Oliver: One Year

One year ago today we welcomed the sweetest little boy into our family. I remember being convinced that I was going to have a girl. I thought Mr. Stannix was totally joking when he said proudly, "It's a boy!" The first words out of my mouth were, "What am I going to tell Camilla...?" She is a rockstar big sister who has survived four brother's coming home from the hospital. As soon as she sees them, gender doesn't seem to matter anymore, and she exclaims how sweet and cute they are and tells us that she'll "love them anyway." And as I type this I can't help but tear up a little bit as I count my blessings and think about that special morning, bright and early, when we walked in from the hospital to introduce our little Ollie to his big brothers and sister. 

Oliver has been such a happy little soul and a special addition to our crazy family. He is almost always smiling, always watching, always observing contently. He is an old soul stuck in a little body, just waiting to run and explore. He loves the outdoors, rain or shine. He adores his older siblings and nothing melts my heart like watching him wrap his arms around them and rest his head on their shoulders. He has some pretty great examples to look up to! 

Oliver is tender, and loving. He is sensitive to his surroundings and to other people's emotions. He brings sunshine to every day and I can always count on him to cheer me up. Most of the time when I hold him, I love him so much that I just want to squeeze him all day long. His cheeks are perfectly kissable and we often mug on his face throughout the day. 

He has a belly laugh that is to die for! It bubbles up right from the bottom of his big belly as he shakes and giggles. He has a wave that makes everyone exclaim, "Aww!" when they see it. He elegantly waves his hand, bending at the wrist, with the biggest smiles and captures all of our hearts. 

Being his mamma and watching him explore, and learn, and grow over this past year has been such a pleasure. I can't wait to see what this year has in store for him!