Pumpkin Inspector

We went to Boone Hall Plantation last weekend to check out the pumpkins and continue our October celebration. Owen gave each pumpkin the thorough pat-down and sniff/taste test it deserved.







Owen is sitting on a tractor, but is more excited about eating Cheerios. He is currently tilting his head back and - with great zeal - going, "MMMMMMmmmmmmm!"

Owen Turns One

My baby boy is now living each day for the second time. And on October 9, I was grateful not to be giving birth to a 10 lb. baby for the second time. I made the first time count, and I would MUCH prefer to be holding him in my arms.

Our friends Dustin and Natalie and their daughter Lilly joined us in Charleston for Owen's birthday weekend. On Friday, we went to the Children's Museum and, for the first time, Owen played in the Raceway. (NOT the Infant and Toddler area. That place is for babies.)



Aunt Jean joined us on Saturday for a birthday lunch. Bill made boatloads of amazing food for us to eat.

This is Owen's approach to a birthday card.

Playing with his new tractor from Pooh and Papa Russ. The tractor comes complete with animal noises and a lively rendition of Old MacDonald.

I was more excited than when it is my own birthday.

Let's just say that Owen did not appreciate being put in a ridiculous hat, confined in his high chair, and served some sort of nasty, sugary joke of a dessert (a delicious vanilla cupcake from our local Charleston bakery). He will continue eating his apples and asparagus, thank you very much. (Other than this incident, the birthday celebration was a great success.)

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At the Raceway in the Children's Museum.

Owen and Lilly played together and practiced "sharing."

I'm already starting my delicious collection of photos in preparation for Owen's rehearsal dinner slideshow.

Viva la Mexico!

Right before Owen's first birthday, Poppie, Owen, Bill, and I headed to Cabo San Lucas for a week of international merriment. You can see below that Owen thoroughly enjoyed himself.

Easter Saturday

Sporting a dashing summer ensemble from Aunt Doyle, Owen prepares for his first Easter:

Wednesday with Monty

Kind of like the cheesy book they published while Bill and I were working at Random House - Tuesdays with Morrie - except MUCH better, Megan brought Monty over for some playtime with Owen, both vertical and horizontal:

Goodbye Raccoons

Owen in his raccoon pajamas. In a skintight final appearance, I knew it was time for these beloved pjs (6-12m) to be retired. Weighing in at 20 lbs. 9 1/2 oz. on April 9, Owen is now wearing 12-18m or 18-24m clothes.

This is Owen's new trick to stand up while holding on with one hand:

Owen & Daniel

Daniel and Anne came over for a romp. Daniel, who is almost 5 months older than Owen, has lots of tricks to teach him. (Amazing that Owen looks bigger than Daniel in this photo. I think they weigh the same.)

Uncle Phil Behind the Lens

In mid-March, Owen got to meet his Uncle Phil for the first time. Phil, with his snazzy camera and mad photo skillz, did a Hunt Russell photo shoot starring Owen.









Pictured below: the artist and the talent:

Owen Meets Pedro

The first weekend in March, Owen crossed state lines for the first time on our trip to Charleston to accept Bill's job offer and to begin our house hunt. Below, pictured at South of the Border:

There were several firsts on this trip. Looking for an easy landmark to meet up with Aunt Jean and seeing the "Hot Now" sign, one of them was Owen's first visit to Krispy Kreme:

Owen most certainly would have eaten a doughnut had he been offered one (he's eyeing mine here):

Hello Solids!

On Feb. 20 at 4 1/2 months old, Owen had his first taste of rice cereal. A disgusted face greeted each bite, but he kept coming back for more. Kind of like the Woody Allen bit in Annie Hall: "There's an old joke - um... two elderly women are at a Catskill mountain resort, and one of 'em says, 'Boy, the food at this place is really terrible.' The other one says, 'Yeah, I know; and such small portions.'"

Old Enough to Sunbathe in the Nude (4 months)

These photos were taken on Saturday, February 7. It was an absolutely splendid day in Chapel Hill that felt like mid-May. We took Owen out on the deck, stripped him down, and let him bask in the sunshine (which up until then had only touched his face and hands). He found this experience extremely relaxing and enjoyable (see 2nd photo below) -- so much so that he had his first laugh, very fittingly inspired by his Dad (see 4th photo below). A perfect day.


Some may find the below photo indecent, and Owen may express displeasure years from now at having a naked picture of him put online, but c'mon people: I captured the urine mid-stream.

Owen Meets Ocean

Last weekend, we took Owen on this first road trip to Emerald Isle for some face time with the Atlantic Ocean. I think it was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.