Pictures from The Weekend

Aunt, Uncles and Great Granny

Uncle Chris, Uncle Shannan and Aunt Skye came over today to watch the hockey game and have dinner. It was nice to see everyone.  Then we got Granny's suite case all packed.  She is leaving tomorrow morning to go back to Georgia.  So tomorrow will be the first day that Owen and I will be in the house alone together.  I think we will do just fine.  If it gets too quiet in the house I will be calling a few of you to chat, but something tells me the day will go by so fast and I won't even have time to check e-mail.  Granny has been a huge help.  She cleaned the house everyday and took care of all the washing and even took care of Leo and Emma for me. By the end of 4 weeks the dogs were really listening to her.  She learned that giving them a treat is the way to get them  to do anything she needed.  James and I are grateful for her time and hard work here.  Tomorrow our good bye will be bitter sweet I'm sure.  Thanks for your help Granny, we love you and hope you travel safe tomorrow.  I'm sure you will have a story to tell.

 

Thio (Greek for Uncle) Unlcle Chris

 

 Aunt Skye and Uncle Shannon

Great Granny

1 Month Old

Owen is one month old.  I can't believe it!  As I was rocking him at 3 am the other morning, I looked into his big blue eyes and thought, what a wonderful and yet wild journey this has been.  Looking back on the past 4 weeks brings me so much joy.  I had a wonderfully poetic blog going in my head, but when I went back to sleep at 4 am I lost it.  So I will do my best not to bore you here.

The first week of his life I felt so out of it as I recovered from the surgery, but lucky he was out of it too and just slept all day.  The second week James was flying solo with the help of Granny, my neighbor Maria and Shannon and Skye, as I was sent back to the hospital.  Those 4 days spent away from him were so hard.  I am thankful for all the help and support we had. This was of course during the blizzard.  What a hectic time!  While in the hospital, I couldn't rest and when I would drift off to sleep, I'd see his little face looking up at me.  It was all I could think about.  I just needed to get home.  I kept telling the nurses to get me well so I could go home, my baby  is so cute and I need to see him.  James told me to stop telling people that.  Maybe he was embarrassed, but it was the only thing keeping my spirits up at that point.  All the other moms seemed to completely understand.  Finally,  I was able to go home and just in time for the second blizzard of 2010.  Grateful to be home, but I was so afraid Owen wouldn't know me since I had been gone.  And then it only took a few seconds and we were back on track.  It was if I had never left his side.  Clearly I was more upset about it then he was and I was thankful that we never skipped a beat.

Since being back home for the past 2 weeks I have fully had time to bond with him.  It has been so wonderful and everyday I notice something new that he can do.  Each day we get to hang out while his Daddy is at work, so I have to take a lot of picture for him.  We have our little routine down and just as soon as we get going its dinner time.  Where does the day go?  I do really well to get showered and dressed before 3 each day.  Then the days all blend a little, but seem tp go by so fast and yet slow at the same time.  I am just trying to hold on to every moment, as I can already tell he is going to change so quickly.  This week he has really come alive and found his voice.  He grunts and squeals when he wants food or attention (gassy).  It's pretty cute.  We call him fussy butt when he's fussy, but it's not too often really.  Overall we got a really good baby on our hands.  Here's a list of what he's up to now.

What Owen is up to at 1 Month  

• Nick Names: Fussy Butt, Kicky Pants, Peanut, Big Boy and Little Man,
• Takes up to 4 oz of milk at once
• Sleeps up to 4 hrs at a time (mostly during the day time)
• Has lots of gas and Granny refers to it as "Popping Peas"
• Fits into his newborn and 0-3 months clothes now
• Loves to have his bath and hair brushed and massage (I want this every night :)
• Smiles at us
• Reaches for objects
• Screams when he sees his bottle coming towards his mouth
• Grabs his bottle with one hand
• Sleeps in his crib at night
• Prefers to sleep on his side
• Loves to sleep on his Daddy's chest
• Likes to be rocked and sung to

As challenging as the first few weeks have been, I wouldn't trade any of this.  This experience has changed me and shown me that everyday that we have, with those who we love, are the most precious days of our lives and nothing is more important to me than that.

My friend Michelle use a stuffed Giraffe next to her daughter Morgan each month to show how much she has grown.  I just love seeing all the monthly pictures of her!  So here's my attempt to get Owen with his teddy bear. I almost feel bad for posting these pictures.

I'm growing

This week he is able to fill out many of his new born clothes and socks finally stay on his feet. Now I can dress him like the little man that he is. Marnilyn my co-worker gave Owen a bunch of cute clothes from her baby boy Ivan.  So we are really enjoying them.  I just love the little pants and they are easier than all the snaps on the One Z's. 

Ivan, thanks for the cool clothes and bassinet!

3 Weeks Old - In Big Boy Bed

Owen is really growing and changing each and every day.  The biggest thing that happened this week is he slept in his crib for the first time on Monday night.  Let's just say it wasn't an easy transition for me, but once we got him in there and I got 5 hours of sleep, I was so happy.  James was really pushing for him to sleep in his big boy bed sooner, but I just wasn't ready.   But on Monday night after not having much sleep for a few days...Owen has bad gas some nights :( I was at my wits end.He really loved his bed and he slept so well.  Yay!

Mazda CX 7

So we finally did it.  I got my Mazda CX 7!  James said, Happy Birthday, Valentines Day, Mothers Day and Merry Christmas.   I just loved my Mazda 3 but, once we got the car seat and stroller in the back there was no room.  I couldn't sit in the back and buckle my seat belt, so it was time to go bigger.  I got the new car on Sunday night and it was the easiest buying experience I have ever had.  Thank goodness!  They were really laid back at the dealership and while we waited on the paper work they let us take the new car to Costco to stock up on formula and wipes.  It was so surreal.  James and I looked at each other and laughed.... Our first Costco trip in our SUV as new parents.  Boy how our lives have changed :)

Changing Everyday

Today I really noticed how much Owen has grown and changed since we first laid eyes on him.  He is much more alert during the day and even spent a few hours just looking up at me.  Yesterday at his check up he weighed in at 6 pounds 13 oz.  So he has really put on the weight over the past few days.  With the added weight his face and body is really started to fill out and he's getting nice full checks.  With the extra food comes extra diapers.....I think yesterday he pee peed on himself it least 5 times.  So we had many out fit changes throughout the day yesterday.  I just have to laugh!  Tonight when I gave him his bottle he sat up and with one hand he held the bottle and with the other he gripped my finger.  That was so sweet and I know every soon he will want to hold his own bottle.  I call him my big boy and it really seems to fit. Oh how we love this boy!

After our check up yesterday- completely worn out

He decided last night that he no longer likes to be swaddled 

and kicks off the covers when he's bundled up

 

Owen once he gets a full belly

Holding his head up - He loves his bath 

and baby massaage time

This is for you Anjoli!

 

My Daddy was not happy about this

But my Mommy thought it was so sweet

Cousin came to visit

Today we had Owen's Grandad, Mrs. Sue, Aunt Michelle and his baby cousin Tyler over for a visit.  Owen and Tyler are just six months apart.  I have a feeling that very soon they are going to be big pals.  We had such a laugh when trying to get them to sit together for a pic. We ended up laying them down on the chair.  So it looks like Tyler is holding Owen.

It was a nice visit with the family....And they brought us Cheesecake!  Can't wait to dig into that here in a minute!  You know I am getting better when I am excited about food :)

Owen Gets Kisses!

James and I  really weren't sure how Emma and Leo would react to Owen, but the dogs have been wonderful.  Thankfully they have been very calm these past 2 weeks and everyone is getting their new routines down.  Leo just wants to kiss him all over!  Emma is a lot less interested most days, but she knows he is part of the pack now and accepts him.  She lays in his room by the rockers while he takes his bottles.  Here is a short video of  Owen getting his puppy kisses from Leo.

YouTube Video: Puppy Kisses

George Owen Has Arrived!

Hello Everyone,

Sorry we have been out of touch for so long.  It's been a crazy little ride, but we wanted to let you all know we are home, resting and recovering.  We have had some really great moments over the past 2 weeks.  Can you believe we have taken over 150 pictures in the past 2 weeks?  When you have time check us out.  Owen is such a joy and we can hardly wait to see what lies ahead.

SnapFish Photo Gallery

He weighed in at 6lbs 4 oz today

and 20 inches long.  Healthy check up!

Love,
Amanda, James & Owen