Eight Months

Dear Owen,

Each month has been awesome but there is something so magical about a baby's first Christmas and your eighth month with us was truly special.  Celebrating the holidays coincided with so many of your biggest milestones to date.  The first week of the month, you started to babble in earnest.  You have so much to say and I love it when you talk.  Sometimes it's almost like you are shy to speak and you wait until you think that no one is paying attention to you to have a little conversation with yourself.  Your biggest sounds so far have been ba-ba-ba, da-da-da, blah-blah, ra-ra and la-la (and variations of all of the above).  We love your little voice and you get very vocal at meal times.  You even growl like a little bear.

You are working so hard on mobility.  You started by really pushing up onto all fours and doing a lot of rocking and by the end of the month, you have mastered army crawling.  You mostly only like to crawl when you are going for something fun that you shouldn't have like the curtains or a cell phone.  You've taken a few steps toward really crawling with your bottom in the air but you get frustrated pretty easily.

You have two teeth!  They are coming in on the bottom.  Your ear infection that would not die was still going on and you started having a pretty upset stomach at the same time.  I just assumed that it was related to the ear infection and/or antibiotics but then your dad found two teeth right around the time that your tummy got better.  Unfortunately, you make it pretty hard to get any pictures with said teeth, so you'll just have to trust me that they are in there.

We had the "Icemageddon" storm here in Dallas.  It meant that we had Daddy home for an extra day that week and you got to go out and "sit" in the snow/ice for a few minutes.  We were lucky to have power throughout the weekend since so many people in our neighborhood did not.  The snow and ice didn't melt for almost five days!  The first night of the storm was my birthday so you were left with a babysitter (that wasn't Mimzy) for the first time.  Miss Courtney came to watch you while we enjoyed my fancy birthday dinner out.  

You are still enjoying meals and we try to eat at least two a day with you.  Greek Yogurt is still probably your most favorite food but you continue to try just about everything we give you.  Your teeth are seeming to help you make progress with eating but you're also starting to master the pincer grip and getting better at putting food in your mouth.  Other than yogurt you love: broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower, sweet potato fries, carrots, meatballs, and bread of any kind.  You got to eat at some special restaurants for Christmas and birthday occasions.  We went to LARK on the Park with the Smiths for my birthday, Savor with your grandparents at Christmas and Tillman's Roadhouse to celebrate Mimzy's birthday.  You were so well behaved at each place.  You even got to sit at the chef's table at Savor.  Little man, you are special!  Not even eight months old and you've already enjoyed some very fine dining.

Christmas was so fun!  Your Papa arrived on Monday morning and Grandpa River and Grandma Bean got here shortly after.  You sat in church with us for the Christmas Eve family service and went up for the Children's Sermon for the very first time.  We had a bunch of people at the house for tamales and chili on Christmas Eve and you were great at the party until it was time to leave out cookies for Santa and go to bed.  Santa came to visit you and you were very blessed this Christmas with so many things.  We even started a little savings account for you for some of the money you've received.  Daddy made us a fantastic brisket and we had a great Christmas lunch with Mimzy and Papa.  Alli Rae and Gram arrived on the 26th and we just kept right on celebrating all weekend.  Among other things, you got tons of toys, an activity table to stand at, and a very special swing for the backyard.

It was a big month!  We had so much to celebrate for the holidays this year but most of it was related to you.  You are such a happy little man.  You charm everyone you meet no matter where we are.  Each month we see a little more of who you are and somehow you become even more lovable.  Your little voice is so funny and you have a special laugh noise and smiles for those of us who are around you the most.  It's pretty special, just like you are.

Love always,
Mommy

Stats and Milestones:

Height and Weight: close to 30 inches, right around 25 lbs. (measured at home)

Diaper Size:  size 5 (made the switch this month)

Clothing Size: 12 and 18 month (mostly 18s) and you have a couple of 2T things that fit

First fancy dinner out (LARK on the Park): 12/7

First dinner at the Chef's Table (Savor):  12/23

First Christmas (!): 12/25

You sleep from around 7-7 every night.  I can't remember the last time you woke up during the night.  You are drinking about 30-35 oz. a day and we started eating breakfast, lunch and dinner together this month.  You eat Cheerios, fruit and applesauce for breakfast and usually what we eat for lunch and dinner.  

You usually take two naps a day.  About 45 min-1 hour in the morning and about 1.5 hours in the afternoon.   

You are an army crawler and will move to get something you want, which is very rarely a toy.  You prefer cell phones, remotes and computers.  

Nicknames:  Owen Bear, Mr. Bear, Beary-Boo, Mr. O, The Baby, Beary

Things you love:  food of all kinds but especially greek yogurt and Ritz crackers; your swing; having someone help you stand up; your activity table; having family around to celebrate the holidays

Things you don't love:  diaper changes and getting dressed; when we don't feed you fast enough for your liking; being told no when you want to do silly things like pull on the curtains 

To Do in 2014

My 2013 To Do List didn't turn out all that bad, despite that I really had no idea what to expect of my life with all of the changes.  I accomplished most of the things that I set out to do, so that is pretty great. Onward and upward, here's my 14 for '14.

1.  Get back to pre-baby weight and more importantly pre-baby body self-image.  I'd like to be able to wear the things in my closet.

2.  Only shop for and buy quality pieces for my wardrobe.

3.  Throw a super fun first birthday party for Owen.

4.  Continue our family Christmas traditions that we started this year.  We had a great holiday and it was perfect for our future as a family of three.

5.  Get my own cycle class.

6.  Enroll Owen in Mother's Day Out for the fall and along with that, teach at another gym/studio that is out of my comfort zone.  (This might end up being #5 as well!)

7.  Attend at least 2 classes that are not my own yoga classes per month.  This is, sadly, a big challenge right now.

8. Ride in at least one organized bike ride.

9.  Run a half marathon in under 2 hours.

10.  Find a place to volunteer and/or get more involved with our church.

11.  Continue to be involved with my mom's group and Owen's playgroup. (This turned out to be one of the best things I put on my list last year!)

12.  Continue to write Owen's monthly update letters for 2014.

13.  Travel more.  Make Vegas happen.  Take Owen to Boston.  Go on a trip that is just me (maybe DC or San Diego?).  Better plan for our 4th anniversary weekend.

14. Read 10 books.  Turn off my phone at 9:00 every night and read before bed.

2013

The annual Sundry year-in-review

1. What did you do in 2013 that you'd never done before?

had a baby and all the various things that accompany being a parent for the first time - what a roller coaster! 

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I did make a "to do" list and I accomplished several, if not most, of the items on said list.  

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

other than myself, a ton of people did and there were 4 of us that gave birth within three weeks of each other 

4. Did anyone close to you die?

no funerals in 2013, and that is enough to make it a pretty good year in my book

5. What countries did you visit?

just stayed here in the good ole US of A this year.  

6. What would you like to have in 2014 that you didn't have in 2013?

this is a tough question, probably a better self-image.  After having the baby, things have been a  constant struggle of gaining and losing the same few lbs.  I still have anywhere from 10-20 lbs to go to get back to my pre-baby weight, which was a pretty happy body place for me. 

7. What dates from 2013 will be etched upon your memory, and why?

April 29-30, labor and delivery.  I definitely see that as a defining moment in my life. 

8. What was your biggest achievement of this year?

Making it through the first month of Owen's life.  I was woefully unprepared for what being the mother of a newborn was really going to entail.  Also, the hormones.  Not cool. 

9. What was your biggest failure?

Hmm... I don't really see our breastfeeding journey as a failure but it was a struggle.  My biggest failure is probably failing to just put my damn phone down and quit scrolling through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

I was hospitalized for dehydration in January.  Blech.  

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Probably the Rock N Play that I ordered when Owen was a couple days old.  It was so much easier than trying to hold him and sleep on the couch with the coffee table and pillows preventing me from dropping him.  

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Adam, definitely.  He was my rock throughout what turned out to be a difficult pregnancy and he has been the most patient and amazing father.  I also think we got pretty lucky with a very happy baby who likes to sleep.  Carry on with the good behavior, Owen! 

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Appalled and depressed are strong words but probably Higgins dog.  We had a rough year at times, he had a tough time adjusting to Milo and the baby.  Overall though, he's wonderful with the baby and has really rehabilitated himself.  If only he'd quit being so curious and escaping our back yard!  

14. Where did most your money go?

A huge chunk went to the condo foreclosure settlements.  That sucked but we're so thankful that it's over now and we can move on with our lives.  Car payment, rent and having a baby sucked quite a bit of cash away too.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Having the baby!  Getting said baby out of my body! Being a mom!

16. What song will always remind you of 2013?

Clarity by Zedd.  It was getting pretty popular right before Owen was born and even made it as one of the only super upbeat songs on my labor playlist.  It was one of those rare songs that had staying power and they were still playing it fairly regularly on XM though the end of the year. 

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?

a) happier, all of the life changes have been hard at times but mostly awesome and rewarding

b) I think I might weigh a little bit more than I did last year at this time, despite being 22 weeks pregnant.  BOOOOO.

c) richer, in life without a doubt.  Probably break even in the money department, despite me quitting my full-time job.  Adam had an unexpectedly awesome year at work. 

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?

traveled but that might always be my answer 

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?

cry

20. How did you spend Christmas?

This was the year of starting new traditions: we went to church on Christmas Eve and then hosted an Open House afterward.  Christmas morning, we had my mom, father-in-law, dad and stepmom with us to open presents with Owen.  Dad and Eileen left after presents and we ate a fantastic Christmas lunch of brisket. Adam and I spent the entire day in our pajamas, which I hope can be a lasting tradition. 

21. Did you fall in love in 2013?

Duh!  How could I not fall in love with this little nugget?

22. What was your favorite TV program?

Same answer as last year, "House People", aka just about anything on HGTV.  Also, Dateline with Lester Holt (I love Lester a lot).

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

No.

24. What was the best book you read?

I thoroughly enjoyed Where'd You Go, Bernadette?

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Spotify.  It's the best.  

26. What did you want and get?
A healthy baby.  Too many other possession-y things to count.  As usual, I am spoiled by my sweet husband.

27. What did you want and not get?
Probably nothing! 

28. What was your favorite film of 2013?
Argo was awesome

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
The big 3-2!  I taught my normal 6:00 a.m. class, hosted Owen's playgroup, spent Owen's afternoon nap on the couch just snuggling with him, we had a babysitter watch Owen and we went to a rockstar dinner at Stampede 66.  It was the start of the great Ice Storm in Dallas that night but we had a great time. 

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Again, probably nothing.  It was a banner year.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2013?
yoga pants and/or whatever else stretches and can fit.  Womp womp womp. 

32. What kept you sane?
teaching yoga, friends that have been there done that with babies that told me things would get better

33. What political issue stirred you the most?
exactly the same as last year

I have a list but most of it can be attributed to so-called "Christians" who use their "religion" to judge other people for their actions.
-Men who talk about abortion.  My thoughts are as such:  You have no uterus, you have no say.  I also don't understand why America constantly needs to argue an issue that is between a woman, her doctor, her beliefs and potentially her sexual partner.
-Anyone who is against gay marriage.  What harm does it cause to you?  Live and let live.
-Assault weapons.  I have yet to hear a good argument about why anyone needs one of these other than maybe our military.  Deer don't need to be shot with a semi-automatic rifle. 

for all three things, I continue to wait for someone to make a valid and/or sane argument as to why I should change my mind.

34. Who did you miss?
my Grandmother, she would have loved to meet Owen.

35. Who was the best new person you met?
do you really have to ask?

36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013.

Absolutely it was "this too shall pass" just when I thought I couldn't take one more night of broken sleep, Owen figured out how to sleep all night long.  Just when I hit a breaking point with basically everything parenting related, we magically figured it out.

Seven Months

Dear Owen,

In the last week of your sixth month, you really mastered rolling but during the first two weeks of this month, you took it to another level.  It was your primary mode of transportation and you used it to propel yourself anywhere you wanted to go.  You still moved more backward than forward but you loved to end up across the room from where you were left.  You slowly started to learn to move in a more forward direction and even started to push up onto your knees and rock.  You've only made lunging motions that can't really be described as crawling but you're getting really close.  We can't leave you alone in a room anymore for more than a couple of seconds.  One day you somehow backwards wedged yourself under the recliner, which made you extremely mad when you couldn't figure out how to get back out.

Your sleep habits were rough at the beginning of the month, with your shots and daylight savings "fall back" happening on the same weekend.  I think you also hit a growth spurt because you woke up screaming to eat on a couple of occasions and I can't remember the last time that happened!  We worked really hard on your naps and for the most part, bedtime was easy and pleasant.  We'd put you down in your crib, you'd roll around for awhile and eventually settle on a position and fall asleep.  We rarely heard a peep!

There is a first time for everything and there was your first sick baby visit this month.  You caught some type of cold and were really congested.  Because of that, you wound up with an ear infection.  You were totally fine until your afternoon nap.  You kept crying out and I'd go in to get you and you were sleeping.  When you finally woke up you were really fussy.  Mimsy was over at our house for dinner and we took your temperature and it was 101.8.  I called the pediatrician and they fit us in right away.  You did 10 days of the bubble gum pink amoxicillin and were pretty much good as new after 24 hours of antibiotics.  The night you were sick was awful.  You woke up crying at 1:30 a.m. and were upset for a good hour and a half of pretty hard crying.  We felt awful for you because you had to have been in some pain.  We'd given you yogurt before but we started offering it at basically every meal because the doctor said it would be good for your tummy on the medicine.  You are obsessed with Greek yogurt and would probably never stop eating it, we usually have to quit giving it to you when we are ready for meal time to be over.

You started swimming lessons this month!  I signed you up for a mini session at Lake Highlands YMCA.  It's a parent child class and due to the holidays, you are the only kid in your class.  It means you get lots of one-on-one attention from your sweet teacher and we have a blast.  She puts lots of little toys in the water and you "swim" to go get them.  You even slide down the slide and go underwater each class.  You love all 30 minutes of it!

We also celebrated your first Thanksgiving!  It was awesome and you loved it.  We left town right after your first swimming lesson on a Monday night and drove down to Round Rock.  We stayed in a hotel there (another first!) so that Daddy could go to a meeting the next morning before we finished the trip.  The hotel was an adventure in poop (yours and the doggies) and I don't think I'll be heading to another hotel with you and the dogs anytime soon.  It was kind of crazy.  We got to San Antonio on Tuesday and you got to spend time with Great Grandpa, Aunt SheShe, Uncle Dave, Alli Rae, Uncle Champ and Auntie Mac before they all left town themselves.  We had about 40 people over to Grandpa River and Grandma Bean's house for the actual meal.  It was so fun and everyone loved meeting you.  Not surprisingly, you loved the Thanksgiving food.  You even participated in Black Friday with Grandma Bean and your Aunt Kasey and I.  We went to La Cantera and hit a couple of sales and had lunch together.

When it comes to food, you mostly eat at least 2 meals a day.  You've made a lot of strides since 6 months when it comes to actually ingesting things.  At this point, broccoli and yogurt are your two favorite foods but you will try just about anything.  We gave you a dill pickle once because I thought you would make a funny face.  Turns out you loved it!  You still do not get that excited about sweet things when we've let you have a taste.

Overall, we've settled into a very comfortable routine.  You usually take 2-3 naps a day.  You have a playgroup on Thursdays and spend some time at Child Watch at the YMCA during my classes on Monday-Wednesday.  You usually go to the church nursery on Sundays.  Everyone that watches you says how good you are and you are always smiling and having fun when we go to pick you up.  We love who you are becoming and hope you keep this jovial personality as you continue to grow.

Love,
Mommy

(7 month outtakes)

Stats and Milestones:

Height and Weight: about 29 inches, between 23 and 24 lbs (measured at home)

Diaper Size:  size 4 

Clothing Size: 12 and 18 month (mostly 18s)

First swimming lesson: 11/25

First night in a hotel (La Quinta Round Rock):  11/25-26

First sick pediatrician visit: 11/20

First Thanksgiving:  11/28

You sleep from around 7-7 every night.  We had a few night feedings during your growth spurt.  You are still drinking around 32-40 oz. a day and eating two meals and sometimes a snack.  

You usually take two naps a day unless you fall asleep in the car, in which case you have two and a cat nap.  The naps are generally about an hour but occasionally you will sleep for longer.  

You are starting to figure out locomotion and moving around on your own! 

Nicknames:  Owen Bear, Mr. Bear, Beary-Boo, Mr. O, The Baby, Beary

Things you love:  food- especially broccoli and yogurt, your family (especially when Daddy gets home at night), being upright in your Exersaucer, the basket that holds all of your toys (and dumping it out), your doggie brothers

Things you don't love:  diaper changes, being hungry, getting in the car seat or stroller when you don't really feel like being strapped down

Six Months! or Half of a Year!

Dear Owen,

Mister Bear!  You are already six months old.  Sometimes it feels like you have been here forever so six months seems so short when I stop to think about it.  More and more as time goes on, I'm so happy that you are here and that our family is complete.  You are really the best thing that could have happened to your dad and I.  You make us both better people.

You started sitting up unsupported (we have to help you get there)!  You continue to eat lots of fun things.  This month we tried sweet potatoes, butternut squash, applesauce, peas, meatballs, yellow squash and mushy carrots.  I am having fun making food for you and you will try anything at this point.  We let you have a little bit of almost everything.  I'd say your favorite is probably English muffins or other breads because they are easy for you to hold and gnaw on, but now that you have gotten better with food handling, we're going to offer you less breads and more fruits/veggies.  When you do take a "bite" of something, you sometimes don't know what to do with it and spit it out.  Sometimes you are hilarious and just put your face down on your high chair tray and sort of shovel food into your mouth.  At restaurants, you get to sit in a high chair and eat with us.  You aren't eating a whole lot but you are learning and getting so much better.  I'm just proud of you because you are exclusively feeding yourself!  So far we've had no choking incidents but you have gotten food up your nose a time or two.  You are usually very well behaved when we go to restaurants and you are having fun being involved in our meals.

You love to be on your tummy and have started to push with your feet to lift your little butt.  I'm seeing the writing on the wall as far as you becoming a mobile baby.  I have a feeling you're going to run me all over the place.  You took all month to think about doing it but now you fully roll in both directions.  It's crazy to watch you end up in such a different location/position from where we put you.  You've become so adept at moving around and the night before your half birthday was the first time you started rolling over in your crib.  You took about 20 minutes to settle into position before finally choosing to tummy sleep that night.  You are showing signs of crawling and scooting around soon.  It's crazy!

I think you are starting to favor your daddy.  The best part of your day is when he comes home and you laugh and play with him while I'm getting our dinner ready.  You've really taken your relationships with the puppies to a new level this month.  It's common for you to reach out your hand for them to lick.  Higgins adores you and Milo has taken a lot more interest in you now that you are more interactive.  It gives us a lot of joy to watch you discover your dog brothers.  I know that they will be your best friends and protectors.

The only downside to you being so much more aware of your surroundings is that it's hard to get you to sleep sometimes.  If people are at our house, it's as though you are afraid of missing out on something and you do not like to go to bed.  There have been a few bedtime battles in the house this month.  We switched you from your baby bucket seat to a big boy car seat this month.  It's amazing to see you sitting up in such a big seat!  You've also started riding in grocery carts and you seem to love having a new view on things.

We went to the State Fair while it was here in Dallas for the month.  You loved it!  We let you "eat" (drop) a little bit of the breading from a Fletcher's Corny Dog.  I can't say it was a hit.  Bummer.  We also watched ostrich races and walked around until you were exhausted.  You fell asleep for a little while but the noise of the nightly parade woke you up until we left.  You also got to ride the DART train that day for the first time.

We did a lot of fun things this month!  You took your very first plane ride to San Antonio!  You were so fantastic and well-behaved.  You just sat in your car seat and babbled to me.  I thought you would fall asleep but you were wide awake until after we landed.  Your aunt and uncle baby-sat you for an evening in San Antonio and you took a ride to La Vernia to one of our cousin's birthday party.  I hear you were pretty good until you got overtired on the ride home.  Your Uncle Champ got married in San Antonio and everyone was there!  You met all of our Boston family and finally, your Uncle Preston.  You took to him immediately, probably because he looks a little bit like daddy.  You were a very good boy, sleeping through most of the rehearsal dinner and you stayed with Gram and Papa during the wedding.  Probably 40 different people held you over the course of the weekend and as usual, you were a happy little boy.

I can't get over how wonderful you are.  Your smile and laugh brightens everyone's day.  I can't believe that you've been here for half of a year already.  When we look back at pictures, I'm shocked at how fast and how much you have grown, both in size and personality.  You are so happy and social and we love having you around.

Love always,
Mommy

Stats and Milestones:

Height and Weight:  (6 mo well check 11/1) 22 lbs, 3 oz (97%), 28 in (90%), head is 95%

Diaper Size:  size 4 

Clothing Size: 12 and 18 month

First time on an airplane:  10/10

First time in a grocery cart: 10/7

First train (DART) ride and trip to the State Fair:  10/17

You sleep from around 7-7 every night.  Sometimes you wake up and make a little noise but we probably had 3 night time wake ups over the month.  You don't eat at night anymore.  

You generally eat 5 times a day at 7-8 oz per bottle.  Most nights, you enjoy a playtime/dinner of solids.

You usually take three ok-ish naps a day.  Morning, mid-day and afternoon for about 1.5-2 hours total.

You can sit up on your own and roll both ways all over the place! 

Nicknames:  Owen Bear, Mr. Bear, Beary-Boo, Mr. O, The Baby, Beary

Things you love:  your feet (got them in your mouth!), playing with food, taking baths, laughing, playing with the doggies, when your daddy comes home from work, rolling in the BOB stroller, sitting up or having someone help you stand up

Things you don't love:  going to sleep when people are around, naptime, diaper changes, the very end of trips to/from San Antonio when you get sick of your car seat

Five Months!

Dear Owen,

My sweet little Bear, you are five months old!  You've really found your voice and you love to chat with us, the doggies and occasionally at inanimate objects.  You also learned how to screech and you love to hoot and holler at everything.  You are still growing like a weed, although I mostly notice it with the way that my arms hurt and when you grow out of clothes.

Tummy time has become non-existent.  You roll over pretty much any time we place you on your belly.  Around the beginning of the month, you found your feet and now you spend much of the day in a "happy baby" pose, my little baby yogi.  It's made for some funny moments since I swear you use your feet to help you fart and poop.  You are starting to sit up on your own by leaning over a little and using your arms!

Sleep has been interesting!  You are so much more aware of your surroundings and aware that your crib means you are alone.  For the most part, you sleep from around 7p-7a but occasionally you wake up in the night to poop, make some noises or practice all of your new skills.  You don't sleep as well when we are out and about now and unfortunately, it seems like you are just one of those kids who falls apart when they are tired.  When you miss a nap, you aren't the happiest camper.  You started doing this hilarious thing where you shake your head back and forth as if to say no to help you fight a nap.  It's a big sign to me that you need to go down for a nap ASAP before you reach meltdown status.  Generally, our routine is a morning, mid-day and later afternoon nap.

Our routine also involves lots of fun playtime with other babies.  We go to a playgroup a couple of times a week and you seem to really enjoy watching and interacting with the other kiddos around your age.  We have a standing playgroup date every Thursday morning and it's such a nice time for me to sit with other moms that are going through all of the same phases and things.

You have always been observant but now it seems like you are starting to really understand more of your surroundings.  The dogs have been the biggest thing you have started to figure out.  We're working to teach you to use "gentle hands" when you are playing with the puppies.  I'm amazed at how patient they are with you and they do love to be around you.  I can't wait to see your friendships develop over time.  You definitely have a preference for your dad and me but you still love to spend time with other people.  We spent a week in San Antonio at the end of the month and you had a great time and got to go to your first big cookoff!  You also had your big baptism party and had a blast celebrating with a bunch of our friends and family.  We've said it before but you are lucky to have so many people that love and care about you.

Speaking of food, this month was full of milestones for you.  We're loosely following Baby Led Weaning, meaning that you are completely in charge of feeding yourself.  After your four month appointment, we decided to let you start playing with food since you met all of the recommended criteria in the BLW book.  We gave you avocado on Labor Day at lunch and your dad, Mimzy and I just laughed and laughed as you played with the food.  As the month went on, you became so much more coordinated with your eating and you seem to be having a blast.  We let you try a ton of stuff and you make a huge mess.  The week after your pediatrician appointment, you grabbed your bottle from me and started to feed yourself.  It's amazing how much you are trying to do on your own now.  As someone who was always pretty independent, I am so proud to watch you learn and grow.  You are an amazing little boy and we are so lucky to get to spend our days with you.  You are almost always happy and your smile and laugh brighten every day for us.

Love always,
Mommy

Stats and Milestones:

Height and Weight:  (measured at home on 9/30) 28 inches, ~22 lbs.

Diaper Size:  size 3, size 4 at night

Clothing Size: mostly 12 and some 18 month

First time in the baby swing at the park:  9/4

First time to take a bottle on your own:  9/5

First time in a restaurant high chair:  9/24

First time to sit up unassisted:  9/27

You are back to sleeping pretty well!  Most nights you go down around 7-7:30 and wake up between 6:00-7:30 the next morning.  We'd love it if you slept a little later but we can't complain.  

You generally eat 5 times a day at 7-8 oz per bottle.  

You usually take three pretty decent naps a day.  Morning, mid-day and afternoon.

You are awesome with pushing up during tummy time and love to roll back over onto your back.  You've come close to rolling from your back to belly a bunch of times but you just lay on your side and flip back over.  You are starting to sit up on your own.  

Nicknames:  Owen Bear, Mr. Bear, Beary-Boo, Mr. O, The Baby, Big Bear, Beary, Baby-Boo

Things you love:  your feet, playing with food (especially avocados), taking baths, laughing, playing with the doggies, when your daddy comes home from work, rolling in the BOB stroller, your new big boy stroller that allows you to sit up

Things you don't love:  when meal time is over, going down for a nap when you are overtired