Reflecting

Where has the time gone? I'm not certain, but I think we have a kid that is charging headlong into never looking back.

I guess the cliché, kids grow up too fast, has been more than just a saying lately, it is the reality of having a kid.

Latest Owen data:
- 16lbs 6oz
- Two top teeth coming in
- Two bottom teeth big enough to do damage
- Crawling machine
- Goes to standing w/ aid of edge of couch
- Traverses wilst standing on edge of couch

We (DKO) are currently visitng Grandma and Grandpa Morgan in Chicago for thanksgiving. I am looking forward to capturing tons of pics. If time allows I may post the good ones.

Don

Washington DC

We just got back today from a quick four day weekend trip to DC. The cousins, Jack and Owen, got to see all of each others improvements since their last visit (~4 months ago). With only one month between the two (Owen is older) you would think the differences would be insignificant, quite the contrary – Jack weighs in at just over 20 lbs and Owen at last check weighed in at just over 14 lbs. And on the other hand Owen was testing the ability of Aunt Christy and Uncle Eric’s house to be crawler proof. Initial testing saw only a couple of flaws and modifications that were made proved sufficient, for now…

A quick run down of the highlights of the weekend…

• Christy, Eric and Jack live 13 blocks from the capitol… great walk to the Mall
  
• Amazing lunch at www.2amyspizza.com
  
• Museums: Air and Space, Natural History, American Indian, National Archives
  
• Monuments: FDR (Very well done), WWW II, Vietnam, Korea
  
• National Zoo
  
• Homemade cupcakes

Not bad for a 4 day weekend. As to be expected, the new toy caused probably a few too many pics, they are in the October Folder - enjoy.

Don

Oh Boy a New Toy

Dad got a new camera and Owen got two teeth. I don't think Owen was exactly excited about the new camera although this shot here and plenty of other photos prove he doesn't mind showing off those teeth. :)

The camera is a canon 40d and I am really very impressed so far, mostly with the speed (6.5 fps)!!! Very fun. Today I got to test it out outside with my copilot, Owen. With Owen in the Bjorn and Kevin's new camera pack on my back we hiked and tested the camera for an hour (Kevin- no gear touched the ground, I used all three of my lenses multiple times, battery pack on, I even used the flash w/omnibounce, all accessed from the side door, with Owen in Bjorn - Oh and it was just Owen and me).

Anyway, enough about gear... Kelly, Owen and I are excitedly awaiting our trip out to see Christy, Eric and Jack this weekend in Washington DC (long weekend for teachers in Utah, Monday/Tuesday off). I am positive the visit will be well documented. I can't wait.

Owen has now officially started to crawl. There is a video in the October photos folder(I am having difficulties posting, stay tuned). More photo additions are certain to be coming soon. BTW - I have taken 500 photos so far in two days, don't worry not that many were posted, most of those were test shots.

Don

Inchworm

Little by little, bit by bit Owen has begun to inch his way around! Mom and Dad are saying good bye to the days of armchair baby tending. Looks like now we are in need of some goalkeeper training. So far he has found a rubber band, a few stray pieces of lint and a remote control fetish. Can't wait to see what he is going to get into next... Take a look at the photo series here. I would suggest to view it as a slide show in 1 second intervals.

On the teeth front, they (2) are progressing at a steady rate and have become large enough to hurt! Ouch...

Don

September Update

I have two teeth!!!

Well you probably can't see them in photo, they are a bit of a challenge to photograph, but they are there! It is no joke that your kids grow up fast.

We have had a bit of a rough time lately in the staying healthy department. A couple of weeks ago Owen had pneumonia, last week Kelly had the stomach flu and I am just getting over a case of stomach flu myself. All told Kelly and I have missed 5 days of work due to illness so far this year! I hope this is not a treand for the remainder of the school year...

I have placed a few photos in a September 07 folder.

Don

August Update

Here is a quick update and latest photos...

The big milestone of late is Owen's first solid food experience!

As you will see in the video John and Mary, pardon Grandpa and Grandma, are in town for Labor Day weekend. Both Kelly and I are grateful for the help as we have had our hands full now that we are officially a part of the workforce. Grrrr

Enjoy the photos and videos

Don

July Photos

I probably could write more... But I think photos are what most folks are looking for these days. So, in brief, Owen has been sleeping a better, becoming ticklish (see movie) and practicing sitting up.

Don

Back Home

O.K. it has been a bit since I have posted anything… We have completed our glorious tour of the NW and the Mid-West and are now back home enjoying Owen, doing summer chores and trying to get back in shape.

I am going to post more photos soon, I just want to get them organized since it seems the Owen folder is getting crowded. Did it... See links! DC

Don

Tradition

Before we get this one going, this is not a dress it is a christening gown. While I am a bit fuzzy on the age and exactly who has worn this particular gown, I do know that my father wore it and long standing tradition past down from the Grandma Brandenburg side of the family. To those who know more about the history of this gown please post…

I do think it makes for another great muse to photograph. As expected there are a few added to the Owen Photos folder. Oh, and the white crib that shows up in a few of the pictures has also been around for some time too. This also comes from Grandma Brandenburg and was bought at a garage sale for my father. Again, if you know more please post…

Don

Over Easy

I had another day of fun with the little one, at his expense, at least this time he was awake. Both Kelly and I can’t help but to laugh each time we look at this photo. Owen was very amenable to the whole process to the point where he seemed to like it all. If you look in the Owen Photos folder you will find a video clip I put together too, also quite funny, at least to me...

Don

Parts and Pieces

Today I think I made up for my lack of recent photos. Owen was a asleep for most of these shots and he was terribly cute and easy to work with. The feet shot here was exactly how he had them, so symmetrical! 14 more shots like this can be found on the new link, Parts and Pieces.

There isn’t too much to update at this time on the Owen front besides his recent desire to have the constant attention of his parents. This is both rewarding and trying. Rewarding because interacting with him you always seem to pick up on something new or humorous. Trying because it is becoming more difficult to just put him down and do your own thing for a bit.

Kelly and I are getting excited and a bit nervous for our NW tour. We have planed out the dates now and will be heading out May 11^th and will return to Park City May 29^th. We just hope Owen travels as well as he has been (short trips only). We shall see…

Angelic Moment of Owen

After looking at my previous post I think it is only fair to state that he is indeed cute, and has with in him the abilities to be quite angelic - he slept so much better last night. While a good night does not have as much to write about, I mean how much can you say or write about a sleeping baby, here it goes... So, last night was a “three-get-up-night”, rejoice! This is a new personal record (previous PR was 5). Both Mom and I are very proud of his performance and will continue to cheer on Owen in hopes he will keep up such a great pace...

It should also be noted that we have been without the grandparent support team for two days now. I think all three of us have adjusted relatively well, but perhaps this is due to the fact that the fridge is still stocked with their leftovers. We will see how we fair after they are all gone. Thanks for all of your support and LOVE - Oma, Opa, Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle MJ. It was truly great to see all of you with Owen with all of your new names. It was a great way to start our new adventure into family-hood.

BTW – I was able to type the entirety of this post with my faithful co-pilot – Owen. Chest carriers are great and he slept during the entirety. Not much of a proof reader, but cuddly just the same.

Don

Not always this CUTE...

Warning! Owen doesn’t always look like that...

The following was an e-mail I sent out to the prospective parents (Christy and Eric; Kevin and Marty; and now the proud parents of Ainsley Jane Oleson, Chris and Jen). The night described here was a couple of nights ago and Owen has had better nights since, although he has begun to find his inner mischievous self now.

In case you were wondering if sleep deprivation, exhaustion, delusion, confusion and what in the hell is going on with my kid won't happen to you, it probably will. Until last night I thought we had a handle on it. The system was working pretty good - allow 10-12 hours to get 8 hours of sleep and use tag team system (Kelly feed and Don Clean). Then last night occurred... I think I need to go back to High School to remember a day that I slept to nearly noon. Although I don't think I can call what we did last night sleeping.

Owen wasn't especially loud or mischievous, just squeaky, very awake and incredibly cute. You might ask how can a kid be "cute" and at the same time be annoying enough to keep you awake. I don't know how this happened, I just now I was surprised and dumbfounded by it all.
Part of my tag team responsibilities, besides cleaning is getting Owen back to sleep. Usually this has been relatively effortless - burp, change diaper, swaddle and place in bedside crib = sleep. Last night was; burp, change, swaddle = squeaks. O.K. try plan B; burp more, shhhhhhhhhhh, more shhhhhhhing, bounce = he begins to look sleepy BUT when placed crib, squeaking continues. Hmmm how about plan C; use glider chair in other room so at least Kelly can get some sleep. This worked, but sustaining this technique requires stamina that I don't have at 2am, return "sleepy looking" Owen to crib. Yes, he squeaked again, but this time I think we almost fell asleep prior to the ensuing squeaks. Plans D, E and F are a little fussy at this time and I think it involved massive amounts of shhhhhhhing, burping and attempts to feed. I wonder what tonight will bring? Oh, god don't let this be a pattern for the next month/year.

Anyhow, I hope you enjoyed the story. It seemed appropriate to write about it in a humorous way to make me feel better. I hope it doesn't scare you, just be ready!

Don

April has been GOOD...

Who knew that April would be this good!

We currently have both sets of grandparents and an Uncle in town and subsequently Owen is receiving a ton of attention. Opa (Grandpa Crandall) had a wonderful birthday yesterday and celebrated it by bathing and hiking with Owen. I wonder what Oma will want to do on hers?

I also have accepted a 8th grade science position at Hillcrest Jr. High for next school year!! This job is at the same school that I worked at for my student teaching. Therefore I know most of the people that I will be working with, very exciting.

Been posting a few more Owen photos in his album too. Don

Owen Carl

What an amazing experience...I am at a loss of a way to express in words what has happened over that last few days. I can say this; I have never been more proud.

Kelly and Owen are doing very well and we are all at home now enjoying the absence of hospital staff, protocols and interruptions. I have added a new web album just for Owen (see links). Let the plethora of photos begin!!! Enjoy...

Don

Here We Go

Well it has been decided. A few changes, but we have a plan. We are going to St. Marks tonight and inducing tomorrow.

Don

The Waiting Vigil Continues

Well we have a few things to update on. Kelly went in for a stress test and an amniotic level check today. Basically this is a check on the hear rate of the baby (140bpm!) plus an ultrasound to see how much fluid is available for him to swim in (he's got 10.5units, 5 or lower would be a concern). So, everything is just fine.
The plan for now then is to wait till Tuesday before he gets the final eviction notice (induction). The ultrasound also confirmed that the baby has turned into more proper position, just not down very far. He seems well, snug as a bug in a...
One small change to our plan is we are switching hospitals from St. Marks to the U of U. This is mostly due to the fact that the U Hospital has wireless fetal monitoring. Now that Kelly is post term she will need to be monitored constantly and Kelly doesn't like the idea of having a 4' tether during labor!
Will update more as things change. Could the next post be stating lbs and inches?

Patiently waiting, Don

Hiking

Well, here we are waiting... So if walking is supposed to help induce labor, hiking short steep distances must be better, right? Kelly and I did a short hike up part of Mt. Olympus today and got a few looks and comments. We didn't go too far and it was mostly the heat and slippery trail conditions that got to Kelly anyhow.

What do you do when you are ready and just waiting for a baby to come? It is very bizarre to know that at any moment (plus or minus hours, days, or even a week) we could be in the throws of labor. It is officially on my mind now that we are both at home. It was really nice when I was teaching I there wasn't time to think about it. Now all we have is time. And what better way to waste time, then to plug yourself into a computer and putz.

So, I have added a few photos into a web album - called "A Collection". A link to it and a photo album of the photos used in this blog is now available on the right...

Scared Stiff

We are not nervous, really... Just look closely and you will see all of the pent up excitement Kelly has!

Well it is the day before the "due date" and it is appearing to be a waiting game. We may know more after tomorrows appointment.

Kelly will be putting in her last day with her 2nd graders tomorrow and I have only two more days of student teaching! Yehaw!!


Don

34 Weeks

This was taken on the 34th week... We are anxiously awaiting the final 4 weeks now. It is getting closer every second. OH BOY!

8th Graders

Its 6^th period and I am attempting with out much success to gain traction with a discussion about the starter for the day. Perhaps this was because today was the last day of spirit week and everyone is in costumes of blue anticipating the upcoming assembly. If elevated talking, distracted energy and general romping around is what spirit week is intended to do, then it has squarely hit its mark. I just wish my lessons would have similar precision. Then just as it things seemed to be calming down an eruption of laughter engulfs the entire room, sans me. I spin around, look and am at a loss; whatever was so funny wasn’t apparent to me, at least at first.

Then it became very obvious, ink. It was black and everywhere; on the floor, on my demo desk, on the white board, on the laptop computer cart, even on a struggling valentine rose. There was little spared in the front of the room from the splatter of black ink. Fortunately it took little detective work to find the culprit. All dots led to the desk of… the student holding a broken pilot pen and ink on his desk.

Little resistance was made by ‘Joe’, the evidence laid directly in his hands and his only plea was “I didn’t mean to”. Now what? Was this intentional? Or was this as much a surprise to him as it was to me and the rest of the class? What would you do?

Apprehension - Challenge - Excitement

A reflection of becoming a Dad and a Teacher

Right now it seems as though I am in the middle of something quite immense. It is as though I am on the precipice of something that is far more committing than anything I have ever done before. This is perhaps due to the fact that I am, well, now a teacher and only a couple of months way from becoming a DAD.

I am now being called Mr. Crandall by over 100 eighth graders daily in four different periods. This is no joke, most of them look to me for; order, answers, questions, and grades and others are constantly testing my boundaries. I have seen testing before, but never from so many in such a short period time. Fifty minutes is short, incredibly short. One minute I am speeding around the room overwhelmed then next minute I am standing alone in room surrounded by 35 empty desks, exhausted. How could this be when I only teach for 200 minutes a day? Probably because it is 112:1.

Soon, in what will seem like a blink of an eye, I will be a Dad. Wait a second, isn’t Dad the name of my father? Not me, right? How did this happen? Why? Are we insane? Are we ready? All questions I’m sure parents-to-be have asked for generations and we aren’t any different I don’t think. As the due date is getting closer the reality and brevity of it all is slowly sinking in. I am now left with equal parts apprehension and excitement with excitement beginning to pick up more speed.

It is going to be a big new adventure…

Don

Arches NP

Last weekend (1.20.07) we went down to Moab to get in some hiking and hanging out. Snow on red sandstone is spectacular, it sure beats the heat and crowds in the summer...

Kelly - 32 Weeks

Well here is the latest belly shot. This is just a quick post to fulfill the highly requested photo update out to the folks...

I hope to spend some additional time this weekend putting together a more detailed post complete with pics and updates on both of us...

Don and Kelly