You may be wondering where we’ve been the past week. Well, Thursday we headed down to Springfield, Mo., to visit my parents (Oliver’s grandparents). We got a late start on the drive, and Oliver went into a crying fit around 9 p.m. in the middle of nowhere. Since he’s usually so calm, we were pretty concerned. We pulled off the highway in some small town about an hour past Rolla in I-44. There were crazy locals everywhere, making noises and walking around with cups in their hand (I swear the one guy was a bum, but Sarah thinks he was a McDonald’s employee). Anyway, we hit the road again quick and a bottle of milk held the boy off for the rest of the trip.

During the vacation, we spent Friday at nearby Silver Dollar City, Saturday at the local Cider Fest street festival and Sunday relaxing. Oliver’s grandparents were so amazed by how big our little boy has become over the past two months. They fawned over him the entire weekend. It was pretty cool.

Anyway, below are a few pictures and a short video from our trip to Silver Dollar City. Enjoy.

Here’s a video of my dad and I at the start of the new PowderKeg ride (we’re in the third row). This ride was FAST (and a bit scary).

 


Here are Sarah and my dad (I’m on the left, but apparently my mom didn’t line us all into the frame) getting ready for WildFire, a crazy-fast and scary ride with numerous tight loops. I think I didn’t breath until halfway through the ride.




Here we are getting ready for the train ride (Oliver’s first ride). He seemed to enjoy punching us all in the face more than the actual show (if you’ve been before, you know the routine: train stops “unexpectedly,” two guys hold up the passengers, etc.).




A total coincidence, I swear, but Oliver’s attire matched the scarecrows on display throughout the park.




And finally, here’s Oliver with his grandparents next two a “tree” made entirely of fake pumpkins.

“I’m not that worried about his large head, because his dad has a big head as well.”

That, or something close to it, is what Oliver’s doctor told us today during his 6-month checkup appointment. She was taking his measurements, got his head circumference and went over to her table to write the number down. After making a puzzled expression, she came back over and measured it again. Same number. She double-checked her chart. Then she told us about his enlarged melon.

“His head is above the 97th percentile, which can be cause for worry,” she told us.

“Big heads run in Justin’s family,” my loving wife chimed in, as they both gawked at my freakishly large head.

Then I joined in the fun.

“My head’s probably the runt of the Lopinot men,” I explained.

Nothing to worry about. That’s what we were told. He has a big head, and big heads run in the family. End of story.

His other measurements today?

Weight: 19.4 pounds (the 75th percentile)
Height: 28.25 inches (90th percentile)

So the boy is big, but not gargantuan as he was during his 3-month checkup. Just the head. Big, huge head.

I borrowed “Grannette’s” (my nickname for Grandma Annette; grandpa is “Grodney”) fancy Canon camera for a work-related project yesterday, so Sarah, Oliver and I had a little fun with it at home. It was around dusk, so the lighting conditions weren’t ideal, but I think we really captured some great pictures of our little boy. What do you think?

This is an open letter to my wife regarding Oliver’s most recent foray into food: prunes.

Dearest wifey,

A great person (OK, my grandma, who is great by the way) once countless times told us that we should eat prunes because they will keep us regular. Well, her wise words appears to be evident with our son as well.

Yes, the prunes you gave him yesterday went through his tiny body like a Fiber One bar through an unsuspecting 32-year-old. Actually, much much quicker. Yes, that paddy I found in his diaper this morning was, well, quite stinky.

The dry-heaving you heard this morning? That was me. I can’t stand the smell — I’ll be completely honest with you. I don’t think I can handle another prune-based diaper mess. So let’s switch to other, less digestible foods. I think he poos enough on his own and doesn’t need that extra something-something. Don’t you agree?

Since we’re on the same page, let’s stick with safe food choices like green beans and bananas. Just say “no” to prunes. … Please.

Love,

Your hubby