Big brother!

Oliver David,

I cannot even believe that I'm writing this but you didn't read the title wrong....you are going to be a big brother! We've known for a few weeks but the reality has just recently set in. We are so excited to be giving you a sibling for the holidays...mom is due on Thanksgiving Day (11/25/2010).

You are really starting to become a 'big boy' these days, Mr. Independent. You no longer want to be held all the time and coddled like a baby. Instead, you would prefer that we sit back and watch you bang your head on everything in sight, step on sharp objects, and get in wrestling matches with Sadie. It is admittedly a trying time for me as a mom but I love watching you become a little man.

You are becoming quite the smart little boy too. You copy a lot of our actions like you did the other morning when I was putting a towel on my head and you immediately grabbed it from me to put it on yours. You try to put your own shoes on but they usually end up on your hands or in your food dish instead. Your vocabulary is growing by the day (mom, dad, hi, bye, ball, Sadie aka: Dee, etc.) and you're starting to really understand what we're saying to you. Just tonight we asked you to bring us a ball and you immediately found one and brought it to me and then to Dad...it was priceless. You also do other funny things like wave bye-bye and blow kisses, but usually not on queue. You're almost fully off your bottle although I'm having a hard time making you give up the night time one...your pediatrician said I lose 10 points in the mother-of-the-year contest but I decided I don't care! You love to run around like a crazy man from one end of the house to the other...no walking needed, you're always in a hurry. You sleep like a rockstar from 7-6:00 without fail and you even slept until 7:30 this past weekend...we're hoping that's a sign of things to come!

Unfortunately you've inherited mom's food issues...your favorite food groups are pizza and mac & cheese, and vegetables are immediately thrown on the floor. I guess I can't blame you for that one! :)

We've celebrated many family holidays over the past couple of months...mom's birthday, dad's birthday, mother's day, mom & dad's 5th wedding anniversary and father's day this coming weekend. Things have been very busy! Thank goodness that Ama and Pa live so close because they've been taking lots of weekend shifts so mom & dad can spend time together.

You were very lucky to spend a lot of time with your uncle Andrew & auntie-to-be Vicki this past weekend. They came over and spent all afternoon with you playing in the basement. Aside from a meltdown in the car when we picked them up, you warmed up to Andrew right away and gave him lots of hugs. I know they miss you very much and wish they could see you more.

Mom took her first overnight trip away from you a few weeks ago when I went to Cocoa Beach, Florida with 'the girls' for a few days. I was very sad to be away from you but I know it was good for me. Dad sent me lots of pictures and texts which made the trip much easier for me. Your Grandma and Grandpa came up from Iowa to help Daddy take good care of you and you all had lots of fun.

We're looking forward to a great summer ahead. We love our new neighbors and you absolutely love to play on their swingset. There are lots of zoo visits, picnics, swim dates, and vacations plans...you are quite the lucky little boy and I love you to pieces.

Here are a few semi-recent pictures of you...