23 Months Old!

Owen turned 23 months old today!  It is hard to believe that in 1 month he will be 2. I still get misty eyed thinking that we missed the first year of his life, but I think we have done a good job of making his 2nd year memorable:) At least he has for us anyway:)! 

He has really started putting words together really well for small sentences. In fact, tonight, he "read" a book with me. It was called "Swim duck, Swim!" The first page says "Hello Duck!" Then Owen would say it. We would turn the page. "Swim Duck Swim!" Owen would repeat it. We turned the page, "Hello Rabbit" Owen would repeat it. Turn the page, and "Hop rabbit Hop!" Owen would repeat. The final 2 animals were a dog and Monkey. I was pretty impressed that he said it so clearly and really in sentence form. He is just so smart! 

Seriously, he doesn't miss a thing. We try to "hide" things in front of him so he doesn't learn how to do them, but he watches our every move. He has been like that since Day 1 with us. If he saw us do something, he wanted to do it. If you moved and the floor creeked, he heard it and watched you to see what you were doing. I still can't believe how observant he is! 

I'm just so excited to be his mom!  We had such a wonderful Christmas. He really had fun opening his gifts, and he would play a little with each one after opening them. He also enjoyed passing out gifts to others, and of course helping mommy and daddy open their gifts. I loved watching him and seeing how excited he was:) 

I also felt very blessed holding him during Christmas Eve Mass. When we were waiting to adopt and then waiting to bring Owen home once we were matched, my biggest thing I looked forward to was having him in mass and teaching him about God. I would see the other mothers at church, or even be holding my nieces/nephews and thinking how much it would mean to me to have him in my arms there. Now I do:) Though some weeks are better than others in terms of how Owen will do, I still love having him in mass with me, celebrating God!  What better way can we show our appreciation as a family than in prayer, especially in God's house.

Now we're getting ready to start the new year and waiting to see what lies ahead for our family:)  I'm looking forward to even more memories, which include Owen's 2nd birthday!  Happy New Year everyone:)!

Meeting Santa!

So, we've been SOOOOOO excited for this holiday season, with Thanksgiving and Christmas, because this is Owen's first year home with us for the actual time period. Last year, we kept up our Christmas tree all the way to Gotcha Day and coming home with Owen. That way we were able to celebrate Christmas with him once we got him home. That happened to be in the middle of February, LOL!

This year, we've enjoyed having him home for Thanksgiving, and getting to spend the time with us and our extended family. It's been wonderful!  We had been trying to have children for about 4 years when we were matched with and given Owen as our son. Over those four years, my enthusiasm for Thanksgiving and Christmas, though still there, decreased with each year that we were wondering if we would ever be blessed with chidren. 

With Owen, celebrating these Holidays, have been extra special, and I think my enthusiasm is up more than it ever was before for this time of year!  We enjoyed seeing Christams lights with him, and singing Christmas music to him. Decorating the tree and the rest of the house with all our Christmas goodies! 

Yesterday, we took Owen to meet Santa for the first time. Now, we have been more focused on teaching Owen about Jesus and how it is Jesus' birthday on Christmas, and that he was born in a manger. We gave him a Little People's Nativity set that he can play with and learn about the story. He has told his grandparents and aunts and uncles about Jesus in the Manger, very cute;)  However, we hadn't exactly talked as much about Santa. So before we went out to meet him, I showed Owen lots of pictures of Santa, some cartoon, some real life, some with children on Santa's lap. I told him he was going to meet Santa and sit on his lap. Owen's response, "yeah!"

We got to the mall, luckily since it was during the week, it was maybe a 5 min wait. We got to see a couple other kids sit on Santa's lap, and Owen acted like he was ready. I sat him on Santa's lap, and quickly backed away. Owen just did a double take of the situation....looking back and forth from Santa to daddy and me. He almost started to cry, but I tried to make him smile, the elf taking the picture started making lots of noise,and Santa tried to tickle him. We were able to stop the crying, but no smile came. We were still proud and glad at how good he did. We got a pretty decent picture considering he didn't know the "strange man" holding him, LOL!   I'm soooooooo happy to be celebrating fully as a family and not from 2 different continents this year!!! We are super super Blessed, and I can't get over my amazement at the wonder of God's plan.   Here is Owen's pic;)

Ho, HO, Ho, Merry Christmas!!!!!!

22 months old!

Owen is 22 months old today. He weighed in at 21.1 lbs and 31" yesterday. He's a growing boy, but mostly in height. That's okay. I have a feeling one day, we'll pick him up, and we'll wonder who put bricks in his pants, LOL!  I enjoy being able to carry him and pick him up easily right now anyway...More snuggle time;)

As I've mentioned before, Owen is very routine driven. When we come home, I usually take my shoes off and put them on a matt in the foyer. Owen started sitting down and saying shoe off about 2 months ago, so he would do what I did I think. Well, today, Owen was able to get his own shoes off and put them on the matt. Then he took his socks off, which was a bit harder, but he got them, lol! 

He is talking even more now, I know I posted once before all the words he says, but now if I did that, it would be a baby dictionary!  He repeats everything we say. I say, "okay." He says okay. He's actually over the last 2 weeks, started to say "God Bless You." When I sneeze. Seriously!  I think it's because I say it every time he sneezes. He also says "stinky socks" when trying to take off his socks, because I tease him after we come home when I give him fresh socks and say "stinky socks." There are so many funny things he's said/repeated. My sister Jessica was joking around one day and said, "oh, snap." And Owen repeated that.

I've said it before, but I'll say it again. My son amazes me with how smart he is, and how much he picks up. He's even started sitting on the potty. He hasn't gone on the potty yet. Well, wait, he accidentally peed in the potty one day, but he looked just as amazed as me, and the pee didn't start out in the potty when he was sitting therer....but he is trying to be a big kid. Part of me is excited to start the new things with him, like the potty training. But, part of me just wants my baby to stay a baby. I don't want him to grow up so fast, and the sad thing is, I realize the growing is going to increase in speed, on a daily basis.  I know I'll be okay with it, and enjoy it, but part of me just wants to hang on a little longer to the baby boy we brought home just under 9 months ago.

First Thanksgiving!

Though yesterday 11/24/11 was Owen's First Thanksgiving, we have been having a bit of a celebration since the previous week. First, my cousin (Owen's 2nd cousin) Mandy, flew in from Florida to visit. Then, my family started arriving for my other cousin (again Owen's 2nd cousin) Kayla's wedding. We went to that on 11/19/11, which was also my oldest sister's birthday. Then on 11/20/11, which is my birthday, we had pictures taken of Owen with all 5 of his first cousins on my side of the family with their Nana and Pap (my parents). On that same day, we also had my family's "Thanksgiving" meal at Bob Evans (since it was too crazy to cook the day after a big wedding we had traveled for). Then, we took the 4 older kids (Owen, Lily, Elijah, and Lucy), to drive through some Christmas lights.

The next day, the fun, but chaotic, "Thankswedding" as we have come to call it, was coming to an end as all of my siblings and parents left. My cousin Mandy went back to visit where my grandparents live as well, so the house was back to just the 3 of us. Then, yesterday we went to Andy's family's Thanksgiving meal for lunch, and then over to my Aunt/Uncle's house to visit them, and see the new house they are moving into this weekend.

Today, we were kind of layed back during the morning and afternoon. Andy did some yard work, Owen took his nap, and I tried to get some "rest" as well. Then, when Owen woke up, since it was warm enough, we went to the zoo to see their Christmas Lights...it was a good time. We ended the evening with dinner at a chinese restaurant, and Owen came home to bed. I think Owen has enjoyed his first Thanksgiving. Though, he didn't eat as well during his first meal on Thursday, he ate alot of food at dinner. I think next year he'll be even more into it. Though, he did try to say both Happy Birthday and Happy Thanksgiving by the end of the last 2 weeks, so it's been fun;) 

Now this weekend I'm hoping to get some Christmas decorations up. I am hoping Owen will enjoy helping to trim the tree, well, I guess I'm just hoping Owen will not take all the trimming down and try to play or break it, LOL!  Last year, we had the tree up until the week after we brought Owen home in Febraury, so we could still celebrate Christmas with him. I'm looking forward to see how he takes in this next Holiday, and if I can get him to understand the biggest gift we all are given on this day, Baby Jesus!  He's so smart though, I think he'll get it a little, even if he doesn't get all of what we tell him. We bought him a nativity set that we will give him to put up under the tree. Luckily it's actually a toy set, so it's okay if he plays with it:)  I hope everyone reading this had a wonderful Thanksgiving as well. I'm very Thankful for my family, Owen and Andy, as well as all my extended family who supported us as we brought Owen home almost 9 months ago! 

A year ago 11/08

A year ago this past Tuesday 11/08/10, we met our son for the first time. It's unbelievable to me that a year has already passed since we first held out baby boy!  He is growing so fast, and learning so much. He seriously tries to be 10 years older than he is too. Sometimes, when I think about how he was at the baby home without us, it makes me sad. It makes me sad to know that my baby was missing my arms to hold him, and my lips to kiss him, and my hands to tickle his toes. But, now he has all those things and more. 

Everyday I pray that he realizes how much he means to Andy and I, and that we may have changed his life and increased things that he can do, but he did the same thing for us. Because, it made me sad knowing that I was here without my little bundle in my arms, not knowing what he was doing, and missing his sweet kisses. Andy and I have a great marriage, with God as our head, and life was good and wonderful, and there was so much love. Now, that love has multiplied, and the wonderful has doubled, and happiness is off the charts. It's amazing to me that life could get better after marrying the love of my life, but God is pretty amazing, so when He joined Owen into our mix, He knew it could only get better. LIfe is an amazing gift, and that is what I am so thankful for, my life, the love I'm given from my husband, son, family, friends, and God.

21 months old!

Owen turned 21 months old today. it's hard to believe that in 3 months he will be 2!   I'm torn by the fact that his birthday is approaching. In one way, I'm super excited to be celebrating with him this year at home. In another, I want him to stay my baby longer. He is definitely trying to grow verbally, he talks up a storm. He's definitely growing smarter by the second also, as he tries new things every day. And, we're definitely entering the "terrible 2's" because he throws his drink ALL the time! (not to mention the previously posted tantrums...)

However, I'm still in denial sometimes that he has to get older. I missed out on his whole first year, and sometimes that still makes me sad. Sometimes, I just wish we could have gone over day one, or at least been given the 3 months after we first met him. He's my baby and will always be my baby, but at the same time, I know he's not going to be a baby much longer. One day, he's even going to tell me this, I know. Right now, I say, "Hi baby!" and "who's my baby? Owen's my baby, you're my baby." and I know he will turn to me one day and say, mommy, I'm not a baby! Let's hope that day doesn't come for a while.

I guess that's why in some ways I like that Owen is still not in the "normal" growth range, becuase I LOVE to hug him and cuddle him, and yes even carrying him, because he's so close to me at those times. Sometimes, mostly on the weekends, I secretly want him to need me in the middle of the night, just so I can hold my baby boy. That always comes back to nip me in the butt though, because usually it ends up happening on a weeknightdue to me wishing it on the weekend. That makes for a hard day of work the next day.

Anyway, my BABY;) Is doing really well. Tonight, I put together the wagon his daddy and I picked out for him so that daddy can take him trick or treating. We know he won't get much out of it this year, but daddy is pretty excited. And I must say, Owen's costume is THE CUTEST:) He's the best frog ever.  I posted some pictures below. He was so darn cute in the costume, I decided to get some taken. He had a blast, and really loves wearing the costume. He'll just have a great time tomorrow. I'm going to take him into work in his costume, and then going out with daddy. I am pretty sure he's going to be tuckered out by bed time;)

Stomping out the tantrums.....

Owen has really taken to throwing temper tantrums. He will do the hold your breath cry, until his lips turn blue and he finally blows out the cry. Then the crying and screaming continues and continues.  I have been getting very frustrated myself with them. Tuesday night this week, it was awful. Tonight it didn't start until about 5, but continued until we ate.

I'm determined to get these tantrums to be less often. I have a new resolve to cope with them and to get Owen out of them. Usually after he has them, he just wants to lay in my lap and suck on his fingers, like he's going to sleep. I'm hoping to break this habit, along with taming the tantrums.
Other than the tantrums. Owen is doing well. He is picking up words, and really starting to say alot more phrases. He loves to sing wheels on the bus, and some other songs, and I LOVE to listen to him sing. I love music, and I'm really hoping he continues to enjoy it as well. I also love his little sentences. They are really cute. This week, he started saying "daddy at work." It was SOOOOOOOOO cute!!!!

He is our cutie pie, sometimes even when he's throwing fits it can be funny, and it's hard not to laugh. Especially when he is in time out. Sometimes he's just so darn cute sitting in the time out spot!  Oh well, this too shall pass with the tantrums. But first, we have to make it through them, so I need to start figuring out good methods to do so.  Wish me luck! 

Talking and just being cute;)

So Owen has been really trying to say people's names alot more over the last week. He's been saying the kids names at the sitters, he's been saying mommy and daddy alot more (he just started saying mommy really about 3 weeks ago). He's been saying some of his aunt and uncle's names, and grandparents when we look through the picture book we had made for him when he was in the baby home.

He's just cute. There's no other way to put it;)  I'm super excited for his first Halloween, and we are having a Halloween "party" with his cousins this weekend. I'm super excited for them to all be together again too;)  I am hoping my little jelly (jealous) bean will let me hold some of his younger cousins. We'll see.  I missed posting something on 10/08, when which marked having owen with us for 8 months!  I can't believe how fast time has flown.  I still miss being at home with him and having to work. I feel like I miss out on things. I did feel a bit better when the sitter told me he wouldn't say please for her, HA! He was saying it and signing it for me! That made me feel a bit better. I'm not going to lie, there are some jelly bean issues with mommy over the sitter getting more time with him during the day than me. ;) But I thinkthat is to be expected.

20 months!

Owen turned 20 months old yesterday. He must not have been happy about it though. He was in a very cranky mood all evening. I think he was preparing me for when he turns 2, which is unbelievably only 4 months away. We have a routine when we come home, which Owen is very happy has changed since he is down to 1 nap. We come home, walk out and get the mail, come inside, take our shoes off. (he just started going over and sitting where the shoes go and wanting his off too;)). then we head upstairs so mommy can change and go to the potty (sorry it's TMI, but it's the routine). Owen usually plays while I change, mostly trying to get either my cell phone or the regular phone...Hewwo, hewwo. Then, I take him in change his clothes and diaper.

When we had gotten inside, he did NOT want me to take his jacket off (just a gray sweatshirt with a hood). I gave up after about 2 mins of trying. We went upstairs. when we got to where I was going to change him and started to take the jacket off, the fit started. Not just a crying fit. He decides to do the crying where he holds his breath, turns bright red, and basically collapses into my arms. It freaks me out every time he does it. It had been a while since he's done it too. I want to say a couple months. After he collapsed into my arms ( he did not faint just finally started breahing normally). I held him and he cried for a few more mins. I tried to comfort him, and put another shirt on him. He finally seemed like he was okay as I tried to play with him to make him smile.

So i thought okay he's fine. We start gathering clothes up to put in the washer, and come downstairs. I really wanted to change his socks. Needless to say, he didn't want me to do that either. Though it was not nearly as traumatic as the jacket, it was just a minor "cry" But he seemed fine with it once we got the new socks on, and he got to throw the old socks in the washer. He likes to "help" do the laundry.

He cried a bit after his snack off and on over silly things. I'd say what is the matter? and he would move on. He was okay during dinner and did eat okay. Then when we tried to put new pajamas on him, he through another hold his breath cry. This time at least Andy was with me. We finally found a sleeper "bag" PJ that Owen seemed to approve of, and he was fine and went fast asleep. I'm hoping this was a major fluke day with his crankiness.

Today, he has been fine. We had a good time in the morning, we went to the store, Andy's sister's b-day lunch. I was able take his coat and hoody (not the gray jacket) off him no problem. maybe he just really didn't get enough sleep Thursday night. Not sure. Last night, he LOVED sleeping in the sleeper bag. In fact this morning, he didn't want to get out of it!  I had to laugh at that, since he really can't walk in it. But it does seem comfy. I found out that they actually sell them for older kids too, up to like 5 or 6, so I might be investing in them for a few more years. They keep him warm at night, but still give his toes freedom to wiggle. I think that's why he likes it. Anyway. Here's to another fun, interesting, and new month with Owen. It's funny how somedays are so routine and then somedays you wonder what took over your child's mood. that's parenthood for you;)

Singing along....

So Owen talks and jabbers up a storm all day, and I think it's so funny. He really tries to mimick everything we say, and you can really tell that's what he's trying to do. He's put together some small sentences like " I did it." "I got keys." "I got it" "I love you" Bye bye. He's said hello daddy too. I Love when he says hello because he sounds like Tweety bird "Hewwo"  It's ADORABLE! 

Yesterday, He started singing song lyrics to Twinkle Twinkle little star. I was shocked!  It's not his favorite song either, because he usually goes to sleep to it. But, low and behold it's on several of his toys, and he starts singing along yesterday with his singing clock. It was very cute. Andy and I keep talking about taking more videos, and I'm disappointed that we haven't made good on that idea. He's changing so much that some of the things he used to do that were so adorable have changed into new adorable things. Which is great, but also sad because we love EVERYTHING he does;) 

This past week or so, he's been teething, had a runny nose and bad cough. He's been a pretty good trooper through it all, but had some cranky days. I've really been enjoying his nap change though, because we get to hang out alot more, and it's been fun. we've gotten to go to the park, we've gone to the store, we've done chores together at home, and we have just played.   I'm so blessed to have that extra time with him. I feel bad that Andy doesn't get as much time at night though, because Owen has to be in bed at 7 to make up for the hour of sleep he lost from his nap change. Hopefully it will even out more for the two of them to get time together. We'll see.

Turning 19 months

So Owen turned 19 months on 08/30. My baby is so precious:) He still amazes me with how smart he is, and how quick he is to learn things. He started doing this "game" where he "hides" items under one of his legs, and throws his hands up to ask "where did it go?" (which mommy says- I don't know where did it go?) Then he pulls out the object, and mommy says, There it is. Now, he is starting to say "there it is" as well. It is very cool, and very funny. It's also kind of funny to me, because he started doing it all on his own, we never showed him how to do it!

I think my grandpap would be proud though, because Owen is named after him (Grandpap's name is Garey Owen), and this type of "game" would be just like something he would do. It sometimes amazes me how much Owen is like me. But then I think, Duh, he's your son, of course he's going to be like you! God put our family together, how could I forget:)!  Seriously though, here is a list of just a few things that we have in common Besides the fact that we both have blonde hair and some similar features (though I have bedroom eyes that are green but can look blue) Owen has blue eyes. We both do not like carrots. Owen LOVES chocolate, and can smell it a mile away. We both love to dance. We both have sensitive skin. We both are short for our age (LOL!) We both can get cranky. We both love shoes (I know he'll grow out of this one, but hey for now it works;)) We both love Daddy, very much:)! I know there are others, but I am getting tired.

Andy had his birthday on 09/04. We had a great b-day weekend with him. Sat we went for a walk, and played inside. (it was majorly hot that day). We went to dinner on Friday to a Greek restaurant we frequent. Sunday, we went to church, had dinner with Andy's parent's. Monday, we went to the zoo in the morning, and got a lot of family time in the afternoon. It was so great getting to spend that much time together on Andy's b-day weekend. we do love him very much! I'm blessed to have such a great husband:)

We weighed Owen again today, he is still 20.6 lbs, but at least he's maintaining that and not falling below 20 again. I told Andy he will probably hit 22 lbs when he turns 2, just in time to turn around his car seat to face front:)  Maybe it's better he's smaller so it's not as hard on him to be rear facing. We'll see;)  I know once we turn the seat around, he's going to LOVE car rides. Right now it's just not quite as fun for him, or mommy.... Oh well:)

5 year wedding Anniversary:)

So Friday 8/26/11 was Andy and my 5 year wedding annivesary. We were so excited about this little benchmark;)  We were also excited to be sharing it with Owen. When we were matched with Owen, we had been trying to have a child for 3 years. Even though it felt longer than that! Owen was well worth the wait, and we became stronger as a couple during that wait. Even though there were times that were hard, God gave us the strength and love we needed for each other and Him so that we could stay a faithful and hopeful couple.

During our 5th year celebration, we could not have been more thankful for the family that we have become. I know that God formed our family, even before we knew our own hearts. I know God is leading us, and that we are the family He means for us to be. It's an amazing and awing feeling, to know that God's hands can create this love and this relationship with us and between us. I could not thank God enough for this family He has given me, our family is truly our gift.

I am blessed to have a caring, kind, loving, and supportive husband. Andy was always open to adoption, and when we began the process, he gave 100% of himself to the process. Seeing Andy for the first time with Owen, you would never guess Owen was not with us for his first 9 months (which is how old Owen was when we met;) ).  Having Andy be my partner, best friend, and love is so wonderful, that words cannot even describe the feelings I have for him.  I love  Andy, and cannot wait to see what the future holds for us!

Sleep, baby sleep!!!

So Owen is starting a bad habit, and I think it's my fault. Last week, I decided to nap with him for his afternoon nap 2 times. Friday, after he started crying when laid down at the sitters, i decided to stop that. over the weekend, no nap problems. Then yestreday and today, I lay him down for his afternoon nap. He gets all tired looking, lays down without crying, is quiet for 10-15 mins, fooling me to think he is asleep. Then, bang, bang, he starts kicking the walls/crib!  I go up, tell him to stop kicking and go to sleep. He is quiet again, looks very tired, like he could go to sleep any second, but then begins kicking again. The next time, i go into the room, sit in the rocker, and tell him to go to sleep. He cries, and then is quiet.

He is literally blinking hard to stay awake, his eyes will shut and be shut for a good 30 seconds, and then he pushes them back open.  Finally I pick him up and hold him, and he falls asleep in like 2 mins. UGH!  I'm torn because I do want to hold him, but I also can't last 1.5 hours doing so. It also will mess up his nap at the sitters, because she has other kids, and I know she can't hold him all the time there. Im going to try something different tomorrow.

tomorrow I'm going to leave him in his crib, if he doesn't fall asleep that is, for an hour of quiet time, which is recommended by this doctor in this book I read. Still keeping him somewhat on his routine. Then, I'll get him up. He'll be super tired, and he'll probably be a cranky butt. But, we'll put him to bed earlier. This should help with getting him to realize I'm not going to hold him to get him to sleep. I have a feeling he's going to try and pull this again tonight for is night bed time. We'll see. Let's all hope my plan works.......I'm REALLy hoping it does. But of course ideally, he'll just give in to sleep tomorrow, but we'll see.

6 months home!

Early on February 16, 2011, Owen left Russia to come home FOREVER!  After 2 plane rides, we arrived in the US late February 16, about 24 hours after we had left Russia. Owen met his grandparents, rode in his car seat for the first time, and we all walked into our home together as a Forever Family!  Thinking about the long journey we all had made through the initation of the adoption process to the point of being home, still brings tears to my eyes! Tears of love, joy, happiness, and blessings! 

We have been so blessed to have our family, and Owen makes it even more special. God always knew Owen would be our son, and it amazes me! He knew this little rascal was what our family needed.  None of us could be who we are today without the other.

Our lives have been changed, but better than we ever imagined. Our house is louder, we have more messes, and there are a lot more temper tantrums (though Andy might argue this last point in regards to me), but it is also filled with more joy, laughter, and love.  

I thank everyone that was a part of our journey, our family, our friends, the social workers, the baby home staff and caretakers.  I also thank Owen and my wonderful husband, best friend, and partner Andy, for without them, this journey would not have been as incredible as it has been.  I am looking forward to the next 6 months and beyond to see what the future holds for us. I love my 2 crazy, ornary, and loving boys!

08/08/11 marked 6 months together as a family!

We met Owen in 11/2010, and we just prayed and prayed for the day we could all be together, FOREVER, as a family, without an ocean between us!  On 02/08/2011, we picked Owen up from his baby home and have been fully united:) 

It is hard to believe in some ways that it has only been 6 months, because I know and feel that Owen has been my son since his birth. There is a reason that adoption and specifically Russian Adoption called to us in early 2010, it was because Owen was born, and God needed us to pick him up ASAP! :) 

Owen got to spend the last 2 days with his "aunt" Jen while his regular sitter was on vacation, and tomorrow he gets to spend the day with our friends Emily and Kelli. I know he will have a great time, but I'm just itching for it to be Friday, so I get my day off with him!  He is getting so smart, and cute, and even more ornary, if that is really possible;)  He is simply joy and fun, and a blessing, all wrapped into one. We are so thankful that God formed our family, with Himself as the head! 

Owen finally hit 20 lbs!

It's official, Owen is 20 lbs 4 oz, YAY!  We weighed him at home about 2 weeks ago, and that is what he weighed. We were hoping he would be at least that at his 18 month check up and he was. He is still below the 3rd percentile for his weight, but is now just below 10th percentile in his height at 30.5" We are so glad that he is growing a bit more now. I think it's because he's finally eating regular table food really well.

I'm happy, but sad, that my little guy is growing and learning so much so fast. I actually scheduled his 24 month visit, which made me kind of sad knowing that in 6 months he'll already be 2. I really wish he could have been with us for his first year. But then I think, that first year helped make him who is now, even if it's just a little bit, it's still part of him.

He says "socks" and it sounds really funny. I love to hear him say it. I'm still waiting for him to say mommy, and he's come close, but I don't know that he's associating it with me.  It will happen one day, and I'll be ready;)

18 months old!

Today, my baby turned 18 months old!!! We saw a picture of Owen when he was only 8.5 months old, met him at 9 months old, and brought him home at 12 months old. I cannot believe that he is already 6 months older. He is trying to be so independent. He copies all of motions, whether it's sign language, picking something up, putting something down, washing our hands, dancing, clapping. He soaks up everything he sees and tries to do it.  I could not imagine, and do not want to imagine, where our lives would be if God hadn't guided us all to each other. Today, we spent some time with my sister and 2 of our cousins. we had a great time. Tomorrow, we are going to "celebrate" Owen's 1/2 birthday with a lunch out and just a lot of time together as a family. We are so excited to see how much Owen will grow and learn in the next 6 months.

Owen with cousin Kristen.

Owen with cousin Kayla.

Owen with Mommy, Kristen, Kayla, and Aunt Jessica. We had a great day:)!!

New Words

So Owen has started saying some new words. He has said 'baby' alot lately. Not sure if it is because I call him baby still. Like, there's my baby, or hi baby, those kinds of things. I think it also might be because he was around his cousin Simon last weekend, and we referred to him as being a baby, and needing to be gentle with him. At church that Sunday, he put his hand on Simon's head (who is 5 months old), and rubbed saying gentle, gentle. Then he did it to his Uncle Garey's arm, who was holding Simon. Then he repeated the process with Simon's head. It was cute. We are trying to get him to not hit, so that is what we came up with. the nicely laying a hand on his arm and rubbing saying gentle, be gentle. Of course, unless you know that is what he is saying, it doesn't really sound like gentle, but he is trying;)

He has also said car this weekend when looking at one of his word books, as well as boat. He has tried to say elephant, which actually comes out more like his other cousin's name - Elijah. He tried to say Giraffe as well. We are not too concerned at this point that some of his "words" are not that recognizable, because he's only been home for almost 6 months, so for having 12 months of Russian, and not quite 6 months of English, we couldn't be happier at how well he is doing with "talking."

He also is the first kid I've ever known to say the word 'yes' or 'yeah' before he has said 'no.' Of course I know that the word 'no' is soon to come, but for right now, we like that he answers every question with a yes or yeah. Even if we say, "do you want a time out?" He says "yeah." So we ask him a lot of different questions just for our own amusement.  Of course, he finds many ways to amuse us, he's so darn cute;) 

Tiny little Super guy:)

So, yesterday I was not feeling well, and I stayed home. I decided to keep Owen home with me, so that i wouldn't have to go out and pick him up from the sitters. We were in the family room, and I had Owen take my finger (not my whole hand) to walk with me. He felt so little just then. He is my tiny little Super guy:) (for those of you who remember him from Sesame Street). He is tiny, but super cute, and super fun. I love tickling him, and hearing his loud laugh.

Since I wasn't feeling so great, i decided to take his afternoon nap with him, and it was nice getting to cuddle with him for a little while. It was also better sleeping with him for his nap than at night. At night, he usually wakes up twenty billion times, and ends up kicking and spinning in circles, LOL. during his nap, he just doesn't have time to do the violent moves;)  We both woke up refreshed.

I'm hoping this week goes fast, so I can get to the weekend with my 2 boys. Though Daddy and I will be having our first date night/day together since we brought Owen home. we are going to see Harry Potter. I think I will probably be missing Owen alot though. Andy and I need our dates, but after wishing and hoping for owen for so long, it's definitely hard to be away from him. Owen will have fun with his cousin Kim though. :)

Looking back

The last couple nights Owen's had alot of waking during the night, which is rather uncharacteristic of him. As I was holding him last night the 2nd time he woke up, I was thinking of everything we had gone through to this point. I was thinking of Owen in the orphanage, waiting for us, and I was thinking of us in our big house, waiting for him to come and make it louder and even more fun. I was remembering  our time in between the first and 2nd trip, and having to leave him over in Russia for 3 more months until we brought him home. I started crying and just feeling so blessed that he was in my arms. I felt silly, but it felt good.

It's hard to believe sometimes that we were in Russia, and that is where Owen was born. I'm sure as Owen grows up and we tell him of the stories, trips, and traveling, he will have a hard time believing it too. Because we fit together so perfectly, we are his parents and he is our son, no if, ands, buts or anything about it. We were meant to be together, and it's unbelieveable even to believer's, how great God's plan is and how He just gets it right every time.  There's a reason the song is titled "Amazing Grace." Because anytime we can feel God's grace and handiwork in our lives it is amazing. It makes me want to say Ooooooh, Awwwwwwe, watermelon;) 

Owen had a good week this week. He had a vacation from the sitter's, and spent 4 of the days with Aunt Crystal, and tomorrow, he gets to spend it with Aunt Jessie. I know he's had such a good time, and I think he likes all the individual attention, getting to roam more places, and the car rides. Hopefully he won't be too disappointed when his routine starts up again next week.

Boo!

So Owen likes to say Boo ALOT now. He was doing it like Peek-a-boo, and now he's doing it at other times. I walked into his room to get him up yesterday, kind of slow, and smiled, and he went "boo." It was funny. He is also doing this thing to me and Andy when we go to get him out of bed, he kind of "runs" or "hides" from us in his crib, either under the blanket, or rolling to the other side of the bed. Andy gets a big kick out of it, apparently so does Owen:)

Owen did something funny with his blanket(s) a couple days in a row now. He puts it over his head like you would trying to be a ghost, and walks around the room. He'll walk into or on something and pick it up, or move it, and he's walked into us too. He laughs. He actually reminds me alot of Linus with his 2 blue blankets, it's kind of funny.

My baby is 17 months old today! I can tell such a difference from our Gotcha Day. He really is daddy's little rascal. He is very cute, and funny, and we wouldn't change him one bit.

Growing, but still my baby;)

Owen will be 17 months on thursday! I cannot believe it. we feel so blessed!  He hasn't grown a whole lot physically, only about an inch since and not quite a pound since we picked him up. But, mentally, he is a little sponge and tries to learn everything!  He tries to copy us, his cousins, aunts, uncles, etc. He LOVES to follow older kids around and do what they do. He just did so this past weekend with his cousin Elijah. I swear with his new haircut, he almost looks like Elijah's little mini-me, LOL! 

He is doing really well, and I can't believe that next Friday 07/08/11 is our 6 month post placement eval!  It's hard to believe that we were over in Russia just 6 months ago picking up our "little Rascal" as Andy likes to call him;)  He's so fun to watch and play with. He was really cute yesterday, playing with his snoopy blanket putting it over his head and walking around, like a little ghost:) I swear he looks like Linus too, carrying that blanket around:) 

He's our precious gift, and we cannot wait to get some extra time with him over this holiday weekend. He's still my little baby though, and I still rock him to sleep sometimes, and cuddle him. He is extra clingy to me since I've gone back to work, worried that I'm going to leave him everywhere we go since he's gone to the sitters. I do like being his ceenter of the world, but I also am anxious for him to learn that we're not going anywhere and he is always going to be with us. Hopefully he'll start understanding soon. I've been at work about 6 weeks now, so I'm hoping over the next 6 weeks he starts to feel better about visiting people. What's funny is he doesn't even cry in the morning when Andy drops him off to work. I think it's good that Andy is the one that is dropping him off, because I don't know if it would be different with me doing it.

Anyway, I am trying to learn how to be a blogger, it is difficult with being on the computer all day at work, and then wanting to spend time with Owen. I'm going to start working more on our site, to update information about our adoption process and timeline that we had with bringing Owen home. I'm hoping one of my family members will help me do it;)  (shout to Jessica and Theresa....:)) 

And our family grows!

When Andy and I got married,we knew we wanted children. We have been waiting to see when God's plan for our family would happen, and now it has! We started the process of Russian adoption right around Easter 2010. We looked at all different countries and all of the laws and guidelines that each country had, but Russia called to us, and we knew it was the home of our child. We have been working all year to get all the many documents and paperwork together that is required. I have been working overtime like crazy to build up my leave time for when our child would come home. Andy was working like crazy, just because he had to anyway;)  We started planning for a child we did not yet know when or how he would come to us.  Then, all our efforts paid off, and we were matched with a beautiful baby boy of 9 months!!  Our hearts couldn't be any more full of love!!!  Now we are awaiting our upcoming court date on 1/28/10  and to bring our son home 10 days later. Owen is truly a gift, and we cannot wait to have him with us forever!!!