Life is a Circus!

Ok, so I have been very behind on blogging!  I thought I had posted about Ollie's First Birthday party(sometimes I get confused between Facebook and Blogger), but clearly have not!!  And I am very proud of how his 1st turned out!  We went with a circus theme, thanks to Pinterest for fueling that fire!

Oliver's actual birthday was on Monday and his birthday party was the Saturday following.  So we had a mini celebration on Monday.  First we went to IHOP for a pancake breakfast with Oliver's friend, Cody and Cody's mom, Hollie. Then we shared sugar cookies outside with all of our 'circle' friends.    Ollie loved his sugar cookies and helped himself to many! Then we had a spaghetti smash for his dinner, which he may have loved more than the sugar cookies!

Blueberry pancakes!!

These are yummy!!

Our 'circle' friends!

Singing Happy Birthday!
 Oliver began to realize that the Happy Birthday song meant good things were coming.

This stuff feels kind of neat...

and taste delicious too!

Sharing with Cousin Joe!
'You gotta try this stuff, man.'

The look of pure satisfaction at the end of a wonderful birthday!

  And on Saturday we had his first birthday circus extravaganza!  My mom and I were able to create our own 'Big Top' using plastic tablecloths.  We were pretty happy with the result even if it took a couple of attempts to get it to stay up!  Both sets of Oliver's Grandparents were able to come in town for the party and he also had many friends from the area join him to celebrate!  We missed having Daddy here, but we were able to FaceTime a few times with Ryan throughout the party.

Big Top!

OUr monthly pictures on display!

Guest book!

Glitter one!  And birthday presents!! 

This 'one' is still hanging up.
I can't bring myself to throw it away!

Playing with some of our friends.

Homemade cupcakes!

FaceTime with Daddy!

I am digging this birthday stuff!

Balloons!!

Birthday present from Mommy and Daddy!

It's not a party until the shirt comes off!

Me and my one year old!

Reflections on 1 Year!

I would say it's hard to believe it's been a year since Oliver Adin has become a part of our lives, but really it isn't.  We have experienced and lived everyday with our little man for the past year.  There is so much to look back on and try our best to remember.  Because if anything it's hard to remember everything that's happened in the past year.

I've said this many times to many people, the one piece of advice/wisdom that has rung true to us is: "It goes by so fast." And for me it really has gone by so fast.  As a parent I have lived in a constant state of wanting to see Ollie have more new experiences and wishing that the new experiences lasted just a little bit longer before the next one occurred.

After some reflection on memories, goals and hopes that revolve around Oliver.  I think the one thing I want to make sure to hold on to is the magic.  The best feeling for me is when I get to be magical for my son.  Something as small as disappearing right before his eyes, to showing him his reflection in the magic mirror, or maybe producing the prized blankie out of thin air.  I love the amazement in his eyes, the giggles and the anticipation that he shows.  Just counting to 3 makes him stop and look in wonder to what magic mommy and/or daddy may do!

And Ollie hasn't been the only one to experience new things.  I have had experiences and life changes that I didn't even predict.  From the subtle social changes to the hormonal changes.  I now cry at commercials and tv shows, prior to pregnancy the only movies I cried at was 'A League of their Own' and 'The Notebook'. And now not only am I going through a ridiculous check list to just leave the house, making plans to go out with out baby has doubled the list.  And spontaneity is fading into the past.  Dinner options are also shrinking.  With Ryan deployed I was fully prepared for dinner at Panera, Chipotle, and other semi-fast food establishments to be a common occurrence.  Then I realized I would have to bring a baby bottle, baby food, wipes, and then order my food, set up my baby, pick up my own food and then clean up after myself and my baby and get back in the car.  Ok, so maybe just take away, or not.  Ok, so mac and cheese and sandwiches at home it is!

The social changes are those you would expect, but actually having to adapt and live through them has posed to be a little more challenging than I thought.  There are many times that I feel like a desperate mom just wanting to make any plans with any one!  I have even given my e-mail address to a total stranger I met while walking in our neighborhood.  Yes, I really did and no, I have not heard from that person.  Ha! I am also not use to being referred to first and foremost as 'Ollie's mom'.  I had a little prep for this from being 'Piccadilly's mom', but even people who actually do know my name are referring to me in the 'mom' sense.  And yes, sometimes it fills me with pride but ultimately it just makes me feel like I'm shrinking even more into oblivion of being defined by those around me versus defining myself.  (this could be another whole post, so I'll leave it at that)

I'm sure my reflecting will continue, but ultimately I have been filled with glee and amazement as I look back on what it has meant to bring another person into our world.  It is really a miracle that I am so grateful we have experienced and continue to experience.

So to re-cap our year in pictures, I've chosen some of my favorites!  Here they are:

I was so happy we had newborn pictures taken!
I love how you can see his hands and cheeks in this one!

The time we had at the hospital was short but so sweet.
Every time I held Ollie I couldn't believe he was ours.

One of my all time favorites!
I love seeing my dad and Ollie together.

This is a fav for 2 reasons.
1. Ollie was happiest when he was being carried high and over the shoulder as an infant.
2. It was fantastic to see my brother getting to know all these tricks with Ollie.  

Our first art project.

Nothing is more sweet than a sleeping baby.

Mama and baby

Daddy makes Ollie happy!

So does Piccadilly!

Working out how to make his legs move in the right direction.

More happy times with Daddy.

I hope the twinkle in his eye never fades!

Bubbles!! 

Our tongue tied baby is free to stick out his tongue all he wants to now!

'I didn't do it'

He is such happy boy!  

That baby skin!! 

Mommy Shenanigans

At the end of our trip to the South, I went on a mommy only trip to Austin for my birthday weekend.  My parents were amazing and watched not only my very active baby but also my very active dog while I went and had some fun adult time.

It was a wonderful long weekend away!  I, of course, was visiting April and I was lucky enough to have 2 other wonderful friends, Brian and Tiffany, come out for their annual Austin visit on the same weekend!

Once again this trip was all about eating!  I can't get enough of the food in Austin and have begun to crave it!  This trip did not disappoint. From a day of eating BBQ, to sushi, fried deviled eggs, amazing mexican food and beyond.  My stomach looked like I was 6 months pregnant by the end of the weekend.  No joke.

We also enjoyed some local culture.  On our first night we went to a 'quote along' showing of 'Zoolander' which was fabulous.  And the next night went to a outdoor theater to see 'The Sound of Music'.  It really was a wonderful time with great friends in an amazing city!

I can't wait for the next adventure to Austin!

April and me with our 'Zoolander' props!

Nutella with chocolate covered pretzel milk shake...
Amazing!

My free birthday cookie.
The guy taking our order also was born on 4 Aug and the guy behind us also shared our birthday!
Crazy! 

Meat!

We got to go on a pit tour at Blacks.
So neat and hot. 

The meat eaters.  

A dip in the spring (freezing!!) before 'Sound of Music'

I got a birthday piñata! 

Which became birthday hats after I demolished it!

Ice cream cake!! 

Best picture of blowing out candles I've ever seen.
Photo credit to Megan! 

Brian being serious.  

Baby Shenanigans

I couldn't resist doing a post of some of the shenanigans my son got into while at his grandparents home.  Ollie kept all of the adults on their toes while we were down south.

We had only one instance of 'where's the baby?'.  Which is pretty good considering there were 4 adults to one baby and 2 dogs, I'm surprised we didn't have this happen more than once.  Some may be thinking, 'why in the world would you think it would happen more?!?' Well, when you have that many adults I think it would be easy to think someone else was the one with eyes on the baby.  So the one time we lost the baby was when Grandma was in the kitchen, Mom was taking a dog out for a potty break, and GG needed to go to the bathroom.  Mom comes in to the living room and doesn't see baby or anyone, so casually asks Grandma "Where's baby?", Grandma says, "Isn't he out there?".  It ends up, as we are running to his usual trouble spots, baby is sitting back in the dining room watching us run around calling his name.  Finally I catch sight of him and all goes back to calm.

And so this represented the beginning of a whole new world for Ollie and Mommy as we venture into what I will deem the 'exploration period.'  Every day is a new sunrise on adventure and my little Christopher Columbus is ready to take to the seas, stormy or calm!

Here are some of the discoveries Ollie made while at GM and GP's!

Yes, that's a can of Guinness.
No, it's not open.
Yes, out of everything in the pantry he could have chosen to play with, he chose Guinness. 

What does this contraption do???
Can I ride it?
And yes, he climbed up there on his own.  

Piccadilly seems to like this place,
I don't see what the big deal is???

ROAAAR!!

Hmmm, toes are interesting.
Great teething toy!

Baby Roller Coaster!! 

We now climb up and down from things.
He has even mastered the reverse/butt first climb down.

 Obviously Oliver had a blast exploring Grandma and Grandpas house!  We can't wait to see what is new and different for him the next time we are there!