Today is a big day. Huge.
First of all, and most importantly, our beloved "Baby Roo," our little "Sneaker Peeker," the one and only "Hurricane Ollie" turns one-and-a-half years old. Eighteen months. Today is May 10 and it's his official halfway-t0-two birthday. Happy Birthday, Baby Roo! We love you so so much and every single day with you has been a treasure! You are full of joy, always adventurous, always pulling your unpredictible antics, and always making us laugh. Our family is blessed because you are in it!
Today is also Mother's Day. This morning, Mike got up with the kids and let me sleep in. At about 8:30, he came into the room holding a breakfast tray with both boys in tow. On the tray: two eggs over easy with toast, grapefruit, yogurt, hot French-pressed coffee, silverware, napkin. Also on the tray: a handmade Mother's Day card from Mike and Merrit on which Merrit wrote "I love you to Mars and back," decorated with Martians drawn by Mike and colored in by Merrit. Priceless. Merrit also pulled $1.25 out of his piggy bank and put it in the card as a gift for me. What could I possibly buy for $1.25 that would ever equal the "gift" of Merrit--on his own initiative--giving me his hard-earned money (10 cents per chore)? Ollie, you have the most amazing big brother!
It's been a great Mother's Day already...and it's just getting started. Mike has said that he is my "Personal Servant for a Day," (he knows that my Love Language is "Acts of Service"). He already cleaned the kitchen after making breakfast (and, though I hate to admit this, last night's dinner dishes were still in the sink). As I sit here in bed, typing on my laptop, I can hear the dishwasher humming away, Ollie down for his nap, and Merrit and Mike quietly talking and sharing a snack in the dining room. Rarely is our house this calm and peaceful (that's an understatement!), but when it is, what a lovely happening. Happy Mother's Day to me! I feel so grateful for my three guys.
And, lastly, today is the day that I'm retiring "The Roo Review." It's been a special privilege to document Ollie's first 18 months. Our Baby Roo has grown up so much since November 10, 2007!!
Ollie, it seems like just yesterday that you were my tiny little infant boy! Where has the time gone? You weigh almost 30 pounds! You have molars! You feed yourself! You drink from a cup! You walk, run, and dance! You're talking! You're learning stairs! You put yourself to sleep! You sleep all night! You are an amazing, independent, curious toddler! What a treasure you are to me. To Daddy. To Merrit. To your grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. To everyone that meets you.
Heavenly Father, thank you for our little Oliver William! He is a treasure straight from your heart to us. You shaped his personality. You have given him gifts and abilities that we still have yet to discover. Mike and I get to be first-hand witnesses to all the goodness that you have planted inside Ollie. Please equip us to teach him about You, to love him unconditionally, to train him up in the way that he should go, and to turn to You for wisdom. Thank you for Ollie.
This song, "O Praise Him (All This for a King)" by David Crowder Band, is on my heart this morning. It's a joyful, thankful song...and it expresses this bursting, joyful feeling I have inside today.
Turn your ear
To Heaven and hear
The noise inside
The sound of angels awe
The sound of angels songs
And all this for a King
We could join and sing
'All to Christ our King!'
How constant
How divine
This love of ours will rise
Oh, how constant
How divine
This song of ours will rise
Will rise...
Ohh praise Him! Ohh praise Him!
He is Holy! He is Holy!
Turn your gaze
To Heaven and raise
A joyous noise
Oh the sound of salvation come
The sound of rescued ones
And all this for a king
Angels join to sing
'All for Christ our King!'
Ohh praise Him! Ohh praise Him!
He is Holy! He is Holy!
Ohh praise Him! Ohh praise Him!
He is Holy! He is Holy!
How infinite and sweet
This love so rescuing
Oh how infinitely sweet
This great love that has redeemed
As one, we sing...
Hallelujah, Hallelujah!
He is Holy! He is Holy!
Ohh praise Him! Ohh praise Him!
He is Holy! He is Holy!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Saturday, May 9, 2009
COUNTDOWN: Two Days to Go
Two more days: Today and tomorrow. In honor of TWO more days of blogging, I'm going to list the two major reasons I'm so glad I've kept up with my boys' baby blogs. First Merrit's site and now, Ollie's site.
For one thing, blogging about every little detail of your little one's life makes you actually pay attention to every little detail of your little one's life!! Sounds like a no-brainer, but when you're sleep-deprived and behind on laundry and need to get dinner started and the baby's hungry, it's sometimes hard to slow down and appreciate all your blessings--much less write them down and snap a few accompanying photos. I love it that I was able to capture for all time all of Ollie's milestones, big and small...when the umbilical cord shriveled up and fell off; the first time he rolled over; when that first tooth came in; how good it felt the first time he slept through the night. So much of your baby's first year is a blur, and it's wonderful to have a written down (just about) every minute of it!
Secondly, I know for sure that when the boys are older and they'll have the chance to read through their individual baby blogs (I have had Merrit's printed up and bound into a hardback book and will soon do the same with this web site), they will both know for sure that their Daddy and I were head-over-heels in love with them from before they were even born. That we took pleasure in every moment with them. That we celebrated each accomplishment. That we laughed at their silliness. That we sometimes struggled to keep our sanity. And that we hugged, snuggled, tickled, and squeezed these kids every single day! This blog is, if nothing else, proof that we think Ollie is ONE IN A MILLION and that we love him with all our hearts.
For one thing, blogging about every little detail of your little one's life makes you actually pay attention to every little detail of your little one's life!! Sounds like a no-brainer, but when you're sleep-deprived and behind on laundry and need to get dinner started and the baby's hungry, it's sometimes hard to slow down and appreciate all your blessings--much less write them down and snap a few accompanying photos. I love it that I was able to capture for all time all of Ollie's milestones, big and small...when the umbilical cord shriveled up and fell off; the first time he rolled over; when that first tooth came in; how good it felt the first time he slept through the night. So much of your baby's first year is a blur, and it's wonderful to have a written down (just about) every minute of it!
Secondly, I know for sure that when the boys are older and they'll have the chance to read through their individual baby blogs (I have had Merrit's printed up and bound into a hardback book and will soon do the same with this web site), they will both know for sure that their Daddy and I were head-over-heels in love with them from before they were even born. That we took pleasure in every moment with them. That we celebrated each accomplishment. That we laughed at their silliness. That we sometimes struggled to keep our sanity. And that we hugged, snuggled, tickled, and squeezed these kids every single day! This blog is, if nothing else, proof that we think Ollie is ONE IN A MILLION and that we love him with all our hearts.
Friday, May 8, 2009
COUNTDOWN: Three Days to Go
With three days left blogging on "The Roo Review," Mike and I have to share the THREE most important lessons we've learned about life since Ollie entered our hearts and our home.
LESSON #1
When we found out we were expecting our little Baby Roo, we were just a couple of weeks away from accepting a two-year stint with UbiSoft in Paris, France. Wow, life can be so unpredictable! Thinking back from then to now, nothing has turned out like we thought it would. In fact, right about now is when we would have been returning from our time in France. We didn't live in a little flat in one of the Parisian arrondissements, we didn't have fresh-baked croissants and espresso for breakfast, we didn't hop on a train for a weekend in London or Milan or Geneva. Nope. We didn't do any of that. Instead, we met Ollie! Ephesians 3:20 says, "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us." Ollie is a gift from God, and he is so much more than we could have asked for or imagined! What a big splash of sunshine he is! Lesson #1 is: "The mind of God is full of beautiful surprises." (Maybe one day, we will travel to Paris, eat croissants, and ride the trains. And Ollie will be there with us! What could be better than that?)
LESSON #2
If you've spent any time looking at the pictures on this web site, you have fallen in love with Ollie's big, big grin. This boy loves life. He encounters the world with an open, receiving attitude. He gives back to the world a ready smile and an adventurous spirit. So, Lesson #2 is: "Live each day to the fullest. Receive everything you need and give everything you have. And keep smiling."
LESSON #3
When Merrit was born, we were swept up into a whirlwind of complications. Even the most basic acts, like feeding or bathing, were so complicated. Looking back, that was a time of intense growth, of unusual connectedness to God and to family, of dramatic trials and dramatic answers to prayer. By contrast, life with Ollie has been sweetly simple. Uncomplicated. Carefree and joyful. How could we take anything for granted? Holding him right after he was born. Bringing him home after just a few days. Breastfeeding without difficulty. Bathing him without a trach. Feeding him without a g-tube. Putting him down to sleep without any wires or tubes to untangle. Having him all to ourselves (no nurses!). By no means am I saying that one experience was "better" or "worse" than the other. It's apples and oranges. But I will say this: The complications, trials, and rewards of Merrit's first 18 months prepared our hearts perfectly to truly treasure and appreciate the sweet normality and relative simplicity of seeing Ollie through his infancy. Lesson #3 is: "Life is good, all the time."
LESSON #1
When we found out we were expecting our little Baby Roo, we were just a couple of weeks away from accepting a two-year stint with UbiSoft in Paris, France. Wow, life can be so unpredictable! Thinking back from then to now, nothing has turned out like we thought it would. In fact, right about now is when we would have been returning from our time in France. We didn't live in a little flat in one of the Parisian arrondissements, we didn't have fresh-baked croissants and espresso for breakfast, we didn't hop on a train for a weekend in London or Milan or Geneva. Nope. We didn't do any of that. Instead, we met Ollie! Ephesians 3:20 says, "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us." Ollie is a gift from God, and he is so much more than we could have asked for or imagined! What a big splash of sunshine he is! Lesson #1 is: "The mind of God is full of beautiful surprises." (Maybe one day, we will travel to Paris, eat croissants, and ride the trains. And Ollie will be there with us! What could be better than that?)
LESSON #2
If you've spent any time looking at the pictures on this web site, you have fallen in love with Ollie's big, big grin. This boy loves life. He encounters the world with an open, receiving attitude. He gives back to the world a ready smile and an adventurous spirit. So, Lesson #2 is: "Live each day to the fullest. Receive everything you need and give everything you have. And keep smiling."
LESSON #3
When Merrit was born, we were swept up into a whirlwind of complications. Even the most basic acts, like feeding or bathing, were so complicated. Looking back, that was a time of intense growth, of unusual connectedness to God and to family, of dramatic trials and dramatic answers to prayer. By contrast, life with Ollie has been sweetly simple. Uncomplicated. Carefree and joyful. How could we take anything for granted? Holding him right after he was born. Bringing him home after just a few days. Breastfeeding without difficulty. Bathing him without a trach. Feeding him without a g-tube. Putting him down to sleep without any wires or tubes to untangle. Having him all to ourselves (no nurses!). By no means am I saying that one experience was "better" or "worse" than the other. It's apples and oranges. But I will say this: The complications, trials, and rewards of Merrit's first 18 months prepared our hearts perfectly to truly treasure and appreciate the sweet normality and relative simplicity of seeing Ollie through his infancy. Lesson #3 is: "Life is good, all the time."
Thursday, May 7, 2009
COUNTDOWN: Four Days to Go
Since Ollie has joined the Haynes Household, we are now a family of four. So, in honor of FOUR remaining days of Ollie's baby-blog, here are the top four ways that Ollie has changed our family dynamic...
MERRIT: BIG BROTHER EXTRAORDINAIRE
Merrit has blown us all away with what an awesome big brother he is! Never, not once, and I can honestly say this, has Merrit ever showed an ounce of jealousy. I think that's pretty remarkable. Merrit is also incredibly patient with Ollie. Even when Ollie knocks down Merrit's block towers, messes up painstakingly built puzzles, or dumps over a bucket of Legos after Merrit has just finished picking them up, Merrit will say, "Mom, Ollie's getting into trouble! Get him!" He doesn't yell at Ollie and I love that. Merrit also takes a lot of joy in Ollie. He laughs at Ollie's mischieviousness and silliness. After all, Merrit's the one that coined the nickname "Sneaker Peeker." These two boys genuinely enjoy being together. I hope and pray that they will be lifelong friends!
WE HAVE A "BABY" IN THE FAMILY NOW
After reading "The Birth Order Book" by Kevin Leman, I see how Ollie's personality will be affected by the kind of interaction he has with his older sibling. Even if we tried to parent Ollie exactly like we parented Merrit (which is impossible for so many reasons), he spends hours a day playing with a five-year-old, which is very different from playing with an adult. The way a five-year-old plays with a toddler is a little more crazy and a little less gentle than how a grown-up plays with a toddler. And even though we do have quiet book-reading time with Ollie, and we do play sweet and snuggly games like peek-a-boo and "This Little Piggy," and we do sing lullabyes and "dance" together in his darkened room before bedtime, that isn't the entirety of how Ollie encounters the world. He also has Merrit jumping out at him from behind chairs yelling, "AAAAARRRGGGGHHHH!", and running up behind his high chair and shaking it violently to get him to laugh, and play-wrestling him to the floor until I say, "Merrit, is he enjoying that...?" So it's easy to see why "The Birth Order Book" says that the last-born child is typically a fun-loving, uncomplicated and outgoing attention-seeker. The class clown. The thrill-seeker. The gregarious little mischief-maker. Hmmm, sound like anyone we know?
PARENTING EACH CHILD IS A NEW ADVENTURE
We've been at this parenting thing for five years now and I think it's safe to say that we understand Merrit's personality, what his love languages are, what kinds of discipline he responds to, and what kind of encouragement he needs. As Ollie gets older, we will have to figure out what makes him tick and how to uniquely parent him. What works with Merrit may not work with Ollie. We will have to be flexible, teachable, and tuned-in. So, the parenting dynamic and the discipline methods may have to change. If nothing else, parenting these two boys promises to be interesting! :-)
SACRIFICES TO MAKE AND GOOD STUFF TO ENJOY
Mike and I have had to adjust to what our life looks like as parents of of two kids. Going from one to two is not as difficult as going from none to one, but it has still been challenging. Fewer uninterrupted conversations. Fewer date nights. More fatigue. Less of a chance that you'll actually sleep all night long. Noisier car rides. Noisier mealtimes. In fact, noisier everything! But that's just a list of the sacrifices we've made. The joys that are added to daily life have exponentially increased, and the addition of one new personality to the mix makes life 100 times richer. More laughter. More photo opportunities. More Halloween costumes. More silly songs. More tickling. More dinner-table memories. More of the good stuff!
MERRIT: BIG BROTHER EXTRAORDINAIRE
Merrit has blown us all away with what an awesome big brother he is! Never, not once, and I can honestly say this, has Merrit ever showed an ounce of jealousy. I think that's pretty remarkable. Merrit is also incredibly patient with Ollie. Even when Ollie knocks down Merrit's block towers, messes up painstakingly built puzzles, or dumps over a bucket of Legos after Merrit has just finished picking them up, Merrit will say, "Mom, Ollie's getting into trouble! Get him!" He doesn't yell at Ollie and I love that. Merrit also takes a lot of joy in Ollie. He laughs at Ollie's mischieviousness and silliness. After all, Merrit's the one that coined the nickname "Sneaker Peeker." These two boys genuinely enjoy being together. I hope and pray that they will be lifelong friends!
WE HAVE A "BABY" IN THE FAMILY NOW
After reading "The Birth Order Book" by Kevin Leman, I see how Ollie's personality will be affected by the kind of interaction he has with his older sibling. Even if we tried to parent Ollie exactly like we parented Merrit (which is impossible for so many reasons), he spends hours a day playing with a five-year-old, which is very different from playing with an adult. The way a five-year-old plays with a toddler is a little more crazy and a little less gentle than how a grown-up plays with a toddler. And even though we do have quiet book-reading time with Ollie, and we do play sweet and snuggly games like peek-a-boo and "This Little Piggy," and we do sing lullabyes and "dance" together in his darkened room before bedtime, that isn't the entirety of how Ollie encounters the world. He also has Merrit jumping out at him from behind chairs yelling, "AAAAARRRGGGGHHHH!", and running up behind his high chair and shaking it violently to get him to laugh, and play-wrestling him to the floor until I say, "Merrit, is he enjoying that...?" So it's easy to see why "The Birth Order Book" says that the last-born child is typically a fun-loving, uncomplicated and outgoing attention-seeker. The class clown. The thrill-seeker. The gregarious little mischief-maker. Hmmm, sound like anyone we know?
PARENTING EACH CHILD IS A NEW ADVENTURE
We've been at this parenting thing for five years now and I think it's safe to say that we understand Merrit's personality, what his love languages are, what kinds of discipline he responds to, and what kind of encouragement he needs. As Ollie gets older, we will have to figure out what makes him tick and how to uniquely parent him. What works with Merrit may not work with Ollie. We will have to be flexible, teachable, and tuned-in. So, the parenting dynamic and the discipline methods may have to change. If nothing else, parenting these two boys promises to be interesting! :-)
SACRIFICES TO MAKE AND GOOD STUFF TO ENJOY
Mike and I have had to adjust to what our life looks like as parents of of two kids. Going from one to two is not as difficult as going from none to one, but it has still been challenging. Fewer uninterrupted conversations. Fewer date nights. More fatigue. Less of a chance that you'll actually sleep all night long. Noisier car rides. Noisier mealtimes. In fact, noisier everything! But that's just a list of the sacrifices we've made. The joys that are added to daily life have exponentially increased, and the addition of one new personality to the mix makes life 100 times richer. More laughter. More photo opportunities. More Halloween costumes. More silly songs. More tickling. More dinner-table memories. More of the good stuff!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
COUNTDOWN: Five Days to Go
In five days, Ollie will be 18-months old and I will be signing off as writer of "The Roo Review." Not to worry, grandmas and other fans of Ollie's blog, I'll keep taking tons of photos, making scrapbooks with all our cute Ollie stories, and keeping a record of his milestones and accomplishments. It just won't be a daily online commitment. After all, Ollie is a year-and-a-half old now, and Mommy needs to GET A LIFE! :-)
So, in honor of FIVE days to go, here are our top five favorite Ollie antics:
5. Dancing with his reflection in the glass pane that covers our fireplace.
4. Throwing his head and arms back in full abandon as Mike throws him up in the air.
3. Laughing that cute little chuckle of his when Merrit chases him.
2. Perusing the house, hitting all his regular "haunts," just looking for a little mischief to get into.
1. Spinning, spinning, spinning in his Johnny Jump-Up to Mike singing the song "Ollie's a Hoppin'."
So, in honor of FIVE days to go, here are our top five favorite Ollie antics:
5. Dancing with his reflection in the glass pane that covers our fireplace.
4. Throwing his head and arms back in full abandon as Mike throws him up in the air.
3. Laughing that cute little chuckle of his when Merrit chases him.
2. Perusing the house, hitting all his regular "haunts," just looking for a little mischief to get into.
1. Spinning, spinning, spinning in his Johnny Jump-Up to Mike singing the song "Ollie's a Hoppin'."
Friday, May 1, 2009
Brotherly Antics
You'd think Merrit put him up to this, but no, Ollie climbs in on his own initiative.
Well, THIS was Merrit's idea.
But Ollie did end up getting rather comfortable.
This old game again: Ollie and "friends."
The mastermind at work.
Wearing big brother's sunglasses.
Okay, that's enough goofing around! Let's eat some breakfast already!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
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