Otto's First Christmas

Otto spent his first Christmas Eve in Olympia at Grandma and Grandpa Hicks' house. He got to meet his step cousin, Lauren, for the first time. She turns 8 years old the day before Otto's first birthday. She was so much fun to be around and so sweet to Otto.
(Otto and I actually arrived in Olympia on the 23rd and had a sleep over with Great Grandma Stewart who is visiting from Wenatchee. What fun we had together :)

At Grandma and Grandpa's house Otto helped pass out a few presents. Notice his shirt says, "I ate Santa's cookies." It's true! Can't you tell from those chubby cheeks?
It was nice to visit with my family and see my step brother's family also. We all had a fun time!

Christmas morning we were at home and had a leisurely morning opening a few presents. This was one of the many new books Otto received for Christmas. Thank you everyone for all the books! How did you all manage to coordinate your gifts and not duplicate a single book? Otto must have received at least 25 new books and they were all different and ones we didn't have yet. Impressive! Otto loves to read books!

Later Christmas day we went over to Grandma and Opa Richter's house in Kirkland. We got to see Aunt Jessica and the three little dogs. We had a delicious duck dinner and more wonderful presents.

Otto got a new sleigh that we can use next week on our snowy family vacation to Lake Wenatchee.
Thank you for all the thoughtful gifts that Otto received on his first Christmas. We are fortunate to have such generous family and friends.


P.S. Desrae, Otto loves his new track suit and wore it on Christmas day and ...Congratulations on your engagement! Will the wedding be in Boston or New Zealand? We'll come regardless.

Snooooooozing

We are not family bedders, but on a rainy Saturday morning you may just find us all snuggled up together. I caught these two taking an extra long snooze this morning.

Exciting New Milestones

Otto turned 11 months old today and today was the first day of not breast feeding him. It totally wasn't planned and as I write this I'm just coming to realize how coincidental this is.
I feel really sad, but am also glad to be finished. I'm happy for mine and his independence, but feel a loss for our cuddling and bonding time. We'll just have to have more hugs and kisses each day instead.
Otto weaned himself and now drinks formula from a sippy cup. In another month he'll be drinking cow's milk, which hopefully has a lot more calcium to build strong bones because Otto's just beginning to take his first steps. (Not to mention it's a whole lot cheaper. Can't believe formula cost $15 a can. Thank goodness I've breast fed him for this long!)
The last couple days Otto has been unusually fussy and it's not because he's teething nor is it from the red wooden wheel that's still adrift in his intestine. It's because he's mastering the wobbly art of walking. All day long he wants to practice walking and his four wheeled lion doesn't cut it, so that means I spend the whole day bent in half so Otto can lightly hold my fingertips while he practices.
I have a great sense of pride when I think about how much Otto has grown and changed in less than one year. He is amazing!

Otto's First Christmas Tree

Andrew and I go every year to this wonderful tree farm in North Bend. This year was extra special because Otto was with us. We bundled him up and trekked around for a little while in search of the perfect tree. We decided on the one just behind us in the picture, a beautiful 7 foot noble fir. Otto loved watching Daddy saw it down. Then we watched the workers put our tree on a shaker and then on a bundler. Finally we watched Daddy tie it on top the car.

Then we went inside the shack for some warm cider, a yummy cookie and a roaring fire. Lo and behold there was Santa again, waiting to hear what Otto wanted for Christmas. This time Otto sat on Santa's lap for about 5 seconds before trying to leap off. He's still not too sure of all that facial hair.

Santa gave Otto another candy cane and this time Mommy let him eat it, well part of it. Remind me to put a bid on next time! What a sticky mess, but a very happy kid. This was the beginning of a fun family tradition.

Otto's First Santa

After sharing a slice of Pagliacci pizza together on the Ave. we took Otto to see the boats on parade on December 1st at the Museum of History and Industry near the UW campus. We listened to the Seattle Girls Choir sing Christmas carols, sipped warm cider and munched cookies, but most importantly Otto met Santa for the first time. Unfortunately, Santa had too much facial hair for Otto's liking, so as you can see from his expression he wasn't about to tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas.

Daddy's Birthday

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Otto's First Snow

On December 1st we woke up to white stuff on the ground. What a fun welcome to the month of December. I wanted to capture Otto's very first experience with snow, hence he's not appropriately dressed for the weather in the photo. After waking up and having some milk we went outside to get the newspaper, which was covered with snow. Otto didn't hesitate to grab the snow off the newspaper and of course it went directly into his mouth. Moments later we were back inside our warm house looking out as it continued to snow. Hopefully there'll be more to come!

Otto's First Swim Class

Andrew and I take Otto twice a week for swim class in the evenings from 6-6:30pm. He started on November 20th and despite the chilly water he loves going. Each class begins with warm up followed by some songs, a lesson, some practice and ends with play. So far we have learned about water safety including signs of hypothermia, kicking on stomach, kicking on back, pushing off and getting head and face wet. Otto loves to splash and is getting better at kicking on his back. His instructor, Junco, says he's a born natural, which of course was music to Andrew's ears.

Otto's First Thanksgiving

For Otto's first Thanksgiving we feasted with family and friend at our house. Everyone brought something delicious so I didn't stress about the entire meal. It was fantastic! Thanks especially to Doug for his table and chair set. Otherwise we would have been sitting on the floor. Otto sampled a little of everything and even ate an olive off his finger, a family tradition. He especially liked the stuffing, cranberries and pumpkin pie. Auntie Jessica was grossed out by Otto's mixing of foods on his tray, but luckily she still loves the little guy.

Matching Sweaters

An incredible woman, Valarie, that my mother works with, knit these beautiful sweaters for my two favorite guys. Don't they look cute together!

Auntie Jessica

Such a cute picture!

Yep! He's a Stewart

So now I'm convinced he's part of the family. Otto has been sinking his teeth into delicious apples like this one. Since his great grandmother, Mary Stewart, owned an apple orchard and his grandmother, Joan, grew up on an apple orchard, I was glad to see his appreciation for this delicious snack.

Happy Birthday Mommy

That's right, Mommy turned 32 this year. Wow, was I ever spoiled! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Gobble, Gobble, Gobble

Happy Thanksgiving! Otto picked out a 22 pound turkey for us this year. How did he know it was daddy's favorite holiday and that daddy loves left over turkey cranberry sandwiches?

We hope your turkey is moist and delicious. We sure have a lot to be thankful for this year!

Do You Like My Hat?

This one is especially for
Uncle Brian and Aunt Cate.
Do you like my hat?
Thank you Great Aunt Charlotte for this beautiful hand made hat. We get lots of compliments on it.

Hey Good Lookin' Whatcha Got Cookin'

Otto has discovered the endless hours of fun behind the kitchen cupboards. The other day he took out the smaller of these two pots and oh boy did he make some noise! He loves to take the lid on and off. He also loves to drop the lid on the floor and watch it dance around until it settles. Could all this noise possibly hurt his tiny eardrums???

Otto in Drag

Here's Otto testing his gender identity. He's also testing the gravitational forces on feathers. And it looks like both are making him rather sleepy.

Mozart vs. Otto

Watch out Mozart...you've got competition. Mozart may have been "among the most enduringly popular of classical composers" according to Wikipedia, but this charmer even performs in the buck. Mozart_-_Piano_Concerto_No.20

Otto Visits Great Grandma

Veteran's Day weekend we headed over the mountains to Wenatchee to visit Great Grandma.Great Grandma is 92 and Otto is 10 months.

This is a picture of four generations: Mommy, Great Grandma, Otto and Grandma. We had a very nice visit and look forward to Great Grandma visiting us during Christmas.

The Sweater

Thank you, Grandma, for my warm snuggly cardigan with the ladybug buttons that you knit for me. It finally fits and the weather is such that I can wear it everyday. I know every stitch you made you thought of me and every time I wear it I feel your love wrapped around me. Thank you. I love you. Love, Otto

Otto's Learning Sign Language

This is Otto's sign for, "I'm hungry!"

Whew! Survived that One!

Yep, Otto had his first fever 103.7! It all started on Thursday night (Nov. 1st), perhaps it was too much Halloween boogy. About 6pm Otto seemed really hot, so we checked his temp and it was 102.5 so we gave him Tylenol. We checked his temp every couple hours through the night and I slept on the floor in his room to make sure he didn't have a seizure and because I was so worried about him. Andrew had been diagnosed with pnemonia on Tuesday, so he was also very sick. The next morning I called the doc and made an appointment and by that time Otto's fever would elevate as the Tylenol wore off until we gave him his next dose. The doctor said Otto would probably come down with a bad cough and a runny nose. Sure enough by Friday afternoon Otto's temp was back to normal, but he had a runny nose and bad cough. It's a week later as I write this post and our little Otto is back to his normal silly self. Thank goodness!

Adventures With the New Video Camera

Album Due out in January

So, the boys were at it again. Yep, band practice. Apparently they were all decked out this time for their big Halloween performance. Owen with his mo hawk, earring and tattoo and Otto with his pink tinged spikes and earring.
Here's Owen lost in the moment. Thanks to Kirsten and Karen for letting the boys have so much fun together!

Otto Goes to the park

Otto Goes to the Pumpkin Patch

On Sunday, after an overnight at Grandma and Opa's, we headed up to a pumpkin patch and petting farm in Edmonds. Despite the rain we were joined by aunt Jessica and Mickey. Otto wore his Halloween costume for the first time and thankfully stayed warm and dry. Since Otto is our early bird rooster we thought this costume was perfect (thank you Grandma).

Nine Month Milestone

Otto, we can't believe you are 9 months old. Each day we wake up eager to see what you'll accomplish that day. You amaze us and fill our lives with so much joy. Love, Mommy and Daddy

At 9 months you can...pull yourself up and stand holding on to something. You like to practice walking while you hold onto our fingers. We help keep your balance and guide your feet.

You just learned to crawl and can pull yourself up to sit from your crawl position.

You can say "bye-bye" mostly to Daddy and it probably only sounds like "bye-bye" to Daddy and me.

You are eating pretty much everything except seafood, citrus and whole milk and so far only seem to have a mild skin allergy to tofu fried in Sesame oil.

You like to roll over in your crib and pull yourself up at night. Which sometimes makes going to bed a real challenge. Speaking of challenges, you love to roll over while your diaper is being changed, something that we wish you did a little less of.

At your 9 month well child check you weighed 19 pounds and 14.5 ounces, that's 12 more pounds than you weighed at birth. You are at the 35% for weight, 85% for height and 25% for head circumference (although Daddy thinks those measurements are fairly inaccurate).

Here is your foot...your hand and your profile. Never again will you be this small. We cherish every inch of your soft skin.

Halloween Gore

This is Otto's gory Halloween costume...too bad it's so hard to be scary with a Cheerio stuck to your chin.

A Play Date with Addy

Our dear friend Nicki came for a visit with her daughter, Addy. Addy is exactly 2 months older than Otto and is just a doll. Nicki and I had fun watching our two little ones interact.
First they played at our house.
Then they played on the swings at the park and Addy shared her cookies with Otto.
Finally, they read bedtime stories together until they couldn't keep their eyes open any longer. What a treat to have them visit.

Brush, Brush, Brush, Brush

Since Otto got two pearly whites about a month and a half ago I have been cleaning them nightly with a cold wash cloth. Now he's upgraded to his first toothbrush. He loves brushing his own teeth (and mostly gums) as I read him bedtime stories. It also keeps his hands preoccupied so I can read and turn the pages.

Otto and the Giant Peach

Now you see it.Now you don't.
So, the story goes...Mommy set a giant peach on Otto's high chair tray for him to "explore" as she prepares the rest of his breakfast. Mommy had every intention of delicately slicing this giant juicy peach for Otto to eat, but Otto had other intentions for this peach. Within a matter of minutes this giant peach was torn apart by Otto's two teeth leaving behind only slimy skin, a peach pit and a puddle of peach juice...and that's how the story goes.

This Bites!

Teething again? Poor Otto has been pretty miserable as his two top teeth are coming in. His toy basket doubles as a teething aid, everything does, for that matter. Chew, drool, fuss, chew, drool, fuss (repeat continuously).

Fuzzy Wuzzy Was A...

Ever since Otto was born everyone has commented on his big blue eyes, but not anymore. His wacky spiked hair gets all the attention now. Some people ask if I cut it this way, but on the contrary, it just has a mind of its own.