It’s a pleasure getting to know you.

I hear parents say that their child’s personality emerged very early and that many of their defining traits were clear when they were babies.  I wonder how this will translate with Oliver.  He has always had an easy-going, dare I say, happy disposition.  It is our good fortune that his smiles and giggles are freely given most days.  He can also be a bit of a snuggle bug.  In particular, he loves to snuggle his stuffed animals (especially his bear and panda).  However, like his dad, he does start getting quiet and a little grumpy when he gets overly tired.

He has also always had what we view as an independent streak, e.g., his preferences at times to play or work on a project alone.  He loves to play with Daddy, Sheryl and Mama.  But, we all also recognize that he needs his “alone time.”  Sometimes it is in the crib after a nap; sometimes it is during the day playing with his bus, cars, or train; and it can even be at the park when he decides to go explore on his own.  He will watch to see if you are around, but he keeps his distance and does not want you to interfere.  

We also think he is a bit of a “charmer.”  He loves to be around people and he enjoys the attention of others.  He is not a mama’s boy.  He does not usually cling to me in a group (unless he is tired).  He is more inclined to “cling” when it is just the two of us playing or reading together.  So far, he has been quick to jump into the mix with other kids at the park or bookstore (regardless of their age) and is happy at accept the attention of most friendly familiar and even unfamiliar adults (something we will have to address when he gets older).  He also seems to be cautious, but very willing to try new things.  These are all traits I think he has had for as long as I can remember.

Since turning one, I feel like we are now really starting to get to know Oliver.  Language is an amazing thing, and watching Oliver learn it is even more amazing.  He has a clear thirst for understanding his world, and he seems to know that communicating through words is the key.  Two of his earliest words, “see-see?” and “that’s?” have served him well.  He now uses the word “again” a lot, e.g., when he hears a new word, reading books or a favorite song.  He watches our lips with intensity as he tries to copy or just process the sounds.  But, he also now spends more time pointing to things and telling us what they are.  While we have had a few times where frustration has set in because he is trying to tell us something and we cannot understand, mostly he seems to have learned the words for what he wants or at least an effective way of communicating what he wants.  We are almost having real conversations with him (albeit, with a someone very new to our language and culture).  Here are a couple of examples,

Food examples:

Mom or Dad: “Oliver, are you hungry? It is getting close to snack time.”  Oliver: “No.”

Mom or Dad: “Oliver, are you hungry?  It is past snack time and you are getting a little short tempered with your bus over there.”  Oliver: He will either walk over to the fridge and pull on the door, or walk over to his high chair and wait to be lifted up.

Sheryl (after a trip an hour or so prior with Oliver to Whole Foods where they picked up among other things, bananas):  “Oliver, time for your snack.  Do you want some pears?”  Oliver:  “No.”  Sheryl: “No, but you love pears?  Don’t you want your snack?”  Oliver:  “Bananas, bananas!”

Already starting to out-smart us examples: 

Mom or Dad talking to the other:  “Do you know what he did with his B-U-S?  I haven’t seen it today.”  Oliver:  “Bus, Bus?”

Mom:  “Oliver, here is your letter train.  I am making O-L-I-V-E-R with the letters.”  Oliver:  points to himself with the “me” expression.

I could go on and on with our favorite recent stories.  But, the point is that Oliver is turning into his own person right before our eyes.  We are enjoying getting to know him; and so far, I think he is a pretty cool little guy!