The First of Birthdays
Gosh, can it really be that Oliver is already a year old? Well, I guess when you consider the teeth, the move to eating the same food as us, the walking and crawling, the communication, and the growth it makes sense. But still, it went fast. You really have to keep checking in with yourself that you are present in the moment, enjoying it for its full potential, because regardless the moment will keep moving by.
So yesterday we celebrated Oliver’s first birthday in simple style. We started off the night before with Sue & Sean coming to town to say bon voyage to the age of zero. Then all of us worked to get the house ready for company (after a yummy breakfast of homemade waffles). We had our folks and our aunts and uncles that are close by to come to the house for meatballs and cake. I don’t know if that sounds good to everyone else, but in my family that is the essence of classic down home comfort food for the masses. The only hint of a party theme were animal crackers decorating the cake. Take note: animal crackers are cute decorations, but must be put on minutes before serving otherwise they get soft.
Dang nambit! I just realized I took pictures of Oliver’s guests after Aunt Nancy & Uncle John left. Rest assured, there was plenty of love from the Bronsky’s before their departure.
Oliver had a blast. He loves getting love, he loved showing off his walking prowess, and loved his helium balloon. Jackson also loved having everyone here for extra loving, but he was exhausted by the end of the day.
The museum said, “Please Touch” and so we did
Peggy joined me, Patrick & Oliver for an afternoon at Please Touch while Amanda took her first digital media class at Mooore and Christina and Katie studied together. The museum was a bit overwhelming for Ollie but he still loved the grocery store, water and lots of blocks. 
What 356 days means to us
- Oliver can get to wherever he wants. AKA. Close the Gate!
- Oliver’s favorite things:
- Jackson
- Mom & Dad
- Cozy Coupe
- Anything that makes music
- Fire truck – especially its bell
- Mommy’s yogurt
- Maracas
- FP School Bus and its people
- Imaginative play: Yesterday, after Oliver and I shared yogurt, he wanted to continue eating with the bowl and spoon. I gave him an Ollie sized set and he continued to play-eat for the next 30 minutes completely forgetting about the rest of the world. I am going to love this stage!
- Piling: he will take all his toys/ blankets/clothes/ dad’s newspapers and pile them high into a stack, then attack the pile by creating a new one on the other side of him.
- Taking Jackson’s lovies. Thank goodness Jackson is such a good sport. If Jackson has one of his lovies, Oliver will take it from him and then dangle it front of Jackson taunting him to take it back. Once Jackson does, the game starts again and again, until Jackson finallygets fed up and takes his lovie elsewhere.
- Dropping food. Oliver thinks this is his best joke hands down. During meals, he will eat a piece and then throw a piece down to the floor, but the key is to wait until he is sure he has one of our’s attention and to throw it down before we can stop him. But we are finally learning to: 1) give him no more than 2 pieces of food at a time, 2) to serve different foods each time mixing up his meat, bread, veggie so as not to get bored, 3) first sign of throwing means hold off on that food for a few offerings.
- Routine: Oliver is taking a morning nap for about an hour, an afternoon nap for about 2, and going to be bed between 8-9. Now I feel like I can schedule something and plan to get a bit of something done each day.
- Strangers: Yikes! Oliver had a hard time going into someone else’s arms but now leaving him in someone’s care while we go to church or go to work has become heart wrenching.
- Hugs and kisses: Oliver is generous with his love and affection. He gives hugs and kisses all the time, especially to Jackson, who readily receives the love.
