Oliver is 18 months!

Dear Oliver,

I just couldn't wait until you were 2 because so much has happened in the last 6 months.  You are growing, learning, and developing quite the personality.  We are having SO MUCH FUN.  Yes, you are exhausting, but worth it!

Since you turned the big ONE, you've been on your first flight, survived your first change of address, learned words, started walking, which has turned into a slight jog.  It seems you need to get there and get there fast.  You know what the remote is and what it does and even point it at the TV or just give it to us.  Oops.  We don't always let you watch TV and that can lead to some meltdowns, but you get over it.

You've had several bouts with vomiting and it is the saddest thing.  One time, you were really sick; it lasted almost 5 days and included diarrhea.  You love cold water and cold milk.  You're a good eater, only having a handful of "toddler" moments.  You haven't had juice yet (you eat A LOT of fruit).   You try to feed your toys and stuffed animals, giving them drinks and bites of goldfish.  Adorable. 

We haven't cut your hair again because it's getting curls in the back and I just can't bring myself to take you!  We'll say…maybe it'll get so hot this summer, I'll have no choice.  Until then, #savethehair.

You love animals, kids, babies, and other people.  And it seems you share well!  When we say "give me a kiss," you lean your forehead to us.  Haha!  You're pretty much addicted to your paci(s).  We foresee issues when we take it away, but maybe you'll surprise us.  I'm not really worried about it.   Also, you don't like getting your teeth brushed.   

You love books and know when they're upside down.  You know signs for more, please, all done, baby, ball, hot, and Jesus.  It's fascinating!   Your vocabulary is growing.  Not many words sound how they are meant to sound, but it's the cutest.  Ball, guitar, mama/mommy, daddy, ear (eeh), eye, ice,  Thomas (tatee), amen, dip, beep beep, baby, choochoo, 1-2-3 (te, te, te), uh-oh made a mess (uh-oh ma meh), moo, and just recently turtle!  

While you can't say all the words, you know much more:  cat, dog, cow, paci, and many more.  You can even follow simple commands!  "Go put your paci up," "Throw that in the trash," "Get your blanket," "Time to eat."  Sometimes, instructions make you upset.  Tears and fusses.  But, we make you do it.  Giving us the paci and cleaning up toys at night seem to result in the most tears.  Don't worry, sweet one.  We're laying important groundwork for ya!    

A few days ago, you had your first time-out.  It was fine.  Probably harder on me, but you did well.  Sat there for about a minute, cried, then all was ok.  When we do have to discipline you, all it takes is a louder tone and you get sad and give us a hug.  You have a loving sensitive heart and we are so thankful.  

You do well in nurseries and light up when you see new toys and new faces.  And when we come to get you, you run around like a crazy person showing us all the things.  You're still into playing with balls, but are now loving cars, trains, and all things transportation.  Lining them up is your favorite and if they get out of line?  Watch out.  It upsets you.  You adore music and you've got some rhythm.  You love to climb and seem to have no fear…except with swings.  Not a fan of those.  

You're a pretty good sleeper and napper, although you usually get up early!  You love to wave at the planes that fly over our house and you say "bye-bye!" You know your body parts and ours, too.  You are such a smart boy, soaking up everything.  Recently we left you overnight for the first time (for 3 nights) and we wondered what we ever did without you. 

You complete us, make us better people, make us laugh and cry and worry.  You are a special little boy, Oliver.  We love you more than you could possibly know.  

Now for the pictures =)

Feliz Cumpleaños to us!

Trent and I kind of share birthdays.  He's May 7th, I'm May 6th.  It's fun to celebrate together and have birthdays right on the heels of Cinco de Mayo =)

We had planned to go on a trip for this year's celebration because it was Trent's 40th and my 35th and Oliver was weaned.  It was our first time to leave him and it was sad and awesome and relaxing all in one.  Big thanks to my sister, Julie, for keeping him!

We headed to Austin (just an hour from where our boy was) and the first stop was Rudy's.  Yum!

Trent's parents, brother, and sister-in-law were kind enough to fly out to join us!  We chose The Oasis on Lake Travis for our first lunch.  It was before all the flooding and the lake was super low.  

It had changed big time since the last time I was there, which was at State Golf my senior year…1998, ahem.

And this map cracked me up.

Later that night, we got dinner at a fancy Italian place and I forget the name.  Then we found some live music and got SOAKING wet.  Probably why there are no pictures.

My birthday started with room service and glorious hot coffee that I got to drink while still hot.  Luxury, man.

Then some pool time.  It didn't last long because of clouds and wind.

For lunch, we went to The Broken Spoke which was so neat!  We had never been before but Trent's parents were there to ring in the year 2000.  When they were there, it was out in the country and now it looks kind of out of place in the hustling and bustling city.

And our poor waitress was a good sport.  This is a very beer and meat and potatoes kind of place. 

I said, "I think I know the answer, but do y'all have mimosas?"  She laughed and said, "no.  But I can put some Sprite in some white wine for ya."  Haha!!!

Then our sister-in-law, Amy, asked, "Do y'all have any oil and vinegar?"  The waitress laughed and said, "we're a very cream-based establishment."  

His head literally could touch the ceiling.  

While the dance floor is obviously historic and whatnot, I think I'll pass because no windows and low ceilings make me want to scream and pull on my shirt collar.

We drove around and then went to Frank to try a fancy hotdog.

This crew had the good lighting.

And basically, I want this as a print or on a shirt.

I chose one of my faves for dinner.  Moonshine.  Yum!

Free birthday swag ;-)

Then we went to 6th street and found some blues (our favorite) and from a Hawaiian guy!  Seriously…he was amaze.

Trent's birthday started with a less than great breakfast burrito.  "Happy 40th, dear.  Here's a lukewarm, soggy burrito from downstairs."  It was fine, though, because we were about to chow down at The Salt Lick...

Then more downtown!

Trent chose sushi and Ginny brought table decorations!!!  Adorable.

And this makes me laugh so hard.

We slept in, ate in peace, didn't have to toddler-proof a hotel room, but 3 days gone was enough.  We missed our sweet boy so much!  

Once we got to him, and he saw our face, he smiled real big.  Then began to cry and freak out and hug us.  It was like he had just figured out we were gone.  So sad and cute.

Wonder what we'll do for 41 and 36?  Here's to a great year!