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2009

2010

2011

I have a TWO year old boy!

Oliver James is now a toddlin' tootin' terribly wonderful TWO year old.

His birthday was last week and we've been having little parties for a couple weeks, his formal birthday party yesterday. I think it's taken all these celebrations, all these moments for me to have the capacity to attempt to collect my thoughts on this milestone in his life.

I have been thinking of Ollie's birth story, the moment he came into my life. We didn't know who was coming and I had no idea I'd get such a bouncing blonde boy! I remember so vividly the moment his head came out, I remember how hard it was to push, I remember Chris holding my hand, my brother yelping and my mom crying. I remember looking at him as they carried him to the warming table and immediately yet slowly realizing that he was a real boy, a real individualized person to join our family. He wasn't me, he wasn't Chris, he was Oliver! Chris and I knew right away what to name him and ever since people tell me, "you know, he looks like an Oliver!" After all the chatter and guests, Chris laid Ollie in my weak arms and went to find food for himself. I immediately started crying as I naturally told Oliver who I was and how I'd always care for him to the best of my abilities. Ahh, motherhood!

I truly delight in my son. He is a constant reminder that life should and CAN be joyous. He laughs all the time. When he is hurt he relishes in being comforted. He forgives easily and looks forward to each experience, small moment and story. He is happy to share himself with the people around. He expresses himself, makes himself known. He is proud of his accomplishments and he loves himself. He likes to comfort me when I'm sad and is very empathetic when his baby cousins cry.

Ollie is still one of the cutest kids I've ever seen. He has fine floppy blond hair that grows in a perfect swirl out of the middle of his head. His huge eyes are as blue as the Caribbean ocean and he has round apple cheeks. His front two teeth are rounded and have space between them and when they show in a smile it makes me giggle. He is strong and big, though I can see he has slimmed down from Age 1 to 2.

As his birthday party was wrapping up I looked over and saw Ollie with his new bike helmet, one shoe on, one shoe off, a lollipop sticking out his mouth, a new toy in his hand and fully entranced watching his friend play near him. He's so grown, so pulled together! To think last year he wasn't walking yet, and now he hit a pinata and demanded a respectable fork for his cake!

I cried a few weeks ago as I realized (again) how fast this is going, and cried for the time that we'll never re-gain. His baby years are gone forever. But Chris pointed out to me that we have no regrets, which is all we can ask for in life. Somehow we raised a newborn into a toddler who is happy and healthy. We didn't use many books, just our own instincts and the wisdom of our trusted community, and we became parents. We are parents. I am Oliver's mommy and there is no greater moment in the world than when he runs down the hall to me with his arms stretched wide for a hug.

Disneyland!

Disneyland is the happiest place on earth. Here is why.

1. The staff are all amazingly friendly.
2. The attention to detail is incredible, leaving constant eye candy at every corner.
3. They handle crowds better than anyone. Lines are interesting, crowds are controlled. The combination of "single rider lines" and "fast pass" meant we never waited more than about 20 minutes for anything.
4. The smiles on children and adults are abundant and infectious!
5. It is CLEAN and pretty.
6. They seem to actually care about visitors. Ollie wore a "Happy Birthday Oliver" pin around the park for a few hours and must have received 10-15 well wishes from staff.
7. Mickey and his crew, I mean, come on. They are so stinkin' cute.
8. The spectacle of it all! World of Color was one of the most exciting, silly, funny, sentimental shows I'd seen in a long time, just perfectly done.
9. Music - everywhere you go! Live marching bands, jazz ensembles, music in your own seat on roller coasters, etc.
10. Great for all ages. Babies, toddlers, lovesick teens, hipster urbanites, young families and grandparents alike, all happy in one place.

The Haunted Mansion with Uncle Ricky

One of my favorite moments- quiet morning in New Orleans Square

Models

3 day Park Hopper passes gave us one "Magical Morning" which allowed entry to the park an hour before it opened. You can see our eyes are puffy and we were exhausted, but we did ALL of the Fantasyland rides + Matterhorn 2x in about 75 minutes. Awesome.

Ollie and Pops on Jungle Cruise!

The Greater Hoff Family

Ollie's favorite. In one week he went from saying "fee fee" to "Goofy"! Good job vocab skills.

The King of Happy himself - Sir Mickey.

Dr. Linda Hoff, PhD, Mom, Grammy

My mom began her second graduate degree the Fall after my little sister moved to Oregon for college. It was a big leap for her to pursue a degree that she'd always wanted and felt she should have in order to continue her years of high ranking academic positions. It was grueling at times, for her, but also for my dad and our family. The pressures of doctoral work and research are amazing to me! She commuted 4 hours to Claremont once a week for 2 years, had an apartment away from my dad, and managed to keep a full time job as the Director of Education in Fresno while also in school AND spending time with both her daughters when the babies were born.

I am so proud of her! She completed her doctoral research on the topic of how universities select "master teachers" for student teachers, and how so often they are not picking the most qualified ones and all the ramifications that has on the new teachers entering the field of education. Seeing as Chris will student teach this Fall, it was a very appropriate and interesting study. She is so passionate about her work and truly cares for students. Her highly intuitive empathetic side pulls her out of the malaise of bureaucratic red tape and keeps her connected to the heart of the matters.

My mom is a role model to me - constantly working to balance her marriage, career, and family.

Go Dr. Mom!

Check out that hood!
Three doctoral stripes!