So Behind!

Well, it's been a while.  In fact, such a long time that I can't even keep track of the past few months.  I will be better soon but mommy and daddy lost their camera so there are no new photos of me to share.  I can't believe I am 22 months old.  I have all sorts of funny sayings like "mommy help you" and I can count to five...in my language that equals "1,2,4".  Three has completely disappeared.  I love to give back hugs and kisses and do the "hot dog dance".  My new favorite word is "funny" and when I think something is funny I will let you know.  My favorite books are currently Alabaster's Song, Super Babies and Brava Strega Nonna.  I've been making lots of friends.  A few weeks ago we went to Maine for Memorial Day and I had a blast.  We went for a ride in Dziadzia's boat, I went fishing with a rope and splashed in the water.  I even went with mommy and daddy to look at lobsters while Adelaide stayed with Grammi and Dziadzia.  I got very worried that we forgot Adelaide and told mommy and daddy from the backseat the we had forgotten Adelaide.  If you ask me what Grammi's name is, I can tell you her name is Cheryl.  If you ask me Nonna's name, I know it's Teri.  I know mommy's name is Lauren and I know daddy works at Harpoon and Dziadzia works at "posram" (osram).  I'm having a hard time with Papa's name because it's confusing...my uncle's name is Mike too.  But I do know Nonna and Papa live on Cape Cod.  My favorite food is M&Ms.  When we are driving, I can tell you when we are getting to close to the doctor's office, Grammi and Dziadzia's house, Nonna and Papa's house, our house and daddy's work.  I don't like to sleep.  I would rather stay up and play or have movie night.  Once a week I have "moooooovie night" (as I say) with mom, dad and Adelaide.  My favorite so far is Bolt.  I was kind enough to give Adelaide my high chair and I've moved on to the big boy chair.  Okay, that's it for now...I'm tired!

Sledding on Valentine's Day

This year we spent Valentine's Day up in Maine. We got to spend the weekend with two of my favorite people- Grammi and Dziadzia. That morning mommy made a breakfast with heart shaped pancakes and sausage. Later on in the day, mommy and daddy took me sledding across the street while Adelaide stayed with Grammi. Daddy and I were a little more adventurous than mommy. I was a little nervous but for the most part played it cool. After going down the hill, mommy and daddy pulled me in the sled on Trickey Pond.

To: Oliver Love: Mommy

Dear Oliver,

I am taking over your blog for this one entry.  Now that you are 18 months old, I wanted to take this opportunity to reflect on some of my favorite moments of being your mom.  Where should I begin?

The day you were born my life changed in a way that I could never have imagined.  Your birth was one of the best days of my life.  I could have never imagined what adventures the next 18 months would bring for the two of us.  I knew instantly that you were going to be a curious, loving, intelligent little person.  Most babies are so tired when they are first born that they sleep for hours.  Not you!  The second the nurse put you in my arms you looked at your dad and me with this very inquisitive look in your eyes.  There is no doubt in my mind you were studying us because you knew we were going to be an important part of your life.  Little did I know at the time that this alertness would lead to you having a love of staying awake!  

From that moment on, you have been on the go.  You love doing all sorts of new things.  Over the past 18 months, we have spent countless weekends in Maine and Mashpee.  You've flown on an airplane twice- once for Uncle Mike and Aunt Carolyn's wedding and once for the funeral of your Great Uncle Tony.  We've taken many other road trips together.  You've been down to Long Island for Aunt Erin's shower and to visit Uncle Matt, Aunt Shannon and Lorelai.  You've been out to Williamstown to see where mommy and daddy went to college.  You've been to New York City for Uncle Dan and Aunt Erin's wedding.  You've been to Pennsylvania to attend GG's funeral.  We've taken all sorts of local trips.  We've been to the Boston Children's Museum twice, the Stone Zoo, North Shore Children's Museum, Peabody Essex Museum, Ipswich Historical Society, the library for numerous story hours, trips to the Hamilton House to see The Music Man.  We have gone to almost a dozen different parks and taken Charley for an absurd amount of walks.  One of my favorite things we have done together is go on The Polar Express Ride this past winter where you saw Santa, the Elves and Frosty.  You've been my buddy for 18 months now!

I hope you realize how lucky you are to have so many people in your life who love you so much.  Your daddy just thinks you are the greatest little person.  He would do anything for you.  He works so hard and hopefully you learn from his work ethic.   Your Grammi and Dziadzia love spending time with you as does your Nonna and Papa.  I think you will always associate a purse and keys with your Grammi and going for rides with your Dziadzia.  I will never forget you looking out the window, seeing Dziadzia's truck in the parking lot and shouting "Dziadzia, ride, Dziadzia, ride" and getting incredibly excited when he got to the door to take you for a ride.  With Nonna and Papa, your favorite spot is that cabinet in their kitchen where you have no problem at all making yourself at home.  They also introduced you to Elmo and dates.  By dates, I mean the fruit!  Your Uncle Mike and Aunt Carolyn live down the hall and for some reason, you seem to think they are both named "Bike"!  They have spent hours with you and you are lucky they are your godparents.  Your other godparents, Uncle Dan and Aunt Erin introduced you to King Bidgood and I am convinced that it is because of that book that you started talking so early.  We have read that book hundreds of times together.   You also have your Aunt Margaret, Uncle Tom, Aunt Shannon and Uncle Matt who I know will always be there for you if you ever need anything.

Over the past few months your vocabulary has really developed.  I love that you shake people's hands and say "How do you do?"  And you are always asking "What is that?"  One of your favorite words is "beer".  Not sure how you learned it but you know it's a silly word because every time you say it you start smirking.  We have all sorts of songs that we sing together.  You love the My Buddy song.  You lean your head into mine and start singing.  There's also the song Bye Bye Baby that I made up.  You also like Itsy Bitsy Spider and Patty Cake.  You are such a big help around the house.  You love to help with the laundry, swiffering the floor and using the windex.  I cannot forget to mention Choo Choo Soul and Mickey.

Boy do you love your sister.  She is the first person you ask for in the morning and the last person you say good night to at night.  You give her kisses and help me as much as possible.  You have your own baby named Baby who you change, feed, swaddle, kiss and love.  Watching you with your baby makes me realize just how loving and gentle you are.  I know that as you get older you will be the best big brother in the world.

The past 18 months have flown by but they have been really special.  You've already changed my life in so many ways.  Every morning you wake up and have this excitement in your eyes as if to say "what are we doing today?"  You make me smile.  You make me laugh.  You make me think about things differently.  You challenge me.  I hope that you don't ever change.  Because of having you and your sister, I appreciate my own parents so much more.  I could never understand the love a parent feels until I became one myself.  I only want the best for you.  I don't want you to ever be afraid to go after your dreams and goals.  Your dad and I will always be there to support you and encourage you with whatever you choose to do.  This is your life to live and I want you to live it to your fullest.  You will encounter difficult times in your life but as long as you know how loved you are by all your special people you will be fine.  I cherish you my little one.

I love you,

Mom

Happy New Year!

The holidays were busy for my family this year so I thought I would just post some of the highlights from December.  

First, mommy's friend Erin came for a visit.  She is so much fun.  I met her a year ago when I was only six months old and I definitely remember her.  The second I saw her I got very excited and was very comfortable hanging out with her.  We had fun playing together.  After she left I told mommy we needed to see her more often.

The day before Christmas Eve, mommy put me in charge of a very important task.  She made cupcakes and told me that it was crucial I lick the spatula after she was done.  I was more than happy to oblige.  I also got to "help" by playing with the sprinkles and the batter.  

Here is a picture of the end result.  

In the past, mommy and daddy have gone to Nonna and Papa's house for the Christmas Eve Feast of the Seven Fishes.  This year mommy and daddy thought it would be better if we stayed home because my sister was still so new and daddy had to work the day after Christmas.  Mommy and daddy hosted the feast and Nonna and Papa made the trip from the Cape to enjoy the holiday with us. 

What a feast it was.  Nonna brought some of the fish with her.  She brought shrimp cocktail, salmon, calamari salad and smelts.  Mommy and daddy made the scallops, clam sauce and the baked haddock.  Here is a picture of daddy cooking the scallops.  

In addition to Nonna and Papa, Grammi, Dziadzia, Uncle Bike and Aunt Bike also joined us (I call both Mike and Carolyn "bike" because I want to).

I decided to be the entertainment because the 

party was getting a wee bit boring.

Before we went to bed, mommy and daddy told me that Santa was coming.  We read my Christmas book "Olive the other Reindeer" and then mommy and daddy told me I needed to put the book somewhere and wherever I left it Santa would put my presents.  I chose my bear chair.  The next morning when I woke up I found some presents waiting for me.

One of the favorite things I got was a slinky.  

After we went to church, had breakfast and 

opened presents we went over to Aunt and Uncle Bike's house.  Most people have to wait until they are 16 to get a car, but I got a car for Christmas from Grammi and Dziadzia.  Look out Charley, here I come!

Our day ended with one more stop at my great aunt and great uncle's house for dinner.  While there  I got to spend more time with my cousin Lorelai.  

The Christmas celebration continued the weekend after Christmas when we headed down to Nonna and Papa's house.  Uncle Dan and Aunt Erin were visiting from California so we wanted to make sure to see them.  On Saturday, Nonna's friend Donna came over with her granddaughter Annie.  I liked her right away.  She was so much fun to play with.  

I also spent a lot of time playing with my doll who I call Baby.  This doll is my favorite.  Whenever mommy has to take care of Adelaide, I do the same things to my baby.  I burp her, change her, feed her, put her in the carseat.  I love her very much!

The other highlight was finally meeting my mom's friend Tara.  I hadn't met her yet but I had heard so much about her.  She and I had lots of fun playing together!