Dearest Oliver,

You know, the terrible twos weren't all that bad. Tomorrow is your third birthday; on to bigger and better things! You're as sweet and precocious a son as anyone could ever hope for. We just bought a home with dad's friend Patrick. I'm not too thrilled about it, but you get your own room for a change at least! I am excited to watch you grow into it over the next couple of years. You continue to amaze me at your depth of knowledge and your tender heart, at your capacity for memory. As an adult, I remember very little of my youth. Perhaps on purpose, but I can't help to wonder how much fades with age.You'll bring up things that happened a year or more ago with perfect clarity, which is impressive given that's a third of your life. Your grasp on language is amazing, and I am often blown away when I talk to kids that are three or four and realize just how advanced you are.

Your favorite things of late are chocolate animal crackers and strawberry milk. Still not potty trained, though we're definitely trying again once we get settled back into a normal routine.

You're still in love with your grandparents and going over to their house. In fact, I asked you what you wanted for your birthday and you said to spend the night at grandmas. You help water the plants with grandpa, and clear out weeds and rocks from the lawn.

You love to watch Dinosaur Train, Dora the Explorer, Bubble Guppies, and the Magic School Bus. When I ask you your best friend is, you always say me, but I know it's G. You guys continue to grow as friends and like brother & sister.

I crack up each time you say one of your phrases of late. "you know" and "well...." Like, "mom, tractors move dirt you know." or "well, I'm going to have ice cream for dinner" So factual, no matter how off base.

While we work on getting your room painted, you've spent the last couple nights sleeping in bed with dad and I. I love those small sweet moments and cuddles. I know there will come a point sweet boy, where you no longer give freely of your affections. For now, I'll take them all in and cherish every one. Happy birthday Ol.

Love,
Mom

Dearest Oliver,

Your smiles and laughter are the bright spot in an otherwise dark December. The Christmas lights are all aglow and I can't help but feel that holiday spirit washing over me with your excited proclamations. "Christmas lights!" You're enjoying the holidays as only a child can, wide eyed, excited, not quite sure what each day holds. We've watched the same Mickey Mouse specials over and over per your request, though I must admit I'm a bit disheartened you don't take more interest in the old classics like Rudolph and Frosty the Snowman. Oh well, it is Christmas and it is cheer. This year we are doing a Mickey Mouse advent calendar, "Mickey chocolate" as you say. I'm not sure you quite understand the count-down, but we are getting close here on the 23rd of December. This year was pretty rough on us, but I am so excited to see your face Christmas morning as you look upon your new toys and playthings. Your grandma has been spending the day with you, decorating gingerbread things and cookies. You've grown to love her, your grandpa, and Lukas and Dakota so much. You ask to go their house nearly every day, and it is always a chore to get you to leave. I cannot blame you I suppose, as I often sought the company and freedom their house allows as well.

Each day holds new wonders, new things to learn for you, and you soak it all up with delight. You blew my mind the other night that you knew what a trumpet was; I have no idea where you learn all that you do. I eagerly await the days we can speak candidly and completely with one other, make traditions that you want to do, and get your perspective on all this yuletide glee. Currently, we eat ice-cream after decorating the tree, and watch Nightmare Before Christmas on the 23rd (so tonight, as I write this). I wonder if these traditions will stick, and look forward to the new ones we create. We haven't decided yet whether or not to give in to popular custom with the Santa Claus lie, and I'm sure whichever way we go on that topic will greatly impact your Christmases to come. It is a torn subject, though the only 'upside' is that everyone else does it so it'd kind of be weird not to... That and some adorable photo opportunities. Though I suppose you can still have those. I mean, people still take photos with things that aren't necessarily real, right?

I want only the best in life for you, my son, and I hope that your memories of youthful holidays are as warm and as bright as can be.

Always,

Mom

Dearest Oliver,

Yesterday was your second birthday. I can't believe how much you've grown and changed over the last six months, let alone the last year. Each day brings new things to you, and I love watching you grow and develop into the person you're going to be. You said your first complete sentence last night, after you asked your dad to climb in bed and he obliged. "Big daddy in my bed." It was pretty much the most adorable thing ever.

You were blessed to have a lovely party last weekend in the park by our home with family and friends. You know, you're not as spoiled as a lot of other kids, but you get more than enough. I'm not sure how those parents deal with all the excess anyway. I took some of the money your Aunt Melissa gave you and got you a bunch of clothes for you to grow into over the next while, you got a bouncy house and so many cars/trucks, and some underwear!

I'm excited, and terrified to attempt potty training next weekend. I really hope that we're able to make it work! You're so smart, and inquisitive I don't foresee too many issues, but apparently it's a real pain with boys. I guess we shall see. Four days of nothing but you and me and the toilet, and I imagine lots of laundry.

I really want to tell you how much I love you, how you astonish me each and every day with your new word or phrase you pick up. Your antics are hilarious and endearing and I cannot imagine my life without you in it. You're everything I could have ever hoped for in a son, and more. I hope you know that.

Love Always,
Mom

Dearest Oliver,

What a rambunctious toddler you've grown into! As worried as I was about you walking,you definitely proved that was unfounded as you currently run around full of energy. You love being outside, and anything that is related to that - splashing in puddles, throwing rocks, and playing with trucks and balls.

I just about melted the first time you crawled up on my lap and gave me a hug and a kiss - without me even asking! It's amazing to think about how far you've come and imagine how far you're going to go. My, how I love you. There's something so innocent and amazed in your gaze as you learn all about the world. You love your dad and sitting in cars with him, or walking to check the mail while holding his hand. He's sure grown to liking you quite a bit as well. I love walking a beat behind the two of you when you're walking, or catching you two cuddling on the bed watching a movie. There are so many things I know he can't wait to show to you, and share with you as you grow.

While your favorite thing is going outside (you grab everyone's shoes for them and yell at people to take you to the park), you're also very much into Frozen. Which, I'm sure is something you'll remember as it's a pretty big movie that doesn't seem to be going anywhere. You also like watching Little Bear, and anything you can convince your dad or I to put on so you can avoid going to bed.

Speaking of which, last week we plopped a mattress in place of your crib, and you didn't miss a beat. So proud of you for that! You've been so easy on all transitions, bottle to sippy, formula to milk, etc. Now, if only I could get you to eat vegetables...

You've also grown up quite socially as well. Genevieve is your best friend and pretty much like a sister, and you adopted all her friends and their siblings as well - which has led to a pretty busy birthday schedule the past couple of weeks. It's been awesome to see you doing the crafts there, painting, coloring, and jumping around. While I'm realistic in knowing that you probably won't, you and G seem like life-long friends and siblings at the moment. When you hug each other good-bye at the end of the day, she tells you how much she's going to miss you - even if you're coming back the next morning.

Darling Ollie, thank you for being such a sweet boy - even if you've got a bit of a temper or mean streak that pokes its head from time to time - you've been a joy thus far, I hope that we can keep that up through your "terrible twos". I wish you all the world, and am doing what I can to make sure you get it.

Love you!

Mom

Dearest Oliver,

You are almost 13 months old now. I get inspired to write to you at the most random of times, and so there's been a bit of a gap in posting (I wanted to do something for your birthday). You still aren't walking yet, which has me somewhat concerned as you should be at least trying to by now. Though you were slow to sit and once you trusted yourself you blossomed rather quickly, so I am hoping the same thing happens with walking. You have taken your first step though, at your baby sitter Meaghan's house...so it doesn't count, right? I feel so bad for having missed such a milestone in your life, however one off. You still lack the confidence to stand on your own, though you have all the skills. Once you feel sure in that, I'm sure walking will be quick to follow.

Currently your vocabulary is expanding, and you're up to saying: da, ma, good, yeah, yes, this, & that. Often times this is accompanied by you pointing or reaching towards something as well. So amazing to see all your gears at work.

You've figured out how phones work, and have a play one you hold up to your head and we pass it back and forth. If I say "hello" in a sing-songy voice you'll put whatever toy you have up to your head as well - which is pretty much the most adorable thing I've ever seen (you did this last night with a toy cat).

Right now my favorite book to read to you is "Llama Llama Red Pajama", and you have started getting into the story - pointing at the book, making talking noises and reacting to the story. I love it, and I'm sure we'll keep reading it over and over in the future.

Your first birthday was a pretty good success. We had all the family over, and made a big batch of peach dumplings (turns out though you don't like peaches!). Your aunt Niki made you a big minion smash cake (from the movie Despicable Me), and lots of minion cupcakes for everyone else. You got lots of clothes, a few toys, and some household things (like baby monitors, high chair, etc). Though your favorite thing was a balloon I picked up at the Dollar Store. Figures, of course. You were very skeptical of your cake at first, and I had to help you get into it, but once you did you had a mess in no time.

It seems like your dad is getting better adjusted to you now, and will pick you up and play with you. He told you 'no' and you started crying and it hurt his feelings. I think he's going to end up being a softy - even if only in private.

I guess that's about it for now, you're learning and growing and changing more and more every day. I can't wait to see what the next year holds.

Dearest Oliver,

At just over 10 months old you are keeping me so busy I haven't had the chance to write to you! You are constantly on the move, exploring your environment and everything in it. You're a giggly, babbly, bundle of energy and it's hard to get you to sit still for a second. I will probably tell you something different when you ask growing up what your first word was, because it was "yeah". Clearly identifiable and with recognition, "yeah". I suppose your dad and I said "Oh yeah?" to your incoherent (to us) babbling too many times. You also now occasionally say "dada" and every once in a great while I can get you to utter a "mama". Pretty much though, as far as recognizable speech from you goes, it's all "yeah"s or "good"s.

You cut a new tooth recently, which brings you to seven now! I don't know how such a simple thing means so much, but it's like each time one pops through I realize you're a little bit older, a little bit closer to becoming a toddler, and a little further away from being my baby. Though, I suppose you'll always be that.

With all those teeth you're working on eating solid foods, and have started taking an interest in feeding yourself. You love your little puff snacks, and seemed to thoroughly enjoy your first taste of eggs yesterday! You are a champion eater, and have only really turned away from one food thus far, ham lunch meat. I think because it is so salty on its own. Other than that you have no issue plowing through any fruit, veggie, or protein I've thrown at you. Which is a good thing! I hope you carry on that same easy adventurism through your adult culinary experiences.

Your personality is starting to really shine through, so it should be a fun ride these next seventeen years or so! You are strong willed, stubborn, and you laugh when I tell you "no". I hope that is one you grow out of sooner rather than later. Your grandmother says you're just like me when I was little, and apparently I was quite the hellion when I set my mind to it. I guess it's my just desserts then, part of the circle of life.

I lost my job a few weeks ago and I have enjoyed getting to be your mom all day, every day. I am going to work even harder to make sure that when I do go back to work, it is to work towards something. To being your mom full-time. I can't imagine a more rewarding or challenging job. You pull my hair, you hit me in the face, and I'm pretty sure I'm your favorite jungle gym. But you're also sweet, and cuddly sometimes, and that beautiful smile on your face when you see me each morning makes it all worth it. You might be a  handful, but you're my handful, and that makes it all okay.

I love you kiddo,

Mom

Dearest Oliver,

Today marks the sixth month anniversary of your birth. It is unbelievable how quickly time turns the page. You went from a tiny quiet bundle to arms and legs and feet and so. much. noise. Good noise though. Talking, babbling - laughter. So much laughter! It's something spectacular to wake up in the morning and say hello to you and have you giggle in response. You've accomplished so, so many things in just these past few weeks. Crawling...just a tiny, tiny bit... and standing on your own...well you went from sitting on my leg so it wasn't totally on your own, but still! You find bath time entertaining I think, instead of dreadful. You've eaten so much rice cereal - and have started venturing out into other foods as well, though you seem to be hesitant to new flavors, but I suppose I would be too if everything I'd eaten my whole life was paste and someone threw a banana at me!

I can't even believe you are mine some times. The fact that I brought you into the world is such an amazing thing. You become more and more solidified in your humanity every day.

It's curious to me, how you interact with the world. Sometimes you are shameless, grinning and talking to whoever will listen - like our server at an Indian restaurant the other night that had me jealous by how captivated you were with him. Other times you are my bashful baby and will grin and hide your face when approached by a stranger. Both bring delight and adoration from all those around you.

It must be hard, being so little, though I suppose you don't know anything else. Every food you try is a new one, you can't communicate effectively, your body in its very nature is against you. Constantly growing at rapid rates, teeth bursting through your gums, such a sensitive stomach. You seem to be handling the punches rather well. You had a bit of a stomach bug the past few days and while it would have made me a grouch you were still all smiles. I can't get enough of that smile! I hope that as you become a toddler, a gradeschooler, a teenager and beyond that you continue to smile and laugh with as much carelessness and abandon as you do now. Laughter truly is medicine for the soul and I believe, through your laughter, you might just be over dosing mine.

On this day, as on all days, I love you my monkey, my Ol.

Love,

Mom