Nap Time Success

Owen had his 4 month checkup last week. He's very healthy...and handled the immunizations (aka: shots!) like a champ. Weighing in at 12lbs 10oz and 25" long, he is growing and thriving, and changing every day!

Our biggest challenge lately has been...sleep!

This has become our favorite book over the past week. In fact, I think they could update the title to Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child and Parents :). Owen has always been a great night sleeper - going down around 7pm and up around 7am, with maybe 1 wake in the night to feed. Where we've struggled is the naps! He fights going down (life is too exciting to miss out on daytime activities with a nap!), and when he does, he's often awake and crying 30-45 min later. Occasionally he'd take a good solid 2 hour nap, but nothing predictable and it was always a struggle.

That was until we started taking this book to heart and became more intentional about his sleep habits. Just 1 week later, he now lies down without a fuss, and sleeps for 1.5-3hrs. Yay!! So much easier then we expected. He's such a good boy.

Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day Weekend was full of many fun activities. Amazing to think that in a few short years it will also be a "back to school" time for Owen! But certainly no rush on that. We already find ourselves commenting on how quick time is going and we just focus on cherishing all the little moments. For instance....

We have season tickets to UW Football this year, along with Blake & Angie and Brian & Amy. Go Dawgs!

Breakfast at the Original Pancake House with our dear friends, the Hammann's

Off on a walk!
WWII Bomber Pilot? Nope, mom just likes the hat because it keeps my ears warm!

Hanging out with Safta & Sabba


Being silly with my Uncle Greg

Cozy after my bath - wrapping up a great weekend!

4 Months Old

Our baby is 4 months old! Amazing! Some of Owen's "favorite" things: cozy blankies (quickly pulls them to his face to snuggle, and gives a big smile), grasping and kicking at toys, rolling onto his right side, reading books (he even reaches out his hand to help turn the pages!), going on walks (in the tummy pack, especially), smiling, giggling and talking.

"Hm...what's it like to be 4 months old?...."

"It's great! I'm having lots of fun!"

Signs of Fall

It has been a beautiful summer in Seattle! And already we can feel the coming of fall...the days are getting shorter, some leaves are beginning to change, there is a crisp feeling in the air, and of course...football has begun! Owen is ready for his first fall, and first football season. :)

Black Butte Vacation

Last Saturday we returned from a vacation with Linnea's family at Black Butte Ranch in central Oregon. We had such a blast! Owen loved his vacation, and what's not to love! Owen learned that vacation is often filled with....

...Wonderful Family Time

A stop to see great-grandma Marion on our way to Black Butte

...Pool Time

...Cozy Naps

...Beautiful Walks

...Good Books

...Yummy Food
Yup - still taking a bottle like a champ. Praise God!

...Quality Converstation

or maybe a staring contest?

...Lots of fun, smiles and giggles!

... and time just to hang out and relax!

"I Love Vacation! When can we go again?"

Anniversary / Grandparents

This week we celebrated our 7th Wedding Anniversary! Amazing how quickly these years have flown by. We both feel so blessed...it gets better every year! And what a special year this has already been - now with our sweet Owen. This posting is also a tribute to grandparents. With Linnea heading back to work earlier this month, our parents have been AMAZING to come to Seattle and support us by helping care for Owen during this transition. Owen has LOVED his time getting to know his grandparents even better, and we have cherished their long visits as well. Thank you for all of your support! We appreciate you and love you very much!

Out to dinner on our Anniversary

Brian secretly stopped by the restaurant in advance, and these beautiful roses were at our table waiting when we arrived!

Hanging out with Grandma Julie ("Safta")

Not even out of my jammies yet, and already off for a morning walk! Gotta beat the heat of the day. Good thinking grandma!

Talking away to my Safta!

Just waking up from a cozy nap with my Grandma Pam

Hanging out with Papa G

Grandpa loved putting Owen in this hat

3 Months

We can hardly believe our baby is 3 months old! And to celebrate - it has been quite an eventful week! First....Seattle "enjoyed" record heat, with an all-time-record-high of 102 degrees! We worked hard to keep Owen cool and comfortable, and are grateful for a portable air conditioner and plenty of fans! Also....drum roll....Owen took a bottle! After 6+weeks of trying every bottle/nipple combo - even special ordering bottles which are supposed to be the very best - we found success in the most unlikely of places. We were at the grocery store on Monday and Linnea saw a cheap bottle with the baby supplies. "Why not", we thought. And guess what....he took it, and has been taking it all week! Of all the expensive bottles we've tried, who knew it would be the $1.65 bottle from the grocery store which would bring us success! Praise God!

3 Month Photos:

Owen (with little friend "Mr. Monkey") in his swing on Seattle's hottest day

The winning bottle! The best $1.65 investment we've ever made!

It's a beautiful sight!