Sergeant Oliver

Oh, he is growing up so fast. This Saturday he will be 5 months old. I could start him on solids any time I want and he is beginning to sit up and also push himself across the living room in a primitive army crawl. He does this to reach the toys he now has great interest in! Boy, oh boy.

4 months & 2 years!

This week I had to take both Oliver and William for their well child check-ups. Pippa also came along because she loves to go to the doctors, plus she's too young to stay home alone. They are both looking healthy and happy, with William weighing in at a modest 29lbs and height at 34.5 inches (2' 10.5") and Oliver at 18lb 8oz and 25.6 inches. William only needed 1 shot and took it like a man with barely a cry. Oliver had 4. He also only cried for about 10 seconds. How quickly they forget! While we were there, Pippa and Will got their flu mist (inhaled flu shot!). We're now good until the end of October when Oliver needs his 6 month check.

This weekend was also Nick's birthday! We went to the Humane Society to look at the animals and then to the playground. I also made a cake and then we went over to the Johnson's house for dinner (coincidentally, not because it was Nick's birthday!). Pippa and William had so much fun playing with Ginger and Wyatt for 3 hours! They got so tired out.

Today we went to Paulina Creek to see the waterfalls, but mostly ended up playing in the shallow water. Pippa and William both love that; Pippa for the splashing and Will for the rock throwing opportunities. We saw horses, a few other people and a dog all playing in and drinking the water.

Roll on next weekend! There are so many adventures to be had in Oregon. I love this state!

Daddy's birthday carrot cake. Thanks to Martha S for the recipe!

Down stream from where we paddled

William throwing a rock!

He likes to find the biggest rock he can pick up to throw in the water.

Or log. Whatever!

Pippa and Daddy splashing each other

The horses drinking the water

Will

Labor Day weekend

Lately, William has been talking a lot. He has also become besotted with Thomas the Tank Engine. Last week he started bringing the remote to me and saying in the sweetest voice imaginable "Thomas?". I have 3 recorded on the DVR so I now know each by heart. Thank goodness for Netflix Watch Instantly. There are a few DVDs on there too! Only today he does the same thing but says "Lets watch Thomas, watch Thomas?". Next week he'll be saying "No, I don't want to watch Dora right now. I'd like to watch Thomas, please. Here's the remote for you to change the channel."

Have I ever mentioned how much William likes to jump and throw himself around? Pippa taught him how to jump when he was about 16 months old, and he's been taking every opportunity to jump ever since. Now he has begun to expand his gymnastic ambitions to include headstands. That's right, headstands. He like to put his head down and flip his legs in the air. I have also shown them how to do it up against a wall.

Bedtime gymnastics session, trying to tire them out!

William. He wasn't leaning up against the wall here.

Pippa loving her baby brother.

We also moved Pippa and William into the same room a few weeks ago. It's been going fine and they are falling asleep quicker than they were at first now the novelty has worn off a bit. However, for the past week every time we have looked in on them they have been curled up next to each other on Pippa's bed. It's very sweet and Pippa LOVES having William there to play with!

Pippa and William sleeping in the same bed. This was 10 pm in the dark.
It's the flash that makes it look like day!

So far we've been enjoying our Labor Day weekend. We visited Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery yesterday in the rain, and today was so windy so we went to a local school and flew a kite. Pippa was really good at it and William...well, he loves the idea! Now I have to go and enjoy my evening! We are finally at the point where Oliver goes down at the same time (or before) Pippa and William, and the nights are getting darker sooner so we can get away with earlier bedtimes. It feels so good to have 3-4 hours without children around.

So much fun!

We've been having lots of fun this Summer. We've had Grandma Tutu here for a lot of it, and Nana and Grandad Eden visited for a couple of weeks. In between visits and vacations and car buying, we've been trying to relax at home.

It was William's 2nd birthday on August 22nd (HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE GUY!), and Oliver is practically crawling! I can't believe he's only 4 months old. He's rolling and pushing right up on his arms. He's kicking his legs and looks like he will start army crawling any time.


Oliver rolling. Okay, so he's been doing it for a few weeks now and he's getting really good!

William talks quite a lot. He seems to be saying more phrases, occasionally putting 2 or 3 words together. Everyday it's a little more, just like how Pippa was.

Pippa, well, she's Pippa! She's such a good girl and only wants to make everyone around her happy. She has her moments, but they are few and far between.

I have so many photos from the past few months. I'll post just some for ya!

In the yard

Mmmm, mint-filled brownie cupcakes

Oliver. Smiliest baby ever. Seriously, I have so many pictures of him smiling, I couldn't decide which to post!

I love my kids. They are the absolute best!