Rattle 'N Hum

The O Man’s developing rhythm. To him, it makes good, good sense. He just loves rattles now. He could have cared less about them until about a month ago, but lately he digs them above all else. He now shakes everything that comes into his hands to see if it will offer up any shake. When a toy won’t rattle, he’ll bang it against something hard repeatedly or just toss it away. He also likes to sing along when music is playing, though I confess that so far he's a wee bit tone deaf…For me it was a little pitchy in the middle there, dude.

Unfortunately, he also seems to have figured out that crying gets attention on the double. He cried for over an hour tonight because he didn't want to go to sleep until mama got home. Until now we’ve been responding, but we’re gonna have to break him of that bad habit. And soon.

The Scream

Two nights ago I dreamed I was being attacked by four oversized mechanical parrots. The parrots were at the command of a sinister looking fellow who was bent on causing me harm. The parrots would screech fiercely as they dive-bombed me, always swooping with claws and beaks agape. I carried a long walking stick and (somehow) knew a form of martial arts that was helping me to evade and even clobber the horrid creatures. After a time, with some effort and not a few scrapes I had managed to incapacitate three of the parrots. Seeing that I was making some headway at besting the flying bird machines, the sinister fellow released a new robot attacker on me, this time a surly looking woman. As she lumbered and lunged towards me I was forced to focus my attentions on her, allowing the fourth parrot the opportunity to come at me silently from behind, this time releasing its piercing shriek only just as it struck me in the back.

It was at this moment that I awoke. Turns out I had both the sheet and a blanket covering me. I was too hot and thus having a vivid, violent nightmare. This is a common occurrence for me. Whenever I'm overheated while sleeping, I see airplane crashes, suddenly plunge off cliffs, and constantly get into knock-down, drag-out fights. Some people are mean drunks; I'm a menace when roasting on the spit while sleeping.

Unfortunately, our little Olie appears to be suffering his own form of night terrors over the last few weeks. He now has two teeth, so that could be the cause. He has also been traveling of late, and thus suffering severe disruptions to his daily routines. And he’s become quite attached to his mother, seeking out only her whenever consolation is required so perhaps he’s suffering from separation anxiety at night. (My role appears to play more favorably to the daytime fun and games arena.)

Whatever the cause, the result is that he wakes up screaming bloody murder. He doesn’t appear to be in pain, but his screech would indicate otherwise. He screams at the top of his lungs and his mother and I both awake with a start. It is a remarkable scream, more striking since he has from birth been pretty stoical about whatever comes his way. Until lately, he has always rolled with the punches, so much so that when people witnessed him fussing, they nearly always mocked us for how “tough” we have it. Generally, he’s both thick-skinned and easy going, but not when it comes to what's now haunting him in his dreams.

Whatever it may be, I wish it would leave Olie be and instead wander into my dreams one night when I’m wearing too many blankets and happen to be carrying that magic staff I used to wallop those parrots…

More photos from a pretty, great trip

Up near the ski slopes (closed for the season!)

Further down the mountainside

Olie's apprehensive discovery of grass

Quiet time with Mom

Uncle Cody (Unca Griz)

Grandpa Sandy offers a leaning hand

Olie meets Uncle Steve & Aunt Debbie

Danny betting heavy on leak-free diapers

A Moose of A Mother's Day

Oliver traveled back to Utah this weekend for Mother’s Day, finally getting to meet his Uncle Cody (henceforth known as Unca Griz) and his Great-Grandma Updyke. As he is wont to do, Olie ratcheted up the charm to full tilt boogie regaling his great-grandma with tales of infant life from the streets of New York City. Since no trip to Salt Lake City is complete without a trek into the soaring mountainous terrain that encircles Happy Valley, on Friday Grandpa & Grandma Updyke gave us a guided tour of Big Cottonwood Canyon. Incredibly, the snow was still well over 3 feet deep despite the 70-80 degree temps!

Later, as we were coming back down the canyon Justine spotted a moose by the roadside. We pulled over to snap photos and soon a female moose (a cow) and 2 calves joined the male. Having had his fill of our presence, Papa Moose suddenly charged the car causing us to hightail it on down the mountainside doing double-time.

On Saturday, Grandpa and Grandma Updyke threw a picnic extravaganza in Olie’s honor, which drew out most of the Carlson Uncles, Aunts, and cousins and the Jenson’s, who all warmly welcomed the little tyke to the family. In particular, Oliver enjoyed meeting his 11-month old second cousin T.J. (and, yes, they were nearly the same size). Olie was a trooper through all the cuddles, kisses and cheek squeezes, but simply refused to go to bed afraid that he might miss any part of the action.

So delighted was little Olie with his visit to his Daddy’s homeland that he squeaked, squealed, and cooed at full volume as we navigated the airports and the plane on our way back to New York causing many a smile from passersby and fellow passengers.

Once again, Happy Mother’s Day to all the Updyke, Hand, Carlson, Jenson, and Bonnell Mothers!

And most especially a tremendous thank you to Mama Justine for spending her Mother’s Day traveling! Happy first Mother's Day to you!!!

In fighting form

Our (not so) little champ weighed in at 20 lbs. (90th%) and 29 inches (100th%) at this morning's 6 mo. check up. He's now ready to take on the next 6 mos.

Tooth two, waves, planes and Uncle Jack

Oliver turned 6 mos. old yesterday, and in honor of the day, waved his first wave. The recipient of this generous salutation, a cute 8-mo-old girl, who was already accomplished at the art.

Olie also enjoyed a great visit with Uncle Jack this weekend, who came all the way from Seattle. Despite some mild crankiness due to the appearance of Olie's second tooth, we all had a nice time walking in the Parks. By Sunday, Jack was feeding Olie solids (now expanded to include sweet potatoes) like a pro. Jack also put the finishing touches on Olie's first model airplane, which will hang in wait to delight The Boy as a mobile, until one day a few years hence when Uncle Jack returns for first flight.