October In Review

Owen spent most of October perfecting his walking and fighting some nasty germs. Luckily no flu but he's done the stomach bug thing, the yeast diaper rash (TMI?) and finally some pneumonia. A week away from daycare under Gigi's wing (and some antibiotics & breathing treatments) seem to have done the trick and Owen is pretty heathy these days and just a blast - but I'll cover that in my November post. Back to October. Started out with a week alone with Dada while Mommy was working in Europe...they had a blast, watched lots of football and even had a sick day together at home. Then it was a few weeks of walking, then walking faster, falling harder, giggling more and getting back up to try again. And he continues to love balls (or anything that he can throw) and has a pretty good arm. We had a fun time taking some fall pictures as we got some nice mild days at the end of the month. Owen seemed to enjoy Halloween - he was a tiger at daycare and a monkey for the neighborhood parade. Unfortunately he was pretty sick on Halloween so he did no trick-or-treating, ate no candy and still puked all over the couch that night (November's update will talk about the 2 weeks I spent trying to get the puke smell out of the couch cushions - I think we'll go for leather next time!) Ok now what you all came here for- pics & videos!

and tilt your head for this one...

September - A big month for Owen

Rugrat mom is a total blog slacker - sorry if anyone is still reading. I've had to (temporarily?) return to my world traveling ways for work. Still love the travel but definitely miss the little Owen when I'm away. Matt too but he doesn't grow much when I'm gone! Just back from a 10 day trip to Japan and head off for a week in Europe next week so I'll have to cover one month in one post!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY little O!!! He made it - we made it- we all survived the first year and they say that one is the hardest right??? Luckily little guy had 2 parties, got lots of great gifts and wasn't a big fan of birthday hats or cake but loved birthday balloons and being pushed in his new swing.

Other notables in September. He finally learned how to pronounce M sounds. Mama is now spoken after months of Daaaadaadeeeda - still not sure he knows who Mama is but we're getting there. Owen was dedicated at our church on September 12. They had a very nice service for all the babies. What a great gift from God he is!

Owen stopped hitting any babies that came near so he was actually allowed to sit with his little cousin Marrett.

He learned to give dirty looks when we tell him its time to get out of the bath

He learned to relax (for a few seconds at least) in his recliner. Now he's ready to watch some football with DaDa! He was home sick one day from daycare and got to watch sesame st. for the first time. He loves to do the wiggle dance to any music. I'll have to get video of that soon.

And finally the other BIG NEWS - See what Owen did for the first time tonight (you'll have to turn your head!)

Until next month...rugrat mom, signing out!

more fun with cousin Marrett

She's getting so big! 6 weeks already. Owen showed more interest in her this time...unfortunately he likes to slap things he's interested in. He's not trying to hurt anybody but we need to figure out how to teach gentle touches!

Owen continued to prove that he loves water and has no fear! Just to prove he made it in a full flip see his post dive hairstyle!

Hey Mom, I found something really cool

I call it a mini water play park right in the house (Mom calls it doggie water - ewww!)

But when the work is done, I get to have fun!

I learned this from the seal at the zoo...

Life is so hard...gotta work to making a living.

What a big boy!!

Daddy's Day Delayed

Well we didn't actually delay the day but delayed a post about it. I'll let Owen tell this one. On father's day I woke Daddy up extra early (that's why he doesn't look so hot in those pictures!) to give him lots of kisses and hugs. I was so excited about my first day as a son on Father's Day that I just couldn't wait to give him his gifts. I used my hand prints to make him a card with mommy and my footprints to make a card for him at daycare. You could say that I put all of me into making those cards!! I also gave him a book about sports to read to me - it has cool pictures that move when you turn the page (my favorite page is the girl playing soccer but I won't tell if its because I really like soccer or the girl is cute!) I also gave Daddy a gift certificate to go wakeboard at the new wake park in Cincinnati he was very happy about that. But then a big "uh-oh' happened. Daddy hurt his knee playing soccer (he didn't cry but I think if he did it would have made him feel better). Daddy says he will have to save his wakeboarding for the end of the summer.

Hey Mom, Look what I can do

We've been baby proofing on demand. A whole new level will have to be added after what Owen showed us he could do today. All for a little plastic block :) Sorry you'll have to bend your head left....

Owen Has a Cousin

Marrett Lacee Beckler arrived June 29th (over a week late) just in time for the big 4th of July Party! She's a very good baby and the new family is doing well (not that they've had a moment to themselves yet!) Jen was a brave new mom and brought her 5 day old to the Becklers lake house so we could all hang out with them over the 4th weekend (and also enjoy the lake!!). Thanks to all who contributed to the weekend of fun and good food. Owen was a little too small to hold Marrett so it was hard to get a picture of the 2 of them but Natalee (Marrett's cousin on the other side) is 4 and was a great baby holder and entertainer for both the young ones. Here are some pics from the weekend.

New Games

Owen is so much fun these days.  We can play games with him...and he can play games with himself.  He LOVES his ball, much to Daddy's Delight!  Here are some clips of his favorites...

this one is rock n roll (with a little surprise at the end)...he doesn't really like to eat the puffs so might as well play with them.

Game #2 was invented by Daddy.  I call it Cheerio launcher and Owen REALLY LIKES IT!

And finally Owen's own little version of a ball game.  Throw to self, chase, retrieve and repeat.

Owen's 9 month photo shoot

   

i had trouble picking my favorites of these (or maybe I've had trouble finding time to pick my favorites since I spend my days chasing a very actively little boy all around the house).   He withheld his rock star baby smile during this photo shoot but still let me get a few worth keeping :)   Photography class starts Monday so maybe these posts will get better soon!   We're still waiting for Owen's cousin Marrett to arrive (Jen's little girl - due any day now).  Can't wait until we can post pictures of the two of them. 

  

Owen's Big Backyard

Well, at least it will seem big to him because he's a peanut.   This post is not so Owen focused but he'll be the main beneficiary of this project.  We decided our summer project was the backyard.  We needed a place for our grill and to get rid of the weeks.   And it just kept getting bigger.   We ended up pouring (paying someone to pour) a stamped concrete patio about 300 square ft, then needing 8 cubic yards of topsoil to grade up to the patio and fill in all the holes made by our rototilling of the whole yard (to kill the weeds).  All followed by 3 pallets of sod that was rolled out and cut to fit it perfectly :)  It looks great - now all we have to do is not kill it!   Here are some pictures.  Owen likes it!