Easter 2013

I know I am terribly behind on blogging, but I blame having no internet at our house as the culprit.  So to do these posts we have to lug our iMac desktop down to my parents since that is what we are downloading the pictures on.

Thanks to my great grandmother, the boys had an awesome easter basket and outfits

Their after church outfit that they were supposed to have matching, but Penny's didn't get Owen's shorts in on time like they said they would.

We are all about baseball and these dollar store bases were a find!

We actually didn't end up going to church, a huge storm blew through and knocked a tree down blocking out way out. So I just put him in the outfit and went to my grandmother's.

The shirts came from my good friend who has an etsy shop! Click here to go to it!

Brotherly love.

Because of the storm, all lights went out in Harleton.  My poor grandmother had planned this big elaborate meal and we had to eat only the stuff that didn't have to be warmed!  It was still so good.  The lights didn't come back on until 1 AM!!!  It was still a great Easter, one where Reid was finally able to start understanding the reason we celebrate.  

Going to the Zoo

While Mark was on spring break from his schooling, and I was still on maternity leave we went to Tyler for a little visit and R&R.  While there Mark's mom, or "Nina", graciously took us to the Caldwell Zoo.  It is the biggest zoo in east Texas and has a really neat history.  Basically it started in the backyard of this very rich older couple who had no children, but loved kids and wanted them to enjoy animals.  It quickly became a bigger zoo and up until the wife died a few years ago (and the zoo went to the city) it was free admission, so anyone could come!  The Caldwell's  never wanted there to be a charge on admission to get in, and oh how I wish it were the same. We did end up having a great day!

Seeing the Penguins 

Some type of monkey looking right at us

Proof that Owen was there 

And that I was there too

Want to have some fun? Make a 2 year old try to say rhinoceros. 

My camera would only focus on the fence but this capybara was nursing like 8 little guys.  I told her I felt her pain 

This truck used to be a the Caldwell playschool (a virtually free preschool back in the day) where Mark and his brothers went.  

Showin' Owen: 3 Months Old & Feeding Goats

I can't believe it is that time again, time to update because my little boy is 3 months old!  Time sure is flying this go around that is for sure!  He is getting so big, it makes me sad!

 He is still waking up around 3:30 to eat every morning and then again at 6:30.  I am waiting for the day when he will be sleeping all the way through the night, but knowing that as soon as that comes, teething, so the reprieve would be brief.

He has been staying with "Nana" or our Mrs. Cheryl, the lady who kept me until I went to kindergarten with his brother and doing well.  We love that we have someone we can trust while I finish out this school year.  She gives both boys so much love and attention as well as keeps them busy (she has a horse, chickens, plenty of land, and all sorts of things to occupy a little guy) which makes me feel better.  At the last daycare I am pretty sure Reid was stuck in one small room with 4 other kids all day.

He is still eating 5 oz every feeding with Nana.  He is a champion pooter, and a drooler monkey right now.  He still can't lay flat right after you feed him or he will spew.  He is very good at the "baby pushups" and is working on becoming a consistent roller, though I don't think I put him down enough during the day to really see this skill in action lol.

He is my cuddle bunny and sleeps better when he is on someone or right up against them (like at night when I am too tired to put him back in his bed and he accidentally ends up by me for another 2 hours lol).  I know I am about to have to start not doing that, but he is still pretty good about sleeping whereever so I'll let it slide.  

He is still a pretty serious kid.  He will smile at you and try to giggle, but you gotta work for it a little.  It's not that he isn't happy, he is just somber.  Blake said it's because he has to work so hard to move those giant cheeks outta the way lol.

He is growing like a weed and I can't wait to watch him as he gets bigger.  It has been difficult having 2 kids and working full time, but I am so glad he is a part of our family.  He fits in perfectly.

The day we took Owen's 3 month pictures we also got invited over to the house of one of my grandparent's friends to help feed some orphan baby goats they took in.  The mama had triplets, but only took to one of them, so this family offered to take care of them and let their granddaughter help!  This really is a testament to how much Reid has been learning at "Nana's" house because he is usually very cautious around animals he doesn't know, but here he was all about them.  He loved holding it, and kept saying "I pet him.  He lick me.  He likes me.  He's soft."   We then walked around to the back and fed chickens and the big goats.  Reid wanted to go in the fence and pet the big goats too!  I was so impressed with my little man.  He is growing up so much, and changing into a little boy right before our eyes.

Feeding one of the baby goats. 

Looking at the big goats and chickens

He even asked to go inside the fence and pet the big goats.  I was so proud.

Showin' Owen: 2 Months Old

I can't believe my sweet youngest little guy is already 2 months old!  Seriously it seems to have just flown by, though I have a feeling I will say this every month.  He is the sweetest, precious, easy going baby, whom I am just so smitten with.  Here are a few things about Owen at 2 months that I don't want to forget.

1. He got his social smile this month and it is so precious.  I don't want to brag, but he smiles the most for me (something I am sure only has to do with the fact he knows I have food) and I love that.

2. He will look for me if he hears my voice across the room, something else I thoroughly enjoy.  He also gets excited when I get in front of him and talk to him, kicking his legs, and moving his arms.

3. Heis holding his head up like a champ, just looking around, checking it all out.

4.  He is eating around 4-5 ounces about ever 3 hours, except for the midnight feeding.  No matter what time I feed him last, he will be up around 2:30, and then eats every 3 hours after that.  It is not nearly as draining as it was with Reid and for this blessing I am seriously praising God on this front.  I prayed so long and so hard over this, that nursing would go well, I wouldn't hate it, that he would do well and every single thing has been answered on that front.  I am now praying that he will continue to be a good nurser after I go back to work and wouldn't become completely attatched to just a bottle.  I don't fancy pumping all summer. 

5.  He is a good sleeper, especially at night, which I am grateful for. 

6.  He is still in our room sleeping, I am going to move him when we start letting him "cry it out"

7. At his last dr appoint ment he weighed 12lbs 3oz and was 24 and 3/4 inches long making him in the 61% for weight and 95% for height. 

8.  He loves to be cuddled and falls asleep best when he is snuggled up against somebody.  This makes it hard for me to put him down, so I don't most of the time.

9. He is in between sizes right now, sometimes wearing 3 months, sometimes 0-3. 

10.  He is my sweetheart and leavign him to go back to work will be so hard!  I am glad he will be with Mrs. Cheryl, but I am praying for my momma's heart as I get ready to head back!

11. He has started cooing and trying to laugh which we find highly amusing.  It is hard to leave when he is doing that.

12.  He loves Mommy.  Seriously like loves me, which I find so funny.  Someone else can be holding him and he wil be fussy but as soon as I get him he quiets down.  I love it and am sure it will bite me in the butt soon.   All in all, he is a keeper!

Showin' Owen: 1 Month Old

I cannot believe that one month has already flown by!  It never ceases to amaze me at how SLOWLY pregnancy can go by and then HOW QUICKLY time flies when the baby is finally here!  Anyway, we are still so in love with our little man, just sitting there watching him do nothing and everything all at the same time. . . Such a gift.  Here are a few things about Owen so far from the month he has been with us.

1. He is cuddle bug!  Seriously loves to be held and be up by you.  I am so not complaining!

2. He is working so hard at holding his head up!  He really has got it going on pretty good.

3.  He is staying awake for longer periods during the day, which is nice because hopefully that means we are moving closer to a time when he sleeps through the night.

4.  He is waking up about 2 times a night which isn't awful, but I am ready for him to settle down and sleep a little longer.

5.  He is extremely gassy like his brother, especially at night!  There is a "fussy hour" about an hour after the morning feeding (anywhere from 4-6) that he isn't happy unless he right beside you.  I have been putting him in the bed with me, just so I can catch some extra z's!

6.  He is eating about 4 oz (from what I can tell after letting him stay with mom overnight one night last week) so far, and growing like a weed!

7.  He has baby acne, which is no fun :(

8.  He smiles in his sleep, which is adorable!  He likes to take naps on his tummy at times too.

9.  He is tracking with his eyes and knows my voice, moving his head and flinging his arms to find me if I am close by.  This melts my mama's heart!

10.  He has the best big brother, who loves to give him sugars, and help me out!

I couldn't be more in love with my little ones!  I am so blessed to be their mama, and I can't wait to see how Owen grows up!  We pray diligently for him, that he would be saved, have a tender heart, conviction of a lion, and a moldable spirit full of character!

Life with Two

Hello again all!  Since I have been able to stay at home on maternity leave, you my readers get to enjoy more blogs!  Lucky you!  And since all I do at home is stay with two of the cutest boys in the entire world, that is most likely what you will be reading about!  

Life with two kids is crazy!  Especially when one of those two is almost two and a half. . . and still not potty trained (grr).  I never thought I would be one of those moms who had the almost 3 year old still in diapers (thinking about it right now makes me want to gag a little), and believe me I had good intentions in life, before I had to go back to work.  Then I had good intentions to try real hard during Christmas break, since both Mark and I would be home, but that kind of went down the drain when Mark broke his collar bone 2 days after I got out of work and had surgery a week or so later.  Then I had plans to do it when we were home with a new baby, but trying to potty train and have a new born, and not be home on the weekends is kind of ridiculous and so  much harder than I anticipated.  Any tips besides just getting in there and following him around all day are greatly appreciated.  He has YET to wake up dry from night time or nap, like not even close to it, so I am wondering if he is ready. . . 

Owen is doing remarkable well.  Mark and I were talking about how he has filled out, and doesn't look like a newborn anymore really.  He has graduated to size 1 diapers, and is beginning to out growing new born clothes.  Makes me a little sad!  It has been such a different experience this time around because I am not dealing with Postpartum Depression.  I have said more than once "So this is how it is supposed to feel?"  With Reid I just remember resenting ALL of it, the feedings, diaper changes, get ups, nursing, EVERYTHING.  I didn't resent HIM, just how my life had changed, and I wasn't ready for it!  It took me a while to bond with Reid I felt like, like 9 months (how long it took me to get over PPD), while this time I feel completely bonded to Owen.  I am so glad to not have to deal with those feelings this go around, and sad because I know what I lost with Reid :(.  

Speaking of Owen, we went to the doctor when he was two weeks old and according to the Doctor, he looks awesome.  He weighed 8.2 so that was good!  Nursing is also going SSSSOOOO MUCH BETTER this time around.  I think I knew what I was getting in to this time as far as the demand it places on you.  I had a better outlook on it going into it, having thought about it during my pregnancy and ready to bond with Owen in this way.  Another thing I think really helped was praying about it extensively the entire pregnancy.  I am so grateful it is going so well and pray it continues to! 

Ok, now here are some pictures from what we have been up to.  

Reid and Owen with "Nina" and "Pops" (Mark's parents).  I thought this was a great picture  of everyone!

So if I haven't said this before, I will tell y'all now.  In my family, February is the month of celebrations!  My mom's birthday is Feb 2, then exactly a week later is my brother's birthday on Feb 9, then 5 days after that is Valentine's day, then the next week is Mark (and Blake's lol) birthday on the 23rd.  So yeah, lots of stuff going on in February.  Last year mom and dad took us out to eat each week that someone had a birthday!  At Mark's birthday dinner they said, "Next year we are going to go out to eat at Shoguns one time to celebrate everyone!"  This was more than ok with us.  So here are a few pictures from that night!

Here is a backstory for this picture.  This is my brother and you probably recognize one of my best friends Abby by his side.  They started dating at the beginning of this month and I could not be more excited!!!  I  couldn't have planned it any better myself, I mean my brother and my best friend?!?  

Aren't they Cute?!

We are working on getting him to realize he has to smile WHILE you're taking the picture!

Mom and Dad

Laughing at how he took a picture!

Me and Marky!

Adam took this but didn't zoom in!

One more attempt, no good/. . .

So there you have it!  What we have been up to lately.  For now I have a hungry toddler and newborn!