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!

1 more month till we are counting years!

Oh my goodness!! I can't believe we are actually at the 11 month mark.  It has truly been a remarkable journey so far.  Ollie continues to cruise around on furniture and toys, he can open and close doors like a champ, he is starting to try stacking toys on his own and he also is refining his scream.  In addition to all of that amazing-ness, Ollie is now an expert stair climber.  He can go up and down and throws temper tantrums when mommy closes the gate to the stairs.

Here are some of our 11 month pictures!

We love Cheerios!!!

Seriously. Love them!!

And we enjoy using Piccadilly as our climbing gym.

Our two babies!

Piccadilly also loves Cheerios!
And Ollie shares.

Extended Family Time!

Ollie, Piccadilly and I spent the month of July in Alabama with my parents and my grandmother.  It was wonderful to get some family time in and to have the extra hands around to help with the kids.

We did some traveling at the beginning of our trip. Our first stop was St. Louis to pick up Grandma (GG as we have started calling her!).  We picked GG up at my Uncle Dennis's home, which meant Ollie had the chance to meet more family!  My cousins Maria and Angie came over to join us for dinner at my Uncles house.  It was great to get to catch up with them and see them play with Ollie!

Playing ball with the professional!
Ollie enjoyed his first basketball lesson from Maria.

Angie feeding Ollie,
a way to a babies' heart is through his bottle!

So wonderful to see everyone!!

Ollie and his ladies.

Ollie thought Uncle Dennis was a pretty funny guy!

After our St. Louis trip we were very excited to have GG come to AL with us.  She was with us the whole time we were there.  It was wonderful to get to see Ollie with one of his Great Grandmothers!

Bottle time with GG

GG loved to give Ollie food, and Ollie gladly accepted it!  

Hanging out with GG.

Playing at the Depot!

We loved the trains and even got to ride on a trolley!

Laughing with GG and Grandpa!

And I have already posted about our fun in the sun with Brian and Kristen, so won't go into that again! I'll have a couple more post to cover some of the fabulous pictures I took while in AL, because there was some growing up that happened while we were there!