Fluff, fluff, fluff

I remember saying 4 months was my favorite but now it is definitely 5 months. My little guy is so active and has such a sense of humor. Joe and I were talking last night about how his personality is so much bigger then 5 months. He can be so sweet and tender and yet so wild and fun. One day I was changing him and giving him kisses and he started running his hands through my bangs. I said "Oh! Are you fluffing mama's hair?" He laughed so hard at this. It was like he knew what I meant by fluffing my hair. So he kept doing it and I'd say "ohhh fluff, fluff, fluff." And he would crack up. So now when he's a bit cranky I run his hand through my hair and say "fluff, fluff, fluff! Ohhhh fluff!" He will laugh and laugh. I just think it's so funny and cool. 
He is so shy. When we're out in public he won't talk or laugh. What really cracks me up is after we've been around other people and we leave or go to a room by ourselves he talks and talks like he's just been holding it in forever. He's been like this since he was in my tummy. He would only kick around Joe and I and my coworker Laura. (Whose voice he heard all day mon-fri).
His first tooth cut this weekend! It was very exciting! But also scary because the reason I noticed it was because it felt like glass on my nip! Real nice! Then I felt in there and it's popped just a bit. He finally let me look at it last night and you can see the whole thing but just a little has come out. I was really happy and excited but then I got sad. My baby is growing so fast! And I love that little toothless smile. It's going to be so funny to see a little tooth in there.
He had a cold this weekend too. Little runny nose and a cough. My poor little babe. 
He has a doctors appointment tomorrow because for about the past 2 months that kid does not want to sleep. He is up every half hour-2 hours at night. 2 hours is rare. One hour is the norm. I am exhausted. Joe is exhausted and I figure little Olz must be exhausted too. In the mornings I always think "I can't do another day of this." But then he smiles and it's all worth it. This mama needs more sleep though!
Joe and I just applied for another place in town. If you are reading this please pray for us! Or send good vibes! Whatever works for you! We need this place and out of our little mountain home. I have noticed the more I can get out of the house the better my mood and the less I notice my exhaustion. We can't go for walks at our house now because of how sketchy the area is. I go stir crazy. We also can't afford to go to town every day because we're an hour away and gas is pricey! We are so hoping we get this place.

 I don't mean to brag..yes I do, but my kid gets cuter every day! Here he is at my sisters house playing with the blocks she got him. He loves them!

 Still playing blocks.

 Here is my sassy, little stinker at Gramma's house. He just looks so fab in this picture. And mighty handsome. I gave him a comeover that day. RAD! 
I also think he looks so much older in this picture. Such a little boy. He looks a lot like me here too. I think anyway.

 My little ham rocking his awesome new bib-dana. He looked so badass this day. I can't stand the cute.
I forgot to say how he knows to smile for the camera. Whenever I get my phone or camera out to take a picture I say "Ole! Smiles!" and he smiles. He also loves looking at pictures and videos of himself. Joe says he's like his mom. Oops! We're cute and we know it!

Napping on me at my sisters. (Please don't ever get too big to do this Olzy!!!) Note: Big lips. Love those things.

Compassion.

Since the beginning of the year I've been trying to find my word of the year. It finally came to me! Compassion.
I feel awful saying this but compassion is something I really lack. I can get pretty wrapped up in myself and it's hard for me to consider anybody else's feelings but my own. It's terrible. So that is my word of the year! On to some pictures.

 My beautiful blue eyed boy.

Pictures

Joe got me a camera for Christmas and I have yet to upload any.. so all these pictures are still just from my phone. 

  My big lipped boy takin' a snooze.

Daddy reading "Goodnight Moon" to Ole. This book is really special to me. I loved it when I was little and my Grandma always said I would say "goodnight moon!" at night. The first time we read it to Ole he loved it so much and got so excited he started shaking. (Which I then I asked his doctor  about because it freaked us out, she said it's just a rush of adrenalin). Him loving it just makes me love it so much more. (I wonder if he'll read it to his kids?)

This picture is just too cute to me. This is Ole eating his cousin Landon's hand. Mind you, Landon is a year old. Ole is huge. He had his 4 month check on Friday and he's in the 90th percentile. Anyway, Ole has to put every thing in to his mouth. the most annoying being, my hair. I want to cut it short now because he's always yanking it and putting it in his mouth. 

Ole and Landon goin' in for a high five. They kept trying to grab each others hand and missing. It was hilarious.

Landon loved Ole. He kept putting his hands really gently on Ole's head and giggling. I would say "oh Landon! That is so nice!" and he would do it again and be so happy. He started wiggling, giggling and clapping. It was really cute. It also freaked my shy boy out. He just wanted to play with Landon's tractor. 

This is one thing that Ole does that reminds me of me. He absolutely loves having his picture taken and having videos of him made and then he likes to watch the video. It makes me laugh and smile. Little ham. My Grandma said I would always say "film me Gramma!" then the video always ends with me saying "now let me watch it." That's my little boo.

My friend Alicia and I had a girl date on Saturday. When I got home Joe had given littles a bath and put him in his jams. Ole was so tired and just let me snuggle on him. I wish he would always let me snuggle him like this!

Here's the Dids standing on his changing table thinking he's pretty cool. I LOVE this outfit that Grandma got for him. He looks so stinking cute I can't stand it. He was being silly this morning getting ready to go see Grandma. He also loves standing and held himself up for the first time this weekend. We were at my Uncle Brandon's and he grabbed on to Landon's exersauser and held himself up. He's pretty buff.

My cousin Josh had his baby girl this past weekend. Her name is Penelope and she was 7lbs. She looked so incredibly tiny to me. And so newborn. To hear her little sleep sounds reminded me of little Ole. I can't believe how fast the time goes by and that I didn't remember those little sounds he used to make already. I can't believe in 8 months he will be a year old and probably walking on his own. They grow up too fast. I want him to be my crazy, snuggle baby forever! Watching him grow so fast has really helped me to be more present with him. He changes so much in just one week. I don't want to miss anything.

4 months is my fave.

Ole could stay 4 months forever and I would not be disappointed. The age he is right now is my absolute favorite so far. I realized there hasn't been many months before this one but he is hilarious. He is the sweetest little thing and just so funny. Last night after we picked him up from Grandma's he was so sleepy. When he gets really sleepy he gets silly. Every time Cuba's ears would perk up he would laugh so hard at her. It was contagious. I couldn't stop laughing because of him laughing and finding her so funny. It made Cuba pretty happy too. She is finally realizing that when Ole is trying to touch her it's ok. It really freaked her out the first couple of weeks. She's starting to get a kick out of how much he loves her. That kid can be in the worst mood but when he sees his doggy he immediately smiles. It's pretty sweet.
He's also developing numerous allergies... which is hard for this breastfeeding mama. He's allergic to dairy and also my beloved coffee. I'm not sure what else there is but I am currently on the Dr. Sear's elimination diet. Right now all I am eating is rice, turkey, pears, zucchini and potatoes. Pretty soon I'll start adding 1 food back every 4 days and hopefully figure the rest of his allergies out. But for now it's rough! I miss cheese! So much.
He also has sensitive skin and we cannot use baby wipes on his bum. So we are making our own wipes. This really grosses out Joe but it doesn't bother me in the least! 
I hope he grows out of all his sensitivities for his sake, but if he doesn't that's ok too. That's just the way God made him!
I forgot my phone at home today so I'm bummed I don't have any pictures to add.
Another thing I'm loving is how he likes to feel mine and Joe's faces. It's like he just loves us.
I never knew that I could love someone so much and care so much about their well being. It's very humbling and makes every day so special. I love my little Olzy boy.

4 month old big kid

My little boy is now 4 months old. I love him more every day. He gets funner every day and becomes more his own little kid every day. I love waking up to see what he'll get in to. 
He wants to eat our food so bad. He loves watching us eat and smiles and laughs while we eat and tries to grab our food. I can't wait to give him solids! 
He throws little temper tantrums. I think he does it because I laugh. He wants to be naked all the time and when I put his clothes on him he yells and fake cries. I laugh and then he does it more. 
I really feel like this boy completed me. I feel like he completed Joe too. I feel like when I found Joe he completed half of me and when Ole was born he completed the other half and now I'm whole. I know things won't always be easy but I truly believe these two have been meant to be my family for eternity. I love them with everything in me. I feel like with those two by my side I can do anything.
Enough mushy, gushy.. on to the pics!

 I just realized I didn't say Ole had his first Christmas! Here we are with Joe's little brother. Uncle Towner. Ole had fun at home.. but he got extremely overwhelmed at Joe's family. He's a shy little dude and it was a lot of people for him. We had to take him in to the other room to calm down and nurse. Poor little dude.

 Here's our little sweets napping in his crib for the second time ever. And only..

 Here is Ole trying to put his feet in his mouth... Joe showed him how to do this and now he constantly wants to. And he can't do it every time. And he's a little perfectionist. So if he can't do it he gets very upset. I say probably 10 times a day " I wish your Dad wouldn't have showed you that!"

 Ole and Uncle Towner on Christmas. Such handsome guys!

 Ole waiting patiently in the waiting room at his doctors. He had started throwing up more and more.. I guess technically it's "spitting up" but it was more then an oz at a time. He wasn't acting like he was in pain but it was freaking me out. We finally figured out that dairy is the culprit. Poor littles.

 My happy boy. This picture gives me butterflies and makes me want to cry because he is just so beautiful. He loves his new toy that Daddy put together. Also, for the record this was originally 40 dollars that I got for $17 on black friday. What a steal. It's awesome to be able to put him in this and get some stuff done! He likes being able to grab Cuba when she walks by. She doesn't like this. It totally freaks her out.

Ole on New Years Eve with my mini sparkling cider. This marked 1 year of me being sober and 1 year cigarette free. I'm pretty proud of myself.

 I love this picture of my beautiful little boy. Joe bought him this towel when I was pregnant and it has sentimental value to me. Also I just can't resist a freshly clean baby bundled in a towel.

 I love dressing this kid. We got this onesie when I was pregnant and have been waiting and waiting for him to be big enough to wear it. Wutang baby! By the way this is 12 month size.. big kid.

I got Christmas Tagged!

I have been tagged by my friend Kera for the "Annual Christmas Tag" hosted by Lanaya from the blog Raising Reagan.
It is a getting to know you, Christmas style, post. I'm excited to participate! Thanks for tagging me Kera!

1- What do you love most about Christmas time?
I love the overall feeling of Christmas time. It feels so cozy and loving and all about family. I love getting to see my family and decorating the tree. Especially now that I have Olz. Last year Joe and I started our family tradition of getting a new ornament for the tree each year. This year being one that we had made from Megan at Ornaments for Adoption. It says "first we had each other, then we had you, now we have everything" and a little picture of our family. And Olz was conceived on Christmas so now that's extra special! TMI! Sorry!

2- Do you celebrate the holiday in style or is bah-humbug for you?
Hm.. Probably somewhere in between.

3-  Are you leaving anything out for Santa Claus this year so he remembers to leave your presents?
Not this year. Next year.

4- What is the one gift you are most looking forward to GIVING? {It can be to your kids, another family member, etc ~ remember to be discreet if they read your blog!}
The 365 day rip away calendars we made for my parents and Joe's Grandparents. I think they are going to love them. We already gave Joe's mom hers.

5- What is your all-time favorite Christmas movie?
Charlie Brown Christmas! I absolutely love it and love the soundtrack! It's one of the few good memories of my biological mom that I have.

6- What is your all-time favorite Christmas song?
Blue Christmas when Elvis sings it. It was my Gramma's favorite and it reminds me of her. It kind of makes me sad now because Christmas is blue without her!! But I love it so much.

7- If given the opportunity would you participate in an "Ugly Sweater" party and what sweater would you wear? Peruse one on the internet or even in your own closet and show us!
I would! And I'm not looking at pictures right now! LOL

8- Have you started any Christmas traditions this year that you plan on carrying forward?
So far just decorating the tree as a family and getting a new special ornament each year.

9- It's Christmas morning, what does it look like outside where you live?
Wet. Not snowy. Just wet and dreary.

10- You just found yourself standing under the mistletoe...who comes up to give you a kiss first?
Joe, I hope!!

My Tag-ees:
-Andrea and -Ivy!

3.75 Month Ole boo

Ole has learned to roll all the way over. He rolls around the room now.

 In this pic he had started on his playmat. Notice the stuff moved out of his path. He loves being able to do this. He is constantly trying to flip over to his belly. This surprises me as only about a week ago he HATED being on his belly. But hey, a boys gotta try his new skills.
He is also way more talkative and smiley in the past week. It's hilarious and so much fun. He responds when you talk to him like he totally knows what you are saying and what he's trying to say.

 In all those pictures he smiled "for the camera." I also think he's starting to look more like me and less like Joe! When he was first born everyone would say "oh! He looks just like Joe!" But now I see myself in him and I love it. 

He also had his first non-well visit doctors visit on Sunday. My little sweetness was SO fussy. I hate to brag but this kid is never fussy. So I knew something was wrong. He kept tugging at his ear and pulling away from the breast while eating. I thought he might have an ear infection. He didn't, just a head cold. I was so worried I made myself sick. I'm so glad to know nothing was wrong. I hate not feeling in control of situations and having my baby be sick was the worst feeling. I checked in with my parents today and he seems to be back to his normal happy self. Thank goodness.

 I loved waking up and seeing snow. Both these pictures are out our bedroom doors. I love it. So peaceful.

 We took Cuba out to play in the snow. She LOVES it.

We took Ole out to check out the snow. He was a fan for about 5 mins. Then he got fussy so we took him back in the warm house.

 Gramma got this outfit for Ole's first Christmas. This is also right before we headed into town to see the doc. He looks like such a big boy here.

Joe let me open a present early. He said he likes this picture of me because he thinks I look like a little kid opening their presents Christmas morning.

 Trying to get Ole used to his crib. He flipped himself this way and hung out for about 10 mins. Hoping to make the transfer from our bed to his crib soon.

 Daddy and Ole taking a snooze.

 Morning snuggles with Daddy before getting ready for work/Gramma's house. Ole looks like my Dad's side of the family here. He also is growing up so fast. I can't believe it.

Every week he is just doing more and more. I love watching him grow. I know some people get sad as their babies grow or miss the newborn time.. but I love watching the process of him becoming his own little being. I know he's only 3.75 months.. and maybe some day I won't feel this way but for now I can't wait to be there every step of the way.

Things that are coming through about Ole's personality:
-He's loving. He loves to snuggle and to be kissed and hugged and loved on. He's trying to kiss back a bit and it is just too sweet.
He also has started looking us straight in the eye and rubbing our faces. It makes me want to cry. He just looks at Joe and I with so much love in his eyes and just rubs our faces. It's beautiful!

-He's a perfectionist. If he can't roll over correctly on the first try he gets so frustrated and yells. Not cries..yells.

-He's a yeller. Hopefully this stays funny and cute.

-He's a dog person. Every time that kid sees his dog he lights up. The cat? Not at all.