Water anyone?

I am trying to figure out a way to keep Owen hydrated and happy. He woke up covered in sweat this morning, and only went to bed in a onesie. I don’t want to put him to bed naked – I’m afraid he’ll wake up cold in the middle of the night.

So I am trying different sippy cups with water. I have had a Heinz sippy cup (with no handles) for over a month now, but Owen has to gum real hard to get any water out. I think he likes it more as a teething toy. Plus, with that one I have to hold it, so it’s very time consuming, and I don’t think he gets that much water out of it. So I tried a Gerber sippy cup today (with handles). Again it is a no-spill cup, so Owen has to suck pretty hard to get the water out, but it’s easier than the Heinz cup. And he can hold it himself, so I prefer that one. But it’s much larger, and Owen can’t hold it for ling, so he gets upset.

So I tried a smaller Avent bottle with a 3-month sized nipple, and the handles that attach to it. And I think we have a winner! The water flows much easier out of the bottle nipple, so all Owen has to do is open his mouth. And it’s smaller and lighter than the Gerber bottle, so he can hold it longer. Plus, he can hold it like a bottle if he doesn’t want to use the handles. So I think I will stick with this one. Plus, it has a lid so I can take it out with us.

It's too hot!

Today Owen went into a swimming pool for the first time. Our friends Sean and Cari Moore have a nice, large pool in theor backyard and they hosted our first attempt at baby swimming today. I have Owen signed up for lessons in August at the Leisure Center, and if today was any indication of how they are going to be, Owen will love them! He was more interested in their pool toy though. I might need to go get him some of them.

the Hepburn/Lanteigne wedding

Gabe's sister Anneli married Chris Hepburn on Wednesday. They had a small service with the Justic of the Peace at their home in Sechelt with his parents and her best friend. This past Saturday they had a huge party at their friends house in Robert's Creek to celebrate. We went over to party!

Above is the happy couple...

This is Dakota - Chris and Anneli's son. He will be 2 in a few months. He was hot so he took off his pants. That's Gabe's rule of thumb too, so be warned as the weather gets warmer.

This is our latest family photo. We are only missing Nathan (my 3 year old nephew - Elia's son). Starting at the top left hand corner we have George and Leila (Gabe's parents), Joey (Elia's son), Elia (Gabe's sister), Gabe and me and Owen, Penny and Clay (Chris's parents), Dakota (Chris and Anneli's son), Chris and Anneli, and Celine (Elia's daughter). Ignore the kid at the very top - he's the neighbors boy.

The beautiful bride - Anneli Lanteigne Hepburn

More wedding photos

Me and Owen. Don't I look happy that Owen is now on formula as I can enjoy a glass of wine? I am!

Mummo (Gabe's Mom) and Owen

Gabe and Anja - an old family friend (she's not old, she's been a family friend for a long time. Actually, she's Gabe's Moms best friend).

What a beautiful day

After sleeping in we had a few hours before the ferry ride home, so we went to downtown Gibsons (yes, all three blocks of it) to see the sights and have some lunch...

This is Owens new jogging stroller. Owen doesn't do the jogging - I do. It was a gift from Grandpa Kim. He's still a bit small for it, so I can't jog with him in it yet as he falls out of the straps. He'll be big enough soon, I'm sure.

Owens first ferry ride

Here are some more pictures of the weekend and the ferry rides to and from the Sunshine Coast...

This is me and Owen on the ride to Gibsons (above)

This is Gabe and Owen on the ride back to Horse Shoe Bay (Owen is in outfit #1)...

The Lanteigne family on our way home (Owen in outfit #2)

AGGER

Owen and I wento to IKEA today with Auntie Victoria. We just couldn't resist propping him up on this pile of comfy throw rugs. And look - he's for sale!
















Owen got squirmy after shopping for a few hours, so he asked to lie down on the sheepskin rugs. They were so soft we all wanted to lie down on them!

















But Owen had to ask... Does this sheepskin make me look fat?

Talk about chubby!

Who makes these things anyway?

Mr. Lanteigne is really getting big. And I don't mean Gabriel. In these pictures, Owen is wearing a size 9-months outfit. And he isn't even 5 months old! I will never understand how the makers of baby clothes size them. Everyone knows that babies don't fit clothes in the ages they are marked, so why doesn't someone change the way they are made???

When Owen was born he was 8lbs 9.5oz and he wore "newborn" sized clothes. Ok, that is pretty obvious. When you look at tags marked "newborn" they say "10lbs". There is, however, a size smaller. It's called "premie" and it's marked "7lbs".

By the time Owen was 5 weeks old, and weighed 11lbs, he was in size "3 month" clothes (marked 13lbs). By the time he was 3 months old, and weighed 13lbs, Owen was in size "6 month" clothes (marked 16lbs). So you can see how quickly the size of the baby and the size of the clothes become mis-matched. I guess there are babies that are tall and skinny, and some that are short and fat, so the outfits need to be made to fit either or. Right? Does that make sense? So it would seem they clothes need to be made to fit the fattest and tallest babies of each age group.

But if that's true, than why is it that I have NEVER met a baby that fits clothes marked for their age and weight. I have a friend who had twins - 2 babies born premature, so they are quite small. And even though these babies are the same age as Owen (almost exactly) and weigh 4-5lbs less than Owen right now they still wear clothes that are considerably bigger than the sizing indicates they should be wearing.

Is it similar to big people clothes (grown ups, I mean)? Often, especially in ladies clothing stores, they will change the sizing and mark items bigger, so that you fit into clothes that you previously couldn't - you think you are smaller than you actually are. It's flattery sizing. You're not a size 9, you've never been a size 9, no one in their right mind would think you are a size 9, you're a size 11. There's no doubt in anyone's mid that you are a size 11. However, the jeans and top you just bought (and fit into comfortably) are a size 9. Did you miraculously lose weight overnight? No! The jeans and top companies figured if you think you're skinnier today than yesterday, you might love the idea of being a size 9 and perhaps purchase a whole new wardrobe! It's ridiculous! We're not idiots! We know what you are doing! We know we are not size 9 - we're size 11! But perhaps we do buy the size 9 jeans and smile all the way home.

So, is baby sizing just flattery sizing in reverse? Do Mothers want their little babies to grown up so much that companies make the clothes smaller on purpose so that the Moms and Grandma's that buy clothes will think their kids and grand kids are bigger than they actually are? Does that make any sense? Do we want our babies to grow up too fast? Do we want them to fit size 24-month clothes when they are a year old? Do we care at all? Perhaps kids clothing has been weirdly sized for so long that it is too much of a hassle for companies to size them properly. Because then some poor chub-chub like Owen comes along and I buy 9-month sized clothes and it's way too big for him.

I know this matter doesn't really matter at all. As a new Mom I'm going to buy my kid way too many outfits anyways - no matter what the sizing. And besides the snowsuit he was given that fit him in April (a record breaking April for how incredibly hot it as) he has been able to wear a very article of clothing given to him no matter what the age or weight said on its tage. And for just about every outfit, I'm going to do at least one photo shoot. So I figured between pictures of my gorgeous child who is almost 5 months old, and in 9-month sized clothing, I am allowed one rant and you can't complain. Hey - I'm just proud I finally have a blog posting that doesn't mention poo!

A very busy day

We had a very busy day yesterday. First we went ran some errands, and then we went for lunch with Grandma in Yarrow. That was lovely as Grandma made a yummy salad and homemade hummus for lunch, and we ate at a picnic table in the park. Then ( after a MAJOR poo explosion for which I will spare you the details of) we stopped quickly at Save-On Foods for more diapers and wipes, and then headed out to Rosedale for a weenie roast (not a hot-tub roast) with the Francis family and our new friend Stacey Shipman.

Owen was in a good mood for being awoken from his nap by Auntie Kim who just wanted to cuddle with him so badly. So, being awake, we decided to make the best of the situation and have a photo shoot. Owen sported a lovely cap that made his resemble a fishing boat captian, or perhaps a dancer in the Disney film "Newsies".

After a short visit at the ranch, Owen and I headed homefor a much needed nap and outfit change (no day is complete without an outfit change or two... or three). Then Auntie Cari came over and we all went for a walk around our new neighborhood (which was great timing as Owen was entering cranky-town). We ended the day with both Mama and Papa giving Owen a bath (it takes an army to clean this kid and the many rolls he sports between his broad shoulders and his massive head where, one day, we hope a neck will grow).

And off to bed Owen went quite tired from his long day visiting friends and being entertained by the masses. Ahhh, to have servants to take care of me and answer my every becon call... wouldn't that be the life?!

Almost there...

Owen can't quite sit up on his own yet, but he sure tries hard. He goes in his Bumbo Seat a few tmes a day (that is the only way Mama can eat breakfast or lunch). Owen likes the Bumbo Seat becasue he can be at eye level then - he doesn't like to be left out of the loop. And being on someones lap, over a shoulder, or in his Bumbo Seat helps Owen strengthen his back and tummy - the core muscles he needs to sit up on his own.

There are those yummy toes, however. And no matter how good he is getting at sitting up on his own whenever he sees those toes of his he just can't resist putting them in his mouth. Andtherefore he looses his balance and topples to the side fairly often. He can sit up just fine inbetween my legs (so I can hold him tight with my legs) or if someone balances him on their lap (becasue then we can move around to make sure he stays upright), but left to his pwn devises I find him sideways more often than not.

Oh well, I guess this is all for the best - the sooner he learns to sit the sooner he'll learn to crawl, turn over, and become mobile. And that means way more work for Mama!

No more kitties

FREE to a good home...

We have 2 cats that need a new home. With our house being a construction site for at least 2 more months now (news update from our contractor today) HoJu and weazley need to find a new home. We have had them in our garage but that was only to be temporary. Plus, we live on a very busy road now and they are too friendly with cars.

So if you would like to adopt them please let me know and I can provide you with more details on them, their medical history, shot information, etc. They are both male, neutered, long hair cats who can be indoor or indoor/outdoor. They are cuddlers and need attention that we just can't give them here.

4 months, 2 weeks & 5 days old

Owen and I went to the Health Clinic again today for the Baby Time Drop In. He now weighs 17lbs 12 oz (he's up 13 ounces from last week). His length and head size are the same as last week (27" and 17" respectively).

Photos will follow soon. Right now he is napping and I'm enjoying this time for myself. Once he wakes up we'll get some photos, but for now I have a kitchen to clean and dinner to prepare.

More pictures of the weekend

Owen being tickled by Auntie Elia


Mama, Owen & cousin Celine


Auntie Kim, Degan and Uncle Andy

Happy 60th Birthday Ukki

Owen and I went to Kamloops on Saturday to celebrate Ukki's (Finnish for Grandpa) 60th birthday. It was also Wayne (on the left), Mia (on the left), and Sirrka's (in the Orange shirt) birthdays too. Ukki is pictured in teh blue shirt, and that's Mummo singing her heart out in the red shirt on the right). We sure had lots of fun. And it was great to see everyone - I hadn't seen Gabe's Aunt and Uncle since our weeding (over 5 years ago!).

Owen had a blast. We drove in with Aunti Elia, and cousins Joey and Nathan. Elia and were very thankful that the kids travel so well. Screaming babies would not have made for a fun trip. Once there everyone wanted to hold and play with Owen. And he got to meet his cousin Degan (Gabe's step-brother Andy and his girlfriend Kims little boy) for the first time. Degan is 6 months old. He and Owen loved to hold each others hands (or feet, hair, head - whatever was close really).

Degan, like Owen, is a very well-dressed little boy. During the course of the day he sported four tres-chic outfits including these fabulous camo cargo pants. I must say, I was a little jelous.

Owens new thing is to actually suck his toes. I am amazed at his ability to bend in half (while lying on his back) and get his feet into his mouth.

I finally got a photo of Owen and his cousins Dakota (yellow shirt held by his Mom) and Nathan (grey shirt held by his big sister Celine). Nathan will be 3 in July, and Dakota is a year a half, so they are all spaced out evenly. Nathan is Elais's boy (Gabe's oldest sister), and Dakota is Anneli's boy (Gabe's other sister). I have tried for this photo since Owen was born, and it is only materializing now.

Next weekend is Anneli's wedding reception. We are all very excited to attend that! Her soon-to-be husband Chris (Dakota's Papa) is a really great guy and we are happy to have him as part of the family. So there will be lots more family photos there. Which means another blog posting. But that was a given. I will also post photos of our new house soon. First I need to clean like mad!

New look

I have given Owens blog a new look. And I added a ticker tape. They are quite neat. It shows how old Owen is (exactly) at any given time. If you want to add one to your blog, just click on it (above) and follow the steps - it's quite easy to do.

As I changed the template I lost all the blog links on the side - so if any of them are broken please forgive me and just wait - I'll fix them in time.

It is almost midnight now and I need to pack as Owen and I are off to Kamloops in the morning. We'll be back Sunday with lots of new photos to share with you I'm sure.

Foot Fetish

Yesterday

Yesterday I had to improvise if I wanted a good photo shoot. I tried a few new things and here are the results...

Chub-Chub

Owen is feeling much better and his explosive poops have stopped. He started to feel better yesterday and he is back to having longer naps – for a while there he was only napping 20-30 minutes each time and it was tiring for all of us.

We went to the health clinic today. Owen weighs the same as he did 3 weeks ago – 16lbs 15oz. The nurse said not to worry – he won’t gain as much week by week now as he is older, and because he was sick he lost a bit of weight too. Plus, this puts him back in the 80th percentile, which is where he sits normally. So this shows me that he had a big growth spurt a month ago, and is now back on track.

He has grown in length however. Owen is now 27" long, and his head size is 17" (43cm). That puts him in the 15th percentile for weight to length average. I think that means long and skinny, but I could be wrong... his nick name is Chub-Chub.

Always on the move

Owen doesn't like to sit still for anything anymore. Not even our beloved photoshoots. Now that he can almost sit up on his own, he is always leaning forward to try and manage by himself. And everything goes in his mouth - my hair, my glasses, blankets (as you can see), toys, his feet - everything! He has very quick little hands! If Owen feels he would rather lie down he just arches his back and slides into the position he wants. As you can imagine, that makes taking pictures of him fairly difficult now.

We had a particular antsy morning so I thought I would share with you our out-takes form our attempted photo-shoot. In fact, we didn't even get one good picture. I'll try again later, or another day, when I have more energy and Owen has less.

My new room

Well Owen survived his first move yesterday. He was pretty cranky and wanted to be held all day (maybe from all the commotion and maybe because he is a little sick) but overall he did really well.

Owens room is the only room of the house that is completely unpacked and set up. I want him to fel like it's home so he will sleep well for us. Which he did last night. We played for hours in his room room on his new fabulously cushy carpet. I even painted his room the same color so he'd know it was his room. Gabe says I'm nuts. I'm ok with that. :)