9 Months

Owen is already 9 months old! We love seeing his personality and abilities grow every day. He is such a joy! Owen has a great giggle and wonderful sense of humor. He loves to smile, "talk" and make silly sounds. Currently, his favorite toys include a Winnie the Pooh honey pot given to him by his grandpa Jim, a stuffed soccer ball from grandma Pam, a singing Glow-Worm, a little stuffed turtle with a mirror on it's tummy, and his books (although currently he prefers to eat his books rather than read them). Owen still primarily gets around by rolling, but he easily gets into a sitting position, and up on "all-fours" rocking back-and-forth...on the verge of crawling. Owen eats well in his high-chair, and has learned to feed himself little cheerio-like puffs. He still occasionally protests the bottle (a flashback to earlier days when he refused the bottle entirely...ugh!) so we've started working on drinking from a cup so that he can learn new ways to get the fluids he needs. Owen loves to look at our kitties (watch out kitties, as soon as Owen can crawl he'll be after you!), and we recently have been going to a local Gymboree play center on a 2-week free pass. He loves "Gymbo" their clown mascot, and Safta (Grandma Julie) bought him a Gymbo puppet for fun at home! We love you Owen, and look forward to seeing all the new ways you will learn and grow during this next month!

January Highlights

It's been nearly 4 weeks since our last post - we apologize! January was a huge month of transition, and time got away from us. For those who don't know yet, we've moved back to Portland! Brian was offered a terrific job opportunity, and that - coupled with the fact that our parents (aka grandparents!) are all in Portland - led to the decision that it was time for a move. It's been bittersweet, as we loved our home and life in Seattle. But thankfully, Seattle is still just a short drive away, and we look forward to future (and frequent!) visits. Linnea is blessed to have the opportunity to be home more with Owen, and meanwhile continue working with her same company remotely. Leading up to this transition Brian was home with Owen for the month of January. He spent the month planning and packing for our move - no small feat! Here are a few photo highlights from the past several weeks. And now that we are more settled in Portland, we hope to be back-on-track with frequent postings!

Owen, enjoying all sorts of "guy-time" at home with dad!

Out to lunch with Blake & Angie.

Owen sat snuggled between Blake & Brian. He can barely see over the table. So cute!

Opening a belated Christmas gift from Blake & Angie. A darling bear from "Build-a-Bear", and I wish we had a photo of the front of the shirt...it says "I Love My Cousin"!

Congratulations Blake & Angie on the wonderful news of a baby on-the-way! We are so excited for you...and for all of us! We can hardly wait to be an Uncle, Aunt & Cousin. We love him/her already, and are praying for a healthy pregnancy, delivery, and all of God's very best for his/her little life!

First photo in our new apartment in Portland. Just taking it all in!

(we're in a short-term apartment lease while we house hunt)

A visit from Safta

Happy Birthday great-grandma Marion!

Welcome home uncle Brent! I missed you!

(Brent has been on a cross-country road trip with two friends for over 4 months)

Feeling like such a big-boy in my new highchair!

Seeing dad off to work during his first week at his new job. We are proud of you, Brian!

(so funny...Owen's smile is now often a "grin". I love it!)

Diana

When Linnea went back to work after Owen was born, we were fortunate to have family members come and help us with Owen for the first month or two. In the meantime, we were looking for more permanent childcare options. We found wonderful Diana, a nanny with lots of experience and love to provide, and made arrangements to have her work with us until December. She would be starting with another family in December, and we count it a blessing that Owen was able to spend his days with her throughout the fall. Diana is kind, gentle, fun, loving, and a Christian - which was an extra special blessing for us! She quickly became an extension of our family. We had no doubt that Owen was getting the very best care during the day, and it was obvious how much he loved and enjoyed his time with Diana. Diana...thank you for a wonderful season! You will always be a very special person in our lives!

8 Months

Owen is already 8 months old, and the biggest update of this last month has been...teeth! Owen broke 4 teeth on the top in the last month. Three of which came through at the very same time, which actually landed us in the emergency room when he very uncharacteristically inconsolable for about 3+ hours one evening. Being that it was the night following the return from our trip to Hawaii, we were concerned it could have been his ears (from the flight, perhaps?) but while at the hospital, the nurse commented on the 3 teeth that just came through. What teeth?! There were no teeth earlier that afternoon! Ah...no wonder he was hurting. Poor baby! In addition to the new teeth, 8 months has Owen sitting very well on his own (how fun to sit him on a blanket with some toys, and watch him play!), loving the sound of his own voice (his newest sound is a growl - usually out of excitement. So funny!), splashing in the bathtub, and waving goodbye. We know crawling is just around the corner...but no rush. :) We love watching Owen discover the world and look forward to another fun month!

Owen's First Christmas

Merry Christmas 2009!

(click to enlarge)

Hawaii

We just returned from an amazing family vacation to Maui, Hawaii...just the three of us! We feel so blessed to be able to have this special week away together, just in time for the holidays!

At the airport, getting ready to board our flight.

(I'll always remember this moment!...I said "Owen, Smile!" and he turned to look at me, propped his arm on Brian's shoulder, and smiled! Coincidence?...maybe! But he responded as if he understood, and it was precious!)

Reading books, one of our many attempts to keep Owen happy during the 6 hour flight. Yikes! He did remarkably well, not really fussing at all, and sleeping for about an hour two different times.

We've arrived! And with enough lugage that it appeared as if we were moving to Maui. :) What's amazing is that Brian & I shared one suitcase (and a laptop bag) and the rest of the luggage is Owen's. Toys, clothes, food, stroller, carseat...incredible what it takes to travel with a baby!


Yay! We are in the hotel room and Owen is thrilled to streatch out and roll around for the first time all day. Let the vacation begin!


View from our hotel room balcony. We spent many hours each day enjoying this balcony as Owen took his naps.

Hawaii was Owen's first experience at a beach...not a bad way to start!

...and as you can see by his smile, he loved it!

Owen enjoying a bottle on the beach...or a "picnic" as we like to say!

And of course there was plenty of pool time!

one of Owen's favorite pool activities

watching in amazement as other kids run, splash, & play

And some of our favorite moments...cozy towel snuggles after fun at the beach or pool!

Throughout the week, we enjoyed:

wonderful walks each day...

...dinners at fun beachside restaurants...

...stunning sunsets...

...and cozy bedtime moments.

Hard to say goodbye! But it was a wonderful week, and we have holidays with family to look forward to upon our return.

Mele Kalikimaka!

(Hawaiian for "Merry Christmas")

7 Months

7 months old and on the move! Well....sort of, anyway! Owen isn't crawling yet, but he "rolls with purpose" as we like to say. He does a great job pushing up on his arms, pivoting toward something he wants, and then rolling to get there. It is so amazing to see his mind working as he as he maneuvers his way toward a particular toy. Great 'problem solving' skills being developed! He has 2 teeth on the bottom, and one about to break through on the top. Owen is enjoying the sound of his own voice - and participates in our conversations with all sorts of squeals and shouts. He is doing great with solid food....tolerating the cereal and enjoying fruits & veggies. His favorite toy remains to be "Mr. Monkey" (who you can spot in previous blog postings) and his favorite activities include jumping in his “jumparoo” and giggling in a mirror. Owen is very good natured - with a contagious smile, great facial expressions, and a wonderful laugh. He is such a blessing and gift...bringing us so much joy! We love him to pieces!