Tuning back in

So, the past 7 weeks have been rather busy! We should have started a laundry load count and could probably figure out the changing diapers count to help give you an idea of how we spend our time!

Oliver is doing well, sleeping well at night and trying to learn to nap during the day. He smiles at us often, particularly first thing in the morning and right before he goes to bed at night. This morning, he was rather frantic, not in a distressed sort of way, but rather in a happy, trying to smile as big as he could sort of way. It was rather cute. His favorite thing to stare at is our bookshelf...we like to think it's because he's going to be scholarly, but maybe it's just because there are lots of colors. He had a wonderful visit with all four of his grandparents over the Holidays, receiving much love, many hugs and kisses, lots of cuddle time, and mounds of presents.

Thad and I are not as sleep deprived as we could be, so we are rather thankful for that. Though we are both pretty tired. If you are on Facebook, then you have probably been a bit more informed from us...sorry to have not posted here as often. Facebook is sometimes 'too easy' to update.

We are in the midst of very wintery weather. Not necessarily tons of snow, though there is some on the ground. Upon waking this morning, Thad read the outside thermometer, and it was a whopping 16 degrees Fahrenheit. Brrrr....

Thad is working out some of his travel plans for the year, with a couple of trips including myself and Oliver...woohoo!! We already have tickets to Barcelona for leadership meetings in May.

We are planning to visit Fort Worth for about 3 weeks in April, with a short jaunt to San Antonio so that Oliver can see his Opa Andy again as well. My sister and her husband are planning to meet up with us during that time, so Oliver will get to meet both sets of Aunts and Uncles, and his two cousins who are very anxious to see him in person.

It is Sunday morning right now, and we are at home. Thad had it in him to fix a Dutch Baby for breakfast this morning, which was delicious. We hope to return regularly to our German church once Oliver is in a better routine. His daytime sleeping is rather sporadic.

We hope to get out for a walk today, as it is nice to enjoy the fresh albeit cold air. The sun is out, which means it is a clear, blistering cold day...but that's okay, sunshine can still make me smile. An interesting cultural tidbit, is that all babies in Germany have to take Vitamin D for their first 1 to 2 years of life...I'm not for sure of all the reasons, but I assume it is because of times like this, when you can't really be in sunlight very often.

Well, I had better take advantage of this moment of quiet and move away from the computer. We will try to not let 2 months go by again between updates. For now, I will leave you with a link to my favorite photo of Oliver, so far. =)

overthehorizon.tumblr.com