First birthdays are tricky -- it's not as if a one-year-old can tell you what they like, at least in any discernible way. So we tried to put ourselves in Owen's place: If we were one, what would we want? Allen and I agreed on a scooter for his present. I suggested an ice cream cake for Owen's actual birthday. And Allen suggested that we let Mom-mom plan and execute his birthday party. Two of the three were a hit.
Owen loves his Radio Flyer. Contrary to my sense of order in the world, Allen convinced me that we should give it to him a day early so that we could fully enjoy his enjoyment of it. It was totally worth it.
The ice cream cake cake received mixed reviews. He seemed to like the chocolate, but as you can see from the video, he couldn't quite get over the brain freeze.
The party was a hit for everyone involved. Owen was in a great mood (loads of attention and a lack of baby gates always perks him up), and Mom-mom made some delicious brined pork loin sandwiches (which Owen didn't try), a wonderful banana cake (which Owen liked better than the ice cream cake, but not as much as plain bananas), and some fresh watermelon slices (which Owen decided were the best food ever).
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Party Boy
Posted by Allen A. Fawcett on Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Labels: food, videos 1 comments
Monday, August 20, 2007
Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
Owen turned a year old today. He laughed. I cried. Allen took pictures. As we're saving the real celebration until this weekend, we thought today would instead be an opportune time to reflect on some of the lessons we've learned in our last 365 days of being Owen's parents.
- Swaddle. Side. Shush. Swing. Suck.
- Onesies are the last line of diaper defense.
Park etiquette dictates that you always bring a toy to share (it mitigates the bad feelings engendered when your son rips another child's toy from their arms).
Run fans in both your room and the baby's. That way they don't hear you, and you only hear them when they really, really mean it.
- The line of destruction rises like the tide.
Never buy the tub of diaper ointment. Sure, it seems like a better deal, but do you really want to continually reach your hand, which has just wiped a baby's bottom, into a tub of cream?
Babies will eat almost anything if you add enough yogurt.
- Sleepless nights are soon forgotten (it really does get better, and those long-term memories really are fuzzy).
- Cheerios are like crack for babies -- it gives them instantaneous joy but then they immediately want more and more.
- It's all worth it.
Posted by Elaine M. Zimmerman on Monday, August 20, 2007
Labels: BIrthday 2 comments
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Dylan Avery Williams
Congratulations to Matt and Cecily Williams on the arrival of their son, Dylan Avery, at 2:40 p.m on August 14th. Weighing in at 7 pounds, 10 ounces, a height of 20.5 inches and for those keeping score, 33 Scrabble points, Dylan enjoys a fresh diaper, cuddling and Biz Markie.
Posted by Elaine M. Zimmerman on Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Labels: Babies 0 comments
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Pool Time
Brad & Marlo invited us up to Silver Spring last weekend to take the kids swimming. As you can see, Owen had a great time. He loved running around in the baby pool, and swimming with his pilfered float in the toddler pool was even better. All this pool stuff was old hat for Mia of course, but hopefully she won't mind having Owen over for another pool time play date before too long.
Posted by Allen A. Fawcett on Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Monday, August 13, 2007
Fickleness, thy name is Owen
So Allen's reign as supreme parent appears to have ended as abruptly as it began. After roughly a week, Owen began to walk to me instead of Allen and not solely when Cheerios were involved. Now his preferences appear to be inversely proportional to how busy each parent is. Ah, our little capricious toddler.
Thanks for all the comments and suggestions. And while I hope we never resort to the life-size Allen cutout, I'm definitely keeping the "walking past Owen and crying out for Allen" technique in mind lest I fall out of favor again.
Posted by Elaine M. Zimmerman on Monday, August 13, 2007
Friday, August 03, 2007
Daddy's Dearest
I wish I could say that this didn't bother me, but it does. I really thought that at this stage, if there was going to be a favorite parent it would be me. I am after all the mommy.
Posted by Elaine M. Zimmerman on Friday, August 03, 2007