Two month check-up and play-time with Daddy

We went to the pediatrician yesterday for Owen's two month old check-up. He did great, even through the immunizations (3 shots). He confirmed that Owen is continuing to grow like a champ (which we know because he's getting heavier and harder to hold). He's 23 7/8 inches long (75-90th %tile), weighs 13 pounds 8.4 ounces (90th %tile!) and has a head circumference of 15.5 inches (25-50th %tile). (I should note that Owen did not get the vaccine for Hib that Merck recalled this morning, so no worries.)

He's "talking" more and more and starting to drool a lot (which apparently is normal). He drooled all over his pediatrician, but he seemed used to it. He's also standing up on our laps when we hold him up (and no, this will not cause him to be bow-legged). And the other night he went from 9:45pm (asleep at midnight) until 5:30am without eating! He hasn't done it since, but we're hopeful!!!

I have to brag on Kyle a little bit. He's so great at "taking over" with Owen when he gets home. I know he misses Owen like crazy when he's at work, especially on call, so he wants to spend time with him; but I also know he's consciously trying to give me a break. Here are some shots of play time with daddy the other day...

Um, yeah. That diaper looks a little loose Dear. Danger.


He was smiling, really, he was.

Conked out outside, nice!

Owen and I are headed to TX on Tuesday to celebrate Christmas with family. Kyle will join us the following week. I'm sure we'll take an obscene amount of pictures (Owen's first Christmas!!!) and I'll try to post some while we're away, but if not, we'll be back after the new year. Merry Christmas!

Happy Time & Viva Mexico!!!

Smiles, smiles, smiles! Owen is having more and more "happy time," where he'll sit in his bouncy chair or my/dad's knees and just smile and coo and make all sorts of noises and faces. It's great! It's SO much fun to watch the little guy start to figure out he has a face (which he can control) and a voice (which he can use to make noises other than crying). He's not yet mimicking sound for sound, but he definitely responds in his own little way to our faces and noises.

Ooooooh!!!


Ahhhhhhh!

Melt my heart!

We had to get out of the house the other night, so we went to a new (to us) Mexican food joint. This place was pretty authentic...the sign said "La Botana" but all the menus said "Casa Herrera"--go figure. We told Owen we were going to Mexico for a quick visit and we're pretty sure he believed us. He did lots of cooing while we were there...I'm telling you, he's this close to rolling his Rs! In fact, that's one of the noises he likes me to make the most! Kyle and I were just commenting the other night that he seems to have his best evenings (which are generally the fussiest time of day) when we're out of the house. So, he's already showing signs of being a great (world) traveler. Viva Mexico!

First Christmas Party

Our small group had its annual Christmas party this weekend. Owen went as Santa. We won a really tacky "home sweet home" framed print (white elephant) and a homecooked meal delivered to our door in the real gift exchanged (priceless!). We had a great time and especially enjoyed seeing all the kiddos running around in their Christmas best.

Christmas, Sleep & Smiles

"Baby's first Christmas" is a very popular phrase in our house these days. We understand that its going to be "Baby's first everything" for a while, but there is something extra special about Christmas. His Bee is making his stocking, and its going to be the first time for him to meet lots of him family (his great-grandmothers, his cousin Bailey, Uncle Luke, Aunt Melissa and Uncle Alex). So, needless to say, these are only the first Christmas-y photos for the season.

Since Owen and I are heading to Austin fairly early this month (with Kyle to meet us there later), we went ahead and got our tree last weekend so we could enjoy it for a while before we leave. He likes to look at the colored lights--big surprise!

It was cold, but Owen was a real truper. Clearly, he understands the importance of finding the right tree!

On to another topic--everyone is alwasy asking how he is sleeping. Well, at 7 weeks, we're starting to see something that sort of resembles a schedule. He actually slept from midnight until almost 6 am the other night. Of course, he didn't repeat it the next night, but the point is it's possible! Nap time during the day is very inconsistent, and pretty much non-existent in the evenings (which means he's fussy for pretty much the only time Kyle is home).

BUT, he's consistently having "happy time" in the early morning with me...he's extremely alert and smiley and has started making little coo noises that sound like "haaaa" and "gnaaa". It's great! He really locks eyes and smiles--as if he recongnizes me! I'm still working on capturing the awake intentional smile on film...and will share it as soon as I do!

Pops/Poppy/G-Stan/StanDaddy/GrandStan

My (Alison) dad came to visit last weekend--his first time to see Owen. We're still negotiating his grandfather name, mind you nothing traditional. He seems to like ones with his name in it (or he's just being difficult because he knows I don't like them)...can you imagine Owen (or any other grandchild) talking about going to visit their G-Stan, StanDaddy or GrandStan? No, I didn't think so. I suggested Pops and Kyle likes the modified Poppy (think Seinfeld). If you have another suggestion or a thought on an existing option, we're all ears! We just alternated throughout the weekend. At some point Owen will be big enough for that to get really confusing, but for now it's okay.

If Owen looks like me (say some) and I look like my dad, does Owen look like Stan?


Owen had several firsts this weekend. First trip to Whole Foods (thanks to the grandfather guy), first time to eat out (at the Loop, our favorite little local place, and very kid friendly)--(he didn't eat, we did), and first exposure to an adult in a head-stand (i.e. my dad doing yoga). My dad was really in to "teaching" Owen things...this means he would whisper "important concepts" to him, things like "you want to move to Texas", "buy low, sell high", "net present value", "Texas, Texas, Texas".

The other big first for the weekend was Owen's first tennis outing and first SMILE caught on camera!!! Perhaps he loves tennis. More likely, he likes sleeping and we happened to be at the tennis court. Either way, I think it's still adorable! And if he somehow has mad tennis skills (I'm not sure who he'd get them from) I'm sure some big tennis brand would love this photo!

Thanks Dad for a great weekend!

Week 1 and Other Adventures

Well, the big guy and I made it through our first week by ourselves! Every day (and night) was different--what seemed to work one day didn't work the next--but we're learning! Kyle had last weekend off which was great because it gave me a break and since we didn't have any company we got to just hang out the three of us.

Owen is doing great. He's sleeping for longer stretches at night and we're starting to learn (I think) what his different cries and other noises (and believe me, there are many other noises) mean. It's so great to feel like we sort of know what we're doing...at least more than the week before!

A couple of "milestones" this week: we had his first bath with NO crying. To say that he cried during all his other baths is really an understatement...we're talking shriek of the banshees. And then the other night he just decided that this bath thing isn't so bad. He maintained a pretty somber face the whole time (like he was concerned), but he didn't cry!

He's also looking around a LOT more...his eyes are bright and he loves to stare at faces and the ceiling (even above more interesting things). And this morning I think he smiled for the first time while awake and not passing gas...it was really early in the morning so I might have dreamed it, and it hasn't happened since, but I'm pretty sure that was it. I am soooo looking forward to that being a regular, repeatable occurrence!

To commemorate his first month birthday, I wanted to make hand and foot prints for a little frame/kit someone gave us. Thank goodness this stuff was water-based! It was everywhere...all over Owen, Kyle (who was holding him), and the kitchen. But we got the prints! (And to think that this episode is what preceded the cry-free bath!)

Owen and I had our first public outing together--just the two of us. We went to the grocery store!!! (Doesn't he look happy about it? Kyle said he must like grocery shopping just about as much as his mom...which means not a lot.) Luckily, he likes the baby bjorn (carrier) so hopefully this can be a regular outing!

Nothing new/big for this week (which is nice) but my (Alison's) dad ("Pops") is coming to visit for the first time this weekend so we're looking forward to that. More later...

It's E.A.S.Y. (w/ Aunt Megan)

We have had a great weekend. Kyle was off and we were lucky enough to get a visit by "Aunt" Megan. She got to be a part of our new plan, the E.A.S.Y. Plan! (Basically, we're trying some "Baby Whisperer" tricks to get Owen on an eating/sleeping routine (thank you Hogg and Blau). Not a schedule, just a routine. And boy, we can already see the difference! Life was so much more manageable and, well, easy this weekend! (We even managed to fit in a game of Settlers of Catan--yes, Megan won.) You can pray that we keep it up this week when Kyle's back at work and all the company (read: help) has gone. Pressing on...

Aunt Megan, the Baby Whisperer w/ the little man.

A walk through the park.

Ode to Grandmothers

Roses are red
Bee and Nana are the best
Owen will miss them,
and put his parents to the test!

It had to happen sometime...we've been blessed by 3+ weeks of help by Bee and Nana, but now they've both had to go home. We can't thank them enough...meals, cleaning, reassurance, diapers, baths, night shifts, advice (but not too much)...We love you two and thank you for everything!

Owen w/ Nana

Owen w/ Bee

A man of many faces

Just thought these were cute/funny and wanted to share.

Sleeping Angel Face.

Blue Steel? Study Face.

Just Checking Things Out Face.

Still waiting on a smile when he's awake and not passing gas...

breaking "the rules"

Nap time isn't supposed to happen on mommy or daddy, but sometimes he's just too cute to put down...

Trick or Treat--First Halloween!

Here we are doing a little "trick or treating" with our friends (and world's best neighbors), Anne, Terry (not pictured) and David the (world's cutest) lion. We walked up and down our little street and introduced Owen to some of his other neighbors (he slept through most of it--the lull of the baby bjorn), and David told them what a lion says: "Grrrr". Happy Halloween!

One month check-up

We went to see the pediatrician this morning for Owen's one month check-up (a few days early--he's not a month old until next Monday). Going to see his doctor is more for us than for him...they're great at reassuring us that we're not doing anything to permanently mess him up (at least not yet).

We discussed his recent fussiness and were assured that this is a "classical presentation" which often occurs at around 3 weeks old. The pediatrician gave us several very helpful recommendations so we'll see how the next few days go. Best of all, the pediatrician told us in no uncertain terms that one study showed that there is a link between fussiness and giftedness...well, that explains it! I mean, we know he's a genius! I am not making this up (although I'm sure she was)! What a hoot!

Also, for all of you who are into baby percentages...Owen is now 22.75 inches long (which for one-month olds puts him in the 90th percentile), weighs 10 lbs and 4.2 ounces (50-75th percentile) and has a head circumference of 14.25 inches (10-25th percentile). So, he may look like my baby pictures in the face, but he's built like his daddy--tall and skinny, with a little peanut head.

3AM playtime

So, we're trying the swing again. He woke up as soon as I took him out of it. I can forsee a vicious cycle here. Nonetheless, a happy, awake baby is better than a fussy asleep baby (yes, they can fuss while they sleep). So, here are some new pictures I referenced in my last post.

Owen has started stretching out while he sleeps more and more, although his favorite way/place to sleep is still on someone's chest.

Here we are just hanging out.
Here is Daddy giving Owen his first bottle.
More bathtime. It really is quite an event.
Not as good as the swing, but Owen likes his bouncy seat for short periods of time.

Three week update

Owen has been fussier the past few days. So much so that he doesn't quite seem like himself. He's not quite as happy during his awake times and he doesn't seem to rest as well during his asleep times (which means we don't rest as well either).

As a result, we've learned a few things:
1) We were idiots to put off trying the swing. This thing is magic!
2) Owen refuses all passies except his Texas A&M one. Gig'em!
3)"Fussiness" is a loaded term in parenting. For every person (parent, physician, other "expert", random person on the street) you ask, you'll get at least two causes, cures or other thoughts on fussiness.
4) There seems to be a direct correlation between gassiness and fussiness. Suggestions?
5) Grandmothers are awesome (we already knew this). Bee keeps telling us its okay if Owen cries! And Nana is here to help us handle it when he does!

In non-fussiness news, Owen is continuing his daily regimine of "air treatments"--prescribed by Nana for his mild diaper rash. This means he lays on her chest sans diaper to let things air out. He is extremely appreciative of the good care he is receiving and has shown his gratitude by peeing on her only a few times.

Let's see, what else? Yes, he's still getting bigger and cuter by the day (fussiness or no fussiness). He's taken his first bottle of breastmilk (dad enjoyed giving it and mom enjoyed the break)! Baths are getting easier and our walks are getting longer.

I'm sure there's more, but he's finally fallen back asleep (thank you swing), so we're off to bed (hopefully). We'll post new pictures tomororw.

Update and bath time head shots

Here's an update. Owen will be two weeks old tomorrow! Bee left Friday (all were sad) and Nana (Kyle's mom Franny) got here yesterday (all were happy). Grandma help is wonderful, especially since Kyle has been back to work for a week! Owen is already past his birth weight (the docs want babies to be back at it within two weeks and he did it under a week--little eating champ.) And he's sleeping for longer and longer stretches (up to four hours) not necessarily at night, but we'll get there!

One funny story from the hospital I almost forgot about. My dear friend Megan called to check in on us. Here is part of our convsation, where I accidentally confirmed that Owen's middle name was Tennessee (just to be clear--it's not, it's Timothy).

Megan: What's his middle name?

Alison: Timothy (Megan heard Tennessee)

Megan: Like the state? (Alison heard Saint)

Alison: Yeah, I guess so.

And lastly, here are a few pre and post-bath photos. He's still pretty squirmy/squeaky during the actual bath part (which takes at least two people), but the after part (all warm and swaddled) he likes.

Favorite things

More pictures of the little guy. He likes his little play mat--lots to stare at.

What he probably likes more than anything else is being sacked out on somebody's shoulder. Here he is with Dad.

A few more pictures

Here are a few more pictures of our Owen. We're having so much fun with him. He's awake more and more every day--he is starting to follow our voices/faces with his eyes, and he can already hold is head up really well. From the day he was born he would lay on you facing one direction, pick his head up, "look around" and put his head back down facing the other direction. He's a real hoot!

This is his first walk. He's making his "little bird face".

Nap time on mommy's shoulder.
Eyes locked with Bee.

It's a Boy! It's a Boy! It's a Boy!

Kyle and I are thrilled to introduce Owen Timothy Mezger, born at 3:45pm Monday, October 8th! He weighed 8 lbs. 10.6 oz. and was 21.5 inches long--a big strong boy!

Labor and delivery went very smoothly. Alison's mom, Becky (Bee), got to be there, which was great. Our OB and nurses were awesome--it was a team effort!

We got to come home Wednesday and have been adjusting to our new Owen-centered schedule. He is definitely the little boss man. Already we can tell that he has a very sweet disposition. (He is also extremely strong, handsome, and a genius, but we may be a little biased.)

He likes to sleep on Mom, Dad, and Bee curled up in a little ball. He's also big on eating--a lot. He's already had his first bath and stroll through the neighborhood. Pictures below are from the first few days...we'll post more soon.