Little Mr. Owen Nicholas: September 2011

So far this blog has been pretty much photos and videos of Owen. I thought I would change it up a little and start actually “blogging” from time to time. So here goes....

It’s hard to believe Owen is already 2.5 months old! He is growing and changing so much every day. Just this past weekend he met his Uncle Andrew for the first time. Andrew said that he thought Owen looked bigger from when he first met him on Friday afternoon to when he was leaving on Sunday evening- he thought Owen had grown more hair, it had gotten darker, and that his belly looked bigger- it’s possible as Owen is growing and changing so much! Owen is very strong – he has great head strength and has been able to sit in his bumbo chair since the age of 5 weeks (it’s meant for 3 months+). His legs are very strong too and he can stand up and we just have to hold him for balance. I can tell he is going to be an active boy!

Owen is a great sleeper. He has been so good to us. He pretty well sleeps through the night consistently and has been for the past few weeks (starting at about 2 months). Owen sleeps in his crib which is in our room (will be there until he is 6 months old as recommended to us by our prenatal class instructor). He usually goes right to sleep after his 9-10 pm feeding and then we put him in his crib and he sleeps right through until about 4:30 or 5 a.m. and occasionally will sleep right until 7 or 8 a.m.! It’s amazing and I feel so rested. I have never really felt that tired at all since having Owen except for maybe the first week he is home. I do not need naps at all! It is great.

Owen started smiling at 6 weeks old and when we saw the first smile it was amazing. Now he smiles all the time. He loves to smile in the morning. That is his best time. He is a morning person I can tell- like his Mommy and Daddy who are both morning people. I think we are going to have a happy household in the mornings around here and a grumpy household at night- watch out! When Owen smiles it melts my heart as he looks so happy and so cute. He hasn’t started laughing or giggling yet but I know that will come soon!

Owen uses a soother and really likes it. We have many different names for it – sucky, su su, soother, dummy, lol! He was introduced to it at 8 days old and has loved it ever since but doesn’t seem dependent on it which is great (doesn’t sleep with it etc.) Lately he has discovered his fingers and thumbs and loves to suck on those. Hopefully that doesn’t turn into a thumb sucking habit like his mom had as a child!

Owen has recently started to notice mobiles and toys and really likes his play gym/mat. He started noticing these at about 9 weeks old. He will lie on his play gym and look at the flashing lights and hanging toys and will move his arms and kick his feet in happiness. It’s so cute. He is now starting to use his hands to bat at the toys and I think he is starting to realize that he can move them. He still loves his swing (has always loved it from a newborn) and now notices the mobile in it.

Owen loves music. We play lots of music and sing to him all the time. His favorite songs seem to be "The Wheels on the Bus" and "Skinamirinkidink". Last week Owen started a program called Mother Goose. It is a program through the Town of Oakville where Mom’s and babies (up to 10 months old) meet together and an instructor teaches nursery rhymes and songs. Owen is the youngest in the group. His little buddy Kate and her mother Jennifer McArthur are also doing the program with us. It is very cute to see Owen around all the other babies his age and he seems to really enjoy it. He has also started going to the daycare at Goodlife Fitness while Mommy works out. He seems content sitting in there with all the other babies and the Babysitter’s say he is very well behaved! Owen also has a few little friends including Kristin & Tyler’s daughter Madison, Jamie’s daughter Rachel, Lisa’s son Marcus, and Andrea & Marcus’s son Mason, his favourite older girls Christine’s daughters Ella and Cameron, and of course his friend forever in heaven, Jen Stewart's daughter Angel. He also can't wait to meet his pen pal Logan, Lyanne's son who lives in Ottawa (who is only 8 hours older than Owen!). Owen also has lots of little kiddie friends on our street that love to come over and visit him.

Owen has lots of family that have visited him and that he loves. His Nanny Russell has made 4 trips to Ontario in the last 2 months just to see him. He especially loves his Nanny and recognizes her voice, even over skype! He likes how she reads him stories, sings "wheels on the bus" to him and lets him nap on her lap. He also really loves his Grampy Russell, Grampa Willett (loves taking naps on his shoulder), and Grandma Willett. He loved meeting his Uncle Andrew and enjoyed watching Sunday football with him this past weekend. He cannot wait to meet his Aunties whom I know can't wait to meet him- Sandra in Mexico and Becky in Australia. Nick lifts Owen up and gives Owen plane rides all the time and his destinations are always to Mexico to visit Sandra or Australia to visit Becky. Other family that he sees regularly are his Great Aunt Nancy and Great Uncle Derrick, and his Great Aunt Suzanne. He took his first overnight trip ever to Bill and Suzanne's place in St. Catherine's and was so well behaved sleeping through the night in his pack and play. He was also such a good boy tolerate a day out with the girls including visiting 3 wineries, shopping, a dinner at a restaurant, and a walk along Niagara on the Lake! He also love his little cousin Erica who has already stayed over night and helped to babysit him. He can't wait until she is old enough to babysit him all by herself!

So far being a mother is amazing. Nick and I ae so in love with this little boy and every day gets better and better. I could hold him and snuggle him forever and stair at him forever – he just amazes us and is such a miracle. I do not take one day for granted and try to cherish each day with him. I know Nick feels the same way. I can see the look on his face when he interacts with Owen. It is so wonderful.....

Owen in his back to school out fit - He is going to "Teddy Bear College" :-)

Smiles!

On a playdate with Maddison (6 months old)

This is the first time he picked up a toy and put it in his mouth!

In his new t-shirt from Aunt Becky. She sent it all the way from Australia through airmail, along with some other cute outfits and an adorable pair of Uggs which he can't wait to wear! Also in this pic is his Teddy Bear that Great Aunt Joan gave him.

Getting ready for a walk with is pal Kate (only 10 days older than Owen)

Play date with Kate

With Daddy sporting his new hat that Kristin, Tyler, and Maddison gave him

Looking very "summerish" with his new shades.

3rd Playdate of the week- with his buddy Mason (10.5 months old)

A few shots of Owen's nursery- not quite finished but on its way. The crib is missing as it is currently in Mom & Dad's room until he is 6 months old. But Owen spends lots of time in his nursery getting fed, changed, playing, and being rocked.