"I don't want [him] to grow up!"

While I wish my boy were singing Peter Pan's keepin'-it-young theme song, he obviously sees things differently. I cannot believe how big my little Oliver is getting... and fast.

A little over a month ago (yes, I am very far behind), I snapped this photo of Oli watching his once-a-week (max!) Baby Einstein video:

He began pushing up on all fours, too. I am sad to confess that each time he has done this I have quickly turned him over and distracted him (I'm not ready for him to be mobile!!)... Until my family convinced me that I might be stunting my poor child's growth. ;)

Then a few weeks before we traveled for the holidays, I decided to snap a few pictures on a snowy Paris day. Heck, it occupied both of us for a little while and even gave me a few pictures with the little man. I just couldn't believe how big he has gotten!

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer...

This Christmas season, whether you are happy:

Sad:

Overwhelmed:

Scared:

Or in a food-induced coma:

We at the Paxton household wish you a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Stunned!

This is the type of picture that my child will one day hate me for sharing, but it encompasses three things I like, and I am therefore posting it anyway.

1. This truly captures Oliver's surprised look, one that we see MANY times each day.

2. It reveals his abnormally (but perfect, of course) large head (we just keep reminding him that he has a lot of brains to hold), as the hat is one that a friend used to wear around age 1 1/2... yes, already to small for Oliver's noggin.

3. Did I mention I like his bear suit?

"Oh, the weather outside is frightful..."

Winter is upon us. And while this-here-Texan is still trying to figure out how to dress herself for cold weather, dressing an infant for freezing temperatures is even more challenging. But rewarding, nonetheless... How can hats and fuzzy bear suits ever be a bad thing?!?!

He's even content just to hang out in his teddy-bear garb (which happens to be way to big for him still; mom refused to buy two winter suits in the course of one season):

And, as a fallback, he sports dad's hat quite nicely:

We really got to test the functionality of his winter wear just the other day when Paris was graced with several inches of fluffy white snow:

Thankfully, with a onesie, pajamas, and this sweat suit under the bear suit, he seemed a happy camper:

Admittedly, the poor kid is at a disadvantage due to his extreme baldness... But we're doing the best we can. :)

"Food, Glorious Food!"

We sing this song regularly in our home. Not only because it comes from Oliver's namesake musical, but also because this child LOVES to eat. While we still seem to have weight-gain problems sometimes (don't ask me how a child with that many chins can be under weight, but somehow he manages...), there's no denying his fervor. Anyway, Oli has recently made some important strides in the food-consumption arena.

First, (to my great pleasure!) he learned just over a month ago to give himself a bottle:

He even manages it one-handed... show off!

And, in proper 6th-month milestone fashion, Oliver started cereal a couple of weeks ago. He makes incredible messes, of course, like any good boy, but he seems to enjoy it! I'm not sure he knew what to think the first time:

Especially with Bella interrupting his meal:

But I assure you that he's taken to it just as enthusiastically as the rest of his food by now. So, in honor of his second chin, "Food, glorious food, marvelous food, wonderful food!"

Oli 'n Friends

We have been incredibly blessed here by not only finding friends for ourselves, but finding friends who have babies the same age (or very close) to little Oliver!

You've already met Baby Jude, and here he is with Oli in their almost-matching bear suits. Could it be any cuter?!?!

And, as I'm learning quickly, boys will be boys. Gavin and Oliver have been hilarious at our playgroups lately; they can't even crawl and they're trying to wrestle. Last week, Gavin went in for the choke hold:

But they're sweet, too, and Gavin gave Oli a kiss to make up:

I can't wait until they're big enough to really play together! This week, Gavin, Stephanie, and Oliver looked like they were having a slumber party. I think it is a subconscious reflex to say, "Awwww...." when you see this:

We love all our little friends!!!

Oli 'n Angus

When Chris and I went to visit the English Lake District just before Oliver was born, we bought him a special little friend: Angus. Sadly, Oliver didn't seem to care one bit about his carefully chosen companion... until recently. Finally, Oliver seems to enjoy his little buddy, and it makes for the cutest pictures!!

My Happy Boy

"A happy heart makes a cheerful face..." (Proverbs 15:13a). As precious and wonderful as my son has been since birth, I have been doubly blessed lately as he has shown such joy, delight, and wonder in the world around him. I think 6 months is a wonderful age!

His many expressions entertain me to no end:

He found his feet a few weeks ago and never tires of attempting to put them in his mouth (though, sadly, he has yet to accomplish that; I think he got his father's flexibility):

He even stayed sweet during a recent killer cold (hence the tissue box in the pictures); I'm telling you, there was snot EVERYWHERE. But he was precious and cuddly throughout:

He calmly enjoyed the scenery on our three-hour bus ride to Normandy last month - a blessing I did not take for granted, I assure you:

He actually is mastering sitting up on his own quite well, but I usually stay with him in case of falls, so we don't have pictures yet. In the meantime, though, he enjoys sitting on couches (though this leather one was a new experience for him; he wasn't sure how to hold himself up!):

And he has figured out how to sit up in his bouncer. The importance of strapping him in reaches new heights!

Most entertaining for us, of course, is his laughter. While these videos will probably be appreciated most by the grandparents, I hope the rest of you can enjoy them, too.

Oliver and Daddy

I was going to apologize for two things: 1, for being remiss in posting pictures of my adorable child and 2, for the onslaught of Oliver posts that you are about to encounter. I was going to... Then I thought better of it and decided two things: 1, he is my child and I am allowed to post as much as I want and 2, he is so adorable that I would be depriving you if I refrained. So, here goes. Guilt not included.

Oliver and his father warm my heart:

Daddy is loving:

And protective:

And even invited us to the airport before his recent trip so that we could say a last-minute goodbye.

I couldn't ask for a better husband and father for my boy.