Christmas

Ollie & Indie's Aunt Amy visited recently. When I asked Ollie what he wanted to do while Amy was visiting, he said, "Play! Play! Play! I want Aunt Amy to stay and play for a million months!!!"

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During bedtime stories with Ollie the other evening, I yawned and said, "I'm so tired." Ollie turned to me and offered, "Don't worry, Mama, I'm here." awww....

Ollie's self portrait.

Yes...the giraffe and the car kiss each other!

Seven Month Old Indie Leif

Ollie has been extra aware of the emotions of people around him. If I get frustrated with him or if he sees a change in my mood, he will say, "Be happy, Mama." Then, he will wait a few minutes and ask, "Are you happy now? Are you feeling better?" It's very sweet and has opened up some interesting discussions about why and when people are happy, sad, mad, or any other emotion. It's so fascinating to me to see how our children learn about the world and how we work as human beings.

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Ollie continues to be a sponge with his language acquisition...some words and phrases more impressive than others. Among the phrases he sometimes hears me say that I probably shouldn't is, "daggummit," a word he now uses all too frequently. I guess it could be worse!

Indie began pulling himself up to stand at around seven months. As you can see in the next series of pictures, he sometimes had trouble staying up for long periods of time. Good thing he's so flexible!

Christopher had some friends from work over one night. Ollie played social events coordinator, directing everyone. One of his activities involved lining up a bunch of chairs (both adult and child-size) and instructing each person where he or she ought to sit. Of course, everyone played along!

Pouting.

Sad Indie.

Biker Boy

Ollie loves riding his new bike...inside and out! He got to pick out his own helmet with fishies on it was very excited about the bell on his bike. His one disappointment, which he was quick to share, was that his bike did not have a basket. Of course, he was also quick to remedy the situation by adding one of his own, painstakingly working with his toy tools to hammer it, screwdriver it and, of course, saw it in place. Speaking of tools, though our little fix-it guy knows the correct name for nearly any tool you can think of, he continues to call socket wrenches "suck it wrenches." It makes us giggle, and I can't bring myself to correct him, yet!

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As usual, I love bedtimes with both of my cuddly boys. Indie likes long, tight bear hugs with both his daddy and me...nuzzling his head in our necks and gripping onto us with his arms and legs. Needless to say, we like it, too! Ollie has become especially endearing with his choice of words, often calling us, "my dear Mama" or "my dear Daddy." The other night as I tucked him in, he squeezed me and said, "Did you know that you're my best lady in the whole world?" Mmmm...I love that.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Ollie!

Ollie had two 3rd birthday parties this year...one with Uncle Scott & Jenny and one on his "actual" birthday. Even though he has now been three for nearly five months, I still can't believe we already have a three year old! He is such a beautiful, life-filled boy--inquisitive, spirited, loving, and ridiculously hilarious. He loves stories, loves people, loves construction trucks and legos, loves playing chef and cleaning the house with his little vacuum and broom. He adores playing on the beach and has an amazing imagination. Everything can be turned into a game with him whether he is pretending to be a bird, a fire fighter, a doctor, or a daddy (or mama sometimes). He loves inventing things, and nearly every invention ends with 3000. For example, "The Sucker-Upper 3000" or "The Blower-Upper Leg Lifter 3000," two of his most recent inventions, the second of which is a foot pedal pump that he uses to pump up a balloon placed under a person's leg in order to lift the leg off the ground! He (mostly) adores his little brother, although there are still moments when he asks us to take him back to the doctor or put him back in my tummy or sell him to a store. He likes to toss toys into Indie's crib for him and can make Indie giggle like no one else when he plays peek-a-boo. Ollie also likes to pretend to be a baby and will ask to be held like a baby or carried places he can easily walk. He makes up "baby talk" and pretends to suck on a soothie (pacifier). On the flip side, he also enjoys taking care of his baby doll, Celia (Indie has become a bit possessive of Celia, so there's often a love triangle between the three of them). Ollie will carry her in a baby carrier and even pretend to nurse her. He is so very loving. He is getting better and better at riding his tricycle and likes to play floor hockey and catch with any ball he can get his hands on. He's not afraid of people and loves playing with other children on the playground and asking neighbors what they are working on in their yards as we walk by. He is brave but is easily frightened by television shows, covering his eyes when he doesn't want to see something. (He recently told me that the bamboo sushi roll mat, when held in front of his face, was a tool that "helps me not see something when I don't want to see it.") When he gets hurt, he asks for "placebo" (apple juice in a baby syringe) and often suggests that a sweetie might also help him feel better.

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At a get-together recently, he became playmates with a little girl who had just begun toddling around. After playing for a while, he hugged her and said, "I used to be your age." We love you, Ollie!

Ollie with his new bike and helmet.

Frosting face

Carrying Baby Celia.

Uncle Scott & Jenny

Even hockey players have to sleep.

GIANT birthday cookie.

November (Videos Galore)

Ollie has started talking in his sleep a lot. Most recently, I awoke to hear him whimpering. When I went to check on him, he was still sleeping but saying, "Take the peanut butter off my toast!" Must have been some nightmare. :)

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!