Wednesday

Oliver, Andrew, and I walked to a nature center today. We saw snakes, turtles, and owls. One of the snakes was very active. Oliver thought it was pretty cool.

We did some yardwork this afternoon. We have a bit of a jungle behind our garage. We are hoping to get it under control and eventually get either grass growing back there or a garden going. It isn't so bad right now because everything back there is still somewhat dormant from winter, but a few weeks from now and it will be much crazier.

It was another beautiful day here. Over 70 degrees!

Tuesday!

We took Oliver to see the Easter Bunny tonight. He sat on the bunny's lap and didn't cry for a little while, but started crying before the lady was able to get a picture taken. So... no picture with the Easter Bunny. He got a set of bunny ears so we did our Easter Bunny pictures at home on the couch.

Oliver and Andrew playing in the sandbox.

We have flowers in bloom in a few spots around our house.

Oliver riding a bike around in the backyard.

We had a wonderfully warm day here. Eric came home from work a little early and we played in the backyard. Oliver was kicking a ball around. He had his first taste of sand- I don't think he liked it.

Have a good night!

Monday

I forgot to comment yesterday that Oliver turned 16 months! So since I didn't take any pictures today, I thought I would do a run-down of some of his skills.
At 16 months, Oliver does the following:
-climbs everything that is short enough for him and attempts to climb everything that isn't
-saying more words: moo, cat, pup, nose, mama, dada, bird, milk, nana (banana)
-he makes attempts at saying lots more words
-loves to be outside
-using a spoon and fork while eating
-drinks out of a straw
-willing to drive anything circular (steering wheels or ritz crackers)
-loves reading books
-can identify the following body parts: nose, eyes, ears, mouth, hair, toes

Some of his favorite toys are:
-tools
-blocks
-cars

Sunday

Since we went to church last night, we had a lazy morning that extended into our day. It was rainy outside so we stayed in pajamas and lounged. :) Oliver enjoyed watching a few cartoons this morning. We read a lot of books today too. Here are a few pictures of Oliver looking at books before bed.

Have a great week!

Goldfish

So what is the significance of the goldfish picture you may be wondering? Well, look at the difference. Obviously (at least to Oliver) the one of the left is split in half and not nearly as good. During church tonight, we were keeping Oliver quiet with goldfish crackers, he was eating them and being fine. Well he picked up the split goldfish and looked at and shook his head no. Then Eric flipped it over so he could only see the "good" side. There was no fooling this little boy though, he picked it up and flipped it over to check, found out it was the split goldfish and shook his head no again. So not wanting a big fit during church, Eric pulls out another whole goldfish for Oliver and gives it to him. Oliver takes it and checks both sides and then he eats it. Oh silly little boy!

Happy Friday!

Friday is here! It looked beautiful outside, but when we went for a walk this morning, it was awfully chilly. It warmed up a bit in the afternoon and tomorrow is supposed to be warmer yet. Eric built a chair out of bricks for Oliver. Oliver sat in it for quite some time and didn't even break it until it was time to put the bricks away.
Tomorrow we are getting together with Eric's co-workers at a park in a nearby town. We are hoping for warm weather so that we can enjoy some food and fun there.

HAPPY FRIDAY!!

Thursday

This morning we got some unfortunate news. My niece Kayla's apartment complex burned down and she lost everything. She is safe and that is the most important thing so we were happy to hear that. She has the support of many friends and family and will get through it. We are keeping her in our thoughts and prayers.

We had a rainy day here and were stuck inside all day. Oliver and Eric built forts with big blocks. Oliver loved it and I think Eric had quite a bit of fun. Oliver also discovered that he can push a block to the couch and climb on it and then get onto the couch by himself- that made him pretty happy.

It is hard to believe tomorrow is Friday already, this week has flown by for us. Next Friday we head to Iowa for Easter- we are all excited for that!

Haircut!

I gave Oliver a haircut tonight. His hair has been seeming to grow an inch every day. He did amazing well- I just used a electric clipper to do it. He sat on Eric's lap and didn't fuss at all.

Here is the after shot- still smiling!

He got a mohawk in the bathtub. We've tried a few times, but his hair has always been too long to get it to stay very long.

After a haircut and a bath, we got his pajamas on him and he went to run in circles- one of his new favorite things to do.

Have a good night!

Terrific Tuesday

We had a very busy day today. This morning Oliver painted and he got to sit at the big table. He loves sitting there- he is able to climb into the chairs on his own pretty well now, he has a little trouble getting situated, but usually he doesn't fall. :)

Oliver's flower painting

Oliver also sat at the table for snack for the first time today. String cheese and crackers- so yummy! He was pretty proud of himself.

Oliver and Andrew ended up with matching coats. It was funny when we went for a walk this morning, people always smile when we walk by, but there is something about 2 kids dressed in matching clothes, we got more compliments this morning than we have ever before :)

Oliver and I went to a park this afternoon. He had a lot of fun. They had a little bowl-like merry-go-round that he had fun on. There was also a big sandbox with lots of trucks, scoops, and buckets. Oliver liked smashing sandcastles. I am pretty sure his favorite part of the park was the swings. He just smiles and laughs the whole time he is in there. Here are a few pictures from our trip to the park today.

To finish off the day, we grilled out for the first time of the season. Cheeseburgers and hot dogs! We ate outside too. Oliver loved the strawberries we had. He probably paid more attention to the squirrels, birds, and the helicopter than he did to his meal.

I hope everyone else had a wonderful day like we did. Tomorrow we are planning to go to the library in the morning. If it is nice again tomorrow, we will walk there. Have a good night!

Monday

We played with play dough this morning. Oliver only tried to eat it one time! He wasn't too sure what to do with it. He didn't really get squishing the play doh or rolling it. If I made it into a ball, he would throw it off the table. He would poke his finger into the play dough and did this multiple times.

Our cheesy little boy playing with a screwdriver.

We played outside for a little while this afternoon. It was pretty chilly. Oliver drew with sidewalk chalk.

Sunday

We had a rainy Sunday and we didn't do too much with it. We went to church this morning and then got groceries. We also stopped at Toys R Us and picked up swing for Oliver. We plan to put hooks in our porch so that he can swing there, even on rainy days, and the we will figure out something so he can use it in the backyard too. Eric stayed busy working on his paper and Oliver had fun playing with toys and reading books. Eric is on spring break this week so his schedule will be a little different- no classes which he is excited about.
Have a great week everyone!

Pajama Time

Go Panthers!! Oliver was getting to bed a little later than usual and so putting pajamas on was quite the fiasco. When he gets tired, he thinks pretty much everything is hilarious. He was laughing at everything and ticklish to the touch tonight. Have a good night!

Happy Friday!

Oliver and myself shortly after his nap this afternoon.

We ran a few errands after Eric got home this afternoon and one stop was ToysRUs. Just past the checkouts, they had a big selection of Power Wheels that Oliver desperately wanted to get in and drive and we were mean and wouldn't let him. As we were exiting the store, they had the little quarter machines with trinkets and things and they also had a car that you put your 50 cents in and then you got go for a ride. So we figured we would let Oliver do that. He loved it as we thought he would. Here are a few snapshots of him in the car and a little video of his ride.

Happy Friday!

A few weeks ago, we were watching Planet Earth about the oceans. Oliver saw the fish on tv and thought they were pretty awesome. I wish we would have caught his first reaction, but this gives you an idea of what he thought of it.

We had another very nice day here. Oliver and I went to our MOPS group in the morning. After nap, Oliver wasn't feeling well again- I guess this bug is holding on for a little while longer. Hopefully a good night's sleep will help him and a restful day at home tomorrow and he will be all better.

Some exciting news today- my niece Jill and her husband Steve had their first baby today. Ethan Aaron Scanlan was born and from the pictures I have seen, he looks pretty adorable. Congrats Jill & Steve! We can't wait to meet him!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Oliver and Andrew walked around holding hands in their green shirts today.

We tried out the bike carrier for a little trek this afternoon. It worked very well and I think Oliver liked it. After trying that out, we for a walk. It was another beautiful 60 degree day. Oliver played outside a lot today. He used sidewalk chalk for the first time and had a lot of fun drawing with it.

Have a good night!