Toddler Steps!

About a month ago, while we were at the beach in South Carolina with my family, Mason spontaneously stood up from the floor to a standing position.  We were all quite shocked since he had not yet "really" taken more than a (lunging) step before that.  As soon as Mason was able to get up to a comfortable standing position by himself, something seemed to click for him and he started taking steps.  It started as one or two steps and has now progressed to more than 5.  I was also very hesitant to make a proclamation that "mason is walking" because I didn't want to (a) jinx it or (b) be premature in my excitement.  But, now that he is consistently taking multiple steps and standing from the floor, I feel comfortable in shouting from the rooftops .... MASON IS WALKING!!   I think we still have a long way to go until he is really walking long distances without assist since his delivery is not quite, shall we say, conventional.  But, I refuse to get ahead of myself.  I will let myself enjoy this phase.  And worry about his technique another day.   Below is a quick video of Mason taking a few steps!

Happy Birthday Owen!!

4 years ago ... I was a new mom.  4 years ago ... I was trying to figure out this whole baby thing.  4 years ago... I had no idea or rather I was probably just starting to get the idea.  I had no idea how much my first born would fill my heart with happiness, excitement, fear and love. Oh, love.  How can I possibly love someone this much?  And fear?  There is always fear in loving someone this much.  I remember a quote that I saw somewhere that having a child feeling like your heart is walking around outside of your body (I may have butchered the quote, but you get my point).  When your heart is walking around outside of your body, how can you protect it from being hurt or scared?  You can't always, but it is worth the risk.  Because what I get back in return from my two little monkeys is worth it all.

First a couple of retrospective pics from Owen's first "birth"day...

 And then on his one-year old birthday ....

And now my little man is 4 years old!!  Here is a picture at his school party and then at his superhero birthday party this past weekend.

Happy birthday, Owen!!

Play Ball!

Owen and Mason both went to their first baseball game at approximately 6 weeks.  So, they are seasoned baseball fans.  They always look forward to the Nationals game and Mason throws his fist in the air and shouts, "Ba-balll." 

We enjoy the game, the music, the snacks and all of the other "entertainment" Nationals stadium provides.   Since Owen's 4th birthday is on Friday, we let him go to Build a Bear (on-site, how convenient... :)  to make his own Screech doll.  Owen decided that his Screen would be named "Chicken" (it was not important that Screech is an eagle!) and he should be a catcher.  Here is Owen snuggling his Screech, Chicken:

Our favorite shaded seats (important for a 1 pm game when it's in the sunny 90's) is right by the bullpen.  Owen loves to watch the pitchers warm up ...

and Mason cheers on the team, dancing to every song they play and clapping his hands along to the chants!

On Sunday afternoons they let kids age 4-12 run the bases.  Since Owen is sooo close to being 4, we went down and stood in line to make the trek around the bases.  Owen was so excited and wanted to bring "Chicken" with him around the bases. 

We talked him out of bringing Screech and he was so overwhelmed, he tried to run straight from first base to the outfield!!   Luckily, one of the helpers reigned him in.  Here is a video of Owen taking his victory lap around the bases:

What a great day at the ballpark!   Go Nats!!

4th of July (and a little reminiscing)

When I hear the words "4th of July," I think fireworks, barbeque's, and warm summer fun.   I just love that on this day, it's not "cheezy" to wear red white and blue.  In fact, you see it everywhere you go on the 4th.  It's a day to celebrate freedom, independence and all of the great opportunities we have just being being born an American.   Back in 2008 when Mason was just a few weeks old I remember taking one of my favorite pictures of Owen and Mason.  My three year ago self would look at that picture and how SMALL Mason was and dream of the day that these two boys would be able to play together.  The next year, in 2009, I took a picture in the same chair to see how much they have grown.  So of course I had to do the same this 2010.  I am amazed at the growth of these boys.  And you know what?  I think this is the last year I'm going to fit both of them in this same chair!!!  

Happy 4th of July!!