I am already getting a taste of the terrible two stage..and Owen is not even 18 months yet!

From knocking off bowls from tables, flicking food off the spoon, to smacking people and tearing books (as can be seen in the image below), little sweet Owen has been scolded quite often recently. He’s a real keen observer of a person’s mood based on his/her expressions…here’s usually what happens:
1) Owen does something wrong.
2) Mommy reprimands him.
3) Owen stop what he’s doing and looks at Mommy with a serious “uh-oh I did something wrong” face.
4) Owen then tries to lighten up the mood by smiling at Mommy, calling “Mommy” sweetly, hugging/kissing Mommy, or climbing onto Mommy’s laps.
5) If Mommy can’t hold her laughter and gives in, then Owen wins and he’s a happy camper.
If Mommy manages to keep a stern look, Owen starts looking down at the floor and all around - everywhere but avoids looking into Mommy’s eyes (as he is doing here in the picture).

He also doesn’t dare move around - he will stay exactly where he was when he got scolded. He will remain there with roaming eyes until Mommy softens her voice and holds out her hand to hold Owen.
6) Owen happily smiles and calls Mommy and comes over to be held.

Funny thing is the above process only takes place IF Owen knows he did something he shouldn’t have. When he thinks you have wrongfully accused him, he will cry.

Have to admit - despite his ability to constantly get in trouble nowadays, he is still helplessly adorable with his toddler talk. He learns words so fast now, especially in English. I have noticed that it is much easier for Owen to pick up English vocabulary than Chinese…for the past two days, he has been walking around alternating between “What” and “Watch”. Today, while Grandma Hong was saying goodbye to Owen on Skype, Owen imitated after Grandma and replied, “Bye bye”. Grandma Hong was so surprised - as was I since that was the first time he said “bye bye”!

A new year, new resolutions…our entire family has made a commitment to lead a healthier life in 2008 by exercising more. Every 2 days, during late afternoons, we will jog and push Owen in his stroller around the 1-2 mile (one-way) walking trail near our house.

“Ah, Owen has it easy….he doesn’t have to sweat at all sitting - sometimes even lying down - comfortably his stroller.” Not true at all…our little one has made a personal commitment to protecting his little heart as well by walking on the treadmill everyday. Don’t believe me, watch him sweat it out on New Year’s Day!

I have to admit, I have a stereotype that girls are usually much more thoughtful/considerate toward their parents than boys. Not that boys don’t love their parents, they are just not as discerning or do little things that melt or reassure their parents’ hearts (like bringing drinks to their parents, or remembering to call parents every now so parents don’t worry). Since I had Owen, I have already started prepping myself not to expect these little things from him, but I was wrong.

Last night, Owen came wobbling into our room with his tin of honey ball cookies. I asked, “You want to eat this?” and he said, “Hmmm.” So I opened the lid for him, and sure enough, he dug right into it and took out a cookie. But to my pleasant surprise, he held it up to my mouth and offered it to me! I was so surprised yet so moved by his action that I was at a loss of words! I was so touched I wanted to cry: my 16 months old son puts his mommy before himself! Daddy was right beside me and saw the whole thing and wanted Owen to show the same priority, except he prompted for his cookie, pointing to his mouth; as a very discerning toddler, Owen obliged.

I don’t know if Owen will continue to be this sweet as he grows up, but for me, just the fact that there was a time when Owen put me before himself first - regardless of how brief - is worth all the hard work (in the past, now, and in the future) of raising him. Even when Owen grows up and is on his own, his Daddy and I will have pictures like this one to remind us how close he once was with us and will always be in heart. I took this picture on the last day of 2007 when both baby and Daddy were sleeping: it was too heartwarming not to.

Wish all the Owen’s fans enjoy a fresh start of 2008!! I’m sure you all had a great holidays, otherwise you won’t spend time browsing Owen’s blog.

The holiday season in the house is much busier due to the fact Owen can walk now, he needs be escorted all the time to prevent collateral damage - fortunately it is never a hard task to find a playmate for Owen. He is the favorite photomate, everyone wants to have him in the picture!! Check the photos below to share our fun.

The American tradition of putting Christmas gifts under the tree officially kicked off starting from this holiday season for us, naturally this year the biggest pile goes to Owen, but everyone else in the family did get gift, a mention worthy surprise to the daddy is a Wii system from mommy, which turns out to be Owen’s favorite toy as well. (yep, 1 year old knows how to play wii bowling)

This Christmas/New Year break has been absolutely wonderful!

Nothing eventful, but it has been so great to be able to spend all day with Owen for almost 2 whole weeks! Owen has also gotten use to having Daddy and Mommy play with him all day for many days, and have become our little shadow. He either follows Daddy or Mommy around the house…literally, every turn.

Owen also got reacquainted with an old playmate: Uncle Chuck. For whatever reason - perhaps Uncle Chuck’s baby face makes Owen think that he’s a toddler as well - Owen ADORES his uncle and LOVES to play with him. He always have a blast and laughs and giggles when he’s with Uncle Chuck. Here’s a short video during one of their playtime:

How much does Owen love Uncle Chuck? Although Owen sees uncle maybe once a month at best, he surprisingly prefers uncle over grandparents Yao who keeps him company every day!