South Carolina in the Fall

The hell of Charleston in August is redeemed in October and November when the days are sunny and somewhere between 70 and 76 degrees. This is perfect fall weather for me: just cool enough to put on a pair of jeans. We have been taking advantage of our location by spending as many afternoons as possible outside, either in the park, on a pier, downtown, or at the aquarium. We also recently took advantage of our proximity to Hilton Head (just under 2 hrs. away) to pay a visit to Mimi, Jean, John and Leigh. Owen finally got to meet his great grandmother Mimi!


We stayed with Aunt Jean and Owen practiced climbing her stairs. When Owen "practices" something, he takes the approach of an Olympic athlete going for the gold, undeterred by injuries or exhaustion. Victory WILL be his. (I have NO idea where he gets his hard-headed persistence.)
Seconds after this photo was taken, he made it to the top, stood up, faced us, and raised his hands in the air like Rocky.

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Here are a few photos from last week at the aquarium. (You may be picking up on a theme here.)

Below, Owen is unphased by the 40-ft.-high tank of tropical fish, rather he is DELIGHTED by the fact that he just made off with his changing pad.Above, Owen continuing to learn about sea life.

Tiger on the loose!

Warning: the photographs in this post could be frightening to adults and children alike. Please proceed with caution.

I hate to be the cause of undue alarm, but I do want everyone to take proper precaution. See, this Saturday, a WILD TIGER was seen in our neighborhood. In front of our house, actually. I came into contact with said tiger, made friends with him actually, but then I learned afterward that he was ON THE LOOSE and INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS. The photos really tell the story best:

After copious amounts of internet research, I learned that this is one of the positions a tiger gets into when he is preparing for attack. Thank GOD no one was hurt.

Bearing his ferocious fang(s)..

He asked me to help him find something sweet to eat. I knew that the Charleston Public Library was hosting an afternoon of trick-or-treating, so, figuring they'd have candy, I took him there. He blended right in with all of the other kids who were in costume for Halloween. Everyone just thought he was "dressed up" like a tiger. Riiiight.

I know, I know, I know. I can't believe I was this close to him and that I got away unscathed. He seemed so sweet.

Done trick-or-treating.

Anyway, if anyone else should encounter him, just try to stay calm. And then give him your car keys and sunglasses. Worked like a charm for me.

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.'"