Squeezing the last drops of summer

Stephen and I went to the rollerdome. At first, he didn't want to skate...

But eventually he felt ready to try a couple cautious laps around the rink.

After the arcade games kept eating his tokens, we decided to "make ourselves feel better" with some Tangy Roots.

Tiebreaker Waterpark

Joe and Brenden took the older kids to our local Waterpark... They enjoyed themselves, as you can see.

Playing police

Broccoli beard

After a week of gradually reducing Ollie's nursing feedings to mealtimes, before bed and one middle of the night feeding, the boy is finally swallowing more table food.

Oliver enjoys peanut butter sandwiches, cheddar cheese, pretzel rods, broccoli, tomatoes, graham crackers, sweet potato fries, pan fried white potatoes and breakfast foods. 

Riding the Rapid

While we were in Cleveland last week, we took the rapid transit downtown to Tower City.

Stephen and Rockam were both greatly amused.

I think Stephen's odd face is from saying "Cheeeeese" for too long. 

Ollie's 12-month appointment

Doctor's diagnosis: we have a really stubborn kid. 

There's nothing wrong with

Oliver's mouth, tongue or ability to swallow... He simply chooses not to.

Prescription: try to wean him :(

And keep trying the cup.

In other news:

Weight: 18lbs 13.5 oz, 3rd percentile

Length: 28 3/4 inches, 13th percentile

Head circumference: 46 cm, 34th percentile

Trying new foods

Oliver decided grapes are pretty yummy tonight. Still not swallowing... But you can tell he enjoys mealtime.

Ollie on exhibit

On Friday, we took Oliver to the National Aviary, which had the best penguin exhibit I've ever seen.

Oliver was very interested in this African Penguin.

The penguin was equally intrigued by Ollie and inspected him for several minutes.

The other aviary-goers were all cooing at the cuteness of these two.

Waving with all his appendages

"Yay! This giant crested pigeon likes me too!"

Pittsburgh mini vacation

Yesterday morning, Joe, Ollie and I took a trip to Pittsburgh to visit one of Joe's high school friends.

We met at the zoo... This was taken on the way out. Both Ollie and Rob's little girl Addison conked out.

Next stop, a Duck tour.

Post Duck ride cooling off.

Incline ride up

And... Down

The kid table

Ollie foraging for scraps and crumbs at Papa and Nona's house

Chik-fil-A with cousin Tzurielle

Oliver's odd aversion to swallowing

I took a little video of my voracious chewer/ reluctant swallower at dinner tonight. I'm hoping this is just a phase that will be phased out soon!

http://youtu.be/LbSLCDpYoRE

Good thing you're so cute, Ollie! 

Happy first birthday, Ollie!

What a joy...

To watch my little cutie-snootie

Grow into such a sweet little boy!

On July 5th, Ollie's first birthday passed a little differently than Stephen's and Rockam's did because we were traveling. So, while there were no candles or homemade muffin cupcakes, we did sing happy birthday and Ollie got his first taste of chocolate cake-- which, despite his sedate expression in this picture, was something Oliver ate (and even swallowed) with gusto.

Fountain fun

After visiting the Bean, we took the boys to the face fountain (Crown Fountain at Millenium Park). I was much too busy trying to keep track of my boys as the zipped from one end of the fountain to the other to take a good picture of the faces as they "spit" a firehose of water out on the screaming Tweens who huddle under the quirky landmarks.

No, Ollie, you can't sit down here.

Eating out in Chicago

Parrino boys at Za's in Champaign IL... Sometimes we let them have a kid table.

Eating at Stone Oven's lunch buffet... Deelicious Indian food in Schaumburg. Ollie liked it too.

Waiting for dim sum in Chinatown.

It was worth the wait...

Plus, there was live entertainment.

My three beans at the Bean

Bowling Green Visit

Last night (June 25) we took a quick trip east to Bowling Green to visit Joe and his hosts, Scott and Brittany. They have a smiley little boy named Felix who is just a few months ahead of Ollie.

Ollie shows Felix his toy as we wait to be seated.

My squid-loving Steve.

"Yay for French fries!!"

"Yay for pizza crust scrounged from big brother!"

"Mmmmm gelato!" Moments later, rocky dropped his cup, which Scott miraculously caught upright.

Joe and I split Spumoni Cheesecake... Yes those are Rocky's sticky little fingers trying to get a second dessert.