Photos!

*** Updated with corrected and working link!! ***

So at the same time Heather is doing our photos, she is also redoing her website, so right now, it's a *bit* hard to share. Currently, you can go here:

http://heathertrimmphotography.com/2010/10/22/oliver/

And scrolling down will enable you to see some super cute photos of us and the little man. Here are a few others, too:

Hopefully Heather doesn't mind my sharing these - but I am just so impressed!

One comment that has been pretty consistant with those who have seen them has been, "He doesn't look like a little baby anymore!" I would agree - he has grown leaps and bounds - and also having a baby wear shoes really makes them look older.

I cannot wait to see how the rest turn out!!

Beautiful weekend, party of 3

When I saw the forecast for this weekend, I squealed with delight. And then when Tim told me his work will not be carving pumpkins Saturday afternoon, I shrieked with excitement. So much wonderful weather - and the last one before going to Pennsylvania next month.

Saturday morning, Oliver and I walked up to Laura Bee to check out the new scarves they had in. If you know me, you know that I LOVE scarves. I used a coupon and some birthday money and picked up two. Tim then came home and we drove up to The Farm in Snohomish for some quick pictures at the pumpkin patch. Now I have not been to a pumpkin patch in over 10 years, but I do not remember them ever being this busy! There must have been at least a thousand people there. Although, beautiful day, two weeks before Halloween, um, yeah - it all adds up. Here are a few highlights:

Having Oliver here meant we didn't actually do too much as there was huge lines for everything - hay ride, sweet corn, espresso, etc... so we walked through the animal area and posed with some pumpkins and called it good. Even so, we were still there for a good hour or so. This place was BIG so we did quite a bit of walking (and carrying Oliver, too).

So I'm seeing this is turing into a long post. But we had such a good weekend, I have to share it all!

We came home and got ready to go out. Oliver's grandpa Carl and Jana volunteered to watch the little man so Tim and I could go out for a few adult drinkies for my 30th birthday. I'm not sure who had more fun, but when we came back, Oliver looked pretty darn content hanging with them! Thanks again, Dad and Jana for babysitting! While they did that, we went to The Copper Gate, which was just a few blocks from our place. It used to be a dive bar, but as with most things in Ballard, it got redone and cleaned up. Inside now is a bar shaped like a viking ship. It has cool benches and awesome decor. They also have delicious cocktails and nummy food. I'll only share one of me towards the end of the night:

Yeah. Need I say more? I had a lot of fun.

Sunday we met up with my friend Heather Trimm and went to the Arboreteum for some family photos. Her baby shower gift to me was a family photo shoot, and we finally got some decent weather to do it! I will share here once she has them ready. I am super stoked to see how they turned out!

We came home, Tim and Oliver took a little nap and then we headed to my mom's for dinner to celebrate my birthday and my sister-in-law's who birthday is tomorrow. Oliver got lots of love from everyone.

::whew:: okay so that was our weekend in a nutshell. Lastly I will share a quick video of Oliver not doing a whole lot. I experimented with some new features here. The quality is not as good - sorry in advance!

Small reflections

Today I turn 30 and I am thinking back to Oliver's birthday which was 4 1/2 months ago (seriously... where did the time go already?!). The love that exuded from me and Tim onto this little man was the most intense love ever - and the saying is true - you will never know the love you have for your child until it is there. Sorry, kitties.

A few things that I have learned during the last 4 1/2 months as a mom:
- Take the birthing classes, sure - but when it comes down to getting through a contraction, you just want everyone to not touch you and to SHUT UP!
- Breastfeeding is the absolute hardest thing I've ever done. I give mad props to those that can make it a full year.
- He has made me appreciate my friends and family more (especially with baby niece on the way later this year, and future unknown gender baby next year).
- Keeping ahead of the laundry is important. Cleaning the rest of the condo apparently, is not.
- The most useful item has become the Boppy pillow. It's gotten so much use it's now almost flat. Luckily there is a spare in the car which I think I might bring in soon.
- The best part of my day is going into his room when he first wakes up in the morning. He gives me the biggest smile as if to say, "You're here... again!"
- The second best part is watching Tim and Oliver play together. Tim has no problem making silly faces and acting the fool to get a giggle out of the little man.

He continues to amaze us everyday with new and wonderful things, whether it's splashing in the tub, or attempting to sit up, or grabbing his foot during a diaper change.

No new photos or videos, so here is one of me and the little man from August 1st. Hard to believe that was over 2 months ago!

Here is one of Tim and Oliver around the same time. I notice that he has less hair and also less eyelashes. You can't see it here but his eyes are also more blue.

More of the same

We had a pretty unproductive weekend due to this craptastic weather (darn you, fall weather), which even ended with thunder and lightning in the Ballard neighborhood. Saturday Oliver and I went to go visit my Dad while Jana was taking her grandson to a movie. Little man loved the pumpkin lights my Dad had up on the mantle. They looked something like this (but cooler):

Oliver always has a lot of fun at his Grandpa's house. Afterwards, we went home and put together Oliver's new activity mat. On Friday, the part that held the arms together shattered so I stopped by Me and Moms and picked up a "new" one for $10. This one has sounds and lights, however the toys do not hang as high. But for $10, I am not going to complain! Here is Oliver doing tummy time on the new mat:

Yesterday Tim and I and the rest of Seattle (apparently) went to get brunch, and after getting shut down at Portage Bay and Julias, we ended up at Blue Star in Wallingford. Oliver was good the entire time! He was just content to stare at the lights, ceiling fans, paintings, etc... later in the day, Tim took Oliver down to visit with Trav and Al while I stayed home and got some "me" time in. I took advantage of the time by cleaning the fireplace out (whoot whoot) and watching one of the worst movies I've seen in a while, "Dear John." The rest of the day was pretty boring, but we did get some pretty good giggles in at the end of the day:

This was the highlight of the day, as his laughs are so infectious. I love how he anticipates it and starts to squeal before it even happens. Smart baby.

Splish splash, Ollie was taking a bath...

I gave little man a bath today and boy, he has learned that his extremities are the things that control the splashes. I'll ask you to please forgive me for the extreme messiness of our place... yeah.

First weekend in October

I am first sorry in advance for the lack of multimedia this weekend - to be honest, nothing was really worth reporting. Saturday, I FINALLY went to the DOL and renewed my driver's license. I decided to get one of those "enhanced" ones so I can go to Canada (my passport expired years ago and I have yet to see about getting a new one). Oliver, Tim, and I drove up to the Lynnwood DOL. It was quite big, and they were moving the people through quickly!

It was pointed out that the lady in the red jacket seems very inviting, alas, we did not sit next to her. Oliver was busy charming the pants off of everyone there - including an 8 or 9 year old boy who could not get enough of Oliver's softness (this is where I say, "OMG, stranger, no touching the baby!" but he was very gentle and his intentions were just to be lovey to him).

We walked around Alderwood afterwards and purchased a nice outfit that will be good for photo ops and for his baptism later this month. We also purchased THE hat. The hat that has made everyone giggle and smile (and has made it to both Tim and my background on the phone). More photos to come for that.

We then went down and visited the Al/Trav residence. We watched a bit of the UW/USC game while Violet again got to get a lot of good licks in. Allison picked up a super cute onesie for Oliver from Baby Gap that will look super good in a few months!

Sunday we got to have lunch with the newly engaged Sarah and Heather down at Cafe Flora. Both Tim and I were pleasantly surprised how delicious a vegetarian restaurant could be! We will be going out with them next weekend (weather permitting) to get some cute family photos in. Stay tuned.

Sunday night we wrapped with dinner at my mom's place with G'pa and Jim. We all had a wonderful time and they all were amused by Oliver's antics. One might say that this was a very busy, productive, and happening weekend.

Milestone update

I'm not usually one to blog on the weekend, but I am just so happy to report that less than a week from rolling from his stomach to back, he rolled yesterday from his back to stomach! Yeay Oliver! He just never ceases to amaze us every single day with all of his new tricks. Congrats, little buddy!

By the way, that is my mom in the back acting the proud grandma. She is hilarious.