Before & After

9 Month Stats

Oliver had his 9 month check up this week (no shots!). He is 28 3/4 inches tall and 19 pounds 3 ounces. Since he started crawling, he hasn't been gaining as much weight - and if you saw how much he moves, it wouldn't surprise you!

Here he's checking out my CD collection:

And showing off his balancing skills:

Tattoos!

I finally got the tattoo I have been planning since Oli was just a month or so old...Thanks to the gift card that Aunt Anna helped Oliver get me for Mother's Day! The bug is the new one:

And Oliver wanted a turn, too...

Smart Baby!

We spent Saturday evening down at Mat's bar, Scallywags, at Lake Red Rock. They had a game of Bags set up (it's a horseshoe-like game), and Oli figured it out right away. He spent about half an hour putting the bags in the hole, taking them out, and doing it all over again. But, he obviously chose to be on the blue team, because he wouldn't put any of the red ones in the hole, even when I gave them to him. He would just throw the red ones off the side! I've got one smart babe.

Standing!

Oliver has been practicing standing alone! I got a little bit on video this morning. I still say he'll be walking by ten months....he's got some work to do!!

9 months!

Oliver turned 9 months old this week! (And I'm a few days late with the photo - we've been busy!) He has his well-baby check next week so I'll have his height/weight stats then.

Oli and Ian playing on our "new" living room floor:

Camp Hantesa

Some photos from the camping trip with my girls' group!

Me and the other group leaders.

Standing at the top of the 30-foot 'Leap of Faith'

Jumping off! At the top you can see the trapeze bar we were supposed to aim for - it was pretty far away, but I was the only one to actually touch it.

Going across part of the high ropes course - also 30 feet in the air.

Getting ready to walk across the wood pole.

What we're up to this week...

On Monday we took advantage of the beautiful weather and my day (well most of the day) off and spent a couple hours at the Square playing with Mallory and Elise.
I pulled out our Mei Tai on Wednesday. I haven't used it in awhile, because my Patapum is so easy to get on and off that I kind of got spoiled. But I'm planning on wearing the Mei Tai to a wedding this weekend (it's 'dressier' than my other carriers), so I thought we should practice. After a few minutes of remembering just how it works, Oli was nice and comfortable, as was I. I love this thing! We did some housework, walked to get the mail, and walked to the bank. (I really need to clean the slobber off that mirror!!)

And Oliver got 'fluffy mail' on Wednesday - a new wool soaker (used as a cover for his fitteds). I bought it from WinkyDinks on Etsy. He tried it out this morning and is great!

And this morning, we watched part of Sesame Street before Oliver's nap. I try to keep the tv off as much as possible, but Oli just loves Sesame Street. He just sits and smiles the whole time. (Well, the whole time he is sitting still. Which is only a few minutes.)

But, there are a couple things that bug me about the show. For one, Baby Bear. He can't pronounce his "R"s. I realize that lots of kids have trouble with their "R"s but aren't they encouraging it? Maybe not, but it just drives me nuts.

And why does Elmo get a whole 20-minute segment? His voice also makes me crazy. Although I am a fan of Mr. Noodle, and his brother, Mr. Noodle.

And I would like to see more Big Bird and Snuffleupagus. They are MY favorites.

Playing on Mother's Day

Missed my baby!

Well, I spent the longest amount of time away from Oliver ever the other day.
I co-facilitate a middle school girls' group, and we took them camping at Camp Hantesa Friday and Saturday. I didn't spend the night, but Friday I was away from Oli for exactly 11 hours and 16 minutes....ugh it was terrible.
I did pretty well throughout the day, we were very busy with the challenge courses. But at dinner in the cafeteria, one of the camp staff had her kids with her - she had an 8 month old son. I just about started crying right there. I left shortly after dinner and came home to stare at Oliver sleeping for awhile. I was happy when he woke up in the night so I got some cuddle time.
But, I survived the time away (as did Oli, and he loved playing with Grandma Holly), and it was worth it - I did the high ropes course, which is 30 feet up in the air, as well as the 'Leap of Faith' - I climbed to the top of a 30 foot telephone pole, stood on the top, and jumped off. Some of my girls were holding the rope. I'll get the photos from the other group leader later this week, and I'll be sure to post them. It really was a blast!

More photos...

One of the few photos of me and Oliver (besides "brand new Oli" photos):

Such a cheeser!