One thing that has been quite interesting about having kids close in age is the rate at which the 2nd learns something.  Most of the time they are good things they are learning from their close sibling but other times not so much.  Zoe is 4 years older than Zeke so when he started exploring and getting into things there were certain areas I could tell Zoe NOT to teach him (like how to open some certain cabinets).  She understood and tried to teach him the good things.   I, of course knew the day would come soon enough and was not in a rush.  But Zeke, being only 13 months older than Oliver did not understand this logic and proceeds to teach his brother all sorts of useful things.  Like the cabinets I was talking about and how to use a chair to reach light switches and out of reach table areas to name just a couple.  Oliver has been a great student and applies his new skills often.

Zoe 6

The tooth has finally come out.  Zoe loved having a loose tooth and loved telling everyone about it but I don’t think she was really ready for it to come out at first.  If it hurt at all while she was wiggling it she would stop.  But finally the day came when it was uncomfortable enough in her mouth to just have me pull it out.  I must say, she surprised me.  When I first started to pull it bled a little and I really expected her to want to stop but she just said “Just pull it out.”  So, I did.  She was relieved to have it out and was all smiles.

Zoe has just discovered she has a loose tooth.  This is a HUGH thing for her.  She has been wanting to loose her teeth for a good year now.  I’m not sure the fascination but whenever once of her friends lost a tooth she was excited for them and a bit envious.  She was complaining of her teeth hurting so we checked them out.   As soon as I told her she had a loose tooth she gave me a huge hug, ran around the house screaming, wrote it on the white board and ran outside to tell Greg.  She also had to quickly tell her friends the D family.

Oliver 1 year

Is there something missing from your diet?

Oliver Emmanuel Thames was born just one year today.  His entrance into the world has been much like the rest of the year.  FAST!  I arrived at the hospital a mere 20 minutes before he was born.  My doula almost missed the birth and was later “scolded” by the nurse that I wasn’t there sooner.  My doula informed the nurse that if it wasn’t for her I would still be sitting on the couch waiting for the babysitter!  When Oliver is ready to do something he just does it.  He was always extremely active in the womb and I  wondered what he would be like out in the wide world.  Well, this little guy has never stopped moving.  He started walking towards the end of September and never took pause.  He now dances around the room with the other kids and has been working on his jump.  He has always been a go getter and quickly learns what he needs to know to keep up with the big kids.  He has 8 teeth now and one of his favorite foods (although he eats pretty much anything) is apples.  He prefers it whole.  I love the way his whole face lights up when he smiles.  When he laughs he throws his head back and gives it his all.  We all feel extremely blessed that God placed this wonderful boy in our family.  Such joy and laughter he has brought.

Oliver loves that his big sister has no problem teaching him all the dangerous stunts.

safety…relatively.