Month of Movement & Milestones

Hunter got on the move this month. He went from not moving at all, to scooting and army crawling to full on crawling, and now pulling up and beginning to cruise. The kid is on the move. Which means Owen spends all our play time, moving away from Hunter who is clearly out for his toys. The jealousy and sharing are starting to become an issue. Sometimes we all play very nicely together, and other times well not so much. But we're working on it.

Owen really does love his little brother, he is cutting a tooth, and the other day Hunter was so upset by the pain of his incoming teeth, he just passed out in my arms, exhausted. Owen came over and patted him on the head and said he sure is adorable, isn't he.

Owen has had quite a funny month. One day while I was up in Hunter's room, Owen came up with one of his toys... he said to me, "Who gave me this?" I responded Grandma did. He responded "which one, the real one or the Great one?" It was so incredibly cute... We refer to Troy's mom as Grandma, and Troy's grandma as Great Grandma... Too cute.

Another funny Owen moment - earlier this week Owen woke up about 3:30am, he was having a dream. It was the first time he had ever woke me up because of a dream. He was babbling incoherently about the dream, kinda confused he was in bed and not downstairs looking for something, and I explained to him he was just having a dream. Took him to the bathroom, and he was still talking about it, then he said, what's a dream? I explained to him that when you're sleeping, you're still thinking of all kinds of things, and it's kinda like watching a movie in your head. He said, we'll it wasn't the Robot movie, I know that (Robots is his latest favorite movie). I explained that it's not like movies on tv, it's in your head. Explained that you can stop watching it anytime you want by opening your eyes. He said, so if I want to watch it I close my eyes. Yes, I replied, it only happens when you're sleeping. He said OK, well can I get a snack before I go back to sleep? The stuff that comes out of his mouth sometimes just cracks me up!!! Guess I'll pop him some popcorn...

It's been a great month, and so nice to have some big home projects done and some fun family time. What will October and fall bring?

September Photos

More Crawling

Dressed in his Raven's Jersey, Hunter began actual, real crawling on Monday (Sept 13th). He hasn't slowed down, even though he suffers from serious rug burn. I can definitely see I will be VERY busy these upcoming months, because he goes right for Owen's toys, and naturally all the tiny pieces... Owen is certainly getting his first taste of big brother sharing and how not fun that is.

Hunter the Worm

Hunter recently started doing a little "army" crawling. I kinda think it looks more like he's doing the worm... but either way, it cute and he's MOBILE! Nothing motivates him to move faster than seeing one of Owen's toys across the room... He sure is getting mobile a lot quicker than I thought he would! It's really funny to see how excited and adorable he is trying to get at Owen's stuff. Naturally, right before he gets to whatever he has worked so hard crawling towards, Owen will take the toy and move it. I can see sharing is going to be a major issue the next few months!

End of Summer Fun!

How time is flying! I can't believe that summer is just about over, but we have had so much fun. It's amazing how much Hunter has grown, and what an integrated part of our family he is. He is so laid back and relaxed, and just goes with the flow. And now that he is finally on a much more regular sleep/nap schedule we all seem to have slipped into a better grove.

Owen has really learned to LOVE swimming, and has gone from totally afraid to jumping in (with swimmies on). It is truly amazing what a few weeks of swim lessons has done for Owen. Hunter also is in swim lessons, and loves splashing and playing. I hope he never develops the fear that Owen has spent this summer overcoming. Owen also had his first day of the school year. Camp was a lot of fun, but he was very excited for school to start and have all his new supplies, back pack, lunch box (both Phinneas & Ferb) and a few new t-shirts. He is so proud of himself, and we are so proud with how much he has accomplished in the last few weeks alone!


Hunter went from just able to sit up, to fully mobile. He's not quite crawling, but that doesn't stop him, he can sit and turn in circles, put weight on his hands and legs like he's about to crawl, army crawl, and even starting to pull himself up to standing... although he's quite the wobbly mess on his own. But it's amazing how quickly he has is losing his babiness. He's also the best "eater" in our entire family. He will eat and try anything. Nothing stops him, doesn't matter that he doesn't have any teeth, he manages to chew and swallow with no problem. There are too many foods to mention that he eats, but he's moved away from a lot of baby food, and trying more table foods. Right off of Mommy's plate. Weird that my baby eats grown up food, but my 3.5 yr old still won't eat much variety at all... As they say each boy is different!

We had a wonderful first family vacation in Ocean City. We stayed at the Marriott Courtyard on 15th street. I was very concerned about all being in the same room, and worried about sleeping, but it ended up being a non-issue. The kids were so tired by the time they went to sleep each night they probably could have slept standing up. It was such a nice trip, and we have so many fun adventures, bike riding on the boardwalk, playing on the beach, mini-golf - many rounds, dining out at restaurants!, swimming in the pool, riding the rides, so much more. Hard to believe we were only there 5 days, we did SOOO much!



We are very blessed as a family, and truly enjoying every minute together.

Ocean City Vacation 2010

August 2010 Photos

6 Month Check Up

Hunter had his 6 month check up today. He's growing like a weed, healthy, happy and just as content as can be. He is such a good baby, we are so blessed to have him part of our family. He is a big boy! In the 90th percentile for both height and weight. He was 27 3/4 inches and 19 pounds 14 ounces. Yes, almost 20 pounds, now I totally understand why he's busting out of his clothes! He got a clean bill of health, doing very well. Doc was impressed that he is sitting so well and said to keep up the good work. He also said he can try all the table food he wants, and that he really has no restrictions. Even peanut butter, eggs, fish, citrus fruits, all the stuff that used to be taboo for a baby have been lifted. Strange but nice, because Hunter is so eager to try anything. Hunter was even a champ for his shots. He barely flinched for the first one, and then screamed bloody murder for about 1 minute for the second shot. Not bad. He was very brave.

After his appointment we had such a nice day with Granny. We picked her up, and went out to Arundel Mills Mall. We did a good bit of shopping, and then had a nice lunch. Both Owen and Hunter were so very good and patient. I've never shopped for so long with Owen as patient as he was. We had such a nice day.

Then when we got home, Hunter, Daddy and I joined Owen in wearing our Ravens jerseys, hoping for a big win during the first preseason game. Owen had been wearing his all day! Such a proud little fan!

Sweet Summertime!

July has been an amazing month. Fireworks, family visits, Hershey Park, Strasburg Railroad, Longwood Gardens, swimming lessons, and so much more, it's been a very fun and busy month. Mommy is finally healed up and doing MUCH better.

Hunter has gained such an awareness of his environment and an amazing love of food. This little guy will eat almost anything! He learned how to sit up, quite well! He also mastered a sippy cup! And finally is sleeping through the night. All right about 5 - 5 1/2 months old! We are very impressed! And finally getting some much needed rest! He LOVES his brother more than anything, and watches every move he makes. It won't be long before he is chasing after him.

Owen also had a very fun month. We had quite a few play dates, birth parites, he had a very fun 10 days when Uncle Steve, Aunt Lisa, Taylor & Sienna came to visit. We had a bunch of trips, he went to Hershey Park and conquored his fear of rides. Even rode the Log Ride! We all went to the Strasburg Railroad and the Train Barn, and Longwood Gardens. We had a fun visit to the farm with Grandpa & Grandma Bev. Grandma, Taylor, Sienna came to have a sleep over while Uncle Steve & Aunt Lisa went to a wedding in New York, and Owen just loved sleeping in sleeping bags in the basement.

Mommy & Hunter have been doing a Mommy & Me swim class and Owen is learning to swim in a big boy class all on his own. We've only had a few lessons, but we have seen a major improvement in Owen's confidence around the water. So very proud!

What fun we are having, despite the VERY hot summer weather!

July 2010

Hunter Laughing

He's been belly laughing off and on for a few weeks now, but today we finally captured it on video. It was so adorable. So funny what will make a baby laugh. He was laughing so hard, I had to put the boppy behind him because he kept falling over.

June 2010

Other than some severe sleep deprivation, since Hunter is still waking up between 2-5 times per night, we have had an amazing June. We really have done a lot of fun things, and have enjoyed watching Hunter grow and become more interactive and smiling and loving his environment. And he REALLY, REALLY loves his introduction to solid foods! Man that kid can EAT! He loves just about everything he tries. So we officially have one who sleeps like a champ and barely eats, and one who barely sleeps but could eat anything. Hmmm, I always did hear that the second baby is the polar opposite of the first. Guess that is actually true!

Owen finished his year of gymnastics classes, and we are so proud of how far he has come with gymnastics. He listens so well, and has really learned a lot of skills! It's amazing to look back at the videos of him in September, and then June. WOW what a difference! He has grown up so much, even since January. He's such a little boy and not a toddler or baby any more. But with that growing up, comes the onery behavior I've never experienced before! He is defiant and independent one minute, caring, loving and adorable the next. It's hard to believe how much he has grown up! And he is really starting to enjoy Hunter. Especially now that Hunter is watching his every move and smiles and interacts with him. It's awesome!

Mommy had surgery in the middle of the moht, and recovered nicely, so good to finally be back to normal!!!!! That same weekend we purchased the waterslide for the back yard. Such fun! We had a blast every weekend! We even had a play date with some of Owen's school friends and they had a blast! Owen also had a birthday party at a Tai Kwon Do studio for his cousin Tyler (turned 5!!!!) He really had fun, and I think he will start classes there this summer/fall. It's great for him, and since he's becoming more "boy" than gymnastics it's a perfect fit!

WOW, what a month... can't believe how quickly time is flying by...

Photos from end of June 2010

4 months!

Hunter turned 4 months this week! He's doing really well, enjoying his solid foods, and other than sleeping, which is causing Mommy quite a bit of grief, he is doing awesome. He's a great baby, very happy and getting so interactive, it's nice to see him growing and developing and enjoying exploring his world. Today was his 4 month check up, he's weighing in at 16 lbs 14 oz (85%) and 25 1/2 inches (70%).

Owen also had his last gymnastics class today and he has done so well, and grown so much this year. His gymnastic skills have increased dramatically, and I am so proud of him every time I watch him.