My mother questions me, "how will he know when his birthday really is, if you never celebrate it on his birthday?"
Oh please, there is no confusion.
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big punch balloons adorn his door
(target only had "girl" colors) |
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| color doesn't seem to matter |
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blueberry birthday muffins, complete with candles
and a new shirt with a big 4! (hidden by his arms
as they prop up is handsome smile) |
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| a trip to the curious george exhibit |
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| presents! |
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We give him his family gifts and anything that came in the mail, on his actual birthday, so things are not too overwhelming at the party and so he can have some fun on his actual birthday.
The big thing Oliver was hoping to receive was a pedal bike, read - two wheeler with no training wheels. Oliver got a balance bike last year. It had two wheels, but no pedals and let me tell you, he had serious pedal envy. However, we didn't give in. He practiced on that balance bike for a whole year, and he got really good at it.
So the goal is to learn to balance first (hard), then focus on pedaling (easy) later. In theory this means learning to ride that pedal bike should come fairly quickly. Holy bananas! It worked just as I thought, maybe better...a rare treat.
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waiting for him outside
(that's Jim's company car) |
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| pretty happy |
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| 10ish laps with alternating adults around the driveway |
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after 20 minutes he was
riding by himself at the tennis court |
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I'm thrilled it happened so quickly for him, I really wasn't excited about that whole run-behind-the-bike-while-holding-the-seat-and-carrying-an-infant thing. At this point he just needs me to hold the bike upright while he gets started. His bike is a 14inch and his seat is on the lowest setting, which means he will have time to grow into it. The 12 & 16 inch are much more common, but the 12 would have been outgrown too quickly and the 16 would have been too big. Of course, we found the
bike on amazon...where are good things come from.
So again, a
balance bike is worth it! There are lots of brands, but we liked strider the best because it was VERY lightweight and super easy for him to maneuver on his own. Last summer when we drove across the country he used it to get around Niagara Falls, Chicago, and Boston...it was more fun than a stroller or a baby carrier.
Oliver also had a 4 year check up with his doctor. He acted silly, spoke in a baby voice, but ultimately proved his awesomeness by counting, drawing a person, naming colors, etc. Oliver is 35lbs (50%) up from the 3rd percentile where he was a mere two and a half years ago and 42 inches tall (75%), up from the 25th. In short, the doctor said he was perfect, which is already common knowledge, but it's always nice when someone of authority on the subject confirms it.
After the doctor leaves it's time for two shots. The nurse comes in with the shots and asks if I'd like them in his arm or leg. I let him pick, he picked arm. The nurse made him remove his shoes, so it wouldn't hurt if he kicked. Then she made me hold his arms down in a sort of shot restraint. So I'm wearing Lydia and holding him. I tell her this isn't necessary and that he isn't going to move. She insists I hold him. I hold, not tightly. He watches the shot...eeek, I never do that. He says nothing, and he doesn't move. Shot two, he watches, he says "ow ow, oh I like that band-aid, she poked me." Oliver is awesome, like really.
Today was a dentist visit. Also, no drama. Cleaned his teeth, flossed, x-rays, fluoride, ice cream, and a balloon. Yes, they give ice cream at the dentist. Yeah, I'm jealous too. I guess it's some sort of job security tactic.
In theory I'll be back tomorrow with details about the party!
