Originally dated 10/17/17

To my Owen,

It has been quite some time since Mommy last updated this blog -- and so much has happened. As I try to recollect everything, please know that you have given Mommy and Daddy so much joy. You have added so much richness into our lives, and you truly make our family better.

Mommy is currently writing this on the airplane, as I go on my second business trip during your early years. I am sad, but also know that Daddy takes amazing care of you.

One huge milestone that you have met is that you have started crawling at the age of 10 months! Mommy and Daddy thought you might skip crawling and go straight go walking, but you have surprised us (as usual) and started to crawl one Friday afternoon when you came home from school. We were jumping for joy, laughing and shrieking, as we were so excited to see you develop in this way. You began to crawl anywhere and everywhere, both at home and at school, and found a new way to explore the world around you. Currently, you easily pull yourself up, love standing on your feet, and just began to cruise while holding onto anything that gives you stability. We delight in watching you crawl -- it is just the cutest sight to see.

When you were around 11 months, you went on your first airplane trip to Savannah and Charleston. You were great! You slept the entire way on the plane there and back. You were also such a good sport on the trip, as it was very hot (temperature was in the 90s!). You sweated a lot, but you seemed happy to spend the entire week with Mommy and Daddy. You were constantly smiling and laughing when you saw our faces, and it was that much harder for both of us to go back to work after our week together.

And now, you are nearing your first birthday (ah!). We celebrated your dohl last weekend at Minado with friends and family. I am sure you will see lots of pictures from the big day, but you did not even cry throughout the whole party. You were a bit overwhelmed so did not smile much for the camera, but you were not cranky which made the dohl a success. You were so handsome -- you wore an outfit that grandma bought for you, and we put gel on your hair for the first time. You looked adorable.

We love you so much.

Love,
Mommy