Illinois, night time stress and emotionally amazing

So much for regularly updating this thing. Well, it has been a busy month. We spent two weeks in October in Illinois visiting all my family. It was the first time Oliver met them. You see, Illinois is like a vacuum and it sucks people in to where they rarely or never leave. Only few escape. So my family has yet to see where we live in the Northwest. And that’s why they had never met Oliver. It was a very precious 2 weeks though. I felt like a piece of my puzzle finally fit. The family knows how wonderful he really is.

He’s walking now, for those who don’t know. And running. It’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. He just now found me hiding in this dark room with the computer and is begging for my attention in just his diaper and a big grin. So this may or may not get posted tonight. I love to watch him toddle around. Now he’s on my lap captivated by the glow of the screen.

I’d say that motherhood is not necessarily less demanding these days...although Oliver easily entertains himself. The hardest part right now is night time. He’s waking up several times crying and since I’m weaning him from nursing at night, it makes it even more stressful. Last night he woke up about 5 or 6 times. But it could be that his 3 tooth (top left) is poking through. Poor guy. (....poor me!)

I think it’s amazing how close we’ve become. Although he is not as physically dependent as a newborn...he needs me emotionally right now. And that makes me feel AWESOME. In fact, I’m probably a lot more capable of meeting someone’s emotional needs than I am with the physical. I just feel like I’m likely to make a lot more mistakes....like not feed him enough, or teach him the wrong disciplines and methods of sleeping or socializing. But I’m totally amazing at being the one who understands or encourages or empathizes. You probably wouldn’t want to be stuck on a deserted island with someone like me. Unlesss, of course, you would rather talk than eat or survive. Then pick me. But I am a good helper. If you know what to do on the island to survive...I would do anything to back you up and keep you going. Haha....anywaaaayy. Way off subject.

Creepy Crawler

Oliver is in constant-change mode. Each day is different than the last. He is now crawling, and his first two teeth (bottom) have appeared! Two major changes for all of us. Yesterday he wouldn't eat any food other than milk, but today he ate every last bite of his rice cereal. I can't figure him out. He's also going through an extreme attachment stage. Every time I leave the room he cries his little heart out. In fact, he cries over everything now. He used to be so content!

At church a couple Sundays ago, Kya, a little girl 1 1/2 months younger than him has started talking a lot....and really loudly. She was fascinated by Oliver and was trying to strike up a conversation with him. But her forwardness and loud voice frightened him and he would cry every time she made a noise. Tears and all. It was highly entertaining. Sorry, Oliver, but it was really funny.

We will probably be moving in the next couple months (to who knows where) because we'll no longer be needed at the ranch. Two more horses left to sell. Then we're planning a trip to Illinois to introduce Oliver to my family. We haven't had a vacation since we've been at the ranch, so we're ready! I'm very, very excited about everyone finally meeting him. Mom, Dad, my two sisters and their husbands, my brother, my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and some old friends I haven't seen in ages. It will be a long-suffered desire finally fulfilled. I will get to show everyone my wonderful little family.

Oliver's uncle Jonathan is back in Washington for awhile. He's taking some time off of school. So we'll probably get to see him more frequently. The more family around the better.

There's a video of Oliver posted on YouTube for the world to witness his cuteness. Take a look at him in live action!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2F_LkzMAzU


And of course a picture. Meet Oliver's little buddy, Festis: