Letter to Baby

Dear Owen,

You are fourteen months and some change.  The time keeps speeding by faster and faster and I'm not sure how well I'm adjusting.

I've been going through all the clothes you've outgrown lately, and since we aren't planning on having any more little ones, I'm donating to other babies.  I've kept a few things, the special things that I just can't bear to let go, but most of it's going.  Seriously, you and your wife won't want any of this when you have kids in 40 years.  This stuff will be so old fashion by then.  So just expect to bring your baby home in what I keep of yours.  Unless it's a girl, in which case, dye it pink :)

You're practically running now.  You love to play chase and you race to the couch and lay your head down on the cushion like it's 'safe'.  You are becoming so independent, unless of course you are tired or just generally upset.  In which case you can totally throw a fit until we pick you up and you stop the water works.  You are pretty crafty at making us feel like awful parents until you get your way.

And you bit me.  Twice.  Today.  And all I have to say is - Ow!  We'll nip that in the bud real quick.

You are really good at finger pointing and getting what you want.  Your favorite thing to throw a fit over right now is a remote.  We just take batteries out and hand it over.  You point it at the TV and have a great time.

And you love playing with Luke.  And vice versa.  Except when you tear his train tracks apart, and then you two have to play separately for a while.  Or when he snatches toys out of your hand.  And then you have to play separately for a while.  It goes both ways.  But generally you adore each other and I'm so grateful for that.

I think you've said 'mine' a few times, but mostly you just say 'ball' and 'mama'.  Sometimes you'll get out 'dada' or 'high five'.  We're working on 'up', 'cup', 'bath' and 'book'.  So far it's not taking for your expressive language, but your receptive language is amazing.  You're a bright boy and don't you forget it.  You are loving books and, especially the tough and feel.  You are starting to imitate the sounds of animals like 'moo' and 'oink'.

You love to play outside and go on stroller rides and push toys around.  You always get covered in sidewalk chalk as well.  I've never seen anything like it!  I've been putting you in the little cozy coupe car but you haven't figured out how to pick your feet up so we can only go backwards.  It doesn't matter to you, you enjoy just being pushed around.  You really want to ride Luke's big wheel, but sorry, you're too small and your legs are too short.  Someday though!

We love how you are growing and enjoy you every single day.
You definitely keep us on our toes.
Loves,
Mom and Dad

Letter to Baby

Dear Owen,

Thirteen months have passed since you entered this world at a whopping 7 pounds and 11 ounces and now you're a hefty 21 pounds and 10 ounces.  Carrying you around is getting to be hard!

You are walking.  Not just a step or two here or there.  Full blown walking.  And now you're trying to run.  You've been barefoot for so long...okay, 13 months...that we decided now that you're walking we'd put you in shoes.  And wouldn't you know, none of Luke's old shoes fit you, so we bought you some.  We put them on you and you immediately tried to kick them off.  Watching you walk in them was hilarious!  Now you're getting used to them, but you still aren't quite sure what they are.  You are definitely a barefoot kind of kid.

You've been teething, and you are the crankiest, meanest, whiniest teether on.the.planet.  It all starts with fever so you can't be at school, just in case.  Then you get mad when we don't carry your 21 pound self all over creation while we try to get things done one handed so when we set you down to play you smack us (or Luke says, high five us) in the face.  And once you're in the floor with your toys at your reach, you start whining.  And you whine until we pick you up again.  And then we repeat the process.  Stupid teeth.

You still love playing with balls.  We can break your attention from the tantrum you're throwing by saying, 'Owen, where's your ball?'  And off you go, hunting one down.  We've had to put the small hard ones away that go with some of your other toys because having them thrown at our head wasn't much fun.  You're loving your new class at daycare, you get to get out and play in the gym and they have a ton of balls, so you're in your own little paradise.  I just hope you aren't throwing them at your friends.

You love to eat...if the 21 pounds didn't clue you in.  Right now your favorite foods include peaches, yogurt, banana and cereal.  You do like to throw your food in the floor and 'feed' Baxter.  We're working on curbing that bad habit.  And you love to get into the refrigerator.  If we open that door for any reason, you're climbing in.  And you also like to help close the door.

You are just a joy (unless you're having a serious tantrum) and we love you to pieces.
Mom and Dad