Under the Northern Sky

Soul Bearing

2009-12-21T13:20:00.000-08:00

It is odd to be thankful for hospital stays. 4 evenings and the better part of 5 days Eric lay in a hospital bed at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Epilepsy Clinic. The Epileptologists monitored him continuously with EEG, EKG and video monitoring. The doctors got to see Eric have 2 seizures and along with beginning to understand where his seizures originate, they also worked on figuring out the best line of treatment for very persistant migraines.

Eric wasn't allowed out of his bed, so there was a lot of reading in the beginning and then a lot of sitting after the seizures. There weren't long, emotional, soul bearing conversations as one might think would come with long days together; but just sitting together through nervousness, through boredom, through missing Oliver, through heightened nervousness, through post-ictal grogginess and fog was soul bearing.

We are thankful to get the chance to feel prayer, to feel the calm of the Holy Spirit amidst the storm of emotions. And the opportunity to see God's coincidence; it is amazing that we happen to live so close to an Epilepsy Clinic when there are only 5 in the nation! And of course, we are happy for the normalcy of just sitting that can become soul bearing.

Merry Christmas Ya'll!

When the Old Man is Snoring

2009-12-02T13:06:00.000-08:00

Some of you may wonder, what in the world we do in the winter when it is too cold to go out; or maybe nobody is wondering that, but I'm going to show you some things we do anyway because Oliver is cute.

Let's see, there is puddle playing to do (snowsuits and boots aren't just for snow), pool time complete with kitchen accessories, painting, and eating the painting, finding a piano in the law school to play, and drinking from a ladle while soaking in the kitchen sink. (The bottom middle picture is just because of the aforementioned cuteness.)

Oh, and there is playdough and 'lots of talking!

Hello

2009-12-01T08:38:00.000-08:00

Hmmm.
Where to begin.
Suffice it to say that Friday, November 13 wasn't a good day and has helped lead to a lack of posts.
Now.
This past weekend, we ate a lot of stuffing and we ate a lot of sweet potato casserole.
Oliver started walking backwards and therefore bumping into things and then decided that bumping into things was fun so he did that a good bit.
Oliver finally broke the lamp. I say it like that, because I knew it was coming but don't like living in the dark, thankfully we have Christmas lights (1/2 of which burned out over the weekend) to help with the whole seeing thing.
Oliver also started twirling which aided in his quest to bump into things and gave us all a good laugh.
And finally, Oliver is still very much attached to his (used to be mine) red and white scrub brush, even taking it to bed with him.
I have been sewing up a storm these past couple of weeks, making....well gifts is all I'll say right now, I don't want to give anything away quite yet. I have 10 folks finished and 8 more to go! And probably more because I always forget people like, my own husband and son.
Eric is coming to the end of the semester, so he is busy reading and writing and studying and

trying not to have any more seizures. Only 1 week and 6 days to the end of his exams, yikes!

GranMaddie came to help us out post Friday the 13th and Oliver loved playing and showing off for her.

Getting ready for bed...if only it were really this easy. Well, then I'd miss the routines.

Here comes Oliver and his scurb brush!

Welcome to Bizarro World

2009-11-10T10:29:00.000-08:00

Our date night.
Well, first off, it wasn't at night and it didn't involve restaurants or movie theaters. Instead, Eric and I got to go, Oliver free for the 7th time since he's been born, to the Epilepsy Clinic! And then, hold your breath, to the DMV! Whoohoo!
The date was very much one of a kind, complete with men, women and children moping around with face masks because they had a "cough or flu-like symptoms." And that was the beginning. The first doctor we saw had a thick Indian accent and I'm pretty sure Eric and I might have agreed to move across the Atlantic. The second doctor, the director of the program, is proudly German, with, as you've guessed it, a thick German accent. (Beer and elephant rides were offered on more than one occasion, something about the alcohol and swaying motion....)

Now, off to the mobile DMV. Mobile, because we live in Vermont and there are not enough people to warrant multiple offices. To put it in perspective, the mobile DMV wouldn't be back to my area for another 2-3 weeks. Thankfully, my birth certificate, social security card, marriage license, utility bills, paystubs, and BJ's card finally won the battle and they issued me a new Vermont license. I had lost my old SC license a while ago and thought it made sense to just get a new Vermont license, I do live in Vermont rather than SC. Well, after 4 different calls to DMV's I've decided it is much easier to just drive illegally. I won't expound on the effort it took me to get this Vermont license, made almost impossible by stubborn and ill SC workers, but suffice it to say it was a pain in the *****! But I was awarded the pleasure of admiring wall-to-wall golden hued carpeting complete with a carpet-covered bar in the DMV mobile office.

Now that I think about it, it might have been the 8th time we've been Oliver free. It was nice to drive without turning around to entertain or sing Down By the Bay a billion times.
I think we owe it to each other to have a real date, but babysitters, man as if the movies weren't expensive enough. Jeez. Thank goodness for Netflix, which we don't have but whatever.

"I'm so excited..." Saved by the Bell version

2009-11-08T12:20:00.000-08:00

These are one long video trimmed, cut and split up, and they catalogue a bit of the craziness that is Oliver come evening. I'm not too sure what happens but after dinner and before bath he gets a second wind of sorts, except it's a suped-up version of Oliver. These videos really focus on the musical version of this part human, part tamborine monkey.

* if you aren't an adoring grandparent these videos will get boring, please don't feel compelled to watch*

If your happy and you know it...

2009-11-07T16:48:00.000-08:00

OUR OH SO HAPPY BOY...

read on to see how it ends, uh-oh public breakdowns.

I should have known the temptation would be too great, an experience like no other, the paint job too alluring, the thrill of the ride...the POW, POW, POWERWHEEL!

We were standing in line at Walmart. Eric had the cart under control buying the essentials to a good nights sleep (children's grape-flavored motrin, and extra strength tylenol for me). I thought I'd let Little Man down out of the cart to amble about this store of wonder and delight. It had been a nice outing so far, full of strangers complimenting me on my personable, cutie-pie of a little boy. "He's so happy" had even been said on more than one occasion. And so, I reward this "so happy" little boy. I let him down out of the cart, his eyes widen, his stiff new-to-walking gait quickens, and he is climbing in the cab of the pinkest, purplest mini-truck I've ever seen. Oliver sits himself behind the very purple wheel and proceeds to drive like he's a 12 year old video gamer, only breaking to open and close the driver's side door every so often. He is hooked and I look up to see that Eric is already finished checking out, crap. We still have the grocery store to visit, so I decide that a clean break is all there is to do. I pick Oliver up and briskly start for the door, before I can even get 2 good steps away from the temptress, the writhing and the wailing begin. Oliver puts on a great show flailing his arms, which I know he's grown more of spontaneoulsy, and twisting about in my arms like a contortionist; it's wonderful. I know I hear more than one cashier say, ..."oh and he was so happy." And I can't but help notice that the Walmart Greeter doesn't tell me to have a nice evening.

Awesome Outing.

Proof that this story could be true, the fussy king of TheWild Things
Just a random tidbit:
It was hard to let go of our Wild Thing tail, it seemed a bit Eeyorish removing it the next day from Oliver's costume.

McDonalds, Seagulls, Bears...Vermont!

2009-10-26T17:51:00.000-07:00

Hmmm. This blog is supposed to have a super cute video at the end but it doesn't because I'm working with some horrible A.I. that has decided to hold that super cute video hostage. I'll win this battle in the end but the end may be a few nights down the road.
In other important news, I almost hit a seagull in a McDonald's parking lot in Vermont. Eric's herbal endeavors are paying off and we now have a pot full of sprouting mint. And Oliver would much rather dance than eat peas. (I even put butter on them, come on little man.) But let us return to the seagull. 3, maybe 4, weeks ago a bear was killed. The bear was ruining a farmer's crops and so a hit was out on him, he had it coming to him, eating all that corn. Well, after taking the bear to get weighed (over 350 lbs.), the men decided to get some McDonalds. This is normal. A big ol' bear draped over the back of a pick-up in a McDonalds parking lot is logical, kind of . Seagulls?
In looking over this paragraph, I'm realizing that perhaps McDonalds is worse for me than I already knew. That plain burger, fries and too sweet tea that I ate before going to try on a pair of that modern cut of jeans called the Skinny cut, may not have been the scariest part of my venture into town. I'll be on the lookout for the elusive Bobcat- Mountain Lion- Panther next time I have a hankering for grease and self-torture. Good news though, the Skinny cut kind of makes me feel hip and cool and a little punk rocker, not really skinny but maybe that day will come, the jeans are fairly new to my not so skinny curves.

And now onto to Halloween News, just to get ya'll begging for more...I made Eric some very snug fitting pants out of faux snake skin. They are very scaley. A fabric store is a wondrous place. The same store where sweet baby blankets and endearing heirlooms are conceived, houses faux shame for the Carter family. Trick or Treat ya'll.
Ha. I've won the battle tonight!

2009-10-20T17:40:00.000-07:00

Aren't we scary?
We, well maybe mostly me, are so looking forward to this Halloween. I've been working on Oliver's costume and I think it might just work out. You know a project is intense when you need 3 different types of scissors, paint, fabric, raffia and much more.
Hope we didn't scare you too much, so New Moonish huh?

Life

2009-10-16T17:56:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the confusion, I was looking at this blog and thought I'd send myself a link to remind me to look at it again.

Anyway.

The other evening I stayed up late holding Oliver. He had roused up and I used it as an excuse to sit and rock and hold him. He fell asleep laying there in my arms and in the darkness I could just see his baby baby face. I only see that face now and then these days. Oliver will be 13 months old this Sunday and, as everyone always tells you, he is changing and growing up too fast. I really think I have enjoyed all the different days we have had these past 13 months +9 months! Of course, there were many many moments that I thought I'd lose my mind with exhaustion or frustration over exhaustion, but I love my sweet, silly boy.

And then I got to bookend my night by getting up with him early and rocking with him. Another glimpse at that baby baby face. Ahhh. Sweet gifts.

Oliver is walking and walking and walking everywhere these days. We have a great location for him to explore. We begin in our backyard, then cruise into the Marty's backyard and then mosey on through the next neighbors backyard all the way to the town green (only having to cross one street)! On our journey we pass a large Italian family of pigeons and a stump overflowing with flowers. Oliver loves the birds, I'm pretty sure birds are one of his favorite things. He doesn't shout or flap his arms, no, he just silently, silently points and he seems to be quieted for a little while after seeing this feathered family.

Maybe he gets his love of birds from me. I dream about flying, and the how-to involved for humans to fly. Really. I have dreams all the time involving flight. It is always a bit of an effort for me to take off, but it is well worth it in the end. And I'm always being chased, well most of the time.

What do ya'll dream about? Eric has been time traveling in his dreams recently, he always goes back to his first week of class at Vanderbilt. He assures me that he wants to find me, but he also plans on playing the stock market. He is so loving and and so honest. I'm not sure what Oliver dreams about, I guess Mommy and Daddy and James (his lovey) and a pacifier at his beck and call. Wait, that's reality. haha.

Here are some pictures from his wonderful Birthday Celebration weekend with his GranMaddie and Grandpa! Oliver loved all the extra attention, the extra hugs, the extra kisses, the extra sweets, the extra extra extra!

kevin & amanda { blog }

2009-10-15T17:40:00.000-07:00

kevin & amanda { blog }

Sweet Busyboy

2009-10-05T11:43:00.000-07:00

Here is a video of Oliver playing, quietly? Hmmm. (Disregard the old movie playing in the background, law school entertainment.)

Lead with the Belly

2009-09-24T17:35:00.000-07:00

This is a very long video that probably only Eric and I think is wonderful and entertaining. Oliver is on the move these days, he stumbles, walks, plops, falls, and jibbers through the day and into the evening. This is Oliver having a rather spastic session of the aforementioned activities. And for those who care, it seems Oliver's right foot is straightening out, we'll keep an eye on it but it seems walking and wearing shoes is helping. 29 steps is the high, I'm not sure when is goes from counting steps to being considered walking but I count still.

New Me...partly

2009-09-21T10:42:00.000-07:00

YAY, NEW HAIR!
(these pictures aren't that great but you get the idea)

2009-09-19T18:02:00.001-07:00

Hello Everyone, here's the overview...odd and fun!

We had a great 1st Birthday, celebrating with Oliver throughout the day!

Oliver got to sample some of his bithday cake (apple cider poundcake) for part of his breakfast, got to eat pizza at our pizza place here in town for lunch, and then, and then got to have birthday cake and oatmeal cookies for dinner! (Needless to say, today has been a fruit and veggie day.)

We had dessert outside under the appletree with 3 good friends from lawschool, Shung Ling (our back door neighbor), our next door neighbor (50 year old very talkative woman), Grandmother and Grandaddy and of course me, Eric and the little man Oliver.

It was a brisk Fall day (that is to say, cold) but Oliver didn't seem to mind. He crawled, stumbled and laughed the entire time. We opened a few presents outside, but most we opened once Oliver had a warm bath and warm pajamas on. Shung Ling took the pictures, but I have a few (sorry Elisabeth, don't kill me) pictures.
BIRTHDAY AFTERNOON NAP

2009-09-18T12:47:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET BOY!

(PICTURES OF THE BIRTHDAY BOY COMING SOON!)

One Year Ago...

Stuff we like to Do

2009-09-11T17:10:00.000-07:00

Pictures I like and a few words about us.

Back in Vermont, we are gardening, exploring the town Green, starting school (for Oliver and Eric), starting work (for me); basically, we are living large in our small home in our small town!

Oliver is now trying to walk, 5 steps in a row is the high so far. Watching him push himself up and then floppily bounce down on his bottom, all the while grinning with all 7 teeth a-showing, is quite the happy show!

In other news, Eric hasn't had any more seizures and Oliver is the highlight of our backdoor neighbors day, and I enjoy clerical duties in the Career Services Department. To explain Oliver's new best friend, she is a visiting scholar from China in her mid-40's and she is enthralled with Oliver's chunky legs and easy smile. Oliver loves all the attention she gives him and is already very comfortable with her. It has been fun to see the friends God has given Oliver and us this year. Life in a small home in a small town!

Silly Videos

Island Life

2009-08-07T07:50:00.000-07:00

Here's a bit of a life off the beach with Oliver.

Playing on the screened porch.

Grandmother taught Oliver to sing and dance and here I am enjoying a dance and song.

So Happy Together

2009-08-02T14:03:00.000-07:00

Today it is raining. Oliver is waking up from a long warm nap. He is sitting with Eric cuddling with James (his lamb lovey) and sucking on his pacifier. Awhile later we will take a walk in the spitting rain, stroll down the beach, and then watch Oliver play in the cool surf and scoot around the beach clad only in a shirt, naked hiney on proud display.Ahhh. Life with Eric, me and Oliver. We're so happy to be back together. 7 weeks and 4 days apart, done.

2009-07-24T17:28:00.000-07:00

Pictures and a video of Oliver enjoying life at the Lake with Grandpa and Gran Maddie! (Check out the thigh on our hunk of a little boy:)

Look at my toofers! 2nd top tooth is in.

Oliver's magical hair.

Climbing stairs has become one of Oliver's favorite things to do, especially if he has a crowd of folks cheering him on to the top!

Oliver cruising Lake Keowee.

Watch Out Lance!

2009-07-03T06:43:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!

Oliver and I are still soaking up the sun and my little brown bunny is really enjoying the life of the mobile! Oliver loves to socialize with the people on the beach, especially if they have a big sandcastle he can destroy or a little pool he can splash in.

Oliver is also gearing up for the Tour! He has taken a liking to riding around the island, energy supplied by mama, and we go for a ride everyday. And of course, we visit friends throughout the ride, people always wanting a quick squeeze of Oliver's chubby thighs!

From across the pond, Eric is working his fanny off at his intership. He is working for the financial ombudsman service. Below is an excerpt from one of our online chats where Eric explained who is was working for.

"It is a agency created by the government, sort of like a mediation system for financial relations, between insured/insurer, lender/borrower, etc. Ombudsman is a position, think about it as the Secretary of something. Hillary Clinton is the Secretary of State. If I worked for the State Department I would be working for Hillary Clinton. A certain guy is the Financial Ombudsman, I am working for the agency he heads: the financial ombudsman service. I am on the legal side of things working with the General Counsel. We have different kinds of Ombudsmen in the US, just not one for finance it is called something different."

Other than working, Eric has been exploring London and nearby towns. He has biked through parts of the Cotswolds, seen Romeo and Juliet at The Globe (in the standing only paupers area), took in a Cricket match, gone to the British National Museum a couple of times (it's only a block from his flat) and savored a pint at the pub Lewis and Tolkien and other Inklings frequented. All in all he is making the most of his time in England! It helps greatly that he has a close friend from highschool living in London and a friend of ours from Furman (Will Henderson) interning over there as well; Will and Eric have really been creative with getting the most out of there pounds!

Well, I need to go get geared up for the beach and Oliver!

Happy 4th of July Everyone!

Salty, Sandy, and Sweaty

2009-06-13T11:24:00.000-07:00

Oliver and Henry at the beach!

The tough life continues...Oliver and I are now spending our days splashing in the ocean (on the days Oliver likes the ocean, he's rather fickle about it), and splashing in the sand! Yes, you read that correctly, Oliver doesn't really dig, he sweeps and splashes the sand around him. He, obviously, gets covered in sand and eventually rubs sand in his eyes, which greatly offends him. Poor thing.

Oliver is a bit quirky about life at the beach. He is, as mentioned before, fickle about his love of the ocean, so today Granddaddy brought his blowup pool to the beach for him...a bit embarassing for all involved except King Oliver. And at other times Oliver decides he doesn't want to jump the dribble of waves that make their way to him, he wants to go out deep and jump the big waves. He just can't seem to make up his mind about the old Atlantic. All of these activities involve a great deal of mommy-energy though and wear me out thoroughly, so falling asleep sure doesn't take too long.

Oliver has also found some inside activities he enjoys, mainly playing with cardboard boxes, ripping apart magazines and chewing on plastic lids. Cheap entertainment, fine by me.

Here is a vidoe of Oliver's new found love, paper.

2009-05-29T11:05:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a month!

Eric is in London now, he arrived Thursday May 28th and Oliver and I miss him alot. I am greatly looking forward to living vicariously through Eric. I kept the travel books so that I could suggest museums, theatres, gardens and wonderful touristy things for him to do like ride on the famous red double-decker buses and perhaps take a dip in the English Channel.

But back to this month, Oliver has had a big time visiting with 'lots of folks he loves and we love. We spent a week in Seneca with GrandMaddie and Grandpa Ric and Oliver definately got to live the high life on the lake. He loved swinging in his dolphin swing, taking dips in the washtub swimming pool and tasting the sand at the edge of the lake. He also got to go on his first boat ride which he would have loved if maybe his cheeks weren't so big and perhaps his neck were a little longer...see life jackets are a bit bulky, especially if you yourself are a bit bulky! Standing up worked a bit better, however it is a bit tiring for the one stabilizing our big-boned boy!

Random Updates:

Oliver is now clapping alot, and clapping for anything that happens and for anyone that crosses his line of vision.

Oliver likes to grunt and flex every muscle in his body.

Oliver can now pull himself to sitting on his knees and once he stood up! (in the washtub/swimming pool).

Oliver still will not crawl. And he and I are getting a bit frustrated at his immobility. Oh well, maybe the ocean will tempt him a bit, or perhaps his cousin Henry will.

And Oliver still enjoys a good jumping session, as well as a good peekaboo fun with GrandMaddie.

Speaking of cousin Henry, that is our next destination. I believe Oliver and I will head to the beach on Monday and get to visit Granddaddy, my sisiter and of course cousin Henry! Here we come salty air and sand in your britches!

Oliver loves the water!

Goings Ons

2009-05-10T18:42:00.000-07:00

These days it is far easier for me to think in lists rather than sentences. I suppose this is because I have lists circling in my head and jotted down somewhere of just about everything going on in our lives, a list of what to pack to take this summer and a list of what to pack up so it doesn't mildew over the next 3 months, a list or running summary of what Oliver has or hasn't eaten, a list of what Eric needs to get done before he journeys across the Atlantic, a constant list of people I need to write and say hello to...so here is a list of bits of us.

-Eric finished up exams.

-Oliver has discovered the joy of blowing spit bubbles and sticking out his tongue (he especially loves this during mealtime)

-I finished a book, A Severe Mercy

-Oliver slept until 6 o'clock for the second time in his life (only waking up once at 1 o'clock to eat a bit)

-Eric and I watched a movie, Last King of Scotland.

-My goal is to finish the 3 other books I have in rotation, The Gambler, World Without End, and Son of a Witch

-Oliver does this weird inchworm crawl, but only in his crib and only Eric has witnessed it.

-Eric and I both have enjoyed the weekend together, but it feels odd actually having him around to love and play with Oliver.

-Eric's discovered his favorite plant, the Fiddlehead Fern

-Oliver has discovered his favorite plant...to eat, the Dandelion

-Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury is one of my all time favorite books. (I have read it maybe 4, maybe 5 times)

-Eric is reading, Gossamer by Lois Lowry and The Stand by Stephen King. I think reading these two at the same time is interesting

-Oliver is reading, Goodnight Moon by Margeret Wise Brown and I Love You Stinky Face by somebody.

-Oliver likes to sit outside and play with twigs from the apple tree, swing under the apple tree, and sometimes while I am talking to our chinese neighbor who doesn't speak English eat the apple tree blossoms.

-and that is some of our goings ons.

-oh and I ate a ridiculous amount of chocolate today, Happy Mother's Day!

Oliver looking a bit concerned, probably because of the copious amounts of chocolate consumes by his mama

2009-04-29T06:57:00.000-07:00

This post is kind of long, because I put 3 videos up since I missed posting last week. Not a whole lot to say about last week, Oliver had to go to the doctor for an ear infection and still has a runny nose from his cold, Eric finished up classes, and we began to feel the sun's warmth! That's it.

Eric's first exam is today! I put an exclamation because that means he is 66% of the way through Law School...almost! And because he is finishing up his second year, we are busy up here organizing, packing, doing alot of laundry and of course playing.

Oliver, like most children I think, loves to be outside, and as the weather continues to warm and the apple trees begin to blossom along with the tulips there is never a shortage of new things to look at and screech at. I too quite enjoy being outside, so our days have been filled with strolling around town, playing on the picnic blanket, swinging under the apple tree (this activity comes complete with an awesome jingle I made up), and of course helping daddy/Eric through his colonoscopy.

Ah yes, great fun was had this past Monday up in Burlington. (The colonoscopy showed symptoms consistent with Crohn's, we are thankful to have had a look inside and have a doctor that seems to really strive for Eric's best health!) And, of course Oliver had a blast flirting with the recovery room nurse. He cooed and laughed and even wimpered when she would leave, he is too much. Never mind that he had insisted I hold him in my arms and push and empty stroller around the hospital for the last half hour, little booger. But as the videos show, he is so hard to resist!

Oliver Moments

2009-04-12T13:55:00.000-07:00

Every day Oliver moments happen and no two are alike as the following videos show. (Although, there is a touch of mischief or playfulness always.) As I am typing this Eric and Oliver and I are tossing his new ball around, and Oliver's squeels hint of a hope that some accident or incident will occur.

Our Oliver is a sweet baby, personable, enjoying not only our company but interested in our conversations with Gregg and Gloria at the PO, or Nick and Sean from school. I love listening and visiting with just about anyone, and our sweet boy seems to like a good story as well. I think his goofiness will give him plenty of stories of his own though and I'm sure his cousins, being so close in age, will be there right beside him developing the plot!

In the second video, Oliver is demonstrating to, I think all 3 cousins, how to properly enjoy the wonderful Black and White book. Eating the ears off the Easter Bunny. Full after a good read.

The Road Before Us

2009-04-06T17:43:00.000-07:00

Oliver is midway through his 6 month and seems to enjoy his surroundings more and more, especially when the things surrounding him are fun to chew. And along with chewing everything in sight, Oliver is rolling over (especially while sleeping), "talking" and sitting and playing (by himself!). I'm liking the fact that Oliver isn't mobile yet, but can entertain himself for little bits of time. I can now take care of projects like packing up our winter clothes in Rubbermaid containers and Space Bags, and ya'll know how much I love organizing and purging junk so this latest project put a smile on my face to complete! Now, if only the weather would cooperate so I don't look silly for packing up the sweaters.

And looking ahead, we are nearing the end of Eric's second year in law school! In 5 short weeks we will be back in the South! The end of a semester always zooms by and this one is going to be no different. Eric of course has exams to study for and papers to write, I'll be busy trying to organize what will be making the trek down south, and Oliver will be busy giving his daddy and mommy slobbery kisses, gnawing on his toys and discovering the flowers of Spring!

Oliver's first ball Loving Oliver

Books are good for you, try one, Oliver did.

HOME AGAIN, HOME AGAIN

2009-03-30T17:41:00.000-07:00

WE'RE BACK HOME!

SPRING?...NOT QUITE YET.

2009-03-09T17:56:00.000-07:00

SPRING TRYING TO NUDGE WINTER OUT OF THE WAY

March Mud! March Snow.

Spring comes and goes in Vermont. We had 3 days up in the lower 50's and then today I woke up to about 5 inches of snow, I guess the weather isn't quite finished making us shovel the pretty white stuff. (We're tryin' to warm up.) Oliver and I will be warming up quite a bit soon, (maybe) because we will be heading to the Carolina's this weekend! I've felt a little like I did when we were preparing for Oliver, because there is alot of stuff for traveling with a baby. So, we'll see if we land along with our carseat and stroller and Bjorn and baby food and bottles... and a baby Oliver and a mommy (hopefully it will be me).

Our first warmer days brought us outdoors quite a bit, I think I went for 4 different walks in one day accumulating to probably 4 hours of strolling around a very small town. I'm pretty sure that I'm known as that crazy girl that walks and walks and walks with her poor little boy who lives in a stroller bubble. (Oliver's stroller has a weather cover so we can get out in some fashion most days.) Just to give ya'll an idea of how many times I passed by Jeff's Barber Shop, our Post Office (farthest point in town from our house) is 0.3 miles from our house. Around and around I went. Oh well, Oliver's got to get his vitamin D!

Riding without the "boy-in-the-bubble" weather cover! Oliver is sooo excited in this picture.

Just a random "what are you doing, Oliver" video.

2009-03-02T17:24:00.000-08:00

It was Eric's Birthday this past Wednesday (a whopping 27!) and boy has he had an interesting 27 years. His medical history is indeed unique, but it seems that nothing can keep him from touring the world... and occasionally visiting a doctor or two. He's played soccer in Ireland and England, studied in Germany and southern Africa and visited Holland, Belgium, Luxemberg, Switzerland, Nicaragua and visited 31 states...whoo...and he'll be back in Europe this summer! London, England get ready!

Now, the list above and below is by no means Eric's whole life, they're just things about Eric's life that can be organized into a list. And I guess the thing I am most amazed by, is that as the list below is concerned, I've never heard Eric ask, "why me?"

Broke arm at 5...competed on the national level in triathalons, national champion at age 8

Cat scratch Fever at about 8...not a friend to the feline family

First observed seizure at 12...now in Law School

Broke arm again at 13 or 14...and finally got a plate put in while on foreign study in South Africa

Broke nose at about 13...has a very keen scense of smell

ACL and Meniscus at 15

Meniscus again at 18...can crush through snow and ice walking to school

College and Beyond...broke arm again, 'lots of butt surgeries, seizures, and finally Crohn's Disease and now the docs. think he's got ulcers but nothing keeps Eric from being, well, Eric and I think this video showcases the best of him.

Indoor Fun

2009-02-23T14:31:00.000-08:00

The View from our Kitchen Window...Oliver's Spa

We've had a little snow recently, a little over a foot just yesterday, so Oliver has had to play inside a good bit. And by playing inside, I mean doing the same things he always does just doing them more often...playing under the jungle gym, sitting in his booster seat and chewing and then throwing rattles, swinging while I eat, and of course bouncing in his Pugabop...repeat a thousand times. So, Oliver loves to be naked and he loves to take a bath. Voila, 2 new things to do. Naked time consists of him squirming around sans clothes on a blanket and sometimes staying on the wet pad. He loves it. And daytime bath is him taking a bath in the sink. He loves this as well.

Here are videos and pictures of him enjoying his 2 new indoor activities.

Getting a little closer to true mobility...maybe

This simply showcases Oliver's incredibly long attention span.

2009-02-17T17:21:00.000-08:00

AND ON OUR RIGHT...

Here is a tour of our home, it's a pretty self-explanatory, but there is a lovely narrator to keep you informed just in case. (The tour is in 2 videos because it kept messing up as 1.)

Life is going along fine up here. We've a bit of a February thaw, the snow is all but disappeared from the sidewalks and is now dirty and depressing, it kind of looks like you feel when you've been sick and have laid around in the same old pajamas for 2 days. And on runs Oliver and I can barely make out the smell of the muddy earth reminding us it's under all the white stuff. I know from our vast experience of 1 other winter up here that there will be more snow for us to shovel and more ice to slip on, because didn't 'ol groundhog promise 6 more weeks of winter (x2 for VT). However, the sun is undeniably sunnier these days and more snow and ice means sparkling sun rays bouncing in all directions. (You can't help but be positive when just a quick jog down the road brings you to a red barn sitting in a field of snow and bordered by a river that is glistening with winter's cloth.) Vermont is cold and frustrating but is also beautiful if you remember to look up off the pavement.

And now pictures of Oliver...and our Valentine's gifts to one another

the scarf I knitted (1st thing I ever knitted), and a t-shirt covered in quotes by Dickens and Shakespeare.

Oliver in Valentine attire plus his gangster yellow knit tobaggen.

traditional Feltman Bros. and the new look of Feltman Bros.

And that is, finally, it.

Thanks...And My Own Personal Grammy's

2009-02-08T17:45:00.001-08:00

I think it appropriate to showcase the sounds coming from our house these days, seeing as I'm sitting here watching the Grammy's. (I love Justin Timberlake by the way.) And I'm able to sit and type and fiddle with videos and watch TV because Oliver is asleep, and he's been sleeping more and more...a quiet yea! enters my thoughts and escapes!
Being a mama or a papa has not been easy these past weeks with 4 hours of sleep being considered a luxury...and yes, I know that being a parent will never be something anyone describes as being easy, but seriously.
I want to thank the friends that have listened to the "get Oliver to sleep" plans or "he must be a vampire" logic for why Oliver wasn't sleeping. And thank you to those friends who have young children for not making me feel like I or my child were irrevocably messed up. (is irrevocably the word i want there?) Anyway, thanks for the support, the advice (only when I asked for it), and the love ya'll have for Oliver and me and Eric. Also, thank you dear friends for understanding that I'm not hibernating from ya'lls friendship when I don't call, I just have to have that hour to gather not my thoughts so much, but my breaths for the hours ahead. I love ya'll, and with sleep coming my way I look forward to refinding my friends and not just by stalking you on facebook.
I'll stop thanking my friends so I don't overdo it and make it all sound false. What is definately not false is the squeeling and the laughter of a 4 1/2 month old. Moments like the ones captured on these videos have made the past 20 weeks some of the best weeks we have lived.

Snowbound

2009-01-28T15:11:00.000-08:00

Well, we don't have alot to say...still.

Eric is off to a new semester of school, Oliver is trying his darndest to sit without crushing his innards (his version of sitting is to lean as far forward as possible just about resting his head on the floor), and I am learning the art of making mundane tasks entertaining to a 4 1/2 month old (which typically involves a ridiculous song about the task).

Vermont has been very cold recently, so we haven't been able to venture out a whole bunch. It may surprise ya'll, but the cut-off temperature for getting outside with a youngin' is around 20degrees and we haven't hit that much in the past 3 weeks or so. (20 degrees if you have an insulated, fur-lined, waterproof stroller cover...love my Bob stroller and accesories!) So, since we can't get out on a consistent basis we had to come up with something to do indoors that would give Oliver something to do besides "help" me clean, or lay on his back looking at a singing lion. We found the Pugabop, a jumperroo for heavyweights, and Oliver seems to have taken a liking to it.

Here are some videos demonstrating the cold white stuff and the Pugabop.

Greeting for the Bed-Bound

2009-01-15T07:43:00.000-08:00

Hellooo!!!

2009-01-12T17:15:00.000-08:00

So, I'm pretty tired because Oliver has not been sleeping well and thus this blog entry is basically just pictures of our life in the New Year. Enjoy viewing.

Oliver loves all things monkey, kind of fits his personality I think, here he is swinging with his monkey buddy, Banana.

This is what trying to entertain a very tired 4 month old looks like.

Snowy pictures of our town.

The florist shop down the street is so cute.

Trying rice cereal on a spoon...with an oliver take on the mohawk.

Laughing at daddy.

2008-11-27T13:59:00.000-08:00

Well, right now we are flipping between Thanksgiving football and TLC (my channel) and Oliver is playing in the floor after being conked out after a big meal of the same thing he has been eating for 10 weeks...mmmm formula.

Here are some pictures chronicling our Thanksgiving meal and day.

Preparing the sweet potato casserole and carving the bird.

2 Outfits...actually 3 by the end of the day for Oliver :)

Getting ready for the finale!

And to elaborate

2008-11-20T10:17:00.000-08:00

Just so everyone know I'm utilizing the Baby Bjorn right now. As Oliver naps on me (the crib is just not as cozy as mommy) I can get these videos uploaded to the blog.
And yes, for the astute reader and watcher of videos, I am changing Oliver using disposable diapers because this video was taken in the evening and we don't yet have enough cloth diapers to carry us through the night.
Anyway, I thought these videos would make some of you laugh at the lengths I will go to keep Oliver from spiraling into full-on wail mode.

2008-11-19T10:55:00.000-08:00

So Oliver is 2 months and a day! And there are so many random things you learn to love as a mommy. Right now my favorite items are... in no particular order:
my BOB jogging stroller, the Boppy pillow, Bum Genius diapers, and Baby Leggs (I think there are 2 g's).
Now a few words on these items: the BOB stroller glides along effortlessly, perhaps like the swans on Furman's lake and along with the swivelling front wheel I can turn at a moments notice. However, when it is 28.8 degrees outside it is too cold to go running. Today, I made that mistake. Oliver was bundled up like an eskimo but my poor legs were red and numb by the time I got home and I was too cold to even sniff the snot that was running down my lip (no wonder the people I passed on the sidewalk didn't say hello back).

The Boppy pillow is great for arms tired of jiggling and jossling a baby. Oh, and I also love the Baby Bjorn (gosh, they're all B words). The Baby Bjorn is a life saver when, for instance, you have to walk your baby to sleep on a treadmill.

Ahh, cloth diapers. I know many of you are thinking we're crazy for even thinking of cloth diapers as an option, but I'll have you know that cloth diapers are not what they used to be. Mainly, cloth diapers are cute. But, they're also better for the environment --which is important for our hippy tree-lovin' Vermont friends, and us-- and they're economical.

And now, Baby Legs, they are leggings without the crotch. They work well as cute "pants" while playing indoors, but they are also great under clothing acting as long-johns. I love them because since they don't have a crotch, you don't have even more snaps to mess with when your changing a squirming baby.

Here are some pictures showcasing some of my favorite items.

Winter Wonderland...Already?

2008-10-29T14:17:00.000-07:00

Almost 6 weeks!... But the bigger news around here is that Oliver got to experience his first snow! We took a couple of walks around town all bundled up and then when the snow really started to come down we headed indoors to play. So here's footage of our first snow day (one of many to come):)!

And here's Oliver playing inside in the warmth.

4 WEEKS OLD!

2008-10-16T17:45:00.000-07:00

Oliver Paul Carter is here and we are so excited to share him with all our friends and family! We've been doing well up here in Vermont, taking a lot of walks while the walking is good. Oliver and I love visiting our friends Krissy, Gloria and Gregg at the Post Office each day, and they love seeing all the mail that Master Oliver has been getting these days. (Thank you for all the cards and packages, ya'll are so loving.) We also have a beautiful walk around the Law School where we get to scatter the red and orange and yellow leaves as we stroll, and sometimes catch a glimpse of Eric studying in the Library. Well, here are some pictures of our precious little boy.

Maybe the last Pregnant Pics!

2008-09-11T17:42:00.000-07:00

I know how these pumpkins feel.

So, the World's Fair is in a neighboring town up the mountain. Eric and I went to check it out and to maybe coerce baby Oliver out into this wonderful world full of twisty-turny rides, giant dinosaurs and pig races. Yep, pig races. Here are some pictures to capture your imaginations and make ya'll jealous. This really was one of the quirkier things I've experienced and Eric and I both loved it (even came home with a t-shirt and hat)!

Walking, walking, walking...I'm committed.

We cheered this girl on to victory!

The tallest sunflower was 14'1"! (And the biggest pumpkin was 647 lbs.!)

Walking Baby Oliver Out!

2008-09-08T17:23:00.000-07:00

3 more weeks-about.

2008-08-22T15:40:00.000-07:00

Hello.

I don't have a whole lot to say.

Everything is fine and dandy up here. We didn't like having all the appointments and medical hooplah of the past weeks, so we are glad to be moving past the MRI'S, EEG'S, CT Scans, and Ultrasounds! We don't like feeling old. And we are sorry if we have mislead folks into thinking we are miserable or hurting or just (sigh) worn-out, because really we have had a great summer filled with 'lots of strolls around town, catching up on some good movie rentals and just being happy.

So, a glimpse at our summer thus far...
We've been able to work on projects here and there for the baby and hang out some without a law book or library in sight!

Here are some random shots.

Socrates (framed and keeping watch) is the wise old owl Eric made for baby Oliver's room. And the other picture should be self explanatory.

Peace from the Buddha Belly.

2008-07-25T07:19:00.000-07:00

FUN IN SORO WITH MOMMY AND DADDY!

We had our first visitors! And they didn't get snowed in or freeze to death or get run over by moose! In fact, Vermont was very kind to Mommy and Daddy and even threw a 3 day festival complete with cotton candy, live music and even a parade for them. I think the pictures capture the story of the visit.

These are pictures from our backyard...yea right. We discovered a perenial flower garden just 3 miles up the road from our house and I think it is one of my favorite places I've visited. We couldn't stop oohhing and ahhing and pointing and looking.

The start of a grand ending to the Old Home Days Festival

I was walking on the treadmill and heard the train rumble by, and then the fire engines revin' up their sirens and then trumpets blasting! That's a parade! So, I jumped off the gerbil toy and ran outside, and from our front porch watched the band march by, the tractors chug along and caught tootsie rolls from the Lions Club! Great fun!

2008-06-24T15:02:00.000-07:00

So, here are some pictures of me, belly baby, and eric livin' life in vermont. To start off with, we've got a picture of one of four garden plots that our upstairs-friend-ron so thoughtfully and skillfully made. Eric and I decided to start out pretty basic with our first attempt at vegetable growing. We planted pumpkin, cherry tomatoes, banana peppers, squash and of course some marigolds. I really want a picture of baby oliver with on of our very own homegrown pumpkins. Our upstairs-friend-ron (that's pretty much his name to me) seems to be well-versed in vegetable growing, composting and just knowing stuff so i'm hoping his green thumb rubs a little on us.

Next, we have me and eric trying the first of our apple trees fruit. We knew they'd be sour but we did not anticipate the pureness of the sour as our expressions reveal. And obviously i don't learn from other people's mistakes 'cause i bit the apple even after seeing eric's cringing face.

Much love from vermont.

2008-06-12T12:51:00.000-07:00

So I'm back in Vermont. The first 3 days were hot as blue blazes and one of the first things Eric and I did was go out and buy 2 air conditioning units. I am so glad I live during the age of air conditioning. The whirr and buzz of the units made me feel like I was sleeping in a hotel.

However, now we are back to more traditional Vermont weather and it is a mild 78-mid 80's. We have the curtains pulled back and the windows open. I love being able to hear the birds outside and the waking up of our little town. And today, is the Farmer's Market which I've already scoured and seen pottery I'd like to make my own, and plants I'd like to grow. I'm liking this Thursday.

This week has been a fun busy one filled with unpacking and organizing things for Baby Carter! While I was down visiting in the Carolinas we were showered at the Carters and we are so thankful for all the sweet gifts we received and all the needed items too, like Desitin and washcloths! Also, while I was down, my mom and I set to work making the bedding for Baby Oliver. (all i did was cut and sew where mommy told me to, she was the brains behind our creation!) I am so excited with our results! And I am thrilled to have finally made something with a gather...makes me want to bring back the gathered skirt...almost.

Anyway, here are some pics. of the bedding. (they really don't do it all justice in my opinion)

love from the mild temps.,

a & e & o
i haven't tied all the ties yet, but you get the idea and the white board is already down.

2008-04-26T16:11:00.000-07:00

Here is Baby Carter!
Here is Baby Carter's Bed!

We finally got to see the baby this week. You can't tell from the picture, but he was in ultra-relaxation mode with both hands behind his head. He was comfortable and he wasn't moving. We had to take a break after a while to try and wake the little guy up so we could get more pictures. The Technician was just about ready to have us come back later when he finally decided to accomodate us. He looks healthy and it was neat to see the little heart pumping away.

2008-04-18T06:55:00.000-07:00

This is the Moo Mixer. My dear friend Lauren gave it to me for my birthday (she truly knows the desires of my heart). Anyone that knows me knows the power chocolate milk has over me. I enjoy Ovaltine (regular and malt flavors) and, as pictured below, Hershey's syrup. I've been drinking chocolate milk for quite some time. My dad gave be chocolate babbas-the habit started young. So, now in my late twenties I find myself in the position of chocolate milk expert. For me, it's all about how you stir the chocolate into the milk that really determines the quality of drink. And now, with the aid of 2 AA batteries, I can stir evenly and quickly with the touch of a button. Heck, I can even stir while drinking!

The Moo Mixer in action

Me in total contentment

So, it was my birthday and thankfully I received some great maternity clothes to wear. Over the past 2 weeks my tummy has declared my pregnancy! And I'm very pleased with this development, partly because I'm in love with elastic waist bands (as I've shared with many of you). I'm baffled as to why some women try to squeeze into "normal" clothes, or attempt to hide their bellies. I love my blooming belly as I've come to call it!

Here are some pics. of the blooming belly.

(not sure why my expression is so weird in the first picture-oh well)

2008-03-25T12:16:00.000-07:00

This is a picture taken over Eric's Spring break. Seriously.

Eric and I have learned a lot of snow and it's various qualities this year. Snow can be slippery, as Eric's bum and back can attest. Snow can be heavy, as our sore muscles can attest. And snow can be fun, as our sledding expeditions can attest. That being said, we are ready for the snow to leave. I'm real tired of my winter jacket. I have loved it. My jacket has been warm, it has been waterproof and it has accompanied me through the streets of South Royalton for many (too many) months. However, I have been boycotting the wear of my winter jacket since the official arrival of spring. This has proven to be a little harder than I anticipated and once, only once, I caved. I'm sure any fashion show would cringe at the amount of clothes I wear when out-of-doors...it's just layer upon layer upon layer. Oh well. I stand by my boycott 'cause Spring is coming!

This is another picture taken over Spring break during one of our trips to Babies R Us to test out some baby gear! I think Eric looks like a concerned, but still chill, papa!

Joining the Bandwagon

2008-03-12T16:00:00.000-07:00

Hey Ya'll

Apparently creating a blog is now a prerequisite to having a baby, so we have decided to jump on the blogging bandwagon. Unfortunately we don't have any pictures to post just yet. Our Cannon Rebel is having trouble focusing on the 3 inch, disproportionate child inside of Annabelle. But, soon we will have some visual material: an ultrasound photo, a bulging tummy, and eventually a little person. Soon, the baby will take the stage of this blog and you won't be bored with the life tales of Eric and Annabelle in Vermont. If for know other reason, it simply doesn't take long to capture our current life in prose. Annabelle's daily activities consist of peeing between 400 and 500 times and trying to limit the chronic pain in her right butt cheek. My life consists of class, the library, and a bittersweet relationship with snow plows. Other than that, we are waiting for the third Carter. We are really excited and look forward to sharing our joy with all of you.

Happy to Join the Blogging Community,

Eric, Annabelle, and Baby Carter

Wait! I was just informed we do have a visual for you. Here it is:

*This is one of eleven tests