Christmas

It's been too long since our last post. Therefore I must give only highlights in bullet point form:
1. Oliver is now loving to grab his feet
2. Oliver can sit up for about 15 seconds before falling over. He does not mind falling over.
3. Oliver is now smiling all the time.
4. Because he knows he is cute, he prefers to be looked at all the time. He will often make sqeaking sounds to get attention then smile once he is being looked at.
5. Flying on the plane with Oliver was quite an adventure. Picture dad in the tiny bathroom changing Oliver on a toilet seat while he takes advantage of his diaper free moment and pees on the floor. On the way back mommy got to change two poopy diapers on the plane. This is an odd coincidence because Oliver doesn't have a BM more than once every 4 days or so.
6. Oliver may have his first cold. We are going to check with the doctor on the 31st to find out what the deal is but he's coughing, runny nose, and one eye is dripping a constant tear.

We've got a ton of great photos from Christmas, so below is only a sampling. To see more, please visit: http://picasaweb.google.com/amandalinden/33ChristmasInDenver?authkey=mOiwRC-vPzA&feat=directlink

Demonstrating his skills with cousin Emma


First solid food - yummy sweet potatoes!


Looking festive with Grandma


Opening his stocking with Mom


Meeting Emma's doll Sophie


Daddy and Oliver on Christmas morning

Happy Holidays!

Finally! A photo where Oliver looks like me (Amanda). I feel like here he definitely has my eyes and cheeks. Since most of the time people look at Oliver and say that he either looks like Matt or Denny Linden, I have to take these moments when they come!

For more photos or to order prints:
http://picasaweb.google.com/amandalinden/32OliInDecember?authkey=_V1_qYFCuHk#5278285156415298930

Thanksgiving in Yreka

We made the trek up to Yreka last week for Thanksgiving with the Meeks. We drove through the night both times to account for Oliver's sleeping schedule and it worked like a charm. Thanksgiving itself was a blast - a full blown turkey dinner, featuring Oliver's first solid food: sweet potatoes! Just a smidge on mom's finger - so good! He slept in Amanda's old room from childhood at GG Nickie's house. They're very good friends, those two. Oliver also spent much time with his cousins Ella and Lucas. Ella even heard him say his first word - "Ella." No one else heard it, but she's certain.

The town of Yreka had their holiday parade on Saturday, and Grandpa/City Manager Brian and Ella rode in the old fashioned fire engine. Grandma Nickie rode the Soroptomist's Club float, much to our surprise. That old gal's full of surprises. Later that afternoon, we dropped Oliver off with Grandma Magie and went on the annual Elusive Silver Tip Hunt with the family - the search for the perfect silver tip christmas tree in Klamath National Forest. Brian took us to a beautiful lookout with a spectacular view of Mt. Shasta and the entire Shasta Valley. We spent the afternoon in the woods, hunting trees and tailgating, and picked Oli up after dark.

Oliver, these days, is all about his feet and sitting up. His feet are very cool and he will proudly show them to you. He can't quite sit up, but darned if he isn't giving it his best shot every time he tries! We are very excited about his little tuft of hair, and will be encouraging if he wants a faux-hawk early on in his life.


More to see here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/amandalinden/31YrekaThanksgiving?authkey=fFG3V6-VwMY#

Dad's Birthday

It's been a while since the last post. Matthew turned 33 on November 8th and we had a lovely BBQ to celebrate. Oliver wore his classic, "happy birthday dad" onesie for the occasion.

Oliver's starting to try to sit up, loves it when we pull him up to standing, and has a strong grasp on objects we put in his hand. He has been focusing very intently on his hands and objects.

To view more photos or order prints: http://picasaweb.google.com/amandalinden/28NovemberOli?authkey=OHbCkn04Lzc#

The Godfather (and Mother)

This Sunday was Oliver's baptism, which was held at Stanford's Memorial Church. Godfather Seth and Godmother Caryn were in attendance, along with lots of Lindens and Meeks. We had a lovely brunch after at Bistro Vida in Menlo Park. Oliver didn't mind the baptism at all, but was cranky once his was over and we were waiting on stage.

For the rest of the photos, and to order prints:
http://picasaweb.google.com/amandalinden/26OliverSBaptism?authkey=rt6zBmX3jT0#

Spooky scary!

This week we had three big changes. One was that Oliver started staring at the pages of books we are reading, and another is that he's beginning to hold things and manipulate them if you place them in his hands. Also he flipped over from his tummy to his back about four times in one day (see the photo at the bottom of him grinning in triumph) but then got tired of it and has never done it again.

On the Halloween front, we had two costumes. A respectable and very cute pumpkin costume (thanks Mary and Eliz) and a dorky hot dog costume (thanks Matthew/dad). Surprisingly, Oliver loved the hot dog costume and was very content to be in it. A very scary costume if you think about it, because hot dogs are a very scary food.

To view even more photos, or to order prints:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/fmGpOuJeqIil9wXo78Yd2Q?authkey=8i0zxrXVXWk

Trip to Hatteras

We returned on Saturday from our week long trip to North Carolina's Cape Hatteras. A very fun trip and it only rained on the day we were leaving. Oliver got to meet his great-grandma Althea and mommy and daddy got a few nights of full rest while the grandparents watched the boy. So nice!

For more photos or to order prints: http://picasaweb.google.com/amandalinden/24Hatteras?authkey=hLX0fdScd7A#5259727154115497346

We have smiles!

Over the last two weeks we have seen more and more smiles from little Oli. We now often get greeted with this goofy grin in the morning and throughout the day when he sees us. He is definitely able to recognize mom and dad.

More photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/amandalinden/23OWL6?authkey=wp4a_ssU1eg#

One Month Old

This week was a bit of a rough one, as momma got a stomach flu and Oliver had acid reflux. Thanks to the wonders of pediatric medication, Oliver is feeling much better and the whole family is sleeping better. Grandma Mary knitted him this cute pumpkin hat so that he'll be nice and warm for Halloween. Hard to believe Oliver is one month old already, and at the same time we sort of can't remember what it was like without him.
More photos and to order prints: http://picasaweb.google.com/amandalinden/22OWL5?authkey=bvKTmc3-sSM#

Jamie & Greg's wedding

This weekend was a big one for the family, as we traveled further away from home than we ever have been together, and Oliver attended his first wedding. Our friends Jamie and Greg got married in Napa and we made the trek. Surprisingly, it went really really well. Friday afternoon San Francisco rush hour traffic made Oliver cry for about 10 minutes, and made us feel like crying, but we made it through together. We also had a big step in letting him "cry it out" for the first time. Though heartbreaking, it was necessary (our apologies to the other residents of the Fairfield Inn).

We had a very memorable afternoon tromping around Napa - the next time you're there, we suggest you drop by the Ceja winery for a lovely, leisurly tasting experience, and to Ubuntu for the most extravagant flavors of vegetarian cuisine you've ever tasted. The wedding itself was lots of fun, with delicious food, a spectacular setting, a capoeira demonstration by the groom, and even a dance with the bride for Oliver.

More photos here: http://picasaweb.google.com/amandalinden/21OWL4?authkey=iQ6fq_yxYhM#

Jamie and Greg's wedding, The Carneros Inn, Napa

Two beauties

Dancing with the bride

He loves that karate pose ('kram' is Swedish for 'hug' or maybe 'hiiii-YAAA!')

Sweet boy

Week 3: Baths and Karate

This week Oliver took his first bath, and he seems to be obsessed with this new Karate pose where he has one arm flexed and one arm outstretched. He's starting to be a bit fussy for an hour in the evenings which is hard for a new parent to take, though normal aparently. Photos below, and go here if you want to see more: http://picasaweb.google.com/amandalinden/20OWL3?authkey=NeHd4DIJq00#

Oliver having "tummy time" on a black blanket.

Oliver's first bath. He didn't cry one bit.

Karate Pose

More Karate Posing

Still More Karate Posing