18 weeks old: first visit to the coast

On Labor Day, we drove out to Cannon Beach for the day and Oliver got to see the ocean for the first time. That photo is his first time seeing it. To me he looks in awe. Both kids had a great time hanging out on the beach for a couple hours. I timed the drive for morning and afternoon naps and thankfully it worked out! No tears in the car at all. Here are a couple other pictures from that day.

A couple days later, on September 9, Oliver turned 4 months old. I reflected back on pictures from when he was first born and I can't believe how much he has grown and changed already.

As the weather begins to turn we are soaking up as much outdoor time as we can. We enjoyed another picnic lunch at the park this week. I was thinking someday soon he'll be able to go on the bucket swings, too, but right now his neck is still a little wobbly.

In sleep news, the past few nights Oliver has only woken up once at around 3:30 AM. I hesitate to even type that for fear it might jinx it! It's amazing for me. I feel almost normal.

In other exciting news, Oliver is also getting better about taking a bottle. Four days in a row he has taken several ounces in 15 minutes or less! However, it seems to only be for me. Grace the babysitter and my mother-in-law have both tried this week and he protested pretty significantly for both of them. But he did drink an ounce or two for both of them, too! I fear he will now only easily take a bottle from me, which is not really better from only nursing because it's still attaching to me, but I'm hopeful things will continue to improve with him taking a bottle.

And finally, big sister Eloise still loves to help out with little brother Oliver. She mimics me in the way I care for him and play with him. This morning she was mimicking a thing I do with their tiny noses and chubby baby cheeks. I tried to get it on video but then they both got mesmerized seeing themselves on camera, which was hilarious. The password is Oliver2015.