12 Month Photoshoot

I took Owen's 12 month pictures a few days before his birthday. Love this little boy too much.
(Excuse some of my blurry pics... it was my first time shooting with my new lens and I'm not quite used to it yet!)

Favorite

Other favorite

Big boy

Wild thing

Haha, my little bat returns

Story of our lives.  We don't call him little monster for nothing!

That's it, I'm out of here to get the things you have been teasing me with this whole time...

The big red ball!  It kept him looking at the camera for awhile, but then he wouldn't stay away from it.

Even though it's just as big as he is, he loves it so much.

My little puppy

Trouble maker

Every time I look at this picture, I crack up. Does he not look like a Simpsons character??

Outtakes 

 Awwwww, so sweet

12 Months

I can't believe my little bug is ONE!  This year has just flown by completely.  We just love our little Owie and are so glad that he is part of our family. He brings so much joy to us each and every day!  I was very sentimental approaching his birthday thinking about exactly where I was a year previously.  All day, I was thinking, at this time I was having contractions, at this time my water broke at Target, etc etc. On his actual birthday, I loved snuggling with him as much as his busy little self would let me.  One year ago I was snuggling my brand new baby and we were complete strangers. Now he my best little buddy and I can hardly even remember life without him!

12 Month Stats (as of today):

Weight: 18 lbs 10 oz (2nd percentile)

Height: 30 1/4 inches (61st percentile)

Head: 45.5 cm (21st percentile)

Someday when he stops moving, he will gain some weight! He is the busiest baby that has ever lived, I kid you not!  The doctor wasn't concerned about it at all as she witnessed him in the flesh.  He also had a tough appointment this time around. He bonked his head pretty good right before we went to the doctor, he is cutting at least 2 molars (that's all I can see), he has been sick for over two weeks and his daddy has been out of town all week.  Then when we got to the appointment, the doctor said he had a definite ear infection (I had no idea!) and he had to get two shots. Poor boy cannot catch a break!

Here is a little bit about our busy little boy at 12 months:

• Nicknames: Bug, Owie
• Favorite Foods: Wheat Toast, Zucchini, Grapes, French Fries, Veggie Straws
• Least favorite foods: Eggs. I still keep trying, but he just hates them.
• He's a little water bug.  He loves to always have his sippy by his side and drink, drink, drink! Sometimes to the point of throwing up (not sure if that is normal?).  He also loves drinking from a straw. My hospital mug is one of his favorites - he will grab that straw right out of my mouth mid drink!
• Also a water bug since he loves his bath and swimming in the water.  He is not the biggest fan of our pool because he wants to be walking around.  He loves to hang out on the stairs in the pool, but hasn't quite grasped that he can't go all of the way down. He is always shocked when his head reaches the water!
• Started walking just a few days before his first birthday. Just as I came to terms with him not having a desire, he picked it right up and has been getting better and better each day.  When he is in a hurry to get somewhere, he definitely still crawls, but it is fun to see our little drunken sailor walking around.
• Working on his animal sounds. I think it is pretty much the cutest thing ever.  He knows a cow's moo, lion's roar, pig's snort and dog's woof.
• Loves dogs and all animals. A trip to the zoo is very needed.
• So stingy with his kisses. I think it has been weeks since he has given me one.  He will sometimes lean over when I ask for a kiss and let me kiss his forehead. Little stinker.
• Obsessed with belly buttons. Loves playing with ours and has recently found his own.  Whenever we say, "where's your button?" he lifts up his shirt and gets such a thrill that he found it.
• Loves peek-a-boo. He will cover his eyes or sometimes just put his hands up at the top of his head.
• Loves playing with balls.  He has a giant red ball that is practically bigger than him that he likes to chase around the house.  If you know Jordan, you know he is nothing less than thrilled about this!
• Loves loves loves reading books.  It is probably the only time that he will actually sit still.  He sits reclined back and relaxes while turning the pages.
• He's such a happy little boy

Still loves unloading the books off the shelf.

My little bookworm

HAIR

A little pucker

He was quite confused with what he was doing in there

Trying to escape (isn't it a little early??). I'm in trouble if he gets any type of arm/leg strength! He can manipulate his way out of anything!

Drunken sailor

My how you've grown...

Owen's Birthday Party

On Saturday, June 16th, we had Owen's First Birthday Party!  If you have ever been in his presence, you know that "monster" is a pretty good word to describe him!  So we decided to have a "Our Little Monster is Turning One" party.

We started off with some swimming and the weather could not have been more perfect.  Then we went back to our house for a BBQ.  I think it is safe to say that between the good food and the good company, we all had a great time. Thanks to all who came to celebrate Owen's big day with us!

Grammy bought Owen this water floaty and needless to say, he has loved it!

Splashing with the cousins

Our pool is usually desolate.  So we were a little surprised to find another group at the pool holding a family reunion. It was PACKED! 

Playing with daddy

Naughty Auntie Kate giving him a sip of the bubbly

Owen got a wagon from my parents (and from us too), so he was having a ball being pulled around by his cousins. I love how he is watching Lincoln.

Enjoying his wagon ride

Owen's Birthday Spread

Happy Birthday Little Monster!

My sister in law made the cutest monster cookies to go along with our monster theme.  She can make ANYTHING that you want.  Visit her site here

Me with the big birthday boy

Eating his dinner (or hardly eating)

Big group

Some of our favorite guests

Love this boy

More of our favorite guests

Opening presents. 

Cupcake Time! Sad I didn't get the finished pictures of the cupcakes I labored over for hours!  But we had Vanilla with Strawberry and Cookies and Cream

Love the progression. From a little timid at first, to diving right in, to full fisting it, to complete elation

Happy Birthday sweet boy!