One year in my heart

My baby turned one.
Second children are funny.... you remember how nice it is when they are old enough to be a little more independent, but yet.... you want them to stay little so much longer too.

Owen has taught us all so much.
A lot about patience and giving up expectations.
A lot about sharing and loving.
A lot about "going with the flow'

I think one of the greatest gifts I have been given is to see the love between these 2 boys.
Our morning ritual is piling in our bed and snuggling. Sometimes wrestling, a lot of laughs, sometimes crying (usually when heads are bumped together), but a whole lot of LOVE.

(this was one of the first pictures of these 2... been this close ever since!)


Owen's stats at 1 year old:

weight: 20 lbs
height: 29 inches

Mobility: crawling... army crawling. Still haven't figured out you can straighten your arms :)
Cruising on the furniture, letting go a lot more.

Verbal:  You can say.... mama, dada, bubba, papa, gaga (which is your word for milk),dog-dog, duck, book.  Words you "say" but aren't clear are Amen, Getty-Up, dat (that), gock (look). You also sign for more and water.

Eat: You are eating bigger boy foods now and love to feed yourself. I think soon you will start to want it all like this.  Nursing still through the day, but will soon switch a few feedings to milk. Drinking water from a cup like a champ... although you have figured out you can spit it out!

Favorite things: Your most favorite thing in this world are books. Followed by animals and building blocks.  You will point at books for hours! You also love to be outside and take baths.

I have said this before... I'll say it again, Owen you are the sweetest little guy. So laid back and easy going... (unless you're tired and in your car seat :)  God knew what we needed and he gave us the most perfect little brother we could have ever dreamed of. I hope you know how loved completely that you are!!!!!

Here are some of my most favorite pictures of this sweet boy in this first year!

11 months

Some days I look at Owen and feel like he looks so big... other times he looks so little still!
It's a little  crazy to think he will be a year in a little more than 2 weeks. 

I remember thinking in the beginning how HARD  having 2 children was. Who am I fooling... it still is, but things are definitely getting easier.

We gave sleeping on our own a good run.... until his molars started coming in, AND separation anxiety.  After a few too many nights of LOTS of crying... he's back in bed with me.  I need sleep... whatever will get me there is what I must do.  I know looking back when he's older, I will NEVER feel guilty for those extra snuggles! That's what I tell myself when people like to judge.

Owen, some of my favorite things about you  have been:

 Saying "mama" and meaning it... although not when you were sleep training and reaching your hand through the crib slats while crying it.

Saying "night night" to "bub buh"

Giving sooo many kisses that may or may not be excuses to bit on someone's cheek

Elbow crawling.  Just can't seem to get those arms up, even though your back end is! It's too funny

Cruising a lot... in fact, I think that you have made a track on the insideof your crib.
You are also getting very brave and letting go a lot. Mainly to sit down... but you have your eye on getting to one thing from another.

Your. hair.  Sweet red curls in the back that are the softest and most awesome thing in this world. If ever I have a rough moment I just nestle my face in that sweet head, and all my problems disappear.  And oh.my.bedhead.  I still do this with brother too!

I'm looking forward to seeing more and more of your personality shine through.... you are typically a happy and laid back boy, BUT who's not afraid to speak your mind! I think you're a lot like this mama of yours. And I'm perfectly happy with that!

10 MONTHS

oOPS!  I have not been on the ball with these growing posts of my little guy.
Truth be told... I'm getting a little more nervous about posting much about my kids anymore.

I will continue until O is 1 and then probably not much about the kids....

That being said,

So much has changed in the last 2 months...

Owen is weighing about 19 lbs.... and 28 inches long.
We have had a hard time being sick since Christmas... we got a cold on top of a cold on top of a cold... which then turned into bronchitis/ear infections in O and pneumonia in A!
Were finally doing much better and hope to stay that way!!

He can say... Dada, Mama, Bubba, Dog, Quack, Nite Nite, No no, Bye Bye. You love to click your tongue and growl, and imitate all other kinds of sounds!

Officially mobile.... you "army crawl" everywhere you want to go... even though you are more than capable of doing it the right way... this is your preference. Standing and pulling up on everything... including your crib ( which makes nap-time CHALLENGING)

You give us all kisses... or "love" as we call it!

You have 7 teeth and are working on 8 and 9 on top... they have been off and on forever!

Eating a lot of different foods... usually gag on peas and still LOATHE bananas. You really dig being able to eat them yourself... you will eat and eat if you can pick it up!

A and You love to play much more now.... he's so good with you. Even once in a while he will let you wrestle him and you just cackle!!



You are still such a sweetheart... you are finding your assertiveness though, especially when Asher does something you don't like.
But most always full of smiles!

8 MONTHS

How babies change so fast in this first year!
I was sitting behind a newborn at church, only 3 weeks old! I had already forgotten the stretches and noises those teeny ones make.
Even at a short 8 months ago you forget all that. Now it's screaming and mama and dada... which, I tell you is equally adorable!



 We have battled many a cold this fall and I just took little O to the Dr today for a bunch of junk. Luckily, it's nothing but a cold at it's peak and it should subside soon.

 I have enjoyed some late night moments with Owen. He gets to coughing and, for anyone for that matter, it's hard to get back to sleep after that!  We go in the dim of the bathroom , turn on the hot water and sit in the steam. Just me and him... no brother distractions, no business. Just me and him playing Itsy Bitsy Spider a hundred times.

Boy, this one is a smart cookie.
He is a problem solver.. a toy out of reach? Just pull the blanket and viola, toy comes to him!
He's learning so much right now, it's incredible.
Weighs 18 lbs. 4 oz
Probably about 28 inches long
Not even close to wanting to crawl... he'll have you wait on him, thankyouverymuch!
Likes to eat bites of things now... burger bun, green beans, cracker... but no bananas, please!
Many people have said it... He talks with his eyes. Big and brown and the 1 of the 3 sweetest eyes I've ever seen. Whether he's shy or happy, the eyes say it all.
We took the boys to the Christmas lights at the park, and he was so quiet looking at all of them. Just soaking everything in.
He is definitely a little more reserved than my older mister social :)
He loves to look at books and point out eyes on everything.
Loves music and  think he wants to be a drummer :) 

I am SOOO looking forward to Christmas and getting to finally have you here with us than just a belly and a dream.
Owen... are more than we ever imagined. You are loved so much. Happy 8 months, Sweetie Sweet!

7 months

7 months old.... how can this be? 
There's so much to say about how we feel about you.  How God knew what a perfect little guy to send to us....
I watch your brother play with you and it's getting so much more fun now that you can really respond to him. You laugh and try to do the same noises and movements.
He tells me all the time how glad he is to be your big brother. And it shows in his eyes.
He wakes up every morning to sneak into my room where you are still sleeping :) and curls up next to you and breathes you in. He kisses your cheeks and holds your hand, waiting ever so IMpatiently for your eyes to open.
You're nickname is Sweet-Sweet... and that is so fitting for your personality.
Ever so sweet and even natured.
When we are in public you are oohed and ahhed over and you usually don't give a smile too easily to strangers. When you are around people you know and love you are always quick to show those sweet little pirate teeth! ( That's what I think they look like!)
Speaking of... you have 3 teeth on the bottom and you're working on the top 2. They are so swollen and I know any day I will see the little edges popping down.
I got you an amber teething necklace since you are cutting multiple teeth at once and it seems to be helping. Before you were very uncomfortable at night and I thought the drool would never stop. Now that you are wearing it you don't fuss as much, though you do still chew on everything... and you're drool is SIGNIFICANTLY less.  I feel much better about it than giving you Tylenol every night.
 Sitting on your own now.. and there's no turning back! You like to see the world and laying down will not do anymore!
Very curious about everything... some of your favorites are paper of any kind, but especially ones that crackle, balls, spoons to beat on the highchair, and books! You are so much like your brother in that, books will stop you from anything and be read to. How I love that time with you too.
Don't know about crawling -as now that you have mastered the art of sitting, you loathe tummy time! 
Still nursing well.. just a bit more distracted these days.
Sleeping good again, but you are getting a little spoiled by rocking and snuggling to sleep... however, I wouldn't change it for anything! You will eventually not need me so I'm getting them in while I still can!

Here are your stats for the month:
weight : 17 lbs 12 oz  (50th %)
height : 27 1/2  (75th %)
head : not sure the measurement, but remembered that its in the 90th %!
hair : still very little, but it's growing and looking more and more red! (Grandma Shelia is thrilled!)
eyes : very hazel.. can't tell if they will be dark brown or stay lighter and greener

We love you so much, Owen Mitchell, and can't imagine our lives without that sweet face!
I enjoy every minute with you!

I see the moon!

6 months ago our family changed forever......
It's so hard to believe that it's already been 6 months into this new family of 4!



These last few months have been full of changes and new things...
Owen has started eating solids... sweet potatoes are his favorite, apples are close in 2nd.
I feel he is going to be my messy boy... He loves to "help" feed himself and is quick to grab the spoon! Most of the time the result is splatter all over everyone!
I have been making his baby food and it has turned out to a be a very economical, gratifying and strangely easy process! I like knowing exactly what he's eating too... no worrying about "other" ingredients.

He has really started talking a lot... many sounds and is more intentional with them. He's a communicator just like the rest of us! I'm still pushing for "ma-ma" to be his first word :)
(Chances are it will be da-da or bub-ba)

For a little guy who has such an on-again off-again relationship with his pacifier, he is loving it right now... He's wanting  to go to sleep with it and it does help soothe those achy teeth... I guess he feels like if he can't have mama...  that's the next best thing!

When he laughs he gets his whole body involved.... He wiggles down deep and shakes his head from side to side... cutest thing ever! He also has started cocking his head to one side and looking at something or someone. At first, I was concerned he may have an ear infection but after a trip to the doc, they said he was just being cute. I've tried to get a picture of this... but he's too quick and unpredictable!

He loves music... surprise, surprise... I know! He loves to make noises with his toys and when there is music you better believe he's moving... even if it's just his little foot turning circles!

Recently a big milestone is that he is rolling both ways and also sitting up with a little support. He is no longer accustomed to lying down... he wants to see things!

There are so many reasons why I LOVE this stage of babyhood.... they are aware of so much, taking every sight and sound in and loving it! We love to be outside now that the weather is more permitting and he LOVES to watch the leaves on the tress, especially when they blow in the wind. I especially love watching him and seeing those eyes big with amazement and awe.

There is so much about this little guy that we love... He's the best little brother in the whole world and the song is so true...

The moon sees somebody Asher sees..
I often think that God above,
sent Owen down for Asher to love.
Picked him out above the rest,
Cause He knew he'd love him best!

So much Joy from such a little guy!

Fun times on South Avenue

I was awake last night with my sweet little boy who wanted a midnight snack. I got to thinking how much fun our house is gonna be with these 2 boys and how fun it would have been to have a sibling close in age.  That got me thinking about my childhood and how many wonderful friends I had and how much fun we would have, especially in the summer.
Here are just random things that I would do that I remember doing, and hopefully some of them read this and remember them too.  Made me chuckle a little at some...

I had a storage shed turned playhouse that we would pretend to be pioneers and dress up. We would make dirt pies and spend HOURS in that shed! It was usually loaded with wasps and hotter than all get out... but we played!!

I remember Nicki and I having Barbie extravaganzas... man we had a LOT of Barbie stuff and what we didn't we would make out of boxes and washcloths. We would set it up and play for a whole week without taking it down!
I remember her cat and her poodle.. one of which was named Tippy but I can't remember which.
We got tired of jumping the fence so her Dad built us a ladder over it. Cant tell you how many times I scratched my wrist up and down on the top of that fence! We had some fun times.

I remember our Bass twin boys that lived next door for a while. We would play Power Rangers and X-men and I was always "included" but totally left out. I imagine that I was a big pain most days when I would want to play, as I am sure they totally didn't want me to a lot of times. They are still near and dear to my heart!

The Popes...  We had so much fun. They had a tire swing that would swing soo high!
We would swim in their cow-tank and I remember making whirlpools.
We would put on plays under a sheet on their laundry line and make our own costumes. We made our parents come and watch. Specifically one about weather... I think.
(This one made me smile since I haven't thought about it in forever..) We would roller skate in her basement! They had a great concrete floor and we would turn on some tunes and skate away!
They had a dog named Charlie and a cat named Crackers.. both were the sweetest things!!

I remember the Durhams and some knock down drag out fights between Lindsey and I over whose feet were bigger! I remember when they moved and they had the sweetest Rottweiler ever, can't remember his name though.  I always remember what a great christian family they were and how babies were always a topic of conversation since her mom was a nurse and she had 2 younger sisters. Their house even smelled like babies.

I know that If I don't write this stuff down it will leave me forever...  It's already foggy and some I don't know if I dreamed or if it was real. But I do know this...
I feel so blessed to have had great friends that I could always call on to play when there was a snow day or summer vacation.

I hope my boys have good friends like I did. The house next to ours is for sale and I am so hoping and praying for a sweet, young family with boys to move in!