6 months

from 5 to 6 months

Oliver turned 6 months old on March 20 (which was also the first day of spring this year). Half of a year of being parents has taught us that having a baby is an incredible amount of work and joy! Oliver is continuing to babble, explore his environment, put things in his mouth, and roll around. He also started to sit up on his own right around his half birthday. Making him smile or laugh is still one of the best feelings!

He still loves his play mat and can now roll front to back as well as back to front. This means sometimes he rolls himself right off the mat.

Bath time is still a favorite. He babbles, splashes, and likes his rubber duck and toy monkey.

He enjoys being read to and trying to look at (and eat) books on his own.

Now that he's 6 months old, we've decided he should start contributing a bit more. We're nice though and offer coffee (not really [of course]) before putting him to work on the computer. 

We recently visited the Minnesota Zoo and the Como Park Conservatory and Zoo. Below is a photo of Oliver at the Minnesota Zoo. He especially liked the noises the exotic birds made.

In the last few weeks Oli has started to grab his feet a lot. He has also filled out quite a bit. At his 6-month appointment he weighed in at 17 lbs 3 oz, putting him in the 50th percentile! Happy half birthday Oliver!

Growth

October 21, 2011 and March 5, 2012 

November 8, 2011 and March 14, 2012

Madison

Oliver's second roadtrip was to visit my sister Shell and her family in Madison, Wisconsin. It was also Chris' first time in Madison. We enjoyed unseasonably warm weather, seeing some of the local sights, loads of good food, and spending family time together. Thanks for the visit Ayres-Wilhelms! We had a great time!

Wisconsin countryside on our drive to Madison

local cherry ale

Shell, Oli and Bodie at the Community Center for lunch

break for a bagel

Oli waking up from a nap in Bodie's crib

enjoying the warm weather on State Street

coffee and the capital

Mel and Iz

Oliver laughing at Izzy's balloon

Shell's drawing of our day on State Street

espresso at Jennifer Street Cafe

cheesy grits

Izzy playing dress up

Oli taking a nap on the way back to St Paul