Success!!!

I got both boys looking at the camera at the same time! Finally! :)

Cookie Decorating..again

A couple of weeks ago we went to another cookie decorating class at Panera. This time they had cute little aprons for all of the kids to wear. Ryan had a great time playing in the icing. He also really loved the pink sprinkles. I am not sure whether more of it wound up on his face or in his mouth.

Ok..I am ready to make a cookie!

Yum!

Congratulations Papa!!!

This week marks a big event in our family. Papa has proudly served as a police officer in his community for almost 38 years!!! For the past several years he has said that he would retire in May or January or June and then that month would pass and he would still be working. Well, this time he was serious! This week Papa is finally retiring! We are so proud and wish we could be there to celebrate.

Three Months

Dear Owen,

I can't believe that three months have gone by already. It seems like you have been a part of our family for so long, yet it seems like the time has gone by so fast at the same time. You are getting to be so big. I spend so much time cuddling with you because I know that all too soon you will be constantly on the go and not wanting to be held by Mommy or Daddy.

Your Daddy and I are pretty sure that you have started to laugh. It's not a deep belly laugh yet but you do let out a chuckle here and there when you smile. You love your brother Ryan. This past week you and Ryan played peek-a-boo and you thought it was so much fun as did he.

You are still sleeping in Mommy and Daddy's room because Mommy is just not ready for you to be so big yet and move into your own room. You usually wake up only one time around 4:30 to eat and then go back to sleep for a few more hours. Last night was your first night to go to sleep without your swaddle blanket (as you learned to be an escape artist) and you slept just fine all night long. You are getting very strong and are able to hold your head up quite well. You act like you really want to roll over when you are doing your tummy time. I am sure it won't be too much longer.

You have almost outgrown your size 2 diapers and your 6 month clothes already. I hope that you slow down a little bit because at this rate you and Ryan will be sharing clothes before your first birthday.

Happy 3 Month Birthday Sweet Boy!!!

Love,

Mommy

Be still my heart....

I cannot even begin to describe how much I love this face...

I am so blessed..

he loves to smile and play for the camera...

The cutest!

(see his one cute dimple? Jeff has one in the exact same spot).

Photo of the week

Here is the photo of the week for last week...priceless!

22 Months...

Ryan is 22 months old today! I can't believe that in two short months I will have a 2 year old! Ryan is learning so many new things each and every day. I am amazed with how quickly he catches on to different things. Ryan seems to have slowed down with his growth. He is still holding steady in his 24month/2T clothes (although some of his 18 month pants still fit and some brands he needs a 3T shirt).

In the past month Ryan has learned how to toast with his sippy cup. We spend a lot of time at the dinner table clanging glasses on Ryan's "cheers" command. Ryan has also started to put a few more phrases together. In the past month he has given up "Mama" and replaced it with "Mommy" which is the cutest thing coming out of his mouth!

We bought Ryan a potty this past month and he has used it a few times. We are not quite ready to toilet train, but maybe we will be in a few more months.

Ryan's favorite toys at 22 months: train table, play kitchen and play food and the magna doodle. Ryan also loves to help me with anything I happen to be doing. He likes doing the dishes and sweeping the floor any chance he gets!

Big Boy!

Today was Owen's 2 month appointment. I should say for the record that he is closer to 3 months than 2 months so the stats are a little bit inaccurate. That said he is a big boy, much bigger than Ryan was. Owen weighed in at a whopping 15lbs 3oz. I did not believe the nurse so we picked him up and measured him again. He is a whopping 24.5 inches!!! Owen is in the +97 percentile for weight and height. If you adjust it for a 3 month old though he is around the 75th percentile for both.

For comparison Ryan was 12lbs 12oz and 23.5in at his 2 month appointment. WOW!

Odds and Ends

Here are a couple videos that I have been meaning to post...

Photo of the week

So this year one of my big resolutions was to spend time developing my photography skills. One way I am doing that is by creating a photo of the week. Most weeks it will probably be a picture of the boys but sometimes it might be something else.

I had several contenders this week --- see previous post. But this picture I just love.

Owen's eyes are looking right into the camera, the way he has his mouth, the lighting, everything about it is fantastic!

This photo is totally unedited. :)

Pictures

Here are a bunch of pictures from this week...enjoy!

I wish this was in focus but he was moving too much.

Let's not forget my other cutie pie eating his breakfast!

I love everything about this...

Mr. Clean

One day last week after Ryan took his nap I asked him a simple question. "Ryan, what would you like to do?" Ryan's reply, "Dishes!" We ran to the sink and unfortunately for him the only dish to wash was a sippy cup. I pulled up the chair anyway and let him play in the water and be a helper or "help-eee" as he calls is. I hope that Ryan continues to be a wonderful helper and I hope that he enjoys doing the dishes for years and years to come!

Washing his cup...

Please note the wet hair. Ryan thought the bottle brush would be good as a hair brush.

Mommy's helper!

Brothers

We have had the hardest time trying to capture pictures of Ryan and Owen together. Most of the time Ryan does not want to have his picture taken. Then when he does something sweet and I run to get my camera he refuses to do it again. Oh well.

Here are a few pictures of my sweet little boys...

Trying to hug Owen during tummy time...

(for the record --- Jeff dressed Ryan this day. Those are PJ pants)

Too funny not to include...

I wish that potato wasn't in the picture...oh well.

Owen's tummy time usually turns into Owen sleeping on his tummy in a matter of moments...

Ryan was so sweet and started rubbing Owen's back..

More hugs!

Double Digits!!

I can't believe that Owen is 10 weeks old today! The time is going by so fast (I know that I say that all the time). Today I was actually boxing up a bunch of clothes that Owen has outgrown. Some of the things were outfits Ryan wore as a small baby as well. I was fighting back tears and trying to be strong while I was deciding what to keep and what to donate. I walked in with the box of clothes that I had packed up as "keepers" and asked Jeff, are we ever going to need these again? I cannot imagine not ever having another baby ---- so for now we'll see. :)

Anyway - Owen is 10 weeks old today and wearing size 2 diapers already! After he peed on me twice (while wearing a diaper) I decided it was time to move up. He is also now in 6 month clothes because he is very long. In the past couple of weeks he has really started smiling all the time. He has one of the most wonderful smiles I have ever seen in my life! He is sleeping like a champion and has actually gone through the entire night quite a few times (WOOHOO!). Most nights he is up once to eat and then goes right back to sleep which is just fine with me. Also in the past couple of weeks Owen has started cooing and he found his hands. He likes to get those little fists right in his mouth anytime he can.

Ryan is loving on Owen more and more every single day. It melts my heart when Ryan gives Owen a big hug or kiss. Ryan loves to bring blankets to cover up Owen and loves to give Owen a paci.

We are beyond blessed with two of the most wonderful and perfect little boys.