minutes.

This shirt actually says "Unstoppable" which describes the amount of food and liquid that came out of his stomach last night. 

Tim said that he is feeling much much much better today so hopefully he will be unstoppable with his amount of energy. 

Fire trucks

Every now and again, the local fire stations have a Neighbor Appreciation Day where you can go and visit the fire station, trucks, and the hot firemen.  I told Oliver we were going to go see fire trucks - he immediately went and grabbed a fire truck puzzle piece (and yes, we took it with us to compare with the real deal). 

When we first got there, they were on their way to responding to a medical emergency.  We killed a little time at the park, waiting for their return.

We went back and sure enough, they were ready to resume the visit of kids and their parents.  Oliver was a little hesitant first, but quickly wanted to check out all the lights and levers and such on the trucks.  

They also had an older truck that is used for parades and such - Oliver seemed to like both.

 

Thanks to Station 35 for a wonderful visit!

Zoo time

With the first beautiful weekend we've had in a long time, we took the opportunity to use an annual pass for the Woodland Park Zoo.  Apparently the rest of the city thought to do the same - it was pretty busy considering that it was February!



We had a fabulous time - it really wiped us all out so Oliver got to take a little nap during the forbidden nap time.  Now that the pass is activated, we are excited to go any time, even if it is just for an hour or so. 

Oliver's highlights include the jaguar, elephants, and the gorillas.  The bears were not out, but we're hoping to catch them next time.  :-)

New year - new hair

I hope everyone had a wonderful new years!  Oliver rang it in with his FIRST HAIRCUT.  Based on recommendations, we went to The Salon at Kids Club in U Village.  

We were delighted to see that Oliver got to sit in a car while getting his hair cut.  He was pretty delighted, too.  :-)
 

Tim told me before-hand that he was going to be the one to tell how he wants it cut.  Being the loving wife that I am, I LET him have free reign.  ;-)  He wanted to get the sides and back cleaned up but not too short, and just a little bit off the top.  Tim really likes it the way it was, but just a bit shorter.  He didn't want him to look like a doofus.

Pre-haircut:

The lady who cut his hair was VERY good.  She worked quickly on this moving target.  Luckily Oliver didn't mind at all, as he was busy playing with the car and having a snack.

         

The after shot looks pretty similar - since his hair is so light, it's hard to see it anyway!

Here is a bonus video.  Oliver has been "talking" a lot lately.  Here is just a snippet of him telling me things (and climbing on the couch).

I hope everyone had a wonderful new years!  Tim and I had a good 2011 and are looking forward to 2012 when you-know-who turns 2! 

Christmas morning

It has been crazy busy at work this week - I think our customers are all getting things done during the winter break here and it means no time to blog!  :-(

This year, we had a pretty darn good Christmas.  Oliver was NOT sick (as opposed to last year), and he had fun ripping open gifts with a little help from us. 

Not that this is about me or anything, but I would like to put out there that it is 7 in the morning, so I am not looking my best. :-)

I'm posting this photo, too - because I love these two something fierce. And yes, still 7 in the morning.

The rest of the day was a typical Christmas day for the Hollingsheads - we went to Dad and Jana's in the afternoon (without my brother, SIL, or Chelsea as they were sick as dogs), and then to my Mom's for Christmas dinner.  It was a nice day with lovely people. 

Happy holidays!

Chelsea's birthday!

My niece Chelsea turned one on Friday, and my bro and SIL had a party for her on Saturday.  It was very nice; lots of good food, lots of presents for the birthday girl, and Oliver got to test out some of them, too!  :-) 

There was a gymnasium attached, and we found some balls to play with.  Of course, Oliver thought this was tons of fun.

               

We took a break from playing and ate. Oliver sat on Papa's lap and enjoyed putting the olive slices on his fingers then sucking them off. :-)

Chelsea then opened some presents. Lucky girl has so many people that love her!

               

It was cupcake time, and she loved that cupcake... to death!

Only one photo of Oliver with his cupcake. He doesn't get very much sweets, so he ate it in about 30 seconds. The WHOLE cupcake.

Can't believe it's been a year already with Miss C-Pants! That means Oliver is turning 2 before you know it!

18 month check-up!

It has been CRAZY BUSY at work lately, so I haven't been able to update the blog like I would like.  The most recent adventure for our little guy was his 18 month check-up!  The stats are as follows:
Height - 31.5" (26th percentile)
Weight - 25 pounds, 3 ounces (40th percentile)
Head circumference - 19" (70th percentile)

It should be noted that I fed him a very big breakfast, and they actually took his weight with clothes and shoes on (and a poopie in his diaper, muah ha ha), so the weight may have been a bit more than what it actually is, but I really did not want to have a discussion that he is too small. 

The doc was pleased with his growth, and how well he was looking.  Oliver got two shots on this visit and took it like a man - screaming and crying. 

Some other adventures include going to Swanson's Nursery.  I have told you about them before, and now they have a winter wonderland up there, including camels, santa, and REINDEER. 

The camel was interested in O, but O was not so interested in the camel. 

Here are some others from my camera over the past couple of weeks.

Also a video of Oliver practicing his balancing act on Tim's back.  He will be known as Oliver, the pantsless wonder!

Happy 18 months, buddy!  Can't believe the time has flown so fast!