Yeah Mommy!

Congratulations to Mommy who had a huge real estate sale. A beautiful waterfront property, finally settled yesterday. It has been a stressful month for her juggling me, and all the emails, inspections, contract negotiations and phone calls, but well worth it.

Today, Daddy picked up Grandma from the airport. She spent an entire week with cousin Taylor, Uncle Steve and Aunt Lisa. We're still waiting for the new baby cousin to arrive, but no baby yet. Grandma had a great week, and even though she was tired, she seemed happy to see me...

An Actual Play Date

Owen has certainly been on his share of play dates, but a remarkable thing happened during today's play date with Sofia... they actually PLAYED... They were just adorable together reaching and playing with toys, interested in what the other was doing. And when Sofia went down for her nap, Owen was obviously distraught when she was crying to sleep.

It's been so wonderful having Robyn going through all the same things we're going through. Great to share and bounce ideas off each other. Not to mention hear what the other pediatrician has to say about the current development/readiness. If our pediatrician says one more time - You gotta know your own kid - I'm going to switch. I don't ask questions so that I hear myself talk, I ask questions for his medical and professional opinion. But anyway, it's amazing having a best friend with the exact same trials. Their latest issue is sleeping unswaddled - ours is teething. The first tooth is right under the skin, so due to show up any day. Have to admit, I'm going to miss his gummy smile.

Today was so fun, Owen and I started off at Stroller Striders, and had the play date with Sofia, then capped off a fun day with Stir Fry night at the Country Club. Tomorrow is Mommy's big settlement, so hopefully all will go well!

A Little Stinker

So with Troy out of town this week, Owen has picked this week to start pushing my buttons. Seems he's just testing how far he can go. All he wants to do is be held! He's been unbelievably grumpy today, despite the fact that we went to Rainforest Cafe, looked at the fish (he loves this), we played in the pool, went for a walk, played on the swings, nothing seemed to be quite enough for Mr. Owen today... All that activity and not one decent nap today.

Last week he was battling me at every meal, but that seems to be over (thank goodness), now it's bed time. He doesn't want to nap, he doesn't want to go to bed, and couple that with a barking dog and no Daddy around to help out, it's been a long week.

Not sure if Owen's just upset that Daddy's not here or if he's teething or maybe he's just in the mood to be a little stinker... but something is definitely going on. Perhaps Daddy will have the magic touch.

So hungry, I'll eat my toes too...

Tonight during dinner, Owen decided he not only wanted green beans and applesauce, but a taste of his toes were also on the menu... Yes, he can actually suck on his big toe. I actually couldn't get him to stop licking them. In retrospect, maybe there was a drop of food on them, because he just didn't want to let go! Between blowing raspberries (aka spraying green beans at me) and sucking on his toes, I found dinner so funny, I had to take a picture to capture the moment.

Owen and I were on the swing this evening, enjoying the nice weather. He's not a huge fan of the grass, although I think Sam Dog got a lick of applesauce left over from dinner...

Monday, after his doctor check up, we bought Owen a new baby pool, the small blow up one we had been using was just not holding air, so we found this plastic pool that is a little larger and more durable. He really enjoys the water. And since Daddy took care of the bees nest, we're much happier! Owen just loves the water. Won't be surprised if he's on the swim team in a few years.

Half a Year Old!

Owen is now 6 months old. He had his check up today, and is weighing in at 18 lbs 7 oz (75th percentile) and 27 3/4 inches long (90th percentile). Hard to believe that he was just a little teeny helpless baby we brought home from the hospital 6 months ago. Doctor says that Owen is doing very well, and is healthy and developing well.

Owen is a great sleeper at night, he sleeps about 11 hours, and also takes 2 naps a day also. He's eating all the Gerber 1st foods, and is even starting on the Gerber 2nd foods now too.

Owen's favorite activities at this time are playing on the floor, he sits very very well now. Getting more excited about games of peek-a-boo, still loves his johnny jumper, and enjoys the swing outside, and also the jogging stroller. He's a very active and alert little guy, obviously interested in anything and everything around him.

His favorite veggie is green beans, favorite fruit is bananas, and he can't wait to get his hands on Mommy's dinner.

Owen got a cool new toy for his 6 month birthday, the Drop and Roar Dinosaur. He loves it. The lights flash and he follows the balls, soon he'll be dropping the balls himself, but for now Mommy or Daddy does it for him. He's so cute to watch, especially when he gets excited about something!

Happy Six Month Birthday Owen!

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!

Happy Father's Day, Daddy... We had such a great day. After nearly 2 weeks of a food fight with Owen, he decided to eat his breakfast and dinner without complaining or throwing anything at Mommy. A very nice and welcome change. We had a very relaxing day just around the house, watching golf, had breakfast out and then had dinner at the country club with Granny, Pop, Aunts Jess & Liz, and Uncle Alex. Mommy spilled the bottle of milk all over herself and the floor so Daddy had to make a quick run to the grocery store.

What a great first Father's Day...

Carnival Crazy

Owen has made it to 3 carnivals over the past 2 weeks. He just LOVES to look at all the lights and enjoys the sights. Last week we went to the White Marsh Mall carnival with Robyn, Jaime and Sofia. This week we enjoyed the St. Stephen's Carnival on both Thursday and Saturday. He loved watching the Ferris Wheel, and all the kids. We were disappointed they didn't have a Merry-Go-Round, but we'll do that at the mall next time. Thought he might jump right out of the Baby Bjorn to get in on the action.

It's amazing how much pleasure we get out of watching Owen have fun.

Pool Time

Owen, Aunt Liz and I got out for a little pool time action today. The weather was perfect, and despite a little sunscreen in the eyes, Owen really had a great time. The ride to the pool was daunting, because Owen screamed bloody murder, and I had no idea what was wrong, I even pulled over on the road, because he was so upset!

But once we got to the pool, and I wiped his face and eyes, (which he had rubbed his suncreened hand and must have got sunscreen in his eyes) we played in the water. This little guy just loves bath time, swim time any thing to do with water...

Schantz Family Reunion

Owen had the privilege of attending his first of many Schantz Family Reunions. This time last year, we hadn't even met Owen, and now he's the life of the party. He smiled and greeted all the new faces, even though it was a long day for him. We left our house early had lunch with Grandma and Great Grandma Knerr, and then headed to the Schantz farm. Owen basically missed all his naps, and spent the entire day outside.

He was quite pleasant all day though, enjoyed meeting his Great Grandma and even meeting his other new baby cousins that were there - Dylan and Sarah. After leaving the reunion, we went to Grandpa's farm took Sam Dog swimming and Owen caught up on his sleep, he slept over 12 hours that night!

What a busy, long, but fun weekend.

Sitting Pretty

Boy what a crazy few weeks we've had. Both Owen and Mommy have been sick, and are now better. Mommy sold 2 houses (and Owen wants in on the commission), Daddy has been very busy with work, and Owen has been changing and growing so fast. It's hard to believe almost half a year has passed since he was born! Today, I bough Owen his first baseball cap. What a cutie!

As you can see from the photo, Owen now sits up very well. He's been sitting up for about a month now, but would fall over or backward after just a few minutes. Now, he can sit very well for long periods of time, leans forwards or to the side to reach his toys and is overall just one playful little guy. He can even sit in the grocery cart or a restaurant high chair (although both still need improvement).

He also loves his bath time, and sits very well in the big boy tub. He has cool light up ducks and frogs too, but usually he prefers the 99 cent boat.

It's so great to take his picture now, he's always smiling!

My First Swing Set

Mommy and Daddy bought me this castle swing set. I love to swing, and now I can do it at our house, we don't even have to walk to the park. I'm too little for the slide, but Mommy helps me. What fun I'm going to have this summer playing with this!

Happy Graduation Aunt Liz!

I had my second adventure of sleeping away from home. Aunt Liz graduated from Muhlenberg College, and we went to Allentown for her big day. I was really good the whole time, even slept through the night in my pack and play. We were all very proud of Aunt Liz, and I was a good boy during the ceremony.

Congratulations Aunt Liz, good luck in law school!

5 Months Already!

It's hard to believe how quickly time flies. Little Owen is already 5 months old. And so much has changed. No longer is he cranky or tough to understand little baby. He's now, very happy, pleasant and charming baby. He's now weighing about 17 pounds, he eats all the baby 1st foods, and cereals. What an amazing child we have been blessed with.


One of his favorite activities is to bounce. His doorway bouncer keeps him occupied for hours a day. But, he has on one or two occasions, bounced himself to sleep....

Happy Mother's Day Mommy...

Funny how this day changes for you once you actually are a Mom. I have been looking forward to Mother's Day for the past few weeks, finally my time has come, I get to celebrate on Mother's Day...

My day started with little Owen allowing me to sleep in until 8:30, then while I fed Owen, Troy made breakfast. I did some laundry (never a break from that), relaxed around the house and then we had a nice dinner at the country club. A great day in all, nice to finally BE a Mom...

Happy Mother's Day everyone.

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!!!