Nine Weeks Today and Two Months last Sunday.

Dear Owen,

This week went very quickly and you hit the two month mark on Sunday! You got to meet several very important people and after being gone from Daddy for three days, you were very happy to see him again.

Your cousin, Kielty, came over to play and help take care of you for a couple of hours. She always asks how you are doing whenever Daddy calls Aunt Steph. She particularly wants to know if you are smiling. Daddy says, "Yes" and Kielty says, "How cute".
Uncle Brian also came for a visit.

On Friday morning, you and I ventured to Walla Walla to see Papa Sornson. We visited Grammy's cousin, Donny and his family and got to see some of the land around their house. Donny's son, Chris, had a dog that liked to lick your feet. You didn't mind a bit.

We spent Saturday morning with Papa and met his neighbors, we took naps and then drove to Pomeroy to see Grandpa and Grandma Bartlow. Aunt Dalene was already there and Aunt Barbie came by for a visit too.Grandma loves babies!
We went to Pomeroy Church of the Nazarene and got to see Izzy's grandthings-Mike and Janie Field. And her great Uncles, Aunts, and cousins.

Uncle Steve held you during worship (which you weren't too sure about since the music was quite loud) and you enjoyed looking back at him. Then you slept through the entire sermon.
After church we ate dinner with Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle Steve and Aunt Barbie. You took another nap and then we had to head home. We stopped off at Walla Walla for a piece of pumpkin pie and then drove the four hours back home (five if you count stopping to eat). You were so very happy to see Daddy you wouldn't stop smiling.

You had a two month doctor checkup yesterday, but they didn't have all the shots to give you and I only want you to have to endure that pain one time instead of in two consecutive days. Soon you will have to get those shots and I am sure that it will break my heart. You weighed in at 12 pounds 3 ounces and 23 inches long.

You are waking up from a nap right now, so I had better go get you and love on you.

Love,
Momma

On The Road Again.

First thing tomorrow morning, Owen and I are headed to Walla Walla to see Papa (Friday night) and then on to Pomeroy (affectionately known as P-roy) (Saturday night) to see Grandma and Grandpa. Please send up prayers for Byron as we will be leaving him home alone for the first time since Owen has been born. He will be very, very busy, but it will still be weird to not have us home when he wakes up or goes to bed.

Nicknames.

I forgot to add the latest nicknames for Owen in my letter to him yesterday...

Here they are: Monkey Bite, Popeye, Little One, and Punkin.

Eight Weeks.

Dear Owen,

Technically I am writing this on the eve of your eight week birthday. But, I wanted to get this posted now in case I run out of time tomorrow.

This is the week of sleeping through the night-wahoo! Most nights you went from 11 pm to 7 or 8 am. The only night you didn't was Saturday night/Sunday morning and you woke at 5:15 am. This has been a tremendous accomplishment and makes for a good night of sleep for you AND mommy!You are starting to settle in and be so pleasant during you "awake" times. Even if you wake up early from a nap, you are still agreeable. We went to Daddy's softball game and you were awake for the whole thing and didn't fuss much at all.
You are getting stronger and stronger. Holding your head up and looking all around. You don't have total control, but you are working hard to get there.

You are studying your hands and if they get near your mouth, you suck on them. This picture shows a convenient time where your thumb happened to find its way into your mouth. I am looking forward to you being able to self-soothe.

I love the "motion" pictures - they give an idea of how much you wiggle. And, check out that belly!


Love,
Momma

My Latest Craving.

I have randomly been craving the taste of coffee lately. So, I purchased some decaf a week ago and of course, some liquid vanilla Coffeemate creamer. My cravings are satisfied, yum. Just in case you are a coffee drinker too, I thought I would let you know about a free offer (if you didn't already know). Coffeemate is mailing coupons for a free trial of their liquid creamer. Here is the link. The offer ends at the end of August, so get it before it is gone.

Can't Wait!

August 3rd, I will need a babysitter. I was fascinated by the first two and am anxiously awaiting #3.

Runnin'.

Sorry Andrea T... I had to write about running...

After my doc appointment where I found that I could run again, I started running again... Last week I ventured out with Owen, his carseat, and the stroller. I didn't think that Owen's carseat would fit into the stroller because they were not made to go together. I thought that I would just transfer the babe between the carseat and the stroller and back when I was done. I got lucky. The carseat fit perfectly into the stroller, so away we went. It worked out so nicely because Owen falls asleep during the outing and I don't have to move him from his carseat. I was able to run a mile four times last week and due to some other circumstances, once this week. I am very, very happy to be active again. Yeah!

Convenient Coincidence?

Owen slept from 11:45 p.m. to 7:20 a.m. !!!! Two nights in a row, I could get used to this!

Something Else.

Oh yeah, Owen weighed 12.5 pounds on Friday (with clothes on).

Seven Weeks.

Dear Owen,
You are responding with more and more smiles and coos. We even discovered a little dimple in your right cheek.

You are sleeping more and more. I had to wake you up three nights in a row, so I finally let you wake on your own for the first time last night and you are still asleep! I guess you officially slept through the night for the first time on the night of July 16th. We shall see if it sticks.

You spent time with Alli Boyd and Abby Warwick this week. I think that they are impatient for you to be bigger and easier to play with.


You really like your bouncy/infant chair and prefer to spend a majority of your awake time in it.

You are such a great kid and even though you can get fussy at times, we seem to be able to figure you out and can get you what you need.

Love,
Momma

News.

Check out the news...

Oh Brother.

I need everyone’s help. I want to sing Owen a song when I put him down for a nap or bed. However, the only darn song that keeps popping into my head is “Go to sleep little baby” from Oh Brother Where Art Thou and if you have ever read the words to that song, esh, not something I want stuck in my kid’s head. I am looking more for a biblical, churchish type song. Like Jesus Loves Me, but more geared toward nigh-night time. Any help?

Six Weeks.

Dear Owen,

We are really figuring you out. You survived the Fourth of July (which means family picnics and running around to each and every one of them). Actually, we didn’t go to ALL of them; just to what you could handle (which was not much). You didn’t get two of your naps because of the social settings; however, you slept great that night. You usually get up around 3 or 4 in the morning and then you are good to go until 8. You spoil me! You, Daddy and I were going to go to Grandpa and Grandma’s ranch in Riggins on Thursday, but decided to lay low and stay home for the day.

You and I ventured to Boise on Friday because I had my doctor’s appointment. You fell asleep on the way there and slept right up until your next meal. Then you fell asleep again just perfectly. This allowed me to get several errands ran and so much accomplished. I was thrilled!

On Saturday you got to hang out with Grandma while Daddy and I went out to dinner. You did pretty well with her.

On Sunday we went to church and you had all kinds of people gushing over you. I think that Garrett Munger was the most excited to see you. You slept pretty well in your car seat and we got to stay for the whole thing.

Yesterday you took a ride in your stroller and went with me to the Keepers of the Home meeting to learn about organization. You did pretty well there too.

There have been lots of smiles and coos in the last few days and we are enjoying the interaction.

Love you,

Momma

Six Years of Wedded Bliss ;)

Saturday, July 7th, Byron and I celebrated six years of marriage! We went out to dinner at a new restaurant in Nampa, Brick 29 Bistro. If any of you have the chance to try it, DO! It has awesome food and a great atmosphere. We both ordered bacon wrapped filet mignon and had creme brulee for dessert. Delicious! The biggest part of the night was the fact that we left Owen for the first time. Luckily, Grandma was willing to accept the challenge. They both did very well and that puts our minds at ease for the next night out (whenever that will be). Thank you, Kathy!!

One Month Old and/or Five Weeks Old.

Dear Owen,

This week has been all about getting to know you and how you tick. We have basically discovered that you are a “touchy” baby. You really only sleep well in your own bed exactly one hour after you wake up. Which means you eat and then have about 15 minutes of awake time before you start to yawn and then cry. This is a small window of opportunity that many do not get to see. Your daddy and I savor each one and try to get more smiles out of you during them.

Sunday was one of the hardest days because you woke up at 7, ate and then were cranky for an hour, refusing to go back to bed. Considering the fact that I had planned to get ready at 7 and then get you ready at 8, we didn’t end up going to church. Sunday night we went over to Grammy and Papa’s house to meet the rest of the extended Bartlow gang for dinner and dedication time for you. Several people prayed for you-for your future and God’s plan for your life. Those who were there: Kirk Bartlow’s family, Brant Bartlow’s family, Murray Bartlow’s family, Whit Bartlow, Vonnie McDaniel, Alan and Jeanine Fitzgerald, Nikki Peed, Grammy and Papa, Grandma and Grandpa, Uncle Brian, Auntie Angie, Cousins Ally, Parker, and Audrey, Anthony, Marissa, and Alli, and Mommy and Daddy.

Your eyelashes are getting super long now. It seems that they all of a sudden popped out. They are something every girl will envy, like I envy your daddy’s eyelashes.

Lastly, you had a growth spurt this week. You decided to eat every two to two and half hours instead of every three. Your weighing in at 11 pounds proves the growth. (We weighed you at Anthony and Marissa’s on their baby scale.)

Each week I feel more and more at peace in raising you because I get clued in to more things about you. And, each day I love you more

Nicknames this week: Stinker Pots, Owey-Oh, Fussy Gus, Cuter Little Fellered, Lova Bug, Little O.

Love, Momma

11 Pounds and Growing...

I am still here, it has just been a crazy week and Owen is having a growth spurt. I do plan to write his weekly update, but it won't happen today. Byron, Owen and I are headed to the ranch in Riggins today and we are still recovering from the Fourth of July craziness. Owen has grown leaps and bounds and can be a handful. We weighed him two nights ago and he is at 11 pounds already!! Yikes! I left my camera at a friend's house, so I hope to get that so I can put all the pictures here. Keep checking back, I should get it done soon.