Nice thoughts for the day

The greatest oak was once a little nut who held its ground. 

-Author Unknown

A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. it knows no law, no pity, it dates all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path.
-Agatha Christie


The greatest achievements were at first and for a time dreams.
-James Allen


Thank you, God, for this good life and forgive us if we do not love it enough.
-Garrison Keillor


Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones; and when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake.
-Victor Hugo


Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, 'I will try again tomorrow.'
-Mary Anne Radmacher


There is a garden in every childhood, an enchanted place where colors are brighter, the air softer, and the morning more fragrant than ever again.
-Elizabeth Lawrence

On the day that Owen was born

"On the day that Owen was born

On the day that Owen was born

On the day that Owen was born

the angels sang

and they blew on their horns

and they danced- they danced!

They smiled and raised up their hands 

and they danced, they danced

on the day that Owen was 

being born.

Right now someone somewhere is being born

Somewhere right now someone is being born

Right now someone somewhere is being born

And the angels are singing and their blowin' on their horns

And their dancin', their dancin'

Their smilin' and raisin' up their hands

'Cause right now somewhere someone is being born

Raisin' up their hands...

On the day that each one of us was being born."

~Red and Kathy Grammer

Happy birthday my wonderful, beautiful, incredibly happy baby boy!  Goodness, I can hardly believe that an entire year has come and gone so quickly!  

You are on. the. move!   

A boy full of energy and wonderment- everything is an exciting new discovery just waiting to be understood.  Oh how I love you so.  Each day of my life is brighter because you are in it.  Thank you for all of your sweet, juicy wet kisses, your hugs and wild laughter with each tummy tickle.  And although I am the one to give you presents today, you gave me the sweetest of all- to hear you say "Mommy" perfectly in your little voice melted my heart and made the whole world OK, if just for today.  

Happy first birthday Owen!  Now, let the celebrations begin!

Jackson the Preschooler!

I am so proud of my little man.  He has taken to school in the most wonderfully amazing way.  He loves it. Loves it (almost) as much as he loves Super Hero's.  Ok, maybe not that much- but goodness, it is pretty close!  He is learning so much and is so, so proud of his new accomplishments.  The alphabet letters that we have been struggling with for the past two years are now so easy, like this whole time he has been playing a trick on me and actually knew them all.  

This past monday I got to attend my very first Parent-Teacher Conference.  I have to admit it, I was so excited.  I knew he was doing well; after the first week of school he now tells me everything he does over the course of a school day (with hardly any prodding!) But I was looking forward to getting a little inside scoop on how he actually carries himself in school.  Is he polite?  Does he ever talk to the other kids? Does he help his other classmates and is he good at sharing?  I know what to expect when I am around, but it means something entirely different when he is in a room full of people.  Our little gabber jaws at home is very quiet and reserved in large groups.  Ands his teacher confirmed that Yep, he is like that at school too.  But although he is quite and an observer, he's got the smarts.  He is already in the head of his class when it comes to gross motor development.  Jackson has a perfect hop, skip and jump (Hey Mom, remember Bonnie with this one?!  hahahahaha) and his teacher said that in all of her years teaching she has never taught a 4 year old child that can color and stay in the lines like Jackson can.  They are amazed at his ability to sit still and the patience to get his pictures "just right". We are beginning to notice he may have a love for art just like his mommy.  So cool.

Jackson is growing in leaps and bounds and we are just loving seeing these exciting new developments.  This is a whole new stage in life for all of us- but it is 100% a great one! 

Almost 1 Year

I sit here tonight in a quiet house.  The Little's are all sleeping, Scott is at a friends house tying flies for an upcoming fishing trip and I get to blog in peace and enjoy a glass of wine.  It's kinda nice.  Thoughts have been running around in my head these past few days.  Looking back on this last year, I honestly have no idea where it went.  How on earth is it possible my little Owen is turning 1 in just 11 days?  Life has been fun and exciting and a total whirlwind.  I am sure it is also due to having a 4 year old (almost FIVE, don't even get me started on that one.... Mimi and Papa, where is that brick hat already??!!!) that is 100% boy to help keep me on my toes.  But WOW, is all I can say.  I love seeing all the growth and developments that Owen is making.   It is awesome and simply amazing how much these babies can learn in just a years time.

Even though I haven't been good about blogging here, I still have been keeping track of all of Owen's "First's".  Not sure why I didn't just jot them down here... I guess when I "blog" I want to be able to write something substantial.  But sometimes I just have a little to say and then it never gets said.  So here I am turing over a new leaf.  I will write here more, if even just a small update.   So here is what you missed....

7 Months - 
What a difference a month makes!

• June 12th SO close to crawling! He's got the army-move down pat. And the past few days he gets up to his hands and knees and then doesn't know what to do from there... until he lunges himself forward onto his face.

• Learned how to Crawl on Sunday, June 19th, Father's Day, perfected it the next morning and immediately was On. The. Move.

• First Word (Mama) the following Tuesday, June 21st. We have a 1st word!! During dinner, I just couldn't get Owen's dinner in his mouth fast enough. Impatiently Owen, very clearly says loudly "Ma Ma!" We all were shocked and squealed. About 5 minutes later he said it again! What an amazing week this has been for Little O- crawling, 1st haircut, and 1st word- all within 3 days of each other. So exciting!  

• First Haircut, also on Tuesday, June 21st.  Needless to say this week put me in a tizzy.  I was a wreck.  I lost my "baby" this week.  He went from laying on his back with spiky, crazy black hair- to crawling, "talking" and being completely blond with a crew cut.  He looked so different I admit it, I was super sad and emotional.  It was one of those bittersweet moments as a mommy.  Excited to see your children growing up, but yet not quite ready for so much at one time.  He hasn't had a haircut since.... although he needs it.  

• June 30th can now sit up independantly (meaning he can go from laying or crawling to sitting up on his own without help.  He is also enjoying Cherios, puffs and all that good stuff. He definitely prefers chunkier food then purees. I just can't get over all the milestones he has hit in just the past week!!

8 Months

• Owen is SO BIG!  He loves this game.  You ask him "How big is Owen?" he then proceeds to throw his hands in the air and then claps at himself , so proud.  Absolutely a-d-o-r-e-a-b-l-e.  He also loves to show off by playing peek-a-boo and pat-e-cake.  When he gets on a roll he will go from one trick to the next to the next, laughing and smiling and clapping at his accomplishments. 

9 Months

• August 19th Separation Anxiety has kicked in FULL FORCE. I can not even walk out of the room without Owen screaming and crying until I come back and pick him up. And if he had his way completely, I would never put him down. Once I am holding him, if I set him on the floor the screaming resumes. I don't remember it this bad with Jackson. It is also to the point that he will crawl away from me out of the room, but if he turns back to look at me and I'm not there behind him, he screams.  I've been using my sling a lot, except he is 9 months old and not the lightest little guy anymore (20+ lbs) Even with the sling, my back needs a break from holding him every now and then. The crying is just wearing on my nerves. He was NEVER a crier before. This is all so weird for him.  I sure hope this is a faze.  

• We've got a cruiser!  It didn't seem to take him long to figure out how to cruising furniture.  Once he got the hang of it he is all over the place.  

10 Months

• at 10 months 5 days old he got his first tooth!!  He is crawling everywhere, cruising furniture with a purpose- and fast! He can stand up on his own, and boy is he proud! But not quite walking independently yet. He can say Mama, Dada, Baba (for bottle and he says it for food in general) and More (sounds like Mah) while either clapping or hitting the table if the food isn't coming fast enough! lol. 

• He is definitely not into baby food anymore. Totally preferring table food, his favorites being pasta, brown rice, cheese toast, bananas, beans of any kind- especially baked beans, vegetable stew, Israeli Couscous and his absolute favorite- polenta! This boy likes food with flavor! Not crazy about applesauce, but if I sprinkle a little cinnamon on it he gobbles it right up!

11 Months

• October 6 so little Owen has a crazy rash of some sort. Worrying myself to death thinking it is rebella or measels. So not happy considering I am a mother who regularly vaccinates their children and out of no fault of my own Owen is suffering (he is too young for the vaccination). UPDATE: well it turns out Owen is allergic to the flu shot!! Weird, huh?! He has a really bad case of hives. So nothing too serious but he will probably never be able to get the flu shot ever again. At least it is nothing serious or contagious though!

• October 11 feeling burnt out today. It has just been a long two weeks for us. Me fighting migraines and a chronic sinus infection (which may be a huge cause of my headaches these days). Add to that Owen getting two new teeth, fever and fussiness from shots and an allergic reaction to the flu shot. He is not sleeping well or eating well and fusses almost constantly. It's been a long few days and i just could use a break. Oh how I hate being a downer. Sorry guys.

• October 17 And we have a walker!!!! After two weeks of Owen taking 3-4 steps and then falling on his butt, last night he figured it out and now he can't stop! The proud look on his face is so cute. Love him!

• Now that Owen has learned how to walk, that is his most favorite thing in the whole wide world to do.  He just loves walking from one room to the next, looking at stuff, bending down to pick up a toy and proceeding on his way into the next room of the house needing exploration.  He babbles nonstop and has developed a FULL set of lungs.  No more quiet baby, that's for sure.  Owen has stuff to say and wants to make sure you hear it loud and clear!!  He also seems to have turned into a bit of a screamer.  I think it has to do with the fact that he is learning so much and has so much he wants to communicate with us, but yet doesn't have a whole lot of words to say it all.  He gets frustrated and in turn screams to make himself noticed and heard.  We are all hoping the screaming faze will be on its way out once new words are on their way in.   The separation anxiety isn't as intense as it was.  He still loves to be held and has his times of day when that is all he wants (thank you again Leanne for the sling.  It is getting a work out for sure with this one!!)  But now that he can walk he has more fun being on the loose, so to say.  

• Owen loves to point.  It is his new favorite thing!  You scoop him up in your arms and immediately there is 100 things he wants to show you, pointing from one thing to the next "asking" what it all is.  Everything is exciting and interesting and he wants to learn it all.  

• Owen's Words so far: Mama, Dada, Baba (bottle and food in general), More (sounds like Mah.  He also still bangs his tray when he is ready for more too.  We have a little caveman! haha), A-Da (he says this when he is asking what something is.  He says A-Da and then points at the thing in question.  Be sure you answer him or he will keep asking only it gets louder each time!), he said "kitty" once but hasn't repeated it again, can't really count it yet....

So there you go!   I think I have finally caught you all back up to speed on our Little O.  Next is the Big Man on Campus, Mr. Jackson.... hold tight!

Oh my goodness, life has just been HAPPENING!

I don't know about all of you but life is just good these days.  Summer is in full bloom; my boys are growing, busy and so very, very happy.  There is a lot of joy going on in our household lately.  And you know what, it has everything to do with our new little Owen.  He was every bit the missing piece that our little family needed.  I don't think I have ever in all my life met a happier, more peaceful or more content little baby.  If you have spent any time with this little guy you would notice that he is the quite observer.

 a happy Owen, 5 months old

He takes in everything around him, while just waiting patiently for you to make eye contact with him.  Once that happens forget it- your heart has now melted from the ear to ear smile he just blessed you with.  As he is growing more and more independent, studying all that is around him, he is truly finding his "voice".  He isn't quite as quiet as he used to be, but he is definitely Mr. Mellow.  He let's the world roll off of his shoulders- very much as I would love to be able to do from time to time. Owen is so much like his Daddy, it is amazing.  I look at the boys and although I see Scott in Jackson's ever changing and growing features- his personality is me through and through!  It is like deja-vu at times.  And our Owen, my little face twin is his father's son.  I see those personality traits that my Scottie possesses- those same ones that made me fall in love with him, right here in my littlest guy.

6 months old

It is amazing how you forget those super early days with your first child.  I am so glad I wrote everything down with Jackson, because I am loving going back and reading all the firsts he had, when they happened and looking how Owen compares.  They might be brothers, but their personalities are so different.

my wish- they will always love each other this much. Or more.  

When it comes to hitting milestones the boys have been pretty much right on track with each other.  Jackson was an early developer and I see Owen is very much the same.  I think a lot has to do with the fact that they just don't want to be left behind.  Jackson as a baby was determined to be able to do whatever it was that his big cousins Anna and Sophie could do.  And now we hear Owen loudly protesting when he works so hard to get to where the action is, just to be left behind when one of us walks into another room.  I can almost hear "Hey!!  Wait up guys!!" come from his lips.  He is constantly reminding us- I will not be left behind!

Sweet angels, you two have a place in my heart- in my soul, that could never, ever be left behind.

We've got a crawler!!

On Father's Day, after a week of trying and trying, Owen finally figured out how to crawl!! The hand over hand while moving his knees at the same time thing is so tricky to understand. Sunday evening it started to click and he made a few actual forward crawling movements.  But as of Monday morning I plopped him on the floor and he crawled right away from me like he has been doing it for months! Jackson and I erupted into cheers, claps and even some jumping up and down! Such an accomplishement. Now two weeks later and he is all over the house. The baby gate is now a permanent fixture as he will follow anyone (especially the kitties) wherever they go. He is our little explorer.

Owen's Favorite Enticers 

(i.e. things Owen can't keep his hands off of while on the move):

cords- all kinds. He seems them, he will beeline to them and immediately tries to figure out how to get them in his mouth. Really great, huh?! Time to figure out some new cord control...

Stereo and Electronic Equipment- do they make screens to hide stereo buttons? Because that is the first place he heads. If Owen is in the living room, be prepared for the television volume to be turned off, stereo turned on (full blast and usually on AM fuzz- it sounds wonderful, let me tell you...) or all of the sound buttons pushed at the same time so you have no idea how to fix it until hours later....

The Cats!!!!!- Just like when Jackson was a baby, Owen just loves to follow the kitties. Memphis usually lets Owen get just close enough to touch and then he walks out of reach. This continues until one of them gets bored (usually Memphis). Ringo, the stubborn cat that he is, doesn't like to give up his house and has to be the center of everything. The poor cat is going to be hairless soon if he doesn't give in. Owen always has his fingers in his mouth, so they are wet and sticky. wet and sticky fingers + cat hair = gross.

Jackson's Toys- it doesn't matter what it is.  If it is Jackson's, he wants it.  And wants to put it directly into his mouth.  Jackson has actually been surprising good at sharing and making sure nothing too tiny is on the floor where Owen can reach.  I think the only thing Jackson really misses is being able to color in the living room on the floor.  But Owen just wants to eat the crayons, so for at least a little while, coloring will have to be done at the table.  

I think we have to loose the bumper...

I think he hates it.... 

but how am I going to sneak out of his room at bedtime if it is gone?! lol.