Daddy has been feeling pretty jealous of Mommy, since I call out mamamama all the time. So today, when Grandma Diane showed up, I decided to start saying dada. I think he really liked it.
Grandma Diane also read me my stories today. She's a great reader, and I loved listening to her. Tomorrow we're off to Kentucky to visit my cousins and Aunt Lisa and Uncle Steve. 
Grandpa John, Grandma Bev, and Nikolai came over tonight for dinner and to play with me. I gave them a good show of how well I've been crawling, and all my toys. I haven't seen them in a while because of all the fun vacations we've been on, but I was really glad they came over.
We took Owen to the Maryland State Fair yesterday afternoon. It was absolutely perfect time to go during the afternoon since school was in session, it wasn't crowded, we parked easily and really lucked out with the weather. 
Despite being a bit late for his nap, he really enjoyed the afternoon at the Fair. Guess we'll be going every year now...
Uh-oh Mommy - better watch me!
I got this wagon last weekend, but it's rained every day since then! Finally tonight we got to take a nice walk and I sat so nice in my little wagon. It even has a second seat so when my friend Sofia comes over she can ride with me.
These monthly photos feel like they are getting so close together. I can't believe how quickly a month goes by. I feel like I was pregnant forever, but I feel like Owen just got here. Time really does go by quickly. It's also amazing to think of how much Owen has changed since he was born. He's so active and alert and very personable.
Well, despite the rain today, we still had a fun play date. We were supposed to go to the pool, but it poured in the morning, so Sofia and Robyn came over to our house for lunch and play time. Sofia is just adorable, and walking very well while holding on to Robyn's hands. Owen is more of a wet noodle when he walks, but is much more likely to crawl... Looks like Sofia will start running soon!
Yes, the scary time where Owen can venture across a room (not yet by crawling, but scooting), and climb/pull up on a piece of furniture is officially NOW. Today, I plunked him down in the middle of his play mat, and went to get him juice. I could see him the whole time, but he couldn't see me. Normally, I'd come back and find him approximately in the same area, but today, he moved nearly 8 feet from the mat, and pulled himself up on the coffee table. (All within a matter of 4 minutes). When I came back into his view, looked at me, and giggled... He was very impressed with himself.
He's doing well with feeding again, we're trying lots of new things, he likes baby yogurt, and so that has become our breakfast of choice. He also tried some Gerber pasta "ravioli" tonight, because he really enjoys feeding himself. However, his favorite lately is Cheerios, Gerber Puffs, and Zwieback Toast. But boy is dinner messy.
GAME TIME!!! 
Letters are starting to come together for little Owen, he's now starting to string together. He started with mamama last night, and today he's also adding bababa and pr pr... It's very cute, although I know he hasn't a clue that mama is me, I do know that there's no better sound to this Mommy's ear.
Owen is also very very close to crawling. I know I've been saying this for 2 weeks now, but this is really close. He's now able to get to all 4s, get him self up, rock and even scoot a little. He can also get himself back to a sitting position. He's also able to do a complete circle, and even maneuver across his entire play mat. While it's very exciting the prospect of him being so close to mobile, I am also relishing these last few mobile free days. 
Ah, life is good in the Schantz family. Owen has discovered the fine art of eating Cheerios, and Mommy and Daddy have found a content child in a high chair just amazed that his fingers can actually accomplish the pincer grasp. He's actually got pretty good accuracy for getting them in his mouth. (Much to Sam Dog's dismay...)
This week has also brought great advancements in the sippy cup. Owen had mastered the Nuby cup, with a soft spout, as long as Mommy was holding it. But this week Owen advanced to a real sippy cup and started drinking without the plug (so basically it just poured out). Once he got the hang of that I put the plug back in and he learned to suck out the milk/water/juice. Now he can even hold it himself. It's very impressive how much learning he has done in just a short period of time. 
Oh, if we only had Cheerios on the cruise ship!!! 
Owen has now been out of the country. Over the past week (July 28-Aug 4), we traveled to Bermuda by cruise ship. We left from Philadelphia, and traveled a total of 1850 miles round trip to Bermuda.
We went with Granny & Pop, Aunt Jess & Uncle Tom, Aunt Liz & her boyfriend Ryan, and Uncle Alex. We had a fantastic time, albeit a bit different from former cruises, no longer did Mommy & Daddy stay up really late, party hard, and relax all day at the pool. No, no, no... this time we made sure Owen went to his playgroup every morning, juggled the squirming baby during meals, kept up with nap times, and took a trip to the aquarium. In fact, we never even put on our bathing suits, because Owen was not allowed in the pool. 
One memorable highlight of the trip had to be Owen sporting a baby tuxedo, complete with bow tie, cummerbund and tails. He was so cute, and people were just fascinated by his little tuxedo, smile and how adorable he was. In fact, someone recognized him the very last night of the cruise, and said wasn't that the baby in the tuxedo? He's famous!
Owen also was also a terrific dance partner, he and I danced every chance we got, even attending a line dancing class - which proves especially challenging - with a 20lb baby on your hip, and a rocky (very rocky) boat. But it was fun nonetheless and Owen loved it.
We also ventured to the aquarium during one of our days at Bermuda. The aquarium also hosts the zoo and a museum, so we took a full tour and had a blast. Owen loved seeing the fish also some of the brightly colored birds. 
Despite some rainy weather, we did get to let Owen touch his toes in the Ocean. He seemed to like the calm warm water, and the soft sand. Much more pleasant than our initial dip in Ocean City a few weeks ago. 
