Who wears the pants around here?

Since Owen is potty training, we aren't going many places this weekend. It seems we spent a lot of today moving from room to room with various toys, movies, books, etc. Today, we ended up in Liam's room for a bit. So, I took the opportunity to take a few photos of him in his room. See?

Liam laughing at Owen who is jumping up and down....
Sweet boy on his crib blanket.

Baby hands and feet.

Somebody is getting some teeth on the bottom!!

Watching and learning (soon to be "Monkey See Monkey Do"--just as soon as he can "do" a little bit more of the things his big brother can).

Speaking of potty training, Owen is doing really, really well. He hasn't had many accidents and has even come and told me when he has to go tee-tee or "yucky" a few times AND we made it to the potty. The only downside we've had so far to this experience, is that little man is really enjoying not wearing any pants. He wanted to play outside for a while this afternoon. Its only about 55 degrees out...pretty chilly. I couldn't get him to put his pants on before we went out back. So, I let him go outside thinking he would realize himself it was chilly and then ask for them. After a bit, he let me put on his hat and coat....but, refused the pants. I figured he was warm enough with the hat on, so I let it go and just decided he wouldn't stay out long. Is this not too funny? Oh, and the shoes....we could only find one of each Croc--good thing it was a right and left foot from each set.

Liam is getting a big thrill out of being able to stand and play. He squeals and laughs and just gets so excited when he plays on this thing. Reminds me of another baby Gerard and I have raised/are raising.

In other news...we had a bird fly in the house this morning at 4:30 AM. I am TERRIFIED of birds. I was going back to bed after getting Liam's his early-morning bottle and noticed that we hadn't brought our dry cleaning in from the front porch. I opened the door to bring in the clothes and a BIRD flew in. I was out of my mind scared ... I screamed and Gerard came running. The darn thing flew around a bit and then landed on the ceiling fan. I googled "How to get a wild bird out of your house" and then Gerard and I went to work turning off every light and shutting every door and then opening the back door and putting the porch light on based on the advice I found. The bird ended up on the stairs for a while....happy as a lark, or sparrow, or whatevertheheckkindofbirdit was....so, Gerard threw some of Owen's toys at it to get it to budge. Took a few to get it moving again and then it went back to the fan. Augh. I turned the fan on low and then the sucker went into the playroom where Gerard was waiting on him...Gerard kindly showed him to the door and the bird followed the light! Phew. Took about 45 minutes to get him out; but, we did. I shudder every time I think about it! It was truly awful.

Sounds Good to Me!

Today, I had to go to the dentist to get a filling. Owen was at school; but, Liam was with me. So, he came. Who would have thought that Liam would have so much fun! With a furrowed brow, he watched every move the dentist made. Dr. Toney thinks he's going to grow up to be a dentist ... that subliminally, this visit made an impression on him. Sounds good to me!
Today, Liam started holding his own bottle. It was out of neccessity that it came to this. I needed to tend to Owen at the same time Liam needed tending. So, I handed Liam the bottle, wrapped his little hands around it, and suggested that he hang on. A few minutes later, when I returned, he was still going strong. After the last ounce dissappeared, he pulled the bottle back from his mouth and gave me the biggest grin. So, he can hang onto this himself and have a bottle in the car now--boy, that will make some of our trips around town a lot happier?!?!? Sounds good to me!

After Owen came home from school today, he was really interested in playing with Liam. I love it when he is in those moods. He can be so sweet to him.

I had gotten Owen some bubble bath at Target...I left it on the stairs as a reminder to take it to the boy's bathroom on my next trip. Owen spied it and thought....bubble bath? Sounds good to me ;-) So, at 3:30 in the afternoon, little man had his first, real bubble bath. When Liam woke from his nap, Owen asked me to let him join him in the tub. What fun!

This morning, I took a photo of Owen on his last official day in diapers. I planned to start potty training him tomorrow. But, after Owen's hour-long bubble bath this afternoon, he told me he needed to potty. So, I took him to the potty and thought .... start now? Sounds good to me ;-)

Like I did for transitioning to a big boy bed, I created my own little potty training system after talking to other moms, reading books, and reading articles about it. So, I explained to Owen his Potty Training Reward Chart and we set out on this new adventure together.

He earned his first Potty Prize in short order. Here he is picking it out....

...and proudly showing his brother.

He seems so proud of himself and didn't want to wear a diaper to bed tonight. Luckily I had bought Pull ups to use at nap time--so, I pulled one out and sold it as "night, night pants.". It worked.

Wish us luck!

Growing Places!

Guess who has grown big enough to go someplace new?? I have been waiting for the six-month mark to start Liam in Gymboree--today was his first day! He seemed to get a big kick out of seeing a room full of babies his own size.
He really enjoyed looking at the other babies, reaching out for them, trying to take balls from them, and laughing out loud/squealing at them -- especially when the other baby laughed/squealed back.

He also really, really loved the songs. He wasn't a big fan of the parachute though.

After Gymboree, we picked Owen up from school and came home for an afternoon snack. Owen had oranges and Nilla wafers. Liam got his first yogurt bites and Gerber Puffs. He isn't too sure what to make of the texture. But, he went back for more over and over this afternoon. This evening, he acted like the yogurt bites were the most disgusting things I could ever have given him.

I bet he grows on them.

Owen is 2!

Two years ago today at 7:17 in the morning, while the Today Show was on, Owen Michael was born. That was the day I became a mom. That was the day that I fell absolutely, totally, in love with a squishy, chubby-cheeked, warm, and very hungry little man. He had me at hello.

Baby Owen

I cannot remember my life before he became part of it and I certainly cannot imagine my life without him in it. I cannot describe the joy that this little boy brings to us every day. The other morning, Gerard and I were still in bed when Owen woke. He came down the stairs and into our room, then asked me to help him up into bed. He lay between us for a few minutes very quietly. And then, suddenly, started pretending to snore....I couldn't contain the laughter. He looked at me and squinted that sweet little "proud to have made ya laugh, mama" smile. Really. True joy.

Owen @ Six Months

There is no one else on earth who gets so excited when I come out of the bathroom as Owen. I mean, you'd think I had been gone forEVER the way I am greeted upon my exit from the water closet. Whether its been a few minutes in another room or a few hours out of the house, Owen greets me with a loud "mama...its mama" runs to me and hugs me like its been ages. Wow. I read advice in a book or magazine once to always let your child be the first to let go from a hug. I take that to heart. Every hug we have lasts as long as Owen wants it (or allows) it to. I NEVER let go first.

Owen @ 1 year

If you hang around our house for long, you will learn pretty soon that Owen has some catch phrases that are heard often. The little guy has a very, very extensive 'one-word' vocabulary; but, his sentences are canned and heavily repeated. "There it is." is one of my favs. "What happened?" and "Where did it go?" are really cute, too. "Its hurting" is a common one. "Baby is sad" gets repeated when Liam is crying. But, my favorite thing he has said recently has to be "Love Mama." He told me that when I put him to bed one night last week. Oh man....it brought tears to my eyes. Sadly, that one doesn't get repeated as often as others. But, it made a lasting impression on my heart nonetheless.

Owen @ 18 months

Owen is very independent. When its just he, Liam, and me at home he often tells me when he is ready for his nap--"Owen's Bed, Mama" and then puts himself down for a nap. If he wants a snack, little man goes right into the pantry and asks me to follow him. Asks for a lift and then grabs what he wants. Will then ask for a "pup" to put it in, then holds the cup while you fill it for him. He definately knows what he wants and when and can figure out how to get you on the same page as him PDQ. I love watching him communicate. When he figures out a new word or sees that something he said/did worked, he is so proud. And, I get so proud of him.

Owen today...2 years old.Owen Michael, you are the epitome of true joy. I love you so much. At bedtime, you and I have about five books we read over and over. Sheep in a Jeep is a favorite. The Bedtime Book is good, too. But, Guess How Much I Love You is the one I like to read the most. Sweet Boy, "I love you to the moon....and back."

Now, just stop growing already. I don't want this time to go by as quickly as it is.

Want to see some pictures of how little man spent his day today? Well, regardless of your answer...here they are.

Owen talking to Chippie over his breakfast this morning.

Eating his Cheerios...this is just moments before Dad asked him if he was ready to go to Noble's. Once dad said the "N" word, breakfast was OVER and Owen was ready to go in "Mama's Car" to "See Bo-ble."

Owen spent some time with his choo-choo trains. Laying track...

and making the trains go.

Then, he got some more "bresants." Yeeeeaaaahhhhh! Can you tell how excited this boy gets over "bresants" right now! More, more birthday is all we heard all evening.

Chippie gave Owen some cute little Thomas the Train books...so they read them.
Owen finished his day with a cupcake and 2 candles from Stephanie, his baby sitter. It was so sweet of her to bring over!!! Then, we read books, had a few laughs while Owen tried to pick my nose, and he went to bed.

Tomorrow, Chippie and I are leaving. She stops in the UK and I continue on to Prague. I will miss my boys soooooo much! Be thinking of Daddy Q as he spends one week home alone with these two kiddos!!!

See you next week!

Red, Orange, Yellow, Blue Owen Michael is Turning 2!

Owen's second birthday party has come and gone! Here are some photos from our fun, kinda messy, morning.

The night before...preparations underway. GA Julie, Grammie, and Pa lending a hand. Daddy Q and Pa worked furiously to clean the garage....there are no picture of that, though. Shucks.

The almost-two-year-old not wanting his picture taken.

Party Stuff.

The Birthday Chair! Friends and family who came for the party signed the chair today! I am so glad that we started this tradition.

The Little Artist.

The first project was with trains, cars, trucks, and paint. A good recipe for fun!

Noble hard at work with his John Deere Tractor colors!

Wall of Art!

Project number 2 -- clay snowmen. Owen is working on his "po-man".

Daddy Q lending a hand.

Snacks came next. Owen and Parker had a little confusion over whose drink was whose. Owen wanted Parker's. Can you tell?

Cake Time!

Owen got lots of help with opening his presents!

Watching his presents disappear into the hands of friends ;-)

One Tired Birthday Boy!

Didn't get a good 2-year old picture today! Well, as GA Julie said, I have 2 more days to work on it!

What a big, strong boy!

Guess who can stand up to play now!!
Yup! This big guy can hang on for a little bit after we let go.

What a big, strong boy!

Doesn't he look so big? Where is the time going?

New Years Eve

When the clock struck midnight in London....my camera was nowhere to be found. Luckily, CNN re-played the highlights and the British folks in the Quinlan house go to have a proper cheer.
Yay! Happy New Year to Daddy, Pippie, Owen, and Liam!

We tried to stay up until midnight to ring in the Texas new year, too.

But, most of us were too tired.