Four Months Old!

Oliver turned four months old on November 30th, so while I know I am behind with blogging it since he will be five months in a couple weeks, I wanted to wait until I had all of his stats and our appointment wasn't until this week. Anyways...Oliver is doing great. He is a healthy and happy baby who continues to bring us much happiness! Oliver weighs 15 lbs. 12 oz. (50th percentile) and is 24.4 inches long (20th percentile). Oliver is able to roll from his belly to his back (although he often refuses to do so) and is starting to be able to sit on his own for about 30-60 seconds before toppling over. He has recently started baby food which has been a fun activity for the whole family to enjoy! I wonder how long until Henry and Daddy get tired of feeding Oliver and it becomes my job! For now, I'll take the help. Oliver continues to be a great eater and sleeper, he prefers several cat naps throughout the day as opposed to a couple of big naps; which is what I would prefer, but we are adapting to his schedule.

Henry continues to love Oliver and the feeling is certainly mutual. I hope they continue to be close as they grow up.

"Olivia" (and decorating Grammy and Papa's Tree)

Last week we all went over to Grammy and Papa's to "help" decorate their Christmas tree. I use the term "help" loosely as aside from about three ornaments all placed on one branch (thank you Henry) there was not much helping going on. But we all had some good food and a good visit. Auntie and Oliver spent much of the evening together playing with Auntie's scarf. Living with all these boys must be getting to Auntie, because she decided to turn Oliver into "Olivia" if only for a moment she was able to enjoy a "niece."

What Oliver would look like as a girl with multi colored stringy hair...not bad!

Auntie and "Olivia."

Oliver decorating the tree.

Reed holding "it."

And to finish the night off...a little boopity boo! Yes Reed is much too old for this, but does not seem to think so!

Christmas Tree Fun

We got our Christmas tree the weekend after Thanksgiving, which is a little sooner than we usually get it, but Kevin had some time off so the timing worked well. We decided to leave Oliver with Grandma and Grandpa while we took Henry to cut our own tree. Naturally he had a great time as he was able to ride in Grandpa's truck and help Dad cut the tree with a saw...what more could a little boy ask for! We have found long needle trees (I'm sure there is a technical name for them, but I don't know it) for a few years now and I absolutely love them! This one is a little bigger in the house than I had thought it would be, but it fits and we love it. Now if we could just figure out a way to keep the ornaments on...I don't even want to imagine how difficult this will be next year once Oliver can move around as well.

Searching for the perfect tree.

We found it! I always manage to get a good picture of Kevin with the kids, notice there is not one of me...one was taken but it was so bad it was not blog worthy...I'll have to work at Kevin's picture taking skills.

Riding in Grandpa's truck with no car seat! I originally planned to go only about 1/2 a mile down the street from Grandma and Grandpa's, but the tree farm was closed so we ended up traveling further than I would have liked with no car seat, but he did well and we made it home safe and sound.

By far Henry's favorite part of the tree is the candy canes! Although most are broken as he would pile them up on the floor during the decorating process.

The finished product!! You can't see much of the tree, but the kids in front of it sure are cute!

Oliver was very cooperative for pictures in front of the tree...Henry not so much, he was good but 2 year old smiles are often goofy and painful looking.

Sweet boys!

Thanksgiving

I know I have been rather behind with the blog, but I will try desperately to keep up as this is a very busy season and much is happening here! We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year. It was more quiet than normal, which was a nice change of pace. We hosted dinner for Grammy, Papa, Gigi, Kerri and her boyfriend Eric. Grandma and Grandpa were in New York for a wedding and the Castor crew was celebrating with Bryan's family. While we missed those who could not join us, we enjoyed our quality time with those we were with. We were able to enjoy a new experience this year of a fried turkey! Eric came over with a marinated turkey and his fryer and we put the men to work. The turkey was incredible and I am certain we will never oven roast a turkey again! Thanks Eric! The rest of the day consisted of a lot relaxation, Hungry Hippos, football and some Wii of course! It was a great day and we were able to reflect upon how much we have to be thankful for.

The Sunday after Thanksgiving we had Grandma and Grandpa over to help us eat all the leftovers from the big day. Again the evening was wonderful and we had yet another round of Hungry Hippos.

I am so thankful for the cutest and most well behaved little turkey around!

Papa pondering his next move...pretty sure you just move the mouth and hope for the best Papa!

On our "second" Thanksgiving meal Daddy thought it would be a good idea to let Oliver try sweet potatoes...he did surprisingly well since we haven't even started cereal...I was going to try to hold him off for a while but it doesn't look like that will happen...he loves to eat!

More Hungry Hippos, we are slowly losing the marbles to this game and I can't say I will be upset when they are all gone...it is the loudest game ever!

Oliver is 3 Months!!

Oliver turned 3 months on October 30th. I had him dressed in a cute outfit for his picture, then he spit up, so I changed him into another cute outfit and he exploded the other way, so we opted for a nude photo shoot! I don't have any official stats for Oliver since 3 months is not a month with a well child doctor visit, however he was sick earlier this week with a cold and so I do know that he weighs 14 lbs. 14 oz. He is still an incredible baby, happy most of the time and a great sleeper. He can successfully roll from his belly to his back and is working very hard on getting from his back to his belly. He talks all the time and his favorite activities include playing Row Row Row Your Boat with Daddy and watching Cailou with Henry. He still sucks his thumb, fingers or fists...whatever he can get into his mouth. He is starting to be able to hold on to toys which makes life exciting for both he and Henry. I couldn't ask for a better baby and I am enjoying every minute of being his mother.

Steve Gets Married!!!

Kevin's Uncle Steve and his wife Gracy got married on October 23, 2010. They were actually officially married earlier this year, but we all celebrated in October. It was a beautiful reception in New York. The party was outside in a big tent overlooking a reservoir. The view was amazing and we had a wonderful time. Henry loved dancing and listening to the band, although everyone around Henry had to listen to how badly he wanted to play the drums...this did not happen, but we did make an "emergency" trip to Grammy's later in the week so he could fulfill this need on her drum set. There were some other boys at the wedding a little older than Henry who were happy to play and entertain Henry much of the day. Henry had a great time running around with the boys and dancing with the ladies! Oliver was amazing as well and was able to meet his great aunts Jill and Alice. Oliver spent a lot of time on Grandpa's lap which was a nice break for me and allowed me to eat a hot meal...thanks Grandpa!!

Oliver hanging with the ladies...Grandma and great Aunt Jill.

More fun with napkins!! (if you recall at my brother's wedding last December, I had pictures of Henry's hands wrapped up in napkins...thanks Dad for the entertainment!)

Henry playing tag with the boys.

Love this picture...he was so happy!

The beautiful view.

Dancing with Grandma.

Dancing with the beautiful bride.

Pumpkin Picking

A few weekends ago we went pumpkin picking with the Castor's (minus Uncle Bryan...we missed you). The kids had fun and we were able to get some great pumpkins despite the crowds. As always Oliver was great and slept for much of the experience.


Oliver getting a lift on Daddy's "strollers" as Henry calls them.


Somewhere I have a picture of all the kids in the hay pile, but for some reason it did not upload, but Jack and Oliver sure are cute!


The Castor crew.




All of us.

Jack found this pumpkin on the hay ride, but reconsidered when Kate told him he had to carry it the rest of the day.

Henry also wanted a large pumpkin...

but he also reconsidered and settled for this one.

Reed and the scarecrow...so cute.

Two Months Old!

Oliver just turned 2 months old and he continues to be the best baby ever! He is a great eater and sleeper and is the happiest little baby. He has been sleeping through the night since about 6 weeks and he takes nice long naps in his crib. We love having him in our family and feel truly blessed. Oliver weighs 13 lbs. 10 oz and is in the 89th percentile for weight and is 23 inches and is in the 72nd percentile for height. He is holding his head up well and has recently discovered the bumbo seat. Now he can sit up like a big boy and watch Henry play. Henry continues to love Oliver and kisses him all day long! Oliver sucks his thumb like a champ and loves to smile and talk to anyone who will listen.

And while I don't have any "stats" for Henry, he also just turned 2 1/2. He too is a great little boy full of personality and love. He has not quite mastered the potty, but we're not concerned and will give him a little more time. He is getting smarter and funnier each day and I love every minute I get to spend with him.

Skating

Last week Kevin and I took Henry skating with Kate and Cole. Cole started hockey this year and since his father is unable to skate with him due to a motorcycle accident, Kevin has stepped up to the plate and has agreed to help out on Sunday mornings with Cole so he has a "parent" to help. Since it had been a few years since Kevin has skated and he had to get some new skates he thought he would take advantage of his day off and take Henry skating. And in true Kevin fashion, we just HAD to buy Henry his very own pair of skates, because every two year old needs brand new hockey skates. Oh well, at least Reed and Oliver will wear them as well. So, we spent last Friday afternoon at Amelia Park in Westfield skating. While Kate skated with Cole and Kevin with Henry, I enlisted Bompa to meet us at the rink to help with Oliver and Reed. Oliver was great, Reed not so much, but in his defense it was nap time. All the skaters looked great and while Henry never left the walker, I was very impressed that he did not complain or get discouraged at all. He stayed on the ice for the whole 50 minutes. He can't wait to play hockey like his cousins and keeps telling me he wants to be a Bruin, he makes his dad proud!

This pretty much sums up my time with Reed, he's having a fit and I finally put him down so I could get some pictures and video of the kids skating, he recovered nicely and Bompa and I took he and Oliver for a walk in the gardens.