Last Saturday night the weather was nice and I didn't feel like cooking so we took Owen over to the Rio for an early dinner and play time at the park. We had Mexican food and ice cream for dessert. It was a nice family night out just the three of us. Owen loved playing on the play ground with all the other kids. It was great to have James there so I could get some action shots of him. Two hands is so much better than one at the park theses days! Owen loves going up the slide. I had a little kid run over to me and say very sternly, Hey, he's going up the wrong way. He's not following the play ground rules! I looked around and there were no rules posted....I'm assuming this is something his Mother tells him not to do. He was being the police! I just said, OK. And kept on going....Nothing like being bossed by a five year old. Hope you enjoy the pictures!
We've been out of touch for a bit. Sorry to keep you guys hanging. And I'm sure you're anxious to see some pictures of Mr. O. They're coming, I promise!
I started this blog post early last week. I just keep coming back and adding more lines.....one day I hope to have this finished. So this is the stage we are in now. Active! I don't seem to get much accomplished these days, other than Owen. We are spending all our time outside, playing, and taking bubble baths. Well, Owen is enjoying his bubble baths. I'm doing good to get a shower each day.
I once did my blogging at night, but now I'm using that time to get my chores done. By the time I sit down its 8 or 9 and then Owen's back up again around 11- midnight, for what ever reason. What happened to my sleeping beauty? I guess, life's way too exciting for sleep these days!
Oh yeah, this is what happened! My baby turned into a toddler!
May was an extremely busy month. I wish I had time to write it all down because so much took place, but the days are just flying bye. Mom and Granny came up to visit with Lyla the 3rd week in May. Then Granny came to stay with us for 10 days. We were quite busy during her stay. We celebrated Shannon and Granny's birthday, went to a Memorial Day festival, cooked out.... I'll post a link tomorrow of all the pictures from May if you want to see all the family.
I can't seem to remember what all I want to tell you about Owen.... Exciting I know! Keep reading? It's up to you! Looks like I'm not a very good blogger..... I'll get there eventually.
Poor little O Man has been sick a good bit again along with more teething. And now he's also experiencing some toddler frustration. Talk about getting it ALL at once! The days are a bit up and down and all around...we can't seem to catch a break lately. I desperately need a good run with him. He needs to be well for awhile!
Life's been ALL about Owen. He LOVES attention and he's still the shining star in the show. I figure this won't change until there's a sibling to share the spotlight with. How will I ever spread myself between two? The more attention Owen gets the happier we all are and he's becoming quite the little character too.
We have our daily laughing time together. He says, Uh-Oh and I say, Spaghetti O's. He laughs so hard and I laugh at him laughing! This goes on for a long time, over and over again. And normally it's right before his nap or bed time. It's a great diversion to stay up longer. And it works too! How can I not sit and laugh with him? It's been the highlight of my days lately.
Hey, you looking at me?
Although this is a tricky new stage that we're in, I'm cherishing his new developments. I'm realizing and accepting it comes with a price tag. Growing pains. It can't last forever? I decided to focus on all of his good behaviors and sweetness because it's easy to get caught up in the not so fun things.
I've looked back at photos of him this time last year and it's unreal how much he's grown into a little person (caveman). It's just mind blowing! Last June we took Owen on his first plane trip to Dallas for Danielle's wedding. He was absolutely perfect the whole trip. He was so easy and it's a great memory to look back on. He was still small enough to carry in the Bjorn.... I wish I could fit him in one now and keep him still for a bit. Can you imagine what that would look like? At 25lbs and growing its out of the question! Here's a quick look back.....
Owen last June
First time on an airplane
4 1/2 months old
sweet baby
first time in the pool
I loved carrying him around Texas
Daddy and Owen at the wedding
Here's what Owen looks like today!
I love to go on walks with Mommy
Time for bed!
Stroller ride at the park
I take bubble baths! And they don't taste very good!
I can eat big people food!
Swim play-dates are awesome!
I ware 24 months and 2T!
I can climb to the top by myself!
And I can go down the slide (with a little help)
I take swim lessons on Saturdays!
And I'm a big boy, but they still squeeze me like a baby!
I'll list a few things that have transpired over the last 6 weeks because he's changing and growing so fast. I know I will forget and I'm sure one day I will enjoy looking back on this.
He's signing to us! (more, please, milk, food, and all done or no) we are working on thank you and help - please. I love it! It's the best thing ever! Ok, he has learned the sign for help this week!
He is slowly adding more words to his vocab. And I love this too! Leo, Emma, cracker, bug, stick, please, cheese, Dylan, boom, ding dong.....and he says them when HE wants to.
Owen loves to "help" sweep, comb his hair, take out the trash, throw his diapers away, and even feed the dogs. He's Mommy's little helper!
He's been running over to me in between activities and giving me a hug. He pats my back and says, awww. Because that's what I say to him. He does this when he's getting tired.
He shows me his boo boo. He had a skint knee a few weeks back and daily he shows it to me and I kiss it for him. Now he likes to kiss his knees before bed. So silly. And lick the lotion off his leg. Yuck!
He's discovered TV. He'll sit down and watch his DVDs now. And he really pays attention and likes to dance to the music. He gets his left arm moving. We call it his chicken dance.
Buuuugh is Bug
He's eating new foods now that he has back teeth, apples, carrots, cucumbers ect. He loves to dip his fruits and veggies. In the morning he gets to dip fruit into yogurt and in the afternoon he gets to dip veggies into hummus and yogurt dill dip. He loves to dip!
His balance and coordination have really improved. He can walk backwards, twirl in circles, hes a great climber, and when he runs in the house you hear his little bare feet smacking the wood floors. I just love that sound!
We are loving the warm days. He has a new tricycle and helmet that he wares. So big!
He also has a monkey backpack that he likes to ware so he's able to walk to the park with it. He walks with such pride, all on his own ;)
Yesterday he and a little boy actually shook hands. And Owen and another little boy gave hugs at the park. It's amazing to see him interact (civilized) with other children and babies. He's learning!
His favorite books right now are, Sheep in a Jeep, Things that go, and Huggle Buggle Bear. I keep picking up new books because we end up reading the same ones for days in a row. He gets to choose the books at night.
Owen understands SO MUCH. I am constantly amazed at how much he understands and remembers. There's no fooling him! He knows where the park is from our house and he knows the drive to the Gym and where the construction on the road is.
Last night at dinner he didn't throw one piece of food on the floor. He ate well and was happy. When he finished he put the food back on his plate, handed it to me, and even washed down his tray. I was the happiest Mommy alive! He is learning table manners! Yay! It was the most successful dinner to date.
He enjoys throwing the ball for Emma and Leo
He's waving and saying, bye bye Daddy and night night Daddy.
Owen is signing help. And when I ask him, do you need help? He signs please back to me. I'm so proud of him. It's amazing how far he's come in only 6 weeks.
He's learned not to go down the basement stairs alone. The new gate was open by mistake and he walked over and tried to close it. Thank heavens he knew that was off limits. Finally, all our talks about danger has paid off.
Here's the little video of Owen helping James install the new baby gate that goes to the basement. And James sounds so hard. He claims he knew I was taping him and he doesn't like being on camera....He was giving me a little tude. I'm always hovering over his projects making sure things are nice and straight. Owen was very interested in the work being done. Oh, these boy! I love them so!
My niece, Lyla Grace arrived on May 1st. She was born at 3:30 pm and weighed 6lbs and 3oz and was 19.5 inches long. She is a tiny little lady with black hair and dark eyes. She has a cute little mouth and makes lots of little piggy noises. I was able to hold her on her Birthday and sing her a little song and she fell right to sleep. Skye and Shannon are doing well. They are slipping into their new roles as, Mommy and Daddy. Hoping to get by this weekend or next so James and Owen can meet Lyla.
Owen turned 15 months this past Friday! He's really grown into a little boy since his first birthday and each day he's learning something new, as are James and I :) He's become extremely active, lots of chattering, and even repeating a few things here and there. I'm really enjoying this part most! He's even started signing to us this week. This has been so amazing! It's when we prompt him, but he's got a couple of signs and if we can get him to sign, Please and Thank you, Mama will be VERY happy.
We've had our challenges lately with naps, sleeping, screaming, and little fits. Normal 15 month old stuff I guess. Owen was such an easy going baby and a wonderful sleeper that this is all new to me. His voice has gotten SO BIG and loud lately! And he really knows how to get our attention these days. I mean really knows! I'm doing my very best to keep him busy. My goal each day is to physically ware him out so he can nap and sleep well at night. Owen's been working on these back molars (and other teeth) since December. Needless to say, it's been a very long process and I will be SO HAPPY once all of his teeth are completely in. I think he will too :) This has been a big contributor to his mood lately.
Now that the days are longer and warm, we're taking walks down to the park in our neighborhood, playing with his water table in the back yard, and still getting to the gym a few days a week. He loves going there! As soon as I put him down he runs off to be with the other kids and to see what they are up to. Rarely is he even looking back, but I think that's because he's gotten so close to the girls and he feels comfortable. It's such a great break for me and I like knowing he's happy and having fun.
My biggest challenge right now, is getting out of the house with him. Even though I have my stuff together it takes us so much longer. He's on the move, busy running from room to room, or right under my feet. And once we get out of the house, he wants down so he can run and play. I carry him under my one arm and he looks like he's flying in the air. You know that hold :) Legs kicking and arms waving. LOL! Where it would take me 30 minutes before, it's taking me an hour or longer. There are days when I say, we are staying home today and we'll play outside later. Outside time makes it all better!
This is exactly the way James stands
Having fun splashing
Yay for sunny days!
The sticks keep getting bigger
I'm looking forward to his vocabulary expanding even more so he can communicate with us. I can only imagine how frustrated he must get. He knows what he feels and wants, but only has a few words in his vocab and 2 of them are No and Stop it. LOL. So hoping a few signs along with time, love, and lots of patience will help us all. :) Oh, and a good sense of humor!
He's such a little boy now and with a big-strong personality! :) Growing up way too fast!
Owen's stats from 15 Month check up:
Weight 23 1/2 lbs (yay! he finally put on weight) 25-50%
Height 31 3/4 inches 75% (his height has slacked off)
Head 18 3/4 inches 50%
Size 18-24 months clothes
size 4 diapers (we started using size 5 and got rid of the night time diapers)
drinks from sippy cups only (No More Bottles!)
using his spoon and fork with each meal (still likes to pick up things with fingers)
runs
loves to hide from me (he will wait it out too)
climbs (we have a real monkey on our hands)
rocks on his air plane
loves sticks (must have on in his hands when outside)
can say a few words: Mama, Dada, Doggy, Stick, No, Stop it, Ut Oh, Hi, Aidan, and we are working on Lyla (comes out like Myla)
loves to wave at every person he sees
gives a good high five
will give you a hug when you ask (mainly daddy gets them)
loves the dogs
barks like a dog, growls, and he might think he's part dog -part boy
has dropped down to 1 nap a day
favorite food right now is watermelon (he could eat it at every meal)
he is all about James right now
has been healthy going on 6 weeks now (knock on wood)
Happy Birthday balloon to get us through the grocery store
