6 months

Dear Owen-

As I write this, you are creeping up on seven months. Its nearing the end of July, and I'm only now getting to your 6 month post. You see, our lives, are filled, to the brim with you and your brother, leaving only brief moments for such trivialities as blog posts and typing.

This month has been such an adventure for us, as we watch you turn from such a little infant, into a budding baby boy, with tremendous character and personality. You are happy, and endearing, but also sassy and impatient, making our efforts transition from smiles to sorrow quickly back and forth as you giggle and laugh, decide you are wanting something not near, yell to tell us all about it, and then upon getting what you want, quickly return to giggles and laughing, all within a matter of seconds.

At six months you are approaching mobility all too quickly. It makes me squirm to think of you growing so quickly, and the anxiety I have about missing any brief moment of it. The trouble with second babies is you always have a padding of guilt in your back pocket. No matter how hard I try there aren't enough hands, voices, or ways to engage you in a way that is 100% focused on your development. You've had to share since the very first day of your life, and in some ways, its not very fair, but in other ways it makes me marvel at how amazingly smart you are, to have grown so quickly and efficiently without all of that attention. Don't get me wrong-- we do pay attention to you, lots of it,and I like to think we are better parents the second time around, so the attention you do get is concentrated quality stuff. Nevertheless, I sigh a heavy sigh and truly understand the middle child conundrum. I'll always feel guilty and want to give you more, and I'll always struggle to do so, because I love you both too much. Sometimes I have to put you down when I don't want to, and sometimes it feels like you move from container to container, from the floor to the high chair to nap time in the crib to exersaucer or jumperoo, and sometimes when we have those days I wonder how much you get out of just observation, instead of interaction, because I'm confident that when those days happen, between putting Collin on the potty, letting the dog out, cleaning up breakfast off the kitchen floor, rinsing out diapers and getting ready for work-- I don't spend nearly enough time talking to you. I have to remind myself that those days don't happen all that often, and that we do make concentrated efforts to talk t o you, and play with you and hold and cuddle you.

So, again, the guilt plagues me.

Sometimes I have to take a breath and remember that even on our very worst days, we're still miles above where so many babies spend their time and the experiences that they have at 6 months of age. We're a very lucky family.

Our days are filled with happy smiles and new discoveries. We begin each day around 6:00 to 6:30 am. You usually wake between 4 and 5, nurse, and then head back the sleep for about an hour and a half. Around 6:30 Collin is stiring, and you seem to have a 6th sense for him, quickly awaking as soon as I get him out of bed. Collin heads from the bathroom in to greet you, scaling the side of your crib, peeking over the rail with a morning greeting "Hi, Owenen!". You offer a contented smile. We pull apart the velcro on your wrap and you reach high into the morning light as it streams through your window onto your mattress.You yawn, a refreshing morning yawn, greeting the world with your adorable gums. You don't have any teeth yet, but one seems iminent as you gnaw on everything that you can: our knuckles, your teething rings, wash clothes, toys...

As you take the time to rise and shine, I get Collin dressed and we hurry back to your room to get you from your crib. For those few moments that you are pondering your day in your crib, you are always telling us some happy story-- you rarely ever cry, but you often narate whats going on, with ma ma ma ma, na, ga, ga, and we love to hear your little voice.

Your day begins with a diaper change and dressing. Soon after we move to your play mat, where Collin and I read stories to you and offer you toys to play with as you push up your arms like your participating in baby bootcamp and push your knees up underneath yourself. Luckily, you haven't figured out how to do these simultaneously yet, but we're sure it won't be long. You look so interested and persistent in the things you admire- your favorite teething rings, or voices and you play, happy to gather your toys and teethers in hand as I figure out what breakfast will be. Iwonder whats going through your little head as we start the day. More and more you are incredibly entertained by Samson. When he walks by or lies down by you, you often stare and reach for him, or laugh hysterically. In the same way, you adore your brother. Collin can make you laugh just by looking at you, and hang on his every word. The feeling is mutual though, as he pledges his affection for you daily with many " I wuv baby Owenen!"s peppered throughout the day.

Breakfast is just starting in your world, as this week was the first that we began offering fruit while Collin eats his breakfast. Together you are two peas in a pod sitting at our little kitchen table. With two of you, it makes me more anxious for our remodel, as there is no room for mama at the table any more, and instead, I sit precariously on the folding footstool between the two of you to talk about the going-ons of the day and help Owen see whats in his environment. We spend time labeling things, sharing colors and telling you what sounds all of the animals we can think of make.We sing songs (with the wheels on the bus being a favorite) and make hand signs until there are no more bites left to celebrate with song and dance.

After breakfast, its your first nap of the day. You're such a good baby, putting up with a tremendous amount of interuption as I try to quickly and efficiently put you to sleep while watching (sort of) Collin, who is gated in his room next door.You cuddle in and linger off to sleep to the tune of Collin's voice whining "mama,mama,mama, I need milwk! I need helwp! I need you!"- and so, I start the shuffle of putting Owen down, getting Collin settled, going back to Owen, heading back to Collin as he yell's"Pee Potty, mama!". Its a dance, and Owen is such an amazing little boy, taking it all in stride, peacefully going to sleep. Your first nap usually lasts about an hour or so, allowing just enough time to get things organized for work,your day with the nanny, Lindsey and a few brief moments of cleaning up after the tornado that is your brother.

You awake,hungry. It seems you are always hungry. You adore food and are always trying to get your hands in whatever I am eating, looking at me as though I've betrayed you by not sharing. Sometimes you scream scream scream when I finish nursing you, because you are confident you aren't finished, or likewise,when we take away your mesh teether when its filled with watermelon or mango, you get impatient and angry that we're such horrible parents to starve you from such delicious treats.

After you eat we read more books,or play trains with Collin, or head outside if the weather is nice.Whatever the case, you're always along for the ride. Before I know it, its time for me to leave for work,which is always bittersweet because I feel like the mornings are filled with running from here to there to get our lives aligned for the day, making it difficult for me to be satisfied that I've spent enough time with you, knowing all too well that when I get home it won't be long before you have to head off to bed.

While I'm away at work, you play, ferociously with Collin and Lindsey. Your second nap is usually a bit longer, an hour and a half or so, followed by a third and fourth nap,each about an hour a piece. You take these littler naps, but it works for our schedule, so we don't complain.You love being outside, and playing with your favorite friend, Parsley and puppy. You hang on tightly to our biceps as we carry you to and fro, and quietly you take in the world, observing all that is going on and sucking your your environment like a little sponge. You listen intently to music and are starting to truely enjoy books, as we try to turn you into a consumer of literature, rhyme and lyrics.

By the time I get home, you are nearing the final stretch of your day, with a dinner of vegetables and nursing, stories, and the quiet lull of bathtime and cuddles. Every night I take you into your room, read you your stories, finishing with the Going to Bed Book,let you cuddle in for your final nursing and rock you, effortlessly to sleep. I don't think I'll ever feel like I get to rock you or hold you enough, so I hang on a few more minutes, often falling asleep alongside you, as you grow far too fast, and before we know it you won't fit in my lap any longer. So I hold you tight and send you to your sweet dreams with a kiss and hopes for a lasting tomorrow.

sweet dreams for a wonderful 7th month my baby boy,

we love you,

Mama and Daddy

Summer Vacation at Higgins Lake

Oh, summer, how I adore you.

Our annual summer holiday in Michigan was a stunning success. Every year I make a lame attempt to capture how much I love summer vacation, and never seem to do it justice. Its a small piece of my heart that expands tremendously with memories, hopes, contentedness and joy during the week that I get to suck up every moment of vacation. This year my happiness, our family's collective happiness, was nestled in my childhood memory stronghold of Higgins Lake.

Higgins Lake is where we went as kids to while away the summer hours. My mom's parents had friends with a cottage that we rented out every year, building the foundation of what I revel in as one of the most fantastic parts of my childhood. So, getting to come back here, FINALLY, made me both tremendously anxious (would it be as great as I remember as a child?) and exciting (imagine the possibility for my little boys!). To top it off, this year's holiday worked out to be during the 4th of July, setting the stage for a perfect trip. Sparklers, family, a beautiful crystal clear lake, and sunshine.

A recipe for amazing memories and tons of fun, if you ask me.

Higgins Lake Sunsets

So, we made our way from our home, to the long awaited destination of Higgins Lake.11 hours of travel, one overnight in Escanba, a happy baby and excited toddler, lots of potty stops, a few meals, snacks, songs, books read aloud and many tunes on the Ipod, landing us at 318 Cardinal Avenue.

Drew on the end of the dock, taking in the sunset upside down

Our travels went surprisingly well. As it turns out, Owen is great in the car, we barely heard a peep from him while driving, all happy giggles, ma ma ma mas, and coos scattered among a handful of naps. Collin to did exceptionally well, talking, looking at books, and save for the hourly potty stop, rode along like a champ. After leaving home on Thursday evening, we finally arrived in Higgins Lake on Friday afternoon, ready for vacation to begin.
While we were there, we were lucky enough to borrow my cousin Lee's boat, formally known as the SS Minnow. The boat itself is nothing to write home about, but, we didn't really care. A boat is a boat, so we fueled it up, attached a tube and spent a couple of lazy afternoons bouncing around the lake. Collin and Owen each got their first boat ride as well. Collin's first time out was right before naptime, and the soothing crash of the waves in the boat put him right to sleep. He wasn't on board more than a few minutes, and down he went to dreamland in daddy's lap.



Nearly every night we got to enjoy a fantastic fire, hosted right on the shores of the lake, which made for unforgettable sunsets. We really were very spoiled with how wonderful it was, the weather was amazing, the skies clear and sun warm, and there was lots of room to run and play. We even enjoyed a few fluffer-nutter and chocolate hobo pies (my own creation, thank you very much, and they were delicious!)
Mmmm, fluffernutters and chocolate!

As soon as we arrived Collin quickly found, and remembered Jayla. From that moment on, they were two peas in a pod. Playing together all week long. For at least a couple of nights we let Collin stay up later than normal to hangout by the fire and do a few sparklers. He loved it. As you can see, his bedtime was on temporary vacation.


The week was filled with fun around every corner and tons and tons of food. I don't think I've consumed that many calories in a week in years. It was outrageous (as any good vacation should be). We spent our time playing, riding bikes, swimming, boating, playing in the sand, volleyball, ladderball, euchre... (you get the idea). The most important piece of the week was that I didn't do any work. I barely touched a computer. It was fantastic (and rather strange upon returning to see how much I missed socially as a function of being disconnected).

For Owen, his first vacation was filled with many hands to hold him, hugs, kisses and happiness. He sucked up all the time he could with Nana and Papa, overcome with giggles time and time again each day. Now that he's 6 months old (which happened to occur on the fourth of July) we felt okay about taking him outdoors with sunscreen on, so the vacation was the first time he really got to spend a significant portion of time outside, and he loved it. We took naps in the hammock, woke up each morning to a smile from all of our family, ate his fair share of sweet potatoes and pears, and rounded out the week with teething, teething and more teething.




Owen had his first taste of watermelon, and true to form, he loved it. This little boy things food is the bees knees, so it was no surprise that he sucked on the watermelon for as long as he could. When we took it away he cried, which showed how much he really liked it, since he rarely cries for any reason. Owen also got to spend some quality time with his godmother, Auntie Andrea, as she was able to fly in from NC for a few days. It was great to see her and here about her adventures in North Carolina and Florida. Collin sucked up her attention as well, learning how to cast and use his first fishing pole before taking it to the docks.

The fourth of July arrived on Monday, with Andrea and Erik there to help us celebrate. The day was perfectly warm, allowing for tubing, playing in the sand and soaking up the rays, followed by an evening of sparkler fun. I love sparklers.









Owen also got to meet Uncle Nathan for the first time, which was great, since Nathan wasn't able to come to the baptism. Owen seemed pretty content to hang out with Uncle Nate, even if he was dressed like a swimming cowboy :) Collin took a page out of Uncle Nate's book and one night put on his cowboy boots to show off his dexterity. I think he made it about 3 steps before he declared he could

Nathan brough the vespa with him, and Collin found it fascinating. Anytime he could get near it he wanted to pretend to ride it, sitting on the seat, holding the handle bars and hanging out like the wind was at his face and he didn't have a care in the world.
Next to the Vespa, was Papa's motorcycle, which was equally entertaining for both boys. Collin and Jayla rode tandem while Owen got his own little ride.

But, when it came down to it, the only "bikes" the kids were riding was in the Burley behind Drew's bicycle. Jayla and Collin rode together and loved it.


Across the week we tried desperately hard to absorb every moment of happiness, and before we knew it, it was Friday night, and we were preparing to head home. Higgins lake was everything that I had hoped it would be, for me, as well as for the boys. Collin likely created his first memories that he'll be able to remember, and I took a walk down memory lane- visiting the old cottage and having deja vu moments again and again, remember, the feelings, sights and sounds of the Higgins Lake of my childhood.

So, to Higgins Lake, to the fantastically warm and clean waters, the happy boys and fabulous family, to make the most of a concentrated week, celebrating where our lives have lead us. Reveling in every moment, hanging on to the bits that represent sheer contentedness.

We will miss you.

Until we meet again.