It's way too quiet in here...

Owen has just arrived at the stage where he has started being really quiet when he's doing something he knows he shouldn't do. Before, I could always hear exactly where he was and what he was doing - pulling all the movies out, emptying the silverware drawer, etc. But this past week he has become really sneaky. The other day, I was doing the dishes and noticed how quiet it was. I walked in the back room to find Owen totally frozen in place, holding the cornstarch that I had been using as baby powder in his hands. Most of it was on the floor, his shoes, and all over his clothes. I cracked up as soon as I saw him, because he was holding totally still - he knew that whatever he had done was wrong, but wasn't about to come tell me... he was still in the process of figuring it out himself. A few days after that, I came out after blow drying my hair to find that he had scooted a kitchen chair over, climbed up on it, and emptied the salt shaker in a big pile. He was in the same frozen position as with the cornstarch... it was so funny.

As stressful as this stage is (I never know what he'll get into... in fact, I don't think I know fully what he's capable of getting in to - he surprises me every day), I love it! I love finding him in the goofiest positions, contemplating what to do next. I love all the surprises. I love all the words that he comes up with to explain to me what he's doing. Basically, I love my life and I love my little buddy. I can't believe he's already so big and talking to me all day long. Every time I look back at pictures of him, I miss the baby he is in each picture, at each stage and every age, but at the same time, I'm loving watching him grow and learn new things and become his own little person.

Here's Owen wearing his favorite hat, with his favorite cup,
wrapped up in his favorite blanket. Love this kid.

Peek-a-boo! (or pee-boo, as Owen says)

Owen + peanut butter and jelly sandwich = true love.

After Matt surprised him with a crib full of balloons.

Wearing mom's apron. He loves finding clothing of ours
(shoes, coats, hats, socks, you name it) and wearing it around the house.

With the duckies that he loves.