The Great Pumpkin

Since it was such a pretty day today, Mommy and Daddy took me to the pumpkin patch. We took a hayride out to the field, and there were so many pumpkins! It was really neat to see them all, although it was a bit hard for me to stand with my shoes in the dirt and uneven ground.

The hayride was a lot of fun. This wasn't my first hayride, we did one last weekend at the apple orchard, and I even went on one when I was just a little guy at Skytop, but this was my favorite so far. It's so much fun to be outside! We went through the woods and it was really bumpy, and there were some big kids on the hayride, and they thought I was really cute. The hay felt really funny, and it got stuck all over me. Mommy said I looked like a scarecrow!

At the pumpkin patch, I really liked all the big pumpkins. But I really liked the big ones, but Daddy said I had to carry my own, so I just got a baby pumpkin. We did get some big pumpkins and some pretty mums (purple of course) for the house.

Tadaahhh!

Installing a gate at the top of our stairs, may not seem like "blog" material. However, this has been a 6 week process and we've bought a total of 4 gates trying to get one that works. But today we're finally the proud owners of a gate installed at the top of our stairs. Thank you DADDY!

Other than the gate, we've had a pretty busy week, Daddy was out of town and he finally arrived home yesterday afternoon. Owen and I were very happy to have him home. Today we had Gymboree again, we're almost ready to move up to the next level. Now that Owen is pulling himself up and cruising, the instructor says he's just about ready to move up to Level 3. That will mean we move classes to Wednesday, which should be a nice mid-week break. I feel like we wait all week to finally have fun at Gymboree. Owen just loves it. Sofia wasn't quite herself today at the beginning, she's teething, so they are taking their toll. But she warmed up and started walking and playing. The kids just have a blast!

Climbing and Dining

Yes, Mommy, I'm up to no good... Don't I look guilty? Owen latest skill is climbing, his new trick is to climb up on the door of the dishwasher. He's so fast, he's up on it before you know it. It's amazing, that he has such incredible mobility, his ability to crawl and pull himself up on anything (even a wall) is truly remarkable...and frightening. He's cruising on all the furniture, and really on the move, and keeping me on my toes. Now, I finally know how I will lose those last few baby pounds... :)

I've definitely had my hands full this week with Daddy out of town. It's hard to do anything, Owen has a way of getting into mischief and even the smallest household chores are next to impossible to complete when he's awake. But all in all, we've been surviving much better this time than some of the other trips Daddy has taken.

Early this morning.. I say early, but sleepyhead slept nearly 13 hours, I finally had to wake him at 9:15am!.. But anyway, this morning, Owen amazed me with his ingenuity. He really wanted to get the remote control and I placed it up on the sofa behind the ottoman. Owen couldn't reach it, so he tried and tried, and then he crawled away grabbed his car and pushed it towards the ottoman and climbed up on it and you guessed it, got the remote. Very clever!

During lunch today, I caught Owen under the table, eating crumbs (Sam Dog's been slacking) and then pushing his highchair across the room. He's positively infatuated with things that have wheels. He loves cars, trucks, balls, anything that rolls. So the highchair is definitely on the list. Whether he pulls himself up on it or crawls underneath to push it across the kitchen... It's definitely the coolest, most dangerous thing he can play with...

Tonight, we ventured out to dinner with Granny & Pop and Uncle Alex. I was quite afraid to go to a restaurant without Daddy, especially, because our last few dining experiences have been quite challenging. But despite my past experience and frustration with Owen in a restaurant, he only wants to crawl and play and get out of the highchair, we decided to go.

And, it was as if the little stinker just was out to prove me wrong. He sat for over an hour in the highchair contently eating his food and playing with his toys. THAT WAS THE ENTIRE MEAL! A major milestone. We haven't made it through an entire restaurant meal since he slept in the car seat... (and those were the days I thought it was difficult to go out! HA!) I actually wondered if I had the wrong kid! Maybe it was because we ate early (5:30) or maybe he's just much more interested in food, but it was actually pleasant dining out with him. Did I just say that???

As a reward, I took Owen on a wagon ride to the park, and he got to enjoy a sunset swing. What fun!

9 Month Check Up

Owen's 9 month check up was today. He's doing great. Weighing in at exactly 21lbs (65%) and about 29 inches (about 80%). He's right on track with all his developmental milestones, and despite all my concerns regarding the feeding, the doctor said he's eating well gaining weight appropriately, and even seemed impressed with the stuff he's willing to try and eat himself. Says we're doing well, and also gave me the advice to THROW OUT the baby books... he's doing fine, and they will just make me crazy. They already have, I obsess with what the book says we should be doing... I don't know if I can throw them away, but maybe I'll put them away for a few months.

Despite the fact they said no shots, he ended up getting the flu shot. But he's been a trooper today, even with Daddy out of town, he's been a very good boy.

Johnny Appleseed

Since Daddy had to leave today for a business trip to Maine, we wanted to make the most of the morning, and since it was a gorgeous day, we decided to head outside.

We took Owen to Weber's Farm, where they have pick your own apples, a hay ride, a hay maze, and some animals. We really enjoyed the morning, it was warm and not too crowded, and aside from some bees it really exceeded our expectations.

The big question now is -- What are we going to do with 10 pounds of apples????

First Trip to the Zoo

Today we took Owen to the Baltimore Zoo for his first time. We did the mini zoo in Bermuda, but here he got to see many more animals. It was quite a warm day, but was nice to be outside. Owen really seemed to enjoy himself. We took the stroller, and since many of the exhibits are behind fences, we were lifting him in and out of the stroller (which normally isn't Owen's favorite thing). But he willingly went in and out.

He loved the giraffes and also the monkeys. But of all the animals we all enjoyed the Polar Bear, Magnet, who just swam and swam around his tank. He looked like a giant Sam Dog, swimming along. Owen loved it, and we even went back to see the Polar Bear again before we left.

There was also a great petting zoo, but Owen didn't touch this time, but did stare intently as the cows mooed and Daddy pet the animals. It was great to see him so excited and happy. Didn't even care that he missed a bottle and was late for his nap. He was very happy until about 30 feet from the car, so we had excellent timing!

Trying just about everything.

After several weeks of ups and downs with the food, Owen finally seems to be giving in on trying new things. He is really loving grilled cheese, and has tried some chicken and fresh veggies, and has even tried tater tots, hamburger, french fries, and steak. It's such a relief to finally feel we might be getting somewhere, we had so many frustrating evenings but seem to be turning a corner. Let's hope it stays this way!

Beautiful Pictures

Owen's photo shoot was today at Candace's house. She takes such amazing pictures... It's so wonderful to be able to take Owen there and not have the pressure of just a few pictures to choose from. Owen was so relaxed, I think he LOVED Tyler's toys, he just jumped right in, ready to smile and play. I actually think he enjoyed it. And he looked so cute in his little argyle sweater and linen pants. Even his socks matched (thank you Baby Gap)...

Cousin Tyler was sleeping (or pretending to be sleeping) when we got there, but after we were finished with the pictures he came down and he and Owen played together. Ty is learning to share, and is really sweet, he would bring Owen a truck or a car to play with. It was so cute!

9 Months and just Growing and GROWING!

Well, Owen has finally been on the earth as long as Mommy was pregnant... Seems like I was pregnant forever and time is just flying with him around.

It's hard to believe that he was so little just a few months ago. He's growing like a weed, has 4 teeth now, and is very adventurous!
Today was such a nice evening that we went out front and played in the grass. Even though Owen has spent quite a bit of time at the country club in the grass he was very weirded out by the texture at first, but he warmed up and was crawling around.

Tomorrow we're having his picture taken again, I can't wait to see how they come out. He's got such a cute outfit, hopefully he'll smile for the camera!

Game Day

Well, the Ravens may have just barely squeaked by yesterday with a win, but we sure had a fun afternoon. There were more purple shirts at our house, I kept wondering if Owen was thinking - why are we all dressed alike???

Nothing better than a baby laughing...

My first video post, and it needs no explanation... It's so cute to hear Owen's giggly laugh, Daddy was bouncing the ball and it was just cracking him up!

Play Date Fun

Our play dates with Robyn and Sofia are really getting fun. Normally, Robyn and I stuff a slice of pizza down, while trying to keep the kids happy. But today, we had the opportunity to have an actual civilized lunch, with both kids in their own chairs eating their lunch. Owen and Sofia really seem like they actually enjoy this playtime together. And I'm sure I speak for Robyn when I say it's great time for the Mommy's too... it's nice to feel you are not alone in this journey!



Owen got to show off his crawling, and even seemed to be leading the way, because Sofia was looking like she might try crawling (she's more of a walker). Owen also showed off his new ride on toys, and they were pushing it around together. They are so adorable!

Say Cheese!!!

Tonight at dinner, Owen had his first taste of cheese. I put a little soft cheese on his spoon and he gobbled it up. He always makes a sour face at first, but today he then was licking his fingers! It was too cute. He's also eating little bites of bread and raisin bread too. He if finally getting used to the texture of foods, and eating a bit better. I've also stopped trying so hard, and he seems to be picking up the pace. Perhaps I was a little too anxious and stressed (nah, that doesn't sound like me!!!)

Owen's 4th tooth broke the surface today. So now he has 2 bottom and 2 top. Both the top teeth are still coming down, so it'll be a while before their really "chewing". Although the strangest thing has to be his "grinding" ability. I even called the pediatrician, who confirmed, it's completely normal for a baby to grind his teeth and that he has to to dull them down, because they are so sharp. WEIRD, and the sound is worse than fingernails on a chalk board.

He's so much more content today, than he has been the past few days, he really has been playing well and generally much happier. Must mean we are past the cold and the nagging pain of that tooth. But I'm sure tooth #5 is around the corner.

Today is also the Ravens season opener, we all have high hopes, and are sporting our purple proudly today. Hopefully all will go well, at least it will LOOK great on our brand new TV... Can't wait till game time! Good luck Ravens!!!

Naked Baby

How cute is this pictue??? Owen has recently discovered that he loves to be naked. He can crawl around without any diaper, t-shirt, shorts anything in his way....

His favorite time to crawl around is the morning when I'm taking off his PJ's and in the evening before/after his bath. He's so proud of himself, it's adorable!

Although, it's always a roll of the dice to allow him to crawl around, and when he's going to go to the bathroom, but boy is he cute in his birthday suit strutting around....

Busy day

Today was lots of fun. Owen and I went for our run in the morning, and then played in the family room. I've moved almost all the furniture around so that there is a nice big play area. He's really enjoying when we crawl around and I come up around the other corner and say "boo". That makes him laugh and giggle.
He also really loves to crawl under and through things. Today he went under the exersaucer and even though he got a little stuck, he was able to get through.... He's really able to quickly get across the room, chasing a ball. It's so cute!

Not only is he moving and crawling, now he's pulling himself up and starting to cruise along the furniture. Sometimes he realizes that he needs me or the furniture to help him move along, other times he sees something while he's standing, and tree falls down... But he's getting it. He's getting steadier each day, and more and more fun to play with.

Owen's had quite a bad cold this week, poor thing is so congested he's really frustrated. That coupled with tooth #4 ready to break the surface is causing him to be a bit grumpy and be off his nap schedule too.

Today we started Gymboree. Sofia and Robyn joined us too. Sofia jumped in right off the bat, but Owen was a bit timid, I don't know why he's being shy and timid a lot lately, I guess it's just the start of separation/stranger anxiety, but by the end of the class he was having lots of fun. Hopefully, next week he'll be more familiar with the kids and jump in and have fun. There is so much to play with and climb on it's really a perfect place for him.

Tonight we also went to dinner for Pop's birthday. We got to see Elizabeth's new apartment, which is all decorated and really really nice. Then we went to Cafe Troia for dinner. Owen was a bit of a hand full, he didn't want to sit in the high chair, and he was pretty cranky. But fortunately there was a cool street festival going on right outside so we took turns taking him out there for a walk and some dancing. Owen loves to dance and the B52s were cracking him up.