Back Up and Running!

Did you notice my small hiatus? 
Nah - you probably didn't.
However, my maternity leave hates all things electronic!  My computer screen malfunctioned and required me to send it in for repair.  It was a long two weeks trying to get everything done via phone...but I'm back.  And a great big apology to the customers at Best Buy who had to endure my screaming son while I went to pick up the computer!  I was going to take a picture of us at Best Buy, because I was feeling a bit confident...however, my confidence was quickly shattered by the boy who can turn on a dime! 

I'll try not to make this too lengthy and will do my best to update you and get you caught up via pictures. 

 

Oliver turned 6 weeks and then 7 weeks.  If you look closely, you can tell he is turning into a "baby" and leaving behind that "infant".  We are still waiting for our smiles, but we can tell they are in there.  Every once in a while, he'll give us a glimpse.  A 1/2 smile.  A smirk.  He has added some moments of "slightly chill" to his daily routine...adding to "sleeping" and "extremely ticked off".   

 

He's still nursing every 2 hours during the day - like 2 hours to the minute - but I've been able to get a nice little supply of milk in the freezer, which means I feel like I can leave and not have to RUSH back for a feeding.  If necessary, someone can thaw milk to give him. 

 

AND, we introduced Oliver to formula.  He was never going to be exclusively breastfed and so the time was going to come sooner or later.  Now Andy gives him a bottle of formula around 10 PM.  I'm already in bed.  I'm not pumping during this feeding and we aren't depleting our liquid/frozen gold stash during this feeding. 

 

Even though we knew it was going to happen, it wasn't any easy decision.  I've spent weeks reading about formula. I've read every ingredient.  I read about several types of formula.  And when I finally made the decision to buy, I put it in the cart and took it out again.  And once I bought it, I stuck it in the pantry and didn't look at it for several days. 

 

I cried when I gave him the bottle of formula.  Of course, Oliver didn't even react.  He just gulped it down.  And then passed out.  It was a very non-monumental event in his life.  Although I really would beg to differ.

Oliver also started reading recently...which I think is VERY advanced for his age.

And he'll  spend time holding his head upright and steady in his bumbo chair. 

There is plenty of baby-wearing to be had in our house...Although, I wouldn't say that Oliver loves it as much as Eleanor did.  Oliver is more of a "you stay on the couch and I'll nap on your chest" type of baby.

And so...as we spend day in and day out on the couch...we have to find some way to entertain ourselves!  Apparently, according to several critics, we have not mastered the "selfie" yet...but it doesn't mean we are going to stop trying!

 

I wouldn't go as far as saying he's a chill baby.  But he is a great baby - It amazes me every single day how much I love him.  I'll say it every day for the rest of my life - I NEVER thought I could love two tiny humans this much.  I love Eleanor so much I could burst...and now I love Oliver with that same intensity.  I LOVE saying "my kids" and I LOVE the rare moments when I get both of them cuddling with me.  Every day it gets better!

Even Karl is adjusting to his little friend!

Speaking of friends...

Eleanor still adores her little brother.  She is a great big sister and loves helping out!  She even lets Oliver cuddle with Lovie...but we'll see what happens when O is big enough to just take Lovie!

I think it is amazing how having a little brother can make her look  so grown up.  Maybe it's just time that did that.  I also love that she cant just smile for a picture...she has to pose for it.

The other day we were leaving gymnastics and she was strutting down the sidewalk, she said, "Look at me, mom, I'm a poser girl."  I've since learned, a poser girl is like a model! (?)  I probably did that to her...she remains one of my favorite things to photograph!

And in this time, we got Eleanor's school pictures back.  Coming from the girl that can't sit still....she sure managed to pull off a perfect picture!  She just looks too grown up in this picture - I can't get over it!  But you can still see that silly side of her, just bursting to get out!  She can't contain it for very long!  I love her spirit (it exhausts me...but I love it).

One final note about Eleanor - she is loving school!  My maternity leave allowed me with the greatest blessing of being able to volunteer in Eleanor's classroom one day.  It was so neat watching her in that environment.  I was concerned I was going to be too big of a distraction, but she did good with me there.  Hopefully I can pull it off again some time.

We've also managed to have some fun amidst all this "life".  We snuck away for a little weekend get away to the Dells with my family.  The kids had a great time and the fall colors just can't be beat!

This was actually taken post-hike!  Oliver and I needed to lay down :-) 

Oh...look who is posing!

A pretty steep incline, while wearing a baby!

A little over dressed for the pool!  No swimming for O this trip...

And we were able to make our annual trip to the Pumpkin Farm.  That could be an entire blog post on it's own, but I'm really just trying to get all caught up.  Long story short - we probably won't be returning to this pumpkin patch next year...but with Time-Bomb Oliver, we knew we needed to stay close to home.  We got what we needed and enjoyed a beautiful fall day!  Hopefully we'll get to carving those pumpkins this weekend.

I swear there is a baby under there! 

Of course she wanted the pumpkin that was the furthest away...Oh...and she's posing!

And the biggest!

I can't believe I only have 2 weeks and 1 day left of my maternity leave!  What a crazy few weeks this has been!  I just can't believe that 8 weeks ago, we didn't even have Oliver in our lives!  And now...he rules our lives!  I'm going to miss my time home with him.  Our cuddles on the couch. Our lazy mornings...and afternoons...but I'm ready.  I'm ready to get back to work.  To be mentally challenged and stimulated all day (no offense O).  We always knew I was not the Stay at Home mom type and this leave has just confirmed that.  Those first few days...weeks...back are going to be horrible.  I can feel my arms already ache to hold this little guy.  To smell him.  To kiss his sweet forehead....but staying home isn't my reality....and as hard as it is...I'm ready to get BACH to reality....