Happy Halloween!

Cameron enjoyed carving pumpkins this year and actually got into a bit.  However, he was not so willing to scoop out the "guts" with his hands even though we tried to convince him to do so.  Too "yucky" I guess!  He liked dressing up of course in his handy-man outfit for which he wears almost daily around the house.  Trick-or-treating?  Well, at first he acted too shy and would not talk to anyone or even accept the candy being offered to him.  We did end up going to our church's pumpkin party/carnival and he had a great time!  After a bit of warming up, Cameron joined in the games and enjoyed himself.  He even took candy and prizes from the kids manning the booths.  We hope your evening was fun too!  ~Jeannette, Chris, Cameron and Audrey

Audrey at 4 Months Old!

Dear Friends and Family, 

Today I turn 4 months old!  I went to visit the doctor this morning and had my well-baby check-up and got another set of shots (ouch)!  I weighed in at 11 lbs. 12 oz. and I'm 25 inches long.  Apparently, I'm going to be "long and lean" as they put it.  I checked out well and the doctor was happy with me.  

Overall, I'm happy and doing well.  I smile all of the time and love to interact with others.  I'll coo and talk to most anyone.  Mommy says I'm easy going and very content.  

I drool like crazy and have recently found my thumb!  Yes, I think this is the preferred sucking finder. However, I'm still a little uncoordinated at times and my fists seem to sneak into my mouth more often then the thumb as of yet.  Sometimes I even try to suck on my fists while nursing and this drives Mommy nuts.  She has to hold my hand to keep it away from my mouth, sorry Mommy!  

I'm also currently working on rolling over from my back to belly for which takes an awful lot of hard work and practice.  I get stuck on my arm, the darn thing, and end up on my side.  I've got rolling over from belly to back down and so tummy time is challenging for Mommy because I don't stay on my belly very long...hee-hee!  She is always flipping me back over onto my belly.  I don't think she realizes that I would rather be on my back, silly Mommy.  She must like this game because we play it often! 

Anyway, every night I sleep about 12 hours straight and wake in the morning around 5:30 or 6:00 for a feeding.  I usually take 2 naps during the day and find myself sound asleep for the night around 6:00pm.  Mommy likes having a little freedom at night to enjoy her dinner and play with Cameron while I'm dreaming away.  I'm happy to be so accommodating!  

While I'm up and awake, I enjoy playing with my rattles and chew toys and interacting with my brother and laughing at the silly things he does.  I also enjoy swinging, front pack and stroller rides and of course rolling around on the floor.  Just the other day Cameron was jumping on Mommy and Daddy's bed and singing to me and this had me laughing so hard I actually wet my pants (funny I know).  I laughed even harder when he would jump up high and land on his bottom right in front of me and laugh.  I'm not so sure why this was so funny, it just was!  I guess I'm easily entertained.  

Well, I must run now I have to run a few errands with Mommy and Cameron before bedtime. Our afternoons get cut short with such an early bedtime.  All my love to you all!  ~Audrey 

Daddy Feeds Audrey!

Well, tomorrow I go in for a simple (I'm telling myself this so I don't get too nervous) scope test for a look-see at my esophagus and stomach.   I've been having continued discomfort and pain in my stomach and they want to find out for sure what is going on.  The "reflex" is causing my asthma to act up a bit and we are thinking that this may be the "trigger" for my continued asthma.  This is good but frustrating all at the same time!  Anyhoo...I've been pumping for the past three days in order to have enough milk for Audrey to consume while the anesthetic gets out of my system after the procedure (apparently they want me to "dump and pump" for 24 hours).  This has been a LOT of work!!  

Chris gave Audrey a bottle today to "test" her out.  We wanted to make sure that she would take the bottle and be ok.  She did wonderfully and acted as if nothing was different.  I was happy to see this and relieved too.  However, it is kind of strange to see your little baby taking a bottle when she has had nothing but boobies!  I felt a little jealous of that bottle, strange I know...what can I say?   

The best part about this whole thing was watching Chris feed Audrey for the first time ever!  They both looked at one another and it was so perfect and sweet!  Audrey even reached up and help his hand!  Chris never had the opportunity to feed Cameron this way.  He and Audrey seemed extremely content and happy!  You've got to love the LOVE between a Daddy and his little girl!  

Also, note the hair growth on Audrey...yes she is sporting a "crew cut" these days!  When will our little girl ever get a good head of hair?  If Cameron's hair is a sign of what to come then I have hope!  

~Jeannette 

Conner Evan Olsen

To Our Son…

 Born to soon at 28 weeks

Your heart too tired and no longer beats

You entered this world so silent & still

 

How beautiful you looked

Blond hair, blue eyes

Ten little toes and fingers too

2lbs 5oz, so tiny

 

You returned home too soon

Mommy and Daddy wanted to keep you

God needed you back

We had to let you go

 

Conner, our first-born son

You have a place in our hearts always

You are missed and never forgotten

We rejoice in knowing we will see you in Heaven

 Conner Even Olsen

October 14, 2003

Wet, Rainy, Sick Days! What To Do?

If you are not sure what to do on a rainy, stuck inside, sick day...look closely at the pictures above!  Warning...can make for a rather messy house!

Cameron kept himself busy un-rolling an entire roll of TP and then stringing it all over the kitchen and down the hall (it became a jumping device, car track of some sort and what looks like party streamers).   He also enjoyed finding and gathering every last pillow and blanket in the house, lumping them together and then jumping off the ottoman onto them!  Later in the day he put his bears to sleep and read books to them (this involved unfolding and removing almost everyone of Audrey's blankets in her closet).  Oh...let's not forget fort building! Cameron and Daddy have a fort built downstairs (forget about sitting on the couches) and today while playing in his room, Cameron built one using his bed mattress, toy box (for support) and blankets!  Way too cool!   

Today I let him and the house go for that matter!  He (we) had a blast.  I had fun watching Cameron's creativity, activity and tenderness.  He is a busy and fun little man!  

Audrey?  She's not feeling well at all today and spent most of her time in my arms.  Her stuffy nose and most likely sore throat is causing her a great amount of grief.  However, I was able to capture a few smiles and her newest trick "rolling over" from belly to back!

I hope that you all find fun, messy and memorable ways to spend days like today!  Go build a fort, snuggle up inside and read a good book (don't forget the flashlight) it's fun!  ~Jeannette