Going Green

Today Owen and I met some of our favorite play buddies

at the Garfield Conservatory.

Owen and I had never been there before.

We walked around the different green houses which gave him plenty to look at.

And there was a children's garden with fun activities and a little 

play area for the smaller kids.

 One of my favorite things about this stage in Owen's life is 

he is really starting to enjoy being around other kids.

It's so fun watching him interact.

 These kids were complete strangers, but he would sit and watch them,

laugh at them and every now and then let out a little shout

as if he was trying to tell them something.

 I feel so lucky to be able to stay home and

do fun activities like this with him.

And to have such great friends to keep us company

on all our little journeys.

 

Christmas at the OPCC

Today we went with Val and her parents to the Oak Park Country Club

to have lunch and see Santa.

 
I continued my ongoing quest to get a photo with both Owen and Ruby 

looking and smiling at the camera.

Isn't he such a handsome little man?

 

Then we all watched...

 

As Santa made a grand entrance via helicopter.

 

 Owen did really well with Santa.

Though it would have been fun to get a picture of him hysterical on Santa's lap,

I was really proud that he did so well and just went with the flow.

Ruby was a little more apprehensive of the big man.

But it's ok Ruby.  You're going to grow to love Santa in no time.

Thanks for a great day Simones!!

 

 

Baby Steps

Just when we thought we were safe with crawling,

Owen found a new task to master....

BABY PLANKING!!

 

Just kidding!  Though it is impressive, isn't it?

He's found the stairs and decided he wants to use them to get to his feet.

"What??  You want me to start walking now??"

 

"HA HA HA!!  That's the funnies thing I've ever heard Mom!"

 

10 Months

Guess who is 10 months old already??

That's right....this guy!

The monkey isn't looking so crazy big anymore.

 I was just looking back at my 9 month post to do some comparisons 

and it is crazy to see where he has come in one month.  

Just one short month ago...

he was getting up on all fours, but not crawling,

only beginning to use his pincer grasp,

and his top two teeth were starting to poke through.

Now...

he crawls all over the place and moves around with complete ease.

It makes me miss the days where I could set him down on a blanket with some toys

and walk out of the room for a few minutes. ;)

He has even started pulling up on things which means walking is right around the corner.  

He is able to feed himself most finger foods that I put in front of him.

Able being the key word there.  If they feel a little funny, maybe a little wet or mushy,

he'll push them aside.  And there is no need for a spoon anymore.

He'll take the little fruit/veggie pouches and suck them down in no time.

The nice thing is it makes feeding on the go easier.

Favorite Foods - Toast, String cheese, Puffs, Yogurt Melts, Arrowroot cookies and most purees

His top two teeth are fully in and only add to the cutest little smile I've ever seen.

Personality wise,  he is still a very calm and happy baby,

but from time to time I do see a little bit of that red headed temper come out.

Only for a brief minute, but enough to show me it's there.

Most of the time though he is very happy and content.

Ryan's aunts told me they were amazed with how focused and alert he was.

Since he's my first I don't have much to compare him to, but I would have to agree. 

 

He loves reading books, or at least listening and watching while I read.

Favorite Book - Noisy Peek-a-Boo

Favorite toy - The remote control Grandma got him and 

the yellow lid from the Fisher Price shape box.  It's the simple things. 

 

He's still taking two naps and sleeping 11-12 hours at night. WOO!!

I love going to wake him up in the morning.

As soon as the hallway light goes on, he sits at the end of the crib closest 

to the door and watches.  I slowly push the door open and as soon as he sees Ryan 

or I, he gets so excited.  He almost bumped his head on the crib a few times

because he gets so excited that he jumps forward to crawl closer and 

practically jumps right into the side of the crib.

I also love the cute little laugh and smile he has right now.

He still has his giggling fits every now and then, but he started doing this silly

laugh all the time.  He bursts out with a "Ha Ha Ha" almost like an adult doing a 

fake or forced laugh.  Coming from him though, it's hilarious.

And his new little smile where he wrinkles his nose and lifts his one eyebrow is hysterical too.

  

I love him more and more every day and am so thankful to have such an amazing little family.

Happy Thanksgiving

I have so many things to be thankful for, 

but most importantly I'm thankful for our wonderful family,

our amazing friends, and our good health.

This year we got to celebrate Thanksgiving with Ryan's side of the family,

but my mom made sure that Owen had a festive outfit to party in.

Here are a few pictures from the day. 

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving!!  Gobble Gobble Gobble!!

The Art of Sharing

I've given into the fact that there is just no way to get 

a good picture of Ruby and Owen together.

However, that being said, it is absolutely hilarious trying.

I keep snapping as we go because when I go back to look at the 

pictures they always make me giggle.

Take yesterday for example.

When we started taking the pictures Ruby was in possession of the lens cap.

She sets it down in front of them and it catches Owen's eye.

He grabs it and is ecstatic with his new treasure.

 

Ruby on other hand is not as happy with what he has found and claimed as his own.

She quickly snatches it back and reclaims her treasure.

 She tries to hide it but Owen is not fooled that easily. 

Take the lens cap away and we're all smiles again.

 

Don't worry little guys...we have plenty of time to teach you about sharing.  :)

The Simple Things

Exhibit A:

Owen's play area with all of the colorful, noisy, light up toys 

you could ask for as a 10 month old.

Yet what seems to catch his attention??

 

Exhibit B:

 

Yep.  The simple old rubber spatula from the kitchen.

 

And when he gets tired of that does he go for the toys?

Exhibit C:

Nope.  

He crawls under the jumper I tried to use as a blocker

to get to the simple fake leaves I have as decorations for Fall.

 

Owen it's great that you already know how to enjoy the simple things in life.