Cheese and Agility

Here are a couple entertaining videos of Tate that I took right after I got my new camera.

I shot this when I was putting Tate to sleep (read: put to bed, not euthanized) the other night. The "cheese" was priceless.

Bed Time for Tate (CHEESE!) from dan bowen on Vimeo.

Unfortunately for Tate, his gene pool is not one known for agility or athletic grace. Here, he tries to stand on one foot. Sadly, this may be the best he will ever do.

Tate Standing on One Foot from dan bowen on Vimeo.

Tate's Quotes of the Month

Tate, at 2 years old, is quite possibly one of the funniest and most talkative chaps I know. Here are some of his latest gems...

"Uh oh, what did my do? What did my do? (running around the living room naked after his bath) My drop a ducey. (pronounced - doo-see; definition - poop) I went poopoo on my blocks." Just for fun, I let Tate run around without his diaper after his bath the other night. Subsequently Tate decided to exercise his new found freedom by doing what any normal naked person would do - poop on their toys. It was gross and hilarious.

"It's ok baby Wywa. Don't cry. Don't be sad. I'm right here." - Tate talking to a very sad, crying Lyla on our way home from the canyon on Thanksgiving. Adorable.

"Cuz. Cuz. Cuz. Umm. Cuz. Cuz." (Daddy says "Because why?) "Cuz. Cuz I wanna go play with my cars." - Tate's response to being asked why he was not taking a nap. He had just gotten some new toy cars and felt they needed to be played with en lieu of napping.

"What's up, mommy?" - His favorite colloquialism.

"Mommy, my nose is like a rhino." - In reference to his stuffy nose. He confused his congestion with the size of a rhino's nose. He said his nose felt big.

"Watch me." (Said while waving his hands at whoever he is talking to) - He likes to perform and will say this at least 10 times in a row before he demonstrates his latest talent.

"Uh oh. Tate went poopoo. It's ok, when you get home daddy will change you and put diaper cream on and make you feel better." Tate consoling himself after realizing he had a poopy diaper in the grocery story. He said that whole phrase to me without pausing. Hilarious.

Cut a Tree for Your Tomorrow

I sorta miss blogging. As impersonal as it is, I feel it is a bit more intimate than something like Facebook. I suppose a good old fashion face to face conversation is still the way to go though. I go back to work tomorrow after a week off. I enjoy my job but it has been a nice respite to be at home with the fam. We went to Frosty Farms Christmas Tree (place?) in Sebastopol yesterday as you can see below.

First Annual Christmas Tree Cutting from dan bowen on Vimeo.

It was a lot of fun. My family and Mel's enjoyed the experience. Both kids have been fighting sickness and it seems like I have been sick for the month of November. It seems like this because I have. I got antibotics yesterday and am feeling better now, but the illnesses were an unwelcome guest at our first annual tenenbaum slaughter. Life continues to be blessed for us. Mel reluctantly goes back to work on Wednesday. She too enjoys her job as a teacher, but much prefers her job as mommy. Below you will see another video. I wanted to capture the bizarre spectacle that takes place on a regular basis in our home. That would be Tate eating entire tomatoes. Whole. He is the first person (and likely last) I have ever seen do this. Enjoy.

Tate eats a whole tomato from dan bowen on Vimeo.

If you are looking for any good books, Mel and I both read A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller (his latest book) last week and loved it. I have already purchased 3 copies to give away as gifts. I bought The Road by Cormac McCarthy on Friday at 8pm and finished it tonight. It was really dark and depressing, but amazing. I can't wait to see the movie. I am in the middle of several books right now (Peace Like a River and Friday Night Lights) but The Road sucked me in (plus I was sick so I had a ton of time on my hands) and took precedence over the other books I was reading. Enough trying to sound smart. Off to bed (yes it's like 9:20!). I will try to be more on top of this blog like the good old days. Christmas pictures and more video coming soon. I love my new camera!

New Camera - Canon 7D

Mel, Tate & Lyla (Canon 7D test footage) from dan bowen on Vimeo.

Here is some test footage that I put together. I just got a Canon 7D (the camera they use for the SNL digital shorts) and I love it. Enjoy.

Halloween and Hiking

Well November is here and that means only one more month before I return to work on Dec. 2 :-( I have so enjoyed this time off with my precious kids and I'm very thankful to have had this time! This past weekend was an eventful one, as we celebrated Halloween. Tate was a puppy and Lyla was a kitty. They looked very cute as you can see in the pictures. Tate actually had a great time trick or treating. Dan took all of his candy to school to give to the High school students :-) Next year we might not be able to make the candy disappear quiet as easy. I'm sure Tate will inquire about his candy next year! On Sunday we decided to take advantage of a beautiful day and went hiking. Our new house is only two minutes away from a hiking trail that turned out to be really beautiful! We are enjoying our new home and all that Dublin has to offer!

Our Pellet Stove Works!!

Thanks to my dad, our Pellet stove is now working! He found it on Craig's list for us and spent the weekend installing it. It is so nice to have a handy father who lives only three minutes away! After Dan took these pictures, I made my dad wear glasses and a shirt as a mask! He was very dirty!! Thanks again dad! The stove works great!

Happy Halloween

Here is some Halloween advice from Tate. We will add some pictures shortly. Enjoy.

Sweety Face and First Smiles

The Zoo!

Tate and Lyla

Lyla is alomst seven weeks old and is doing great! Tate enjoys being a big brother most days :-) They are both changing before our eyes! Tate will be two years old at the end of the month and is talking up a storm! He really amazes us with his memory! It is scary sometimes! Tate went to the 2's,3's and 4's class second service at church this week. When asked about what he learned he said, "Baby Moses" we then asked him some follow up questions, like all teachers do :-) I said where did Baby Moses's mom put him? Tate said,"In the basket" then "in the river". Mind you we were not in the class and had no clue what the story had been about! Too cute and smart if I have to say so! :-)

Lyla's 4 weeks old!!

Life in the Bowen household has been flying by! Lyla is already 4 weeks old and is getting big quickly! She went to a well check doctors appt. today and weighs 10 lbs. 11 oz. (89%), she is 21 1/4 inches long (50%) and her head is 14 3/8 (32%). Not bad for under a month old! Tate is doing great as a big brother. He loves to give Lyla huggies and kisses. He often asks to "hold her" and quickly changes his mind saying, "no, mommy do it!"
Two kids is a lot of work but also a lot of fun! We are so thankful for our families! I'm not sure what we would have done without their help?? I know that I'm especially thankful for being so close to both of them! Enjoy the pictures!

Chubby Cheeks!
Looking at my Daddy
Hanging out!
A proud Dad for sure!
Squeeze in...
Tate giving Daddy a kiss (not Lyla :-)
Funny Face!
Two kids and a rocking chair! Can I say super mom :-)
Silly boy!

Stay tuned for more...

Pictures!! Week 1-4

Hello everyone! As promised here are pictures from the first couple of weeks since we've been home. We are enjoying our precious kiddos and loving our new house! We just got our internet hooked up so I'm sure we will be a little better about posting new pictures! Enjoy these for now and check back soon for more!!


First car ride!


Two kids, Yikes!


Getting ready for Lyla's first bath at home!

Tate watches, I think he wanted to get in with her!




Big Brother Tate!

Pretty in pink





Fun with the hose!!

Celebration

Tonight we had our celebration dinner and we will be discharged tomorrow morning at 11am. We are ready to move in to our new home with the whole fam!

L-Bo (but not Lynne)

Lyla (or L-Bo as her friends call her) continues to impress us with her charm and intellect. Actually, she's just cute. It's weird having 2 kids now, but in a good way. Tate and Lyla. Mel liked the name Lyla because it sounded cute with Tate. It's true. Today is our last full day in the hospital. Tomorrow we head back to our newly roofed home for our first night in Dub-Town. All of our stuff has been moved to the house and over the next few weeks we will be unpacking and finishing the remaining renovation items on the to-do list. I start school on Tuesday, which is not necessaily ideal but I am grateful to have a job! I will be taking some time off the following week to be with Mel and the kids (kids...weird!). Enjoy the pics!

The Roof
(the gutters go up this week)
BEFORE

AFTER
L-Bo & co.
Tom is captivated by Lyla's beauty.
Tired dad-bo.

Welcome to the planet, welcome to existence...

Day 3 and Lyla and Mel are doing well. That sounds like the intro to a rap one might find on the yet-to-be-recorded Bowen family hip-hop record titled "D-Bo Flow" (dropping this Fall). Lyla was up from about 4-7am, which subsequently caused Mel and I to be bright eyed and bushy tailed as well. I seem to be more tired than Mel and she makes it a point to state the irony of this quite frequently. Today was a good restful day. I took Tate to the park, Target (to get juice for Mel) and to Peets (to get caffeine for myself and a cookie for Tate. The cookie was the proverbial carrot that I dangled in front of Tate all day to make him behave in the hospital). It was another fun time with Tate. I will miss this stage he is in. So vocal, curious and sweet (like his father before him). Mel and I are stil getting used to receiving pink gifts and are grateful for the outpouring of prayers, love and support from our family and friends. Enjoy the pics.

Tate's day with daddy

Mark bought this tractor at a garage sale and it was a wreck. Herb restored it and gave it to Tate today. It is from the 70's. Tate loves it!

Lyla

Lyla is 1 (day old)

Mel and Lyla are doing very well. The baby is eating great as food seems to be a favorite hobby of hers. Melissa is already up and walking and just took a shower (it took her 3 days to do that with Tate). I took the little guy to the park and Jamba Juice today. It was fun to get out of the hospital and play with him. He seems so big now even though it feels like we were just here with him.

We will be staying our first night in the new house when we get back from the hospital. As I type this, a new roof is being installed. We are all moved in (though there are still boxes and some loose ends here and there) and are excited to bring Tate and Lyla into our new home.

Moving and the Roof
Tate and Daddy's Afternoon Out
Lyla - 1 day old