Back on Track!

Oliver is once again healthy and on the move!

It's so good to see that smiling little face and hear the squeals of excitement as he makes his way through each new day...and he's been a very busy little man.

Damien and Jax have prepared a lovely garden area in their backyard, and Oliver has been put to work.

No one can tap a seedling into place quite like Oliver can, smoothing the soil with his shovel, providing the first quenching drink from the water in his bucket.

He's a natural gardener, not afraid to eat a little dirt along the way.

Take the toys out, move them around, pack them away, take them out again...

the work is never-ending...

At the end of it all, there's nothing better than to pop into the jim-jams and enjoy

a cool cleansing beverage.

Every day brings something new and exciting...

...and Oliver just can't wait until tomorrow!

Clouds block the sun

I'm certain that there is nothing in the world that can make me feel more helpless than holding a sick child. Oliver is unwell...red, spotty, and feverish with a viral infection (measles).

Despite confirmed medical significance, this time my Nana kisses didn't work.

Through his red, weeping, swollen eyes, he smiled at me. His warm and limp little body felt so much smaller than usual. I pushed my finger into his small fist and he gripped it lightly. For the first time in his short life, my Oliver is quiet.
Not the usual little man who only sits still long enough to devour a cookie or two, entertaining me with funny faces and random songs between bites...not the same little guy who turns the pages faster than I can read them, or baits me for a chase by grabbing something prohibited and running down the hallway, or drops the remote into the dogs water dish, or pockets my fridge magnets when I'm not looking...

Nana is quarantined!

Last weekend Oliver planted this yellow flower in an existing pot on the front porch. He carefully placed all the little stones around the top after the dirt was in place. So why do I feel so sad when I water this little flower?

I'm sick this weekend and I can't be with Oliver.

I miss him.

Heysen misses him.

Grandpa misses him.

So, we wait...

And we wait...







and wait...







and wait...








and wait...






and wait...





until Nana is well again...








until then, there is nothing to celebrate...

With the hot summer out of the way, it's time to get outside and get things growing. While still too young to help weed the veggie garden, Oliver is developing his flower smelling skills.

He loves walking around the yard and exploring. I follow pretty close so I can catch him if he trips, but Oliver is proving to be quite steady on his feet

(even with Heysen and Slim Dog weaving around him...).

He especially likes Big Blue Frog who lives under the jasmine.

(Heysen is the chameleon...practically invisible...)

There are currently nine new teeth busting through right now, but Oliver doesn't complain much. I keep a supply of rusks in the cupboard for quick relief, but he much prefers a walk outside to take his attention elsewhere.

Nap time usually requires a few attempts to actually get Oliver horizontal. He likes to fall asleep to music (favourite is Michael Franti) so he won't consider lying down until something is playing.
I made the BIG mistake of playing Mamady Ijalit Keita's "African Drums" this past weekend...it was like a wild sugar hit! Damien has bongo drums that he plays for/with Oliver, and it obviously touched a nerve...this baby boy can DANCE!!!


In the end, its always that winning smile and naughty little monkey grin that gets Nana handing over the cookies.

Smooth, little man...real smooth...

Vacation time with the sweetest boy in town...

My workplace has been shut down for the week following Easter, presenting some prime time for Oliver during my favourite season. The blistering heat of summer has been replaced with beautiful warm sunny days and cool evenings.

What better time than this to take Ollie on his first bike ride?

I remember taking Damien for rides like this in Canada. He would clutch two GI Joe's in his hands as we rode along, then tuck them into the back of my pants when he got tired of holding them.


Jax was a little nervous as she watched us ride away...

Oliver and I stopped at a
play-ground a few blocks away and had some good fun.
The grass was green and soft so we did some running and chasing and falling down.

A few planes went overhead, so we stopped to watch them fly over.

We had a few fast rides down the big yellow slide ("slippery dip" in this part of the world!), and a swing together on the big person swing.


Spying the bike in the distance, Oliver suddenly decided we needed to get moving again. I was serenaded with a beautiful happy song all the way home.


We kept this ride short (since it was our first) but next time we may ride all the way to Auntie Louise's house for a visit...

or...

maybe along the river to feed the ducks...

or...

maybe back to Nana's house for a play with Heysen and Grandpa...

who knows?


It's all Heaven to me...

End of February 2009: A Nice Day Together

Weekends for a working Nana are filled with anticipation.


Chances are pretty good that Oliver can come out to play...


On this particular Saturday, we had a few hours together while Damien and Jax had some time out. We headed to the small park next to the river and had fun on the playground. We took the long way home so we could see the ducks under the bridge.

Back home we kicked back and had a few refreshing rice biscuits and a drink of juice.

Heysen grabs pole position whenever Oliver is eating. I never have to sweep the floor.

Oliver and Heysen get on very well. Jax and Damien have pets as well - Slim Dog and Fat Kitty - so Oliver is very relaxed around animals. Nana also has a green tree frog (Houdini) and two colourful budgies (Bish and Margaret) so there is plenty to look at and talk about.

Now zipping along on his own two feet, this little man is checking out

everything..

Grandpa's office, potted plants, the dogs water dish, electrical cords, CD towers, TV remotes, stereo buttons, book shelves, carpet lint, drawers, cupboard doors, toilets, steps, leaves, lamps, curtains, even hallway echos...

Not only cute, he's a genius

Oliver is ONE!

I arrived early for the birthday party so I was around to see Damien and Jax wake Oliver for the big event. He's always a happy boy when waking from a nap, and this day looked especially cool in his board shorts.

As the crowds gathered, it was a bit confusing.

Best present of the day is a pool for the backyard. No hesitation from Oliver...wet and wild is the theme of the day.

Jax made a great banana cake with cream cheese icing...yummmmm!

This one year has been amazing.