Back in Action

I spent the better part of the last month writing final papers for class.  I submitted the last one on Friday, which means two things:  1) I officially survived my first semester in the dual (dueling?) roles of mommy and grad student, and 2) I'm ready to start writing on some...hmm...more fun topics.  So exit words like "thereby" and "whereas" and "thusly"; enter "baby proofing" and "finger foods" and "drool."  Here we are -- back in action -- at least until classes start back in the Fall.  Or Owen starts walking.  Whichever kills my limited free time first.

If only the world included a few giants who'd bounce us on their heads, do you think we could all have a daily belly laugh like that?

Funny how the walker wagon went from fun-entertainment-for-mom-and-dad to lethal-home-destroyer once Owen figured out how to use it on his own

An area we affectionately call "The Cage."  Owen enjoyed his first few bouts in captivity, but was less than enthused when he figured out the bars weren't just there to help him stand up.

Daddy and Owen as babies

Accidents Waiting to Happen

In the last six weeks, our apartment has gone from cozy home to crazy collection of accidents-waiting-to-happen.  Owen's sustained interest in electrical outlets, dirty shoes, metal coffee table legs, and ashy fireplaces never ceases to amaze me; I only dream of applying that kind of persistence and determination to my work (ah-hem, writing my final term papers instead of this blog post).  He seems to keep a mental map with the exact location of every off-limits item in the house, making a mischievous beeline for the sharp corners of the TV stand or the cord to his white noise machine as soon as he's placed on the ground.  He confidently pulls himself up to standing and overconfidently tries to go hands-free, seeming blissfully ignorant of the fact that he doesn't yet know how to walk and landing frequently with a thump on his bum.  Everything seems to go instantaneously into his toothless little mouth -- with the notable exception of non-pureed foods, which he finds utterly repulsive (go figure).  It's a wild world out there, and little O is determined to to take it all in, one slobbery mouthful at a time.

Month 6 vs. Month 7 - Trying to crawl off the couch versus trying to climb back onto the couch

With Great-Grandma Fisher

Owen and Great-Grandparents Barasz

Easter/Passover with Grandma and Grandpa Barasz

Grandma Fisher

The End of Immobility

Gone are the days when Owen would sit semi-serenely and stare at his surroundings. Now he's on the move and there's no stopping him. Whether it's a proper four-legged crawl or some version of "The Worm," he's a busy boy these days. And why bother with toys when you could eat shoes or unplug internet routers or try to get into the dirty diaper pail? Oh, the fun is just beginning, I'm afraid...

5 months (sitting sweetly for mommy) vs. 6 months (trying to crawl off the couch)

Morning snuggles in Mom and Dad's bed

Yoga baby

A little camera trickery :)

Month 5 Pictures

Month 4 vs. Month 5

Biggest development: Owen has freed himself from the confines of the couch corner and can now sit up all by himself

Grandpa Fisher is way more excited by those peas than Owen

Cuddle time with Grandma Barasz

It was a valiant fight, but the oatmeal won.

Super Bowl Sunday in FL for Daddy's 30th

Progressively growing happier about mealtime

Happy sitter

First Solid(ish) Food

We gave Owen his first solid food last weekend, and what an adventure it has already been. The boy loves to put everything else in his mouth, so food should be a breeze, right? Ha. What Beginner Mom naiveté that was.

Food #1: rice cereal. As it turns out, it tastes suspiciously like macerated Communion wafers. Non-starter. That food trial was halted after only four rounds. Okay fine. On to the next round.

Food #2: carrots. After Owen went to bed last night, I spent my precious quiet evening moments peeling, chopping, boiling, pureeing, portioning, and freezing four pounds of organic carrots. All the while I'm thinking, "Man, I can't wait until his breakfast tomorrow! He's going to freaking love me for this."

So morning comes and I'm all jazzed up for the orange goo that's about to coat my body and tickle the taste buds of my little nugget. I gave him some serious pep talks while I was prepping for the big meal: "Now listen, O, these are going to be the BEST carrots you've EVER had." And, necessarily, that would have to be true.

But instead of getting to watch his first look of delight at real live food, I got to watch his first full body shudder. Like a full-on eyes closed, frowny mouth, body convulsing, carrot expelling shudder. Hmm. Not exactly what I was looking for.

So a few lessons learned:

• Don't start with four pounds of an untested food
• I'm sensing a looming uphill battle for broccoli
• When life gives you rejected carrot puree, make carrot cake. (Good tip, Mom)

Furrowing brow: the first symptom of Carrot Rejection

And then it's over. Carrot Experience #1: Fail.

Smiley boy before his delicious rice cereal

Learning to eat is simply not a clean adventure.

An Emotional Tug-of-War

This is my last week of Stay-At-Home-Mommyhood, and my brain is having an emotional tug-of-war as it tries to figure out whether I should be happy or sad. Right now the relentless and foreboding Woe seems to be tugging hardest, but the nimble and unpredictable Enthusiastic may win out by Monday morning.

I'm really trying to look at the bright side...

• Right now I'm on track to completely lose the ability to converse with adults. Proof? Mama refers to herself exclusively in the third-person all day. She develops an awkward nervous twitch if others broach topics outside the realm of baby pooping/eating/sleeping/babbling. She has some difficulty avoiding interludes of song during sustained conversation. It's probably time to reintroduce some adult playdates into her life.
• As Owen grows and learns and becomes a big boy, I'm very obviously regressing. I've re-memorized every Disney song I ever learned. And while "Part of Your World" was fun to sing over boxed wine with my best girlfriends in college, it becomes far less cool to hum the entire Little Mermaid soundtrack during virtually every quiet moment in a day. (Though I swear Owen loves me more when I'm speaking like a Sebastian the Crab, mon.) Probably good to fill my mind with some more...er...stimulating material.
• Compared to being the full-time mom of a 4-month-old, school is going to my downtime. I'll be able to finish an email in one sitting, worry only about my own potty needs, eat breakfast on occasion, use both of my arms at the same time, wear clothes free of baby puke, untether myself from the baby monitor. Who knew pursuing a doctorate could be the easiest part of one's life?

But then there are things I'm having a harder time with...

• I really and truly love calling myself "mama" and am proud of my new pooping/eating/sleeping/babbling expertise. I sort of like having Hakuna Matada stuck on repeat in my head. And I especially love ending every day completely and utterly exhausted, knowing that every ounce of my energy went into raising that lovable little boy. I know it's important for both of us to have a little independence and to do a little growing on our own, but that's sure not going to make it any easier to be away from him. Ugh. (PS - If our nanny calls any of you in a panic on Monday morning, unable to locate the baby, you should probably tell her to check my backpack.)
• I will have soon "real" and "important" things to write, which sadly precludes regular Baby Spam updates. I'm going to continue posting pictures and hopefully writing every now and again. Not sure if anyone is even reading this anymore, but it's been such a great outlet for me and I truly appreciate anyone and everyone who has stopped by to check in on us over these last several months.

Mary Poppins sing-along + Bumper Jumper = happiest Owen

3-month vs. 4-month picture

Loyalty training starts early

Sleepy boys in the morning

I love me some ridiculous winter outfits

Awkward Hair Phase requires some 'do-experimentation

New Tricks

Apparently Owen's New Years Resolution was to break free from the stifling chains of infant immobility and put those God-given limbs to use. He started flipping over on New Years Eve, and has continued with great gusto. As fun as this new trick is to watch, it's made every virtually every flat surface -- barring only the floor -- a total hazard; Owen giggles mischievously as he tries to roll off his changing table and tried multiple times to flip out of his bath seat tonight. Oh, the excitement that comes with mobility and free will...

This is what happens when Daddy dresses you...