Little Friend: Changes [a review of the past six months]

Dear Oliver,

A lot has changed around here lately. I haven't written a letter to you in six months so I have a lot of catching up to do. You are now a big brother! Joshua joined our family on Christmas Eve. Grandma Louise came into town and stayed with you while mom and dad went to the hospital. You walked into the hospital room after Joshua was born and exclaimed, "Baby brother came out!"

However, having a baby in the home has been an adjustment for you. There have been a lot of changes, including me staying home with you (meaning you're no longer going to daycare with your friends) and you losing your favorite blanket right around the same time (which you thankfully found after a long, pain-filled week). Things were rough for a little while but they are getting much better now.

In January, you were starting to warm up a little and help feed Joshua. These pictures are so sweet.


I love how you incorporated Joshua into your train-playing.

Some more pictures of you I love from January 2013:

You continue to love olives.

I love that one on the right of you making the "I love you" sign with olives on your fingers.

I love this one. One Sunday I walked downstairs and saw this. It was not pre-planned at all. It made me laugh and I had to grab my camera.

In February, Aunt Lindsey and Uncle Justin came from Utah and Uncle Ty came from California for Grandpa Chell and Nana Dot's wedding. You loved seeing your aunt and uncles. Aunt Lindsey brought you a treat (chocolate covered pretzels), which you were excited about.

Aunt Lindsey with Josh.

More train-playing. (I wish I would've captured a picture of the "food train" you made with items from the pantry, all hooked together in train-style around the kitchen floor.)

Oliver and Mommy at the park.

In February and March, we went to the park a lot. The weather was perfect. I would pick you up from preschool and then let you choose which park you wanted to go to (there are two right by your preschool). I taught you how to roll down the hills, which was fun for both of us (something I haven't done since I was a kid) and we had a few picnics as well. Baby Josh usually slept in his car seat while we played.

We also went bowling with friends at the new bowling alley in Maricopa. It was your first time bowling and you loved it.

In March you turned three! I can hardly believe you are three years old - such a big boy! We had a train-themed birthday party for your at the park in our neighborhood. Your dad has a bounce house business on the side and set up a bounce house for your party. Nana Dot's step mom, Susan, made an amazing train cake for you. Grandma Louise (whom you call "Grandma Utah") and your Great Grandma and Grandpa Herzog were here visiting from Utah for both your birthday and Joshua's blessing (both were in the same weekend). You also had lots of friends come to your party and you were spoiled with lots of presents. What a lucky boy!