they know

I swear Owen knows if we are eating or trying to sleep.  For instance, how many times have I sat down to dinner and Owen wakes up 10 minutes early!  Seriously, in 10 minutes I can have my plate wiped clean and in the dishwasher. 

So this brings me about today.  I don't know if it was his extra long nap in the morning or the fact that I had given him juice a little bit before putting him down, but he took forever to settle down and fall asleep.  Of course, this happens on the ONE day I decide I am going to let myself take a nap.  So, I put Owen down and he was happily playing for a while and started to quiet down so I laid down in my bed.  Not even 10 minutes later he is loudly whining like he needs something.  I think maybe his foot is stuck in the rails or he finally pooped.  So, I check on him, no foot stuck, no poop.  I went ahead and nursed him as we are transitioning between a 3 hour to a 4 hour schedule and at this point it had been just over 3 hours and he didn't eat very well earlier.  So, back in the crib he goes.  I laid back down too.  15 minutes later he is crying out again.  This time I did the diaper check and foot check; patted him and left.  15 minutes later, he is crying out again. I peak from the doorway and he is on his side facing the wall with his arm in the air.  The arm is going from his side to straight up in the air and he is pumping it as fast as he can, up down up down in the dark it looked like a little blur. 

I think to myself....my nap isn't going to happen especially since I didn't eat very much for lunch and I am hungry.  So, I sit down with my snack and realize that I hear nothing.  The kid has fallen asleep as soon as I got up!

I swear they know...and do it on purpose!

Owen: 7 months/remembering 9-11

Today we remember 9-11, ten years ago and the innocent people who lost their lives and all the soldiers who lost their lives defending our country after the attack.  I am remembering the people who keep us safe so that I can live my life raising this precious little boy.  Thank you to anyone who is reading this that has family or friends that they are remembering today.

There is not many times in our life that we can remember the exact moment and time where we were in time.  10 years ago today, I was sitting on the lawn on the UNCG campus drawing buildings for a class.  I remember all of a sudden we noticed that students were acting strangely, crying, walking quickly.  It was in between class time so we knew something was up.  We ran back to our classroom, someone had a radio on and we tried to figure out what was happening.  Our professor canceled class and I headed back to my dorm room in time to watch the replay of the plane hitting the 2nd tower.  My Mom saw it happen live.  My sorority sisters were mostly gathering together all trying to figure out what was going on and we were calling family members to absorb the shock together.

So, where am I ten years later?  Well, I am living 45 minutes from where I was that day.  I am married, I have 2 sons in heaven and 1 here in my arms.  I am heading to church to remember the church members that have passed away this year and remembering 9-11 during our service.  Then we will be having a carry-in lunch in the Hut.  I will probably spend the afternoon at home letting my little boy nap and hopefully get together with some friends for dinner.  I wonder if in ten years I will remember this day as clearly.

I think it is fitting to remember this past month on this day, I would like to think that those who gave their lives would tell us to cherish our lives...because every moment, every minute is so precious and special.

I dedicate this month of remembering Owen to those people we are remembering today. 

• eating everything in site!  You are so willing to open your mouth and try everything...well except for anything with a texture!  You will gag and make the funniest faces if it has too much texture!
• you have tried: mangos, bananas, peaches,  (yes we both found them disgusting out of the jar), lima beans, kiwi, re-fried beans, a tiny sip of a mocha decaf frap (ops! forgot how good you are with a straw!) i am sure there is more foods I am forgetting! 
• when you nurse you have started the funniest thing:  if I don't let you hold onto my face/chin (b/c you might scratch me) then you will scratch your head and drag your hand from your forehead to the back of your head like you are nervous or stressed out!  You look like a little old man when you do this!
• you have learned to sit up, though I still need to be nearby to spot you
• you do the funniest crunches throughout the day! Yup my baby almost has abs of steel...IF he didn't have rolls of chub covering them!
• You lift your legs and bottom in the air when I change your diaper to help me.
• You like it when I clean your nose with the air bulb from the hospital....you think it is a fun game!!  
• You got the sniffles from teething just a few days from turning 7 months and you have been making the funniest face and sniffing in and out very quickly!
• You are TOTALLY working on your top teeth and I wasn't ready for the bottom 2, but they are pretty cute so I figure the top ones will be cute too!  But don't feel like you have to grow up too fast!
• You pat the books when I read them too you and all I want for my birthday is a chair I can put in our sunroom so we can read together.  I want to spend all my time in that room with you!
• You are still nursing and we haven't tried a bottle in months!  I am so proud of us!!  If you had asked me if we would get this far I would have never believed it!  
• Here is a sample of the schedule we have been living:  wake up at 7 and coo with daddy before work (from your crib), sleep till 9am, get up, nurse, eat veggies, play in jumperoo, morning nap, get up at 12pm, nurse, sometimes eat another solid food, play/run errands, afternoon nap, at 3pm get up, nurse, play, quick nap before daddy gets home at 6pm, nurse, eat solids, play with daddy and then get ready for bed.  Nurse again at 10:30pm our most precious snuggle time.  Most days we miss one of those naps b/c we are so busy running errands or whatever, but you are flexible and do so good!!
• You started swim lessons this month and LOVED it!!!  You splashed your face and mommy's face the whole time!  I am loving watching you enjoy your firsts!  We haven't dunked you yet, but I am sure it is coming!

doing his daily crunches

yup its documented, he is sitting up on his own!

very focused! love the faces he makes

stop the paparazzi, i have had enough 

look at that profile, so handsome!

he loves his daddy, and his scratchy beard!

first day at swim lessons

he did great!

Labor Day: truely a laborus day

Is it being a new mom?  Is it because I am home most of my day?  But I feel like I can't get everything done.  I feel like there is always more I could be doing.  I could list out about 10-15 responsibilities that I have very quickly, then I could list just as many items that need doing, projects for Owen, projects for the house, cleaning and organizing.  Seriously, the list is endless.  Sometimes, I start one thing and then it leads to 5 other things.

For example:, today I wanted to put away the pj's my mom got Owen, sounds simple right....get the carters bag out of the living room!

• I go to hang his clothes up in his closet, but find that it is overflowing with clothes that are too small or out of season
• so I needed a box to save his clothes in 
• so I had to go into the basement (here is where I see all the other projects that are haunting me)
• I wanted a large plastic container like I have put his other clothes in, but didn't have an empty one, but there was a "Jeanna: winter scarves & purses" bin that has been in the way.
• So up to the living room where I sorted thru that container that hasn't been opened in 2 years.
• Then I had to get a bag for the items to donate
• Then I had to put the items I wanted to keep in my bedroom (they still need to be put away...)
• Finally I have an empty container, so back to Owen's room I go!
• The container is full before I can blink, but I decide that is enough for one day.
• But while I am at it I went ahead and did some other organizing in his closet.
• Now there is a few random things on the floor, but for the most part it is cleared out.
• I still need to label the rubber bin and take down to the basement.

 Are you bored yet reading all that?  Seriously, I feel like everyday is a little like this.  I have been trying to keep on task, but it is hard too. I guess it goes back to my ADD that they said I had when I was young.

BUT to make myself feel better I should say the other things I tackled today:

• Organizing Owen's closet 
• Cleaning out 1 rubber bin from basement that hadn't been opened in years
• de-junked the drawer in the hall bath that wouldn't open that was driving me NUTS!
• did 2 loads of laundry and all of Owen's is put away, just a little of ours is on the bed folded ready to be put away
• Put dinner into the crockpot and stirred occasionally throughout the day
• did about 2 hours of items for HES/family business
• cleaned out email inbox
• read a little from my book (got to have some reward time in my day!)
• blogged 2 entrys about Owen!!!
• boxed up pictures that are going to be mailed off to be scanned! (major on going project and I am sick of seeing the boxes sitting around my sunroom!) 

Owen: 6 months

This is so late and thankfully I wrote this closer to his 6 month birthday, but I was waiting to piut pictures in it and now I can't remember which pictures I was going to put in it!! Haha~mommy brain at work so here is our 6 month old.

Wow, seriously am I might have to start ever month like this!  You amaze me Owen, you are already so smart.  This month you have learned so much, here are just some of the highlights:

• I found your second tooth on the bottom on 8-1, so far you haven't bitten me yet.
• You love the oatmeal, rice and avocado and are tolerating green beans, squash and rice.  You like a thicker baby food, if it is too thin you gag and spit it back out at me!  You have tried carrots and really don't like them.  I got some in you buy hiding them in rice cereal.  Your Neanna gave you oatmeal and applesauce and you made a face, but seemed to really like it!
• You are still refusing a bottle, but we have become so quick at nursing together that it usually isn't a problem, except when I need to be somewhere else away from you. But I will give up concerts and get togethers for you my little one!
• Your daddy likes to make noises and bury his head in your belly to make you laugh!  You will stick your fist in your mouth and squeal!  It melts my heart and I am going to enjoy every minute watching you grow up and love your father.
• I have found your tickle spots and squeal the word tickle tickle tickle at you and you just laugh and try and squirm away.
• You had your first trip to Sunset Harbor the Holmes' family beach week.  You did GREAT sleeping in your pack-n-play.  
• Your biggest weakness is traveling long distances in the car.  We bought you your very own DVD player for your seat and it worked most of the way distracting you, but you wouldn't give it up and go to sleep.
• One afternoon I had the sweetest time snuggling with you on the bed, we were just laughing and talking to each other.  I started whistling and you tried to copy me!  First you studied me very seriously!  Then you put your lips together and made a raspberry spraying me with some spit!! Then you opened and made an O with your lips.  I was so impress!!  I am just amazed by how smart you are!  To write this down doesn't even come close to how special of a moment it was.  I am so thankful that we have this time together and I hope you will know that I always love you.
• Your Daddy loves getting you out of the crib, sometimes he doesn't even take time to unzip your woombie because you are so excited to see him!  Each time after a nap you give us the best grins and it makes us know that you know us and we feel so loved.  
• You are trying so hard to sit up, if you are laying down on your back you will raise your head and shoulders off the ground.  You have started doing this when you know I am going to pick you up too!  It is nice and I tell you thank you for helping mommy!  
• You make the cutest monkey face when you want solid food.  It lets me know you are ready to eat and if what I made you is gone I know that you are wanting more.  I hope we can get it on camera for you!!
• This month your body is starting to get as chubby as your cheeks!  Your little legs are turning into hams!  I love it!
• You have learned to drink out of a straw!  It only took you the second try to get it!  You still suck too hard and choke a little on the water, but Mommy is thinking you will end up skipping the sippy cup.  I can't get you to suck on those yet.  Time will tell!
• 8/7:   You needed a little help falling asleep tonight so I went in your room and rocked you, as I was holding you and inhaling your smell you became so still and just let me hold you like a little baby.  Thank you for being so sweet, I prayed to God thanking him for you today.  I do this everyday, thanking the Lord for you.  You are so amazingly perfect!  These moments are what I dreamed about all my life as I have waited for you. 
• At your 6 month check up you weighed 17 pound 11 oz they said you are 65%!  We are so proud of our chunky monkey and she even said you have great muscle tone and a perfect head shape (yes as your mama I worry about even the shape of your head!).

mommy and Owen

daddy and Owen in Daddy's 66 mustang (are you claiming it with one little finger?)

"Mom, what are you and Dad making me do?"

i love this one as he was looking at his mommy!

SUCCESS!!! Swaddle is GONE!

It was time.

• the woombie was so tight when I was zipping it up
• Owen was rolling over while inside of it
• he was having to sleep on his side b/c he couldn't stretch out
• we decided not to purchase the MEGA sized woombie 
• he is almost 7 months
• though Owen did still smile every time I zipped him up and it was the cutest thing ever, though I wasn't wanting to admit he was growing up and putting another last behind us, but it was time and I know I have a whole lifetime of firsts in front of us!

Saturday morning, Chris headed to Charlotte to his cousin's house to help roof and Owen and I hunkered down for what I thought was going to be a LONG day of crying and a sleepy baby.  I had mentally prepared myself for three days and night of screaming crying as I was pulling the woombie cold turkey.



So here is the break down of our day:

• 9am: we wake up, eat breakfast, Owen gets a bath and it is time for nap #1
• 10:30:  Owen lays down for his nap wearing a t-shirt, cloth diaper and long sleeved footie pjs.
• 10:45:  Owen is doing his whining tired cry
• 11:00: Owen is screaming crying, I go in and rock him, calm him down and remind him this is our new way of sleeping.  I hand him his woombie and guide the tag into his mouth.
• 11:30: after some more whining, he is ASLEEP!!
• 12:15: up and ready to eat
• 1:30: back down for a nap and this time only 5 minutes of whining and 15 minutes of talking to himself and he is alseep!
• Since then he seems to be able to just talk himself to sleep!! Thank you Lord for an easy transition!  I have noticed that he doesn't seem to get into as deep of sleep, but I feel that this is part of his transition and we will get there, hey we are only on day 3 as I am typing this!  I was fully prepared to still be CIO!~

The moral of this story is:  wait till baby is ready!

yes he is clutching his woombie in his sleep, kinda broke my heart a little to deny him of his wonderful swaddle that made him so happy.

 

 

 

a moment

I want to remember this moment.


I am completely exhausted.  Owen and I have been going going going! 

A quick recap of the past few days:

• Saturday:  get up drive to Elysha's house for a wonderful afternoon visit.  Owen slept in his pack-n-play in her wonderfully large pantry!  Then headed to Mom's house for an amazing dinner (roasted chicken, sweet potatoes, cold marinated green beans) and WOW Owen and I had a TON of stuff!
• Sunday:  get up, drive to Greenville, SC for Weslee's (my cousin) wedding shower, Owen didn't sleep in the car, but did continue his crib tour of the South by sleeping in their crib for about 45 minutes, then we packed it back up and headed back to my mom's.  Owen is exhausted, poor baby the car ride back wasn't fun.  But he did get some good z's in Neanna's crib and his mommy enjoyed another yummy meal!  Hamburgers this time! 
• Monday:  get up, pack up, meet Gin Gin and Lucy for coffee and chit chats.  Lucy gave Owen a Bible and Gin let us borrow a PraiseBaby DVD!  Owen caught a cat nap till we stopped for gas and then shopped at IKEA.  I got Owen a kid's height table for the chairs we had from my childhood, some mats for the shower so he won't slip and slide and some stuff for Daddy's coffee station that I have been wanting to do FOREVER~!  Then we had to make one more stop to pick up a box of stuff and headed home.  

So, now I am at home.  Listening to the thunder and rain outside.  My feet are up and my son is asleep.   Did I mention that he SQUEALED with JOY when he saw his room?!!   It was hilarious, it was like he was looking all around making sure it was really his room.  He had the hugest grin on his face and patted the wall while I changed his diaper.  Then I nursed him just to make sure he wasn't hungry and put him in his crib.  When I laid him down he squealed and laughed!  Then he started kicking his legs like he does when he is excited to see someone or just happy!  I could barely zip him up in the woombie before he was grabbing at the cloth to suck on (I swear this thing is his lovey~!).

He spent several minutes just chatting happily in his crib.  I think he was telling his room hello and how much he missed it.  Now it has been almost an hour and he fast asleep and this storm is already passing as I am typing this post. 

I just want to remember this moment. 

6 month family photos

I am so in love with my son even more!!  Here is a preview of the photos we have seen so far:

the rusty ford truck

chillin' in the field on a handmade quilt

walking around luggin' an 18 pounder

speechless