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!

5 Months Old [Oliver]

Oliver is 5 months old and:

• Weighing ~20-21 lbs (9-12 month size clothes)
• Grabbing everything in sight (the more breakable, the better) 
• Passing objects back and forth between hands
• Rolling both ways (though he much prefers to be on his back then belly)
• Inching/army-crawling (just a little bit)
• Sitting unsupported in a tripod (for a couple minutes)
• Eating a little bit of rice cereal and veggies
• Sleeping a little better than last month - but still not sleeping great on his own...
• Laughing and talking a lot

 A few highlights from the last month:

Go Seahawks! Win or Lose, we love our team.

Out and about at Lantern Brewing

First cereal - he ate it all up - no spitting out! survey says, he's ready for solids

Brothers

We've uploaded more photos in our online albums:

• January 2015
• February 2015

4 Months Old [Oliver]

As of January 15th, Oliver is 4 months old!

At 4 months old, our big little dude is:

• 19 lbs and 26.5" long (96th percentile for height and weight)
• Flipping consistently from his belly to his back! He is really trying to flip from his back to his belly, too, but usually he can only get to his side. He's also starting to scoot/army crawl when he is on his belly - usually with a lot of grunts and groans.
• Starting to sit up in a tri-pod -- but that's a lot of belly to hold up!
• Using his hands so well! He grabs at everything with great precision.
• Sleeping worse... for the past month he has been back to waking up every 2-3 hours at night... 
• Still smiling and giggling a lot!
• Wearing 9-12 month clothes.

Here's a few more pics of Ollie:

Happy Holidays from the Merhars! [2014]

What a Year!

At the ring of the new year we found out we were expecting baby #2, and at 4:30 AM on September 15^th we welcomed Oliver William to the world (8lb 4oz and 21” long).

Isaac, now 4 ½, is a fantastic big brother and was a world-class ring-bearer at Aunt Lisa & Uncle Justin’s wedding in June.

We look forward to another year full of fun and new adventures with family and friends.

Holiday Cheers,

Eric, Christina, Isaac & Oliver

(and Lodi the Doberman)

Christmas 2014

Christmas through a four year old's eyes is pretty magically... the joy of decorating the tree, the mystery of the little elf who comes to visit each day, and the unfiltered anticipation of what Santa will bring!

Alas, our Christmas this year was full of excitement, laughter, anticipation, sharing of the holiday season, Christmas movies, and (of course) many wonderful gifts.

Here's a look at Christmas 2014.

Christmas Eve at the Jabbusch's

Christmas Eve

Grandma & Ollie

Baby's first Christmas

Dad & Ollie

Lisa & Ollie

Justin & Ollie

Christmas Day at Home

Santa came!

Legos were a big hit! Isaac got this set on Christmas eve and was so excited to wake up on Christmas to put it together. In fact, he put it together before opening any other gifts!

Taking it all in...

modeling a few gifts

Santa got a few things for Lodi too

Santa visit part II (at preschool)

Santa Photos 2014

Santa was a big hit this year!