Kitties!!!!

First some doodling. Very fun!
Here is the last video of Owen playing with the monkey balloon from his birthday party before it went to balloon heaven. It lasted 3 weeks and brought LOTS of joy. Perhaps the best $6 ever spent.

We've been neglecting our other kids, so I thought I'd post a few pictures of Walli (brown) and Penelope (white). Plus, I have been battling a stomach bug so there haven't been too many exciting events to photograph.

Sleeping Kitty

Watching Birdies

Sharing

Queen of the Mountain

Happy Birthday Penelope!

Happy birthday to our white kitty Penelope! We have had her for 4 years and she is turning is 5 (just a guess since she was a rescue kitty.)

Visit from the Sunshine State

Owen's Grandparents were in from Florida. It was a busy weekend, although we didn't do much. I guess life with a 1 year old is always busy though. This is kind of a long post but make sure to read to the end because there is a special surprise!!!!

Started off with a stomach virus on Thursday night. We woke up at 2 AM to Owen vomiting all over himself in his crib. Gross. It's probably a good thing that it was in the middle of the night because I was delirious. Otherwise I probably would have puked too. But that came Sunday... Yes, I picked up the same thing. Brett (as usual) pretty much came away with nothing. Why is it that the mommies always get sick?

On to better things. One of Owen's favorite toys is our coasters, I think I've mentioned this before. Papa Mo was making them spin and he just thought it was great. So cool says Owen!

Owen got some new toys for his birthday. A very nice friend of Barbara's gave him this dog. So fun to lay on!

Nonna Barbara and Papa Mo got Owen a bucket of vehicles. Owen loves to push them around and play with the bucket they came in.

Owen also enjoyed reading and sharing his flash cards with Papa Mo. At least they were getting used... Such good intentions before the child actually came. All that went out the window now that reality is here.

But, by far the biggest event of the weekend. Owen is walking!!!!! On Saturday he started taking a few more steps than he had before, and then kept going. He's up to about 7 or 8 at a time:) I know I shouldn't be happy because I already can't keep up with him, but you just can't help being excited. And he's so proud of himself when he does it. Crawling is still his preferred method of getting around, but I have a feeling that will change very soon.

Tryin Real Hard

A Few Steps

Taking Off

All of a sudden while walking Owen discovered his belly and thinks it is so funny. We think it's really funny too!

Climbing and jumping continue to be favorite past times of Owen. He is such a boy.

Laughing at Zerberts


Playing Catch with Papa Mo

We had lots of fun! Thanks for a great weekend:)

More Birthday Fun

Owen's Godfather Ryan and Mary came over to celebrate with Owen on Friday. They brought a super yummy dinner and Owen enjoyed playing with them so much. The biggest treat was a bedtime story.
Owen's Friends at daycare made him a sign on his birthday.
Owen also tried eating with a spoon this weekend and began drinking real milk! The milk is going very well, the spoon, not so much. We'll keep trying though.

Happy 1st Birthday Owen!

We celebrated Owen's birthday today! It has been such a wonderful year, we are truly blessed. Hard to believe so much time has gone by already.

We tried cake again. He was tentative at first but once he realized he could make a mess with it he really got into the act!

So proud of himself.

Following is the progression of the cake fiasco. We all had lots of fun:)

After cake Owen opened his presents from us. Of course he was more interested in the coasters on the table than his new gifts but he was excited about a book we got him with a penguin finger puppet that peaks through (much to Brett's dismay.)

I thought it would be poignant to show a picture of Owen 1 year to the minute of his birth.
Here he was a year ago (just a few minutes after).
And here he is 1 year later.
Happy birthday schmoobie. We love you.

Tee Pee Party

Like all men, Owen is obsessed with the bathroom. Lately it's toilet paper. So much fun...

Owen's First Birthday Party

We had Owen's 1st birthday party this past Saturday in Toledo. We kept it small with family but it was lots of fun.

Owen with Brett's Parents.
He hasn't learned yet that the Grandparent's are the ones that will buy all the presents!
(Ok, it's really just that he doesn't like to be held:))

Balloons were a hit!

Owen isn't walking by himself yet but he finds every other way to do it. Here he's visiting with Grandma Tina.
Hanging out with the cousins. Caden (left) and Bennett (center).He seemed to enjoy opening presents. He had lots of little helpers.Spoiled rotten. It's so much fun.
Here he is playing with his toys. Sorry some of the pictures are sideways. I couldn't figure out how to fix them.

I must say, I'm very proud of myself. I made Owen's monkey cupcakes from scratch. Brett doubted my abilities but I knew I could do it! Okay, so I was a little concerned how they would turn out but they were great.
Owen was a little overwhelmed by everyone singing happy birthday to him.
He had lots of fun with the balloons though. So much so that right after this he projectile vomited everywhere. Ah, the joys of parenting.

Caden and Cooper didn't seem to mind. They were just excited for cupcakes.
Here is Owen playing with his new parking garage from Nonni Pat and Papa Jim.

Hanging with Papa Jim

We also got to meet Gus, Amy's second little boy who is 6 weeks old. He's so precious. Sorry we missed your picture Gus! Guess the second child syndrome carries over to family and friends too...