New Year's Eve

Finally, a relaxing day... After a lot of running around for the last 10 days, Owen finally had an entire day where he didn't have to leave the house. Daddy ran some errands, but Owen and I stayed home all day. It was quite nice. We played with his new Geotrax train & airport set, and his kitchen set, and all the new games and trains and toys. It was so relaxing and much needed after running around like crazy for the past week!

I'm also happy to report that Owen is virtually sugar free, and is eating much better at meals... Our new techniques are working so far, and we just have to keep things on the right track now. We even had a very successful dinner out last night! I can't remember the last time Owen actually ate a meal at a restaurant... Baby steps...

It's hard to believe another year is coming to a close! Owen has accomplished so many milestones and is just a wonderful little boy, and we are so blessed to have him in our lives. Yes, a toddler can make you absolutely crazy sometimes, but then they just turn around and give you a kiss and you just melt right back.

As an entire family, we've done so much in this year too! We sold our old house, bought and built a new house, lived for over 9 weeks in an apartment, unpacked and settled into our new home, Daddy got a promotion and started his new job. It's been a very busy year, one that is definitely bittersweet to see end, but exciting to see what 2009 will bring.

Happy New Year!

2 Year Old Doctors Visit

Today was Owen's 2 year old doctor check up. I've been dreading this appointment for weeks, because I knew he needed to get the flu shot, and I also knew they would have to draw blood. But it wasn't nearly as bad as I had thought it might be. Owen is now weighing about 26 lbs (slightly lower than expected due to a food strike over the weekend), but still about the 25%, and he's 35 1/4 inches tall - 70%.

He did remarkably well during the visit, and was quite good. It was probably his best doctor's visit to date, and we got through it fairly quickly. The blood draw was tough, and they didn't get quite enough, so we'll have to see if they are able to get all the information they needed or if we have to go through that again.

As for the Diego Power Wheel... he's very interested in it, and will push it all over the family room, but hasn't gotten on it yet. He'll even push it and press the power button... he'll get there eventually...

Oh, and day 4 of the sugar restriction, has made him eat much better. He ate a very good lunch, and dinner. Hmm... apparently if you don't give him sugar he actually will eat!

Weekend in Hershey

It's been a weekend on the go again... After a busy and exciting Christmas Day, Owen slept in until 10am on Friday. Despite the fact that we needed to get up early to head up to Hershey. We decided to let him sleep in and got on the road a bit late, but we make it...


Owen has become quite tolerant of road trips, now that the DVD player is permanently installed in the car, so it was a relaxing ride up to Hershey. Grandma was very excited to see us, and Owen had fun showing her how he can ride the turtle all around the hardwoods.

After Owen had his nap, we played and had dinner. Owen has been holding out for cake and cookies, so he's been on a bit of a food strike these last few days, just waiting for the treats to be served. But we're working on breaking this bad habit, and getting him back to more regular meals.


Saturday morning, it was really foggy, but we headed up to Allentown for Uncle Henry's memorial service. Owen was again, very good in the car, and just patiently watched his movies and had snacks. We got to the church about 35 minutes early, which gave us plenty of time to let Owen run around in the preschool. He had a blast playing and when it was time for the church service to begin, Owen wanted nothing to do with the church, he wanted to go back down and play. We made it through about 30 minutes of the service, before Owen had really had enough, so Mommy & Owen headed back down to the preschool to play some more. Then we headed to the banquet hall, for the luncheon. At the luncheon, Owen was very funny, entertaining our entire table running around and giggling. I know he was tired, but he was finding energy somewhere, and was very adorable. It was quite an impressive service with more than 125 people there to pay their respects. Uncle Henry will obviously be missed by so many people.


We headed back to Hershey in the afternoon, thinking Owen might sleep in the car on the way home.... not exactly, but he was very good. He had over 4 hours in the car that day, but was an angel. I couldn't have been more proud of what a good little boy he was.


Mommy & Daddy went and did a little shopping at the outlets when Owen took a nap at Grandma's. Grandma attempted to feed our little sugar king dinner, but he wanted nothing to do with it. Mommy & Daddy picked up carryout for dinner, and Owen sat down on Mommy's lap and started digging into her spaghetti! He's never taken any interest in it, but he just started eating and kept eating. Too funny!


Today it was so warm outside, Owen, Daddy & Grandma took a walk around the house (several times), Owen pulling a little blue wagon. He had such a great time getting outside, especially since it has been so chilly earlier in the week. We headed back home late morning, and got home just in time for Owen's nap. When he woke, the Ravens game was on, so we did another carpet picnic in the family room. He had a blast playing with his Christmas toys, and we all enjoyed watching the Ravens win to make the playoffs.

Christmas Night

After everyone headed out, we all had a little lunch, and then Owen reluctantly went down for a nap. Poor kid just wanted to play with his toys, but he needed a bit of a nap. We headed to see Mommy's extended family who were all at Aunt Barb's house. Justin and Sam had exciting news to share for Christmas, they are expecting a baby in July! Very exciting to have a cousin close to Owen's age... The grandparents to be were just elated! Congrats Justin & Sam!

Then we headed to Granny & Pop's house for more presents and dinner. It was such a great evening, and Owen was a trooper! Despite the short nap, he had a blast, immediately grabbing Uncle Alex, and demanding heading downstairs...

He had a blast playing Uncle Alex's drums.

Aunt Lizzie & Uncle Tom got sunglasses - their future's so bright!

Everyone had such a great evening. For Mommy especially, it was really nice to have Christmas dinner at Granny & Pop's, after the last few years it was so nice to have Granny in the spirit of Christmas, and enjoying everything. Such a Christmas to remember.

Christmas Morning Photos 2008

Christmas Morning

What fun we had this morning. Owen woke up about 8:20am, and was coming down the stairs when Granny, Pop, and Aunt Lizzie arrived. I was a little worried about how we would keep Owen from playing with the toys and opening presents, but it ended up working out perfectly! He was very excited to see them, bouncing up and down!

Then he saw the presents! He was so excited and started playing immediately with the kitchen set. I think the most difficult part of Christmas morning was getting him interested in the next present. He would have been quite content to get one gift a day for the next few weeks, because he wanted to open everything! Sometimes we were able to distract him, but being 2 years old, he had a mind of his own. It was quite funny to see how he processed everything, some things had to go into the other room instantly, and other things could be put aside for later.

It took the better part of 3 hours to open all the presents, we even took a break to have breakfast! But it was well worth it. Owen had many moments where he was having a blast and loving all the attention, and other moments where he was hungry and needed some food. We tried to balance everything for him, but it's tough being a 2 year old!

After presents, we trickled down to the basement, other's napped... Daddy was challenging everyone in Ping Pong, and Owen was being chased around by Uncle Alex. I think this was my highlight of the morning, because Owen was having so much fun. He just followed Uncle Alex around all morning. It was adorable, and Owen had a BLAST!

The trampoline was the gift that Santa had the most difficulty assembling, and was the gift everyone wanted to see Owen play with. However, when you want a 2 year old to do something, they will do the exact opposite. And therefore, if we showed him the trampoline, he wanted something else. It wasn't until everyone had left that Owen finally saw that it might be fun, and has been bouncing ever since. It's adorable!

Christmas Eve

Today was nice and relaxing, exactly what we needed! Mommy & Daddy didn't have to work, Owen didn't have school, so we just had some fun, and started mentally preparing for some very busy days ahead.

We did go to church this evening, and Owen was very good, but boy was he a ball of energy. Could that be because he was juggling a cup of juice, a candy cane, a lolly pop, and a bag of M&Ms? Hmm, no wonder why he wouldn't sit still.

After church, we got home and put Owen in his PJs, and started getting ready for Santa. Owen was running around like crazy, and positively adorable. It was hard to get him to settle down and get ready for books. He didn't really grasp what was going to happen tomorrow, but he just kept saying Presents! Santa!

Today, I asked him if he was ready for Santa. He would say "Yes". Then I'd say what is Santa going to bring you. He answered "presents". I asked him then what kind of presents. He would answer "two please". He's going to be shocked tomorrow when he sees so many presents under the tree...

We did leave cookies and milk for Santa. Although, Owen was quite tempted to eat them...

Merry Christmas!

Getting Ready for Christmas

Owen helped me make some home made bags today for some gifts. Very fun. He's so very excited about arts and crafts and has such a good attention span when we do these projects!

He even helped me cook dinner tonight, stirring everything, and pouring in the ingredients. He's very interested and content when he's helping me out.

What a cutie!

Birthday & Christmas at the Farm

It's been a very busy weekend, after the party on Friday, we cleaned up, so that we could be ready to head over to visit Grandpa and Grandma Bev. We celebrated Owen's birthday on Saturday and then Sunday morning celebrated Christmas.

Owen just sees presents now and assumes they are for him, and he should be able to 0pen them immediately. We're trying to teach him to be patient and he has to wait till everyone is ready to open, but it's a tough concept for a 2 year old.

Owen got a bunch of really nice birthday presents, he particularly loved a garage for his match box cars. They also gave him a really cool set of squishy cars that bounce and crash into each other. Very neat.

He enjoyed yet another birthday cake, especially the chocolate cake and mousse that were inside. Delicious! Owen is going to be in shock after Christmas, when the supply of cake, cookies, cupcakes and other "special treats" diminish. In fact, he's holding out for the sweets now. Tonight when I fed him dinner, he said, "NO Dinner... CAKE!" We're creating a sugar monster!

Sunday morning we got up and had breakfast and then we celebrated Christmas. Owen could hardly wait to tear in. Grandpa and Grandma Bev gave him some really neat puzzles, some clothes, a scooter, playdoh and tools, and an awesome mountain railroad.

It was such a nice weekend, but exhausting as always, we are always so busy chasing Owen around their house, and the dogs never sit down the whole time we're there, but it was a lot of fun...

Owen's 2nd Birthday Photos

The Man of the Hour

Tonight we had a little party for Owen at our house. Some of Mommy's family came over to help celebrate. It was probably one of Owen's finest evenings. He usually doesn't do well in large groups, as he has a tendency to be quite shy, but tonight, it was as if he understood the party was for him, and he was the man of the hour. I was so very proud of him, and it made me really enjoy the party, because the guest of honor was having a blast!

Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, and have fun...

He loved playing with William & Mitchell, and just especially loved running back and forth through the rooms, eating M&Ms and giving tours of the house. Great Mom-Mom, Great Aunt Niecy, and Great Aunt Kathy had never been to our new house, so they got a chance to see our house and especially to see Owen having so much fun.

And he especially loved opening all his presents. At one point, I turned my back, and he darted to the pile of presents and just started pulling them open! I had to explain to him to wait until later, and he tried, but he really wanted to see what was inside... So cute!

He played strong all evening, even long after everyone left. I don't think he went to bed until after 9:30! It was so nice to have Owen enjoy himself and show everyone his fun loving personality.

Here's an adorable video of him blowing out his candles. He's either getting better at this, or spitting on them, I'm not sure... :)


Happy Birthday Little Man, we're so proud of you!

Happy 2nd Birthday!

What a fun day! I can't believe that Owen is 2!!!! Last night Daddy worked very hard, and had the entire house decorated for Owen when he woke up, even though he had to be out of town for business. Owen LOVED the balloons, but thought the streamers were lots of fun to rip down! He didn't want them on the columns, so he single handedly ripped every piece down... All Daddy's hard work...Mommy spent all morning chasing Owen picking up pieces of blue streamer... I kept calling him Confetti Man...

Overall, Owen and I had a busy morning. When he finally woke up at 9am!, he spotted all the balloons and immediately had to head downstairs to check it out. I couldn't even change his diaper! I finally got him changed, we had breakfast and then headed to the grocery store to pick up some of the things we needed for his birthday party tomorrow.

Then we came home, and did Owen's favorite thing... vacuuming! We did the whole upstairs, and then Sofia and Ms. Robyn came over to play. We had such a fun morning, and Owen was in rare form, enjoying running around with all the balloons! Sofia also enjoyed them, and since her birthday is tomorrow, we had a little birthday party, playing with Play Doh, and just overall good time. Owen had a really fun play date - he even ate a HUMONGOUS lunch, considering he had been snacking all morning!

Owen got quite a few phone calls today, Pop, Granny, Mom-Mom, Great Aunt Denise, Great Aunt Kathy, Grandma, Grandpa, Grandma Bev, everyone wanted to wish Owen a happy birthday. He liked getting the attention, and enjoyed the birthday phone calls from everyone.

After Sofia and Ms. Robyn left, Owen and I played a bit longer and then Owen went down for a nap. He slept well, and Mommy made cupcakes for his class party tomorrow, and also made him a birthday cake.

After Owen's nap, it was almost time for Daddy to come home, and I had been telling Owen all day that when Daddy comes home he can have presents, so after nap, he kept saying PRESENTS! (Also, all day today when you said Happy Birthday, Owen would reply - CAKE?)

Daddy got home, and Owen was again running around pulling the balloons behind him. He loved opening his birthday presents. He got a really cool remote control dinosaur, he was very excited about (he's been eyeing it up in Target for months).

He also got a spinner bike, which is so fast and he's having a blast on the hardwood floors spinning around (he might actually give up his favorite pooh car).

He also got a really cool pair of boots from Uncle Steve & Aunt Lisa, as well as some moon sand...

He also got a package with a bunch of frog things (cards, book, stuffed animal) from Aunt Christine. He loved the book, one of his favorite songs (Five Green & Speckled Frogs), and sadly Uncle Henry passed away today, so the present was happy for Owen but bittersweet for Mommy and Daddy...

Owen had such a fun day... Mommy baked him a cake, and we sang happy birthday to him. He even blew out his own candles! He loved the cake... More celebration tomorrow. He'll have cupcakes tomorrow at school, and then Mommy's family coming over tomorrow evening to celebrate. Then a busy weekend too...

He was still wound up when it was ready for bed... after a nice bath which got all the peanut butter, chocolate icing and cake out of his hair, ears, etc... He was cracking himself up with the sit and spin... too funny.

Loving his birthday presents.

Blowing out the candles...all by himself!

Happy 2nd birthday Owen... We love you very much!

Lots of Ginger Bread

Today, Owen and I started working on Christmas Cookies. Today we made some Ginger Bread Men. He was very helpful, and loved painting, then at some point he realized all the decorations were edible, and then he stopped the decorating... It was quite fun to do this with him, and he was so patient, waiting for them to cook and cool. Very cute. I'm hopeful we'll get another chance later in the week to make some other variety of cookies, but we're running out of time! The week is already jam packed with activities, Owen's birthday and parties... Will just have to make the time.

Tonight, the country club had a family buffet followed by Ginger Bread House Decorating. I have never seen so many children at the country club at one time. The entire dining room was jammed with people, they even brought in extra tables to accomodate everyone. It was a long line to get the food from the buffet, but it was well worth it. Our dinner was delicious, Owen was fantastic during dinner, and was very excited when we got to the banquet room that was again full of people. There must have been over 100 kids. They were all so patiently decorating and having lots of fun.

Owen did such a good job, and really didn't want our help, but needed our help to get the icing on. He was the youngest child in the room, and his house really is cute. He was quite proud of it too, kept saying House on the way home. And at the country club he never tried to eat the decorations, which I was shocked... One taste of the icing would have been all it took...

The finished product.