Happy 10 months!

I don't think there is a better age than 10 months old. Some of my favorite things at this stage:
1. When it is nap time or night time, he lays down on the floor for a moment before picking himself to go play again.
2. When we bring him into his room to put him down, he lays his head on our shoulder for a verse of "You are my Sunshine", starts to breath deeply, and then leans towards the crib.
3. He pulls himself on everything and then is so proud of himself.
4. He always wants to be close by - between my legs while I do the dishes, standing up by my leg when I'm on the laptop, climbing all over me when I'm on the floor.
5. The food shoveling at meal time: yesterday for lunch he ate a cup of northern beans, a cup of sweet peas, 2 egg yokes and 2 bananas. It is fun to see him eat so heartily and all by himself.
6. He gives kisses to pictures of himself or when he sees himself in a mirror.
7. I love the way he chases around other babies and toddlers. I had a friend with a 3 year old over yesterday and he chased Owen around like it was going out of style. If Owen was standing by the coffee table, Oliver would pull himself up and then look at Owen and smile and laugh. If Owen was driving the dump truck around the living room Oliver couldn't follow him fast enough.
I just can't get enough of his ambition and sweetness these days!

Another Game

This video is a bit long, so don't feel obligated to watch the whole thing. Just notice how Oliver drops down and even scoots back when he thinks its time for Paul to pull him. We just couldn't get enough!

Making the Bed Like my Mother

Back when I was young my mom taught me the proper way to make a bed. I did a great job following all of the steps until I went to college. Then I decided that it would save more time if I just put the fitted sheet around both corners of one end and then go to the other end and do the same. Maybe it was the lofted beds that caused this, but maybe not.

I have been making beds a lot lately. I figured out that if I don’t change Oliver’s mattress pad along with his sheet his sweet and soft little cheek starts to smell kind-of funky. All this bed-making has taught me the value of my mom’s technique: when you put the fitted sheet on opposite corners, it lies neatly and even with the corner seams without all the tugging and pulling – little did I know!

Having a baby really makes me notice all the things I do her way – the songs, the phrases, the constant reading. She taught me to be thrifty and crafty so I make toys, use cloth diapers, and knit little sweaters for my baby boy. She also showed me what it means for a woman to be an amazing stay-at-home mom and then transition into an amazing working woman at a job that uses her gifts. She’s on the cutting edge of all the best ideas for teaching Kindergarten and holds to the old standards that she just knows work the best. And it’s also pretty fun to see your mom to do this while being well dressed and not afraid to try the newest look.

My mom has also mothered me so well since I became an adult. She never insisted that I do things her way or criticized the path I took. She has done so many things to support and encourage me in this young adult phase of discovering who I am. As I have muddled my way through stressful career, schooling and family decisions, she has listened, weighed in (when asked, of course), and prayed. She is a fantastic listener and has let me have a different opinion than her. She’s even allowed me to convince her of a new way of looking at something. My mom has taught me what to do when Oliver is my age, and I know I’m trickier to mother now than when I was a baby!

I’m so proud of my Mom.

Auntie Amy's Coming!!

19 days until we get to pick her up from the airport - I'm SO excited!! Amy did secure her flight back in May, but I have a little rule for myself that I can't create an iGoogle countdown ticker right away because the first time I did that was for Christmas and I had to watch months tick by - not fun. We are going to enjoy Oliver, visit Philly, shop, and do lots of other stuff too. I can't wait!!!!!!

And another piece of news - Oliver slept through the WHOLE night last night for the first time: 8:00-7:30. I heard him squawk a bit at 4am, but it didn't last long. I could get used to this!

Busy Boy

Is there anything cuter than a baby boy in Osh Kosh overalls? I know I always say this, but I really can't get enough - it is my true weakness.

Where is Oliver?

Got you!!! (About the blocks - this is Paul's project. He is making these super-sturdy blocks that an adult can stand on without smooshing them. Each one used to take him upwards of 2 hours, but I think he has streamlined his procedure. Oliver likes to knock them over when they are stacked up neatly.)

The things on our coffee table are no longer safe. Oliver can pull himself up quite easily.

My puppy.

Happy Birthday Paul!

I love you so much!!!!

(This picture is of Paul at 9 months, just for fun)

Pop Goes the Weasel

Ollie is not enjoying diaper changes these days so I'm experimenting with different toys and songs. I had forgotten about Pop Goes the Weasel, and it is a real hit!