First Vacation - Skytop, PA

Wow, so much excitement on our first vacation, we really had a great first trip...

We stared our road trip up to Hershey, to drop off Sam dog and meet up with Steve, Lisa and Taylor. Owen was GREAT in the car, sleeping a good chunk of the way to Skytop.

Once we arrived Owen immediately wanted to bounce in his bouncer and we checked out the playground and played on the swings. It was nice to get some fresh air. After being cooped up in the car for a while.
Owen took several trips to the pool, he loved his new float. And we were really lucky that Owen was really excellent at all the meals. Owen even got to see his first set of Fireworks, a real treat that we enjoyed from a wedding that was held at the resort.

Daddy got to play some golf - we hear he beat Grandpa & Uncle Steve... We took nice long walks around the lake, and the resort. The whole gang even went out for a nice hike out to a waterfall on Sunday. It was a bit chilly, so Owen and I wore Daddy's fleece. It was funny to see just his little head popping out.

Overall, we were very impressed with how Owen adapted to the new environment and really didn't seem bothered at all. Gives us a lot of confidence that the next few trips we have planned will go as smoothly. Fingers crossed!!!

Owen's Baptism

Today marked a very important day in Owen's life, his Baptism. He looked very handsome in his little white tuxedo. And he was so cute, even when he fussed during the actual baptising. As the Pastor carried him down the aisle introducing him as the newest member of the church, and Owen was crying, it was all I could do not to reach out and take him... But he was just so cute, I actually think he enjoyed hearing himself echo in the Pastor's microphone.

Owen has very loving godparents too... He's lucky enough to have 3 - Steve, Jessica and Elizabeth.

We also had a very nice luncheon afterwards at Liberatore's in Perry Hall. What a wonderful day to celebrate.

4 month check up

Owen had his 4 month check up today at the doctors. Dr. Schwartz said that Owen looks great and is doing very well. He's in the 80th percentile for height (25 1/2 inches) and weight (16 lbs 7 oz). And although everyone thinks that Owen is looking really big and chubby, (I think he's perfect, those cheeks couldn't be cuter...) the doctor is not concerned at all, in fact, told me to start feeding him MORE solid foods, and that perhaps by eating more solids, he'll back off the frequency of his bottle feedings and go longer between feedings. But he's happy, healthy and doing very well. He was a very good boy for his shots. He did cry, but settled down sooner than last time.



Yesterday, we did the stroller strider class again. The weather was so warm, we actually got to class early and started our workout before class even started. In the afternoon, we went back to the playground in our neighborhood. He just loves the swings. Too bad it's going to rain today, he's really enjoyed the last few days at the playground.

A Country Club Boy

Well, today we joined the country club, and Owen showed up dressed the part... What a cutie in his little madras pants and polo shirt. He'll be on the golf course in a few years, but this year we'll stick to the pool.

We had a busy weekend, Friday Owen had his first spin on the Merry Go Round at the mall. Saturday, the weather was so nice, we hit the outlets, and did some shopping. It was really nice to be outside without blankets and all bundled up. Sunday we had a really nice family dinner.

Today Owen had swimming lesson #5, and we have one more class next week. Then we are going to sign up for one more session, then the pool will be open and we'll hang out there this summer. But I'm sure we'll be back at swim lessons in the fall. Owen is quite a water baby! Today we also went to the neighborhood playground and played on the swings. What fun!

4 Months...How Time Flies

Hard to believe Owen is already 4 months old. It's amazing how fast the time is going. He's already changed so much. He's very alert and interested in everything around him. He seems to just be taking everything in.


Owen and I started another Mommy & Me class. In addition to our swimming lessons, we are now "Stroller Striders." It's a fitness program for Mom's and the baby gets a nice ride and some fresh air. He loves the stroller rides, especially when we're outside. They hold classes at the park near our house, so it's a great place for us to go.


We had a number of milestones over the past few days... Owen had his first babysitter - Grandma Schantz came and stayed with Owen over the weekend, and Saturday night Mommy & Daddy had their first outing without Owen to celebrate Mommy's birthday. He also moved to his high chair for his cereal, he's such a big boy. And we FINALLY got Owen and Sam dog in the same picture...

Good Morning Mommy!

The last few weeks Owen has been learning cause and effect. He bats the toy, the lights flash and the music plays. This morning, he learned that if he kicks his aquarium in his crib the music plays and it wakes up Mommy! I found him out of his swaddle and kicking at the aquarium in his crib. First time he hit it I thought, how cool, he's learned how to use that. But seeing as it was 6:30 in the morning, I wasn't that impressed. Until he kept hitting it and hitting it and hitting it. And sure enough Mommy eventually came in to get him. What a smart little guy.

Which College - Mommy's or Daddy's?

I don't know... but he seems happier in the Washington College shirt... :)

Happy Easter

Aside from the frigid temperatures, we had a great Easter this year. We went to church, enjoyed giving Owen his Easter basket and presents and then had a really nice dinner at the country club. Funny how the holiday's are just instantly more fun with kids...

Hey, He Likes it!

So Owen is definitely NOT a picky eater... He loves his cereal with prunes which he eats every night, also has enjoyed green beans, sweet potatoes and of course applesauce. Soon to be tested, although I'm sure he'll love it are peaches and bananas... Basically, this kid will eat anything on a spoon. Or in a bottle. He LOVES to eat.

Faster Mommy Faster...

Time for Mommy to get back in shape, so Owen and I took our jogging stroller for a test run today. I know he's a little young for it, but I couldn't pass up the fact that it was another 70 degree day, and just gorgeous. The stroller I've been walking with is just meant for the mall... not the sidewalks, curbs, and running. So, even though, the jogging stroller is recommended for 5 months and up, I figured Owen holds his head so well, that I figured he'd be OK, and worst case scenario, we'd turn back... And I was only jogging, to some people it was a fast walk, but hey, I just had a baby....

We set out and did about 2 1/2 miles, not bad for our first trip. Funny thing, Owen is a great coach, apparently he likes to be MOVING... so every time I slowed down for a walk, he fussed, and when I picked it back up he was content... But you'd be surprised how challenging it is singing the Itsy Bitsy Spider while pushing a stroller uphill... :) I actually found myself telling him - "Give me a break kiddo, I haven't run in a year!" Soon I'll be a professional stroller jogger, I'm sure. That is as long as the weather stays like this.

Let me in the pool!

We had our second swimming lessons class. And Daddy came to take some photos. Owen was raring to go, once he was dressed in his swim trunks. Once in the pool today, he was a little timid, he did a little better going under water this week, but seemed a little unsure of himself when he was swimming around. We had lots of kids in our class this week... Overall, he really seems to enjoy it, and boy does he nap well after the lesson.

We also enjoyed the nice weather today and took a walk at Honeygo park. They have such a nice trail, and the weather is just amazing. Hard to believe they're calling for the temps to be in the 40s later this week... I wish this 70s would stick around!

Hapy Birthday Maggie

Owen had a great weekend, but as usual, we were very, very busy. On Saturday, we took Owen to the Rainforest Cafe at the mall. He had been there earlier in the week but loved it so much we decided to take him back again. He really enjoyed looking at the fish tanks. There is so much to see...

Sunday morning, we tried him in his Johnny Jumpster which attaches to the doorway, and he's learning to bounce. Mommy thinks this will help tire him out when he's not ready to nap. He doesn't quite have the hang of it yet, he needs a little help to get the bouncing going... but he's starting to learn how to use his legs to jump. It won't be long, he'll get it. He LOVES to stand and to bounce on our leg, so this should be a winner.

Sunday evening we went to dinner with Mommy's family. Maggie is turning 16, and so we were celebrating her birthday. So many people hadn't seen Owen since he was just a few days old, so I know he's changed a lot!

Owen & the Easter Bunny

I took Owen today to sit on the Easter Bunny's lap. He was so cute... He had no idea who the big fuzzy person was, but that didn't stop him from grinning ear to ear!

Enjoying the Weather

It would be hard not to enjoy a day in March with a temperature hits 80! So Owen and I went out for a stroll today. He loves the stroller and enjoys when we can get out for walks. Especially when he doesn't even need a blanket. So far these days have been few and far between, but the weather forecast is looking up...

And Mommy reaps the benefit of Owen taking a nice long nap afterwards. Hopefully, spring has finally arrived and we won't have any more snow...

Owen's First Swim Lesson

A baby brings a whole world of "firsts," from his first breath, bottle, bath, and today Owen experienced his first dip in the pool. He looked so cute in his little swim trunks, even though they were a way too big on him. He loved the water, floating, blowing bubbles (aka tasting the pool water) and splashing. He wasn't quite sure about going underwater, that made him fuss. We also did this when he sits on the side of the pool and we sing Humpty Dumpty. As we sang 'Had a great fall' I lifted him down into the water with a splash. He didn't really like that feeling of falling, but he definitely liked being in the water. Hopefully each class will get a bit easier for him. One of our challenges has been getting out of the bath tub, we had the same problem with the pool. I think getting out of the water makes him chilly, but getting his clothes on fast enough is a challenge. The class also has our friends Robyn & Sofia in it. It was nice to have another baby the same age as Owen, so we were glad that Sofia was able to join in. The other babies in the class were a bit older, 6 months for one girl and 11 months for a boy and a girl, and 2 year old girl. It's amazing to watch him have all of these firsts, I'm so lucky to be able to do all of these things with him.

Robyn and Sofia came back to our house after class, and after Owen and Sofia conked out for an after swim nap, they both had a chance to play and interact a bit. It even seemed like they were talking to each other... So cute. They are getting so big... It's neat to see how similar they are.