Mommy's Chunky Monkey

We took Owen to the doctor last week to get the first of his vaccines. When he was weighed, we found out that he had gained 4 pounds (up to almost 12 pounds) in 5 weeks! Since babies are only supposed to gain about 2 pounds per month, the pediatrician told us that we needed to put Owen on a diet! She suggested that we limit the feedings to every 4 hours and to supplement with Chamomile tea if he became too hungry. I was surprised by all this because everything that I had read suggested that it is impossible to overfeed a baby who breastfed. After talking with friends and coworks who are pediatricians, we have decided to be slightly more conservative about his feeding schedule but not to give him any tea! He is doing fine with eating every 3 1/2 to 4 hours, so maybe next month he won't have to be on a diet any longer.



This is a picture of Owen in one of my favorite outfits. I had started calling Owen "Monkey" since we brought him home so I was excited when he could wear it. The shirt says "Mommy's Hunky Monkey", but I have been calling him "Chunky Monkey" instead!





These pictures are of Owen's new playtime mat. I especially like the one of him looking in the mirror since there is a purple monkey there, too! He really seems to like looking at the dangling toys.

Papaw and Planes

We had another weekend at the beach! My mom was nice enough to host another big gathering at her (party) house, and while Jamie, Tracie, and their littlest ones haven't been able to see Owen yet, Kristie's dad brought Marty and three of Kristie's nieces (Bryanna, Chelsea, and Shaylen) to join us in our corner of the state. It just so happened that the beach was packed for the Gary air show was this weekend, and the Columbus Deaks, the Lincoln Park Deaks, Phil's son Andy, and Zach's buddy Jake were also in attendance. This gave a grand total of 20 people at Grandma Carol's! Everybody had a great time watching the planes, diving in the waves, and brushing up on some more bean bag toss. Rachel, Julia, and Ethan had some quality time with their Fort Wayne counterparts (cousins once removed?), and while Owen spent most of the day snoozing, his Papaw and the other baby-holders didn't seem to mind too much.

At the Gary Airshow, with Tom, Bryanna, Chelsea, and Shaylen playing in the waves below.


Meeting Grandpa (Papaw) and cousins Shaylen and Chelsea for the first time.


Hanging out at the beach with Papaw.


Cousins Bryanna and Chelsea, with Ethan waiting in the wings.


Cousins Rachel and Shaylen

4th of July weekend!

We spent the 4th of July weekend at the beach with family. Owen got to meet the Columbus Deaks, which included an excited Aunt Kelley and four new cousins. There was lots of digging in the sand and Mike made a big boat they named the SS Deak. Ethan showed off his baseball skills by hitting a wiffle ball with the bat just a month after turing 2! We also spent time playing a bean bag toss game (the Cubs version of course), although some people like to call it cornhole. Either way, we all had a lot of fun.

Owen's patriotic outfit. All-American Boy!


Meeting Aunt Kelley and cousin Ethan for the first time.


Julia and Rachel checking out their new cousin.


Doing what Mike does best at the beach - digging holes in the sand.


Mike and Zach playing bean bag toss, or cornhole if you prefer.


Ethan, Julia, and Rachel on the SS Deak.