Holiday Happenings

Some pictures of our Christmas celebrations...

Sugar High

Isabel LOVES suckers and lollipops, so she was ecstatic when we went to a friend's birthday party and they had lollipops that she could eat instead of cake.

"Wintery" Fun

Robert and Isabel had a special daddy, daughter outing today at the zoo. They had a great time checking out all of the animals who were taking advantage of the beautiful 85° day we are having on this the first day of winter.

Who Has More Hair?

Since Robert has two weeks off for the holidays he decided to try out a new haircut. Which one of them has more hair now?

Fall

There's still a few days left of fall, and the leaves are finally falling from our trees. We spent some time this weekend raking up and Isabel had a great time "crunching in the leaves".

Three Months

I say it every month, but wow, time goes by fast. Oliver is three months old now and it is hard to believe. He's ringing in the beginning of his forth month with his forth cold, poor guy, but other than that he is doing great. He no longer is happy just laying around looking at his toys for long. He wants to be right next to one of us watching something, and he wants to be carried around. Thankfully he really likes his carrier pack, so I can have two free hands most of the time. He also really likes "standing" on our laps, and whenever I have him laying on my legs he curls his head up and tries to sit himself up as well. Things are feeling like they are starting to return to normal a little bit as Oliver becomes more predictable. He is taking three to four naps during the day, and eating once or twice at night (although has taken to waking up every forty-five minutes all night long). He will take a bottle, and has started sucking his first two fingers to comfort himself so now I feel like he is becoming an actual human being instead of a baby lump and we can have a little bit of a life.

Cute Kids

We were playing outside the other day and I took these pictures. I just thought they were cute and wanted to share.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Last year we had record snowfalls here, and Isabel sort of remembers it. She keeps asking when it is going to snow. So she was amazed and delighted when we went to the mall yesterday and it was "snowing" in their Christmas display. She stood in this little corner and let the snow (bubbles) fall on her for almost fifteen minutes. She didn't care at all about the fact that Santa was around the corner, she was just fascinated with the snow.

Getting What You Ask For

I may have gotten what I asked for....

You may recall that Isabel didn't walk or crawl until she was seventeen months old, resulting in much anxiety and a very sore back for me. So when I found out that I was pregnant last year, my secret wish was that this baby be mobile so that I wouldn't have to carry him or her around until they are a year and a half old like I did with Isabel.

Well Oliver came out moving a lot more and just seemed much stronger in general than Isabel did when she was born. For a couple of weeks now, whenever I get Oliver up from his nap he's laying on his stomach. Since he sleeps curled up on his side and the top of his bed is elevated, I had assumed that he just kind of fell over. The other day I was cleaning up and I stopped to take a peak at Oliver and this is what I saw...

He was working hard to get to his toy. He can't get his arm out yet, but he is definitely rolling over to his stomach now, well before most babies would. I may live to regret my wish when I have to actually baby proof my house in a few months and chase after a little one, but it sure is fun watching him move and grow.

We Are Thankful

We are thankful for loving families, warm homes, full bellies, and happy hearts.

We were blessed to have Robert's family with us this week. We had a great time hanging out and eating with them and were sad to see them leave this morning.

Oliver doesn't really like for anyone other than mommy to hold him (although he is warming up to daddy a little), so Uncle Tony and Aunt Meredyth had to settle with entertaining him on the floor.


My sweet husband did most of the cleaning and cooking this week. He did a great job and we all have very full bellies still.

Isabel enjoyed watching football with Uncle Tony and Aunt Meredyth.

Two Months

Oliver is two months old today. It is amazing to think how about how much he has learned and grown in eight and a half weeks. He loves to intereact with us, if we catch his eye he will smile and coo and chat away. He also loves to watch whatever Isabel is doing. As long as he is not totally exhausted he will calm down immediately if he sees her and be happy for quite a while just watching her antics. He is finally only eating about every two hours during the day and is taking more regular naps allowing me to put him to sleep by rocking instead of nursing. Until a few days ago he was going to bed around seven and sleeping a little longer at night too, maybe up to five hours. But for several days now he has been getting up every two hours after an initial stint of three hours, making for a zombie mommie...I hope this changes soon. I also hope he'll take a bottle. We've been trying, but so far no luck. Isabel never took a bottle either, and I was really hoping Oliver would be different. It is funny to watch us try to give him a bottle. As soon as the bottle touches his lips he makes a face like it is the most horrible thing in the world and soon starts crying. He actually does the same thing for pacifiers, his fingers, or anything else that normal babies might suck on, if it is not mommy he won't even consider it as a means of comfort or nutrition. The best thing he does however is smile. I love when he looks up at me and gives me his little grin and makes his happy noises.

Those Faces

We sure capture some interesting faces in our pictures. Isabel is quite the performer, she loves to make crazy faces whenever I break out the camera.

Take a picture of me dancing daddy.

Oh, I think I see the camera.

And Oliver's look of sheer determination...I will hold my head up high...

Happy Halloween

Our little pumpkin.
Isabel "helps" daddy carve the real pumpkins.

Isabel enjoyed trick-or-treating with her friends.

Halloween Crafts

Since we aren't getting out of the house as much these days, I'm trying to do more crafts and unique activities with Isabel here at home. This month we have been doing Halloween projects. Isabel can't wait for the actual day so that she can get lots of candy.

We've been drawing and coloring lots of ghosts and pumpkins, and Isabel loves to wear her giraffe costume around the house.

Before Grandma left, she and Isabel made plaster ghosts, what a messy wonderful time!

Yesterday we mixed up some salt dough, and Isabel and I made ghosts and pumpkins for her to decorate the house with.

Sorting

Isabel is really into sorting things. She loves to get out her blocks or cards or Scrabble letters or barrettes (or really anything) and sort them by letter, color, shape, or whatever. It has been a great activity for her while I'm nursing Oliver.

Halloween Festival

We went to our neighborhood Halloween festival this weekend. Isabel loved winning prizes and riding the train. Oliver did great too, we managed to stay for almost a whole hour before he got fussy. It is nice to get out of the house and do something fun.

Holding Oliver

Isabel has been great with Oliver. She is very gentle with him and loves to talk to him and show him things. I keep telling her she can hold him if she wanted, but she has been very reluctant, instead preferring to lay next to him on the ground. Then we were watching Sesame Street the other day and she saw another girl holding a baby and she got very excited. Yesterday was the first time she "held" Oliver.

Family Photos

Here are some more pictures from the visit from my parents.

Oliver likes it outside as long as it is not too sunny or windy...

Isabel wants to teach Oliver how to suck his thumb.

One Month

Time is flying by quickly. Oliver will be one month old this weekend. He is starting to be much more alert and aware and enjoys listening to Isabel and laying on his play mat looking at toys. His neck is very strong and he can almost keep it up on his own when we are holding him on our shoulders. Oliver doesn't believe in sleeping unless he is being held or in his swing, so we are still quite sleep deprived and are looking forward to the day when we can get a good chunk of sleep. We are really enjoying watching Oliver grow and learn every day.

Grandparents

Thank goodness for grandparents! My mom is on her way home today, and we are going to miss her. I'll miss the help and Isabel will miss the entertainment. We've been very blessed to have Grandpa Urso, and Grandma Carter helping us out this last month, with a brief visit from Grandaddy Carter too.

Bath Time

Oliver's first bath at home was a family affair. Isabel provided all of the soap necessary (and then some), mommy washed his body, and daddy washed his hair. Oliver loved every moment of it!

Welcome Oliver!

Oliver Robert joined our family on Friday, September 17.
7 lbs. 8.5 oz
19 inches

We are both healthy and happy and doing well. Isabel is enjoying her little brother and we are blessed to have Grandpa here to help us out right now.

Morning at the Park

Going to the park is much more fun when Daddy comes along too!

Stinky Buffalo and Other Outdoor Fun

We took Isabel to the Wildlife Preserve this weekend. We really enjoyed spending some time outside in the (slightly) cooler weather, and as baby day soon approaches (I hope) Robert and I are trying to enjoy the last days of Isabel being an only child. :o)

For anyone who hasn't been around Isabel lately, she talks constantly (as long as she's not busy sucking her thumb). She keeps up a running commentary about everything that is going on around her. Most pictures are of her talking.

Some Texas scenery.

Every good hiker needs a walking stick...or twelve.


Those buffalo sure do stink.