*Tap Tap* Is this thing on??

There is nothing more daunting to a blogger than being behind and feeling the need to "catch up."  That feeling has kept me from posting.  So, I need to just start.  I may or may not "catch up," but I'm at least going to restart.  Maybe along the way I'll write some posts filling you in on the last several months...especially monumental things like Owen's first birthday.  The last thing I need is to have him in therapy someday because his mama didn't blog about his first birthday like she did for his other 2 siblings...ugh!

So, in honor of my youngest, my "restart" post will be an update on him.  Owen is 17 months old and honestly, I feel like I am parenting Jake all over again.  We are in full-on toddler mode, complete with  eating dog food, getting into everything, testing boundaries, and throwing fits.  They always say that the parents' main goal in parenting a newborn is to keep them alive and honestly, I feel like that is my main goal many days.  Owen has no fear and is an explorer to the max.  He has discovered his ability to climb, so it's not uncommon to find him on top of furniture with a big grin on his face like he's conquered something.

Thankfully, there is such sweetness in the midst of the "no's" and the constant checking to see where he is and what he's doing.   Owen is joy-filled and loving.  He is a great snuggler!  He is beginning to use some words, which is always fun.  His most often used word is "mo" for more.   He sometimes out eats his brother and sister, and for good reason.  He is at the top of the growth charts in height and weight.  He is wearing 18-24 month clothes.

Owen is very soft-hearted.  He hates to be "in trouble" and doesn't like it when others are being reprimanded either.  His face just crumbles when he is told "no."  I mentioned boundary-testing earlier and his method cracks me up.  He loves to get up close to the forbidden object (dog food, space heater, etc) and bend over like he's examining it.  Then he'll look up at me and smile and point to it.  If he's feeling brave, he'll reach over a pat the object.

So, there you have it...my restart post.  Let's see if I can keep this up :)

Cracks. Me. Up.

Addison loves to draw.  I find pictures everywhere.  This one was definitely photo-worthy.  She must've been having a rough day with her brother.  And Kyle's hair....HA!

Robber's Cave

We joined 2 of our favorite families for a fun weekend at Robber's Cave State Park in February.  If you're ever near southeast Oklahoma, you should check it out.  We will definitely go again.  The kids loved hiking/boulder-hopping.  They thought sleeping in a cabin was cool.  Being with good friends was the cherry on top.

This was before she lost her 2nd front tooth...it was dangling.
I love that I captured this smile!

This boy loves his daddy and isn't always great about long walks.
That's what daddy's shoulders are for, right?!?

We did a lot of this.

It's amazing to me how plants can grow in the crevices on a boulder.

I love this photo because of Kyle's face.  Kyle is not generally an overly cautious parent...that's usually my role.  He was a nervous wreck around the cliffs around the park.  Jake liked to get a little too close to the edge.

Happy hikers!

BFF's 

Robber's Cave

Alisha and her sweet ride along.

Alisha and I learned that hiking/rock climbing is especially grueling with an extra 20 lbs. strapped on your front.

Mother and son.

The kids' beautiful creation.

We had a great weekend with friends!  It was capped off with a longer than planned ride home through ice and snow.  It made us all the more grateful for the beautiful weather we enjoyed the day before!

He's Four

Confession: When we found out Jake was a boy, I was disappointed.  I wanted another girl SO badly.  I didn't know what to do with a boy...it was unchartered territory and the clothes weren't nearly as cute. 

I am so grateful, now, that God saw it fit to make me a mom of boys, because it turns out, they're awesome!

The fact that Jacob is now 4 years old is amazing to me.  He has grown so fast and is such a bright spark of joy in my life.  Let me tell you a bit about my sweet middle child.

He is funny...genuinely funny.  The stories he tells, the phrases he uses, the expression he has...it's hilarious.  And I'm not just saying that as a doting mom, this boy keeps everyone laughing.

He is very expressive.  When he speaks, he uses all forms of communication...body language...tone...facial expression...volume.   Throw in the fact that he hasn't mastered his "l" "r" and "th" sounds and well, having a conversation with him is an experience!

Jacob is a definite extrovert.  He loves to be around people.  He doesn't know a stranger which is equal parts endearing and scary.  He prefers playing with others which is a thorn in his introverted sister's side!  They are learning to maneuver through their very different personality types and can (generally) play together (most days) well (sort of). :)

First drawing.

Jake has learned to write his name and loves to ask how to spell other words.  He is also just beginning to draw.   Heads with arms and legs are my favorite drawings!!

Jacob is a wonderful big brother to Owen.  He is sweet and gentle with him.  He loves to make him laugh and always wants to know where he is.  Jake already talks about being best friends with Owen, which I pray will be true as they grow.

Jake loves to help, especially if there are tools involved.  

He helped Kyle put together his new bike.

I never would've guessed Jake would be a bookworm, but he really is.  He will sit and "read" books for  a long time!  I pray that learning to read comes easily to him because he has a true love for books. 

Jacob, you are a joy!  

I love being your mom and can't wait to see what God has in store for your life!

Owen~ 5 Months, 6 Months, and 7 Months Old

It's high time for an update on our little man!  He has grown and changed so much in the last 3 months. So here's a bit about what our Owen has been up to.

5 Months Old

You are a sweet, happy baby, Owen!  You are quick to smile and giggle.

I don't have any weight/height stats for this month, but you are certainly growing!

You eat 5 times a day and your momma has miraculously been able to continue to nurse you.  You take a bottle well at the babysitter's house.

You are wearing 3-6 month clothing and size 3 diapers.

You can roll from back to tummy and tummy to back.

We are waiting to start feeding you solids.  

You seem content without them, so we'll hold off another month.  It's funny, with your sister, we started rice cereal at 4 months to the day.  With you, life is full and you seem to be too, so we wait :)

I mentioned before you have a fussy time.  It's really been this way for awhile.  I'm not sure if you are overstimulated or tired or hungry or just done with the day, but you cry unless you are held 5pm-7pm every day.  It's probably our busiest time of day and very difficult to hold you that whole time, but manage to make it through.  It's amazing what can be done one-handed!  

You continue to sleep through the night like a champ, so that fussy time is small beans!

You take 3ish naps a day.  I say "-ish" because your naps are sometimes often interrupted with having to take or pick up your sister.  You roll with it, though.  I guess that comes with 3rd child territory.

Your brother and sister are still enamored with you!  You seem to feel the same.  They can make you smile and giggle so easily.  I love the love they have for you!

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6 Months Old

We had our friend, Lesley, take some photos of you at 5 1/2 months.  So, we'll call those your 6 month photos!

6 Month Stats:

28 1/2 inches long (95th percentile)

18 lbs 3 oz (57th percentile)

17 3/4 in. head circumference (81st percentile)

You are continuing to grow like a weed!  We finally started feeding you rice cereal...and only because you started waking up at night!  Nothing like exhaustion to motivate a momma to start solids with her baby.  You caught on fairly quickly after a week or so.  We quickly followed the rice cereal with sweet potatoes, squash, and pears.  So, you get 5 liquid feedings (breakfast, lunch, mid-afternoon, dinner, and bedtime) and solid food at the meal time feedings.

Your fussy time continues.  We seem to try to handle it differently, which is probably why you are still having issues!  Some nights we hold you, some nights we lay you down for a nap.

You cut your first 2 teeth towards the middle of the month.  That made for a drooly baby and a couple of rough nights of sleep. 

You coo and gurgle and make the sweetest sounds.  You still need support to sit up.  We need to work on your core strength :)

You have gone a different route than your sister and brother (both devoted thumb-suckers), and have taking a liking to your 2 fingers.  I LOVE this photo Lesley caught of you.  This was the very end of our photo session...you were done!

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7 Months Old

No stats for this month!

You have officially moved up to 6-12 month clothing...still a size 3 diaper.

This month has brought a lot of movement!  You will get up on all 4's and rock.  You haven't crawled yet, but you manage to get around.  I can leave you in one spot and find you clear across the room.  You use a combination of rolling and scooting to get where you want to go.

You are still eating like a champ.  You really love pears, peaches, sweet potatoes, and squash.  You are not a fan of avocado or green beans...but I'm not giving up!

You are sleeping pretty well.  You take a great morning nap.  Your afternoon nap is often cut short.  We have started laying you down right after you eat dinner.  It feels strange, but you are just so tired!  I wake you up for one more feeding before bed time.

I ended up weaning you at the beginning of this month.  Let's just say, you have 2 teeth and you know how to use them!!  I tried to break you of your biting habit, but it just didn't work.

You are a sweet baby, Owen!  We are all just smitten with you. 

 I'm so glad I get to be your mom!

Her First Recital

Addison started taking piano lessons in October.  Even though she was still working on the basics, her teacher Karen, wanted her to be a part of the Christmas recital.  

Addison and Miss Karen

The recital was a big day for Addison.  It turned into a big day for me, too...I certainly grew as a parent.    Addison had practiced and prepared.  She was nervous and excited for her big day.  I was nervous and excited for her.  I REALLY wanted her first recital to be a positive experience for her. 

 

Addison and Papa Skip

 

Addison had quite the audience.  Her Papa came down from Kansas City to see her play.  Our good friends came as well.  She was happy to have such great support.

 

Performing her songs...video to come.

 

She was the opening performer for the recital.  She walked up and performed her first several songs.  She played them well...my heart was in my chest.  Her last song was one she didn't know quite as well.  She started in just fine with her right hand, when the music sent her to her left hand, though, it wasn't placed correctly, so the notes were wrong.  Enter the longest 2 minutes of my life.  She stared at her hands and her music trying figure out where she went wrong.  I squirmed in my seat...I wanted to rescue her!!  I'm sure it wasn't that long or a huge deal to everyone else in the audience.  But, I so wanted to rush up on stage and shift her hand so she could finish her song.  I prayed and prayed that she wouldn't freak out and run off stage.  Thankfully, I stayed in my seat and she figured out where her hand needed to be.  She finished her song, turned with a shy grin and sat down with us.



 

Addison's sweet friends came to support her!

 

Addison was probably on stage for a total of 5 minutes, but we both learned some good lessons in that 5 minutes.  She learned to keep going and not to worry if she makes a mistake.  I learned that mistakes and discomfort aren't things to rescue my children from.  They are opportunities for growth and character development.

The proud pianist!

So this was a first, of what will likely be many recitals. 

Many opportunities to learn these lessons again and again!



Thanksgiving, The Polar Express, and Christmas Tree 2013

It is an absolutely frigid day, perfect for winding up 2013 on my blog.  Well, that's what I'm shooting for anyway, we'll see how far I get today!

For Thanksgiving this year, we headed to Springfield to Matt and Tally's house.  It was a house-full of fun!  When I say full, I mean full.  12 adults and 9 kids.  We all fit quite nicely in the house with 2 overflowAirstreams.  

These 3 boys are so fun.

Lily was a fan of Owen.

Our wonderful hosts.  They are so gifted in hospitality...they think of every detail, right down to the Alf stuffed animal on our bed :)

All the mommas...we could be on the cover of a 1950's Better Homes and Gardens couldn't we?!?

What family gathering is complete without a cheese-ball Chubby Bunny competition?!?  There were 4 classes...toddler, young child, older child, and adult.

I am proud to say I am married to the winner of the adult class in the competition!

Friday, Matt and Tally surprised the kids with Christmas jammies and tickets for the Polar Express in Branson.  I love Jake's face in this photo...I can always count on him to show a good amount of expression!

If you are ever near Branson during the Christmas season, we highly recommend checking out the Polar Express.  They do such a great job of recreating the book/movie.  We will definitely do it again.

The kids waiting to board.

My 3 passengers.

They come around and punch your initial in your ticket.

They served hot cocoa and cookies and read the story to us.  We sang Christmas carols.  Then the icing on the cake, Santa came around and gave each child a sleigh bell.

As we were boarding the train, the hobo (from the movie) was sitting on top of the train.  He came around for a visit while we were riding.  The kids had fun interacting with him.

It was such a neat experience.  It is a memory that will stick with the kids for a long time.  

Thanks again, Matt and Tally!

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 Christmas Tree Hunt 2013

 The Sunday after Thanksgiving, we went to choose and cut down our Christmas tree.  It was a warm day, which always makes the experience more pleasant.

The tree farm we always go to, is so neat.  We enjoy the horse-drawn wagon ride out to the field.  They also have a kiddie train.  A visit with Santa and hot cocoa round out the experience.

My sweet Santa and elves :)

Owen's first trip to the Christmas tree farm.  Remember I told you it was a warm day...warm enough for a hatless baby!

Ready for a train ride.

Waiting on the train to come back!

Visits with Santa were very pleasant this year.  Addison asked for a Lalaloopsy doll.

When Santa asked Jake what he wanted, Jake said, "Star Wars....." and Santa finished, "Legos."  Jake said, "Yeah!"  I could have wrung Santa's neck.  Doesn't the big guy know that Star Wars Legos are not for 3 year-olds?!?  Come on, Santa!

Our family of 5 in the beautifully decorated barn at the farm.