We love Daddy!

Ollie took this picture. Go, Ollie!

May

Dinosaur cake! Mimi sent the boys a little storybook about how to make this cake. Ollie insisted on adding the two unfrosted legs so that the dinosaur could have four legs instead of just two. He also did all of the M&M and Reeces Pieces decorations.

Ollie loves to take the cushions off of our couch in order to design his own mini couch on the floor. He mostly uses it to watch movies on the computer. As you'll see in the pictures and video to come, Indie takes full advantage of his ready access to Ollie. He's obsesses with eyes these days! Ollie is remarkably patient with him.

Indie trying to hold Ollie's arm down so he can poke his eye!

The boys had a playday with one of Indie's little friends. Of course, they both adore her!

Those are the purple flowers in front of our house that Indie loves (which is why he refuses to look at the camera).

This is Ollie's bristle block "Boat Mighty Machine."

Saying goodbye to Jennifer.

Visits

We had an AMAZING visit from my sister (or as Ollie calls her, "Jefinner) this month. Both boys adore her. During her visit, I came out of the bathroom with a towel on my head. Ollie whispered to his daddy, "Is that my mama?" So cute.

Ollie & Mama

We have the BEST neighbors who are so sweet with the boys! This is Indie and Mrs. Cook after she joined the boys for a tea party.

Happy 1st Birthday, Indie Leif!

My beautiful Indie is now one year old! He had a rough birthday...coming down with the flu. But, he was such a good sport in spite of not feeling well. Sadly, one of my most vivid memories of the day was just after dropping the boys' daddy off at work when Indie started vomiting in the car (this was following a night of illness). Ollie got incredibly upset and started shouting at Indie, "Stop puking, you naughy baby!" Oh...poor little Indie! I tried to explain to Ollie that Indie couldn't help being sick...and that we needed to try to help him. Of course, this did little to calm Ollie down, who was convinced Indie was doing this on purpose.

*****

Today at nap time, as I left Ollie's room, he asked, "Mama, can you do three small favors for me?" I asked what he needed, and he replied, "Favor #1: Set this story book down on the ground, please. Favor #2: Help me back downstairs. Favor #3: My trap is complete!" Haha! Ollie is obsessed with setting traps for people (mostly Indie). Apparently, he was planning a trap for me, this time. I love the fact that he always gives his schemes away before he can carry them out!

*****

Indie now says, "cheese," anytime someone pulls out a camera. It's adorable and hilarious.

Ollie insisted on "helping" Indie open his presents. Of course, it's only natural that he used a spoon as a tool to lessen the risk of having the tape touch his fingers. His hang-ups are too funny. This is also a video of his birthday song to everyone else in his family. My favorite part is when he bows and gives himself a "bravo."

Both of the boys LOVE their baby dolls. Ollie has had baby "Celia" since he was about Indie's age. In recent months, a love triangle developed between Ollie, Celia, & Indie...so we thought an appropriate 1st birthday gift for Indie would be a baby of his own. Success! He takes such good care of his new baby...giving her lots of cuddles and kisses (and chewing on her hands). I love the affection he shows her as they first meet in this video.

April

Ollie loves to dress up like Daddy. This is Ollie in Daddy's pants, rolled up and with shoulder straps made out of socks! A spray bottle on the porch makes for a morning of fun!

Easter

The UPS truck just drove by our house. Ollie ran outside yelling, "Pick us! Pick us!" Terribly cute. The driver was sweet..waving and giving Ollie a little beep of the horn. Pretty much made Ollie's day. :)

Shades

These are pics from an Easter egg hunt the boys and I went to with a friend. I should have known better. It was a rather horrifying experience (parents shoving, coaching kids about how to get the most eggs, big kids leaving with baskets overflowing with toddlers sobbing...leaving with empty baskets). Ollie was one of the smaller children who was basically trampled upon and left with no eggs; however, once the stampede had subsided, he calmly walked across the field picking up broken pieces of plastic egg shells and collecting them in his basket. I nearly cried as I watched his gentleness and care with the remnants of chaos. There's a lesson in there somewhere. Anyway...the boys sported their cool shades that day!

Eleven Month Old Indie Leif

March

A visit from Aunt Amy!

Aquarium

Indie at ten months old!