Talking so much, so clear, and so loud! LOL!

Owen has really found his voice. I mean, he was talking alot before, but man, this kid has been saying so many different things and more sentences lately. Not to mention, he keeps getting louder, and louder!  Most of the time it is cute, and it is hard for me to tell him not to talk. But, sometimes, like to day at the store, I had to keep saying, "Owen, we're inside, you have to talk quieter." or "Shhhhhh." I know it's all kids that have to learn what the "inside voice" is, though, and most of the time, he is just laughing and being goofy. So for the most part, I kind of chuckle at/with him.

However, I knew it was the end of our shopping trip today, when he started to have a melt down on the way to the cash register. I felt a bit like a bad mom, because he just wanted "hold me, mommy, hold me." I couldn't. I was there, just the 2 of us, and the store was packed, so I was in a self checkout lane too. I was also, apparently, at the wrong store for him, because he kept saying, "Horse, mommy, Horse!" and pointing toward the front of the store. I had to explain we weren't at Meijer and there was no horse....to a  25 month old!  He kept saying meijer, and stare at me like, okay, but what about the horse.  I am not one to want to spoil my child, but I don't really think the penny horse is that much of a spoiler, so I did feel kind of bad that it wasn't there. We survived the trip though, and Owen was fine after we left and headed home.

Of course, he did his "mommy doing?" about 50 million times on the way to the park, on the way to the store, in the store, putting the groceries in the car, and on the way home. Sometimes it drives me CRAZY, but it is also cute that he's doig it. I think he mostly does it so that we have a "conversation." I think he likes when we "talk" to each other, and it's not just me telling him to do something, or me reading him a book. I think he really wants to tell us things now and to have a voice.

Today, I tried to give him cottage cheese as a snack, to see if he liked it. He simply stated, don't want cheese. Okay then. At dinner, Andy tried to give him milk, and I was coming back downstairs from changing my clothes, and I heard Owen say, "don't want that milk!" I came in the kitchen, and asked Andy if that is what he said (since I thought it was clear as day), but Andy didn't even realize what Owen had said. So I tried to give Owen his milk again, and he pushed it away saying, "don't want that milk!" Then he covered his eyes. I had to laugh, becuase I know we are definitely going to be hearing alot more of "no" and "don't want...." And of course, those are going to be his clearest sentences, LOL! 

Every time he says something knew, Owen impresses me. I know it's normal for kids to grow in their vocabulary, but it still amazes me and makes me happy he is doing so well. Even the Nos and the don't wants, because it shows his likes/dislikes, and personality. Grant it, I'll be squashing a lot of the don't wants, just like I did with the milk tonight, but I am so happy our son is growing and learning, and becoming him;)

He's starting to say "come 'ere" a lot to me. Also because I say it alot to him when i need him to change directions. I will usually say it and then use my pointer finger to coax him toward me. Wouldn't you know it, he's been really trying to do the finger thing too? It's cute that he has to focus so much to do it, but I know it's him working on his fine/gross motor skills, LOL:)

The other funny thing too he's been doing, is announcing TV shows. Not that we watch TV all the time, but he'll say, "mommy, coming. and point to the TV, and then say "Fresh beat band" or "Backyardigans" (which are a majority of his sippy cups).

Oh, and he also is doing very well with learning the sign of the cross. We can't get him to do it every time, but he is really getting "the Father, and Son," and we're continuing to work on the "Holy Spirit."  I'm hoping that we can really start working more on colors, letters, numbers, and prayers. He's such a sponge, I know he's really going to start soaking it all in!

Well, I know I could go on and on, since I haven't posted in a while, on all the things Owen has been doing, and how he really can crack me up sometimes. But, I will have to save some for another day:)

1 Year Gotcha Day Anniversary!

Today was our 1 year Gotcha Day Anniversary, and we cannot believe it has already been a year. Waiting to bring Owen home had felt like FOREVER, but on 02/08/11, Owen said goodbye to the Kaluga Baby home, and Hello to his new home with us. Andy and I both took the day off work, and we went to COSI. They have a Kids Place, and Owen LOVED it. He got to play in these wood cars and houses, turning lights on, and "driving." He got to play with blocks and ride some different little car toys. He got to play in water and get him and Mommy wet:)  We got to walk through some exhibits, and we had a WONDERFUL day just being together as a family:)  The rest of the day, after Owen's nap, we played around the house, and then had pizza for dinner.

Owen, now my 2 year old "baby", has grown so much, and I'm really starting to be able to put together his "sentences" and have some "conversations" with him. I now know certain phrases that i must say alot, because he is starting to use them as well. Such as when Owen would say "mommy" and I say "what Owen?" Now I say Owen, and he laughs and says "what?" I also think I ask, "Owen, what are you doing?" alot, because he'll say, "Mommy, Doing?" I know he's asking a question too, because he uses the correct tone of a question. He's just so smart!  He talks all the time, which is great since we were so concerned a year ago about speech delays. Honestly, even 3 months after we brought him home, he was doing so well with his speech, we couldn't believe it. 

I tell Andy all the time, I'm going to have a hard time as he keeps getting older and talking more, because he's as stubborn and determined as I am! Andy thinks it's totally funny how much Owen is like me. Of course, I think he is alot like Andy too. I have a feeling, he'll be tall and thin like his dad, too. He's definitely growing taller, even if he hasn't really gained too much weight this last year. He fits height wise into the 18 month size clothers, but sometimes they are still big around his middle (alot of times actually). Of course, that just means that I can still carry him around more. Though today, he kept saying, "walk, walk." He probably walked around at COSI today 2/3 the time we were there, maybe more. Of course, I kind of freak out about him running off, so I make him wear a backpack "leash" thing, plus hold my hand. I'm hoping to instill the holding of the hand, and actually he did really well with that, and the backpack was really just a safety net for me:) I know there are some parents who don't like those, but especially at a crowded zoo, it makes me feel better about Owen getting to walk around.

My baby has been home 1 year today, and I still get teary just thinking about the whole process of getting to the Gotcha Day, and then making it home the following week. Oh, and not to mention the waiting prior to even knowing the child God had chosen for us. I know I say this all the time, but I'm seriously amazed by God's ability and love in putting together families, particularly mine.

I could not imagine going through the adoption process or my life for that matter without my best friend and love, Andy, by my side. He loves Owen so much, and the first day we met Owen in 2010, I couldn't believe how much that love showed!  I knew he was excited about Owen, and I knew Andy couldn't wait to meet him and to have him home. But, the emotion I felt seeing that love come out in Andy and Owen's first meeting, the memory still makes my heart burst with joy and love!  I am one lucky woman to have a husband who has loved me, supported me, and believed in me and to be given a son who is so precious, loving, smart, and beautiful. There are not enough words in any language to express the gratitude I have for my family and for the gifts God has given me. Blessed, blessed, and blessed, that is as best as I can describe it!!!