punkin patch

Owen pooped in the bath water the first time on Monday and...needless to say the was a drain issue! The plumbing was pretty shotty anywho I think this was the last straw though. So $277 later we were able to both bathe and feel good again. Before that could happen though Owen had a bath in the sink and I had a sponge bath! He loves bath time so much. He is so happy.

Grandma Bobbie called the other day and sang her song to him and he started smiling so big. I tried to catch it but the camera was too far away and by the time I got it set up he was done smiling. You can see the look of content though! Owen says "I miss you G-ma"

Wow..too many cue pics to choose from. Here are a few! How can you not just wanna gobble him up?!

This is just a great picture! Nursing in the back of my Pinto!

The cow picture was fun but the seats are definitly made for lil' tikes. My toosh barely fit!

Thanks Becky!!! Had a blast. You are a great photographer! We definitly made up for our silly foux pas!(sp?)

Mushroom hunting

We took Owen out to the woods near Estacada yesterday for his first real hike. It was our first time mushroom hunting out there, we usually go out to the coastal range. It was a huge harvest! I think we actually found 3! BIG TIME MUSHROOM HUNTING! It is a bit early yet. Probably give it 2 weeks and it will be prime. I thought it would be appropiate to go in the woods wearing camo! Check out his socks! I can not belileve that I am coordinating his outfit with the activities that will occure through out the day. But it's fun and cute! He has moved into the next phase of clothes so we have a bit more to work with now. I could not believe how well the onsie fit him. It walmost brought tears to my eyes. I guess he can fit into more than the plain white onsies and 3 sleepers now.

This morning we had belly time and enjoyed it! My friend Erica passed along a belly time surf board for Owen and it has water in it and toys attached to the side of it for entertainment. He seemed to really enjoy it for...oh...about 6 minutes! This morning was a bit grumpy.

The lil' man has gotten to be such a chunk. He actually has "man cans"! I could not help but take a picture to show these off!

Expressions

This is in the top 5 favorite faces that my lil' man makes. It is one of those that is so sad it is cute! He is usually having too much fun to really be upset but he thinks he should be upset so he starts to pout..and this is the out come!




About two seconds before this was his expression...















and about two seconds after was this expression. So when he makes the pouty face I can not help but laugh!

We have had a lot of fun the last couple of days. He has been alert more and having alot more fun in between the screams and feedings. We are still trying to get in a good sleeping routine. He never sleeps the same two days in a row. I guess that is normal but it is hard to get into a pattern that works for both uf us. I almost got a necklace done today during one of his naps. I just never know if he is going to sleep for 3 hours or 20 minutes. I guess that is how they keep you on your toes! I think that Finley is starting to realize, as she did with Hentietta, that this will not soon go away. That she is going to have to tollerate it or be miserable (and as we all know it is easier to get over your beef than sit and dwell on the miserableness!) I have been trying to get Finley to hang out with us a bit more lately and she has started licking Owens toes. How cute is that? If you look closely you can see Finleys little tongue! What a great dog! Finley likes to stare out the window...maybe she is dreaming of a life somewhere where she is on a giant couch and there is an endless supply of dog treats and NO other animals or babies..just her momma and her! She loves me so much I am trying my best to incorporate her in our activities and walks. Sometimes it is just impossible. I think that in all the new adjustments she is doing very well though. Henrietta likes to torment her and play with her tail or try to get nose to nose with her. Sometimes Finley gets a bit huffy with her and other times she is really cool. This day was an exception because finley actually came up on the bed while there was already a whole sleu of choas going on. Normally she is very far from the action if she has anything to say about it. I guess she was just a bit lonley and wanted to see what was going on. She and Henrietta were all but snuggled up together on the bed in just a few moments. That makes me smile. I promised Finley that I was done bringing new critters into the household for a while. Outside is a different story. I need to get my landlord about the chicken coup!

two things i hate!

#1
So I have recently decided that I hate( absolutly despise) strollers. I think there is an art to mastering them and opening doors and getting through those open doors without running into them and getting stuck in them! Slings are so much nicer for baby and mom!

#2
The other kicker is carseats...why in the world are they so awkward and bulky? They could at least make them so they rest on your hip or do not knock you in the knee when you try to carry them. They weigh at least as much as your child so you are carrying about 20lbs. when it is all said and done. Rediculous.


Okay, I feel better! Well actually I hate it when I finally get Owen down and the mail man comes. Since Finley learned how to be a real dog from my last roommates dog she now has to bark at the mail man! So in turn wakes up lil man.

Speaking of sleeping (mom this is for you) I have been so proud of my lil man. He has no problems going to sleep all on his own. I will lay him down in his bassinet and turn the mobile on and as long as he is "happy" he will lay there and just let his eyes get heavy and poof he is out! My mom and dad accused me of "spoiling" him and not letting him go down on his own so I put myself to the test. He is not spoiled, just loved!

I do not have any pictures of the lil man to add today yet but this is the cat scratcher that Mike built for Henrietta in hopes to save my furniture and Owens head!

For some reason it is not letting me upload pictures so i will try to get to it next nap time!

first boo boo

Owen got his first boo boo this morning :( he was lying in his boppy pillow and I went to get a hat for him. Henrietta was terrorizing the house and ran across his forehead with claws engaged. He started screaming so loud that I knew something was "wrong" and he had a bit of blood pooled on his forehead. It was so sad.




This is Finley living the "Rough life" Doesn't life just suck?








Pretty fly for a white guy! I put Owen in this cute little yellow sleeper yesterday and the collar was flipped up and I thought he was too cute.

smiles? or gas?

Owen finley and I took a walk to Pier Park yesterday and hung out under the very large Douglas Firs. It was fun to watch Owen checking out the sun through the leaves of the trees. I think I got a picture of him at the beginning of a smile...but he did poop shortly after so it may have been gas! I think that he is really starting to smile though. We were in the bath this morning and he gave me a huge smile. We were having such a great time and I think it was a real display of emotion. (I was waiting for the explosion and messy bath from the smile but since it did not happen...it was real!)

It is such a hoot to be able to hang out with my son all day long and get to experience him fully. I really can not stop looking at him and how perfect he is. We have only had one really grumpy day so far. I was really happy when Mike got home from work so I could do the hand off and have a bit of "me time"

I am not exaggerating when I say that Henrietta loves this lil man. I missed the shot of her hanging out on the boppy with him but I am sure I will get it soon! I woke the other morning to Henrietta licking Owens head. Owen was totally fine with it too! I got a clip of it on my phone that I am going to try to figure out how to post on the blog. Once we get a digital video camera it will be so much more fun for all ya all to view the blog and actually see this boy in action. So...if anyone wants to pitch in for one...! That was very sly of me huh?!



This picture is just for fun! BIG YAWN!

We had a WIC appointment today and Owen was wonderful and peed on the nutrition specialist! I thought it was funny although I felt bad. Luckily she was well humored and probably gets it all the time! She did not believe at first that this was my first child because I was "too calm" for my first! I thought that was a great compliment. Owen now weighs 10lbs 11oz and is 22 inches long...can you believe he has gained 3 lbs in 4 weeks. I am going to cry. Next thing you know he will be 18!

Best Friends

So Henrietta absolutly loves Owen. She can not stand to hear him cry, whenever he does Henry is right by his side and wanting to comfort him. It is adorable. I do not know how many times I have had to push Henry away because she was just too close! She likes to snuggle right up with him in the car seat as you can see. When he is in his chair just chillin guess who is right next to him...Henrietta. Basically what is Owens is also hers. The stroller and the bassinet both have little mesh baskets under them for storage and they are Henriettas hammocks ! I gave in trying to keep her out and gave her a blanket to lay on! Is she spoiled or what? (no need to comment on that)

My friends Becky and Earl came over the other evening for dinner and we all collaberated on making "lasagna rolls" and a yummy salad. Becky brought a bunch of goods from her garden and gave Owen lots of good lovin' so he would sleep through dinner! (it was successful too. I do not make it thruogh many meals without him wanting to eat.) Thanks Becky I really enjoyed dinner. We should do it again soon!

I do not dress Owen in many clothes normally because babies are just too cute with no clothes on(until they make a mess all over you because of the no clothes thing...) But his Aunt Kelly gave him this really cute outfit and although the pants are still huge on him they are pretty cute. Unfortunatly the shirt is still huge on him but the outfit is adorable. It is from Gymborie and the print on the shirt and matching socks is a moose, pine trees and a tent. For now all he can wear are the pants and he just looks like a little man in them. What is really cute is when they are pulled up to his chest because they are so big then he definitly looks like a lil' man!
This guy has more cute clothes than I do. We were really fortunate when we inherited clothes because everything we got was boys clothes. Literally. After he was born I went through the clothes and discarded the girls clothes and it was seriously like 5 item of clothing. If I had a girl she would be wearing alot of blue! But thanks to all who contributed to his wardrobe! We have alot of clothes that range all the way up to a year. Although I am quickly learning how many blankets and items of clothing you go through a day. I think that maybe you can say that you never have enough. I do not know how some folks raise a baby without a washer and dryer. I do not think it could be feesible.

Owen has a new look all of a sudden and I have not caught it on camera fully yet but this is almost it. He has discovered the end of his nose and things that are in the same range as the end of his nose. In trying to view it he goes crosseyed. It almost looks painful when he goes full on crosseyed. But it is pretty damn cute! Enjoy.

the last week

Mike went back to work on Wednesday so Owen and I have been getting used to having the day to ourselves and I have been getting used to multitasking even more so than before. I went to the grocery store the other day and he was awesome until about 1 block from the house and he woke up screaming and hungry. Needless to say the groceries were left in the car for a bit until I was able to subdue him enough to get them and throw the parishables in the fridge (not on the correct shelves mind you...thought I would throw that one in for you mom and dad!) It was a bit tricky getting everything put away! I think it was about 3 hours later when Mike got home and the food to go in the cubbord was still strewn out all over the table and floor! There were little trails of our progress since we made it home. The carseat on the floor in the middle of the room. a pillow and burprag on the couch, dirty clothes on the changing table, groceries all over the place...Owen and I sacked out on the bed! What a day!



We also went to our first "mommy and me" day. The gilrs were absolutly adorable but quite a bit older. This is Indy and Olive. Olive was a total chunk, this picture does not show it troo well but her thighs were probably the size of my calf. Her cheeks were so tubby and sooo cute. I think I may try out another group that has at least 3 "newborns" so it may be a bit more fun for us and we can compare more closely what they are doing etc....

Yesterday I went out to Beaverton to hang out with Cory and went to the Farmers Market there. That was a blast. It is always nice to support the local farmers and enjoy the last bits of fall before the rain starts.

Back when Mom was in town there was a Pirate Festival and Mike took his daughter Betheny to check out the festivities. This is them in their garb! This photo was taken at Lily Toads which is the store that I will hopefully be working at. She just opened and sells locally made clothing and children/maternity paraphanelia (sp?) She has a play area, changing table and crib set up so it is very Owen friendly.

I currently hane a sleeping Owen in my arms and typing one handed is getting a bit annoying so later for now!

Gonna miss this!

It is very handy for your mother to be a photographer but I am definitly going to miss her being so close. It's kindof funny that the last few days I have not taken any pictures of Mr. Owen and all I could do before was take pictures of him...I promise not to let that become a habit(mother). Last night was the first night that lil man had me up every 2 hours. Today was a bit rough. I knew I was a bit spoiled with the whole sleeping 5 hours and all I was just hoping it would last a bit longer. Mike is going back to work in the a.m. so tomorrow is my first day all alone with Owen. I hope the weather holds out so I can walk to town or take Finley to the park for some sanity! Wish me well!

Are these wrinkles not the cutest thing ever? During this photo shoot I got peed on, pooped on and spit up on each at least one time. I just kept saying that it is a good thing that he came out of my body and I love him other wise I would be pretty grossed out by it.

Owen and Grandpa

Dads visit was way too short but we enjoyed every minute he was here. This was the little mans expression upon meeting his grandpa! (well not really...it is his "I am concentrating on taking a poop" look) But is was within the first few minutes of meeting his grandpa! We did not have alot of time to do much while dad was here but he did get to go fishing with Mike and Mom wanted to show him Last Thursday. The expressions on his face were great when the Naked Jousters on 6 foot bikes were throwing pies at eachother in the middle of the street! That is not something that happens EVER in Indiana! Most of the other time was spent hanging out on the front porch and staring at Owen. It is so easy to waste away a day just looking at him. He is so beautiful and it is amazing to ponder the thoughts that could be going through his mind. Mom and I have taken soo many pictures of the first 2 weeks of his life and we have still not been able to catch one of his "smiles". Although this is a pretty cute one. He sleeps with his hands over his heart....just makes your heart melt doesn't it?!? Well I am missing out on my sleep so I must go...just wanted to update a bit while I had a second. Now that mom and dad are gone we are going to try to get into a routine. (not that I am happy at all I miss them immensly already but I am am anxious to get into a routine) Hopefully that routine includes a few minutes a day to get online and catch up with some of you folks that have been sending us your love and very patient for a reply. Until next time...peace and love.

Owens funny expressions

This little man makes so many funny faces and it seems that I can not take enough pictures. What did folks do before digital photography? Here are just a few of his expressions....enjoy.

In the homebirth kit there was an inkpad to do the footprints but the midwives did not do it...whether they were supposed to or not I am not sure but we took it upon ourselves to attempt it! It was successful but messy. We were both covered in ink by the time we were through.

new born comparison

We are looking for a newborn picture of Mike to fully compare but this is me the day I came home from the hospital.

3 minus 2 equals...

This is me when I was 3 years old.



My parents would ask what 3 minus 2 equals and this was my answer!

This is Owen at 3 days old!!!













Owen just did it naturally...There is no manipulation of the hand here...seriously!
I think there is a slight resemblence!!! He is definitly my child!

the labor story

I finally have enough time to sit down and put the story in writting for all you to read! Although I do not know if i will get all the way through it..we will see. I do not type that fast! So on Wednesday Mom and I were walking around 3:00 or so and I started having contractions but they were not consistant and I was not sure if they were actual contractions or if it was false labor so i did not say anything. We took it easy that day and when Mike got home from work I sugested very casually to watch to water birth video that came with the tub. Mom and I took a walk again later and ran into my neighbors (she is 5 months pregnant) they had asked if it was going to happen anytime soon and I again casually said I think he is pretty content in there and although I feel a bit of pressure I am not sure when still...! I did not want mom or mike to worry or ask me everytime I moved if i was okay and if I was in labor...etc...SO when mom went to bed I told mike that i had been having contrations during the day and not to worry. I was going to bed and I will wake him up if anything changes. I did not sleep a wink! I was up at about midnight trying to count my contractions but without luck. It was really hard to relax and breath through them and count (especially with no clock) so at about 2:00 I woke up MIke and asked him to help time the contractions. They were 2&3 minutes apart right off the bat. VERY intense and VERY quick right off the bat. Mike was like...should we call the midwives now? Yeah. While I was talking to the midwives and having contractions there was a miscommunication about the next step and when they were going to arrive. I thought she said that they would be here in a couple of hours and she actually said call in a couple of hours and update us. I took a hot shower and told mom the midwives should be here any moment it is probably about 4:30 by now right..? She said no Amy, it is 6:15! I was totally shocked, I had been laboring for 4 hours already and the time had flown by. So I was starting to have a pushing sensation come over me and told MIke that maybe he should call the midwives and see what the deal is. They were here a half hour later. By that time I had dialated to 6cm and was already in the tub. I got out shortly after to get some stretches and walk around. At this time I was in the "be thankful and rest" stage. The contractions had slowed down an bit and were not quite as intense for a bit of time. I had totally lost all concept of time by now. I labored a bit out of the water and by the time I had dialated to 8 they suggested that I get to the location where I want to birth him be it in the tub or what have you. SO i got in the tub and was not progressing much. I really like the tub for laboring and am only a bit dissapointed that he was not born in water. I was very aware of the fact that i had no idea what i would want while actually laboring so I did not have my heart set on a water birth. I just thought it would be really rad to do so. He was born on shore! There were several different positions that I tried to see if any worked better than the other. He did not really want to come out. I spent a good 2 hours pushing..talk about exhausting. The thing that kept me going through out the whole process was that i was not going to the hospital. This baby was not going to be born at a hospital. He was positioned posterior and everything that I read about that position was long painful back labor. Luckily that was not really the case. He was born in 9 hours and I didn ot have too horrible of back labor. Toward the end his heart rate began to drop a bit so they put an oxygen mask on me, it was amazing how instantly it affected him. I was so very much in a my zone that I all I could hear was his heart beat and not the midwives talking so at one time I remember asking MIke if his vitals were okay because they were checking them every minute and I could not hear their reportings only his heartrate on the doppler and to me they sounded okay but I needed confirmation. When he told me they were perfect I went back into my zone and inside of myself. There was not a chance we were going to give up now. The only time I opened my eyes or made eye contact with anyone was when I needed confirmation that we were both doing okay. Finally we changed positions again and that seemed to do the trick. A few more strong pushes and his head was finally out. It was such a huge cone head due to being in the birth canal sooo long. I though at first it was the whole body because it was so big and oblong...when I realized it was only the head I had to go back to work. Again a few more strong pushes and I saw instantly that it was a boy. I did not say anything until Mike got to see for himself as well. I fell back on the bed and my first words were..."holy f*#k" there was a round of chuckles from all in the room and the rest is routine. They got him all warmed up and breathing eventually Mike cut the umbilical cord and I delivered the placenta and the midwives left us to hang out for about an hour at least before coming to do the rest of the routine stuff. My best friend Cory showed up 45 minutes after the birth! We sent a text message out to him at the beginning of labor and he just showed up when he could...great timing! All in all it was a pretty smooth labor and a hell of alot of work! I would not change the way it unfolded for anything. We were both very fortunate and I would never want drugs to hinder the instinctual behaviors that came over me. I suggest everyone try it naturally before desciding to take advantage of medical intervention. Granted it may make it easier but I could not imagine not experencing those maternal emotions. Once again thankyou all for your support and great energy during this experience.

motorcycle momma

I was not actually able to add anything today due to the unforseen busy day that I had. So here is just a quick update that I think ya all will greatly appreciate! I have been joking about getting a motorcycle with a sidecar for owen and I since his carseat doesn't fit well in Maggie! We were walking the other day on the way to the park and just happened to find a 1967 BMW with a sidecar (1953) and the owner was willing to let me have some fun on it! That's my boy, looks good huh?! I think he is a natural on the bike, 8 days old and just chillin' in the side car!

Enjoy this one for now and hopefully I will be able to update more tomorrow! It's amazing how little time you have to do anything more than change diapers, feed and start at the handsom young fella. It is also amazing that everything takes about 20 minutes longer than it did before.

love you all...once again signing off to feed owen.