Olan Duval-Arnould

Super Fast Hand Puts Cookie In Mouth

2009-12-11T19:46:00.001-08:00

Santa, Olan. Olan, Santa.

2009-12-11T19:44:00.001-08:00

Olan in Autumn

2009-11-29T17:40:00.001-08:00

Olan and Dad went to the High Museum to play in the "piazza".

This shot was taken under a ginko tree that had just dropped it's leaves.

It was a beautiful day.

Baby Love

2009-11-28T11:43:00.001-08:00

Olan at Ikea

2009-11-28T11:29:00.001-08:00

Thanksgiving 2009

2009-11-28T08:59:00.003-08:00

This Thanksgiving was fantastic. Kjersti made an amazing meal from her Grandma's cookbook. Just look at that bird.

Thanksgiving 2009

2009-11-28T08:59:00.001-08:00

This Thanksgiving was fantastic. Kjersti made an amazing meal from her Grandma's cookbook. Just look at that bird.

Thanksgiving 2009

2009-11-28T08:58:00.001-08:00

This Thanksgiving was fantastic. Kjersti made an amazing meal from her Grandma's cookbook. Just look at that bird.

Olan's First Swim

2009-06-03T12:37:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we took Olan swimming for the first time. We went to the new community pool in Piedmont Park - it was such a cool facility! The pool had all kinds of different environments - a "river" channel that propelled you through with water jets, a spinning whirlpool, a zero-entry part (like walking into the water at the beach) with spouting jets, a water jet fountain splash area, and the usual swimming lanes and pool features - we had a blast! Olan took to the water in his deluxe baby boat, with full canopy depoloyed to protect his fair skin. He wore a lovely sunhat from Grandma Karen and lots and lots of baby sunscreen! He had some hesitation about the whole experience at first (you'll see his serious expression in the video) - but after about 20 minutes in the water he started kicking, smiling, and loving it. He met lots of new kids - several came up to admire his boat, including two who engaged him in a pirate adventure (a daring escape from some sharks was accomplished). He also bumped boats with another floating baby, who was piloting a puffy yellow dragon. Lots of good times. We're going to be hitting the pool a lot more this summer - so when you come for a visit, be sure to bring your suit!

Dancing Baby

2009-05-27T18:41:00.000-07:00

Get ready for some awesome moves - here's the ABC music video starring the Solid Gold Dancing Baby, Grandmaster O-B-D!

The Cuteness

2009-05-27T18:33:00.000-07:00

Here's O having his "naked time" before his bath. As you can see, he is getting more mobile - rolling, creeping (backwards) and generally becoming a baby on the move! He has left his anti-tummy feelings in the dust and is looking forward to some good old fashioned crawling soon. He enjoys playing on this cushy cloud blanket that Maya Kalstrom made for him - thanks Maya! You can see one of his toy boxes turned up in the background - he loves to tip the box and select his own toys. There are some faves scattered around him. He takes things out and sometimes puts things back - good baby!

Oakland Cemetery Outing

2009-05-27T18:15:00.000-07:00

We had a fun outing to historic Oakland Cemetery with our neighbors Ashley and John and their son Gage. Over the course of our walk, Gage gave Olan two big hugs (you can see the first one in the picture above!) - the second hug was so enthusiastic and long that he had to be coaxed away lest Little O get confused or scared - it was pretty cute. A loving little guy! The cemetery is beautifully designed and has a large monument and burial ground for confederate dead at its center. The plots were all uniquely designed - some graves were actually kept as planting beds, others featured monoliths or structures. People are still being actively buried at Oakland, but only in family plots that are already reserved. Meanwhile they have a visitors center, lectures and events, and even Halloween celebrations there - a lot of fun things. As you can see in the pictures, Olan discovered the flower of the magnolia tree as well as the dandelion - to his great delight. The dandelion ended up a little worse for wear, but even with its stem bent and its petals having been pressed tightly into a tiny little fist until flat, it was beloved. The day was overcast, humid, and fragrant with the plants of the cemetery. We had a lovely time!

First Mothers Day

2009-05-27T18:11:00.000-07:00

Here's the little guy on our first Mother's Day brunch. We ventured out to a restaurant after church, and Olan ate his applesauce while mommy and daddy had our meal. We meant to go to the park afterward, but sadly the rain came and we had to change our plans. We had a nice time together, and mommy was very happy to be Mommy.

Daddy Time

2009-05-27T18:08:00.001-07:00

This month Olan has been fascinated by faces - here he is exploring Daddy's face with gentle hands. If you let him, he'll be happy to stick his finger in your mouth, nose, or ear - all equally interesting!

Playdate

2009-05-27T18:04:00.000-07:00

Olan has been having some fun playdates with his new friend Gage, our neighbors' son. Gage is almost 2 years old, and loves Olan. He gives him hugs and blows him kisses, and loves to share his toys with Little O!

The Bundle

2009-04-13T16:25:00.000-07:00

Olan's personality is blossoming every day. He loves to laugh, sigh, groan meaningfully, and most especially SCREEECH!! His spirit name shall be "Screaming Eagle". He bounces up and down in his jumper with much gusto and laughter, and is now rolling himself over. He migrates around in his crib like crazy! He is soooooo close to saying "Mama" - he says the sounds of it already, but doesn't yet know that it's a word. He loves singing more than almost anything, except for maybe his most beloved treasure, "Fish Eyes". His favorite book! He's getting really strong, and is now riding in the "big boy" stroller seat, not the wee infant seat when we go for walks. He has taken kindly to eating - most especially sweet potatoes. But he also likes squash, green beans, pears, apple sauce, and peaches. A few other foods have come and gone, including peas, carrots, and bananas - so far, not a fan! Here's a picture of Olan looking as he does so often from day to day - a bundle of joy.

Happy Easter!

2009-04-13T15:49:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter everyone! We started out the day at church, where Olan had a blast in the nursery playing with the Leap Frog activity table - wow, he loved it! So much so that we have one arriving in the mail in about a week... He's getting into more advanced toys now, and is endlessly curious! Anyway, we enjoyed the sermon quite a bit, brought Little O in during communion for a blessing, and had a quick bite to eat before hopping in the car for a day trip. We went to the Monastary of the Holy Spirit, a beautiful active monastary about an hour's drive from Atlanta. It's on about 3000 acres of land in Conyers, Georgia, and is a retreat not unlike the one where we had our wedding except that it has the brothers living and working there of course. The property is lovely, with a sanctuary built by hand by the monks, a bonsai garden, and a lake with geese and ducks - we had lovely weather, it couldn't have been more beautiful. The whole feeling of the landscape and the buildings was peaceful and meditative. A nice nun named Elizabeth offered us lemonade and peach juice and told us the history of the monastary. We learned that that morning their Easter service had started at 4am, with a gathering outside around a bonfire. If we're here next Easter, maybe we'll try to go!

First Time on a Swing!

2009-03-18T18:25:00.000-07:00

Olan had an outing to the playground today, where he had a landmark moment - his first time on a swing! We were at the playground doing the usual sideline observation of other kids - fun, but you kinda can't wait for more interactive play - when we noticed another mom with her baby daughter using the swing. Curiousity got the better of us and we went over to meet mom and daughter (Sydney). Little Sydney was only about a week older than Olan, and there she was, swinging with abandon. So we looked hard into one another's eyes and resolved to give the swing a try. After all, this week Olan has been sitting up with no assistance, rolling to the side, and even trying to stand up in his bath while using the sides of his tubby for support! This seemed doable. Olan kicked out his legs to get them through the swing holes - much easier than the holes to get into his jumper - and he was ready. It was a great success! Olan enjoyed the swing for a good 15 minutes, feeling the breeze on his legs since he was wearing his first pair of shorts - then we moved on to observing the geese... here's the video!

At the Park

2009-03-08T15:51:00.000-07:00

Our family went to the park again today - this time with a blanket and toys so that we could spend the afternoon there. It was so much fun - Olan met a little girl baby named Grace which was exciting for him. He had a great time watching all of the kids (and dogs!) in the playground while playing with his own toys on a blanket in the shade. It was a beautiful day outside, in the seventies and sunny, with a slight breeze. He broke out his little sun hat for the first time, and looked very handsome.

Yesterday we took him to the Farmer's Market, where he had an equally good time - he "helped" to pick out some items and also to push his stroller. He is reaching for things all of the time now - always wanting to participate in each task. He helps to open the cupboards in the kitchen, helps to carry his bath things, and selects his own toys out of the toy box.

I think his favorite part of the Farmer's Market might have been being surrounded by a wealth of colorful bouquets of flowers - he wanted to grab them all! His latest skill is wiggling - it's quite a sight when he gets going! He literally wiggles with joy - and at the flower stand he nearly wiggled out of my arms!

Olan is sitting up on his own now while playing - he will make it for long stretches before toppling - but still he is toppling at some point or another if left to his own devices! It's become a bit of the game that we call "the baby flop" - for soft surfaces only!!

Here's some photos and a movie from our day at the park...

Groovy Baby

2009-02-26T17:24:00.000-08:00

Olan has lately been discovering the joy of jumping, which led to some experimentation with boogeying in general. Here’s daddy helping him to “get down”…

Play Time

2009-02-26T17:08:00.000-08:00

Here’s Olan at play – the first picture is tummy time with Olan in his very first pair of jeans. It’s a good look for him, don’t you think? These jeans are actually 9 month size, but they fit him pretty well – just a little loose in the waist. He’s so long that even at 5 months old, the 9 month pant leg is about the right length for him. The other picture shows his new favorite activity – sitting up. He still can’t do it solo without support from the Bumbo chair, a helping hand, or a couch pillow – but he’s really working on it! If he’s half reclined, he will strain to get himself into a sitting up position where he can reach toys in his vicinity. Baby abs of steel!

An Outing to Piedmont Park

2009-02-26T16:54:00.000-08:00

We had a family outing to Piedmont Park last weekend, where Olan got to spend some time watching the kids in the playground – he loved it! We went from there to the duck pond, where he gnawed on mommy’s finger while pondering these new feathered friends. He’s in full-on teething mode now, and loves to get a good finger chomp in whenever possible! The day was chilly, but he stayed warm in his Baby Bjorn, close to mommy and wearing his warm things.

Little Valentine

2009-02-26T16:37:00.000-08:00

Olan had a very nice Valentine's Day. After running his errands - most importantly going out to get his Valentine for daddy - he had a contemplative moment at the window where he waxed poetic about life and love...

The Great Poodini

2009-02-08T18:47:00.000-08:00

For your viewing pleasure... today's three star-studded features are (from top to bottom): The Great Poodini, Tummy Time, and Busy Baby.

In addition to capturing some fun videos of Olan this week, the Duval Family had a nice weekend, with an outing to an estate sale shop and an attempt to visit Fernbank Forest, a preserved old growth piedmont forest (we couldn't get in there since it turned out they're closed on Sundays but we will try again next weekend!). The forest is in a neat part of the city - a 1950s enclave. It was great just to tool around Atlanta a little bit, and Olan always likes to get out and about. The weather was lovely over the weekend, and it was good to spend some time outside.

Olan's favorite noise to make this week is definitely the raspberry - it's raspberries 24/7! He's mastered the art of the drool as well - he goes through several bibs a day - wow, what volume! So we're expecting the teething to start soon...

He's been very inquisitive of late - he is very serious and focused when taking in new things and new people. He's got quite an attention span! He's also starting to get curious about how the big people do stuff - like drinking out of a cup. He grabs mommy's water glass and pulls it to his lips, and has even taken a little sip on two occasions. Daddy's been teaching him how to crawl during tummy time - maybe that will be a video for another day! It's pretty darn cute.

Olan Gets His Ducky and More

2009-02-02T14:17:00.000-08:00

Here are a couple of videos from last week - let the cuteness unfold...

Standing & Walking

2009-01-24T08:48:00.001-08:00

Here's some video of O.B. Wan Baby this morning, engaged in some of his favorite activities - standing and walking! Check out the big finish - grabbing up his baby keys... Now he just needs something that those keys will fit into and he'll really be on the move! As you can see, he's gotten a lot bigger. He's wearing all six month clothes now - he's growing like a sweet little weed.

You might notice we've added a running sidebar of images to the blog - we will add a picture of Olan from each month. Emily and Ben - look familiar? We stole that idea from Brayden's blog!

A few of you had noted that you haven't been able to post comments - that problem should be resolved now, we updated the comment settings. So feel free to give it a try if inspiration strikes!

Oldies But Goodies

2009-01-22T16:48:00.001-08:00

These are just a few favorites that hadn't made it onto the blog before - looking at the picture of Karen with Little O the day he came home from the hospital really puts into perspective how much he's grown!

Smiles!

2009-01-22T16:23:00.000-08:00

Finally figured out how to capture the smiles - pictures with a timer! Here's the happy little guy this afternoon - getting kisses from mama.

2009-01-22T10:47:00.000-08:00

Olan just had his 4 month well-baby appointment! He is up to 16 lbs 11 oz and 27 1/2 inches now. His height is officially off the charts, weight still around 90th percentile (slightly under) - in other words, he's a little baby stringbean! He had 2 more shots, which was definitely not much fun but he was a trooper. Poor little guy is not feeling so hot as a result - but the doctor said it only lasts a day or two, so he should feel better very soon.

He has enjoyed moving into his own room this past week, and is sleeping very well there. In fact he has slept through the night for the last three nights, which is a great joy for mama. What a luxury!

The family just celebrated Kjersti's birthday - the flowers that Olan is playing with were a part of that fun. He loved grasping that stem and whipping the flower up and down - woo hoo! As you can see, he is also very fond of sucking on the bill of his ducky. In fact he usually will hold the duck there on his own - but in this pic mom is helping out a little. :)

We still have to get a good smiley pic up on his blog - it's amazing how as soon as you raise the camera, his face becomes quizzical - "what is that?" But he's laughing and smiling all the time! We promise to work hard to show you soon....

Jumper!

2009-01-13T16:20:00.000-08:00

Olan got a fun new jumper seat this weekend, which he is now familiarizing himself with... Since Jumper is still kind of a stranger to him, he doesn't quite trust this new bud enough to be left alone together quite yet - but he's veerrrry interested! We foresee a long and happy friendship, with lots of bouncing, flashing lights and spinning frogs! As you can see, his legs aren't quite long enough to reach the ground in it yet - he can touch the floor with his tippy toes only. So he's standing on two great tomes that give him much better footing and control - the top one there, fittingly, is EARTH FROM ABOVE.

Next week will be his 4 month well-baby appointment - we can't wait to see how big he's gotten!

Olan's Balloon

2009-01-12T17:26:00.001-08:00

This is a blast from the not so distant past - it's a video from when Olan was just 3 weeks old, and Nana and Grandpere (Rosemary and Bertrand) were staying with us. It was such a feat of superbabyness that we have to share it on the blog! Enjoy...

2009-01-08T17:44:00.000-08:00

Olan has graduated from laying-down play to sitting play! Here he is in his Bumbo chair, loving his play tray and curling his toes. His favorite pasttime these days is parctice standing and walking - sure, it's a little early, but the guy can't get enough of moving those feet! So he starts most days with a little stroll along the window ledge, taking in the sunrise.

This week he is getting to know his new nanny Jenn, a friend of Kjersti and Alex who is spending 4 hours each morning with him so that Kjersti can return to work part time. Olan loooves Jenn. The first day she was here, he was already laughing with her on the changing table - a sign of real affection!

Olan's Blog

2009-01-05T16:11:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the new site for the Duval-Arnould Family Blog! This site will feature all of the news about Olan and more, and is associated with our new family email address, DuvalArnouldFamily@gmail.com. We hope you will enjoy all of the news and pics to come!

Olan's First Christmas

2009-01-05T06:17:00.000-08:00

This month has been a busy one for Olan. He celebrated his first Christmas, took his first trip on an airplane, and experienced his first cold (we're all still recovering from that!). The Duval family had a great time in Minnesota for Christmas, and Olan is very grateful for all of the very generous gifts that he received from lots of loving hands - he is of course a fashionable baby on the go and is putting all of the adorable outfits and great new toys to good use! He loved meeting his family in spite of feeling a little under the weather.

We came back from the trip with some great memories - and some great stories, like the inspiring "Tale of the Miracle Onesie", the compelling "Olan and the Nontraditional Christmas Eve Dinner", and the harrowing "Story of Ye Old Cranky Neighboring Air Passenger".

It was a dramatic introduction to the cold and snow of Minnesota upon our arrival - we flew into a snow storm, and perhaps due to the significant delays our flight endured there was no jetway connector for the plane to link to the concourse - so we had to disembark down a steep metal stairway onto the tarmac, with freezing wind and snow whipping all around us, and climb another stair into the concourse. Kjersti held Olan and the railing, and Alex buffered us from the wind and held Kjersti's arm going down and up the stairs before returning for all of the bags, stroller, car seat, etc. For two people who are used to traveling light, the first trip with Little O was a wakup call entitled "Becoming an Airport Pack Animal" - wow, did we have a lot of stuff!

Olan had so much fun at Grandma Karen's, at Auntie Donna's, and Randi & Phil's Christmas Coffee - he made the rounds in many arms, and found the whole experience very intriguing indeed. He loved showing off his new Norwegian sweater, a gift from Grandma Karen! And he was very excited to hear the news of another baby on the way - congratulations Josh and Jen!

Merry Christmas and Happy 2009 to all!

At Colony Square

2008-11-20T13:32:00.000-08:00

Out and about at Colony Square - wow! What a world!

I think baby Olan's tongue just unfurled.

Month Two

2008-11-20T12:43:00.000-08:00

Olan had his second month well-baby appointment yesterday. He weighed in at 13 lbs 9 oz and 24 1/4 inches long. Still in the 90th and 95th percentile respectively! It was a challenging visit since he had to have 2 shots - but he was very brave and he did a great job. He was a little feverish in the aftermath - he had 6 immunizations in total, bundled into 2 shots and 1 oral. So he had some symptoms in the afternoon, but kicked them by evening. In month 2, Olan had a great milestone - after plenty of batting the hanging toys in his play gym, he moved on to catching and grasping them. The first time he got one, it was "Purple Ellie" - and mom got it on video - what luck!! Olan also got a swing this month - it's his new love. He loves to swing and hear stories and songs. He is sleeping well - almost through the night as of last night. Mommy and Daddy have begun to formalize his schedule and he seems to enjoy it. He is a very smiley baby - especially in the morning. And he loves a good diaper change - that's always good for some solid coos and smiles! Olan is looking forward to seeing the family at both Thanksgiving and Christmas - Nana and Gaga will be in Atlanta for Turkey Day, and Olan will take his first trip for Christmas in Minnesota. Lots of fun ahead!

Sleepytime Marching Band

2008-11-17T14:37:00.000-08:00

The marching band goes by in a revelrous hullabaloo.

While Olan sleeps soundly as if in the pouch of a musk kangaroo.

Veteran's Day

2008-11-17T14:33:00.000-08:00

Its Veteran's Day and O is supporting our troops.

The Admiral drives by while somewhere a baby poops.

Chill baby

2008-11-17T14:28:00.000-08:00

Its getting colder outside.

Right now he's Dr. Jekyll, at 6:30

Mr. Hyde.

First Time

2008-10-30T11:55:00.000-07:00

Daddy is feeding Olan for the first time.

Olan said simply, "Sublime."

Tongue

2008-10-30T11:49:00.000-07:00

Here's baby O sticking out his tounge.

Don't worry he's not coughing from coal miner's lung.

He's straight up anticipating some egg fu yung.

Olan & Bunny in the Park

2008-10-23T10:21:00.000-07:00

Olan and Bunny are sleeping in the park.

Remember to honor your father and your mother,

like it says in chapter seven of the Gospel according to Mark.

Olan & Bunny

2008-10-23T10:12:00.000-07:00

Olan likes Bunny.

As much as he dislikes the move away from Bretton Woods to fiat money,

or a nose thats runny.

Olan's First Month

2008-10-23T10:10:00.000-07:00

Olan has moved into his second month of life in good health and good spirits. He accomplished a lot in month 1, including incredible growth - at his well baby appointment yesterday he weighed in at 11 pounds, and measured 23 and 1/2 inches! That's 3 and a half inches of growth in just over 4 weeks - and 3 pounds in just over 3 weeks! The doctor put him in the 95th percentile for weight and "off the charts" for height - so we've got a little Viking on our hands!

Olan's face has evolved dramatically this month from the newly born stare of wonder to a wee little personality with a variety of expressions... He focuses on faces and tracks movement like a champ! He is working on his neck muscles during tummy time in his play gym - it's not easy, but he powers through with grit and determination.

His other skills include putting his hands together, grasping objects - including his bunny which he managed to grasp and lick simultaneously ;), finding his thumb for sucking, and making a broad range of sounds (at both ends!). At three weeks old, he held a balloon by the string and passed it from one hand to the other - what a baby!

This month, Olan has had his first (and many) bath(s), his first trip to the park, his first outings to a restaurant, the Gap, and the grocery store, and three trips to the pediatrician. He has had a chance to get to know Grandma (Karen), Auntie Donna, Nana (Rosemary), and Gaga (Bertrand, who really will be called Grandpere but has bee dubbed Gaga for the time being by Olan's cousin Liam!).

Mommy and Daddy have benefited greatly from the help we've had these first weeks - and Olan too from all of the loving hands and faces that have held him, changed him, and strolled him this past month. What a lucky baby!

Singing with Nana

2008-10-21T12:16:00.000-07:00

Olan and Nana are singing. Look at how his hand, like a mic, to her finger is clinging.

Mirror Mirror

2008-10-17T10:16:00.000-07:00

Mirror mirror on the floor, who is the baby with the super-high apgar score?

Napping Angel

2008-10-08T10:40:00.000-07:00

Olan is taking a little nap.

Olan in the Light

2008-10-03T11:55:00.000-07:00

Its a sunny afternoon. Olan is two weeks old.

Five days old

2008-10-03T11:48:00.000-07:00

Here is a photo of Olan at five days old.

2008-09-28T15:05:00.000-07:00

Olan Bertrand Duval-Arnould was born on September 20, 2008 to Kjersti Ann Duval-Arnould, mother, and Alexis John Ross Duval-Arnould, father.

He was born at Emory Crawford Long Hospital in Atlanta, GA USA. The delivery took place on the third floor in the Maternity Ward of the new building.

Olan weighed 8 pounds 12 ounces and was 20 inches long.