My New Baby Brother

Trip to Morris Arboretum

We went to Morris Arboretum recently, a beautiful place. It was a wildly exciting time.

We started out by playing a big bell. Then we went over a bridge and found a giant bird nest! With three robin eggs in it! I wanted to open them, but they would not open. 

After that we found a stump garden. So fun to climb!

There were lots of paths to balance on. I practiced as much as I could. I did get better at it, too!

We came to a grate. I was intrigued, but I was scared (as I told mama). She walked on it, and I saw it was safe. Still, I was scared and didn't walk on it.

There was a little patch of giant redwoods near some striking orange berries. Look how small I look!

Under the redwoods we found some deer poop. I was very interested in this. That same tree had a little hole at the base. My mama said maybe an animal lives in there. I told her that the animal went to go see its mama and daddy.

Then we ran into a HUGE frog! I was scared of this frog at first. My mama gave it some lovings, though, and then I decided to touch it. Then I felt more comfortable going around to the back and touching the frog there. After that I realized the frog was hungry, so I offered him some food.

I was feeling a bit more confident after all that adventuring and exploring. I saw another grate and decided I would be brave and try walking on it. I did it! No problem!

When we walked on, peeking in a log cabin from 1908, we saw some ducks! I watched and watched. We had to "be quiet" so we didn't scare the ducks.

My mama suggested we find a sunny spot and have some snacks. We sat down together and shared some apples and sesame sticks. We talked about feelings, and we went over the things we had seen.

Our last stop was the trains. There were tracks all around and decorated houses. There were moving gondolas and a tall bridge and tunnels. I was tired and mama said we were going soon, but I could have stood there and watched for a lot longer.

I really liked this place. I can't wait to go back and explore all the things I saw and all the things I didn't!

Bedtime Routine

My mama started a bedtime routine for me. We take a bath, then I brush my teeth. Then my mama puts lotion all over and puts on my pajamas. After that she walks me around while we talk about the busy day, what we did and saw and such. That lasts until I tell mama I'm sleepy (which means I'm ready to lay down in bed) or my mama gets tired. Today, though, my mama thought to add a new part. After I got my jammies on, my daddy read to me. I sat for at least twenty minutes of Winnie the Pooh. I looked forward to daddy telling me the story, and I really enjoyed it. I look forward to hearing what happens next!

Visit from Mamamma and Papa

My Mamamma and Papa came to visit over Thanksgiving to see me before the baby ("my" baby) comes. We had such busy days! Here are some of the things we did:

We read a lot of books.....

We went to Briar Bush Nature Center to play in the woods.....

My mamamma and papa got me a table to put in my playroom, and I helped put it together before testing it out by making pies. (Thanks Ciara for the homemade baking set!)

We went to a playground, and there were so many friends there!

I gave daddy massages and asked mama to give me one. Other than that, we generally just played around.

Lots of fun. I will miss my mamamma and papa. I think they will miss me, too.

Potluck Fun

There was a potluck at my house today, and friends came over! Malcolm came, my friend Isabelle (who went with me to Briar Bush Nature Center before), Phoenix who I haven't seen in too long and a new friend named Mason who will be 1 soon but was walking and rocking with the rest of us.

Before everyone got there, Malcolm and I played around. We tried pushing each other in the baby stroller:

We ate lots of good food -- Malcolm and I helped make it and eat it!

I didn't nap. That meant I was all kinds of worked up. We all danced around at one point. There was a good deal of dancing going on.







I had such a wonderful time hanging out with friends. By 8, though, we were all worn out and ready for bed. It was a great end to a great day!

My Second Birthday

Today, I am two years old! My daddy made me birthday smoothie and oatmeal. I also got to go play in the woods. I said hello to the squirrels and the water and the leaves. I said goodbye, too. I met a new friend there. I had been there before and brought my rainboots for water, but he didn't have his so he got wet. It was a beautiful day and a wonderful time.

New Carseat

I can now face forwards. Yup. I'm a big girl. My mamamma and papa got me those balloons and a new carseat. (The new baby will be taking my old one.) Here's some photos of me in my new carseat. I know the latch needs to be up higher, but still...check me out!

Balloons!!!

Tomorrow is my birthday. I will be 2 years old. This morning there was a knock on the door, my daddy answered, and in came balloons! Balloons for me! "Bayoons!" I shrieked. I ran all about with my balloons. Here is a taste that daddy captured:

Out in the Snow

It snowed the other day. In October! I was so excited to have rainboots and a raincoat to go out and play. I didn't expect it to be so cold though, snow. I helped my mama clear off the car, and my fingers got so cold! We got to the farmers' market just as the last folks were leaving. I wasn't thrilled to be out in the cold damp, but I still liked my boots.

I Like to Cook

I like to help around the house. Cooking is one of my favorites. Sometimes I don't want to stay for too long, but sometimes I like to help with each step. Recently, I helped prep some delicata squash for roasting.

Then I got some broccoli ready for a casserole.

After that, my mama decided cutting butter was a great opportunity for me to practice cutting. This is something I've been wanting to do for a while now. It was fun to cut the butter, but it's hard not to want to taste it....

Helping Daddy Sweep

My daddy was sweeping the kitchen. I realized he didn't have the dustpan. I told daddy I would go get it. I went and got it and held it down for him. I helped daddy sweep! He was so grateful and happy.

Daddy Makes Me a Belt

Fall Outside Fun

There was some daylight left in a beautiful fall day so mama and I went outside on an adventure. First we took my sensory bin and filled it with leaves.

Then I wanted to traipse around the property a bit. Along the way we saw some mushrooms. My mama doesn't let me touch them so I grabbed a leaf. "I touch it with a leaf!" I told mama. Then I discovered the chalk eggs and drew a bit before asking mama to join in. I drew a butterfly (see close up of purple/pink "butterfly"), and when we were all finished I stood up and loudly and proudly said "Peelu! I drew a butterfly!" I took a break before deciding to walk on. Of course, then I didn't want to leave the chalk behind. I took the chalk eggs and sat down to draw on the driveway but lost the coloring interest by the time my mama ran me inside to clean off dog poo.

When I came back outside I thought about playing with the chalk but spotted the wagon. The chalk clearly wanted to go "wee" in the wagon, so we went on a little walk. We went out the driveway and down the sidewalk! My mama was surprised when I knew to turn into the street because of the bushes. I even heaved the wagon up the hill. A lot of work!

We made our way down to the fish because I had to see them. I fed them some food, wanted to kiss them (and mama said the fish would be scared and didn't like it) and then I spotted a fun obstacle to climb around in for a minute. The wagon was waiting, so we went to take it home. We went to leave and I changed my mind, deciding I needed to sit in it and have mama pull me so I could go "wee."

Put My Rainboots on Myself!

My mama said something about switching the shoes around, but I was happy to tromp around as is.

Apple Picking!

Olivia's Birthday Fun in the Park