The Antics of Owen & Anna

February Photos

2009-02-28T06:21:00.000-08:00

Well, the month is not really over yet... but while I had some photos available I thought I'd post them.

You'll see we took a family adventure last weekend out west down VA Rt 66. We we hoping to go to the Rt. 11 Potato Chip Factory - but it moved. We wound up at Dinosaurland (who knew that existed out in the middle of nowhere) and then an afternoon in Winchester, VA.

Enjoy!

And.... HAPPY BIRTHDAY G'MA!

http://picasaweb.google.com/xinegz/209?authkey=Gv1sRgCNWTl-Kw8NlJ&feat=directlink

Assorted Photos from January 2009

2009-02-14T06:32:00.000-08:00

Here's a web album with photos from January.

I think this web album method may be simpler for me to post... and therefore allow me to post more frequently. The trick will be for me to actually take more pictures!

http://picasaweb.google.com/xinegz/January2009PlusAFewFromFebruaryToo?authkey=yhnE0sLfrRI&feat=directlink

A Web Album of Owen's 4th Birthday

2009-02-14T06:31:00.001-08:00

Check out this web album with photos from Owen's fourth birthday!

http://picasaweb.google.com/xinegz/OwenS4thBirthday?authkey=WdnHXhV7FgE&feat=directlink

Owen's DELUXE Birthday Cake

2009-01-23T16:03:00.000-08:00

Can you believe this cake?! One of my first doula clients is also a custom cake decorator. In exchange for my doula services, she offered to make a cake for me. This is her beautiful and creative work.

The entire piece is sugar-based. It was a real hit -- with kids chanting "cake! cake!" at the table side :) And, it was not only amazing to look at - it was also delicious to eat!

Owen's 4th Bday: A Kid's Photo Journal

2009-01-11T17:47:00.000-08:00

These are photos from Owen's 4th birthday party -- taken on Owen's own digital camera (thanks Uncle JT). I am not sure who took any of these photos, but I am sure whoever it was was no older than 6 years old! Enjoy!

2009-01-02T19:11:00.001-08:00

Uncle JT is a talented artist. Among his crafts is photography. I link to his blog on the sidebar. In his blog he posts a new photo (or more) each day.

Last weekend, he and his Mom (who is visiting from out of state -- no, he doesn't still live with his Mom) agree to watch the kids while Scott & I went out for a date.

Check his blog for some amazing photos he took of Owen & Anna: http://eyedewstuff.blogspot.com/

Thanks JT!

Anna's 1st Haircut

2009-01-02T19:03:00.000-08:00

I really want Anna's hair to grow out. But, I am haunted by Owen's mullet... so I agreed to get Anna's hair "trimmed." Really, she was a mess with her hair in her eyes all the time. Here's documentation:

Owen got his hair cut too. The lollipop is the evidence, if not the scowl!

A Visit with Santa

2008-12-15T07:29:00.000-08:00

Thanks Aunt Denise

2008-11-17T16:04:00.000-08:00

Aunt Denise came to visit and gave Mom and Dad a small break. A trip to the lake provided some time for photos!

Enjoy :)

WOW MOM

2008-10-05T08:45:00.000-07:00

Who knew that "Owen" spelled "Nemo" -- in the dyslexic penmenship of a 3yo boy :)

Anna's First Birthday

2008-09-21T17:40:00.000-07:00

Yes, Anna is now 1! We had a standard first birthday: the grandparents and aunt and uncles came to the house for the weekend. We had food and, of course, cake. Mommy was too crazed to make a cake herself, but we got a delicious and beautiful cake from the Swiss Bakery. We have some video from Anna blowing out her candles, but not any pictures!

To make the party authentic, we had balloons. Somehow, mid-party Owen "lost" all the purple (his favorite color) balloons. It truly is a mystery, but I imagine there was an unsupervised visit outside at some point. Luckily, there weren't too many tears about it... and we all still had a great time.

Documentation

2008-07-03T17:28:00.000-07:00

Just so you can all see... Anna is crawling all around and she can stand up by chairs, etc.

Celebrate Fairfax

2008-07-03T17:27:00.000-07:00

So, in mid-June the family went to the Celebrate Fairfax fair with our neighbors (little Sarah and David - in the photo below - and their mom, Gulya).

It was a hot, humid June day in the south... but we persevered. The kids wanted to go on carnival rides.... which freak me out a bit. They went safely on a tot ride (a glorified carousel).

However, David (who is 6) wanted to go on some other rides... and Owen thought the cars looked cool and wanted to go, too. Scott thought it was OK (I was somehow convinced it was OK for him to go, too)... so he did. He sat in a car all by himself (the green car pictured below). The cars went on a rectangular course and at the corners the cars *whipped* around. It looks easy-going and fun enough... but Owen was not a fan. While he didn't scream to get off (like one other toddler), he was shell-shocked by the end. I don't think Owen will be going on carny-rides for a long time to come.

We were able to coax him on a train ride before we left - so he didn't leave scarred. I think I could walk in a circle faster than this train moved... but Owen (and Sarah) loved it.

Happy... but still teething

2008-07-03T17:20:00.000-07:00

A theme for June: most pictures were taken by Aunt Denise! Yeah for her for keeping record of the good times... and the teething!

Food is fun

2008-07-03T17:18:00.000-07:00

I wasn't there for this food-play event... but I bet Aunt Denise got a good laugh playing with Owen at the pool and eating fruit bars!

I thought I'd never get it

2008-07-03T17:17:00.000-07:00

Thank goodness for a doting big brother!

Sibling love

2008-07-03T17:16:00.000-07:00

So I don't get credit for these pictures. Aunt Denise took them while visiting in late June.

However, they show a wonderful progression of how Owen (1) shows Anna her toys; (2) lines up for the smooch; and (3) plants one on her forehead.

Please disregard Owen's "hat" (more commonly used as a hosiery laundry bag!). Those with toddlers of their own know what I mean!

After meal time

2008-07-03T17:14:00.000-07:00

This is where most self-feeding sessions end.

Those that don't end up with the little lady getting hosed down... probably should!

The joy of self-feeding...

2008-07-03T17:12:00.000-07:00

and the mess!

You'll notice a few themes in the following photos:

* mushed up food everwhere
* hands in the mouth
* a look of confusion

Owen & his bike

2008-07-03T17:09:00.000-07:00

Just some assorted shots of Owen riding his bike. You can see he is very adept at riding... even standing up to get more umph when going uphill!

Owen & Brady Strawberry Picking

2008-07-03T17:07:00.000-07:00

In early June, Mommy and Owen went strawberry picking with Brady and his Mom. Both little sisters were left home so the Moms could have a day with their sons.

It was the end of the strawberry season so the berries were a bit over-ripe... but we picked a lot anyway!

After picking berries, we had a picnic and the boys played on the playground and went down a really big slide (where Owen bit it pretty good... but was just fine).

Anna's Seven

2008-07-03T06:22:00.000-07:00

OK... it took me a month, but I did finally get around to it. Poor second child.

Here are seven fun and/or interesting and/or little known facts about Anna at 10-months old:

1) Anna has six teeth that have broken through her gums: four on top, two on the bottom. Note: she is not afraid to use them.

2) Anna can climb up the stairs -- and has been known to tumble down the stairs from now and again (OK - it was just two times!).

3) Anna "the banana" proves the point why you never name your daughter Grace or Chastity or any other positive virtue: Anna HATES bananas.

4) Anna adores her big brother, Owen. Owen has to be "banished" to the downstairs when putting Anna to sleep -- otherwise she keeps looking around for him so he can make her giggle!

5) Proving to have a personality all her own, Anna distinguishes herself from her brother's behavior at the same age: every item that is within sight is grasped at... and whatever makes it into her claws goes into the mouth. That includes dirt, sticks, shoes and things we still haven't quite identified. (Good thing mom is CPR certified!)

6) Anna also sets herself apart from her brother in another way: a love for water. Anna loves taking baths and swimming in the pool. I predict she'll be swimming before her big brother.

7) Not only did it take a month for mom to get around to writing seven facts about Anna, not one word (not even her name) has been written into Anna's baby book yet! It is shameful how Mom (a neglected second-child herself) eschews her memory keeping responsibilities.

I got tagged

2008-06-03T17:58:00.000-07:00

So, I am new at this... and not sure I fully understand the "rules." But - from what I can pick up - I have to list seven interesting facts about each Owen & Anna... and then tag someone else!

Here goes...

Owen:

1) Owen hates sleeping... most of all in his bed. Most nights you'll find him either sleeping with Mommy (until Daddy comes to bed) or on the floor (either next to Mommy or in his room).

2) Owen loves his baby sister Anna. He hugs her, tickles her and comforts her. He is a very sweet big brother.

3) Owen is a whiz on all things wheeled: his trike, his big-boy bike and even his Razor.

4) Owen is terrified of the water. From his first baths as a newborn to just yesterday, Owen shrieks during bath time.

5) Owen cautions everyone who leaves to go on a car trip: "Watch out for cars and for animals." Often times he will make a long, specific list of animals to watch out for including moose.

6) Owen has a special animal friend named June. Her first name was Annie and she was discovered the weekend Mommy and Anna went away for the first time. Her name changed to June and it has stuck... as has his need to carry her around and sleep with her! (Note: Annie and June are the girl characters from Owen's favorite show, Little Einsteins.)

7) Owen is a very cooperative boy when it comes to personal care services - haircuts, dentists, doctors. Never any screaming or fuss. He's a model patient.

Phew... this is a lot of work. While I think of the list of seven for Anna, I tag Jaccob C. (although he has no blog, he's got to email me!)

Some recent images

2008-05-28T16:40:00.000-07:00

Anna being photogenic...

Owen showing off his garden tool and fishing worm...

Eating Oranges

2008-05-28T16:37:00.000-07:00

This is Owen introducing Anna to orange smiles. An odd face from Owen... but Anna is so excited about her new tastes and textures!

Owen & Sarah at the Farm

2008-05-28T16:36:00.000-07:00

We made our first trip to good ol' Frying Pan Farm for the season. We went with Owen's new friend (and next door neighbor) Sarah. This is the only photo I have... and it only shows gravel and no happy smiles. Really, we were at the farm - I promise!

Over the decades, it'll always be a toy

2008-05-28T16:33:00.000-07:00

Owen & Anna in their new "boat"

"Super Aunt" Angie Came to DC

2008-05-18T08:50:00.000-07:00

"Super Aunt" Angie came down to DC for a weekend with her new beau, Michael. We met on the Mall and went to the Air & Space museum. Owen was petrified of the planetarium and then the Imax... and the museum was packed on a beautiful Saturday in the spring - so we spent most of the time playing on the Mall.

Note: the picture of Mommy & Anna was taken by Owen (an artist in the making?)

A little bit like herding cats...

2008-05-18T08:46:00.000-07:00

Anna and her cousins in Chapel Hill. Technically, they are the second-generation... but who's counting. From left: Olivia, Alan & Sammy

Trying something new

2008-04-28T17:40:00.000-07:00

I created a "web album" of photos from Anna & my trip to Miami to celebrate Aunt Helen's 80th birthday. If you click on the photo below, you should be able to see an entire album of photos.

Let me know what you think of this method.

Aunt Helen's 80th/Miami Weekend

Anna the Banana!

2008-04-04T18:37:00.000-07:00

Once a faux-hawk... always a faux-hawk!

2008-04-04T18:24:00.000-07:00

October 2005 (9 months)

March 2008 (3 years)

The Boys' New Bike

2008-03-16T19:07:00.000-07:00

Spring is on its way. Owen outgrew his green seat... and isn't quite strong enough to pedal on his own. Scott bought this new "contraption" and Owen loves it.

(Sorry it's such a bad photo... camera phone!)

My heart times two

2008-03-11T17:18:00.000-07:00

How Owen loves his little sister... and how Anna does love him back.

Anna's latest

2008-03-11T17:13:00.000-07:00

Well, this is not photographic proof... but just trust the written word until we have better timing. Anna can now: roll over (both from back to tumy and from tummy to back), eat "solids" (including rice cereal, pears and carrots), sit up (for approximately 5 seconds!).

She loves her "jumpy circle" and anything she can gnaw on (stuffed bears, toys, anything). No teeth yet but they seem to be soon coming!

He swore he wasn't tired

2008-03-11T17:06:00.000-07:00

First foods!

2008-02-20T17:28:00.000-08:00

Daddy was the lucky one to give Anna her first taste of solid foods.... well, it was mushy food, but you know what I mean.

These photos aren't actually from the very first try (Mommy was at work) but it "among the first" solid food feedings. Our "big girl" (who measures in the 90% percentile for height and weight) seems to enjoy the solid food.

Here's the photo overview of the process!

They are too cute

2008-02-20T17:21:00.000-08:00

I am biased... clearly, I'm the mom. But, I'm sure you'll agree: they are cute! Here is some recent evidence...

Anna hanging out in her thrown.

Owen showing off his 'ink.'

The kids getting ready for sleepy time.

Owen reading Anna (and party bear) a story.

Anna & the High Chair

2008-01-24T15:50:00.000-08:00

We decided to take out the high chair for Anna.

If you ask me, it is a success... five minutes after sitting there she fell asleep!

It'll be a few more months until food... but for now it'll be good for playing -- and sleeping!

First snow

2008-01-24T15:49:00.000-08:00

This is the first snow of the season... compared to the weather we had a few weeks ago when we went to the park and picniced!

Unfortunately, when it was time for him to play outside it started to rain. We'll hope he'll get another snow storm this year so he can enjoy it more.

Birthday Bowling

2008-01-24T15:47:00.000-08:00

On Owen's birthday, we took him down the road to the bowling alley! It was his first time.

Here are photos from his first roll down the lane... well at least 3/4 of the way down! The second photo is the staff getting his "stalled" ball from the lane!

He had much more success with the ramp!

Owen's Monkey Party

2008-01-24T15:44:00.000-08:00

It was Owen's third birthday and he chose to have a monkey party... "Georgie" of course.

Owen was in a "no photo" mode... but here are a few shots to remember the party.

Lots of friends and family came to celebrate with him... and bring him lots of presents!

Mom made a monkey cake. It was fun to look at... and yummy inside (although Owen only ate the icing)!

He played "stick the butterfly on the log" (formerly known as pin the tail on the donkey)... and made everyone join in -- including, Brady, Scott Jr., Tyler, Mom, Aunt Denise, Uncle Eric and more!

Owen & his "family"

2008-01-24T15:37:00.000-08:00

This is a scene arranged by Owen. This is his "family" -- from right to left it is: Owen, Anna, Momma Bear (that's the big one), Annie (aka party bear) and June (aka his baby).

These photos are also great because they show how sweet Owen is to Anna!

This last photo was carefully arranged by Owen to include his "family" - including Rocco and his truck with train cars!

Photogenic Owen

2008-01-24T15:28:00.000-08:00

Owen has become choosy about when and if he'll take a picture. Here's some when he is was willing to cheese it up!

... and his sister

2008-01-24T15:25:00.000-08:00

Anna is quite happy to be photographed... that is, if we remember to take some pictures. Poor ol' second baby!

Chicken Foot!

2007-12-30T08:38:00.000-08:00

To keep the grown-ups occupied and entertained, many a game of "chicken foot" dominoes were played over the holidays.

Putting his best face forward

2007-12-30T08:34:00.000-08:00

Owen and Aunt Denise getting ready for the day!

Our Family

2007-12-30T08:32:00.000-08:00

Here we are celebrating our first holiday as a family of four.

All Dressed Up

2007-12-30T08:30:00.000-08:00

Anna all dressed up in her new holiday dress -- thanks to Gramma & Grampa.

Xmas 2007

2007-12-30T08:27:00.000-08:00

The holidays were filled with family, good times -- and lots of presents. Indeed, it felt as if Owen opened presents from the morning of Christmas Eve straight through 'til bedtime Christmas Day. Everyone was very generous -- toys, clothes, books and savings bonds! How lucky we are to have such thoughtful family and friends (even those who sent gifts from far away)!

Here is a picture of our tree Christmas morning after Santa arrived.

Here is a picture of the "men" trying to assemble Owen's new racetrack he got from Opa.

Aunt Denise and Owen opening up even more gifts!

Owen showing off his new "sticks & balls" that Santa brought.

2007-12-14T19:18:00.000-08:00

If you're on this blog, it probably means you got our 2007 holiday card. We hope you liked it... and we're happy you wanted to see more of us.

Well, good ol' Mommy can't keep up with two blogs... and she's quite sure that most readers can't keep up with checking two blogs... so here is one site that - as the title says - captures the antics of both Owen & Anna.

Poor Anna -- with second-child deficit -- doesn't even get a whole year with a dedicated blog. Nonetheless, we'll try to keep snapping and sharing shots and writing about the goings-on of a baby and her big brother.

Please try to write back to us via comments. These blogs serve as a wonderful and dynamic baby book.