Full Circle

36 years after my grandfather saw me napping in the crib he made for me, I got to see my son in it.  I can't help but have thoughts of my grandfather knowing of this occasion.....and smiling.

Here are some pictures:

Just Like Dad

Owen is 5 weeks old, but Emily noticed today that Owen's feet have outgrown the 3-6 month outfits that he wears that have feet in them.  Now, I'm not saying that he has completely outgrown 3-6 month outfits because he hasn't.  He is getting too tall for them, and his feet are too big for them, but he swims in them in terms of width. 

Pic that shows how his foot has outgrown the "foot area" in a 3-6 month footie pajama

I'm afraid that this is more proof that Owen has gotten the majority of my genes.  (Poor kid.)  I grew up having to constantly wear "slim" pants and outgrew shoes every year (or earlier, but we only replaced them once a year). Now I'm 6'4" and wear size 14 shoes (but I don't wear "slim" pants anymore).  

A Couple Pics

Very Alert

As Uncle Chad said:  This is Owen's "Blue Steel" expression (from the movie Zoolander)

Making Eye Contact More and More Every Day

Growing Up is Hard to Do

....At least it is for Emily.

I thought I was in for the water works when Emily sadly told me that Owen no longer fits into "newborn" clothes".  That wasn't my first clue either.  Last week, we were asked by a stranger how old he was when we were out and about.  Emily answered politely, "2 weeks", and immediately turned to me with a sad expression on her face.

I swear I think this is how Emily sees him now:

I wasn't prepared for that reaction.  I didn't read anything that told me that mothers don't like to see their kids grow up.  None of my friends informed me of this bizarre motherly reaction, but I guess that it is fairly common.

Do they really want to keep them in THIS stage forever?  Not sleeping through the night, diapers, not being able to talk....or walk, diapers, the crying (Owen really doesn't cry often), did I mention diapers?

I don't get it.

As a dad, I'd be lying if I told you that I didn't think everyday of the day when I would be able to take him to the zoo (and he'd appreciate it), play catch with him, or joke around with him to see the joy in his laughter. 

I get that he's incredibly cute at this stage, but isn't the goal to have him grow up?  To enjoy every stage? 

(Emily has a book that she reads to Owen when she feeds him, but I think it is more for her benefit.  It's entitled, "If I could keep you little".  It's a cute book that basically says that If I could keep you little....I'd miss out on all the fun things that happen later on as they grow up.)

  I might make it mandatory nightly reading for Em.

Let's just enjoy every day and every stage (and even every diaper) that we are blessed to share with him.

Nicknames

They say that the best nicknames are organic.  They can't be forced.  If you sit down and say to yourself that so and so needs a nickname, you probably won't think of a good one right then. 

I pride myself on my nickname giving abilities.  There are still several people that I know who go by the nickname that I gave them.  (That makes me smile.)

I guess I must've had the movie "The Big Lebowski" in my head unknowingly because Em has now taken to calling him "Duder".  When I asked where she got it from, she said that she heard me call him "Dude" & "Duder" while I was changing his diaper. 

For those of you who haven't seen the movie, here's a picture & the quote that I'm referencing:

"I'm the Dude. So that's what you call me. You know, that or, uh, His Dudeness, or uh, Duder, or El Duderino if you're not into the whole brevity thing."

The Littlest "Browns Backer"

Most of you know that I watch the Cleveland Browns games with a bunch of other Browns fans in the city of Milwaukee (and surrounding areas).  (I'm proud to even admit that I'm the vice president of the chapter.)  I have even received facebook messages from several of the members making sure that Owen had enough Browns gear to kick off his brown & orange life. 

I can't wait till the day when Owen & I will go downtown together to share in watching the game together.  (Maybe they'll even be respectable by then.) 

Owen is officially a "Jr. Backer" now.  He has his own membership card and everything. 

The Cleveland Browns treat their Jr. Backers right.  We will be expecting a welcome package for Owen in the next few weeks that will include:

Cleveland Browns Lunch Box

Binoculars with Case

Autograph Book with Pen

Rally Towel

Sunglasses

Decal

One FREE child's ticket to the Pro Football Hall of Fame
*with the purchase of one adult ticket

Contests & Sweepstakes

Exclusive Invitations

This kid will be raised right! 

Necessity?

I think NOW we have everything possibly made for a baby boy.  My house is overrun by vibrating chairs, swings, clothes, pacifiers, diapers (clean), etc...  But until we had this.....we just weren't complete. 

Now Owen will no longer have the fear of accidentally peeing on himself, the wall, Em, or more importantly.....me when his diaper is being changed.