Meeting Oliver
Last weekend, during our family gathering at Easter, Oliver had a chance to meet more family. Featured here are several cherished aunts...
Oliver with Aunt Peggy:
...and meeting Aunt Karen:
...and meeting Aunt Tami:
Alas, our family gathering would not be complete without Grandpa Anderson demonstrating with mastery the art of the recliner nap.
Labels: Anderson Family, Oliver Del
Easter Loot
The Easter Bunny visits our household every Easter Eve and leaves a trail of eggs behind for Kennedy to find. This approach to Easter Egg hunting keeps us dry and warm and offers up the excitement of Christmas Morning when Kennedy finds her semi-empty basket on the stairs waiting to be filled.
Not be be left out from the excitement, the entire family continued to bestow Easter bounty at our family gathering. Here's Kennedy posing with twin bunnies, candy galore, and other gifts.
Here is Kennedy with Aunt Karen working on turning one of the bunnies into a princess via this awesome tiara provided by Aunt Tami.
As with every year past, this year's Easter dress is courtesy of Mimi Clark. We all fell in love with this year's ensemble and loved its nod to former Jackie-O stylings.
Labels: Bean, Kennedy, Our Family
Builder, Ballarina or Baker?
Kennedy had a great time building interesting things with her Tinker Toys last night. She was particularly proud of this swing-set and was happy to pose with her creation.
This afternoon, after ballet class (note that she's still in full costume), Kennedy and I made a batch of pistachio pudding. Kennedy really enjoyed stirring the pudding before it set up.
Nap Time
This week Grandma Anderson has been hanging out with Oliver and me and has been a tremendous help. In addition to helping out with the diaper changes and laundry and dishes, she's been a great resource in keeping Oliver happy during nap times. I'm not sure which one is more content during this particular nap.
Today we ventured out to the mall where I was able to stock up on some makeup as well as some nursing clothes to wear around the house. It's amazing how getting out of the house is both refreshing and exhausting at the same time. Anyone with babies knows that it can take upwards of an hour just to get out of the house (nurse baby, change baby, pack diaper bag, get self ready, nurse baby who has been squalling for the last 20 minutes, change baby - then, if you're lucky, get out the door).
Decorating Easter Eggs
We had a small easter egg decorating gathering yesterday. Joe found this music box at an antique store and brought it to Oliver. It is Oliver Twist meets Fiddler on the Roof--the song it plays is
If I Were A Rich Man.
Heidi and Cassius brought coffee and gifts for both Oliver and Kennedy. Here's Heidi with Kennedy showing her a cool summer shirt.
Oliver quietly slept for most of the gathering.
Jan rounded up everyone and kicked off the egg coloring. Oliver's in the bassinet behind them by the piano. We keep him in a pack-play bassinet in the living space so he gets used to sleeping through all the noise.
Last night, we asked Kennedy what her favorite part of the day was and she said "Going to the park." Here's Joe swinging Zoe and Kennedy.
Labels: Beans, Friends
Baby in the Mirror, More Oliver Del Visitors
Kennedy used to love looking at herself in the mirror at her changing station. Looks like Oliver is no different. This cute outfit was a gift from neighbors Joe, Jan and Zoe. Kennedy brought Oliver her little Lamby to calm him when he was crying.
Costa Rica Jean came by for a visit today. It was so nice to see her and hear her stories. Here she is with Oliver. He liked listening to her speak and opened his eyes a lot when she held him.
A newly groomed Grandpa Anderson (hair cut) brought dinner and spent some time with the family tonight. You can see in this photo that Oliver's tan (mild jaundice) is still hanging on.
Labels: Our Family
Stickers, More Visitors and Baby Check-Up
Katie and Cory brought Kennedy some stickers at the hospital. They were a big hit. Kennedy had everyone covered in jelly bean stickers, including herself.
It was great to have Tim, Beckie and Lucy come visit. They took Kennedy out to the park on the hospital grounds for a small break from the hospital room.
Neighbor Zoe is excited to have Oliver here.
Speaking of Oliver, he had his first pediatrician visit yesterday and everything is going well. He has gained some of his weight back. He was born at 7.11 but lost to 6.9 during the first 3 days before Susan's milk came in. He's nursing very well and is back up to 7.6 as of yesterday. He's still a bit jaundiced on his face--we call it his baby tan--but not on his body. Our pediatrician said the jaundice should have peaked about yesterday and would be slowly going away now.
Oliver Del's Visitors
We had quite a few visitors at the hospital. Grandma Anderson was a regular and there from the beginning.
Grandpa Anderson was too!
Great Granny Kay stopped in for a visit.
Uncle C.K. was a frequent visitor to the hospital as well as our house to check on Elle the cat's food and water.
And here's Cassious, the son of our friend's Heidi and Ted. What a great smile.
We have more pictures to post but not enough time to prepare them all yet, so stay tuned for more pictures of Oliver's visitors.
Labels: Oliver Del
Fairy Princess Kennedy
Aunt Shelly bought this fairy outfit for Kennedy at a little shop on Hawthorne Blvd. It's absolutely gorgeous.
Keeping the flowing garment fairy wing theme going, Katie and Cory (in the background) visited Oliver at the hospital and brought this beautiful fabric wing set to Kennedy. Beckie Lee is helping her put it on.
Since we have a Kennedy theme going to this post, here's our little funny girl using a throw-up sack (un-used of course!) as a hat.
Labels: Bean
Mommies and Oliver
This picture was taken before we left the hospital.
Labels: Oliver Del
Home
We made it home from the hospital two days ago and have been adjusting to life with the new baby. So far little Oliver Del has a very mild temperament. Here's a picture of him after Mommy Sheryl gave him his first bath at the hospital.
The first night Kennedy woke up and was so curious about Oliver. She slept in our bed and kept looking at him and asking questions. "Can he talk? Will he talk when he gets older? Is crying the way he talks?..." Here's a photo of the first time Kennedy held her little brother.
Sadly we dropped Aunt Shelly off at the airport on Tuesday morning. It was so great having her here.
Elle the cat is going to miss her as much as we do!
Labels: Oliver Del
Welcome Oliver Del Sanford Anderson
Hello World! Oliver Del Sanford Anderson was born 8:36 a.m. 03/07/08 weighing in at 7 lbs 11 ozs and being 20 in. long.
Here's a photo of Kennedy sitting by Oliver. She told everyone she saw today that she is a "big sister" and pointed to her shirt that read "Big Sister" to prove it. She gave us the name "Oliver" for her baby brother. Del is a shortened version of Sheryl's father's name, Delbert.
Moms are excited and doing well. Grandparents Anderson and Aunt Shelly were also here to greet Oliver and comfort and entertain Kennedy.
Labels: Bean
Flower Headband
Another shot of little miss liberty, this time in front of the mirror with her headband. This photo was taken by Aunt Shelly.
Labels: Bean
Flower Headband
Aunt Gayle and Uncle David sent a package for the yet-to-appear baby and thoughtfully included this flower headband for Kennedy.
She lovvvvvvvvvvvvvvvved it! We think she has a Statue of Liberty look going on...
Labels: Bean
Little Lady
Today, Kennedy had a small recital for her ballet class where the children demonstrated their mastery of posture, marching to four-four time, and glide-skating to three four time. The small demonstration ended in a very lovely bow by each of the students. It's funny how much this small event affected me - I was filled with so much pride for the little lady that Ms. Kennedy has become.
Last week were fortunate enough to receive a boat-load of clothes from good friend Zoe who lives across the street. Kennedy was particularly fond of this lovely red number.
Labels: Bean
