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(Another post by Owen)

Orlando

The middle of June we took a week-long trip to Orlando to meet up with Grandpa Grumpy, Grandmama, Uncle Josh and Aunt Natalie. The day we left for our trip Owen learned how to blow raspberries with his tongue so he was excited to have plenty of new people to show his newly acquired talents off to.

We got to Orlando Sunday afternoon and met up with everyone at the resort. After some time to stretch our legs and explore the resort we went to Bucca for a big family-style Italian dinner. We sat at the table in the kitchen and Owen was the star. Every one that walked by loved his smile.

Dad and Owen playing around getting dressed one morning

The next morning we woke up, got some breakfast and headed to the Magic Kingdom. Although this was not Owen's first trip to a theme park, he was much more alert on this trip. We rode a lot of big kid rides but Owen did ride Snow White's Scary Adventures and It's A Small World and LOVED both of them.

Owen with Grandmama after his first ride, Snow White's Scary Adventures

Owen after It's A Small World

Owen hanging with Grandpa Grumpy

Owen right after he got his ears

Early afternoon we were finished at the Magic Kingdom and headed over to Epcot for the rest of the day. At Epcot we rode a few rides and walked around the World Showcase.

Mom and Owen enjoying the sun at Epcot

Owen taking a nap late afternoon after a busy day

While paying for our food at the cafeteria style restaurant, we were randomly selected for a Magical Moment. We all thought this was quite a riot and joked about the six adults plus stroller crammed around the small table for two.

Enjoying our Magical Moment at dinner

Tuesday we got up and headed to Animal Kingdom for the day. Owen did really well at Magic Kingdom and Epcot but Tuesday was much hotter than Monday and the humidity was through the roof. Owen was still a champ but didn't want to spend too much time in the stroller.

Grandmama getting tired holding a 20+ sleeping baby waiting in line for the safari

Owen loves his chewable giraffe "Sophie" and we tease him about wanting to eat all giraffes so it was really too bad he slept through the whole safari and missed the real live giraffes.

Animals on the Safari

Grandpa Grumpy and Owen trying to stay cool

Wednesday we spent the day at SeaWorld and this time Owen didn't sleep the day away. He loved the shows again and was just in awe at the animals.

Owen enjoying the sights of SeaWorld

Owen and Grandpa Grumpy watching the penguins

Owen and Dad on the way to Believe

Cereal lunch in Shamu Stadium before the Believe show

Thursday we went to Islands of Adventure. Owen was so good on Thursday but it was probably the coolest day.

Owen practicing being a police officer with Grandpa Grumpy

Owen got to ride a few rides again (Cat In The Hat and One Fish, Two Fish) and it was no surprise that he LOVED both of them. He is so fun to watch on the rides, he gets the biggest smile and just laughs and laughs.

Grandmama, Owen and Mom on One Fish, Two Fish

A little damp after One Fish, Two Fish

Owen decided he was going to drive us home

Before heading home on Friday, after we sent Uncle Josh and Aunt Natalie on their way home, the five of us went to Hollywood Studios to ride a few of Jed's favorite rides. Owen got to hang out with Grandmama and Grandmama got to shop.

It was a busy week in Orlando but the bonus was we had another week to spend with Grandpa Grumpy and Grandmama back in Tallahassee. While they were here Grandpa Grumpy and Jed worked on the new fish tank, we hung out, and Grandpa Grumpy, Grandmama, Anna and Owen took a trip to Wakulla Springs to take a boat ride and get a malt. All in all it was a great two weeks and we had such a fun time seeing family.

Happy 7 Month Birthday

Owen at 7 Months Old

Owen often hangs out in his highchair after dinner, he loves the high view

Owen spends a fair amount of time on the counter and loves to chew on utensils

Owen is such a strong boy and reached a big milestone just shortly before his 7 month birthday, well almost. About 4 days before Owen's birthday he started army crawling. At 7 months he is also able to get up on all fours and lunge forward and sit up alone for extended periods of time.

Owen and Daddy hanging out and controlling the remote

Enjoying highchair time

Owen loves bathtime

Wrapped up in a towel after a bath

Owen loves bathtime and kicks and splashes and laughs when you pour water on his head. He is such a happy boy who is always smiling or laughing, except when he is hungry, then he gets mad. Owen loves food, all of it, except squash.

Enjoying frozen fruit

Hanging out with Darth

Trying to get every last bit of food

Contently playing on the floor

Owen is always trying to figure out how things work. He intently stares at people to figure out how they are making that noise so he can make it himself. He picks up noises and actions, like sticking his tongue out, quickly. He is so much fun!

Visitors and a Canoe Trip

On their way back from Europe, by way of Atlanta, Grampy and Lovey extended their trip a few days and took the short trip down here to visit their Number 1 Grandson. They were here four full days and boy did we pack those days full of activities. We went canoeing and spent three days biking and had a blast doing it all. Plus, they spent plenty of time loving on Owen.

Owen in his car seat on the way to our the Wakulla River being a ham for Lovely and the camera.

We went canoeing on Memorial Day so the river was quite busy. On the last trip up and down the river, the sides were full of alligators and turtles; we even saw several manatees. Because we went on Memorial Day this year there was almost no wildlife to be found. We did see a few turtles and a snake curled up on a tree branch but even the birds were off somewhere else. None the less, it was a great day to be out and enjoy the gorgeous scenery.

The boys canoe heading up river.

It is a nice trip up the river to the bridge, where we had planned to stop and eat the subs we brought, and then a leisurely float back down for about a four hour total trip. We got about a quarter of the way up the river and someone decided they couldn't possibly wait any longer before lunch so we settled in beside a big tree for a bite.

Owen's lunch on the river.

Owen making friends as usual during a quick dip after lunch.

It was a hot day so the cool river water felt good. Owen loved when his hat got dunked in the water and put back on his head.

Owen helping "paddle" back downstream.

All in all it was a great day to be out and a trip we will most definitely make again.

Owen enjoying time with Grampy making NASCAR noises. Shh, don't tell Jed!

Owen with Lovey and the wonderful photo quilt she made for him.

One last hug and kiss from Grampy and Lovey before they hit the road back home.

6 Month Pictures

On Owen's birthday we got his pictures taken by Terri Smith of Terri Smith Photo again.

The pictures turned out wonderful and you can view them on her blog at http://terrismithphotoblog.com/?p=4336.

Thanks for celebrating Owen's birthday with us Terri, you are a blast!

6 Months Old

Owen was quite the little accomplished boy at 6 months old. By his birthday, he was able to roll both directions and was able to get up on all fours. He was working on figuring out how to crawl but was not quite there yet. He is such a happy baby, full of laughter and smiles and so much fun. He is such the little explorer too, always trying to figure out how things work. It is so much fun to just sit and watch the wheels turning in his head.

Happy 6 Month Old Baby

Getting into trouble exploring the medicine bin. Thank heavens for child proof caps.

Hanging out with dad before going to the ball game.

Hanging onto the door frame while chillin' in the Johnny Jump Up.

Playing peacefully on the floor.

This month Owen also experienced several first, some you have already heard about (first ear infection and first time swinging). Anna took Owen to his first baseball game (FSU versus Florida) and he had a pretty good time; although, he did spend as much time looking at the pretty college girls as the game. Owen and Jed had their first extended time alone while Anna was out of town for three days/two nights for work. They did pretty well and nobody had any missing body parts when Anna returned.

Hanging out watching mom and dad get ready for work.

First time riding in the stroller without the car seat.

Lovin' on momma.

Playing in the Exersaucer.

Jackpot!

Owen went in for a pediatrician check-up again this month a few days after his birthday. At his check-up he got another round of shots but is such a champ. He doesn't seem to mind the shots too much, just hates being pinned down. This month Owen weighed 20 lbs 12 oz, in the 95th percentile, and was 27 inches long, putting him in the 75th percentile. Since he is such a champ eater, his food intake got bumped up but you'll hear no complaints from him.

Owen is such a sweet boy and we are having so much fun!