Owen Update

Well, the little guy is 9 weeks old now, and had his 2-month check-up last Friday. He was 13 pounds 5 ounces, and almost 24". A few Owen tidbits of note:

*He is the smiliest baby ever! He wakes up grinning and his face lights up whenever you walk into the room. It is adorable! He's also cooing, giggling and vocalizing a lot. I think we're going to have another talker on our hands (assuming he can get a word in edgewise!).

*He is also the loudest baby ever! He's particularly vocal and grunty when he's pooping, which is kind of a nice sign-post that a diaper change is imminent, but kind of a drag at 3 am. He also snores a lot - apparently taking after both of his grandfathers.

*He is so mellow it makes a third baby seem like a good idea. Full-blown howling episodes are rare, and he's very content to hang out and watch the world go by. The other day I left him on a blanket in the living room to walk a friend out to the car, and this is what was waiting for me when I came back:



*He also took his first bottle from Evan last week, no complaints. I now feel like I can stretch my leash a little further, which is nice, particularly for Mommy-Charlie outings.

Happy 60th Birthday, Opu!

Last weekend, my dad (aka Opu) turned 60. We could not let this momentous occasion pass without a little hubbub, so we hatched a plan to gather the family at Lake Lure for the weekend. This was Owen's first trip out of town and his first visit with Aunt Nicole and soon-to-be Uncle Tony. We had a great time, and Charlie keeps asking to go back. It's funny - every time we stay at a house for vacation, Charlie thinks it's "Opu's house" - wouldn't that be nice!

Opu & Charlie excavate for T. Rex bones




Owen chats with Omi . . .


. . . thinks she's hilarious . . .


. . . and then conks out.


Getting to know Aunt Niki & Uncle Tony


Charlie takes a bath in the tub from The Notebook, which was filmed at Lake Lure


Blowing out the candles


Omi and Opu with the boys


The photo shoot makes Owen sleepy . . .


. . . ad he's out again!


A family trip around the lake - Charlie was so excited to see turtles in the water


Looking a little forlorn that he was left behind


Headed home

March for Babies

Today we joined thousands of walkers in the Triangle March for Babies, an annual event sponsored by the March of Dimes. Last year, we were honored to walk with Chris and Shana in memory of Abby, and this year we walked in memory of both Abby and her brother Colin. We walked with so many families who had also lost babies to prematurity, but also with families whose little ones were walking with them. We are thankful to all who supported us in March for Babies, and hope our combined efforts will continue to make an impact in reducing prematurity and infant mortality.

Bath Time

Auntie Lauren Visits

Owen got to meet his Aunt Lauren this week . . . and we all got to see the baby bump that will soon be cousin Olivia!



Charlie's baby bump


Paleontologist party


The artist as a young man


Miracle sibs


Grandma and Grandpa also came for a visit, and we had a little photo shoot




Owen snoozes with Grandma


Building a butterfly house with Grandpa


Inversion

Easter

Charlie is really getting into the fictional candy-bringers, and the Easter bunny is no exception. We had a long talk about why the Easter bunny only comes at night, to which I answered, "He's shy." He has been mentioning this a lot lately, which got me thinking: I wonder how his friends at school process the fact that they're all getting different stories from their parents about holiday mechanics? We had a nice day hunting for eggs, and Evan only mocked me a little for making Owen an Easter basket.

Dying the eggs ("Mommy, why are they going to be dead?")


Owen enjoys the spoils of his Easter basket


Getting ready for the hunt


Checking out the goods


Off to the park to fly the kite from Chris & Shana - there wasn't too much wind, so this required a lot of running




Watching all that running tires Owen out


A rest and snack break before heading home

Guess Who, Take 2

Here are the boys at 6 1/2 weeks:

Visitors

We've had lots of lovely company over the past few weeks. First, Omi came to hang out for a few days . . .



Having a little chat with Omi


More tummy time


A snuggle with the boys


Chris & Shana came to celebrate Good Friday with us, and spoiled Charlie with lots of Easter treats! After they left this afternoon, he said, "I got a lot of presents. I got all of these presents because they love me!"