All Aboard the Polar Express!

What a way to start the holiday season!  This morning when I woke up mommy and daddy told me that I was in for a big surprise.  They told me I was going to take a ride on the Polar Express!  I didn't quite understand what that was but they explained that I would be taking my first train ride and on the train would be all sorts of holiday treats.  They told me I would even get to see Santa Claus.  As I have recently developed a huge interest in trains, thanks in large part to Choo-Choo Soul, I couldn't have been more excited.  One of the best parts was that I was able to wear my pajamas!  Adelaide and I wore our pajamas just like all the other kids did.

When we walked on the train, I couldn't believe how many decorations there were.  There were snowflakes, garland and all sorts of green and red colors.  At the front of the train was the conductor waiting to take our tickets.  I was very excited to hand the conductor the tickets.  I am especially excited in this picture because the train started moving and I had a "woah" moment.  

Once the train started moving, a man in the front of the train, with the help of his elves, started reading from The Polar Express.  They also played Christmas carols.  I love to dance and I just couldn't contain myself...I had to dance while on mommy's lap... especially when they started playing Jingle Bells.  What a great song.  The elves also handed out hot chocolate and checked their list to make sure I was on the nice list.  I know that I drive everyone crazy every once in a while but apparently I've been good this year!

One of the elves was nice enough to take our picture.  If you look closely at daddy, you'll see that my sister was with us but she was too tired to stay awake.  Next year she'll have more fun.  I told her not to worry, I was having enough fun for the two of us!

I was so happy I felt like I had to keep on showering mommy and daddy with kisses.  I was having so much fun!

Mommy and daddy told me I would get to see Frosty the Snowman but I didn't believe it until the door opened and in he came.  He was really tall.  My new favorite book is all about snowmen and from what I've learned, they melt pretty easily but Frosty seemed pretty comfortable on the train.

Just to prove that my sister was actually with us on the trip I had to include a picture.  Here she is sleeping...again.  I swear, this girl really does require lots of beauty sleep.  When she is awake she seems like she's going to be lots of fun. 

Right before Rudolph made his appearance, the priest had us all start to sing Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.  Don't tell Frosty or Santa, but Rudolph is my favorite.  I even gave him a kiss!

Santa finally made his appearance right before we got back to Salem.  By that point, I was almost ready for a nap.  Riding the Polar Express was exhausting!

I wasn't too tired to drink hot chocolate, eat candy or ring the bell the elves gave to me.  

I had such a great time.  I can't wait until next year!

It was a great way to end a really fun Thanksgiving weekend.  Mommy's friend Sandra was in town so yesterday on the way back from the Cape we stopped at her house.  We saw Sandra and her family.  Sandra and her mom gave me a Mr. Potatohead...what a fun toy.  I think they did it so that it would keep me occupied while mommy and Sandra did all their catching up.  I've been playing with it all day today!

Thanksgiving couldn't have been better.  This year I was old enough to enjoy all the food.  Plus, both sets of grandparents were there to celebrate with me.  I got to see Nonna, Papa, Grammi and Dziadzia.  

The Friday after Thanksgiving, mommy, Adelaide, Nonna and I went to a nature center and I got to play with all sorts of cool animals.  I got to touch two turtles, a guinea pig and a snake.  Mommy had to help me touch the animals.  She wasn't excited about touching the snake with me but I really wanted to so she went along with it.  

A Few of My Favorite Things

I thought I'd share with you a few of my favorite things.  First, my sister.  She is my new favorite.  I love to give her kisses, say "hi sister" and I am always looking for her.  Sometimes I try and poke her on the head but it's just because I'm curious.  Not because I'm trying to hurt her!

I love to go "bye" so I am standing by the door anxiously awaiting the opportunity to make my escape.  Luckily mom locks the door!  I love my new hat.  It's supposed to be worn outside but if I like it so much, why not wear it inside as well?  I also really like to play with pocketbooks.  In fact, this is my favorite one filled with all the things that I like best.  And, I like wearing my pajamas.  Who doesn't?  And with the arrival of my new sister, I've been able to hang out in my pajamas a lot more.

I decided that every so often it's fun to be wrapped up like a burrito.  My sister always looks so comfortable, why shouldn't I try it out as well.  The only thing I didn't count on was that Charley would be able to attack me and with my arms covered, there is nothing I can do to defend myself.  

Oliver's Very Bad Day!

I think it must have been a growth spurt...or maybe my feet are getting too big for my body.  Those are the only two explanations I can think of.  I knew after a few minor falls on Sunday morning that I should not have gotten out of bed.  The rest of the day went okay until late afternoon.  I was standing next to our coffee table and all of the sudden just fell.  I wasn't running, I wasn't climbing.  I was just there...in the wrong place at the wrong time.  I hit my gum against the coffee table and blood started gushing everywhere.  I tried to tell mommy and daddy it wasn't too bad but they were just busy looking at all the blood.

Grammi and Dziadzia came over to watch Adelaide and mommy, daddy and I took off for the emergency room.  I don't know about them, but I had a great time there.  I got a popsicle, got to read Busy, Busy Town and entertain the doctor and nurses with waves, kisses, smiles and words.  The doctor said I didn't need stitches but that I should see a dentist.  Home we went.  No sooner did we get home but I fell again.  I managed to split open my lip.  At that point, mommy put me to bed so that my very bad day would come to an end.

The next day was when the not so fun part occurred.  Daddy took me to the dentist.  He was a nice man but he said I needed three stitches.  Two on my gum and one on my lip.  I tried fighting but eventually they were able to stitch me up.  My first trip to the dentist was not a fun memory.  I did get to pick out two toys that I showed mommy when I got home.  I hope that I don't have to go through this again anytime soon.  

Luckily I still have all my teeth!  Oliver

I'm a Big Brother!

Well, there was a huge change in my life this past week.  For a while I suspected I wasn't going to be the only kid in our household anymore and my suspicions were confirmed last Thursday.  It all began on Wednesday afternoon when Grammi came over to our house to pick me up for a three day vacation at Grammi and Dziadzia's.  It was my first sleepover so I knew something was up.

On Thursday, November 6th at 6:16am I became a big brother.  My sister, Adelaide Cheryl, was born.  As you can tell from this picture, I am already in love with her.  Welcome to my world, Adelaide!

I've included some pictures from the hospital.  The first day I visited my little sister I wasn't so sure what was happening but by the second day I was getting used to being a big brother.  Here is a picture of mommy and Adelaide right after she was born.

Adelaide weighed 8 pounds when she was born and was 21 1/2 inches long.  To think that I thought I would be the one to protect her!  She weighed more than I did when I was born and was taller.

Another big difference is that she loves to sleep.  She definitely has been sleeping more than I did the first few days of life.  She is a very relaxed and content child.

Here I am giving Adelaide a pat on the head.  I also like to give her kisses.  And, to set the record straight, Grammi is drinking a root beer in the picture and not a beer.  

Adelaide looks just like daddy did when he was born.  She is already daddy's little girl!

I know the expression on my face doesn't reflect my excitement over being a big brother.  But, the past few days I have grown very attached to my sister.  The second I walk into our house I say "baby" and look around for Adelaide until I find her.  I need to make sure she is okay.  I also love to give her kisses and I am happy to share my toys with her.

She wanted me to tell you she is going to be starting her own blog, after all, she is her own person but it will be a few days because she needs her beauty sleep!

Gotta go spend time with my sis,

Oliver

Trick or Treat

This Halloween was way more fun than last year.  Last year I was too little to eat all the treats that go along with trick-or-treating.  In fact, I ate so many treats that I got a belly ache.  

I dressed up as a pumpkin this year.  Here is a picture of the cookie that Grammi and Dziadzia got for me.  When we arrived at Grammi and Dziadzia's house this special Halloween treat was waiting for me.  I ate some of it but also enjoyed feeding Charley lots of the frosting.

Here is a picture of me with Uncle Mike and Aunt Carolyn.  I'm looking at them wondering why they look so normal when I had to dress up as a pumpkin!

I had to share in the festivities with some of my friends, Jake and Nicholas.  

Here are some more pictures from Halloween.

Once I saw the other kids outside, I couldn't wait for my chance to begin trick-or-treating.

Earlier in the day, mommy and I stopped by Harpoon to see daddy at work.  Once again, I'm not sure why I was the only one dressed up but I got lots of attention from the ladies who worked there so I can't complain.

Except for the belly ache at the end of the day, Halloween was really fun.  I can't wait until next year!