Oliver Avery Update: 3 Months

Well, three months is actually almost over; Oliver turns 4 months next week. Before it passes by completely, though, I'd like to share some pictures and thoughts from this past month. First, this might be my favorite picture of Oli to date, taken two weeks ago at my grandmother's in Wimberley, Texas:

But I'm getting ahead of myself... Just before he turned three months (the last few days before we left for the US), Oliver and I had several outings (due to the construction going on in the apartment above us... let me just tell you how naps were going due to the noise...). One day, sitting in the food court of a mall, I couldn't help but take a few shots with my iphone (therefore, excuse the quality). Even at that time, Oli was talking, laughing, making fabulous expressions, and interacting so much. He was so easy to take around in the Moby, too, that we had lots of pleasant outings:

By the way, does anyone else see an uncanny resemblance to John in that second photo? Anyway, the sweet boy was (and is) still adoring his baths, too:

But one day before he turned three months, we flew to the US. Let me just say that I wish I could fly like this:

Talk about comfortable! And Oliver was AWESOME. Yes, we gave him some Benadryl, but still, he was good for a 10-hour flight, which is more than I can say for myself sometimes! And he adjusted to Houston time beautifully. Although he woke up a few times during the first night, he was back to sleeping 7-8 hour stretches by the fourth night, which again, is more than I can say for myself. :-) We also began sleep training while in Houston. It killed me to let him cry, but he had recently begun waking himself up over and over again at night (the two weeks before we left for the US), so we decided that even if I could rock or nurse him to sleep the first time, I couldn't do it 15 times each evening... So he had to learn to fall asleep on his own. A little history: this kid hasn't drifted off on his own since he was three weeks old. Aren't babies supposed to sleep?!?!?! Not this boy... When he gets tired, he just gets mad; he doesn't fall asleep without a lot of help. So, the training began. And he did quite well, actually. We started by only tackling falling to sleep on his own, not necessarily falling back to sleep on his own. He still only takes about 30 minute naps on average (one battle at a time, friends), but at least he's falling asleep on his own, with less and less crying each time. Maybe more info than you wanted, but that's a big part of our life right now.

His awake time, though, is what's really been the most incredible. While in Houston, he got a lot of quality time in the bouncer where he showed off his hand-eye coordination skills by batting and grabbing the hanging toys (thank you, Browns for the loan!!!).

And he experienced his first photo shoot where we made him sit up... Isn't he such a little man?!?! I just adore some of these expressions:

He had a little trouble staying up the whole time, sweet thing:

He also got to wear dad's hat a few times when it was sunny outside:

And in Wimberley he really mastered his army crawl stance (because, yes, mom finally got with the program and made him have some tummy time...):

He even had his first few swims and hung out on the towels afterward:

Since we've returned home, the time-change transition has been a little rougher. He slept from 3 am to 10 am today... We're working on it. But he's happily gone down for two naps today (albeit only 30 minutes each). I think his nighttime sleep is hindered not only by the time change but also by his development, though. He had a big day when we returned from the states! He rolled over for the first time and sat up in his Bumbo:

He even hung out happily while I made dinner:

And though I missed catching his rolling over the first two days, I finally got it on film this morning. I have no idea how to post a video here (I'm sure I'll figure it out one day), but I promise, grandparents, that I will send it to you asap.

I'm not sure about his stats; I think he's around 15 pounds... But he has his 4 month check up next week, so I'll give you the details then. In the meantime, sorry this got so long, but I hope you enjoyed seeing how fast he's growing up!

Wimberley Visit

I know, I know, I'm way behind... But here's a quick photo version of our fabulous trip to the Texas Hill Country. Most importantly, Oliver got to meet my Nana, his Grandnana:

And he obviously enjoyed it:

Almost as important, Chris and I got a little date to San Marcos, where we visited the Cool Mint Cafe; I highly recommend it.

By the time the weekend rolled around, we had lots of important visitors. Although my grandfather passed away a few years ago, his older brother (who just celebrated his 90th birthday!) and his wife (Aunt Jackie) came to meet their great, great nephew. Oliver and Uncle Ben:

And you might notice Momma Joy, who flew in from Santa Fe, holding Oliver in the photo... They were both content with the arrangement:

Oliver also got to meet his other Uncle Ben (Chris' brother), but those pictures are coming later. Chris got to spend some quality time with the little man:

And we were blessed by a visit from Joy's long-time friend Daniece, to whom Oliver quickly cozied up:

We didn't sit around the whole time, though; we also went shooting on a friend's property. What gorgeous Texas Hill Country!

As this was Chris' first time to shoot skeet, we had a few tutorials:

And, for the record, he was such a pro - he was hitting 60% on his first try ever! After the skeet, we got out the big guns...

Before we left, we of course had to take some multi-generational shots. First, my mom (Oli's Nana), Oli, me, Nana (Oli's Grandnana), and my Aunt Erin (mom's sister):

Next, Chris, Oli, and Momma Joy:

And, of course, Oli and all his mommas...

Good time had by all.... More pictures from the river to come. :-)

Home Sweet Home

I am sure there will be more to come, but I wanted to share some pictures of our sweet Oliver with some precious friends. We've now been in Texas for two weeks: one week in Houston, and one in Wimberley; and we will return to Houston tomorrow for one more week. During our first week in Texas, we had the privilege of introducing Oliver to some very close friends.

First, we so enjoyed seeing our old friends Seth and Stephanie... and (maybe more importantly? tough to say...) meeting their sweet little Ashlynn:

We then started the ever-ridiculous process of trying to take cute pictures of two babies at once. Quite a process. My favorite was when Ashlynn (who is 7 months and therefore a bit more adept than Oliver) grabbed Oliver's pacifier and stuck it in her mouth; poor Oli didn't know what to do:

This was the only one we got (and trust me, we took a LOT) where they were both smiling. Oliver was looking at Steph rather than the camera, but not too shabby otherwise:

Oliver also met several "fake" aunts. Since this poor kid has only four uncles... he's in need of some aunts, even if they're fake. :) First, my old friend (since third grade!) Lindsey:

My former student and current friend, Megan:

And my sweet friend, Tiffany, whose first daughter I helped raise (haha... not really... but the three of us sure spent a lot of time together during her first year!):

He also met our precious French-speaking friend Gladys (who kindly helped my mother practice her francais before coming to Paris!):

And last, but not least, he did meet some other boys... We don't surround this kid with only women! Former co-workers Julia and Jenn have two handsome boys: Teddy and Wyatt. These three are bound to be best friends! (Or at least sit around in the same room while their mothers discuss literature... we'll accept either.)

Why Hooded Towels Are My Favorite...

Need I say more?