Takes a village to raise a child

Daddy and Marmee have been little worn out lately. I usually think I can do anything I set my mind too but understand I can't do everything all the time. Last week I knew we needed a break, sleep was lacking, and feelings of "we might be the worst parents ever" were creeping in. I sent out a call for help to family; thankfully we are surrounded by love and support. Great Auntie Melanie took Oliver Wednesday and boy does it look like they had a blast: click the photo to read all about it.

Mormor scheduled on overnight Saturday evening into Sunday. I hear they went to a carnival Saturday and Oliver got a balloon shaped as a sword. Sunday Morning he went to Mormor's church and played in the nursery with some familiar friends and some new ones. We joined everyone for lunch around noon at a local restaurant.

When we left, Oliver was pretty tired. He feel asleep in the car and slept for almost three hours once we got home. He's typically been napping for an hour maybe an hour & a half tops. SO he must have had a fantastically busy fun weekend. Thanks Mormor and Melanie for the fun evenings with Oliver. Marmee and Daddy rested, relaxed and are feeling more like ourselves than previously stated.

Simple lessons

Things I've learned from my Son:

1) When life isn't going my way, my glass is defiantly less than half full, and the day has made me so grumpy I'd rather not be awake anymore- Oliver reminds me it only takes a couple minutes of playtime, a smidge of exercise and a touch of laughter to make things all better.

2) Be happy with the things you have and don't worry about what you don't. Oliver has a grand total of five lego blocks. When I take them out of the closet to let him play with them, he acts like I've just given him a thousand legos.

3) Remember to say excuse me when you burp, say please and thank you. Give LOTS of hugs and kisses to those you love.

Now if only I could remember these things on a daily bases I'd be all set for whatever life sends my way.

A Tomte sighting

Oliver visited my work today in full dress. I say he's a Tomte, but many people who saw him today would tell you he was a gnome... and more specifically they'd say he was the Travel gnome.

Either way I thought he was terribly adorable and the costume rocked! Of course, I made both the costume and the kid- so I'm slightly biased. Everyone LOVED his shoes.

Here is Oliver's "performance" caught on video... he wasn't too shy to tell people, but sometimes we broke out the flashcards.

We also went trick or treating at Auntie Em's work. It took a few minutes for Oliver to get the concept of taking candy from peoples buckets. He'd hold one piece in his hand and Eme would put a piece in his bag. At the next bucket of candy he'd put the piece in his hand into the new bucket and trade it for another piece of candy. Eventually he took the candy but continued to carry a piece of chocolate in his hand. Needless to say that piece was quite melted by the time we left.

Thank you for the fun afternoon Auntie Em!

A fall day at the park

Oliver and I went out to enjoy the fall weather/ sunshine this afternoon. It was a bit breezy/ chilly. It's been so cold and rainy the last month that we haven't been outside for a while, so we endured a little wind.

We walked over to the park and had a blast.

Not much going on

well, maybe more than nothing, but I haven't felt like blogging. So, Tonight I'll tell you a few things about Oliver.

A couple of weeks ago Oliver started a HUGE growth spurt. He was basically eating and sleeping non stop. Daddy got Oliver into a great new routine. Oliver eats lunch and then goes straight down for a nap. It's been super easy to give him a nap even when out visiting people. (the photo is Oliver on Auntie Em's bed resting.) He also slept at Oma's on her couch in the sun room. He didn't get up once to explore the rooms we've put him in. Terrific!

Also, Bedtime has been fantastic as well. We have a big story time, say our prayers and I sing him his bedtime song. He goes right to sleep. Like I said- we could be in this nice easy sleep phase because of his huge growth spurt- but I'm enjoying it for the time being. I know it can change at any moment.

Oliver has been negotiating quite a bit lately. He loves to pop out of bed in the morning and list off every activity he can think of. One of my favorites is when he says "couple more cookies" bright and early some mornings. You can't have more if you haven't had any yet, silly. We don't even give him that many cookies (Nilla Waffers) on a weekly basis but he loves to use that phrase throughout his day. How can I resist him when he finishes with a [couple more cookies] "k?" or "how bout".

Repeating random things he hears has been fairly entertaining. He's into learning people's catch phrases. He can tell you that "Morfar says okie, dokie" (sometimes its "okie, donkey") Apparently "Melaine says stinky butt" and "Ubbadah". Babysitters beware what you like saying- we'll be hearing you repeated by Little Man sooner or later.

Okay- that's all I can remember right now and I'd like to go to bed.

unexpected visitors

We were eating dinner when we got a phone call asking if Oliver could play. Knock, knock, knock. Surprise. Marmee's cousin Kylee is back from college for a quick visit home.

Tonight Great Auntie Melanie & Kylee stopped by to visit with Oliver and the laughter/ book reading ensued... Just thought I'd share:

How is Auntie Melanie so funny?

"Ubbadah"- you'll have to ask Melanie the story

stealing a ride

We went up to Oma's house Saturday and it was actually slightly warmer than it has been. Oliver got bundled up in his new hat and mittens to take a four wheeler ride with Daddy.
One of Opa's favorite toys, that red four wheeler. But he wasn't around to stop them from stealing a ride. Oliver seemed to be enjoying the wind in his face and a little extra time with Daddy.
Thank you Opa for sharing your toys, and Thank you to Oma for a yummy dinner, wonderful time of coloring/ playing and a huge thank you for new clothes.