Have a Safe and Happy New Year!

With the luxury of maternity leave and school break, we are now winding down what has been an unprecedented vacation for Brecken and I. The fact that this time is paired with getting to watch and admire Owen makes it that much more special.

During our time away, we had a lot of fun introducing Owen to the extended family on both sides. Our parents even arranged some very nice gatherings for friends, new and old, to see our little addition.

In addition to being fortunate enough to continue our family traditions in both Ohio and Michigan, and in addition to being able to spend so much time with our families (compared to 24 hours each last year), here are a few highlights of the trip:

• Hitting two out of my first three clay pigeons in the father-son Christmas Eve shoot. We'll disregard the remainder of my shots....err...misses. The other highlight of this event was seeing cousin Adam proudly exhibit his skills with Grandpa Henry's gun.
• Seeing the Polar Express exhibit at the Meijer Gardens. Despite my early skepticism, the train setup at this display can turn anyone into a little kid again.
• Meeting or seeing all of the other new members of Owen's generation, including Olivia, Elliot, Dylan, Isabella, Will, Joe, Andrew, and Lauren. If anything, this showed us how quickly things will change with Owen in the coming months -> how exciting.
• Seeing Owen light up while opening his first MSU outfit. He has already declared that this will be the difference maker for the Spartans in Champaign next week.
• No books....no homework....no job search activity....

A few more of the events and activities have been captured in the new picture links on the sidebar.

We have so much to be thankful for in 2005 and so much to look forward to in 2006. Happy New Year!

Owen vs. Santa Claus!

A very quick post today, but I thought it was worth the time. Standing in line at the mall with Brecken and Owen this afternoon, while kids in front of us climbed on the railing and the makeshift snowbanks and kids behind us had their diapers changed, I realized that we are now "one of them." We've joined a new rank of adulthood - that group of people that stand in line to see the magical Santa Claus at the mega-mall. Granted, at least it wasn't the local Copy World (how embarassing). The little girl in front of us wanted nothing to do with the bearded man, but Owen took everything in stride, snoozing his way through the first Q&A session with jolly old Saint Nick.
I tried to run through my wishlist with Santa, but Brecken pulled me away before I could ask for an Xbox 360 or a good looking Swedish nanny. Next year.

BTW: Questions with Owen will return next week.

Over the river and through the woods...

Brecken, Owen, and I had our first gift exchange on Monday evening. Owen was so excited by the stuffed stockings, the gifts under the tree, and the spread of food that he slept through most of the opening.

He did, however, wake up to enjoy opening and modeling his first spring training outfit.

I'm sure next year will be a completely different experience, but it was fun, nevertheless, to open gifts as a family this holiday season.

After all this excitement, we did pack things up and head over the river and through the woods (or whatever the Ohio turnpike crosses and covers) to grandma and grandpa's house. Owen was right at home in grandpa's arms. He spent some time checking out his new surroundings and showing off a few of his favorite dance moves.

Safe travels to one and all this holiday season!

A Family Christmas Tradition

Regardless of how far we must travel, spending some time with the extended C family each year is a wonderful holiday tradition. As a kid, this time of year meant getting together with the cousins at Grandpa and Grandma's house for the Santa Claus parade and then begging and begging to open gifts on Christmas Eve. (Oh yeah, it was also a time for me to own my cousin Ryan on the pool table - he still cries about the losses he endured).

Well, the excitement and energy of the C family gathering has returned. Fueled by the elder statesman of the new generation, Mack, and his two new partners in crime, Pierson and Owen, this years gathering was especially fun.

The gathering afforded us the opportunity for our first "Four Generation" picture on the C side of the family. Here is a look at Owen with dad, grandpa, and great-grandpa.

Also, after all the hype of battling for attention, Owen and Pierson managed to tag team their way around the crowd of interested aunts and cousins. More pictures are available on the family link, but here is a quick shot of Owen and Pierson after signing a peace accord.

Pierson is four months and Owen is almost five weeks in this picture. I think Owen has found a lifelong mentor. Best wishes.

A Final Marshall Fields Christmas

Owen got all spiffed up today and spent some time rolling around town, shopping for last minute gifts and enjoying the final Christmas decorations at Marshall Fields on State Street.

As you may know, after the holidays, Macy's will take over the reigns of the flagship store. Eating on 7, walking around the Frango counter, and looking at the famous window displays managed to occupy an entire afternoon - a Chicago holiday tradition. Have a great weekend!

Questions for Owen - 12/15/2005

Hello everyone! Let me begin by saying thank you for all of the wonderful questions this week. Please keep them coming (e-mail to: babycandthegsb@gmail.com) It hasn't been easy narrowing down the list, but here are the top 3 questions for this week:

Question 1: Thin crust or deep dish?

There were a lot of either/or questions this week (peas or carrots, Cubs or White Sox, Big 10 or ACC, red or white wine, Michigan or Michigan State, republican or democrat). The quick response to those items: cooked carrots are gross; "Cubs WIN, Cubs Win"; forget the ACC; the more bold and tannic the better; I bleed Green...M Go Blow; and no time for political affiliations yet.

That being said, thin crust or deep dish? Just before my arrival, my mom took a page out of my friends' Anand and Vivek's book and was ordering deep dish with jalapenos. No thanks! In general, it is really hard to go wrong on this one, and I guess it boils down to my mood on any given day and the pizza place in question. If I'm sitting at Ranallis, I'll take the thin crust (or a filthy panzerotti calzone). If I'm visiting either grandparents, I'll take thin crust. However, if I'm sitting at home in my swing or my bouncy seat, I will definitely go with the deep dish. Giordanos with pepperoni, mushrooms, and green olives makes me a happy camper.


Question 2: Do you consider your parents to be too strict or too lenient?

Despite my ongoing negotiations for more exciting cuisine, a later acceptable curfew, and the introduction of a weekly spending allowance, I don't think my parents are too strict. After all, how strict can two people wrapped so tightly around my little finger really be? I own these two adults more than they are willing to admit.

Is it possible for parents to be too lenient? Maybe if they pushed me outside in my stroller and said "Have a nice day," it would border on being too lenient, but overall, I'll take every inch that they are willing to give. In fact, I test this from time to time. My favorite test involves devious late night antics. For instance, my dad, the light sleeper, wakes up with a simple whimper. I like to do this from time to time, and when he gets up to check on me, I pretend like I'm asleep. Just as he is about to fall back asleep, I throw it out there again. He likes to brag about being a patient guy. We'll see about that.


Question 3: Do you have gubernatorial aspirations?

Some have suggested that my father has political aspirations, and that as a result, I too may be looking to lead my countrymen. There will be a time and a place for announcements of such intentions, but for the time being, we'll stay away from the politics. After all, I'm still working on understanding policy decisions. In doing my dad's homework this past quarter, I spent a lot of time focusing on market inefficiencies due to political intervention with free markets. Bored yet? Me too. I prefer working on my multiplication tables, fine tuning my short game, strategizing how to breakdown a 3-2 zone defense, and choosing whether today feels like a bouncy seat, swing, or just-hold-me kind of day. Someday, however, when the conditions are right, I may be heading out on the campaign trail, and your protection will be appreciated.

Thanks again for all of the questions. If you have any pressing questions, send them along to babycandthegsb@gmail.com, and I will respond again next Thursday.

In the interim, enjoy checking back from time to time for more pictures and stories. For the next few days, I will be socializing with family and friends. My current focus is on gaining the most attention from the extended family. My prime competition for adoration is my four month old cousin Pierson. He thinks his age and good looks (& the presence of his tougher older brother) are an advantage, but I'm planning to rain on his victory parade. Happy Holidays!

Mommy's Little Sportsman

First, many thanks for all of your questions for Owen. For those of you that have not yet submitted your questions, you still have a few days before Thursdays initial "Questions For Owen" posting. See the previous post for details.

At the four week mark (WOW - 4 weeks already), Brecken spent some quality time hanging out with Owen. In addition to time around the house, they took some time out for a walk around the neighborhood, lunch, shopping, and a quick mother-son photo.

Everything about this activity seemed innocent enough to me, yet upon closer review, I realized that Brecken was trying to solidify her position in the "Favorite Parent" race with a not-so-subtle wardrobe selection.

The competitor in me views this as a cheap shot and an obvious fashion faux-pas. After all, it isn't like Owen had a choice in the matter. I guess I'll be looking to counter this act in the coming weeks.

In other news, Owen got in his first hunt of the season. As you may be aware, Grandpa L and Uncle Erik are avid sportsmen. While Owen wasn't able to legally secure a hunting license this year, that didn't stop him from pursuing his first moose. Dressed to blend in with his surroundings (sort of), Owen's keen sense of hearing allowed him to recognize his prey, and his catlike reflexes turned the tables to his advantage, as captured in the following photos.

The moose will make a nice trophy in his nursery. Personally, I'm still debating whether the camo outfit is likely to lead to a life of outdoor appreciation or militia tendencies. For the time being, I will accept it as good innocent entertainment, and I'll rely on Grandpa L to instill the appreciation part of the story. Cheers!

Introducing: Questions for Owen!

Finals are over! Wherever you happen to be, tip a pint to celebrate. The family is now together for three weeks of R&R and holiday celebration.

Introducing: Questions for Owen

On to the real business of the moment. Owen has been encouraged by his early popularity and his current approval ratings, but to avoid having public opinion based solely on cuteness, he has decided to host his own version of a fireside chat. Every Thursday, Owen would like to take time out of his busy schedule to answer your questions.

"Next question!"

After reading about Owen for three weeks, you must be wondering something about this kid, his lifestyle, his viewpoints on life, his parents, etc. The top questions of each week will be featured on babycandthegsb along with Owen's response.

Owen is accepting questions at the following e-mail address:

babycandthegsb@gmail.com

The identity of the individuals raising the questions will remain anonymous with all responses. Bring on the questions...and Owen will get back to you during Thursday's session. Cheers!

Freezing, Finals, and Family

Despite his extremely high intellect, Owen is barely aware of how crazy it is around our place this week. While I focus on studying and taking my first quarter finals, Brecken and Grandma C have been tag-teaming on the sleeping duties, or should I say the "wakeful" duties. While I comfortably snooze away in my own bed, the other three are camping out in the basement. Brecken, calling the pullout couch home, referred to last night as her "first sleepover in her own house." How nice are they?

Grandma C has been enjoying her time with Owen. She claims to not be spoiling the kid, but today she took him to the candy store for the first time. She also claims that she didn't get him anything, but I saw an empty Pixi Stick wrapper in the basement this evening, and based on how wired he was after dinner, I'm not so sure that I can trust Owen's grandma anymore. Either way, he seems to be pretty content with Grandma, even taking time out for a quick wave to the camera.
Meanwhile, the temperatures this week have plummeted into the single digits. Old Man Winter is settling in, and Owen is bundling up to avoid the chill.

Let's get through this week and into the wonderful world of three weeks off for the three of us. Cheers!

Kicking off the holiday season!

Owen has been busy this week kicking off the holiday season. Earlier in the week, he finished decorating his first Christmas tree. I thought it would be a cute idea to put him in the baby Bjorn and suspend him in the tree for a photo, but Brecken didn't think that was such a good idea. I believe this was Owen's first instance of "fun dad...party pooper mom."

Later in the week, Owen was able to attend his first holiday party. Erin and Ross had a holiday dinner gathering with a few friends, and Owen tagged along for a little entertainment.

Owen also got to meet Iggy, Erin and Ross' dog. This was Owen's first interaction with a dog. Unfortunately, Iggy refused to pose for any pictures. At the end of the party, Owen had his eyes on the egg nog pudding and the Sweet Mandy B's red velvet cake, but we didn't let him partake just yet.

When we got home from the party, Owen went straight to bed. We put him in the big bed for a minute, and when we tried to take him out, he wanted nothing to do with it. This is his "No way am I going back to that bassinet look."

Too bad for him. He was snoring away the night in his own bed shortly thereafter. Happy Holidays!