What a Blast!

We had so much fun at the beach. Between handfuls of sand, naps on the beach, and conquering a fear of the ocean water, Owen hit many milestones. He turned 7 months this week, got his second tooth, and slept like a champion even up to the moment we left... (He conked out on the bed before we could even get the car loaded...) He was such a trooper, and made me feel a bit overly confident about our upcoming cruise to Bermuda... However, I think one thing was apparent. the more time we spend outside, the better Owen sleeps. So whenever we're in a strange place, strange crib, etc... best to be worn out! Should be easy to accomplish on a cruise ship with several laps around the deck.

We even capped off the week with dinner at Pei Wei's outdoor sidewalk dining near Belvedere Square. Robyn, Jaime & Sofia, joined us for a nice evening.

Today, we ran several errands, which included picking up the latest Harry Potter book to savor on the cruise ship during Owen's naps. We also went to the country club for dinner, what a great day! The weather was perfect, and tomorrow is supposed to be the same.

Happy Birthday Sienna!

Welcome Baby Sienna!

Sienna Elise Schantz was born today at 3:52 p.m., July 19, 2007 - to Uncle Steve and Aunt Lisa and Cousin Taylor. Sienna was a happy and healthy 7lbs, 1 oz, and was 18 3/4 inches long.

Congratulations to Steve & Lisa and welcome to the family Sienna.

We can't wait to meet you!

7 months!

Wow, time is flying! Owen turned 7 months when we were in Ocean City. It's hard to believe how much he's changing. It's truly amazing that this is the same baby that was just content in my arms and being held. Now, he's playful, excited and on the verge of being mobile. I know it's just a matter of time before he starts moving around.

They say a baby changes your life. They should say how wonderful your life is after a baby... That's not to say we don't have our ups and downs... but I can't imagine my life without Owen. Happy 7 month Birthday Owen!

Beach Boy

Today is day 3 down the ocean, and we are having a terrific time. Owen was an angel the entire car ride down, we even stopped at the outlets in Rehobeth. Owen really enjoyed the pool the first day, and we dipped his toes in the ocean. Monday, we got down to the beach early, set up all the umbrellas, and Owen got a chance to really feel what the sand was like. He wasn't bothered by it at all, except when he ate it... He enjoyed a nice nap on the beach, and is a bit unsure of that ocean. He's very interested in WATCHING it, but not a huge fan of the cold water and the rush back and forth. We went to the boardwalk last night, and he just stared at everything, as if saying... Can't wait to be big enough for THIS!



Today, Owen woke up after nearly 12 hours of sleeping, and I noticed that his second tooth had appeared overnight. Yesterday, he was drooling profusely, so I new it was coming soon. We had another great beach day and had a nice swim in the pool, Owen napped on the beach this morning, but it was just too hot to leave him down there again for the afternoon nap, so I'm up here in the condo while he naps.




The vacation has been a bit more laid back than I ever thought it would be, Owen is just very go with the flow, and has enjoyed playing both in the condo and on the beach. Has made this a very enjoyable experience.

What fun we are having!

What a fun week we have had! We've done quite a bit of swimming over the last few weeks, it has been so hot we have tried to get to the pool (or play in our baby pool) almost every day.

Thursday (7/5) we also went to the Rainforest Cafe with Candace and cousin Tyler, and Robyn and Sofia. Although it was quite a bit chaotic without high chairs, Owen loved getting another look at the fish, and he loves being around Sofia and Tyler.

Friday (7/6) we went to the pool, and Robyn and Sofia joined us. They played for quite a while and swam for almost an hour, and really had a great time. They are just so cute together, I hope they will be lifelong friends. For the meantime, though, we'll just focus on having lots of fun. They are just so interactive, and they reach out to "say Hi" and Sofia get so excited when she sees Owen, it's SO cute!

Yesterday, Sofia and Robyn came over to play at our house. We ventured out to the neighborhood playground and took a turn on the swings. It was such a gorgeous day outside, and it was nice to get the kids to the swings. Sofia had never been to the playground swings, but she giggled and laughed and we all had a great time.

The latest issue in the Schantz house is back to the feeding again. Seems Mr. Owen is just too interested in the world around him to want to eat. I've even tried retiring the highchair until he's a little bigger, and tried a booster seat... But as cute as he looks he just doesn't want to eat his food in the seat. He likes to eat his snacks here, and play while Mommy & Daddy have dinner, but he is just NOT interested in eating here. It's been very frustrating for Mommy. Not sure if it's another tooth coming in, or him just learning to be a little manipulative, but it's got Mommy very frustrated. Hopefully, whatever the phase is, it'll pass soon. But if you have any advice...please forward it along!!!

We're leaving for Ocean City... Will have lots of fun beach pics posted soon.

Happy 4th of July!

My first 4th of July!!! What a fun day we had! We had a great breakfast and played at home this morning. I took a terrific nap, then we headed to a fun party at Laura, Derek, and Nina's new home. I even took a swim in their pool.

When we came home, Mommy and Daddy blew bubbles and I chased them around the deck (OK, so I just watched them intently). But I'm finally starting to figure out this walking forward thing in the walker. Up till now, I've only mastered backwards, but today I took my first few steps forwards...progress. Soon, Mommy & Daddy will be chasing me around.

Daddy also lit a few fireworks for me on the street tonight. They scared me pretty good, and even though Mommy held me tight, I was quite afraid. Good thing we didn't wait downtown (in the rain) for the fireworks... Maybe next year. Happy 4th!

My First Tooth

My first tooth broke through the surface today. It's hard to see in the picture... but if you get really close, you can see the sliver of white that finally broke through. I'm so happy it's finally come through, and I've been quite a trooper, hasn't really affected me much, but it's nice that it's out of the way now.

And Mommy let me test out my new tooth with a Gerber Wagon Wheel. It was tasty, and the first real "snack", I've ever had.

New Play Area

Seems Mommy & Daddy have finally given in and moved some furniture out of the way for my toys. I'm no longer confined to a little quilt, I've now got really great play mats that safely hold me and all my toys. It's great to have this place to play!

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.