This update will have lots of pictures, as I feel this is really what people want to see, and it allows me to tell our story much easier. This spring we have been very busy. We are so thankful for such wonderful friends and family that allow us to stay entertained.
Quick update on how big our little boy is getting...
Oliver decided a few weeks ago that he was too big for the crib, so he is now in his big boy bed. We simply moved in a twin mattress onto the floor, as we were not expecting to move him out of his crib so quickly, but once he started crawling out of it, he made the decision for us. He's doing pretty well in it. Each night gets better. We do stay in the room with him until he falls asleep. Yes, we understand the "long-term" implications, but we actually look forward to this time reading stories in bed, saying our prayers, and then watching our sweet boy fall to sleep.
Not only is he now sleeping in a big boy bed, but he is also potty training. I try to use this term loosely, simply because I do not like that he is accomplishing all of these tasks much earlier than I could have imagined. He started to tell us a few months back when he had gone to "poop" in his diaper. He continued to do it, so we started to put him on the potty. He then started potty-ing in the potty, so we bought him his own little potty. Yesterday he went all day without a wet diaper b/c he was using his potty all day. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!! Again, many parents were so thrilled when their baby started crawling and walking, and I'm sure doing this as well; for me it is bittersweet. I was just looking through his baby album this morning and it brought back all these sweet memories of holding him when he was brand new, thinking that time had completely stood still. Now, he is 20 months old and just turning more into a big boy with each passing second. This morning he walked up to me and just hugged me, I picked him up and just wanted to beg God to not let him get any bigger. However, I am always thankful that he is a very healthy boy and pray that God continues to protect him and keep him safe, as I do not want to imagine this life without him in it. He has blessed our lives more than anyone could have imagined. We may lose LOTS of sleep, go out less often, see friends less often, and who knows what else, but these past 20 months have been full of everlasting memories, and very tender moments. Don't get me wrong these past 4-5 months I've called my mom many times asking her how she ever survived, seriously contemplating boarding school (again, please understand my sarcastic humor); but when I look back on these days, all I can think of is how special they are. I know Oliver is going to continue to get big, but for now I can hold onto these moments and praise God for every second.
Now, here is a glimpse of the fun we get to have by having a little boy who loves to be VERY active :) Enjoy!
Cotton Candy!! (This is from our day in Lawrence with our friends Jake, Joanne, and Kevin)
Who doesn't love spun sugar??
Oliver and Jake trying to figure out how to get the bike un-chained from the pole.
These boys LOVE wagon rides!
This boy LOVES my shoes, I should add that Cole was having a heart attack while this was going one. I was impressed how well he was walking in them!!
:)
The beginning of the dinosaur exhibit at Union Station. This was one of the very few dinosaurs/skeletons Oliver would look at before becoming completely terrified.
For you FRIENDS lovers, "I AM A DOCTOR!!"
The train exhibit, that is FREE! and the boys LOVED this much more than the non-free dinosaur exhibit :)
Cole was very impressed with the train exhibit as well! IT's actually very impressive, I think I could have spent all day in there watching them.
He wanted to touch them so bad...
MMMMMMMMMMM Spaghetti and the Crayola Cafe!
Happy MOther's Day!! I LOVE this photo! When you ask Oliver to smile, this is what he does :)
This was the dessert I received for my Mother's Day dinner. After a day of pampering, I came home to grilled steaks, grilled veggies, and this. I have the best boys in the world!
"race 'em!" We have drag races nightly in our home.
He LOVED the corn on the cob
Big boy bed, he actually loves to play in it much more than sleep...
"bunnies" at Deanna Rose Farmstead
:)
Aunt "bista," "Migne," and "Chap" feeding the goats
Mommy and Oliver
"horsie-ride"
Oliver fell and hit the corner of our deck step, thankfully this was the worst of it. Again, I pray every chance I can that God will continue to protect him... I can only do so much ;)
Hahahaha! Oliver is wearing my shirt, we couldn't really get a good picture, but he looked just like a Star Wars character - Eric you can appreciate this.
Sweet, sweet boy
Cole's compost that is FINALLY finished!!
Early morning ride
Our gardens! (I started cantalope and green peppers from seeds in-doors, but am not sure if they're going to make it, I may have to run and get some plants to replace the seedlings here soon.)
First tomatoes!!!
Master Gardner (yes, he is wearing his PJs shirt with his shorts, you have to choose your battles... he wore his Mickey Mouse swimming suit all afternoon yesterday...)
Thanks for letting us share our lives with you. Hope these stores/pictures bring a smile to you today. I have to share the lyrics of the Van Morrison song that kept playing while I was writing this week's blog.
Love to all!
The Winblad's
These are the Days by Van Morrison:
These are the days of the endless summer, these are the days, the time is now
There is no past, there's only future, there's only here, there's only now
Oh your smiling face, your gracious presence...
...These are the days of the by the sparkling river
His timely grace and our treasured find
This is the love of the one great magician, turned the water into wine
These are the days of the endless dancing and the long walks on the summer night
These are the days of the true romancing, when I'm holding you, oh so tight
...
These are the days that we must savour, and we must enjoy as we can
These are the days that will last forever
You've got to hold them in your heart
