Highlights from Christmas and.... he's crawling!!

Well, the holidays are almost over and our little family had a great time overall. Owen loved everything about it - the food, the presents, the family and friends, and most of all - the attention he got.

Here he is on Christmas morning checking out his presents. He still has his dopey look from sleeping - so cute!

Owen loved his presents from his grandparents - especially this one!

Here we are as Scott carves the 24lb turkey on Christmas day.

We managed to fit 19 people at the table! It really was a Christmas to remember.

Also, Owen finally mastered crawling! He looks just like a baby elephant scooting all over the carpeted rooms (he doesn't yet trust himself on the hardwood or laminate).

Crawling is about to begin!

I know i've said this before, but seriously, it's about to begin any day now. He's up on all fours rocking back and forth and sometimes even moving forward a bit. Here he is in the two positions he's in most of the day. He actually has a rug burn on the right side of his forehead from repeating this process so much!

Oh, and here's the famous birthday cake!

It took me (and then it turned into us), a large part of the day on Saturday to make this. I wasn't too happy with it, but at least it somewhat looked like a hockey player and it tasted really good, so that's what counts isn't it?!?

One year old

One year old already. I cannot believe it has been one year. It feels like only two weeks ago that i was feeling him kick me in the ribs while nine months pregnant. It has absolutely flown by but at the same time I can barely even remember life before Owen was born. Our lives were forever changed at 11:07 p.m. on December 18, 2006 when Owen arrived. We experienced love like we had never experienced before and it has grown every day since. Owen is such a joy in our lives and to everyone that meets him. His happiness is contagious and you can't help but see what a happy little boy he is.

On Sunday, at our family celebration for Owen's birthday, he was unbelievable. He smiled and laughed and entertained us the entire time. When he got sleepy and we quickly tried to squeeze in his time for eating his piece of birthday cake, he dove right in, head first, and put on a complete show.

There is absolutely nothing that i would change about my Owen. He is truly our little angel sent from God and he brings us imeasureable joy every minute of every day. Scott and i look forward to every day so we can see what he's going to show us next. Happy birthday, Owen. We look forward to this next year and to what you're going to show us next.

Owen's new sweater

Nan (or Nannie or Grannie....?) came over this week to watch Owen while i went out partying for a couple of hours and she brought a special present for Owen. A new handmade sweater! It fits Owen perfectly and has soccer ball buttons and everything! Owen made sure to wear it this morning as he went to visit with Nan and Grandma Gi-Gi so he could show it off!

Really, he's not choking

Every once in awhile the sound of a gagging baby is heard in our house. At first i thought Owen was choking on something but then realized he enjoys sticking his fingers down his throat so that he gags. He thinks it's hilarious. I hate it - especially when he has just eaten and chunks of food actually come up and he swallows it again. Gross! Hopefully he'll get over this obsession very soon so i don't throw something up too by seeing this.

He's watching through the crib spindles

Owen has now learned to sit up from laying down. He first flips to his stomach and them tucks in his legs so his cute little bum is in the air and then he pushes himself up with his hands. I've discovered this means trouble at nap time. When i leave the room he immediately does his thing and waits for me to come back into the room to see what's going on and he laughs and laughs because he's so proud of himself. Bed time has been fine so far because he's exhausted by then and doesn't want anything to do with playing. Here he is this morning in mid-sitting up position.

Gearing up for the big part-ay!

Owen's first birthday is coming up and we're celebrating with a big party on Sunday. I was originally going to just buy a fun cake but after i mentioned it to some family members, I was pressured into attempting to make one from scratch. I have my dream cake on the fridge and i'm dedicating all of Saturday to making it. I even bought an icing bag thingy and dye for the icing. This could be hugely successful (and you better believe i'll make sure everyone around me knows how proud i am of myself) or this could be a disaster and scar Owen's first birthday. I'll let you know how it goes and there will probably be more pictures of the cake than of the birthday boy (just kidding!).

Here's Owen last week playing in a box with his tongue sticking out as he concentrates. Both his dad and momma do this, too, so its funny to see him doing the same.

A day at home

Today Owen and I are spending some time here at home. This morning i tried to do some laundry, but Owen insisted on undoing all of my folding and laughed hysterically as he dropped everything down the side of the couch. Very funny, monkey!

The weekend was great. Scott didn't have hockey so he was home with us all weekend. We set up the Christmas tree and did some shopping and baking without having to be anywhere, which was wonderful.

Owen's just reminding me to wish his Grandpa Barker a happy birthday - so Happy Birthday!

New developments

No, crawling is not one of them....! Any day though, we think.

Owen has now mastered clapping on demand and waving hello and good-bye on demand. He understands so much now. Especially sentences that i say regularily, like "its time for bed" or "should we go get something to eat?". He nods yes and shakes his head when he means no. He knows who all our family is and reacts excitedly when we see them. Today Nan is coming over to watch Owen for a bit while i get some things done around the house.