Bigger, faster, stronger

Ollie,

I should've been posting 'developmental' updates all along because you have changed so much over the past couple of months that I don't even know where to start!

You started crawling backwards right around Christmas but you had a hard time with the forward motion. I picked you up from daycare on 1/20/10 and you had clearly mastered the skill. Mary looked exhausted from chasing you around all day and all she could say was 'did you know he took off?' I knew at first glance that you had her running ragged all day. Even your crawl is cute - your little body just looks so funny zooming across the room. And, when I say zooming, I mean REALLY zooming - you are fast and determined to get wherever it is that you are going and there is no stopping you. It's so much fun to watch you gain your independence and literally find your way through the world.

You sit yourself up with ease from any position you darn well please...it makes diaper changing quite challenging, let me tell you first hand! You love to hold things in your hand and you get VERY upset when those things are taken away. You absolutely adore shiny 'adult' gadgets such as our cell phones, laptops, and car keys but your favorite item is Sadie's metal choke collar...gross! Of course, you couldn't care less about 'baby' versions of these items - we bought you a laptop and cell phone for Christmas and all you ever want to do it shut the lids!

In mid-January you started responding to some of the lessons in your Baby Can Read videos. Yes, I admit it, I am a believer! We've been telling you to put your "arms up" pretty much since the day you were born. One day you were sitting in your high chair, eating dinner, and sure enough the arms went up and the biggest grin overcame your face...you were so proud and so were we! You will also clap and wave on command, and repeat words every now and then. We think you said your first word over Thanksgiving weekend when you looked at us and said "Daddy" clear as day...but you haven't said it that way again, so who knows. You do love to say "dada" and "hi" on a regular basis but I'm not sure that you know the meaning of the words...I guess we'll find out sooner or later!

You love to sit in your highchair and have snacks such as Cheerios, puffs, teething biscuits, cheese, etc. I think it must make you feel like a big boy, feeding yourself and deciding when you've had enough. For some reason, you don't really like to eat meals in your highchair but you're perfectly content as long as I'm singing. I have a terrible voice so I think it just distracts you from reality so you forget that you're strapped in??!

Your Dad's been on a business trip for the past several days and you decided that would be a good time to cut another tooth...can you say 'challenging?' Wow, my parental patience was tested over and over and over and...'nough said. I hope the next few teeth are a bit smoother than that one...WOW.

You began to stand on your own very recently (1/29/10), but haven't done it very many times. It's kind of scary because you can get to your feet o.k. but you're so wobbly that a fall is inevitable and, without fail, you seem to choose the most dangerous places to stand up...testing my nerves at a very young age, little boy. I'm trying to steer you away from your dad's flair for dangerous, adventurous activities...I'm sure I'm fighting a losing battle but I have to give it a try!

A couple of other recent things to note - WE SOLD OUR HOUSE! Yep, believe it or not, we are on our way out of our first house and on to bigger and better. We bought a new house in Eagan the same weekend that we finalized the sale of our current home...busy, busy! We close on both houses on 2/25 and we cannot wait. It makes us so proud to know that we can provide you with a nice, safe place to live. On a funny note, you will be going to mom's middle school / high school if we end-up staying that long! I cannot imagine attending conferences at my old stomping grounds...sometimes I feel like I should still be in high school - my, how time flies!

Uncle Andrew came to stay with us for a few days this past month. It was fun to watch the two of you bond. I really wish he lived closer so you could see him more. He really loves you and had so much fun playing with you.

Also, the Vikings made a good run at the Super Bowl this year and you became quite the little fan. Your cousin Rowan gave you an 'Adrian Peterson' jersey and you looked adorable cheering for our team. We cannot wait for many more Sunday afternoons cheering on the Vikes as a family!