Uh-Oh

Nathan is adding words to his mini vocabulary and along with dog, mama, dada, and ooooooooo-a, we have uh-oh! I think it's my favorite. He went through the farmer's market yesterday dropping things out of the stroller saying "uh-oh"! Then today he emptied the entire bookshelf one book at a time saying "uh-oh". I know it'll get old. But for now, it's pretty darn cute.

Here he is dropping cups off his high chair.

3 & 1/2

Owen is 3 and 1/2 years old today! I'm not sure why I feel like this is a milestone, but I do.

There's a lot to be said about our 3 and 1/2 year old. He is truly a little person. He has his own thoughts, opinions, ideas, suggestions and plans. He's fiercely independent and yet completely helpless. He's way easier than when he was a baby, but still utterly exhausting.

There are days when I am not sure we're both going to make it and I feel like a horrible mother and I just want to call in sick for a mental health day. Days where I think I might chip a tooth because I'm grinding my teeth in frustration. Days were I have to walk out of the room and count to ten. On these VERY same days, I have also laughed so hard, I've snorted. Been brought close to tears by his cuteness and been covered in kisses, snuggles and mommy I love yous. At 3 and 1/2 it's a minute by minute game and I hear that's normal. What a relief.

He's a good kid. He's so sweet. So smart. So sincere.

Things to know about Owen:
Is STILL a kitty-cat.

Loves to cook.

Loves to run.

Loves to make forts, aka kitty-cat houses.

Loves care bears.

Obsessed with Diego.

Likes to hike, climb & explore.

Doesn't like to eat.

Is day time potty trained-still working on night.

Loves his juice cups.

Plays with his hair (or mine) when tired or upset.

Has the most amazing eyelashes on the planet.

Loves his dog.

He's happy when he's happy and every one's miserable when he's not.

We love you Owen. A whole bunch. More than we can ever explain. We just love you.

Nine Months!

I cannot believe it. Nathan is nine months! I know I say it every month, but seriously someone stop time!

The snapshot:

• Got his first (terrible) haircut.
  
• Naps are hit and miss....some days two great ones, some days lots of short ones and some days one good one and that's it. I don't know what's going on. All I can be is consistent and hope it works itself out.
  
• Still wakes up once, between 3-4am. Wakes around 6:30am. Goes to bed by 6:30pm.
• Can stand. Can cruise. Close to walking.
  
• Eats a lot.
  
• Smiles a lot.
  
• Two bottom teeth.
  
• Prefers to be on his own. Doesn't like to be held or in a carrier or stroller, which makes parks and outings tough since he puts EVERYTHING directly in the mouth.
  
• Moving into clothes sized 12 months or 12-18 months. Reminder, Owen was in 9 month clothing on his 1st birthday! Nate's a monster!
  
• Words: dog, dada & OOOOOO (Owen)
  
• Not a big snuggler.
  
• Still a big drooler.

He gets funnier and cuter and sweeter each day.

Good shot of his teeth here!!

Adrenaline Play

I recently read an article on the power of Adrenaline Play. It supposedly helps ward off and/or lessen tantrums. The idea is to play a high adrenaline game a few times a day that has some risk or fear in it, like hide and seek, climbing, chase, etc. to help release some of that excitable energy. I'll try anything that claims it'll reduce the amount of tantrums we experience, so we do it and while we are not by any means tantrum free. I do see that it helps on the days we make a point of it.

Climbing is by far one of Owen's favorite things to do, right after running. Matt has been taking him "rock climbing" on the weekends and they both love it and it's a good focused activity for Owen.

On their way:


It's pretty high:
Climbing up:

Are you coming dad? Slow-poke!

Nate's First Haircut

Nathan was in desperate need of a first haircut! He was very shaggy and Justin Bieber-ish! Cute, yes, but constantly in his eyes.

He clearly didn't mind as you can see here in his "BEFORE" photo:

And here's the AFTER.

Matt and I think it's WAY too short and think he looks like Jim Carey in Dumb and Dumber: See the resemblance? We do. So we try to style it back. But super fine, baby hair does not stay, even with super hold gel. It always falls back into place. But it doesn't stop him from doing his newest trick! Standing!

Chain of Events

Today I became a true believer in the saying "everything happens for a reason". I guess I've always believed it, but today I felt like I saw it in action and it may have saved Owen's life. Really.

We were walking home from the park and Owen was running with Jack a little ways ahead of me. He fell. He screamed. I kissed the skinned knee and we were on our way. Took maybe 15 seconds. Jack and Owen head off again. They are at most 10 feet in front of me. I hear a car pulling out of a driveway as Owen approaches and I yell "STOP" both Owen and the car stop. A safe distance apart. I swear to you, if Owen hadn't had that fall, there could have been a disaster. The fall stopped our timing. Brought us together. Restarted our walk. If he hadn't fell, he may have been further ahead of me. I may not of been able to hear the car. Honestly, my heart stopped. It freaked me out and made me thank my lucky stars. Or skinned knees as it were!