Here is Katharina's first POTD!!! Oliver loves practicing going up and down ledges and curbs when we go for walks. I believe these were taken in Rittenhouse during their trip to the library.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Visit with Omi
Oliver learned how to do so much while my mom was here helping out in between au pairs. It made me so happy that she got to see the little changes we get to experience daily, instead of just seeing how much he has changed in between visits.
While she was here, he learned to crawl down the stairs backwards - interestingly, a skill she had taught him at her townhouse that has carpetted stairs, but something he was hesistant to do on our hardwood -- I'm going to give her credit for this one.
The cutest thing he started was singing "E-I-E-O" when he wanted us to sing Old McDonald, and "Backe, Backe" when he wanted us to sing a German nursery rhyme
While she was here, he learned to crawl down the stairs backwards - interestingly, a skill she had taught him at her townhouse that has carpetted stairs, but something he was hesistant to do on our hardwood -- I'm going to give her credit for this one.
The cutest thing he started was singing "E-I-E-O" when he wanted us to sing Old McDonald, and "Backe, Backe" when he wanted us to sing a German nursery rhyme
Monday, July 18, 2011
Eating Frustrations
Getting Oliver to eat continues to be a major frustration these days (closely followed by his love of getting up at 6am every morning). He is a pseudo-vegan - he doesn't eat any type of meat, chicken, fish, and will only eat chees that is melted (think: pizza). At least he drinks his milk.
Right now, Oliver will constantly eat one of two things for dinner - orzo with spaghetti sauce, and a lentil dish that I make (with carrots & potaotes). Everything else is hit or miss, and its exhausting. He's clearly hungry (made apparent by the amount of times he is speaking & signing "eat"), but he still refuses to eat most of what we put in front of him. Things he eat one day, he spits out the next day. Even breakfast, the one sure meal we used to be able to get some kind of starch/carbohydrate in him has become trying... no more bread with spreadable cheese or jelly, oatmeal, or even waffles - just cereal with milk, and of course fruit. For lunch he is living on peanut butter rice crackers. I was really looking forward to him being able to eat what we were eating for dinner, and instead, I find myself continuing to make meals for him. I broke down and bought some over-priced, over-processed packaged toddler meals, but he (thankfully) wasn't eating those either -- so, its not my cooking! I know this is textbook toddler behavoir, but it's stressful nonetheless.
Had to share this photo - Adam said he looks like a deranged clown!
Right now, Oliver will constantly eat one of two things for dinner - orzo with spaghetti sauce, and a lentil dish that I make (with carrots & potaotes). Everything else is hit or miss, and its exhausting. He's clearly hungry (made apparent by the amount of times he is speaking & signing "eat"), but he still refuses to eat most of what we put in front of him. Things he eat one day, he spits out the next day. Even breakfast, the one sure meal we used to be able to get some kind of starch/carbohydrate in him has become trying... no more bread with spreadable cheese or jelly, oatmeal, or even waffles - just cereal with milk, and of course fruit. For lunch he is living on peanut butter rice crackers. I was really looking forward to him being able to eat what we were eating for dinner, and instead, I find myself continuing to make meals for him. I broke down and bought some over-priced, over-processed packaged toddler meals, but he (thankfully) wasn't eating those either -- so, its not my cooking! I know this is textbook toddler behavoir, but it's stressful nonetheless.
Had to share this photo - Adam said he looks like a deranged clown!
Crab Yumminess
Adam has fond memories of crab meals with his family growing up, so he organized a family gathering this weekend. Yum, yum, yum!!! The adults enjoyed yummy crabs & beer and the men played Washers. The kids had fun splashing in the pool, playing on the swings, and eating lots of popsicles & ice cream. I was so impressed that Oliver was able to balance on the swing sitting all by himself (unfortunately, none of those photos turned out well). He's getting to be such a big boy. I'm already looking forward to the same event next year, when Oliver & his cousin will be able to play together a bit more independently.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Welcome Katharina!
Our new au pair joined us on Thursday afternoon. Welcome Katharina! (or Kate, to those American's a bit intimidated by the pronounciation). After dinner we took her for a walk through Rittenhouse Park stopping for a tasty icecream -- this has officially become our first-day tradition, as we did it with Jana last year as well.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
The Power of Elmo
Can someone please explain to me the power Elmo has over small children? The only TV show we let Oliver watch is Play With Me Sesame on Sprout -- we DVR them and he watches them when we are getting ready for work. That's it - otherwise, he's not watching TV. We like the program because it is just puppet clips and are a good mix of new stuff (Bert plays computer games with Bernice the pigeon) and old clips that we remember - Ah, Super Groover!
Elmo, isn't one of the primary characters. In addition to Ernie, Bert, Grover, and Prairie Dawn (how did she make the cut?), there are also regular appearance by Cookie Monster and Telly. Elmo, Kermit, and some of the newer characters (Abby?) appear maybe once an episode. Some characters, like Big Bird & Oscar are surprisingly missing... Anyway, my point is that Elmo isn't on the show daily.
So how it is that he learned to say Elmo first??? Even though I have probably pointed out Grover (one of my faves) and Cookie Monster at least 3x as often.... We were at the mall this weekend and Oliver recognized, from across the store, a display of Elmo dolls. Unbelievable. I didn't even know that Elmo was one of the characters on his silverware until Oliver pointed it out to me.
Elmo, isn't one of the primary characters. In addition to Ernie, Bert, Grover, and Prairie Dawn (how did she make the cut?), there are also regular appearance by Cookie Monster and Telly. Elmo, Kermit, and some of the newer characters (Abby?) appear maybe once an episode. Some characters, like Big Bird & Oscar are surprisingly missing... Anyway, my point is that Elmo isn't on the show daily.
So how it is that he learned to say Elmo first??? Even though I have probably pointed out Grover (one of my faves) and Cookie Monster at least 3x as often.... We were at the mall this weekend and Oliver recognized, from across the store, a display of Elmo dolls. Unbelievable. I didn't even know that Elmo was one of the characters on his silverware until Oliver pointed it out to me.
POTD: Bye-bye, Jana!
Just got back from dropping Jana off at the airport. Oliver wass a bit clingy and wouldn't really let her hold him. It made me sad that he didn't understand what was going on and couldn't give her a real goodbye hug/kiss. I think there was just too much commotion going on and he hadn't napped this morning either (I swear its because he could sense something was up). I tear'd up when we said goodbye - she really did become a member of the family. Highlight of the airport trip for Oliver was riding the moving walkway & escalators.
We have plans to skype with Jana later this week. I don't think Oliver is really going to "get it" until there is a stranger living in Jana's room. We have a framed photo of her in Oliver's room - so his "Ja" is always close by.
We have plans to skype with Jana later this week. I don't think Oliver is really going to "get it" until there is a stranger living in Jana's room. We have a framed photo of her in Oliver's room - so his "Ja" is always close by.
Cuteness Report
This morning, as I was turning on my computer with Oliver sitting on my lap, he kept saying "Da! Da!". I couldn't figure out what he was saying until he starting moving his arms the way he dances. He was trying to say "Dance" - he wanted me to turn on some music.
His dancing is super-cute -- will post a video soon).
His dancing is super-cute -- will post a video soon).
Monday, July 11, 2011
Belated July 4th Collages
I did a collage of Oliver/Jana and was reminded of what a great tool it is if no single photo stands out to capture an event. That said, here are a few collages of our 4th of July festivities with the family. Good photos with this many babies is no easy feat - 'nough said!
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| B enjoys playing in water - can you tell? |
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Leaving us soon
It's hard to believe that Jana has been with us for almost a year now. She leaves on Tuesday :-( :-(
Here are some photos from this morning's visit to Fitler's Square. We are really going to miss her!!!
Here are some photos from this morning's visit to Fitler's Square. We are really going to miss her!!!
Playhouse Fun
Adam and Jana really went to town on constructing/designing this playhouse. Jana made a doorknob for Oliver to use inside the house (because he didn't like using the hole I had cut out) and Adam added various support measures including reinforcing the door and corners. I thought it was pretty comical how much thought was going into it. I have to give them credit that they had a great idea of adding a mail slot (poorly executed by me -- it should be much lower on the door), and Adam created pieces of mail (which he laminated with packing tape!). I'm seriously considering buying some paint today to paint the roof and window shudders.
Oliver is having so much fun - the playhouse is peek-a-boo heaven!
Oliver is having so much fun - the playhouse is peek-a-boo heaven!
Friday, July 8, 2011
POTD: Old School Playing
Yesterday I brought a giant cardboard box home with me (that was a fun bus ride!). I knew it was supposed to rain today and thought it would be a fun indoor activity. We cut the door in it before dinner and Oliver was having plenty of fun playing peek-a-boo. After he went to bed, the three of worked on turning into a legitimate playhouse. This morning, jana and oliver decorated. I will post more photos tonight.
Friday, July 1, 2011
First trip to the Library
I am on a big library kick lately and had to pick up the four latest books I had requested (I love that I get an emil when my material is forwarded to my local branch). We currently have 7 library books and 3 children's CDs in the house- swoon!!!
But I digress..... Oliver was less than cooperative and our visit was short-lived. He was more interested in pulling books off the shelves and playing with the computer keyboard than he was in reading a book with me. After multiple death-stares from the young, male librarian when Oliver got loud -- even though his daughter coloring was the only person in the entire section and we were in the basement of the library, so not disrupting others-- I finally gave up and left. Not until after enduring Olivers first public temper tantrum as we checked out my material. First one was in a library!!! Today, I was "that" mother. I think we will probably wait until story hour starts up in October before we try again.
But I digress..... Oliver was less than cooperative and our visit was short-lived. He was more interested in pulling books off the shelves and playing with the computer keyboard than he was in reading a book with me. After multiple death-stares from the young, male librarian when Oliver got loud -- even though his daughter coloring was the only person in the entire section and we were in the basement of the library, so not disrupting others-- I finally gave up and left. Not until after enduring Olivers first public temper tantrum as we checked out my material. First one was in a library!!! Today, I was "that" mother. I think we will probably wait until story hour starts up in October before we try again.
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