So what does a world class beauty school education get you?
One fine looking groomed dog.
Thanks K-Spray for your help! You're the BEST!!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Big Boy Bed
After crashing out of his crib one Sunday afternoon, we decided it was time to make the transition to the Big Boy Bed. I wasn't sure how it would go at first or if there was even a chance that Owen would ever sleep again knowing I couldn't trap him in his bed and make him anymore. But, much to my surprise, he has done really well. We are lucky if we get a 45 minute nap now, but nighttime is really good.
The only downfall is that Owen will wake up usually before 6 now, opens his door and comes downstairs, comes into our bedroom, and then proceeds to wake us up! And, he thinks this is so funny!!! But if you were to ask his Daddy or me, we would have a different story to tell. I never pictured the day when he would be coming to get us out of bed, instead of the other way around.
Never the least, we are all adjusting to the big boy bed and the new human alarm clock in the house!
The only downfall is that Owen will wake up usually before 6 now, opens his door and comes downstairs, comes into our bedroom, and then proceeds to wake us up! And, he thinks this is so funny!!! But if you were to ask his Daddy or me, we would have a different story to tell. I never pictured the day when he would be coming to get us out of bed, instead of the other way around.
Never the least, we are all adjusting to the big boy bed and the new human alarm clock in the house!
Happy Father's Day
Wade is probably the best Dad I've ever seen, hands down. The list goes on and on when it comes to all the things he can do. I don't know any other man who takes the time like he does or has his kind of heart.
Owen's whole world is his Daddy and they are very close. There are things they do that are special just for them. For instance, they will occasionally have a powdered donut dipping contest with a little thing of milk just for Owen and everything. They have boy time, they wrestle, and they play and Wade is never too busy when Owen needs him.
He always makes the time and always helps in a lot of ways, but probably my favorite thing of all is that Wade insists to putting him to bed every night and always has.
They have the same routine every time. Wade will tell Owen to come give me a kiss and then they will make funny faces over the banister and blow more kisses, which is an added 7-10 minutes, before Wade takes him to his room, sets the his little birds for noise, and puts him to bed. For me, this is one of the greatest things that a Daddy can do. This is their thing; Owen knows it and he loves it, but more important than that, he can always count on it.
A lot of things get in the way of doing and saying all the things we want to. There are distractions and there are excuses that keep us from doing things we know we should. We always seem to take it for granted that we will get the chance to make it right the next time, without knowing for sure that we really will.
I don't say it enough or take the time to express how much Wade means to us or how lost our lives would be without him. He holds our family together and keeps us on track. He makes time when there is none and he is always willing to help no matter what is asked of him. He doesn't complain and he works hard. He is laidback and never gets angry. And the one thing I can always count on is that no matter what, he is always there to be counted on.
Owen and I are the luckiest people I know. And if the world crumbled down all around us and we lost everything we know, that would be fine too. Wade is the source of all the good in our lives and we wouldn't want it anyways if he couldn't be there to be a part of it.
Wade-
Thank you for always taking the time. You are truly wonderful in everything you do and we love you so much. Thank you for always going out of your way for us and for making our lives what they are everyday.
Owen's whole world is his Daddy and they are very close. There are things they do that are special just for them. For instance, they will occasionally have a powdered donut dipping contest with a little thing of milk just for Owen and everything. They have boy time, they wrestle, and they play and Wade is never too busy when Owen needs him.
He always makes the time and always helps in a lot of ways, but probably my favorite thing of all is that Wade insists to putting him to bed every night and always has.
They have the same routine every time. Wade will tell Owen to come give me a kiss and then they will make funny faces over the banister and blow more kisses, which is an added 7-10 minutes, before Wade takes him to his room, sets the his little birds for noise, and puts him to bed. For me, this is one of the greatest things that a Daddy can do. This is their thing; Owen knows it and he loves it, but more important than that, he can always count on it.
A lot of things get in the way of doing and saying all the things we want to. There are distractions and there are excuses that keep us from doing things we know we should. We always seem to take it for granted that we will get the chance to make it right the next time, without knowing for sure that we really will.
I don't say it enough or take the time to express how much Wade means to us or how lost our lives would be without him. He holds our family together and keeps us on track. He makes time when there is none and he is always willing to help no matter what is asked of him. He doesn't complain and he works hard. He is laidback and never gets angry. And the one thing I can always count on is that no matter what, he is always there to be counted on.
Owen and I are the luckiest people I know. And if the world crumbled down all around us and we lost everything we know, that would be fine too. Wade is the source of all the good in our lives and we wouldn't want it anyways if he couldn't be there to be a part of it.
Wade-
Thank you for always taking the time. You are truly wonderful in everything you do and we love you so much. Thank you for always going out of your way for us and for making our lives what they are everyday.
Happy Father's Day!
Cooking breakfast for Daddy for Father's Day
Friday, July 2, 2010
Mother's Day Out 6.15.10
So against the mother in us all and the feeling that we don't want them to grow up, move on, or forget us; Owen started a Mother's Day Out program at a church right down the road a few weeks back. This is the first time he has ever been in a program other than the nursery at church. And from the time I knew he would be going, I tried hard to focus on the good and not so much the bad.
The Good
*He would be better adjusted.
*He would have new friends to play with.
*He would learn that he is safe even if I'm not there.
*He would get to do lots of fun summer activities.
*I would get a few days a week to accomplish the things that are impossible in the presence of a 1 1/2 yr old.
The Bad
*I would miss him
*I would miss him
*I would MISS him
And with that, I realized that if I didn't let him go then I was the one being selfish and he would be the one to miss out.
So after getting all the things checked off his list to make sure he was ready to start his first big day at school, I had him packed and ready to go. He gets to carry his lunch to school which is sort of a big deal. And for me, it's a really big deal because I had no idea what to pack. So, I played it safe and went with a PB&J (with the edges cut off of course) with pretzel sticks and a fruit cup. Sounded like a winner to me.
When 8:45 arrived, we set out on our way. I just knew he would maybe think I was finally giving him away like I'd threatened a hundred times before and wonder why he was there and why I wouldn't be staying. We stood in line with all the others waiting to sign in and he was so sweet holding my hand the whole time and watching all the other kids around him. Then, we were directed to his classroom and I felt the nerves coming on.
They had a hook with his name for his backpack and a little cubby for all his things. We put his things away before I took him into the room. I just knew he was about to have a meltdown and the tears were going to start flowing. Yeah right! He skipped that part and jumped right on a rocking horse and started having the time of his life. I kept trying to find a reason to stick around, but the lady warned that I better get going while the getting was good.
And at that moment, I felt crushed.
As soon as I left the room my emotions got the best of me. I was really trying hard to hold it together and when I finally made it to the car, I absolutely lost it. I'm talking like a big ole crybaby. It just hit me all at once and the fact that he never even turned to find me or even cared that I left him sent me into an emotional frenzy like a silly crazy woman.
So, there I was in the car crying my eyes out only to look down and find in my hands, a little yellow blanket. I felt a feeling of desperation as I hated to even go back in that building. And to be honest, I didn't want anyone to know that I had been sitting in my car crying. So I pulled myself together the best way I knew how and walked back inside with a little spring in my step to try to disguise my despair.
A lady met me at the door and offered to take it back to him. And as I turned to leave, I heard her say, "Honey, are you okay?" I thought I had managed to trick her, but I guess you just can't hide emotion like that. I just smiled and told her I would be fine and left.
The first day was a rough one without him. I had no clue what to do with myself. I drove around for a while, considered a pedicure (with no luck), and eventually thought it might be nice to go have lunch with Wade at work. And it wasn't until I was sitting there with Wade that I could begin to appreciate the time away from Owen. We had a great time at lunch and were even able to just sit and talk without any distractions, which seems nonexistent these days.
Owen has been in Mother's Day Out now for about 3 weeks and it is amazing at how much he has blossomed. Not once has he had a hard time with going. He really loves the time away and the change of scenery. And even I have learned to appreciate the value of it, although on the first day I seriously considered going back to get him and putting this off a little while longer.
The more that time passes; I'm realizing that life takes us down some curvy emotional paths. The way you first think you will react is usually totally opposite than the way you actually do. I never saw myself as the woman in the car crying after leaving her child somewhere. Not because I don't love him, but because I have always felt that I had a good grasp on what our relationship truly means. From day one, I've been planning to let go because anything other than that is unrealistic. He has a full life to live and has to grow up at some point whether I like it or not.
And even after knowing all these things, it still surprised me how hard it was to let go even just a little bit. There is something there that binds you to them. I thought for sure I wouldn't be alone in feeling a little sad that day, but to be completely honest, it wasn't that he didn't seem to miss me that bothered me the most. It was how much I missed him and the fact that he is slowly but surely going to grow up and leave. Love is just one small way to define how I feel. I realize that he is a huge part of my life now and my whole life is wrapped up in him and his happiness. He is the first person on my mind when I wake up and the last before I go to sleep and pray.
You think when you have child that you have all the time in the world, but you don't. There is not one day that passes that he doesn't do something that amazes me, and there is nothing like watching him grow into the person he is going to be. But I've learned that my time with him is limited and I have to make the most of what I do have. I believe that there is always something for me to learn in times like these. And what I've learned is to soak it up, take the good with the bad, have fun with him, teach him the best I can, love him anyways, and lastly, let him go.
Owen- You were such a big boy and I am so very proud of you!
Love always,
Momma
The Good
*He would be better adjusted.
*He would have new friends to play with.
*He would learn that he is safe even if I'm not there.
*He would get to do lots of fun summer activities.
*I would get a few days a week to accomplish the things that are impossible in the presence of a 1 1/2 yr old.
The Bad
*I would miss him
*I would miss him
*I would MISS him
And with that, I realized that if I didn't let him go then I was the one being selfish and he would be the one to miss out.
So after getting all the things checked off his list to make sure he was ready to start his first big day at school, I had him packed and ready to go. He gets to carry his lunch to school which is sort of a big deal. And for me, it's a really big deal because I had no idea what to pack. So, I played it safe and went with a PB&J (with the edges cut off of course) with pretzel sticks and a fruit cup. Sounded like a winner to me.
When 8:45 arrived, we set out on our way. I just knew he would maybe think I was finally giving him away like I'd threatened a hundred times before and wonder why he was there and why I wouldn't be staying. We stood in line with all the others waiting to sign in and he was so sweet holding my hand the whole time and watching all the other kids around him. Then, we were directed to his classroom and I felt the nerves coming on.
They had a hook with his name for his backpack and a little cubby for all his things. We put his things away before I took him into the room. I just knew he was about to have a meltdown and the tears were going to start flowing. Yeah right! He skipped that part and jumped right on a rocking horse and started having the time of his life. I kept trying to find a reason to stick around, but the lady warned that I better get going while the getting was good.
And at that moment, I felt crushed.
As soon as I left the room my emotions got the best of me. I was really trying hard to hold it together and when I finally made it to the car, I absolutely lost it. I'm talking like a big ole crybaby. It just hit me all at once and the fact that he never even turned to find me or even cared that I left him sent me into an emotional frenzy like a silly crazy woman.
So, there I was in the car crying my eyes out only to look down and find in my hands, a little yellow blanket. I felt a feeling of desperation as I hated to even go back in that building. And to be honest, I didn't want anyone to know that I had been sitting in my car crying. So I pulled myself together the best way I knew how and walked back inside with a little spring in my step to try to disguise my despair.
A lady met me at the door and offered to take it back to him. And as I turned to leave, I heard her say, "Honey, are you okay?" I thought I had managed to trick her, but I guess you just can't hide emotion like that. I just smiled and told her I would be fine and left.
The first day was a rough one without him. I had no clue what to do with myself. I drove around for a while, considered a pedicure (with no luck), and eventually thought it might be nice to go have lunch with Wade at work. And it wasn't until I was sitting there with Wade that I could begin to appreciate the time away from Owen. We had a great time at lunch and were even able to just sit and talk without any distractions, which seems nonexistent these days.
Owen has been in Mother's Day Out now for about 3 weeks and it is amazing at how much he has blossomed. Not once has he had a hard time with going. He really loves the time away and the change of scenery. And even I have learned to appreciate the value of it, although on the first day I seriously considered going back to get him and putting this off a little while longer.
The more that time passes; I'm realizing that life takes us down some curvy emotional paths. The way you first think you will react is usually totally opposite than the way you actually do. I never saw myself as the woman in the car crying after leaving her child somewhere. Not because I don't love him, but because I have always felt that I had a good grasp on what our relationship truly means. From day one, I've been planning to let go because anything other than that is unrealistic. He has a full life to live and has to grow up at some point whether I like it or not.
And even after knowing all these things, it still surprised me how hard it was to let go even just a little bit. There is something there that binds you to them. I thought for sure I wouldn't be alone in feeling a little sad that day, but to be completely honest, it wasn't that he didn't seem to miss me that bothered me the most. It was how much I missed him and the fact that he is slowly but surely going to grow up and leave. Love is just one small way to define how I feel. I realize that he is a huge part of my life now and my whole life is wrapped up in him and his happiness. He is the first person on my mind when I wake up and the last before I go to sleep and pray.
You think when you have child that you have all the time in the world, but you don't. There is not one day that passes that he doesn't do something that amazes me, and there is nothing like watching him grow into the person he is going to be. But I've learned that my time with him is limited and I have to make the most of what I do have. I believe that there is always something for me to learn in times like these. And what I've learned is to soak it up, take the good with the bad, have fun with him, teach him the best I can, love him anyways, and lastly, let him go.
Owen- You were such a big boy and I am so very proud of you!
Love always,
Momma
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Summer Rocks!!
Nothing says summer quite like ice cream; the two go hand in hand. Summer is here and here are a few pictures of Owen with his first ice cream cone. I don't even have to tell you that he liked it. The pictures say it all.
P.S. Can I just say that my kid is becoming a Blondie?
Wade with his Shadow
Friday, June 25, 2010
First Time Swimming
Last summer, Owen was only about 6 months old, so we really didn't go swimming much and when we did he was in one of those little float things. Well, watch out because this 18 month old is geared up and ready to go.
We were invited to go swimming with some friends, and I was very surprised how well Owen did in the water. He is such a big boy now with his little floats and donut. He doesn't even need help anymore and is so independent. It blows me away to watch him be big. And the more that time passes, the faster he is getting there.
A few funny moments from the day was when he discovered how he could jump off the side of the pool into the water with no help. And, I even caught the little stinker sneaking off to the big pool to jump in. He is fearless and full of adventure. The thing I remember most on this day was how happy he was. And I know it sounds silly, but that is what makes it such a memorable one for me. It's hard to forget that grin and the little shrills of happiness every time he would make a big splash.
Pure happiness.
Ready. Set.
GO!!!!!
A Boy and his Dog
When Owen was first born, Murphy was pushed to the side. I think this is a natural progression. She didn't mind him really at first, but when the walking began, it was on. She steered clear of his little hands as much as possible. Well, with time and maturity, the two of them have really begun to hit it off. She doesn't seem to shy away as much and he can't get enough.
There are several reasons for this new found friendship. First, she knows where the best seat in the house is at supper time . . . right under his highchair. We took her to the vet for her yearly visit and they said that she was overweight and needed to be put on a diet. At first, this made no sense. She is only fed once a day and then it hit me. Owen has been contributing to this diagnosis. We knew he would feed her often from his plate, but now we realized just how much. But even knowing she was getting a little on the heavy side, it is really the least we can all do to make it up to her for pushing her to the side the last year.
Another reason she is growing to love him so much is because he can now open doors, which includes the one that she is behind. We keep her put up most of the time during the day, but now he will go let her out all the time. And if we happen to come in from being out and have forgotten to let her out, Owen will go let her out before we get a chance.
The two of them have a long way to go before they are inseparable, but they are off to a really great start! I can hardly wait to come up the stairs and find him in bed with his Big Red Dog, for I know it is just a matter of time.
Here are some really sweet pictures from a couple of weeks back one morning when Owen thought Murphy needed a super cape. And, she really loved it too! Enjoy!
There are several reasons for this new found friendship. First, she knows where the best seat in the house is at supper time . . . right under his highchair. We took her to the vet for her yearly visit and they said that she was overweight and needed to be put on a diet. At first, this made no sense. She is only fed once a day and then it hit me. Owen has been contributing to this diagnosis. We knew he would feed her often from his plate, but now we realized just how much. But even knowing she was getting a little on the heavy side, it is really the least we can all do to make it up to her for pushing her to the side the last year.
Another reason she is growing to love him so much is because he can now open doors, which includes the one that she is behind. We keep her put up most of the time during the day, but now he will go let her out all the time. And if we happen to come in from being out and have forgotten to let her out, Owen will go let her out before we get a chance.
The two of them have a long way to go before they are inseparable, but they are off to a really great start! I can hardly wait to come up the stairs and find him in bed with his Big Red Dog, for I know it is just a matter of time.
Here are some really sweet pictures from a couple of weeks back one morning when Owen thought Murphy needed a super cape. And, she really loved it too! Enjoy!
Another really funny one!
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