8 months and I am obsessed with this boy

So here are a bunch of new Oden pictures. I am definitely obsessed with taking pictures of him. He is just so dang cute. I want to make sure I don't miss anything! Some of these pictures are from his 8 month photo shoot, others are just random. He really is getting so big. One of his front teeth is starting to cut through. I hope that explains his recent crabbiness. His new obsession is assisted walking. He will feel around until he finds your fingers and then grab them and expect you to walk him around all day. This was fun for about 5 minutes. Needless to say, anyone who has seen Oden within the last week has had a backache. We did get him a walker yesterday. Hopefully his new bumper car will detour some achy backs.

In other news, we finally planned Oden's baptism. It is going to be the last Sunday in September. His God-parents are going to be Heather and Alex. We are very excited about starting his spiritual future. We are also very fortunate to have so many great people to influence him and teach him about religion. It is going to be a very happy day. Don't worry, I will take plenty of pictures and get them on here ASAP!

Keep your sunny side up!

His first sippy cup! He doesn't quite get it yet.


Smiling in his sleep. priceless.
Trying to roll off the couch. He's crazy!
8 months old. This is one of my favorites.


His first pair of mittens! I had to get them, they were too cute!
Oden and Grandpa Dee Dee. This is a great pic.Handsome boy!

Fun in the Sun

This weekend we took our first family trip to the city. We went Saturday, and it turned out to be a great day for an adventure. It started out slightly hotter than I would've liked, but then the clouds rolled in and we were blessed with a slight breeze. We started our day at the Lincoln Park Zoo. Jess was a little disappointed in the selection of animals on display. I am willing to compromise the weak animal show for the scenic background. I love our Chicago! Oden didn't really pay attention to any of the animals. He was just happy to be outside moving around. After a mini picnic and a while walking around, we decided to walk to the beach. It is the same route my dad and deb used to take me and my sisters on when we were little. After our hike over Lake Shore Dr., we finally hit the sand. I was not at all prepared for the beach. I had envisioned Oden just dipping his feet in the sand and being done. But, we decided to go down to the water and let him play. HOLY MESS! You don't realize that sand gets everywhere! The mess was worth Oden's pure enjoyment in this new place. He loved the sand and the water. We held his hands and let him trounce through the wet sand and water. Then, we set out the picnic blanket and let him play in the sand. It was adorable how he tried so hard to keep the sand in his little hand. He would look at him hand as if to say, "Hey! Where did it go?" He repeated this for a long time. Then Jess rinsed him off in the lake. I did my best to clean the sand out of Oden and our stuff. That was awesome since I didn't bring one towel. After that we hiked back to the car, exhausted from hauling strollers and a baby all day, and drove Home Sweet Home. It was a great day with my boys. :)

Looking for some animals

"Super baby! He's the superest baby!" - Jess always says that.

Our mini picnic in the flower garden.

I'm thirsty, can I just have one sip?!

Loving the water

Cutest beach baby ever!

Showing him how to play with sand.

Family sandy toes!

Camping at Woodhaven

Oden took his first camping trip this weekend. My mom owns land in a camping community called Woodhaven. It's more like cheater camping because she has an awesome trailer. The amenities include a microwave, stove, beds, TV, etc. The water was broken though so we did have to walk to the public restrooms when needed. We went up on Thursday night with Sarah, Michael, and Marshall. My mom came there Friday night after work. Oden was definitely out of his element at first. He seemed a little "stir crazy", but then we went for lots of walks, and played at lots of parks. He loves baby swings. It was nice to get away, even if it was only for a couple days.

This is Oden all bundled up on our first morning walk to the bathrooms.

It was like 45 degrees! Freezing! Loving the swing :)
Checking out the swaying trees.

DUCKIES and HORSES

Here are some super cute pictures of Oden with all of his bath duckies. Some are from baby showers, and/or just random gifts, but most are from Grandpa Joe. He was recently staying at a hotel where they would give him a new one everyday. I guess I don't really have to tell you that he stayed there for quite a few days. Probably not fun for him, but it turned out great for Oden!!

It's a duck eat duck world!

No peep shows for you!!

I'm very serious about these ducks!

These last two pictures are of Oden on a very old rocking horse. My mom and dad made it for my cousin Joey when he was a baby. Which makes it about 26 years old. You can't see it but it says "Joey" on the back. My plan is to repaint it (not to change it, just to freshen it up), and add Oden's name somewhere. This way one day he could give it to someone in his family. I wanted to let him play on it now though, because I was told he couldn't fit on it much longer. He didn't love it. I think he's a little scared of the rocking motion by himself. I will just have to give it another go soon!

7 month pictures and random news

We have teeth people! Oden cut his two bottom teeth this past week. There are two little slits where and one little tooth is barely popping through the top of one. We're so excited! You can see him hurt himself sometimes when he is chewing on his hands. He pulls his hand out of his mouth with a quickness and makes the hurty face.

Oden also started clapping on Sunday. All we have to do is show him how, and he puts his hands together like he's known how to clap forever. It's so cute. He loves to show off too! His first performance was in front of an audience. Perhaps he's a natural born performer? Only time will tell....

Other then that, he has started eating weird baby foods. Yesterday he had Macaroni and cheese dinner, and the day before was Chicken and Broccoli. WOW, that stuff smells gross! He absolutely loves it! At this point, I think he'll eat just about anything.

Tonight Oden and I attended our first Chuck E. Cheese party. He was an angel of course, and was so amazed by all of the new sights. He still loves to watch everything so attentively.

Here are some of his 7 months pictures. He is getting so strong. Everyone says he should be crawling anytime now. I hope so!

Baby Hercules!

Mommy's cutie
Baby Monkey
Waking up from a nap
MOM! Can't I get a second to wake up!

Here's what's new

As I type, Oden is blabbing like a chatter-box. He has successfully mastered the mama and dada indiscriminate jibberish. I can also get him to mock me when I fake laugh. It's hilarious! Other then verbal achievements, he has maintained his mobile skills. He still only inches backwards. Although, he is getting very strong and can stay on his hands and knees for a while before he drops down. It's only a matter of time before he puts it all together. He still needs supervision while sitting up, but that might also be us being overprotective. All I know is, he's bumped his dome pretty good twice now and I'd rather be overprotective than hear that cry.

I am sad to report that the matching mohawks are gone. I know it's only temporary. I just really wanted him to have some pictures of being young with a normal haircut. This way he can't complain about it when he's older. Jess was not too thrilled with the change. After the very first cut down the middle of Oden's hawk he said, "OH NO!" Then was upset about it for a while. He does kind of look like a cancer baby. But, it's only hair and it will grow back! I think after the Holidays we should see the return of the baby hawk.

Still no teeth! He continues to drool like crazy but no sign of those little chompers, He had his first teething biscuit on saturday. All I have to say is HOLY MESS! That stuff is like paste! He enjoyed it though and that's what matters.

Odie will be 7 months old on Wednesday. It's the same day as our 3 year anniversary! Hooray!

Swimming with dad...it was like pulling teeth getting Jess in there!

Playing with 2 Aunties!
Swimmin with mom!
<3
Bye Bye Baby Hawk!

Finally SWIMMING!!

That's right......Odie went swimming and actually liked it. Grandma and Grandpa Dee Dee took this pictures when they went swimming with him on Friday. They had to go into the water very slowly. They started on the pool steps, and then slowly worked their way into the pool. He had a great time, and I guess he was splashing himself lots. These pictures don't really do the event any justice. There is also a video, which shows all of the swimming greatness. I will try to get it on here. All I have to say is, "HOORAY!"

Missouri 2008

I would just like to say, Missouri was awesome. It was great to see everyone and just relax for a few days. Oden Meeting Great Grandma for the first time was everything we thought it would be. They got along like peas and carrots. He developed some sort of screaming disorder while we were there. He can scream for a half hour straight without skipping a beat. It's my favorite.

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Here are some pictures from the trip. These are some of my favorites since I cannot post them all. I have a lot more posted on Facebook. The uploading program there is way better. So if you have access, check them out.

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Can't wait until next year!

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Oden meeting Great Grandma. Awesome.Chillin in the baby pool.
Celebrating America's b-day with Chaela!
4 generations of greatness!
Loving the start of vacation

6 month birthday and doctor visit

Oden went to the doctor today. He weighs 20 lbs., and is 26 inches long. Then of course we had his 6 months shots. EEEKKK!! Actually, he was a very good boy. He was so tough and he only cried a little. Does anyone else have to spend like half a day in the doctors office? It's so annoying to just sit there, especially to let the anticipation of shots build up. Do I sound slightly irritated?!

Oden is 6 months old as of yesterday. So here are some pictures that Jess and I took throughout the day. He is getting more and more handsome by the minute!

We are all headed to Missouri tomorrow night. I am a little afraid of traveling so far with a little baby, but it will be worth it no matter what. To see the look on Great-grandma's face when she sees him for the first time will be priceless.

Odie in his bumbo playing.Laughing at Dad
One of the cutest faces ever! Dr. Shih said he looks like a Gerber baby.
Wearing daddy's new MO hat.
Mr. Grumpy (not really, that shirt is just adorable)

Getting so BIG!

This video is from this afternoon. I really wanted to get it on here ASAP so everyone could see how fast he is growing up. We were playing with his bottle and he was starting to feed himself. Before I recorded this video, we played by ourselves for at least 10 minutes. So you're seeing the lazy/less interested half of this game. But then he rolls over, and burps. Too cute! Sorry about the poor quality, the video is from my phone.

Priceless moments

These pictures are brand spankin' new. They are some of my most favorite recent memories.

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Yesterday was Jess' first Father's Day. I think he had a pretty good day. How could you not when you have Oden by your side? We bought him a new gas grill. I missed McDonald's breakfast. Hopefully, one day he will forgive me. j/k.

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I am happy to report that as of today Oden is rolling over unassisted. When he's on his back he goes to his side, then to his tummy. He did it for me 3 times this evening, and Jess said he did it a few times during the day. YAY!

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Daddy Cuddles

Olivia & Ethan's graduation party. Doesn't Oden look huge next to Aunt Melissa? Well, he is huge anyway. He was actually in a good mood the whole day!
The last of the clean drool bibs.....it definately wasn't Tuesday. Hello back there Mary!
What a stud! I love that baby speedo!

Matching Mohawks by Mom.

Oden's 5 month B-day and other misc. events

Hello everybody!

Sorry it has been longer than usual since I posted last.

We had a great Memorial Day! Jess had the day off so after I worked we went to Grandma and Grandpa Dee Dee's for a little BBQ. We attempted to introduce Oden to a heated pool, since it was pretty hot that day. He was having no part of that! He was very upset, even after a couple of tries. We will just have to keep trying. He'd better learn to like pools! He has two sets of grandparents that have them in their backyards!

Also, Oden had his 5 month birthday! Of course I had a mini photo shoot for him (in his bedroom). He took some really great pictures.

Other than that, I have been trying to keep him busy outside. I want to enjoy it while it's bearable. We have been going on lots of walks and mini picnics. Soon enough it will be hot enough to fry eggs on the sidewalk!

Oden and Daddy. Oden hates the pool, but LOVES the grass!

Mommy kisses!

He's cute as a teddy bear! (5 month photo shoot)

Standing all by himself! (5 month photo shoot)

Our first picnic. He loves being outside. BTW....do you see that dot on his ear? He has them in the exact same spot on both ears and we just found out yesterday that my Grandma Sophie has the same little dots on her ears. WEIRD!