#120 - Summer's here!

First Communions are done. Graduations are done. Memorial Day is next week. Must mean summer is here!

Yesterday, we loaded up the family and headed out to the beach, Cocoa included. This was the first time that we had gone to the beach since last summer, so Owen probably had no recollection of what it was. On the way there, he kept asking where was the "wa wa", and when we walked over the dune and he saw the expanse of water ahead of him, he started waving and said, "hi wa wa" over and over. He was so excited. We undressed him, applied the second coat of sunscreen and got his bathing suit on. But, as is typical of him, he refused to go play until he could eat a snack, as you can see below.

Then, it was off to the water - he was a little timid and unsure of the ocean's waves, and would stand on the edge of the waterline watching the waves come in and out. Before long, as the water would recede back to the ocean, he'd run forward and wait there. But, once the next wave came forward, he'd turn and run as fast as he could back towards the dry sand, laughing and giggling the entire way. This back and forth into the ocean kept him happy for about an entire hour!

He was also captivated by the driftwood and seaweed, and by the end of the day had collected quite a collection, of which he used to help him draw in the sand.

The cute swim shorts are courtesy of the Fleming boys. We learned the hard way that they are still too big on him, and the water weighed them down, therefore causing our sweet little boy to walk around the beach like a thug.

We truly don't know who had more fun - Owen or Cocoa. Lou let her off the leash a few times, and she ran up and down the beach like a little puppy, thrashing through the waves, and having a blast. Of course, that only made Owen laugh even more.

Pretty soon, we relocated back to the tidal pools, and we got to relax while Owen played with the sand.

It was just the right amount of water for him to splash around in without feeling overwhelmed.

And of course, like a typical little boy, it wasn't long before he was slinging the mud/sand all over the place. By the end of the day, he had dried sand caked in his hair and every fold in his body.

His shorts got so bad (we were pulling them up every 30 seconds or so), that Lou finally suggested that I take the rubber band in my hair and use it to cinch the waistband around the swim trunks. Worked like a charm!

And, to prove to you that he really did inherite his Mommy's wavy/curly hair, this is what it looked like when we got home from the beach!

We had a great time! Both Owen and Cocoa were sound asleep within 60 seconds of us leaving the beach. They were worn out!

#119 - Nana's Boy

This past weekend, Lou and I had a wedding to go to, so Mom and Pop Pop came to Savannah to visit and watch Owen while we were gone. Nana and Owen got to have lots of quality time together - I'm not sure who enjoyed it more....my mom or Owen!

Owen was full of hugs and kisses for his Nana. She taught him how to say "Pow!" and pump him hand in the air. Now he walks around the house saying "Pow!" all day long.

Here's a picture of Owen in his time out spot. Occassionally, when re-directing just isn't working, he gets sent to time out. It's not really so much of a punishment for him, but more of a distraction of the activity that's getting him into trouble. As you can see below, he's not in too much distress. In fact, when we send him to time out, he runs over there like there's something really special about sitting in the corner behind the china cabinet. He waits the requisite minute, then starts laughing and giggling and waiting for us to let him out. So much for discipline.

Someone mentioned to me recently that I never take pictures of just Cocoa anymore. Not true! (I just don't post them as often). But, our beautiful dog is still a popular subject of our camera. How could she not be? After all, I'm convinced she's the most beautiful doggie in the world!

Sidewalk chalk is pretty popular in our house. It's cheap and easy - you can get it in the dollar bins at Target. Owen made a fancy creation for Nana's visit.

And, this is pretty much what he does when we play outside....run! Definitely gets that from his Daddy, not his Mommy. As Lou would say, I only run when I see ice cream.

Bye now!

#118 - Pretty Girl in a White Dress, Part II

There was a lot of preparation put into celebrating Grace's First Holy Communion - the invitations, the caterer, the house cleaning, and.....don't forget about the the hair do!

Since everyone was dressed up for the big event, we took some time to take pictures. As usual, Owen was hardly cooperative. Why sit still for pictures when there are a thousand other things to check out? Here's Tito Mark, Noah and Owen all ready for church.

Proud Dad with his little girl.

The entire Tylutki Family (a/k/a the Loud Family). We love you guys!!!!

It was a beautiful spring day on Grosse Ile. The sun had finally come out after a few days of rain. It was chilly, but very nice.

At the church taking pictures.

Back home for the big party. Here's a picture of the entire Saez/Tylutki family. You just wouldn't believe the effort it took to get us all together in one room with a camera. You'd think that after 4 days of being together we could get this done. But, it was a big deal! At least the picture turned out half-way decent. Of course, Owen was having a fit. That little guy hardly fussed the entire weekend - it just happened to be when we were taking pictures.... Go figure.

Katie and the best Mother-in-law ever! Love you, Isabel!

Prima Kelly, Sofia and Susan. Sofia is the sweetest little girl. She is adventurous and loves to play. She's got the best little chunky legs, and a great appetite! It was so good to see her and Gabriela. I love that they are all about the same age.

Speaking of Gabriela, here are the three of them. Gabriela (3), Owen (21 months) and Sofiamaria (2). Gabriela has the cutest little smile. She's a mama's girl, and is clearly the daughter of a fashionista.

Abuela Isa with her three grandchildren after the party. Owen just loved playing with his cousins and his grandmother. He's a lucky little boy to be loved the way he is loved by his familia.

And, one last picture of Tita Susan and her little nephew. Susan is a strong, fearless woman. She's the kind of mom that inspires me to be a better mom. She works hard and never slows down, but enjoys every little detail of life. She makes each day important for her children, and emplifies what God's love is all about. We are lucky to be in her family, and Owen is even luckier to have her as an aunt.

#117 - Pretty Girl in a White Dress, Part I

A girl gets to wear a beautiful white dress and veil only twice in her life. Both occassions are special days in that girls life. This weekend, Lou, Owen and I had the honor of sharing that first occasion with Miss Grace Valeria Tylutki as we celebrated her First Holy Communion. She was a breathtaking young woman in that flowing dress. You'll see lots of pictures of her over this post and the next one.

But first, a little more about the weekend. The three of us flew up to Detroit last Thursday. A few things in life we get anxious about - Owen in church, Owen on long car trips, and Owen on a plane. Well, despite our anxiety, he was a trooper on the plane! He sat in his car seat like a big boy, checked out all the airplanes at the airport, and watched a little Caillou on the DVD player. We lucked out! We counted it up, and Owen's been on eight plane trips so far in his 21 months of life. He's already accrued quite a bit of airline miles!

Once in Michigan, we were reunited with Abuela Isa, Tita Susan, Tito Mark, and Noah and Grace. Over the past few months, we have been Skyping with them a few times a week, and I think it's really helped Owen bond with them from hundreds of miles away because he immediately went to them and starting playing, and handing out hugs and kisses. It was really special. Over the weekend, I kept thinking about the bonds that cousins have. They are interesting - it's definitely different from the sibling bond, but not necessarily in a lesser way. I remember growing up with my cousins - Joey, Heidi, Holly and Julie - and I love the memories I have with them. I can only hope that Owen develops that kind of bond with his cousins Kaylin, Noah and Grace.

Grace (8), Owen (21 months) and Noah (10)

Horsing around (Owen started crawling again after this stunt wanting to be like Primo Noah)

Each night, Grace would read Owen books before bedtime. The favorite this weekend was "Who Said Red?". By the end of the book, Owen was pumping his fist in the air yelling, "I SAID RED!". I can't begin to thank Grace and Noah enough for how wonderful they were with Owen. They were by his side the entire weekend, playing with him, making sure he was eating, and most importantly, keeping him out of trouble. Grace, especially, was a little mama to him. She's so gentle and nurturing with him. She's going to make a great babysitter in a few years!
And, a first look at the pretty girl in a white dress. Here's Grace on Friday at the church's May Crowning celebration. She was there with all the other 2nd graders in their Communion outfits.

Grace with Tita Katie

And with Tito Louie

And, finally, the little guy with his Abuela Isa.

More coming tomorrow......

#116 - "I Wuv Dada"