oliver-isms

2.1.11: One of your notes from school mentioned that you’d been hanging out with Lily. Since we weren’t sure which little girl was Lily, we asked you what she looks like. You didn’t know. In an effort to narrow it down to one physical feature you might have noticed, we asked what Lily’s hair looks like, and you said “She has sparkly hair, sparkly brown hair.”

2.5: Lying in our bed this morning, staving off the day like we sometimes do, out of the clear blue, you say, “5-oh-9-4-5-1-3. That’s momma’s number.”

Daddy asks me if I had taught you that, thinking how useful knowing Momma’s cell phone number would be. Daddy asks, “How do you know that, buddy?”

Your matter-of-fact reply: “Momma just says it on the phone.”

Really?! You have memorized my phone number by hearing me leave it on voice mail messages?! Wow.

I mean… wow.

2.16: Your frustration with a person often manifests itself with statements like: “Ugh. I’m gonna throw you in the trash!” or with gritted teeth, “I’m gonna make you disappear!”

If we tell you something you don’t like, you say, “Stop tricking me!”

If Daddy and I are having a heated discussion, you demand, “Stop tricking Daddy, Momma.” or “Daddy, stop tricking Momma.”

2.26: While building the train track at Mammy’s house, out of the blue you said, “My heart. my precious heart.”

I asked: “Whaddya mean ‘your precious heart?’”

“I mean, I just really love all you guys.”

Charmed… I’m sure.

school report–02.24.11

Oliver told us he flew on a plane to Greece with Daddy’s mom and dad. Played with Witt–built with Legos and “made dog food.” Put a ball under his shirt again today. Played with balls in big room. No outside play, but more storytime.

behavior: wow!– clever
oh-oh: had to be removed from lunch due to naughty behavior. Ate rest of his lunch by himself. He didn’t like it.*

*momma’s note: When Daddy and I asked you why you were acting out at lunch time, you said, “I was just trying to make the kids laugh.”

Your daddy then whispered memories of the hours he spent as a young child trying to make kids laugh. And so it begins…

school report–02.08.11

Oliver enjoyed going to the kitchen to check the progress of the focaccia, but didn’t want to touch the dough. All the kids loved smelling it and the rosemary. (Dried rosemary from our garden was a belated holiday gift for Ms. Boo and Ms. Jill, Oliver’s beloved and lovable teachers.)

Distressed about not having his blanket at rest time. And how much he loved his mom!!

In the Big Room he was pregnant right along with Amelia (a classmate who also has a new baby at home. )

nap: restless, full of questions
behavior: wow! articulate

babies in your belly

When Momma was around 5-6 months pregnant with your sister—after we’d spent weeks since I’d started showing of you kissing my belly and thus, kissing “sissy” goodnight—you started to have “babies in your belly.” You’d stuff your little fleece “friends” in your pajamas at some point in the night between when we put you to bed and when Daddy and I would come check on you. In the morning, you’d crawl into bed with us and gently remind me to say good-morning to your babies. You’d spend varying amounts of time each morning or post-nap with your babies in your belly, then at some point, you’d simply declare that it was time for your babies to come out. You’d unzip your pj’s and pull Gigi and Hippo out very gently.

You napped for most of our prenatal visit with our doula but woke up as we were finishing. Our doula, Lauren, wrote: “Although I’m glad Oliver napped for most of the time so we could focus, I am really glad I got to see a sleepy Oliver waking up in his pajamas with babies in his belly. I told Lottie all about it when we got home, and she–having recently given birth herself to her imaginary friend “Jake” whom I find myself babysitting tonight–was quite thrilled that Oliver had twins.” Hilarious.

Since your sister has been here, we wondered if the babies would be born one day and then come no more. They make fewer appearances now, but when they do come out, you want to place them in your sister’s things: the boppy, her bed, the Moses basket. I think the babies in your belly routine has been a great way for you to prepare for a new baby in the house and to empathize or connect with me during pregnancy. It’s sweetness.

dirty alien diaper

Since your sis has arrived, you have had a bit of an obsession with babies and diapers. It’s only logical, I suppose, that if you followed me when I had a baby in my belly that you’d follow me (and sis) now that she’s here.

MOMS Club mommas have been very helpful with our new baby care calendar—making meals for us every other day and taking you on play dates with kiddos your age. Ms. Kristina took you to her house to play with Simeon, and that was the first report I got that you were playing babies. Kristina sent me this photo and message:


“In case it’s not inherently obvious, they are changing the alien’s diaper. “

Oh, it hurt so much to belly-laugh that hard after a c-section, but I couldn’t help it. You. Are. Hilarious!

Next up, Ms. Jessi took you to play with Elliott. The report from chez Goodwin? You guys were getting along great and playing babies. Cookie Monster was in a pull-up and Curious George was in diapers.

Then… you went to play with your buddy Witt from school. Ms. Lauren commented that at some point, you’d wandered off exploring and came back with one of Witt’s 5-year-old sister’s dolls.

Recent reports from school reveal that you and another little girl (whose mom recently had a new baby as well) like to sit and talk about babies in your belly, baby names and dirty diapers. You often name your baby Darwin Elizabeth.

I think all of this purposeful play has been practice for your new baby sister. If so, it’s worked beautifully: you are a great big brother, buggaboo!