Owen's New Martin

Yesterday was a proud day in the Butler house.  Wade took Owen to get his first guitar.  And not just any guitar, mind you.  He got his very first baby Martin.  Anybody who knows music, knows that Martin guitars are as good as they come and have been home to some of the greatest musicians that ever existed.  So you can imagine how exciting it was for Wade to get to share with Owen something that has been a definitive part of his life and childhood.

Wade grew up playing guitar and has had a love affair with music for as long as I have known him.  In fact, many don't know this, but Wade and I met when I was about twelve and we both grew up going to Bluegrass festivals in the summers.  But it wasn't until I was nineteen and in college, that we actually began dating, and as you can tell, the rest is really history.

Wade is great at so many things, but those who know him closely know that his greatest experiences in life happened with a guitar in his hand.  He started playing when he was eight because of the love for music his daddy passed down to him, which is why he felt so passionately about doing the same for Owen.

If you want to get him laughing, then have him talk about being on the road and the silly stuff the boys in the band would get into.  And believe me, you will be in stitches from laughing so hard  yourself or at least from watching him laugh so hard.  

Yesterday was a pinnacle point in our lives.  And to most, it might even seem silly to put that sort of grandeur on it.  Let me be clear, it's not about being famous or even the greatest.  It's about time.  Real, honest, quality time with Owen.  I'm not gonna lie, I'm sure he won't mind if Owen does become great at it, but underneath everything lies a hope that he will help Owen know what it feels like to really love something in his life.

For Wade, some of the best times he spent with his Daddy revolved around music and still do to this day.  My father-in-law set out to create a musician in Wade and he did.  But more than that, he created a love and passion for music.  If you were to ask Wade about his greatest accomplishments, it wouldn't be all the awards or gigs. And besides, he's not one to brag.  Instead, he would talk about the memories, the time, the friendships, and the love he and his Daddy shared for music.

It's a powerful thing from a distance.  And who knows, maybe Owen will blow our socks.  Or, maybe he won't.  But without question, he will get to spend time with his Daddy and hopefully make memories that he can pass down to generations that we will never see.

As a mother, I am in awe of it all and Owen doesn't even know how good it gets from here.  It will take a long time for him to appreciate what has just happened or to understand how much Wade loves him.  But one thing is for sure, it doesn't get any cuter.

I love my boys and I am excited for them both.  For I know, this is what little boys are made of even if no one else thinks so and as great as I thought Wade always was, a guitar in his hand sure didn't hurt.

Emery-8 Months

What is our little 8 month old up to these days, you ask?  TROUBLE!  She started crawling about two weeks ago and since she's discovered mobility, our lives just haven't been the same.  I would have thought I'd be more prepared for this day to come, but I am in no shape ready!!  It's amazing the things I've found her chowing down on.

She enjoys shoe strings, dirt, dog food, matchbox cars, and I have even found a tiny rock the size of a pea in her mouth.  Oh yeah!  The girl is apparently getting around way better than I realize.  So after a week of freedom, I decided it was time to bring out the pack-n-play.

This lasted for about a week, until she realized what I was up to.  Now, she thinks she's in jail and cries every time I try to contain her.  But, we are all managing through the tears.

I forgot how hard this is!  SERIOUSLY!!  She is still the happiest baby I know, but I'm beginning to see how boundaries can change any good attitude.  I'm sure it will get better, but as of right now, the three of us are all trying to adjust to Emery crawling. 

My favorite part is watching Owen squirm when he sees her slowly approaching.  He starts hollering, "Mommaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!," ten minutes before she makes it over to him.  I understand what a big adjustment this is for him and he is as patient as a three year old can be, especially when his personal space is a stake.

If she gets there before me, Owen will stick her paci in her mouth and give her one of her toys to play with hoping it will do the trick, but we all know, that will NEVER work.  She wants what he has, of course, and I still haven't figured out why every child on this planet thinks the grass is always greener.

Our house is a little upside down with Emery on the loose, but it's okay and we are all managing the best we can.

Another wonderful trick she had up her sleeve for me was this idea that if I wasn't gonna get out of the pack-n-play, then she was going to.  She started pulling up last week.  All I remember is Owen hollering from the living room, "MOMMA, MOMMA, EMERY IS STANDING UP!!!!!!!!"  You would have thought she was on fire the way he was yelling.  He just kept saying the same thing over and over followed by a very puzzled, "And babies aren't supposed to stand up!?"

I almost panicked when I walked in the room and saw this!  I AM NOT READY!  It's kind of cute with your first child because you think it makes them on or off the chart that every first-time mom is obsessed with.  Not this time.  Instead, there was this since of dread that came over me.  I even contemplated going over and pushing her down.  But, I didn't of course.  Instead, I took the RAH-RAH pictures like a good mother should do and tried to look surprised and happy.

It's been a very interesting last couple of weeks.  And, Emery and I are settling our differences and trying to fit in this new found talent of hers.  She is still the sweetest thing I know and has a smile that gets you right down in your soul.  And, the look on her face is that of one who is so very proud of herself.

It's hard to believe that eight months have passed me by and how much my little girl has grown.  Her first birthday is soon approaching, but until then, I'm bracing myself for steps and getting used to the fact that another walker is on her way!

Drum Roll Please! 

 Giving Emery Kisses!

 First Time with a Sippy Cup

I Love Ya Momma, But You Can't Keep a Good Girl Down!