Forbidden?

Staying with Grandma and Grandpa this past weekend taught Owen two valuable lessons. 1. Grandma will give you fun treats while mom and dad are away. 2. Sometimes those treats are pickles.

I was downloading the afternoon nap pictures, when I found these on my camera. I had left them the camera in case they wanted to take pictures... funny, when I asked if they took pictures, they both said "no." My parents lie.

I am laughing out loud looking at these photos... such a funny face, and yet he goes back for more! Vlassic!

Awake Baby

I got a request from Lucas for some afternoon play pictures of Owen. So, Owen and I played a little bit upstairs. I love this first one, he looks like he thinks he's doing something he's not supposed to... but he's all good.

Showing off his new teeth...

VERY happy with the caterpillar.

And breathing heavy into the mirror....

He was playing and then hit a button so music came on. He then sat up and did his little dance. Very cute!

Newport

Lucas and I just got back from our first overnight trip away from Owen. WE SURVIVED! So did Owen. I think we missed him more than he missed us. Owen stayed with my mom and dad, I don't know who had more fun: Owen or Grandma and Grandpa.

We went to Newport's Seafood and Wine festival with our friends Sara and John. Last year I was pregnant during the festival, so this year I had a lot of catch-up to do. Amazingly, I didn't have a hang over this morning. Honestly, I don't know how.

Here are some highlights from our get-a-way:

• We drank some very good and some VERY BAD wine
• Amazingly, bad wine still tastes bad when you are drunk
• Lucas got to eat grilled oysters
• I got to eat crab melts
• Sara got growled at by a pirate
• We lost a lot and then gained a lot of money (breaking even) at the casino playing craps.
• On a Friday morning, there are a bunch of old people at an Indian Casino on the coast.
• In the women's bathroom, at the casino, there is this sign inside of the stall: Please do not flush personal protection underwear.
• Otis Cafe has the BEST breakfast. Ever.
• Seeing Owen's face light up when he saw us this morning. Definitely worth leaving the coast early.

Highlights from Owens overnight:

• Playing with very fun toys
• Teaching Grandma that walking uphill is a little harder while pushing a stroller
• Pulling out all the movies from the shelf
• Leaving with only one little new bump on his head (I think mom felt worse that Owen did)
• Sleeping 11 hours. Playing with new toys is hard work!
• Having a great time with Grandma and Grandpa.

Motivation

It's official. Owen is crawling. Our house is now slowly becoming more child-proofed and vacuumed. No longer are the days where I can go into the kitchen to pour a cup of coffee and know that Owen is EXACTLY where I left him!

This morning, he had two goals in mind: 1. The cell phone charger. 2. The box of Girl Scout cookies. I wouldn't let him have the phone cord (mean mommy), however, I did let him play a bit with the box, since I still won't let him have the cookies that are inside (super mean mommy).

Whenever he sees me trying to capture the crawl on camera, he stops cold in his tracks. I had to sneak this short shot of him going towards the box. Shortly after, he gave up on the box and went to the cookbooks. Hence, camera down and U-Turn for Owen.

Stew

This year, Lucas has been making a different soup each week. We've had butternut squash soup, roasted cauliflower, chile verde, but this week he was having difficulties deciding what to make. We decided to go back to a classic from June 10th: Owen Stew.

Note: the soup pot is bigger. Owen's huge! We barely had room for the carrots and chicken stock!

Owen Stew when he was only 12 days old.

small giant

Owen is definitely Lucas' son. He loves playing with kitchen utensils. For the past few days, it is his whisk. I like to pretend he's learning how to make meringue. The real question: what color are his eyes? I thought they were turning brown a few days ago, but today I think they may be turning blue? Yesterday we visited Jacob, and of course Susan and Dave. Jacob is still using his "bili-blanket", hence the cord from his blanket. Owen looks so gigantic next to him... really, only eight months ago Owen was almost that small! Time really does fly. When Jacob is all wrapped up in the blanket, Owen barely notices him. But one Jacob's limbs are free, Owen just stares at him, and tries to touch him.

Brock and Owen

While I was at work last night, Nick and Brock came over to play with Lucas and Owen. All four boys had a fun time playing. Lucas and Nick have been best friends since fourth grade. It will be fun to see which of Nick's boys Owen becomes better friends with: older Brock, or younger Porter.

Owen and Lucas always have fun when I'm at work. I think they really enjoy "boys night". I fear it will only get more and more crazy as Owen grows up. Last night, part of the fun was making funny noises. This morning I came home and had five different videos to watch. Mostly of all the same thing. Lucas was trying to capture the best moments for me to relish.

Lucas started pressing his luck by the last shoot... wait for the ending... it's hilarious!

Amber and Jacob

Owen and I had a fun day playing with friends and babies today. We started with my friend Christy and her two and a half year old Amber. Owen seemed so small compared to a toddler. Fast forward a few hours, I visited Susan and David and new baby Jacob... Owen is a giant compared to a five day old. By the car ride home, Owen just slept and dreamt of his Alice in Wonderland type of day.

Now we are patiently waiting for Lucas to come home...

Welcome Jacob Patton

Our friends Susan and Dave have made a new friend for Owen: Jacob Patton. He's a healthy tiny little peanut of a baby. All of our friends are having baby boys... the parties in the future will be a riot!

Same but different

Owen will find one toy, and play with it for a long while... maybe this means we don't have to worry about an A.D.D. child. He's just quite content with one toy. Yesterday, it was two plastic "rings".

First on his stomach. Then on his back.

Then sitting.

Any way you look at it, I think they must taste good!

Muppets

I think I know how Jim Henson created his characters. Here comes Grover. Owen is such a happy kid who LOVES his daddy!

Owen and Kate: round two

Jill and Kate were the first to get here for the family get-together. This time, Owen dealt with Kate much better. Kate still moves faster than any eight month old I've ever seen (she has mad skills), but now Owen seems to be learning from her, instead of being scared of her. They played really well together.

Shared kisses and cooties.

Climbed all over each other. (almost inappropriate, but not quite)

And actually shared toys together.

We tried to figure out who was taller. I think they are within an inch of each other, and pretty close in weight. But they are both so different to hold. Kate is definitely girly, and Owen is definitely has a boy build.

We had a great weekend, though now we all sick with snotty noses. Owen's first official cold, courtesy of Kate.

Back Home

After dinner, we all came back to the house. We started with obligitory pictures. First the boys:

then the girls: (much more photogentic and cooperative for the camera)

Then Grandparents with all six grandbabies. We had $100 on the line for the person who could capture everyone looking at the same camera. It didn't happen. Beatrix just kept looking at the ceiling.

Here's Owen with Grandma and Grandpa.

Then the play began. Amazingly for six tiring kids, 60 fingers and 12 busy feet, everyone had a good time and I don't think anyone was stepped on. Good sharing and good laughter had by all!

All six playing

Suzi and Owen.

Here's a quick video with, at one point, all six kids playing.

Spaghetti Factory

For the first of many blogs for the weekend, in no particular order, we'll start at the Spaghetti Factory. I think it's the only restaurant I can think of that willingly accepted a reservation for seven adults and six kids. For having so many kids, it was a very nice organized dinner!

Here's Jill with Kate and Beatrix. It was Jill and my first time meeting Beatrix. She is just beautiful... she is definitely up to the Ryerson standard of pretty babies. Here's Seth with his dinner of bread and "dip it" sauce.

Me and Beatrix.

While we were waiting for our table. Nathanael very comfortable surrounded by kids. Behind Abigail is Zachary, I was told later that he was picking his nose, I think Abigail took the "big sister" role and blocked it from the picture.

Owen had a hard time deciding what to eat, we decided on the menu.

Here's Owen eating a lemon... such a funny kid! Maybe mean parents, but really funny kid!