Munchin' on the Monkey

Another piece of plastic that feels good on Owen's gums is the monkey on the activity center. He found this monkey all on his own and manages to munch on it every time he sits at his activity center.

"You're doing it wrong, son"

Owen has been using his paci differently than what it was designed for. He flips the base of the pacifier 90 degrees so that it is in his mouth (with the nipple). We figure it must feel good rubbing on his bottom gums (we also think he is teething).
When Owen does this...Daddy exclaims "You're doing it wrong, son.".

Spoon Practice

Mommy has still not taken time to try to feed Owen solid food with a spoon. But...Owen is practicing using his spoon! AND...we still think Owen is going to be a lefty. We know that you can't really tell at this age...we still find it interesting how much more coordinated and comfortable Owen is using his left hand.

DJ Owen

Here is a quick video that Uncle Jeff took during his visit. Nash makes a cameo appearance too!

Daddy's birthday!

Daddy turned 36 on Wednesday. We had an awesome steak dinner (grilled on the Big Green Egg by the birthday boy) with twice baked potatoes (that Gram made) and a nice salad. And....a red velvet cake for dessert. Dad's favorite! Mmmmmm.

Owen's first Thanksgiving

Owen had a wonderful first Thanksgiving with a visit from Gram, Pappy and Uncle Jeff! Before Thanksgiving dinner, we tried to get a group photo. Owen just wanted to look at Gram.



Here are some other pictures from the week and visit.

Owen's new toy

We were going to hold out and have Santa bring Owen a jumperoo or exersaucer, but he was getting so storng and big that we couldn't wait any longer. Research was completed (are you surprised?) and a decision was made. We bought the "Bright Starts Tropical Fun Around We Go" Activity Station. It has an adjustable seat that rotates 360 degrees around the table. And as for the "activities"....it has an electronic piano with three modes of play, a water-filled pat mat featuring ocean sounds, an action or reaction station, teethers, rattles and more.
Since we live in a small town, no stores carried it. Fortunately, Amazon shipped it for free, so it was just as though we picked it up at a store, but we had to wait a few days to receive it. The item arrived last Wednesday, and Mommy put it together that very night while Daddy took a final exam for his Economics class. It was too late for Owen to test it out after it was assembled, but after daycare the next day he got a shot!



Owen is not quite tall enough for the toy. In the picture below...you can see how far his feet are off the floor! However....we have a smart little boy on our hands. Now, Owen can stretch to get one foot on the floor and he has started to scoot himself around a little bit.

First spoon feed

Daddy took some pictures of Owen's first spoon feeding. As you can see....he is not happy. We have since learned some tricks/tips that we will try out this weekend when we have some additional time at feedings. More about those later (i.e. if they work...we'll post them!).

Four months old!

Here is Owen's picture at four months old.


This one is a little blurry, but it is being included because it is the first time during the 'monthly' shots that Owen has been interested in the ball! We can only imagine that in a few months it will be hard to get this picture taken because of Owen's interest in the ball. Can't wait! : )

Owen's fourth month check-up

We took Owen for his fourth month check-up today. Both Mommy and Daddy were able to go. It was the quickest appointment we've had at Dr. Caballero's office (thank goodness). We were in and out in 1 hour and 25 minutes! That's a record! Owen weighed in a 15 pounds 9oz (50-60th percentile), was 27 inches long (95th percentile!) and his head measured 17 inches (50-60th percentile). Dr. Caballero said Owen was a happy healthy boy. Owen was happy until he got his shots :( But they are over and done with...for another two months! YEAH!!! We're home now and Owen is having a nap before his next feed. It will be so nice to spend a weekday afternoon with him.

First Solid Food (if you can call it that!)

Owen had his first solid food last night. We put 3 tablespoons of rice cereal in his 9 o'clock bottle. It was a learning experience for both Owen and Daddy. The bottle went down fast, but not without a fight. Even though the milk was thickened by the cereal, it still came out the 'fast flow' nipple quite quickly. Owen's mouth would fill up faster than he is used to, but would be on the 'old' swallowing rhythm. Spit-ups were lessened...but they were thicker too!

Because of the new experience, Owen was wide awake after his feed. Daddy stayed with him until he got sleepy. And then, Owen slept until 3am. Mommy checked on him and noticed, as usual, that he wasn't really awake. He was just squawking in his crib with his eyes shut. His pacifier quieted him and he put himself back to sleep him until 4am, and then again until 4:20am...but at that point, Mommy gave in and fed Owen. He went right back to sleep until it was time to get dressed and ready for daycare at 5:30am. New routine??? Perhaps. We'll see how this weekend goes!

Tonight, we'll try spoon feeding some cereal at normal dinner time (~6pm). Most articles that are online state that it is important that a "solid-food-eating-baby" learn this technique, rather than eat the cereal from the bottle. Please comment if you have experience in this area or any tips for us to try!!!

Owen has found his feet!

For the past few weeks, we have noticed Owen reaching for and often connecting with his feet. More recently in the past few days, Owen has been grabbing onto them. Today, after we got home from daycare, Owen needed his clothes changed. As soon as he was out of his clothes, he was reaching for his feet. The camera was conveniently located in the nursery, so a picture could be made!

Owen's new sounds

Owen has some new sounds! Here is a video of Owen "talking" on Halloween. Or...maybe he was singing along to the music in the background. Regardless...he is one happy and adorable baby!!!

Catch up post with lots of pics!!

This is somewhat of a catch-up post to upload a bunch of recent pics we've taken of Owen. Enjoy!

Daddy has discovered a new favorite position for Owen to hang out in...Owen lays on his belly on Daddy's legs that are propped up on the ottoman. Owen can see everything that is going on in the room and it also helps him get some more burps out!!
For a few weeks now, we've been getting Owen ready for Halloween. He has a few outfits, thanks to Aunt Heather! Last Saturday, Owen got dressed in his orange and white outfit and hung out in his bouncy seat while we cleaned the house a bit. Owen was as happy as can be!
Jeff Baker and his 'lady friend' Allison came to visit us last Sunday on their way home from Tuscaloosa. It was so nice to see Jeff and meet Allison! We got a great pic of Owen and Jeff.
It was a tough day at daycare on Thursday. Owen fell asleep in the car on the way home and didn't even wake up when we came inside. He was racked out like this until it was time to eat again!
Owen loves to lay in his crib after a diaper change and watch the elephants go around and around on his mobile. It keeps him occupied long enough to clean his diap up!
Yesterday was Halloween. After our 1 o'clock feed, we did our normal routine (eat, burp, spit up, sit upright, burp and spit up some more, play, spit up some more) before getting Owen dressed up for Halloween. Owen was Darth Vader. Unfortunately, after all the activity, it was time for Owen to nap...so once he was dressed, he was not happy. Here is an unhappy Darth Vader!

We went to the Peerless Grill to meet some friends in the afternoon. Here are a few pics:


We made it home in time to get another quick nap in, a bath and a feed prior to all the trick-or-treaters! Owen hung out with Daddy for a bit on the couch, played on his mat some, and answered the door to greet all the cute costumed kiddos!