10 months

Owen turned ten months old today... it was also Susan's baby shower. I decided that it was a good occasion to dress Owen up in this little sweater vest outfit a friend gave us... because you just can't wear an outfit like this any ol' Sunday. However, it made him look like Alex P. Keaton... our own little republican. Maybe it was an early Halloween costume... it made me laugh all day, and I took A LOT of pictures!

I can just imagine his little business life... all he needed was a cup of coffee and a briefcase!

Here he is chewing on (literally) some information about Roth IRAs... is he our little financial wizard in the future?
"you need to max out your pre-tax contributions" He could also be some sort of business person...
"let me tell you about a deal I've been working on"

Who wouldn't agree with this face for a great deal?
"I just got 3.98% from Japan"

He's very energetic, he'll get the job done in half the time as other 10 month olds!

"I'll stay up all night working on the numbers"

But, he would also be modest while doing so...

"It's nice to be able to help people out with their finances" He does require chauffeuring around town...

"to the toy store please... and step on it"

And sometimes will fall asleep between Point A and Point B.

"I should have had my latte"

And sometimes even fall asleep during meetings... (here at Susan's shower)

"... a triple latte"

If he doesn't get his way, he'll let you know about it...

"I said pears not peaches!"

But, when the day is done, and the fresh air touches his face, he will be the kid with the deal for you!
"What a great day!"

For Lucas

Owen is getting his "move on". Today he crawled into the kitchen and pulled himself up onto the fridge as if to say, " open open open... I know there's yummies in there". It was very cute...
Owen also got some "flying" lessons with Lucas today... he loved them!
For dinner, Lucas bought a double cut pork rib chop from his favorite butcher, CHOP. It used to be a pig... that pig was spoiled with goat's milk and hazelnuts. He wandered open fields and frolicked with his fellow pig friends. Then last Wednesday, he got called to duty. Now, on a Saturday, he became the best piece of pork I've ever had. Even for Lucas, he said "words cannot describe how great this meal was... they should have sent a poet."

Lucas cooked up the chunk-o-meat... and it was yummy... really really yummy. What made it even better was that Lucas cut it off the bone for me so I didn't have to see it. He did take some pictures...
First pan seared for a crispy exterior, then finished in the oven.
Served with a side of mustard greens, purchased at the Portland Farmer's Market. I highly recommend the greens!

It was a delicious meal. Unfortunately, Owen had already had dinner so he didn't get to enjoy the succulence! I am so lucky to be married to a man that loves to cook... and cooks well!

Happy Baby Nanerpus

Last night Lucas and I saw this Denny's commercial called Nanerpus. We laughed out loud and watched it about five times in a row... maybe it was because we were both tired, but it was really really funny.

Then this morning I gave Owen banana. It's his favorite food... he grabs the pieces with both hands and frantically puts them in his mouth... when there are three pieces in there, he chews as fast as he can so he can put more in... it's very cute! I have my very own nanerpus...

His mommy dresses him funny

I worked last night. I am tired. Even though Lucas went into work a little late, which let me have a two hour nap... I am still tired... borderline exhausted. I like to think I can function OK with little sleep and enough coffee... but then I look at Owen after a diaper change. I forgot to snap the onsie up... his undies are poking out...

Maybe it will be a new trend... maybe my over caffeinated, under rested state is really an outlet for fashion trend setting...

To market to market

First, the love affair continues...
Lucas and I are very excited that the Portland Farmer's Market season has started again. I think Owen is excited too. He got to listen to a guy play the pan-flute, try a bite of tamale and a breakfast burrito (minus the egg). He had a great time. He just talked and talked to everyone... We also saw the lead singer of the Decemberists, Colin. It was a good morning!
After the farmer's market, we went to a car market. As Owen grows, getting him in and out of our Mazda is killing our backs... and the more and more stuff he needs the smaller and smaller our trunk got... So, Lucas and I have been car shopping for a little while... it's time to get out of our small sedan and into an SUV (not ready for the mini-van).

I hate car shopping. Let me say this again... I HATE CAR SHOPPING. This SUV is going to be with us for years to come... seriously, I can't go through this again so soon... We also needed Owen's approval. He liked the placement of the cup holders...

Like the adjustable steering wheel and sound system...

And overall liked the feel of this one... and the sticker price...

So, a few hours later... We are proud owners of a Hyundai Santa Fe. We still can't believe how well Owen did throughout the process... he must have really like the car... maybe he'll learn to drive on it too!

For the Love of Ladle

Owen has found his "security toy" of the day. He panics when he can't see it, and CRIED when I took it away for nap time. He has taken it to diaper changes, has toted it around the house and even has taken to eating with it by his side. I never would have guessed this would be his favorite toy... it's the ladle.

I think he likes the multiple functions of the ladle. It tastes good.It's a good walking stick when climbing hills.

A good reaching tool. (he used it to snag my cell phone that was out of his reach) Of course a noise maker.

And a source of comfort.

I wonder if he'll still love it tomorrow... I do like to imagine us not being able to leave the house without Owen's security ladle. It's at least easy to wash!

My little DJ

Owen is possibly showing signs of his future profession, or at least hobby. A DJ. No, not a radio DJ, but a full fledged hip hopping DJ, record scratching and all.

When he turns the "pages" on his toy, it sounds like record scratching. Add the music changing every time his a new button... VOILA... DJ Owen. (I'm sure there's a more creative DJ name for him, but I have not had my morning caffiene yet!)

Block Model

We dug out Owen's blocks today. They are foam, so easy to chew on, and easy to play with. He doesn't seem to care about my mad stacking skills yet. The castle I built was only for my entertainment.

We did try balancing them on his head... like models do with books. (they still do that right?)
Here's one... balanced while eating a ladle.Here's two... they balanced for a quick second... I swear!

And, as I attempted three, Owen just crawled up at me and gave me this smile! Oh, if only his eyes were open... but still pretty darn cute!

Follow the leader

Doc and Owen play follow the leader. It's a great way for Owen to waste... I mean use energy. They go all over the place. Doc is always a little quicker than Owen, so most the time there is no "angry cat". It reminds me of a cat chasing a red laser pointer, they'll just never catch it.

Owen actually attempted to go through the tunnel too.Under the table, around the toys...

Doc's even fast enough that I can only catch his back half!

folded in half

Owen is so proud of himself. He has perfected sitting up on his own. He'll crawl all over the place, then move to sitting, then he'll flash this huge smile. "Look what I did"

He has also perfected this skill in the crib. The only problem: when he falls asleep. I can just picture him, so tired and slowly leaning forward, until he finally passes out. This is the second time we found him like this. The first time he woke up CRANKY! We can only assume his leg had fallen asleep. But really, what do you do? He's sleeping. Do you wake him to move him? Luckily, when he woke up from this nap he was a happy little man.

hamming up lunch

It's almost hard to remember that not so long ago Owen hated the camera. He wouldn't smile when he saw it, he would have turned away... if he could. Now, he hams it up for the camera. He sees it and flashes these hilarious smiles. You know he's "forcing" a smile because his eyebrows go up a little more than normal.

Just look at this kid! Yes, the O-Ball is still one of his favorites.

So handsome!

Owen is getting three square meals a day now. He loves to eat. He is still not a huge fan of bread. That's right, you read it right, he doesn't like bread. Even disguised with jam or cream cheese, or hidden in yogurt. He does love cheese, so I still know he's my son!

Here's a video at lunch. Much funnier if you have sound. He hums while he eats. The video starts with him waving back at me, then back to his food: Tillamook cheese, cooked apple pieces and banana puffs. He also had some mashed potatoes and parsnips from our dinner last night.

A glimpse into the future

Today Lucas and I got new glasses. Or, rather Lucas got new frames and lenses and I just got new lenses, as I love both of my frames, I was just tired of squinting. For two hours I was blind... thank goodness Lucas was driving. Thankfully Binyons really does make a nice pair of glasses quickly.

While we were there, we decided to see what Owen would look like in a few years, as I highly doubt he can overcome his genes and NOT wear glasses.

Here he is sporting the Sally Jesse Raphael style. And then a more Buddy Holly look.

He also looked charming in a wire frame... which do you think he'll wear, and in how old will he be when he earns his first pair?

It was worth it... barely

It all started with a walk up to Fred Meyers. All we needed were veggies for our chicken stir fry Lucas was making for last night's dinner. It should have ended at that... but then for reason unbeknownst to me, we took a detour down the beer isle. That's when Lucas found it: Bud Light and Clamato, made with real artificial color and flavor... and not just a small can of it... a 24 ouncer.

"I dare you to drink this" he said. I thought to myself "Are we in junior high or something?" But then he mentioned a 35 minute back massage. I couldn't decided what was worst, the feeling of vomit in my mouth from thinking about drinking this, or the nice relaxing 35 minute massage I could win. My stubbornness won. We bought the $2.59 beverage.
Owen liked the can... beer from a can... what can be grosser than that? Add tomato and clam juice. A little bit of torture for the greater good.

Lucas took many pictures of my faces... this is the least unattractive of me... it was disgusting, gross, and luckily a little salty.

I do not approve of, or condone this behavior. I DO NOT endorse this product. But my back hurts, and I'm very much looking forward to my well earned back massage tonight.

Raising a Man

Raising a son is a lot of responsibility. You have to instill good values, morals, and beliefs. Be kind to women. Open the door for others. Don't fight... but don't be a sissy. Burp like a man. Love your mom forever. Today's continuing lesson: how to be in charge of the remote.

He pulled himself up, in order to reach it off of the coffee table. He even turned the TV on. Smart boy.

Salem visit.

Yesterday, Owen I went to Salem to visit mom and dad, while Suzi and all the kids were in town. We went to a great children's museum, very close to mom and dad's place: the A. C. Gilbert Discovery Village. It was really fun, and I know Owen will like it even more in about two years!

Dad played with us, but had to go back to work afterwards, so, NO you don't have to wear a suit and tie to visit the museum!

Owen liked the "China" room... he's used to playing with the spoons when we go out for sushi.

A gigantic chair that fit four kids!

Mom had a good time.

Dad had a good time. (even though I think he forgot the rules of the sign...)

There was a dress up room... Abigail was a flower, the two older boys were parrots, Owen went for a safari guide.

Or maybe a cat wrestler.

There was a huge play area outside, really fun, but almost scary how big it was. I think you might need a rule: Two adults per kid. With three kids running around, one in a stroller and one in a sling... four adults were BARELY enough! The older kids sure did like it though.


Seth liked the train going by the best!

We had fun... the only sad part was the Jill and Kate couldn't come down... darn school! Next time!