Christmas time is here **sing-song a la Charlie Brown**

Well the holidays have come and gone - and one can only hope that he will not be sick next year! Poor little O!

Friday evening, we went up to my Uncle's home in Edmonds and visited with my Dad's side of the family. Little Chelsea was a big hit, as was Oliver, who amused those in the living room.

I filled up on prime rib and deviled eggs, and Tim filled up on shrimp (he can't help himself). Oliver said it was time to go though. He was tired, and was busy coughing and snotting up everything. Awesome.

Christmas day seems to be like any other day at this point - as Oliver was still sick (to be honest, I think this was the worst day for him). We went up to my brother's house in the morning and met up with my Dad and Jana. Chelsea was actually awake! We all took turns holding and feeding her.

Oliver let my Dad know that his fist was delicious.

A quick Christmas vid. The batteries gave out and I forgot to change them out when I got home. Whoopsie.

This outing, as you could get from the video, was also cut short. Oliver was getting very tired and refused to nap at my brother's house (we also did not want to get Chelsea sick). We went home and let little man nap a bit before going to my Mom's for dinner.

He looked like a precious angel sleeping in our bed.

We went to my Mom's for dinner, where my Grandpa (G'Gpa for Oliver) was there. I did not break out the camera. This visit - as with everything this day and the day before - was quick. But trust, he was a little cutie for us. A coughing, boogery cutie.

It was a good weekend despite the common element of sickness. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday, too!

Sickness and shopping

I am beginning to see that sick babies and children is a common occurence. Oliver has a cold. It is not as bad as the last time he was sick. He still tries to be the happy baby he is, and then he coughs, and starts to cry a little. Tim stayed home with him on Wednesday, and I stayed home with him yesterday.

I thought I'd venture out and pick up some more food to make baby food. I finally broke out the shopping cart cover I talked about here. I hadn't used it yet because I was just so nervous that he was going to be too small. I took some photos with my cell phone of his adventure.

You can tell he isn't feeling too good - his eyes aren't open all the way, and his mouth is hanging open. Poor little man.

Oliver, although sick, still seemed to REALLY enjoy sitting in this area. He got to look around and still flirt with all the ladies. So can you believe the steal I got on this?? Note to self: any time I want to buy something, check Me & Moms first!

Christmas is almost here!

I haven't been all *rah rah* for Christmas in many years, and even though Oliver isn't going to remember it, it makes me think of future Christmases to come.

I was excited to find Oliver's First Christmas ornament. I had been searching high and low for one and nothing appealed to me. There was a kiosk in the mall that personalized ornaments that they sold. So I was able to pick out this little cutie - and now it has "Oliver's 1st Christmas" on it.

My mom was also kind enough to stich in "Dad" "Mom" and "Oliver" into these stockings.

Oliver sat in with TTC and Chelsea in front of my brother and SIL's Christmas tree. I hope she doesn't mind me sharing - here they are in their Christmas pajamas.

Interestingly enough, Oliver loves their tree more than ours. I think it's because their lights twinkle and ours don't. Oliver really wanted to check it out, so Uncle Jim gave him a hand.

Even though he won't remember his first Christmas, everyone around him will, and that is probably why a baby's first Christmas is always so special, right?

Baby food!

I had some questions from Oliver's fans about Oliver's food - was I really making all of it? We can thank my good friend Allison who hosted one of my baby showers. One of the games involved attempting to guess what food you were actually eating from the jars of Gerber baby food. And you know what? It was not only disgusting, but I had a REALLY hard time with guessing the right food! I was going to make his food anyway, but anytime I think, "Maybe I'll just pick some up just in case I run out," I think to my baby shower and remember... Thanks, Al!

I am no stranger in the kitchen, but this website has been a huge, huge, huge help. Search for pretty much any food and it will tell you how to prepare it, the nutritional content, and what goes best with it. Here is some of Oliver's food:

The green thing is a silicone tray that you can push the food out after it freezes. Then transfer to freezer bags. All you have to do is just defrost, and BAM - ready to eat food! In the tray currently is peas - behind is sweet potatoes that will be roasted in a moment. In the little pots contains carrot/apple/parsnip puree, apple, acorn squash, peas, and more sweet potatoes. He also loves pears, whole grain in formula, bananas and yogurt (the one thing I do not make because, well, making yogurt is a bit tricky).

Oliver is also learning to master his sippy cup. He hasn't figured out that he is the one that is supposed to hold it (we hold it up for him), but he definitely gets that it goes in his mouth... as demonstrated by this quick video:

Lastly, someone wanted to know how much time I spent during the week preparing his food. I usually do it between other things on Sunday (throw some sweet potatoes in the oven, while poaching some pears or cooking some peas). I read a really good blog post from another lady who made her own baby food here. She is also a photographer, so of course her food photos are better than mine. Like her though, we have been doing all organic.

Okay - end long post here - mostly educational, not too Oliver filled. So here's a bonus video for you. Congrats!

Midweek recap

So I had left the camera at work accidentally, so I did not get a chance to post since last Thursday. Oliver first wanted to show you how he spends college football Saturdays... in his Penn State onesie, of course! Amazing that this is already so tight on him. Luckily we have some more in bigger sizes, so he can cheer on as he grows.

It's becoming a rare sight to see him without his bib... but we have to take it off every now and again! He is a real drool monster right now, though!

I also wanted to update you on my knitting. Here is my first "finished" product. Finished because I ran out of yarn, however it is too short to do anything with. I'm proud of my little handy work - however I don't think I can keep it up. With my hand injury earlier this year, it makes my hand hurt pretty quickly.

Lastly, Tim, Oliver, and I went up to my brother's place this evening. Baby Chelsea was discharged today, and she demanded our presence! My S-I-L's family was also over. My mom (TTC) was also in attendance. It was a very full house!

The paparazzi was in full force... with the two babies, my mom, brother, and Tim all started flashing. We're going to have to get some shades for them to blind them from all the flashes.

The new addition!

I was beyond excited when I got a call today from my brother, who shared the wonderful news that they had their baby today! Her name is Chelsea Fahey, born this morning (December 9th) and weighed in at 7 pounds, 8 ounces, 19 3/4" long. Here is a boring video of her sleeping. Boring, but cute. I love her.

A few photos (FYI, hospitals have atrocious lighting)...

The lab tech came in while we were there to do a heel tap for blood tests. Just like all babies, Chelsea did not appreciate getting unswaddled. She opened her eyes briefly and said, "Aunt Carrie! Save me!" Luckily, I do a pretty good swaddle. Once she is home, I'll give her a good swaddling. :-)

Welcome to the world, Chelsea! You have so many people who love you... even your cousin Oliver... and you probably thought Oliver wouldn't get a mention in this post... HA!

Oliver laughs at you. Of course he get's a mention. He's Oliver!

O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum

Sunday, Tim, Oliver and I went to go pick out a tree. Last year, we got a giant douglas, which took up half the living room. This year, we downsized to a 5 1/2 Noble. We go to the same place every year - the people who work there are really friendly and always help get the tree in or on top of your car. Here's the finished product:

A close-up of Tim and my ornament we picked out for each other (they are both a bit creepy this year)

And of course, what kind of post would this be without a photo of little O? Here's Daddy giving tummy kisses.