One thing he doesn't like are naps. He despises being put down for a nap! I can rock him to sleep, put him down in his crib and get to the bottom of the stairs before he starts screaming to be picked up again. That's it! He will happily nap in his swing (which is not a real nap in my books), or in your arms (also not a real nap), but soon as he's still and alone, he brings out the Rage-o-saurus. He also rages when he's overtired because of his lack of sleep. The other day he had an epic breakdown and got so upset, he turned bright red, had veins popping out of his forehead and his first little tears leaking out of the corner of his eyes. It was the saddest thing because there was literally nothing we could do to help him. Poor little man!
He does love watching his bee mobile with his pal Barnaby the bear. When we lay him down in his crib, he stares up at the mobile until we turn it on so the music plays and the mobile spins around. As soon as those bees start flying around, he starts smiling, kicking his little legs, throwing his arms around and cooing up a storm. It's too adorable! He just loves his bees. When the mobile winds down, he becomes very quiet, and if we aren't quick enough to wind it back up, he gives a quick little shout to let us know that we are slacking on the job.
Here is a little clip of Ollie enjoying his bees:
Oliver has recently changed his eating pattern from every 3-4 hours for 40 minutes to every 2-3 hours for 15 minutes. I don't know if it's because he's become more efficient at feeding, but I think all is well as he is still gaining weight and pumping out dirty diapers like it's his business...HAHAHAHA...see what I did there? ;) Sometimes I have really forceful letdown and he gags and milk dribbles out his nose, but oddly enough, that doesn't seem to phase him at all. His aunt said that maybe he'd grow up to be "that kid" that could make milk shoot out his nose, or maybe pull out spaghetti noodles... Lucky us!
Ollie loves being bounced, rocked, danced with and loves his swing. I think this is a sign he'll be a lot of fun at amusement parks! He also loves listening to wacky voices and sounds. He tries so hard to laugh when he hears them. He also really loves my singing and made-up songs. I never remember the words to any lullabies, so often I make up my own versions. Music seems to help lull him into a calmer mood, and often singing can help him sleep...until you put him in his cradle.
The little man is starting to get so big! He must weigh over 13 pounds now. He's currently in size 1 diapers, though I think size 2 is quickly on the way. The other day while I was changing him, I noticed his legs were no longer little chicken legs! They were all chubby, with little folds and crevices everywhere. I can't believe how much he's filling out. His skin is clearing up from all that acne, and now he only has a spot or 2 once and awhile, though he now has a mild case of cradle cap, but it doesn't seem to bother him a bit.
I love dressing him up in little outfits. I think jeans are the cutest things on him, and I am dying to find him a pair of skinny jeans. Chris will totally kill me, but I think they'd be so adorable with a little plaid shirt and some cute little sneakers, or a little band shirt and a fitted cardigan. ;)
The other night was one of the worst nights ever in the history of baby changing. I woke up to feed him, but decided to change his diaper first as it was dirty. I noticed we had put him to bed in his jeans (bad parents), so I changed him into his pj's. I settled in bed, put him on my lap and started to feed him. I then reached over to grab my water bottle as I get super thirsty when I feed him, and went to gulp some water. Well, the cap was not screwed on and I ended up spilling water all over Ollie! Chris jumped up out of a dead sleep, thinking Ollie had just spewed all over the place and Oliver started to scream. I tried calming him down and asked Chris to go get me a change of clothes. It was after I had Oliver all striped down that I noticed the clothes I was trying to put on him no longer fit! I then had to get up and get another pair of sleepers for him. After I dressed him, I started to feed him again. All was going well, until it was time to burp him. I went to sit him up, and as I did, he threw up all over his clothes! I had to change him again! Needless to say, after being doused in cold water and endless clothing changes, Ollie was no longer sleepy and would not go back to bed that night.
I'm still getting used to being a new mom, and I'm sure it'll take a long while until we develop a pattern or a routine. Currently I still don't get as many showers as I'd like, still find myself grabbing quick snacks instead of meals when he's "napping" and am still sitting on the living room couch in my pajamas at 4 in the afternoon. I try to do little chores here and there, but I get frustrated that I can't get as much done as I'd like. I'm already bored of take-out and long for home cooked meals. I'm going to try to get back into using my slow cooker, so hopefully we will be eating like kings soon enough. :)
Oliver really is a happy little man, who loves simple things like milk, bees and silly songs. We love watching him explore and encounter new things everyday, as it makes us see things in a new light too. We cannot imagine one moment without him, and when I'm lucky enough to get him down for a nap, I find myself missing him already. <3
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Oh Meme's little Ollie, You are soooo cute. I love you so much I would love just to cuddle and squeeze you and eat you up. I love all your pictures and your mommy takes good pictures. I can't wait for her to print them and put them up all over your house for everyone to see. Love you little Oliver xxxxxoooo
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures and a great video. Still have not met Oliver in person. Keep the blog coming. Don't know how to post a comment with my name but it is Aunti Met.
ReplyDeleteyou guys look like a perfect family,glad to see the pics,and you have a very cute son
ReplyDeleteGramma & Grandpa Ysebert just love little Ollie and Amanda you take such beautiful pictures of your son. We are so proud of you and Chris, you are wonderful parents! Love Mom and Dad
ReplyDeleteI am such a proud auntie! He is such a joy to be around and his cry makes me get a little teary eyed. He is getting so big and growing so well :)
ReplyDeleteI loved this post!
Love you all!
Elle
xoxo
Oh my god i wanna bite him he's so cute!! Amanda! Your photos and video of Oliver are so adorable! You definitely need to bring him into the store sometime because we miss you at work!
ReplyDelete<3 Ingrid