Pumpkin Farm!!

The pumpkin farm is an annual Fall event for our family. This year we combined it with a birthday celebration for Grandma Shari. The weather was high 70s and gorgeous! Sunny and wonderful! Raegan is getting so big, and did the HUGE slides this year. Her favorite is the pony rides, but she also loved the cider slushy. :) Owen enjoyed the day outside, and looking around while he rode along in the carrier on me. Next year, he will be running around enjoying it all with sissy and the kids! So much fun!

5 months old baby boy

Owen is 5 months old (already!). He is more and more fun every day. The latest and greatest is that he is learning to sit up on his own. He's still likely to tip backwards (often on purpose) but is pretty stable with some supervision. He is really into toys and loves playing with sissy. She is very entertaining to him! He sits in his high chair at the table and plays with a tray of toys while I'm busy in the kitchen or during meal times. I love that he smiles and laughs all the time! He thinks everyone is pretty funny, but I'd like to believe he thinks mommy is the funniest. I don't think I've every known a happier baby! He also knows his name well, and turns quickly when he is called. His recent doctor visit has him weighting in at 19 pounds and 27 inches! Big boy!!

The transition back to work has been pretty smooth. Both kids have adjusted much better than I had hoped, and it has definitely been a huge help with keeping them at home with a nanny. They are both so happy to see me when I get home, and Owen will often give me a huge smile and then start crying for me to come get him. It melts my heart! What a little cuddle bug he has become. I hope he is always a mama's boy!

Great friends!

BWe had the pleasure of a visit from our old friends who moved to Phoenix several years ago. They stayed with us for an extended weekend with their 3 kiddos! With five kids in the house five years and under, it was always entertaining! Raegan had an absolute blast playing with all of the kids. I enjoyed spending time with another family with little ones because we all had the same limitations and expectations. Too bad that by the end of each day the adults were so exhausted that we just watched some TV and then went to bed. Running after five kids is exhausting. ;) We hope to see them again soon!

Owen's first Packers Party!

We hosted at our house and Owen wore the Green Bay shirt Jeff bought him in Wisconsin. So much fun! The first of many for the big guy ;)

The last one

This title was inspired be a Huff post article that had me running though an entire box of kleenex. Every bone in my body knows that this is my last baby, and it is sooooo bitter sweet. Here is a picture of Raegan at almost Owen's age right not, and the scary thing is that I don't remember her like this. I simply can't remember any real and vivid memories of her being a baby. And it was only a few years ago. I hold Owen now, and I smell his hair, and kiss his head, and stroke his arm, and I think to myself that I will NEVER forget his smell or his cooo or his soft skin. But the truth is that I will eventually forget it all. And with each milestone that he hits, I am both excited and secretly mourning the last time. The closure of this stage of motherhood almost pushes the urge to have another baby, because this can't be the last time I use the baby swing, this can't be the last onesie I snap, this can't be the last time I nurse a baby......Yet, having another baby will not cure this, it will only delay it. I had saved all of Raegan's clothes, since she was born, because I always knew I would have a second baby, and if it was a girl we would use all of these clothes again. I dragged out her clothes to get rid of them, and my heart sank. I couldn't do it. I have a bag of Owen's clothes that don't fit him anymore, and they sit in his closet. Getting rid of them feels like getting rid memories. Eventually, these long days of early motherhood that are full of the greatest joys and greatest challenges of my life, will come to an end. Because even though they will be my babies forever, they will not forever be babies.
"The passage of time is the cruelest paradox of parenthood."

Lindsey visit!

Aunt Lindsey came for a very quick visit so she could meet Owen! It was short and very sweet! We were all thrilled to get to spend some time with her, as she is a very busy doctor! Aunt Meg came up for the weekend too, and we kept a full agenda. We hit our favorite, Johnny Garlics for a late night happy hour, and then the casino for a little gambling. Also went to the Wise Villa Winery in Lincoln for a delicious tasting and lunch! I wish it could have been a longer trip....but I'll take what I can get. Both kids were in heaven with two of their favorite people visiting! Come back soon girls!!!

Owen is 4 months old!

Already 4 months old! The time seems to be just flying by. He is such a happy and thriving little guy. He wants so badly to sit up on his own, and often refuses to lay back for any amount of time. He prefers a direct view of sissy so he can watch whatever fun might be unfolding! He has lately hit a growth spurt (I think) because he is eating like a little mad man! He is able to reach out and grab objects and brings them to his mouth. He thinks all of my jokes are hilarious, and is quick to smile. He has significantly decreased his napping time during the day (but this could also be partly due to our extended trip to my parents where there is never a dull moment!). I'm hoping that once we are back home that he will resume a better napping pattern during the day. He is still a great night sleeper, although I know I need to transition him out of his little cradle. I'm dreading this, as I have a feeling this might be a rough change for him. Right now, he's trying to transition himself to my bed! Raegan did the same thing about this age. This seems to correlate with his frequent need to eat again at night time. He is very much enjoying books.....and his favorite right now is a Sophie book that cousin Amy gave to him. :) He also loves any musical toy! I can see the excitement as he moves his little body so fast in anticipation when he sees the toy, or when I turn the page of the book! He is also starting to scoot himself on his stomach by bringing in his legs and then pushing back....maybe will be an early crawler? The Christmas tree may be just the motivation he needs. Ha!

12 Weeks

Owen is 12 weeks old! He is just such a joy! He smiles and laughs a lot, and he is so content being with the family. He likes to be held more now, and will let us know by making his cute little sounds and sometimes a sad lip. Recently I have noticed how much he is watching everyone, especially his sister! He is still trying to suck his thumb, and I'm still trying to get him to take the binky instead. ;) He loves silly little games like kissing his feet, or making funny noises while we tickle him. He is starting to show an interest in his toys, and just tonight he grabbed a hold of one and brought to his mouth to investigate. He enjoys his baths, and likes to kick and splash the water around everywhere. We have been practicing tummy time, and sissy gets down on the floor and does tummy time with him by holding her head up just like him - it is hilarious! She expects praise just like what I give to brother. ;) He is a great sleeping! He naps throughout the day (not on any particular schedule) and goes to sleep at about 9:00 every night. He wakes up once to eat, and then right back to sleep! I'm a very lucky mommy. :)

Two kids is a lot of work, but I am so grateful for how well we are all doing. This experience with Owen has been so different from my experience with Raegan, not all in a bad way, but just different. She was a very demanding baby and she challenged me in many ways. I have learned so much being Raegan's mom. I am learning a different side of motherhood being Owen's mom. I am so blessed....