1st Birthday Party

Owen's 1st birthday party yesterday was a success. The weather was a little cooler than I would have liked, but aside from that, the day was perfect! Owen is so blessed to have so many wonderful people in his life who love him so much. He absolutely loved being the center of attention. He got so excited when everybody sang "Happy Birthday to OWEN!" 

The best part of the day had to be when Granda arrived at the party. He wasn't sure if he was going to make it because of work, but was able to stop by for 30 min. As soon as Owen saw him, his face light up and he started bouncing up and down. I just love the love those two share!

I took a million pictures and I'm only dumping about half of them here. 

Enjoy!

^^ His pre-smashed smash cake. It was like the leaning tower of cake. ^^

***

unfortunately running all over the place getting ready for the party, spending all day on my feet, packing up to move, and the stress from family issues has landed me back on bed rest. Last night I started having terrible- on the floor crying- cramps. I also had a few contractions, but nothing regular thank God! I think I'm getting to the point where I have to realize that this pregnancy is different from Owen's. I can't do all that I could last time. I'm just praying hard that Liza stays right where she is for at least 15 more weeks. 

11 months... yikes!

I am in complete disbelief that my baby is 11 months old. That's only one month away from being and entire year old! Where has this year gone? It seems like just yesterday I was sleeping in a hospital bed with my brand new, tiny,  infant snuggled up on my chest. Sometimes I miss that. Ok, a lot of times I miss that- snuggling with Owen. He is so active and curious and constantly on the go that he rarely has time to snuggle with Mommy these days, and when he does its for literally less that two seconds. He'll put his head on my shoulder and pause for a second and then spring it back up as if he suddenly remembered something really important he needs to do.

This month has been a long one. O caught a bad stomach bug in the nursery at Catholic Camp and it lasted almost 10 days. He spent most of that time with only breast milk and pedialyte as nourishment. He lost a little over a pound, but I'm hoping he'll have gained it all back plus some by his one year appt.

We've also had to deal with some painful teething this month. His top left tooth cut through at the beginning of the month without an issue, but now the top right is cutting and the poor baby is feeling it. He's always been a great sleeper and its waking him up at night and making his really fussy and clingy all day.

He has quite the temper. He knows what he wants and doesn't want and he'll let everyone around know, too. The whining has begun and it is not even a little cute. We're trying to nip it in the bud, but it's tough since he's still too young to do any kind of real disciplining. Right now we're doing lots of "No, sir!" and redirecting. He also loves to do the body flop if you pick him up when he doesn't want you too. That's super fun...

Our favorite places this month are the pool and the playground in the mall. O is such a little fish. He'll dunk his face in the water and come back up with a big smile. He loves to "swim" and kicks his feet as you guide him through the water. For the longest time he would freak out if you tried to lay him on his back to float, but now he'll do it leaning up against Daddy and clinging for dear life to the back of his neck. It is the sweetest thing to watch. We like the mall play are because there's nothing O can't touch or play with. He can crawl around for an hour without needing me to follow after him and make sure hes ok. He loves feeling independent and I love the break!

He's starting to be more interested in books. His favorite is "Ten Little Lady Bugs." When we're playing in this room he'll spot it from across the room and want to read it 10 times. He also loves to make animal sounds. He'll watch you make the sound a few times and you can see him thinking hard about how to do it and then he'll try. He's such a smarty pants!

He is a total chatter box. From the minute he wakes up right up until he's being rocked to sleep, he's talking away. "Dadadada" Maaaamamama" "Mommommom" "Fafafafa" "Badada" and all kinds of other gibberish. He's also starting to try to sign back some of the signs I use with him, especially "all done" and "milk."

I am so proud of the little boy he is becoming, but I also hate how fast time seems to be flying. I plan on soaking up every last minute of Owen's final month as an infant. 

Finally a 10 month update

Owen, my tiny squishy newborn, is 10 months old! 

Well, technically, he's more like 10 nd 1/2 months old now, but for the purposes of this post, he's simply 10 months old.

This is his favorite face to make. He is still such a huge ham and will do anything for a laugh. He really has the greatest personality. You can't help but be happy when you're around him, because he is always so happy. 

We just started putting him to bed without rocking him to sleep first. It was surprisingly painless. He cried for 8 minutes the first night and cries for under a minute almost* every time since. He is still an amazing night time sleeper. Most nights he goes down around 7pm and sleeps until at least 8am. Naps are hit or miss. Some days he does great- two 2hr naps- other days not so much- one 30min nap. 

*As long as he has his loveys he's good.

His appetite has waned a little. He drinks 2-3 8oz bottles of formula and nurses 2-3 times. He loves a big breakfast and a pretty big lunch but is normally not that interested in dinner. He would eat his snacks all day though!

He is a speed crawler! Especially when he sees something/someone he really wants. It's amazing how fast that kid can zip across the floor! He pulls up like a pro, climbs over and under anything in his way, and cruises around the furniture. Still no steps, but I'm not rushing him. The last thing I need is for him to be more mobile!

His favorite things right now:

His bottle- if he sees it he's not happy until he gets it

The shape sorter- he loves taking the shapes out and putting them back in the little opening

The playground in the mall- the last time we went he crawled around for almost an hour without ever looking back to see  if I was still there. Mr. Independent!

This little piggy- he wiggles his toes for more

Screaming at the top of his lungs- I swear he's gonna give himself a sore throat! He thinks it's hilarious though, and my siblings love to encourage him :/

Aunt Mary- she is seriously his absolute favorite! I really wish I had a video of his reaction to seeing her walk in a room. It's the sweetest most hilarious thing. If nothing else will cheer him up, she always will. I don't know what we're gonna do when we move!

He had his first ear infection this month. He has always pulled on his ears when he's tired, but he was acting really fussy and messing with them more than usual and had a fever. I hate seeing my poor pumpkin sick. The doctor prescribed him an antibiotic and he was better in a matter of days, thank God!

I think these photos do a pretty good job of explaining why I have zero time for blogging these days. When I'm not busy chasing this little tornado around I'm resting and reminding myself to take care of myself and the baby I'm growing inside of me. 

The ONLY time he isn't moving at 100 mph

In other news we're busy trying to find our first home. It's crazy how fast things are getting scooped up around here so we're having to move fast to try to find something in the area we want- close to my parents and our church.

Beau is getting crazy close to graduating. Like 14 days close! Then he has his surgery on the 27th and will hopefully heal quickly and be out on the streets by the middle of July. 

Little Liza is growing well. I'm still not gaining weight which makes me uneasy, but the doctor says it's a good thing. Hopefully it just means I'll have a lot less than the 50lbs I had to burn off after Owen was born.

So there's my "update." God only knows when I'll have time to make another one. Hopefully I'll do better and make one semi close to O's 11 month birthday. 

11 months? Ahhh! It's getting way to close to him being a year old! 

May is for Moms {an interview with my son}

I'm linking up again for the third and final week of the May is for Moms link up. This week's interview is supposed to be with your child(ren), but since Owen is so young and Finn hasn't made his debut yet, I decided to have Beau answer the questions in their place. 

This is how Beau thinks Owen would answer these questions if he could.

1. What is your favorite thing that you and I do together?

Go to the park. He loves going to the park with you.

2. What is something important I've taught you that you will always remember? (i.e. be nice to everyone, always make your bed, etc.)

To have a kind heart and to treat everyone equally.

3. What is your most special memory about me?

I don't know what he remembers. It's probably when you go get him from the crib first thing in the morning. He's always so happy to see you.

4. What is something nice I always say to you?

I love you.

5. How are you and I the same? How are we different?

You both have love for everyone and are always happy. Your a girl and he's a boy.