Monster Boots, Nachos & Stuff

Took this after the gym today.  He looks so grown up!

Birds Eye of Owen!

Can't turn your back on him!

Loves to shred paper!  At what age does this end?

Mexican Corn Nachos!

Featured in Food Network Magazine this month

Owen having a snack and Leo waiting to clean up the crumbs.

These two equal trouble when together!

I love this so much!  Owen was telling him back it up!

And finally Leo got his crumb

Yup it's all gone now

And Owen's new thing....feeding the dog

Pulling his hair - Leo could care less.  Just play with me Owen!

How many times a day do I get their names mixed up?

Best Buddies!

Still loves the remote!

This is a great shot.  Really shows how he smirks lately.

New Monster Boots!  Keep his feet very warm!

 

Being Silly!  Thanks Kest for my shirt!  It finally fits now!

Yeah, you're still cute!  

Owen's hair is getting long in the back-side.  Mini Mullet! So James is taking him for his first real haircut, on the 28th, at the barber shop!  And not sure if you can tell from these pics, but our living room has taken on many looks this year.....  We are finally back to more of an adult atmosphere now.  We only a have a few toys out upstairs and all baby gear and stuff is downstairs.  Its so nice to have our space back!

First Steps

This week I have been working on walking with Owen.  He likes to push his wagon around and anything that isn't bolted down, for that matter.  So he's good at walking, but he isn't confident when it comes to letting go and doing it without hands.  So we are practicing.  James and I clap and scream Yay really loud when he does it and it's become a little game for him  now.  Last night he wanted to get over to Leo so he let go and took three steps before sitting down.  He looked over at us and waited for a cheer.  We were all amazed!  It's the first time he's done it on his own without one of us coaching him.  Yay Owen!

I can't wait for him to walk!  I know everyone says it only gets harder after they learn to walk, but Owen is getting very big and heavy and it would be nice to have him walk next to me at times.  Two nights ago I dreamed that I put him down in a field and I said, Ok Owen now walk like a big boy.  He took three or four steps and he started running.  He ran and ran as I chased after him. I couldn't believe it!  I have a feeling this is what it will be like once he does get the hang of walking.  He'll take off and never slow down!  He's such an active little boy!  Always on the move from the time he gets up until the time he goes to bed.  He never sits still and will only play with a toy for a few seconds before moving on.  Most of the time he's climbing on them, pushing them or throwing them around.  I asked James if he thought Owen would ever get to the point where he can sit and play independently for any length of time. And he said he didn't feel like it was Owen's personality from what he can see.  Oh boy!  Well, at this rate he's sure to keep us on our toes!  We are still baby proofing the house. He gets into everything! We spent the whole weekend rearranging the house and decluttering all the toys. 

I hope to get some batteries in my camera so I can get a little video of him taking steps this week - no hands.

Over the weekend

We went to Abigale's first birthday party on Saturday.  It was so much fun!  The babies (kids) had a blast playing together.  It was surreal watching Abigale blow out her candles and eat her first cupcake.  I have really had the opportunity to watch her grow and change over the past year.  Elaine and I have been meeting up with the them since Owen was just 6 weeks old.  Time really flies!  I'm sorry I didn't take my camera to get some pictures of the birthday girl!  Elaine took these at the party of Owen and sent them my way.  Since I have been so bad about taking pictures lately I thought I'd share these with you.  Owen's party will be on the 29th!  I can not believe it's almost here!

Guilt Free Cookies

So like most everyone else, part of my New Years resolution is to slim down and eat better.  But if you are someone like me and weight seems to magically cling to your back side, then you know how hard it is too lose it and how easy it is to gain it.  I swear I have no idea how it gets there!  Lol!   . 

I truely hate obsessing about weight, pounds, and my pants size.  I love food!  It's my passion!  So to limit myself ingredients (butter) and not cook things that I want is very hard and boring for me.  But I think for a few weeks I will try to "diet" So to start the diet process and to get me focused, I decided to make some cookies.  Hahaha!  That's a joke, right?!  No, it's not!  I just can't go cold turkey without sweets or chocolate.

I made healthy cookies for those times when I am left unsatisfied. If any of you are looking for a low fat cookie that taste great, I highly recommend making these Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies. Yup, you'll still have to eat them in moderation, but these cookies are super tasty (and pretty good for you) and just one will fill you up!

This is the first time I've made a cookie without butter!  I was quite skeptical at first.  James was the real test and he loved them!

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 large egg white
2 Tbsp canola oil
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
1 to 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
2 cups rolled oats (at Whole Foods or  in Organic section)
1 1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour (at Whole Foods or  in Organic section)
1/4 cup wheat germ toasted (at Whole Foods or  in Organic section)
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 350.  Toast wheat germ on a pan for 5-10 min careful not to burn. Set aside.  In a mixer add first 5 ingredients. In a large bowl mix all other dry ingredients.  Then mix the wet mixture with the dry mixture.  Mix well and spoon on a baking sheet with parchment paper.  Bake for 10-12 min.  Cool on cooling rack. Enjoy!

11 Months!

I seem to be getting further behind with my monthly updates. And now that I think of it...this one will be the last!  Owen is almost one!!!!

December stared off with my grandmother being in town.  She and I took Owen to see Santa and went shopping for his outfit for family pictures.  The following week we had James' company party & family photo day.  The week following that we celebrated James' birthday and went to Matthews 1st birthday and that evening we had Dora (from the Gym) come over and baby sit Owen so we could go out to an Ugly Sweater party.  The week following that Owen got sick and went to the hospital.  Then it was Christmas!  And then New Years!  This past month has been a bit busy, but we had so much fun!  Aside from the trip to the hospital December was wonderful!

It was so busy that I didn't do such a good job of keeping up with weekly post, but I think we covered the highlights pretty well.  I think one of the cutest things that happened this month was when we were in the hospital and Owen hadn't eaten in a few days, so we asked him if he wanted a banana.  He reached his hands out and said with such a sad but sweet little voice, banaana.  He had never said it before and hasn't said it since, but I guess he really wanted that banana.

Owen has been climbing on everything and using his toys as step stools.  It won't be long before he can climb up on the sofa- unassisted.  He's enjoying his push wagon and train and his pit-balls down in the basement.  It's nice having 2 play ares the we can rotate between.  He seems to get bored pretty easily.  

Another cute moment this month was when Owen and I met Elaine and Abigale at the mall for a playdate.  We took them to Borders to play in the kids section.  Abigale crawled over to Owen and gave him a big hug around the neck.  She was loving on him and it was so sweet to see!  He was a little shy.


Owen still loves music and shakes his little booty whenever he hears music.  He just danced to Bust a Move on a commercial!  That was cute!  And now he has even learned to clap along.  He knows the word clap and will do it on request.  Shannon taught Owen to give a high five on Christmas Eve!  So that's his newest skill he's loving to show off.  Hard to get him to wave bye bye, but he'll gladly give you a high five!

Well, 2010 was a wild ride, but Owen made every bend and twist so worth it!  He has definitely changed our whole wold and made life so much more interesting and enjoyable.  I even love his ear piercing screams of joy! Only his Mommy would!  And I hope his strong will and determination follow him all throughout his life!

We love you Owen! Here's to 2010! And a look back.....

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

1 Month

2 Months

3 Months

4 Months

5 Months

6 Months

7 Months

8 Months

9 Months

10 Months

11 Months!

Family Photos

This was so much fun and I hope we can make it a tradition. Thanks Erin for getting some great pictures of Owen!

1st Christmas

We had such a nice Christmas.  My mom (May May & Paw Paw) came up for Owen's first Christmas.  James and I (Santa) got Owen some big boy toys for the basement.  His grandparents got him a wooden rocking air plane and his aunts, uncles, and so on came over with lots  more toys.  He had such a big day opening and playing with all his new toys.  I could hardly sleep Christmas Eve night, just waiting to see Owen's reaction to everything.  It was like when I was a little kid waiting with anticipation to see what would be under the tree.  We had a nice dinner with Skye and Shannon on Christmas Eve.  I made a Crown Roast of Lamb with stuffing and sides.  And on Christmas day we had a big brunch with James side of the family.  We somehow managed to miss the big blizzard that was headed our way on Christmas day so it wasn't a white Christmas for us, but I was ok.  We saw enough snow last year to last me awhile.  I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas too!  And Happy New Year!  All the best in 2011!