Mr. Bear - You're Fired!

I desperately tried to get the 8 months pics this morning before our Coffee meetup. Owen does not like to sit still with Mr. Bear anymore. Mr. Bear, you may be fired!  He just wants out of the chair!  I moved him to his crib so he had toys to play with. And the ones that are good of him the lighting is off.  I really don't know if I'll be able to get 9 months or not. I just can't keep him still long enough!  Poor Owen, he is tried of the camera being in his face :)

8 Months

Owen is 8 months old and so much has changed since 6 and 7 months.  It's almost like he's a different baby (person) altogether. He's getting so independent and loves to explore and figure out how things operate.  He's crazy about  music and anytime he hears a beat or song, he instantly stops in his tracks. In the New Year I want to get him in Music Together classes.  I enjoy music too and I make it apart of our days.  I sing him lullaby's at night and it works every time. I am looking forward to chasing after him and getting into some classes when he's a little bigger.

We have the house "baby proofed". Well, to the best of our abilities right now, and in some ways it's very make do.  I never knew how expensive large baby gates could be, so we are blocking off areas with furniture and blankets.  All the plugs are covered and things are out of reach so we are good there.  The living/dinning room looks a little crazy though!  What ever works!

We bought him a walker that he's still trying to get the hang of.  He's got the walking backwards part down ok, but he thinks it's a bouncer and jumps up and down in it.  He gets mad because it doesn't move and he growls.  Yes, he growls and grunts when he doesn't like something.  I'm really hoping he grows out of this.  He has also started to develop a little temper.  When he is upset or very tired he clinches his fists, throws his arms out and screams/cries while kicking his legs.  I try to keep him calm by singing or distracting him, and it almost always works, but when he's hit his limit, there's no comforting him. We really saw this full force last week with the cold.  He was so out of sorts!  But I figure he's so much more aware now, and he is limited on how he can communicate to us.  We try so hard to look for cues, but I tell you, there are some days when we are still learning and we just miss the boat.  So I understand and sympathize with his frustration. I've been told I had a temper as a toddler so I can't be surprised if Owen gets it from me....I can't imagine James ever being difficult as a kid.  Lol.

But over all, he is such a good boy.  He sleeps through the night, takes his naps each day and cries very little.  We are lucky with this.   He is learning patty cake and to wave bye bye - still a ways to go on this.  I try and keep him busy because he needs a lot of stimulation and activity. He's all boy!  And he has no fear!  I am getting my work out at home and the gym.  He loves going to daycare and we both missed it last week.  Today, when we went in and he saw the door to day care, he started laughing and bouncing up and down.  He was happy to be there and that makes me feel good.  He had seen enough of me!  All the ladies love him and he has them wrapped around his finger.  They tell me he's always happy and never cries.  I believe them too.  I think he saves it up for me when we get home ;)  There is a lot going on there so it keeps him entertained. There are a lot of older kids running around and screaming.   He easily gets board when it's just the two of us all day. 

We are having fun together and I laugh so hard with him, sometimes I get tears.  It is so odd how just laughing can make me emotional.  His little chuckles are infectious and I am so thrilled when we have those moments.   It's been so exciting to watch him transform over these past few months.  He is now pulling up on furniture, into a standing position.  This morning he stood for a few minutes before letting go.  I was in awe of his new skill.  I can't believe it!  Seems like he just started crawling yesterday.  He also pulled up on his walker today.  I was doing something when I heard him crying out.  I looked over and he was standing, but the walker started rolling forward and he was forced to move with it or let go, well Owen decided to hold on tight and move with it.  He was taking steps and crying at the same time.  I couldn't believe that he kept his balance that long. I ran over and that scared him even more.  He had a death grip on that walker!  He finally let go and grabbed for my arms and I held him upright.  He is getting a little big for his britches, I think!!!  But I was very proud  and told his Daddy all about it when he got home.

So here's what Owen's up to at 8 months:

• takes (4) 8oz bottles a day
• eats breakfast, lunch and dinner
• enjoys puffs 
• drinks water from a toddler sippy cup
• crawls (worm style)
• sleeps from 7pm-7am (there about)
• naps sometimes in the early am (not always)
• naps again from 2-4pm
• wares some 6-9 months, but mostly 12 months (he's very long)
• has 4 teeth (2 on top and 2 on bottom- And he bites!)
• has had 2 colds so far (not fun)
• is such a good eater and loves all green veggies
• loves his roasted banana & oatmeal for breakfast
• can say DaDa (although I'm not sure it's intentional just yet)
• is pulling up and standing
• enjoys other babies and loves to watch older children play
• likes to swing at the park (on my lap)
• favorite songs are still Bingo, The Wheels on The Bus, and now Patty Cake
• is interested in mechanical/moving things (door nobs, hinges, locks, light switches, wheels, buttons)
• smiles and laughs with me (we have laughing contest)
• I taught him how to snort
• thinks bodily noises are funny (what boy doesn't)
• loves the train horn (choo choo)
• is his happiest, first thing in the morning and after his noon nap
  

I can't believe how fast this year has gone by with him. Looking forward to seeing all the changes that will take place in the next few months.  Won't be long and he'll be a year old!

This is what I found last Friday when I went into his room

He was so proud of himself

Busted Owen!

I had just taken the bumper out so he wouldn't climb!

This is Owen Saturday night - the worst of his cold.  He was so sick and pitiful!

Mommy's sick little boy - he just wanted to be held and rocked

You will notice he pulled everything out of his diaper bag. New favorite thing to do!

Ice Cream - Anti Social

My neighbors, a few streets over, planned an Ice Cream Social to end summer.  She is also in my Mom Group.  So we (I) was really looking forward to getting out of the house and socializing with other babies and parents today.  Since it was a weekend event, dads were coming along too.  We got Owen all ready, crushed up our Oreo Cookies, and headed out.   Bur Just before we left the house Owen went on a major sneezing spree.  He seemed ok so we didn't think anything of it.  When we got to the play date, I put Owen down in the play yard with a few other babies.  He was playing well and then it happened again.  He started sneezing and snotting all over the other babies and their toys.  Oh no!  I grabbed him up immediately and took him away and cleaned his nose.  He sat with James and I, on the deck, while we talked to some other parents, but I noticed he was not happy.  The sneezing continued and he became restless.  I thought maybe he was getting too hot so we all moved into the yard under the shade trees.  As soon as I got Owen down on a blanket and looked over at him, he looked like he was choking on something.  He was turning red in the face!  What could he be choking on?  I started to panic a little!  I grabbed him up and he was drooling and making the choking face.  You guys know what the choking face looks like - it's scary!  Then all of a sudden he vomited all over me!  I stood up and he projectile vomited more into the grass.  Ok, it was time to pack up and go back home!  I've never seen him vomit like that.  Everyone understood, but I had the feeling like they might be getting concerned that he was sick and maybe contagious. If it were someone else's baby, I might think this... James had just made his sundae and as he walked over I said, "We have to go home now, Owen isn't doing well."  James looked at me like I was crazy.  So we loaded up our stuff and here we are now at home.....  I was really looking forward to being out of the house with him today, because none of us have felt good all week and we haven't been out much, and I don't do well in the house for long periods.  James joked that Owen was just being anti-social like him.  At one point, James was sitting in the corner not talking to anyone.  Ha! Imagine that!  I don't think Mom Group outings are quite his thing, but he was sweet enough to go along with it.  Well, I hope next week is a better week and we can get back to the gym (daycare) and our normal routine. And hopefully I can have my sanity back. But over anything else, I really hope Owen is ok.  This little fella has had a hard time these past few weeks.  He's napping now and I pray he isn't getting the stomach bug that James and I had earlier this week.

Well, I'm going to go eat the left over Oreo Cookies and take a nap too.  And just maybe tomorrow will be a better day for the McPherson Clan.

Home Sweet Home!

Baby Aidan is home from the hospital! Thanks for all the words of encouragement and prayers during this time. Now we can all rest because he's home where he belongs, in his Mommy's arms.
Aidan is a beautiful baby boy and he already weights 7 pounds! The going home pictures really made me remember the day we brought Owen home..... We were in the hospital for 5 days and if felt like an eternity. So I can not imagine what 7 weeks would feel like. I know they must have been full of emotion as they put him in the car and drove away. I know James and I both cried when we pulled into the drive way with Owen for the fist time. It was so surreal-we were finally home. So for Mike and Anjoli, I know it will take some time to sink in. But again, I bet they have already have a system down with Aidan. I'm so happy for them! There's no place like home! Home Sweet Home!

Leaving the hospital - he's free!

 Aidan's First Car Ride Home!

Where do the days go?

Fall is fast approaching!  I have no idea where the month of September went.  I have been all over and so many things have been going on....too much to even blog about   It would take me forever. I am just trying to keep up with Owen these days. 

Now that he can move, it's on!  He has a lot of energy and some days he will only take one nap.  It's a good 2 hr nap, but he wont nap in the early morning now.  So we have been up at 6:45 am or 7 for 2 weeks.  And then not getting in bed until 10 or 11.  By the time I'm asleep, it's midnight.  It's long days!  I know it will be worse when winter hits since we lose day light.....Oh, I am not looking forward to long, cold, dark days.  But we will have to get creative since we wont be out side as much.  I have been taking Owen to the park by the house where we swing together and he gets to hear the commuter trains pulling into the station.  Its pretty loud and he has such a curious look each time he hears it.  Now he smiles at me when he hears them coming and I call out, CHOO CHOO.  He has really started with long drawn out babbles, especially when he is tired or unhappy.  He cries, Daaadaaadaaadaaadaaaadaaa. Yup!  He is saying Dada. James had the biggest smile the other night. 

Here are some pictures of this little monkey this past week!

Play Date Picnic With Mom Group

Owen stole some ones remote!

And tried to make a collect call on it!

Coming off the coffee table, again!

He has no fear!

Thanks Ivan for my cool out fit!

I have 4 teeth now!

See that plastic bowl, I like to put it on my head!

Moving!

Just one more time, Mom.

The end of this!  No more coffee table fort for him!

So turns out, NO one takes you seriously, when you show up with rollers in your hair!

Sunday Skins game.  We lost :(

Loves his bowl!

This is his new sitting position

And doing the worm-crawl!  So cute!

Oh Mom!

Digging with my dump truck!

What a big boy he is!

This is Owen with only a 1 hr nap all day, cutting teeth and not happy that we have to fold the laundry.

This face breaks my heart!  But I think we will laugh at it when he's a little older.





And I caught him as he falls from the truck!

Oh Boy!

Oh boy, we have our hands full with Owen these days!  He is crawling and seems he wants to get into anything that is bad or dangerous for him. He loves the fire place & screen, the baby gate that goes to the basement, and now the coffee table.  He uses it as an obstacle course to climb through.  We can't take our eyes off of this little guy! While he is mobile and creating a new set of challenges for us, it's a lot of fun.  We sit on the floor with him and play with his toys.  He loves to toss the football around.  What a boy!  And I am noticing he is very interested in figuering out how things work (mechanical things) so not sure if this is just what boys do, or a precursor to his personality and interest.  When I notice him studying something intently, I talk to him and show him how it works.  The next time he has it figured out by himself.  He' learning and that's a beautiful thing to see!  For the first time in HIS life, I've used the word NO.  He is smart and he knows what I mean.  Sometimes he listens and other times he pushes the envelope.  He's cheeky like that, but aren't ALL babies!  I guess this is also part of learning - learning to test the waters and see what he can get away with, little by little.

Well, we were able to get a video of Owen crawling accross the coffee table.  I was so nervous that he was going to bump his head.  I told James to hurry up and catch him!  He's much more relaxed with letting Owen figure things out on his own.  Teaching him that man trait, to be strong, I guess ;) I of course, just don't want my baby boy to get a boo boo, but I know it's coming soon! Oh, and the driving force to crawl across the coffee table, was the fire place!

Time to get a baby walker so he can scoot around and explore without hurting himself.


PS. If you zoom in, yes you will see I hadn't dusted in awhile.  It's gone now - after I saw this!!!!

Who's Your Daddy!

Go Skins!

Two teeth on the bottom and now he's working on the top tooth. 
Notice hands in the mouth.