I caught him

Owen is a very happy kid, but as soon as the camera makes an appearance, he is VERY serious. He'll be all smiles, then instantly serious. It's funny... yet frustrating not to get his smiles captured on film. (though, now it's not really "film" I'm capturing it on, rather digital technology. But saying capturing it on "a little blue digital disk" doesn't have the appeal as "capturing it on film".)

This is the picture right after the video. I think he may almost be mad that I caught him so happy on camera (or digital disk). He's such a happy morning baby... he doesn't even need a cup of coffee to help him out. I'm currently chugging my morning brew, trying to wake up.

We'll play Suzi's game.... what do you think he's saying?

Four Months

Owen turned four months old yesterday. No big party or celebration. I did buy him an "O-Ball" that he likes a lot. (maybe a picture of that later)

"I'm THIS big" Sometimes we think he'll roll from his back to front first. He cranks his head so far, sooner or later his body will just follow!
Two of his favorite things, his hand, and his daddy. (not necessarily in that order)

Tillamook Air Museum

The nose of a Mig-17Tillamook actually has a pretty good air museum. We went there on Saturday. Lucas loves airplanes, almost as much as he loves to cook. So, he knew every plane before I got to the little plaque telling me about it.



When I ask Lucas what he thinks Owen will be when he grows up, there is no hesitation. "He's going to be a pilot." So, we're starting his training early.... going to air museums. Next month when we visit Allie in D.C. we'll go to the mother of all air museums: the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. Owen, I mean Lucas, can't wait.



Owen and a Russian Mig-17.

The air museum is inside the blimp hanger. It was used during WWII to store blimps, hence the name. Did you know that it only took 30 days to build?

The A-7. A light attack aircraft from the Vietnam era.

Owen's new talent: fitting all five fingers in his mouth at once. It makes his entire face glisten with spit... but he sure does like to eat his hand!

Oceanside

We went to Oceanside yesterday. It was warm, nary a breeze, and very populated. Three things I'm not used to at my favorite beach. We both wanted to get our feet wet... as the water came up, I said "this is how we tell how old we are." The freezing cold Oregon beach water submerged our feet, we screamed like school girls. We are old. The young whippersnappers were body surfing... without wetsuits. Oh well, in a few steps our feet were numb enough we didn't notice the ice water any more.

We did feel it was the right time to have Owen "wade" in the Ocean for the first time. He liked it for a bit... meaning he was in shock and didn't know what to do. When his face turned to panic, his mean parents lifted him up and put his socks back on. I think secretly he enjoyed it.

Mini Lucas

Lucas is the chef of the family. I think everyone knows this. While my cooking skills have improved (I made a delightful broccoli cheddar soup last night) I will always be the sous chef to Lucas.

The ONLY reality TV Lucas watches is Top Chef on Bravo. They are about to start season five. There are only trailers and teases at this point, no start date. Lucas gets so happy when he sees the ads, but then so disappointed when they don't reveal the exact Wednesday it starts. I figure I have to finish this season of Project Runway before it starts. Only three more weeks, then the reunion show... then...then I think Top Chef New York will begin. (soon Lucas, hang in there)

Last season was great. We were talking with our friends Heather and Jennifer about it. Heather is a fan, a Top Chef junkie, just like Lucas. I think if they lived in the Portland area, there would be Top Chef get togethers every week. Bets would be placed. Quick fire challenges would be attempted. Good food would be eaten.

They got Owen this cute onsie to solidify the fact that Top Chef is the best reality show Bravo has to offer. Maybe even the best reality show that's out there... maybe the best show. Period. They also got Lucas a T-Shirt that says: I have a culinary boner. They do know my husband well.

Yes, Owen is "standing". (with a little help)
Owen has his own set of cooking toys. Some kids have toy keys, mine has toy measuring spoons and a salt shaker!
Owen and a grown up kitchen utensil. Before we know it he'll be making his own gourmet mashed potatoes!

(almost) Four Month Stats

Owen's Stats:
Weight: 16.2lb (90%)
Height: 26inches (80%)
Head circumfrence: 50% (I don't remember the number)

Happy, healthy, cute baby

Big Guy, small trunk and a rescuer

On Saturday, when we were camping, Kasi and Brock came out for a few hours before leaving Nick to camp with us. We were having a great time, then Brock wanted to go play in their Subaru Outback. It was perfect timing because his diaper also needed changed. Nick and Brock went up to the car, probably 200 feet from our camp site.

Lucas, Kasi and I were talking back at our site. Occasionally their car alarm would go off... all three of us thought "Nick, take the keys away from Brock... you're the adult". We didn't think much of it, but after about 20 minutes, Nick and Brock were still playing. Then another 10 minutes passed.... and then another five. That's when we saw two year old Brock running down the path in his diaper and boots. He told Kasi, "daddy stuck." That got our attention. "Where is daddy stuck?" A very concerned Brock said, "in the car"

I wondered if Brock was like Lassie, was daddy stuck in the well? Kasi went to check it out, then called back to Lucas and me that yes, Nick was really stuck.

Nick and Brock were playing in the back of the Sub, when Nick closed the back door. There is no latch on the inside to open it back up. So, for over a half hour, six foot nine inch Nick was stuck in the back. He was sounding the alarm for help. He was yelling for help. He finally had to send down his rescuer to get us. We, meaning everyone except Nick, laughed for a long time. Nick was just happy to stand up and stretch.



Nick and his rescuer.

camping in layers

We took our second camping trip with Owen this past Saturday. Last year when we camped in September, it was REALLY cold, so this year I came prepared, lots of layers of clothing for me, and even more for Owen. The day started nice, a high overcast, not too cold, not too hot. It didn't get too cold at night...partly because it decided to RAIN down on us. Luckily, it started after we went to bed, but the next morning was very wet. The tent is still drying.

We camped with our friend Nick. Hiswife and son (Kasi and Brock) came out for a few hours to play before nightfall. It was really nice to have both of our families out in the wilderness together!

When night came, I dressed Owen in his PJs, over his long sleeve shirt, and added this VERY cute hat my friend Mary made for him.
I added one more layer before bedtime. He slept great, only woke up once to eat, and except his icicle cold hands, the rest of him was nice and toasty. He's quite the outdoors man.

16

I should be getting ready for work right now, but he fell asleep in my arms, and I've just been staring at him. I was talking to my friend last night how It's amazing that he's 16 weeks old. It seems to have gone by so fast, yet at the same time so slow. It's an odd time warp... speaking of time warps, I really need to pack a lunch and get ready to drop Owen off and get to work!

A day in the life

I'm not holding my breath yet, but last night was the THIRD night IN A ROW where Owen has slept at least seven hours. It's WONDERFUL, and what's even better, it has been nights where I'm actually home to sleep through it. I keep waiting for the night he's up every three hours, but for now, I'm quite happy... and rested! He'll wake up and stir a little bit, then find his hand and go back to sleep... I love this little guy!

Today when we woke up, he played on his tummy a bit while I enjoyed my morning coffee. Then we went to the zoo. I got tired of walking around the neighborhood, and the zoo has good trees, so it was a win-win for both of us. In the Northwest area, there's a lot of trees, which Owen really enjoyed.

These two bald eagles are beautiful.
Owen and the bald eagle (look really hard, almost in the middle of the picture). See above for the better picture.

The daddy elephant.
The mommy elephant and baby Samudra (Sam for short). We only had to wait in line for about 20 minutes to see him. Of course Owen was awake for the entire wait in line, then fell asleep promptly when we got to the elephants. I don't think he'd remember anyhow, but it is par for the course that he sleeps through the "big attractions" we take him to.
I enjoyed watching the sea lions get fed.

After the zoo, we visited Bob in the hospital. He got a new knee on Monday. He's doing great, but I think always feels a little better after some "Owen Therapy".

After a long morning, Owen passed out. I hope he's dreaming about elephants.

Oktoberfest

Yesterday, before work, we met up with Tony at Oktoberfest in Mt. Angel. I have lived in Oregon all my life, and this was my first time at the "famous festival". It was free to wander around in the streets, eat the food and see the crafts, it only cost money if you wanted to go in the Bier Gartens. Since I was working and Lucas was driving, we saved some money... which only meant Lucas could eat more Bratwurst, sauerkraut, and apelflukein.

The food was much cheaper here than at the state fair, and I'll admit MUCH better. Between the meat for Lucas and the baked goods for Tony, both were very happy. The sounds of accordions filled the air, lots of lederhosens, and I'm sure later many drunk Germans. We were there early enough we only saw one drunk man serenading a sausage stand.

The mandatory family photo.

Owen, awake and happy under a tree with Tony. Tony was getting him to make the best smiles, but of course, the camera came out and we got serious face. Luckily we almost caught this one.

Just look at the size of this baked good. An ENORMOUS cinnamon roll for only $3.50. It was yummy.
Maybe Owen is daydreaming about when he can share in the good eating with his dad.

15 weeks

Owen like to "help" me make my bed. This means he lays on my pillow while I make the bed. I think this will get more fun for him the more he grows up. Right now, he just lays there and stares at me.

Before anyone dies of shock, YES I said I made my bed. On a daily basis now. I know, I know. I still don't quite understand the point in making a bed that you are just going to crawl back into in a few hours. But I also hate being so tired at night and then finding my sheet in a ball over on Lucas' side and the comforter discombobulated on my side. Really, it's two pieces of fabric that I just need to lay out flat on top of one another. I don't do any "pillow art". I don't tuck things in, nor do I make "hospital corners". I merely straighten out the sheet and comforter. It looks nice, and, I'll admit, it's nice crawling into a nice "made" bed.
Owen is 15 weeks today. His big accomplishment: he took out his binkie, and then PUT IT BACK IN! Maybe just a fluke, but he had a very purposeful look on his face while he did it!

Meet Ben

Our friends Patti and Dan had baby Benjamin Daniel on August 18th. We met him last night. It's amazing that Owen was that small only three months ago, but he looks like a giant next to Ben.
I have a very similar picture with baby Luke. Except in that one Owen is the "tiny" one and Luke is the "huge" one. So many changes in three months!

Faux Pas

I know it's "forbidden" but he's so peaceful right now. I justify it's OK because I didn't put him to sleep in this position, he just fell asleep while playing. And heck, we all survived sleeping on our tummies. One nap should be OK. I do find myself checking on him often though... the paranoia of all the new parenting rules!

Weekend Fun

Well, I survived my first two nights back at work. They were busy, not crazy, a perfect re-introduction back to the "real world". I did miss Owen like crazy, but I have a small picture album I carry in my pocket. So, everytime ANYONE mentioned Owen, I dug it out and showed him off. Yes... I am THAT new mom.

We went to the zoo this morning. We did not stand and wait in the hour line to see the new baby elephant... instead we went to the other side of the zoo, and for a while we were the only ones there. Owen actaully stayed awake during our visit, but took much more interest into the trees than the animals. He sure does like trees.

A giraffe for my mom.
Lucas and Owen spent Saturday morning together while I slept for a couple hours. Lucas makes fun of me because I take a lot of pictures of Owen, but when I woke Lucas had taken a couple himself. He's just too cute not to take pictures... and he's growing so fast not to take photos everyday!