Christmas 2006

We had a great Christmas holiday with family and we’re looking forward to seeing some old friends for New Years. Oliver seems to love a crowd. He does his best when he’s being passed from person to person, or when he’s sitting facing a crowd.


Just before Christmas, amazingly enough, Santa Claus was just hanging out at a nearby grocery store. We took the opportunity to take a photo with Oliver. If Oliver was asking for anything, it was to get off Santa’s lap RIGHT NOW!

Meeting Santa

Today I took Oliver to Pendleton to meet everyone I work with. It was Pendleton's holiday party and Santa was there handing out gifts. Unfortunately, my pictures of Oliver and Santa are terribly blurry. Looks like I'll have to go to the mall after all. He looked adorable so I took a picture of him in one of his holiday outfits. He was very cooperative and even managed to smile for me. -Jenny

First Smiles and a Christmas Tree

Today we went to a tree farm West of Portland and got a very nice tree. Oliver slept while we were there, and then yelled all the way home.






But when we got home, he treated us to some of his various new smiles. Just recently, he seems to be smiling for reasons other than passing gas. He's responding to our faces and showing a range of expressions. It's a lot of fun to watch!

Birthing Class Reunion

Here's a challenge for you friends and family members (especially you attentive grandmas):

Which of these six babies is Oliver?

Bonus point: Which is neighbor Sophia?

Hit the comments button below this to post your answer!

Baby Sophia

We took a birthing class this last summer with about 8 other couples. We were surprised when we recognized one of the couples, Neil and Sara, as our neighbors who live on the other side of the block! Their daughter Sophia is three days older than Oliver, and today they brought her over to visit. It was the first time Oliver had met another baby, and he was all smiles.

Sophia was exactly the same weight and length as Oliver. She's a real cutie. When we set the two side by side in the crib, we all suddenly realized how much he looks like a boy and she looks like a girl - even at 5 weeks old. It'll be fun to see these two change as they get older.
-Keith

A trip to the grocery store

Keith has been doing all the shopping and cooking since Oliver arrived but Oliver and I decided that today was the day to walk to the store and pick something up for dinner. I also needed to pick up some soy products because I've cut back on dairy to help with Oliver's gas.

It has been pretty cold here in Portland so I took the opportunity to put Oliver in a new hat. -Jenny

Traveling Man

In the car seat on the long drive to visit family in California. He did just fine.

One Month Old

Oliver is a month old today. So far so good. We're so happy to have a healthy burping, wailing, pooping, farting, hand-waving, finger clutching, eating baby boy. Did you notice I didn't mention sleeping? Well, he does sleep, but not for long. Jenny and I are the classic sleep-deprived newborn zombie parents. We're trying to establish a schedule, which involves a bath at a certain time, feeding at a certain time, and a "goin to bed" time when we all settle down in the dark bedroom.

Unfortunately, Oliver is still on his own time, and when he's hungry, bored, or lonely every 30 minutes throughout the night, we do our best to give him what he needs. Because I'm working and Jenny is on maternity leave, I get to play the, "I need my sleep to keep my job" card, which buys me the privilege of turning over and trying to sleep for 70% of his nighttime fussiness. The rest of them, I'm trying the rocking chair, the pacifier, and my new magic weapon, the Baby Bjorn. It straps him to my chest and he settles right down. But only if I'm moving around -- which means that if I want to sooth him, it's also a good time to do the dishes, sweep & vacuum the floor, etc.

Jenny can usually quiet him down by feeding. Now that she's pumping, I can try that too.
-Keith

Catching Up

One of the reasons we started this Blog was to keep family and friends updated on Oliver's progress. I finally have a few moments to catch everyone up on how Oliver is doing.

We left the hospital on October 31st and Oliver weighed 7lbs 6 oz. That Friday, we met with the lactation consultant who informed us that Oliver was already back up to 7lbs 11.5oz. Most babies take two weeks to regain the weight the lose after birth but Oliver was already back up. The consultant checked his sucking reflex and commented that he was like a snapping turtle. I couldn't have agreed with her more.

Last Friday was Oliver's two week check up with the pediatrician. He weighed 7lbs 12.5 oz and had grown one inch. He was very good throughout the check up until the end when he decided he was hungry. I was a little intimidated as I had never nursed him outside the house without all of my pillows. I am happy to report that we were successful! Oliver got his meal and I got a bit of a confidence boost. -Jenny

It seems like it's rained so much since Oliver was born. We just had a mild break in the weather and I took him out in the baby carrier that straps to my chest. Here's Oliver soaking up a sunbeam from a nearby window. -Keith

On Saturday (his 2 week birthday) we took Oliver out for some shopping. We had to get some things at Babies R Us. He's pretty fussy about getting in the car seat, but once he's in there, he mellows out. He even looks kinda happy in one of these photos! -Keith

Tummy Time and First Bath

Our New Blog!

Well, our new son Oliver is almost two weeks old! So, it's time to start a BLOG and share his progress with friends and family. More posts coming soon!

Oliver Van Evers

Born Saturday 10/28/06 at 12:18 PM

7 lbs, 12 oz

20.5 in long