We had a great Christmas trip! We went to my parents' new house in North Carolina and as expected my mom went crazy on Owen's behalf...and he really enjoyed himself. The slogan for the week was, 'Everything's better at Grandma's house!' We brought his caterpillar toothbrush with us...there was a Pokemon battery-powered spinning toothbrush waiting! We brought a $9.99 Mr. Potato head with us for a toy on the plane ride...there was a 2 foot tall giant Mr. Potato Head with 4 other smaller Mr. Potato Heads inside of it at Grandma's house! You get the idea. Not that I'm complaining; I had a week's vacation from Owen-tending thanks to my mom and sister, and I mercilessly used my family members while I watched TV or took naps. It was the biggest break I've had since he was born and it was FABULOUS. Giant thanks to my great family.

Not in a big writing mood right now, so just some scattered tidbits...

Grandma='Nu-Nu' (with lips pursed very intentionally)

Today Owen said all done ('Ah-no') after lunch and when I got him out of the high chair he spontaneously said 'eh-oh' (thank you)...wow!

Loves jumping off the edge of the pool into my arms at swimming lessons

Favorite Christmas present: kid-sized noise-muffs and safety goggles in a toolbag from grandma and grandpa. Anytime something 'lauwwww' (loud) is about to happen Owen runs for his earmuffs and then insists that Daddy put on Daddy's pair (the root of the long-time fascination with earmuffs). Apparently mommy's ears aren't all that important to protect :)

Loves to pretend with stuffed animals. Today hammy (stuffed hamster) picked up all the blocks and put them in the shape sorter. Mr. Bear loves to read books, but seems to be quite nearsighted.

Owen has learned to climb up on the furniture. He stands up on it and says 'TAH!' (tall). Please, please, please don't figure out how to climb out of the crib.

Will not tolerate a dirty diaper...gets me, says 'dipoo!' and runs to the diapers. Once I retrieve one he runs to the living room, lays down on his back and throws his legs in the air! No tolerance for sitting on the potty, however.

Stays put where we sit him for time-outs...who would have guessed?!

Has started saying his own name...took me a while to figure it out, but he often points to himself or to one of his things and says 'oh-oh' for Owen.

Exceedingly particular about how things are supposed to be...picks up trash, wants to wipe up spills, knows where things go and when things are out of order he can get really quite edgy about it. Not from my DNA!

1 week miraculous reprieve from nap strike...now it's back on. Worst statistic: 5 naps in 18 days in the month of December. Uh.