Making a Splash

While we were in South Carolina, Owen took his first dip in the pool. He was a little unsure at first, but by the end of the week (after three minutes, actually), he really loved it.

Lotioning, Oiling, Oiling, Lotioning....I can't take it anymore!!!

Mo-hawked buddies

Hating it at first - mean mommy laughing :)

Chillin' on the steps

Now, this is cool!

Ahhh, this is the life!

Fun times in the pool with Nephew Newt

Greetings from Charleston

Owen and I decided at the very last minute to make a Memorial Day trip to Charleston to see Jonah, Aunt Katie and Uncle Ben. We bought our ticket on Friday, flew in on Monday, and will be here until Friday. We really miss Daddy, but are having a blast in the South Carolina sun! We've been swimming, been to the aquarium, and just been hanging out! I can't wait to share pictures of Owen's first dip in the pool - he loved it...once he figured out what was going on :) I forgot my camera when we went to the aquarium, but luckily my iphone has a pretty good camera, so we were able to snap some good ones!

Hanging Out with Dad

Last week, I went into stealth paparazzo mode to capture some pictures that are now some of my favorites.  I was upstairs in our study and noticed Justin and Owen "hanging out" outside, and had to grab the camera.  

I've talked about this many times before, but Owen absolutely adores Justin!  And Justin absolutely adores Owen!  Never in a million years could I have ever asked for a better father to my child.   I love watching their bond develop, and I can't wait to see it grow over the next 10, 15, 20, 50 years!  

Playtime with Owen

The last few months have been so much fun with Owen.  I mean, he has always been fun, but he is so interactive and smiley and talkative lately...I love it!!! 

A few highlights...

• Owen LOVES being outside.  He can be screaming his head off and we will step out on the porch, and he will immediately stop crying and start talking.  It's crazy!  We usually take at least one walk a day, but most days two (weather permitting).  Owen is such a big boy now, we've started sitting him in only the stroller!  I enjoy that Owen likes being outside, because it's an excuse for me to exercise.  I even walk with weights and do arm exercises sometimes...Justin refuses to be seen with me on those days - hence the two walks.  :)

• Owen has outgrown his bouncy seat! :(  Fortunately, he likes his jumperoo just as much...if only I could figure out an easy way to lug that thing upstairs so I can take a shower.   

• Owen loves playing Patty-cake (also the Itsy Bitsy Spider) with mommy and daddy.  As soon as we start, he will usually start singing along, and always starts cracking up when we do "and throw it in the oven for Owen and me!"  We play it so much, Owen has already started clapping on his own.  Um, I mean...Owen is such a genius, he has started clapping on his own :)  Hopefully we can post video of it sometime, but he never does it when the camera is out.  You'll have to take our word based on the picture :) 
  

•  This probably isn't technically a playtime activity, but I am sure Owen would consider it one...he LOVES bathtime!!  He outgrew the sling on his baby bathtub, and the actual bathtub part of it was hard plastic so we weren't quite ready to have him sit in it.  So, we bought a Munchkin Inflatable Yellow Duck Tub.  He can't quite sit up yet, but we feel a lot better about him tumbling a bit in this than hard plastic :)  

• Owen also loves playtime with daddy.  He lights up with the biggest smile when Justin gets home from work every night.  It is seriously the cutest thing I have ever seen!  Owen especially loves playing airplane with daddy!  
  

Yum, Yum

This past month, Owen started eating cereal. At first, he wasn't quite so sure about it. Actually, he pretty much hated it! After we started sneaking in a little apple juice, he definitely got the hang of it, though! He pretty much inhales now. Next step: sweet potatoes! Here are some pics of Owen's eating adventures...

Not quite sure about this eating food business

Totally terrified of this eating food business

"That's it! I've had enough!!"

"Hey, this isn't so bad...I'll even open my mouth a little bit"

"Yum, yum! It's cereal time!"

...and he's done!

This may be a little tmi, but I really can't talk about his new eating habits without talking about the effect it's having on his poo. As far as poop can go, it's awesome :) I know - how messed up is it that I just called poop awesome? He still poops once a day, but it's firmer, and there's less of it. It's less mess and way easier to clean up. It doesn't smell as bad. I am sure once he starts eating "real" foods with actual colors and smells, I won't be singing such a glorious tune. :) Changing dirty diapers makes me dry heave (thanks, Dad) so I am going to enjoy the two months of dry heave-less diaper changing while I can!

5 Months old!!

In a perfect world, I would do these updates every month, so everyone can see how Owen is growing and how much he is changing, and what our little Boog has been up to lately. Unfortunately, my world is not a tropical paradise where you can have a baby AND eat whatever you want without looking like a whale, nor does it consist of 40-hour days, so I am a little behind! I guess every other month isn't too bad...

I will be honest - I have literally been trying to write this update for about five days. If I wrote all that I wanted to write, it would take me probably three straight hours to write it, and you all about 30 minutes to read it :) So, instead I am just going to do it in little snippets...a little update every day (or two). Today is the "important stuff" - the doctor's report.

Vital Stats

• Weight -  14 lbs 2 oz (25 percentile)
• Height - 25 1/2 inches (75 percentile)
• He has a tiny head - 41 cm (15 percentile)

*These were all at his 4 month appointment, so I am sure he has grown quite a bit. I think he is over 15 pounds, and he seems like he is about 5 feet now! Seriously - I think he has undergone a length growth spurt in the past couple of weeks - he seems soooo long!

• Owen had a nasty case of eczema around when he was about 3 1/2 months. It was on his face, which made it doubly sad for mom and dad. With a quick trip to the pediatrician and some hydrocortisone cream, we got that cleared up!
  

Poor little guy  :(

• Owen also has had a blocked tear duct since he was born.  The doc (and the countless websites I read) told us it could take 9 months to a year before it cleared up and Owen may even have to have a small outpatient procedure.  Then, one day, all of a sudden, we realized we hadn't gotten any gook out of his eye for a few days - he was healed!!! :)   

This has nothing to do with his tear duct, but how crazy is this dude's hair?!?!