skipping down the streets

the winter air has been crisp, the snow has gone from fluffy to glazed with ice but the sun has been shining for days. I feel like we're developing a daily rhythm, and it feels so good. Owen has been sleeping through the nights; he's been going down between 8:30 and 9:30, sleeping somewhere until 6 and 8. I'm still pumping and feeding Owen my milk by bottle. That's formed into a routine as well and I've grown accustomed to how that works, as has Owen. It's comfortable and quick, and pleases the both of us.
Matt Frise turned 33 this past week, and we went to his party. Owen feel asleep on the walk there, and he slept the whole time we were at the party, and didn't wake up when we put him into bed. It was amazing and it felt so freeing. I went out earlier in the week as well while Ry stayed home with Owen. It was nice to get out; I skipped down the street, acknowledging the fact that i didn't have a cute babe attached to me. I love little Owen, but it's felt great to get out of the house, alone.

Owen loves when we sing to him! He gets the biggest smile on his face, and he watches us, enthralled. He also really enjoys being lifted into the air. We've put him in his jolly jumper a couple times too, and he enjoys having control and moving his strong legs. It's really cute. Just like all his other independent activities (like his chairs or toy rugs) he can only stand being by himself for so long. He's been doing better lately, though.

sweet sweet boy

ry and joel have a show tonight. i've thought about going but i'm going to stay at home with owen. Owen has been going to bed some time around 9 lately, so i don't want to throw that off, as we're really enjoying having him on a bit of a schedule. His incoming teeth are still bothering him, and i think that wakes him up in the first few hours he's asleep. he'll become roused, but not fully awake. As soon as you pick him up, he's immediately asleep. So sweet. He's been really snuggly lately, which i love.



These photos are from around New Years. We haven't taken any new ones lately.

of teeth and other things

Owen has begun the painful process of cutting his firth teeth. None have come through yet, but by the way he's gnawing on our shoulders, his hands, his blankets and anything else soft, and not to mention the constant drool upon his lower lip and chin - they'll be appearing soon! Poor little guy. He's doing so well with it thus far. We have these homeopathic teething tablets that we've given him (thank you Kira!) and they have given relief to the whole family. I do believe his first tooth will be top, my right. We'll see if I'm right.

In the midst of his teething pain, Owen has been all smiles. And for the way we've been feeling lately, he has brought us comfort in our pain. What I mean is: This past Monday our friend committed suicide. He was one no one would have thought; Nathan was confident and talented, he had his life together. He was basically, if not actually, engaged to a great girl. It's been a difficult tragedy to work through. He was loved by many, and a friend to many. Our entire SSU community is mourning his death, and we're all trying to let the mystery of why he took his life go. So, to have Owen be so sweet and dear to us, has been a wonderful comfort.

This past week has been a whirlwind, with the new semester beginning and Nato's death. I do believe I'll call it a night soon, in hopes of gaining the lost hours of late.

a wet day

I can't believe it's the 23rd of December already! We've already had our Christmas celebration with my parents, and we received presents from Ry's family and we OPENED them already! haha, we just couldn't wait. Tomorrow night we go the Rouleau's for a Christmas Eve supper with them. On Christmas Day we're going to the Best's. Their daughter and son-in-law and granddaughter will the there as well. Eden, the baby girl, is only a couple days older than Owen! It will be fun to have him around and interacting with another little one.

Our day today has been enjoyable! After relaxing contently for while this morning, Owen had a bath. Afterward, I massaged him with this nice 'calming' baby oil and he loved it! I did it after his last bath, too, and it really puts him in a great, dare it be true, calm mood. All day, he's been excellently chilled out. Ry was singing to him for about 10 minutes, and the entire time, Owen was just smiling at him.

The past week we've put Owen into his crib for his naps. But I think that has confused his daytime / nighttime distinction. While my parents were here, Owen put in some of his best nights ever. But since they've left, he's been up 3-4 times a night, being quite awake! He hasn't done that since his first few weeks. So anyway, we're going to go back to Owen napping in the rooms we're in during the daytime, and when we want him to sleep through the night, he'll be in the bedroom. Hopefully that will make our nights easier.

In other positive, step-forward developments, Owen has been interacting with things lately, such as the hanging toys on his floor mat. He's also become a great self-soother and he can be layed down and he'll put himself to sleep. He can amuse himself when he's sitting alone in one of his little chairs/recliners. It's very helpful, and fun to see.

Ry has gone to the grocery store to get the items necessary for making Christmas treats. The festivities will start again! I'm excited.

I took these photos yesterday; i tried capturing his great smile, but he kept throwing his head back or to the side when he'd smile.

talking babe

Owen has really been enjoying talking while we talk, now. When he's happy he coos and sings along to our voices. It's really fun! He's already becoming such a fun little boy. He's growing so much! I've been having these realizations lately that seem so ordinary but to me they're epiphanies! For instance, Ry and I were talking about Owen is never going to stop growing and changing. In his 20s he'll basically be done 'growing' but he is going to be constantly changing, always. We'll never experience this stage again! I know, it's elementary knowledge, but it feels huge and revelatory to me. I've decided I need to become a sponge and soak everything in. Little Owen is becoming minutely bigger by the day. It's really exciting all the changes he is making and I'm so glad to be playing such a big role in this little guys life. I don't want to go back to when he was a newborn; I want to love every moment of his life and be ultra aware of every part of it.

Here's another video. Yes, we're loving that we can take short videos and show them to family and friends far away. We hope you enjoy them! While taking the video, I'm moving his legs around, which is why he's shifting like that.

Christmas is coming!

We put up our Christmas tree this past weekend! It's a lovely tree, and it looks great in our living room. I'd like to keep it forever. This is our tree, in all its glory.


It was especially fun fr me to be creating our own little family's Christmas traditions and memories. Currently, when I think about Christmas, what comes to mind are: the scent of that Christmas tree tin candle; the book that opens into a three-scene, 3-D nativity story; and the Boney M Christmas record, playing while we decorate the tree. These things are dear to me, and they come to my mind every time I think about Christmas. I like the idea that Ry and I are doing something totally new, that we'll be starting memories.

There's snow outside (only like 3 inches) and it's gotten bitter! It's a little warmer this afternoon, though, so we'll see if the snow remains much longer. Winter has arrived!

Owen and I have been fighting this weird cold. It comes and goes, it's more of a linger itch than anything else. But needless to say, it's thrown Owen off quite a bit. He isn't content for too long now, and he doesn't always want to eat even though he's hungry. But other than this, he's been growing and doing well.

Owen's tongue trick

Here's Owen's tongue trick - what I tried posting before that never worked.


He actually hasn't done this trick lately. I guess it was only fun a week ago. At least we caught it on camera!