A Visit from Grandma & Grandpa (Six Month Old Indie Leif)

Indie is walking! So cute...and he continues to be so incredibly proud of himself. Mostly, he just toddles after Ollie. I have a feeling that's how it's going to be for the next few years. Ollie loves it (most of the time).

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At the grocery this week, Ollie wanted us to buy a food item that we don't normally buy. It had a cartoon character on it that he thought was soooo cool. When he asked why he couldn't have it, I told him that it had ingredients in it that weren't good for him. "Oh, why is it in the store then?" "That's a good question," I replied. He thought for a moment and then said, "Maybe it's just for decoration." heehee

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We've been trying to teach Ollie about the concept of karma...especially when he gets a little rough with Indie. On the playground this week, Ollie stumbled and bumped his knee on the playground equipment. I heard him mumble, "Why is that karma always gettin' me?!" :)

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I was in Toronto for a weekend in October presenting at a conference. Ollie & Indie's grandparents came to help while I was gone. All three guys had a WONDERFUL time!

Ollie Cat

Indie Leif's Sweet Bedtime Sounds

One of Indie'e latest, most adorable, "tricks" is when he wants to be held. He'll get up onto one knee--as if about to propose to someone--and left his arms up into the air. It gets me every time!

We are really into "shows" these days. We had a finger puppet show this morning, a magic show yesterday...and not too long ago, an ice-skating show. Ollie is usually the director and performer and will occasionally invite special guests to join him. This morning's puppet show was put on by Ollie & Mama for the viewing pleasure of Indie & Daddy. Of course, just a few minutes into the show, Indie stormed the stage and tried to eat the owl puppet. What can you do? Yesterday's magic show was a one-man act. Ollie gathered the rest of us onto the couch while he set up the stage (a little card table...with all of his tricks stuffed underneath). It was really a clever little show. He sawed his "sock-thing" toy in half by stuffing half of it into a plastic tube. So cute! Then, he told us he was going to make his toy vacuum magically appear from beneath the table. He tapped the table a few times with his magic wand and then shouted, "Abra Cadabra, Ala Cazaam! Make the vacuum appear on the table!" When nothing happened, he sadly proclaimed, "Oh...I guess it didn't work." Then, he tried again. When the vacuum remained under the table, he sighed, "Maybe I'm not magic enough." It was so sweet. We cheered him up by having him saw sock-thing in half again...and again...and again! The ice skating show took place during the winter olympics and consisted of Ollie running crazily through the living room and then sliding across the kitchen in sock-feet. This ended when Indie turned the "show" into a "race" by trying to catch Ollie with his speed crawling. Hilarious!

These are sounds I recorded from Indie's crib. Silly, I know. But, I will miss hearing them soon!

October

Daddy's Birthday (& Five Month Old Indie Leif)

Ollie took a big spill this week and got bruised and scuffed up a bit. As always, he found a way to be cute. Through his tears, he sobbed, "This is not my perfect day!" Aw, Ollie.... Then, he continued, "If only the sidewalk was comfier. We should have put big pillows up and down it. Then, I could fall all the time!"

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Indie is as sweet as ever. Taking his first steps (as wobbly as they are!) and incredibly proud of himself. He waves to everyone and has a sweet sense of humor. He laughs at Ollie all day long and does his best to keep up with him. He doesn't like to be away from his daddy or me. If we leave the room, he races after us and cries--panic-stricken--if he can't get to us. He is slowly becoming a better sleeper. But, it has been a long road! Most mornings find the four of us waking up together in the same bed. Which, really, I don't mind very much (for now). Both boys go to sleep in their own beds...but at some point in the early morning, work their way into ours. Ollie still takes pride in knowing he was the first one up on a given day.

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Tomorrow is my birthday. This evening, Christopher was joking with Ollie...telling him that tomorrow I was going to be an old lady. Later, when I put Ollie to bed, he asked, "Are you going to be the same age tomorrow?" "No," I replied. "Tomorrow, I will be a year older."

Ollie: No! I want you to stay this age!

Me: Why, Sweetie?

Ollie: Because I LOVE you this age!

Me: Oh, Ollie. I wish I could stay this age...but there's not much I can do about it.

Ollie: Can you just stay this age for one more week? I want you to stay new and pretty! (at which point, he throws his arms around me)

My sweet, sweet boy....

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Yes...this is a picture of my two year old son in a Baby Bjorn. I can't imagine this was very comfortable for him...but he went through a "baby" phase and insisted on being carried this way around the house. I'm relieved it didn't last too long!