Thanks Dr. Paul!

Owen got a new bowl and spoon during the smoking "after christmas sale" otherwise known "Dad's b-day sale"... So far, it is the best set yet for Owen to eat by himself. His latest favorite? Dr. Paul's blueberries!

As you can see, the execution is good... but the accuracy has some work yet... See below for an analysis.

Owen gives Christmas two thumbs up!

Owen had a pretty darn good second Christmas. He started things off with this REALLY BIG box... and paper that was OK to tear. When he opened it up, he found inside:

A very cool lady bug scooter! It rolls very well on Mimi & Pop's wood floors, and has some very cool springy antennae on the front. Owen's new ride is AWESOME!

And then there was dinner. Mom and Mimi made Owen some fruit salad and mashed potatoes and Grandpa made Owen some squash. It was a real feast! (note: Owen still doesn't do well with plates. That's why we're direct to the table top.)

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Eve!

Let the festivities begin! And... for any of you that see Owen, please follow the instructions on his shirt.

Party Animal!

For all of you that thought Owen wouldn't pick up 'bad' habits at the Christmas parties, I think you're officially wrong. We were partying with some sparkling apple/berry cider, and Owen just had to sip from those 'fancy' sippy cups.

The glass covered his entire face. I wonder what the view was like from inside...

Making Doughnuts!

Owen helped Mom make two batches of doughnuts. One batch for Owen and one batch for mom and dad. Both were apple cider flavored.

The end product: Owen got little doughnut drops dropped in a cinnamon and sugar coating. Mom and Dad got a more standard size with an apple cider glaze. Yummmmmm.....

Milk and Cookie!

Owen and dad both had milk and cookies tonight. Well, Owen had one special cookie and Owen's milk and dad had plain old milk and plain old cookies. Owen is actually doing a very good job drinking out of grown up glasses all by himself. Yay Owen!

It's snOwen 2.0

Owen finally got to walk in fresh snow. Needless to say, he LOVED it! He's also got a good snow hat, and that makes any trip out in the extreme weather more fun.

He's also got a mom that loves him very much, and it shows. Here they are enjoying a nice crisp morning with a side dish of laugh.

Owen roasting...

...by a not-so-open fire. Jack Frost awaits outside for nose nipping.

When mom and dad were cleaning the carpets, Owen saw an opportunity to sit up on the hearth as the normal barrier was temporarily removed. He also saw the need to retrieve an empty DVD case. Why? We have no idea. Result? Owen had fun with the altered layout of things inside.

Helping Mom!

I think I work too hard. But, hey... these windows need washing! For some reason, there are hand prints that go up to right about here...

Indoor Skydiving

Owen was doing a bit of indoor skydiving. Check out his hair on the descent. Any guesses what the bottom half of his face looked like?

Getting Cleeeeeean

There's few things Owen likes more than getting clean. Sure, getting messy is fun, but the banana smeared in the hair, the pudding all over the face, the fingers in the PeaNot butter, they are probably just excuses for getting in the tub.

Princess Oweena

Owen. Likes. Dress. Up.

Winter Owenland!

Mom accompanied Dad to his company Christmas Party. Dad helped with a photo booth which was pretty popular, so we all took a photo before the party started. Cheese!

Snug as a...

... bug in a what? I don't think that ended with coat, but Owen doesn't know that. It was cold this morning when Owen and Dad spent some outside time and the quick and easy solution was to zip up in Dad's coat. Hooray for extra room!

First lip-shimmer, now this?

Owen met hairspray at Mimi's house...

Happy Thanksgiving!

One year ago today was Owen's first visit up to Dorenbecher where he was diagnosed with PKU. In that one year, we've gone through 12 teeth coming in, cases and cases of Phenex 1 formula, several different diet plans, many trips up to the clinic, hunger strikes, and a parental education that was truly unique. But, look at Owen. He is so healthy. So smart. So agile. So entertaining. So loving. And, extremely wonderful all around. So, Owen and his mom and dad are extremely thankful that we live in a place and time where PKU is not a life sentence but rather a shift in thinking. We're thankful that Owen was able to spend his first 'eating' Thanksgiving trying stuffing and potatoes, made specially for him by his mom. We had a wonderful time at Aunt Karen's house celebrating with family.

Karen's house also has some great soft carpet, perfect for running.

Owen and Uncle Griff got in a great game of Guernsey Cow.

And, Owen was completely willing to ham things up, beyond any reasonable doubt.

Thanks!

Owen had a bit of birthday money to spend from Grandma Nancy, and this is what he chose. It's the Alligator Clacker.

There are two very cool things about the alligator clacker. First, it can be used to crash into things. And... what boy doesn't like to bash things into things?

And, second, when Owen pushes it, the three little heads chomp up and down. It's pretty cute.

Owen + Lip Shimmer

Thanks to Mimi, Owen discovers, well... watch the video.

Ready for winter!

My dad got me this awesome hat before I was born. Now that it finally fits, we tested it out when the weather turned nice and cold. I'm ready to go see my friend Carter in Alaska... where ever that is.

Party on, Owen!

Last night, we celebrated Owen's 1st birthday. Yes, it was one day later than scheduled, but we had 100% attendance by Great Grandparents, 2 Aunts (one great, and one Jen), Two uncles (Uncle Griff and Uncle Carson) Grampa Denny and Mimi, Mom, Dad, Max and Tuck-Tuck.

Owen would personally thank each and every one of you, but his typing is still a bit rough. So... thank you! Owen had a great time.