Where has the time gone?

We can't believe how big Oliver has gotten! He started sitting up at 6 months, crawling backwards and in circles at 7 months, and crawling forward and pulling up at 8 months. He's been eating solids consistently since 6 months as well. He also mastered drinking out of a straw last week. He'll be walking in no time! 

Currently Oliver's favorite things include: bread, bananas, clementines, assisted walking and he's finally warming up to dad. 

Right now Oliver's been hit with a stomach virus that as been going around so there's been a lot of diaper changes these last couple of days. Along with that, he has been extra needy (as if he wasn't needy enough already). I've been giving him extra cuddles and wearing him more than usual. I hope he gets better soon. 

The weather here has been so weird recently. It's been an extra cold winter. A couple of weeks ago, we were in the high 70's, so Ollie and I spent some time at the beach. 

We haven't been to the beach since Christmas Eve. So this was a whole new experience to him. He made lots of friends and played with a Chihuahua puppy. Everyone swooned over his hat and his infectious smile! 

Last weekend was gorgeous too. I spent it doing yard work while Andy took care of Oliver. I uprooted four bushes along the backside of the house. I hated those bushes from the moment I laid my eyes on them and I finally convinced Andy to let me get rid of them. It took me six hours to dig them out but it was well worth it. I plan to create a tropical flower bed in place of it. I can't wait for it to stop raining so I can get started! While I was digging away, Oliver had a mini photo shoot with Andy.

We're pleased to introduce our new garden gnome.  

We finally had a chance to visit Andy at work again and introduce him to all the staff that Andy works with. The ladies all loved him. He's been experiencing some separation anxiety lately so it took him awhile to warm up to everyone and allow them to hold him. Of course, Ollie had to dress to impress! I really like him in hats but I think he's finally starting to notice them and pulls off his hats every chance he gets. However, he's still ok with toques. Here's our little man in Janie & Jack, BabyGap, and cool mustache shoes from Uncle Allen and Auntie Zoe.

7.5 months

I can't believe Oliver is already 7.5 months. Where did the time go?

The holidays were nice and quiet for us this year. We spent Christmas here in Charleston with friends. After Christmas, we decided to take a short road trip to Atlanta, Georgia. Oliver was great in the car and slept most of the way there and back.

We had a chance to visit the world's largest aquarium while we were in Atlanta too! Oliver really enjoyed looking at the fish and marveled at all the different species swimming around.

Other than that, it's all quiet here in the south-eastern front. Although we are preparing for another trip to San Francisco! Oliver and I will be there for two weeks to finally meet his baby cousin and to spend the Lunar New Year with his grandparents. We hate the actual trip getting out there but once we're there we love it.

christmas

We can't believe that Christmas is right around the corner! We have our tree all adorned with decorations, lights, and presents. We've sent out our presents as well (thank you Amazon Prime!). Our holiday cards are almost ready to go out too! 

Ollie met Santa Claus at his play gym and would not crack a smile for the camera. He was dead serious the entire time. We finally got an okay picture after snapping about 20 of them. I guess his serious face is better than his cry face. I was hoping for a fat jolly Santa but instead got a skinny Santa that didn't say a word to the kids. Oh well, better luck next year. 

We spent Thanksgiving with friends here in Charleston and will be doing the same for Christmas. We've traveled so much last year that we just wanted a nice and quiet holiday. But of course, that can only last so long right? 

After Christmas and before New Year's Eve, we'll be spending a long weekend in Atlanta, GA. We're not sure what we are going to do there yet. We heard that the United State's biggest aquarium is there. We also learned from the Food Network that there is an amazing international market there as well!

Ollie and I will be heading back west to California in a month to meet his new baby cousin Alexander. We're only there for a short trip. I really didn't want to travel again until the spring but I'm anxious to meet that little nephew of mine. Oh well… I promise this will be the last trip before April when we head up to Washington DC / northern Virginia for a wedding.

busy busy busy...

It really has been busy for us here. However, we're done with our travels for the year (maybe except for a weekend trip to Atlanta, GA). Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, Christmas is just right around the corner.

We spent Thanksgiving with Andy's colleague's family. It was a lot of fun and a lot of great food. I made a pumpkin cake with pumpkin cream cheese frosting topped with candied pecans. Yum.

The Christmas tree is up and our Christmas Elf has made his presence in our home (we have yet to name him). I made a couple of wreaths to hang, and even made one for our neighbors. Andy and I are not huge "Christmas people" so we don't go crazy over this holiday, and Oliver is too young to understand it at this point. We've been purchasing many things for the home and for me to start my business (more information to come as I get started next year). So presents are not high on our list of to-do's. We'll save that for next year when Oliver is more aware of what is going on.

For now, enjoy some pictures from our trip these last couple of months.

4 months old!

We've had a whirlwind of a few months. After my parents left in July, my brother, his girlfriend and my cousin came to visit us. Well, mainly to visit Ollie. All our visits are based around Ollie now. We had a great time hanging out at the beach and in Old Mount Pleasant catching blue crabs. Everyone had a great time despite the aggressive mosquitoes that were out in August.

In September, I travelled with Ollie alone to California for a week before Andy joined us. Prior to our flights, I was quite nervous. Including our layover, we were looking forward to almost 11 hours of travel time! Luckily, Ollie is a wonderful traveller! He barely slept on either of the flights but he was full of smiles. He flirted with all the flight attendants and any one else who paid him any attention! The pressure of the plane ascending and descending did not bother him one bit. 

While in San Francisco, Ollie had a chance to meet most of my extended family and Andy's family that resides in the Bay Area as well. We were busy the entire time with family dinners and parties that we barely had a chance to just hang out. Despite all the commotion, I'm glad Ollie had a chance to meet everyone and spend some quality time in San Francisco. 

Next up was Seattle. We headed up mainly for a dear friend's wedding. It was a beautiful wedding. Both the bride and groom looked amazing! 

While in Seattle we stayed with Andy's cousin Allen's family. Ollie is just one month younger than their youngest, Chan. Ollie is a little shrimp compared to Chan Chan who's built like a tank! What a difference one month really makes! 

Finally, we headed up to Vancouver. This will be Ollie's first time visiting niang-niang, Uncle Evan and Auntie Amanda. Niang-niang threw a meet and greet party for Ollie. It was a lot of fun. He was passed around a lot and received a million kisses from all the ladies at the party. Auntie Rita also claimed Ollie as her future grandson-in-law. 

It was a busy 3 weeks away from home. I'm going to surprise myself by saying this, but I'm glad to be back in Charleston, to our own home and bed. However, we have a lot more travelling before the end of the year. Fingers crossed that Ollie remains a great traveller! 

Oh yes, in the midst of all this, our baby Ollie turned 4 months old on the 11th!

(My hard drive is out of space so unfortunately, I can't add anymore pictures.)

"Whatever you're doing, keep doing it"

said Oliver's pediatrician repeatedly during his 2 month wellness check today. I can't believe how much he's grown since his 2 week checkup. He doubled his weight going from the second to twenty-second percentile! His height though... well he's dropped down to the fifth percentile. We are still hoping he gets his ye-ye's (paternal grandfather) height genes. He was six foot tall! We can be hopeful can't we?

	2 weeks	2 months
Weight	5 lb 15 oz	11 lb 4 oz
Length	20 inches	21.75 inches
Head Circumference	13.5 inches	15 inches

happy 2 months

...to our baby boy. In these two months, you've grown so much. We can't imagine what it was like without you in our lives. There are tough days and nights but every second of it is worth it!

Oliver is more alert now and is just beginning to smile socially. He loves music, plantation shutters and fans. He's a fan of belly blowing and body massages but he is ticklish. 

He loves his night time bath from daddy while he stares at himself in the mirror. We try to put him to bed between 10-11 pm. He's up two times a night, around 1-2 am and again at 5 am. He finally wakes up around 7-7:30 am and stays up until about 10:30 am when daddy leaves for work. Then it's mommy and baby all day until around 7-8 pm.

As pictured below, he has grown so much in a month. He barely fits on the chair laying down anymore.

We love you Oliver.