Here’s our latest list of interesting Owen anecdotes. Also, FYI there are new photos up at http://owen.baya.net/gallery/
“Bonk” & “Ouch” – Last week Owen was testing out his new boots and was stomping about the house. He eventually stomped on Emily’s foot and she exclaimed ‘Ouch!’. Owen immediately stopped stomping and pointed to his head. We realized he thinks the word ‘Ouch’ (and as it turns out ‘Bonk’) are synonyms for head, since whenever he slips and “bonks” his head he say things like “Did you bonk your head?” or “Ouch! Did that hurt your head?”. We wonder what other blurred vocabulary associations are gelling in his head, could make for some interesting conversations once he starts speaking. 🙂
Leaves – A few days ago Emily was outside with Owen and raked up a pile of leaves. Owen, who has never encountered a pile of leaves before, or seen anyone else interact with one (at least to our knowledge), immediately dove into them and rolled around. Guess it’s just a natural instinct to pounce on a pile of leaves. Who knew? How does Darwin explain that one?
High Chair – A few weeks ago Owen started trying to climb up into his high chair. He usually does this when he wants to eat more, in fact on more than one occasion he’s grabbed a bib in one hand, just in case we didn’t get the hint. More recently he has actually succeeded in climbing up into his chair, which while exciting for him, makes us a bit nervous. He hasn’t fallen (or jumped) off of it yet, but we’re keeping an eye on him. He also climbs into other chairs, and will roll his ‘car’ around the house so he can climb up on this too (see above reference to his bonking his head to see how this usually ends up:) )
Chasing Oberon – Oberon, our 175 lb dog, and Owen continue to work out their own personal dynamics. It started with Oberon avoiding Owen whenever possible, to the point where he would get up and leave whenever Owen crawled into an area where he was. Of course with Owen now toddling and noticing things, like a dog getting up and leaving when he arrives, this has gotten more interesting, with him occasionally chasing Oberon around the house, quite a sight to see. Of course, Oberon has also decided that Owen is interesting too, especially since he often drops food from his tray or toddles around with a graham cracker or a piece of bagel in his hand, so occasionally we’ll hear Owen scream as Oberon steals his food, or starts licking his face excessively. Owen has even figured out an ‘anti-lick’ defense by literally charging Oberon with his head pointed down so Oberon can’t get his tongue on his face, kinda of a running headbutt attack. They’ll get this all figured out eventually, right?. Seeger, our other (smaller, 120 lb) dog, continues to let Owen crawl all over him, like a giant stuffed toy.
Belly Button – Owen now knows where his, daddy’s and mommy’s belly buttons are and will often point at our stomach’s until we say ‘here’s my belly button’, then he’ll point to the other parent to do the same, then to his own belly, and back to the first parent. We’ve also taught him how to ‘foof’ or ‘zerbit’, where you put your mouth up to someone’s belly and blow air making raspberry sound. So if you see him, keep your belly out of reach or he might strike when you least expect it.
School Bus – Every weekday morning just before 7 AM the school bus arrives to pick up the kids that live across the street. This is a major highlight of each morning which involves getting in the chair near a window to get the best view, intense staring and babbling at the bus, and even waving as it drives off (usually). After the bus has gone by any car going down our street that he hears is worthy of being pointed at and talked about. Earlier this week a big dump truck went by just after the school bus left, and then a motorcycle, he was ecstatic.
That’s all for now, stay tuned, who knows what’s going to happen tomorrow.
-Emily, Matt & Owen