May Trip to Tri-Cities

Last weekend we traveled to eastern Washington to visit Grandma and Grandpa M. Here are a few photos from our recent adventure.

Oliver and Grandma

Isaac and Grandpa

Checking out the sweet trucks at the Kids Fair

Excavator!

The Boys. Pit stop in Cle Elum for dinner on the way back home.

8 Months Old and On the Move! [Oliver]

Oliver here.

My Mom is pretty busy chasing me around the house, so she asked I write an update about what I've been up to (I wrote one at 6 months, too. See that post here).

Well, I am 8 months now. Which feels pretty big because I am doing some pretty cool stuff. For example, I figured out how to move around the house... on my own! At first, I figured out I could pull up, stand, and move my legs to get around. My mom sure looked surprised (and pleased) when she saw me standing in my crib that first morning...

After I mastered cruising around on foot, I figured I'd finally try that thing they call crawling. I got the hang of it this month, although I much prefer to stand up if I can (see videos below that my mom uploaded).

My favorite things this month are:

• Playing "take the ball" with the dog
• Grabbing big brother's toys when no one is looking (I've got a ninja-speed grip)
• Harassing the doggy (who I call "augh")
• Babbling in different sounds and consonants
• Following the doggy
• Laughing with big brother
• Pulling at the doggy's ears
• Pulling at mommy's hair
• Waving and clapping
• Figuring out how objects go together (like sunglasses go on on daddy's head) and sharing objects (like giving the doggy his ball, or a piece of food...)

Can you tell I really like the doggy?

Well, I'm off to bedtime. My parents have me on a pretty set schedule these days, but I feel very rested and only wake my mom once or twice at night to eat. 

Also, I will have my Mom write soon about our recent adventures to the Tri-Cities. So check back soon for a new update.

Until next month!

Ollie

Sunny Springtime

It's been a gorgeous, sunny spring in Seattle this year. Here are a few photos of our recent adventures.

Two happy boys after our daily walk.

The Tupperware drawer rocks!

He's crawling backwards like a pro... still figuring out how to go forward... 

With Dad at Foggy Noggin' Brewery

Out for a walk with Mom

7 Months [Oliver]

It seems like just yesterday Oliver was born, and yet here we are with a 7 month old! Where did the time go?

Every day Oliver is getting more mobile, more animated, and more fun!

This month he is:

• Pulling up easily from a sit to a stand, then cruising around the furniture. (He's far less interested in being on his tummy. He will get up to all fours, but shows no real interest in crawling. He is super happy standing, though. Maybe he'll skip crawling altogether?)

• Laughing and giggling a lot, and making a lot of different sounds (see video below).

• Eating more of a variety of foods, and starting on some finger foods. He's great at asking for more by touching our arm, or waving his arms up and down.

• Sleeping through the night! We implemented the "Sleep Sense" program, and it worked wonders. We're on a consistent schedule and we're all getting so much more rest.

What else are we up to? Well, Eric started a new job this month. Here is Oliver cheering for his dad.

It helps to know that when Dad says this ("Did Daddy Nail It? Nailed It!") it gets a huge giggle from Oliver, just as it did from Isaac.

Ollie also likes to "help" Mom with conference calls.

And, here we are enjoying the sunny spring weather.

Isaac Turns 5!

Isaac is 5 years old! A few pictures from his birthday celebrations.

Celebrations last weekend with G&G J

Birthday Party with Friends at Pump it Up

Ollie & Grandma M at the party

Loves his Legos gifts!

Blowing out candles with G&G J

Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

Yesterday we visited the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. Here's photos of our excursion, lunch at La Conner Brewery, and of course, fields and fields of tulips!

Sunny Adventures in Seattle

What a sunny March we've had in Seattle. Sure, there's been a little rain here and there. But, we've been taking advantage of the sun and enjoying this beautiful place we call home. What have we been up to? Glad you asked.

Here are a few photos of our recent adventures.

Fun at Carkeek, Sounders games, gymnastics, Lil' Kickers soccer, weekend with Teddy, and sailing with Grandma & Grandpa J!

6 Months - Weighing In [Oliver]

Last week, Oliver wrote an update about being half a year old. As a follow up, here are Oliver's "official" 6-month stats.

Weight:      22 lb 5 oz (99th percentile)

Height:       28.75" (99th percentile)

Head Cir:    45.5 cm (96th percentile)

He's a big boy, but as our doctor noted - at least he's proportional. And, like his brother at 6 months, he's doing great developmentally.

I love watching his personality come to life. If I had to describe Ollie today I would say he is charming, social, intense, and stubborn. 

He has started cutting his first bottom tooth and he is really determined to get on the move. All of a sudden he loves standing, and really is determined to crawl/scoot to shiny toys.

Here's a cute picture of Ollie and Isaac from this weekend, and one of him showing off his standing skills.

6 Months [Oliver]

Oliver here.

This month the world has changed for me. When I see something I want, I no longer just sit there and watch. I go for it. Granted, I usually need to grab, lunge, roll, beast-mode, or cry to get it... but gosh darn it, I get it. I've also figured out how to stand, which I love doing if Mom or Dad helps me.

I really like my Mom a lot because she has a magical milk chest, but my Dad is also really cool and so is my brother and dog. One of my new favorite games is to grab at everyone's hair to see what it tastes like. Except for Dad's. He's bald like me.

Mom and Dad started calling me Hank the Tank, which is confusing because I thought my name was Oliver - or Ollie for short. But that might be because when Mom weighed me at home I was 24 lbs. But we'll see what the Doctor says Wednesday when we visit.

Strangely, Mom and Dad started spooning food into my mouth this month. Sometimes it is orange or green or white. It feels funny in my mouth - especially since I don't have any teeth yet - but usually I swallow it. At least it is better than those bottle things they try to make me drink. Shenanigans.

And speaking of shenanigans, Mom and Dad think I should be sleeping by myself all night. That's a really long time to be by myself! I've shown them. Many nights I end up right where I want to be... snuggling at the all you can eat buffet with Mom. I've heard rumors that once we get over these bad colds we'll be back to "sleep training" - whatever that is. We'll see...

Until next month!

- O.W.

February - A Little of This, A Little of That

February has been a busy, sunny month. Here are a few photos as of late - just a little of this and a little of that.

Walk at Greenlake with Lynn (visiting from New Zealand), and the Jabbusch crew.

Sitting so well!

Fun at Mountlake Terrace pool - A birthday party for one of Isaac's classmates

Costco with the fam

Lantern Brewing 

Fun at Science Center

... Oliver has been a little sick, but a trooper

The 3 Amigos

More February photos are uploaded here. Cheers!