Christmas Trucks

Owen was introduced to his first toy truck this past week thanks to his
Great Nana. It was a hit! What may have been even more enjoyable after they were opened was watching these three sweet boys play with their new Christmas trucks.

One thing I absolutely love about our King side of the family gatherings
is watching our two sweet nephews, Jude and Levi, and Owen.
There is such a sweet innocence in which they embrace what have become
beloved and longstanding traditions in the family.
Presents are met with squeals of joy, Christmas goodies are looked at longingly and drooled over,
the beauty of the Christmas tree is mesmerizing. They bring such life to everything we do
and are three of the gifts I am daily grateful for.

Levi



Jude

Santa Baby

Owen meets the true meaning for Christmas...and then promptly stuck him in his mouth.

Plop this kid in front of the sparkling tree and he's happy as a clam.

Owen is a child of many hats. I love them all!

Current stats: 20 lbs according to my scale at home.
He makes faces when his food is warm, apparently he prefers it cold, and is
eating: Lentils, avocado, squash, sweet potatoe, bananas, apple sauce, cauliflower,
pears, prunes, blueberries, rice cereal, peas and green beans.

He recently learned how to pick food up and put it in his mouth.

He loves to mimic our talking and will often say "da da" on command,
although we know he has no idea what that means.
He is addicted to his socks and they no longer stay on his feet.
He would much rather play with things that are not toys and his
Current favorites are measuring cups and tupperware lids.

We are excited to celebrate our first Christmas together although
I really shouldn't have bought him anything and instead just gave him
balls of wrapping paper.

First Snow

The ground is turning white.
The air is crisp and cold.
The trees are sparkling bright.
My heart is oh so full.

Two hours later:
No more Snow
Cloudy skies
Still freezing
Snow in Seattle is oh so fleeting

Delicious Soup...

Yes...you can believe your eyes. A post that is not entirely devoted to my darling son and all the in's and outs of what's going on in his life. Although really, this post is a result of him.

Anyways, one of the things I have been able to enjoy again since my new job of caring for Owen began, is cooking. Before May of this year, working full time and being pregnant resulted in some not-so-creative months of cooking and a very repetitious menu. Since his birth, I have found it nearly impossible to cook the same thing twice with the exception of some family favorites. The very thought of using the same recipe within two weeks of a each other reduces my appetite to zero and my enthusiasm for cooking wanes.

So, I thought I'd share a recipe for a delicious fall soup I made last night. I discovered it while perusing through the pages of a Cooking Light Nov 2010 magazine while on vacation at Heidi and Robins. Don't be scared off by the parsnip (you can always leave it out) because it is quick to make, tasty to the tongue, filling with out being too heavy and got rave reviews from the fam. The original recipe says it serves four so I doubled the broth, added a potato and think carrot would be a nice addition next time. Hope you try it out!

Chicken and Parsnip Soup

1 1/2 tsp olive oil
1 Parsnip peeled and sliced diagonally
1 carrot peeled and sliced diagonally
3/4 C shallots finely chopped
1 (4oz) package of cremini mushrooms sliced
2 garlic cloves minced
2 1/2 C chicken or mushroom broth (I doubled this)
1 C water (I doubled this)
1 can chickpeas rinsed and drained
2 C shredded rotisserie chicken
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp hot sauce
1 tsp thyme
2 T chopped parsley

Heat oil. Add parsnip, shallots, mushrooms and garlic and saute for 3 minutes.
Add broth and next 7 ingredients through thyme.
Bring to a boil and then simmer for about an hour.
Stir in parsley and serve.

Colorado: A world full of 1sts

1st time wearing shades

1st time watching a movie

1st time going down a slide.

1st time summitting a mountain.

1st time wearing a costume.

1st time trick-or-treating.

1st time giving Mommy chocolate.

1st time in a swing.

1st time on a plane.

Aah to be a baby again experiencing a world full of firsts.

Budding Friendship

This past week, Owen and I embarked on an adventure to Colorado, with Josh following for the weekend. The purpose of this excursion was for me to surprise my dearest friend Heidi by showing up at her surprise baby shower (more to come on this later), and for our sons to realize that, if their mothers have anything to do with it, they will some day be good friends. Tyson is a good 16 months older than Owen, so naturally he thought Owen was kind of boring to begin with, and Owen thought he could walk on water. However, after a day or two Tyson realized that Owen was kind of fun. He nicknamed him"Oh-no" (his attempt at saying Owen) and repeated the following phrase"Oh-no...sleeping?....sssh" any time Owen disappeared upstairs for a nap. Regardless of whether or not our boys do end up being great friends, I hope that both of them are blessed with at least one friend who is worth flying across several states to see.

Ceiling fans are like catnip to five month olds...

B.O.B buddies

Tyson attempting to push Owen

First movie night...Baby Einstein = awesome

First bath buddy

Pound it bro...

Dino and Superbaby

I probably have 20 pictures from the week with Owen simply staring at Tyson.
Like I said...pretty sure he thought Ty could walk on water.

Tyson taking Josh out while Owen
takes notes for the future.

B-A-N-A-N-A-S

Owen has discovered food, or at least the idea of it. Meals have become a time of avoiding the feeling of his tiny little eyes boaring in to me as he wonders why he can't have some too. It is a silent plead coupled with strands of saliva dripping down his chin and shark attack like reflexes to anything that passes by his mouth which made me realize this boy might be ready for food. So, one week why of turning 5 months Owen had his first taste of "solid foods." I don't know that you can qualify mashed to death bananas mixed with breast milk solid but regardless it is his first introduction to food. I was fully prepared for the scrunched up face and projectile tongue reacting to the foreign taste and texture in his mouth as he became acquainted with the banana mush; however, he simply swished it around, drooled a bit down his chin, and opened his mouth for more. Another step in parenthood for me and another step towards childhood for him...oh boy!

Owen Lately

Owen lately...
has been enjoying living with his Carlson Grandparents
and two of his fabulous Carlson Uncles (Clark and Galen).
He has been trying so hard to roll from his back to his tummy.
He has discovered that he has an opinion
and is not afraid to vocalize it.
Food is beginning to look delicious.
Owen lately continues to bring a smile to my face and
a song to my heart.
Thank you Lord for my precious boy.

4 months

I think every month with Owen is my favorite month for different reasons but 4 months seems to be Owen's favorite so far. Those unruly hands are finally being tamed, his fingers are becoming useful besides just grasping at things with an iron fist, and he's discovering that his body can do more than just lying there like a cute pudgy vegetable. While I am enjoying watching the daily developments take place, I also watch them with a certain amount of trepidation, for sooner than I would care to admit he will be moving, which means my life as I know it truly will be over.

Stats: 16lbs (he has turned in to a chunk!) and 26.25 inches long!




This hat was made for my older brother by my Mom's great aunt!


Owen locked in on the sea lions...he just stared and stared at them.

'
Blue Steel

The Next Michael Phelps!

Last week we went on a mini-vacation with my family in Newport Oregon. The Condo we stayed at had the most delightful pool that was warmed to a lovely bath water temperature. Owen LOVED swimming! He had a blast kicking his little legs and each time we went seemed like he could have stayed there all day, lasting over an hour in the water! Even the splashes from his uncles and his first time being dunked underwater didn't seem to phase this little fish. He was in the water and in heaven!

Swimming with Uncle Jo Jo

Kicking around with Papi

Hold your breath Uncle Clark!

Aaah this is the life

I see you Grandma Vicki

Just relaxing in the pool