In which you can dress us up.
One of the first toys Owen received from his grandparents upon his arrival in the States was a dressing doll-- the kind with shoe laces and buttons and velcro that help teach kids how to put on and take off clothing. Robin named him "Oleg" after our driver in Kokshetau.
I'll let that disturbing thought settle for a moment before distracting you with tales of our own play at dress up.
As you can see from the picture in the upper left, Owen enjoys wearing his lunch. The squash doubles as both a facial mask and a really strong hair gel. Mom and Dad, on the other hand, get all dolled up in more expensive, if equally scratchy, finery.
Uncle Crabtree (known in other circles as "Doug") celebrated his 40th birthday in the time since last we spoke. For reasons unknown he thought a black-tie event would be a fun way to mark the occasion. Apparently he has been to so many charity events that his pinching shoes are getting comfortable enough to wear everyday.
You can see Uncle Crabs between me and Abuelito Paul who inexplicably came dressed as a Dodge City undertaker. Below that, Robin looks beautiful with glamorous Aunt Melissa and lovely Abuelita Pamela whose golden jacket earned her first dibs on the Asian beef appetizer. Robin's also posing with Uncle Larry (sometimes referred to as "Kirk") who flashes his famous near-muppet smile.
For the record, YEARS from now, when we celebrate my 40th birthday, blue jeans and sandals will be the appropriate attire for guests. Also, in lieu of Asian beef and wine glasses raised in toasts, there will be chili cheese fries and karaoke.
This is, of course, how I celebrate all my birthdays.
Not to be outdone by his parents, Owen decided he needed some new clothes, too. As you'll see from the pictures at left, he's quite pleased with himself and his new lizard pajamas-- so much so, in fact, that he can't get enough of looking at himself in the mirror.
Robin and I are already falling deeply into the trap of spoiling the O-Boy. For example, when we can't decide between the lizard pj's and the ones with the whale, we end up just getting both. At first it felt like a bit of overkill on the whole sleepwear front. However, when the cheesy corn makes its reappearance the morning after your baby eats it for supper... well, maybe you can't have too many clean clothes.
Besides, it is very important that Owen look his best for outings. You never know when Aunt Melissa will invite you over for a dip in the pool and to play a little piano duet with your buddy Jack. (It was, incidentally, at Aunt Melissa's where the cheesy corn made its initial descent creating unnecessary pool risk.)
This past weekend was also Family Picture Day. We haven't seen the proofs yet, but I have high hopes that there will be at least one or two shots unruined by Dad's sloping brow and plethora of chins. You will be happy to know that we spared Owen torment on his prom night by foregoing the nudie shots.
Last, but not least, we had a very nice Fourth of July at Aunt Loretta and Uncle Joe's (you can see Owen with Joe at bottom) and a first sampling of "Kinder Music."
Joe and Loretta provided a magnificent cook-out spread and Owen, in his new red-white-and blues, enjoyed center stage for the bulk of the afternoon. It was a disappointing evening at home, however, when Mom and Dad were unable to continue the level of attention supplied by three grandparents, three aunts, two uncles and five cousins.
As for Kinder Music, I believe Matt Strelo said it best when he wrote in an e-mail, "it's kind of hard to hold onto your masculinity when you're dancing around and singing those songs."
I didn't actually attend, but I did hear enough of "Peek-a-boo! Peek-a-boo! Peek-a-boo! I love you!" to know that this was probably for the best.
Besides, what would I wear?
