23 weeks old: Meeting Aunt Kate, Scarecrow Fest, and Chicago

Oliver's first visit to Chicago happened during a very exciting time in Cubs history. We were right in the middle of the National League Division Series against the St. Louis Cardinals, and on the final day of our visit, won the series. That's the first time in the almost 100 years that the Cubs have been playing at Wrigley Field. Chicago has always been a city with a lot of pride in the sports teams, but it was electric to be there during this time. Everywhere we went we saw people wearing Cubs gear, flying "W" flags, etc. And when the games were on, the cheers were deafening. Oliver got his first Cubs t-shirt to show pride in his roots.

Last Saturday, Oliver got to meet his Aunt Kate and her two kids at her house before we left to go to the Scarecrow Fest in my hometown of St. Charles together. Her daughter, Izzie, is 5 years old and her son, Oliver, is 3 years old. Her son Oliver is sort of our Oliver's namesake, in that when he was born I fell in love with the name and it never waned.

Sunday we went back to St. Charles alone to see more of the Scarecrow Fest. Oliver got his first experience in a petting zoo, although his view was from the front carrier.

We spent a lot of time at Shelly's house laying low and just getting to spend time with her and Oliver's Uncle Kevin. I didn't take many pictures during those times but trust me, he got a lot of love. 

On Monday night we had one last visit with the Orals family and had dinner at a local Italian restaurant called Moretti's. It's nothing special for the area, but it would be a great place in Portland I think. The Italian restaurants in Chicago are just so far superior. And there are a lot more of them! I really enjoyed the food in addition to the company. Oliver slept through a lot of it in his dad's arms. You can see just his baby head on the right side of this picture. And that's his namesake sitting next to him!

In developmental news, Oliver continues to explore toys with his hands and mouth. And, has been saying the letter G! I tried to capture it on video but only got some excited noises. Still, it was cute. The password is Oliver2015.

22 weeks old: a going away party, first flight, and meeting more family

What a busy week for Oliver! We started with a going away party for friends that are moving to Iowa and Oliver dressed up in his first disguise. It cracks me up to look at this picture.

Oliver is getting more and more adept at grabbing things and bringing them to his mouth. He is constantly reaching for things, people, and animals that come near him. He is interested in everything and isn't picky. An empty water bottle with a colorful label will keep him entertained for a long time. He is also gaining strength and pushes himself up with straight arms. He also brings his knees underneath him and if he put the two together he'd be in a position to start crawling. But he's not there yet.

Eloise continues to provide Oliver's favorite entertainment. He smiles and laughs a lot when he watches her. It warms my heart so much! Eloise is stomping in this video, and the password is Oliver2015.

On Thursday, Oliver took his first flight to go to Chicago. He did great! He was in good humor and slept for part of the flight. 

We stayed with my sister, Shelly and he really enjoyed spending time with her and Uncle Kevin. He was his usually smiley self. Their cat, Stormy, also provided some excitement when he walked by or laid down nearby. 

21 weeks old: tripod siting and a play date

Oliver turns 21 weeks old today! Look at this little guy. He's the sweetest. This week he has been working on his tripod sit. He can hold it for a few seconds until he reaches for something that catches his eye and topples over. Eloise likes to get in on the action when the phone camera comes out. They can see themselves in the screen.

Oliver has been doing lots of grabbing and man does this kid have a strong grip! It is so cute to watch him stick his little arms out to grab something that comes near him with total focus on getting it in his hand. And he is a hair grabber. When I hold him he'll wrap his little arms around my neck and grab two fistfuls of hair to yank. Ouch!

We had a play date this week with Eloise's regular play group. Three of the second kids were there who were each born a month apart. Oliver was born in May, Ben in June (on the right), and William in July (on the left). I hope they will be little buddies just like their older siblings.

We had another visit with the physical therapist this week for Oliver's head tilt. It's still there but improving. In fact when I look at the photo above I see Oliver tilting to the right. The physical therapist said to keep doing what we're doing and make sure he's not slumping to the right in the stroller. She recommended a positioner to use in the stroller that keeps him sitting straight even when he's sleeping. We have a follow up in three weeks.

And finally, Oliver has recently become very interested in his feet. When he catches sight of them he reaches out to grab them and becomes very focused. I wonder if he realizes they are attached to him. I got a picture but when I got out the phone camera he became more interested in the baby on the screen. And of course, Eloise jumped in. Love her, too.

20 weeks old: pushing up and the swifts

Oliver has started pushing himself up on his arms, and up on his knees, but not at the same time yet. Between that and rolling, he ends up scooting himself around his crib and on the floor, but not very far. I know he is rolling front to back because I'll see him on his tummy, look away, and when I look back he's on his back. But I have yet to see it happen! I caught an almost roll on video but he didn't actually achieve it that time. The password is Oliver2015.

 On Tuesday, we took a picnic dinner to Chapman Elementary to watch the swifts roost in the school's chimney for the night, which they do every Fall. It was the first time any of us had ever been and what a cool thing to watch! I think Oliver's biggest enjoyment came from watching his sister and all the other children that were sitting around us.

Friday we had a play date at our house with friends Terri and Erica and their girls Finley and Nora. As usual, Oliver was there watching the action. The girls were so sweet with him, especially Finley who gently stroked his head. *melt*

Oliver continues to be a happy guy full of smiles and giggles. Here he is going for a bouncing ride on my knee. The password is Oliver2015.

19 weeks old: Thumb sucking, teething rings, a check-up, and laughing

I tried to get Oliver to prop himself on his elbows for this photo but honestly, this is more accurate of what he does on his tummy. He is not yet rolling from front to back and I think it's because he insists on doing airplane with his arms! He must have a pretty strong back by now.

As Oliver improves his hand coordination he has become a thumb-sucker. On one hand I worry about breaking the habit down the road, but on the other it is handy because he can soothe himself at night without having to put a pacifier in his mouth. If it becomes a habit to break down the road we'll deal with it. Until then, he's so cute. Look at his sweet face.

Oliver is also getting better at holding things and bringing them to his mouth. This is going to open a whole new world of play and entertainment for him.

I realized that I don't take many photos of Oliver when we leave the house and I think that's because he spends so much time in the front carrier when we're out. That's the way I handle managing two kids. Last weekend we went to the Taste of Latin America and he got to taste some pupusas, enchiladas in mole sauce, and pineapple agua fresca indirectly. He also listened to some great live music.

Oliver had his 4 month check-up at the doctor this week. He is healthy and thriving. Doctor thinks he is in the middle of a growth spurt.

Height: 26.5" (91st percentile)
Weight: 15 lbs. 3 oz. (38th percentile)
Head circumference: 16.5" (62nd percentile)

Oliver has been squealing and laughing for a couple weeks but it's not a true belly laugh yet. Still, it's so joyful and I can't help but smile. Here's a video of him, plus an Eloise eye. Password is Oliver2015.



And finally, some randoms of the many faces of Oliver.

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.

17 weeks old: holding and 9 month clothes

In three days Oliver will be 4 months old! I looked back at earlier posts today and realize just how much Oliver has grown in that time. He is such a sweet little bundle of love.

We have had a stretch of chilly weather in the last week and have had to dress warmly for our morning stroller walks. Oliver is so cute in his cold weather attire.

He looks so different in that hat now! Here he is as a newborn when he first got it.

Speaking of clothing, he is solidly in 6-9 month clothing now. He's a growing boy!

In other news, Oliver is improving his gripping and holding skills. And of course, everything goes in his mouth that he can manage to get there. It's so exciting to witness him developing new skills.