Thirteen Weeks and Three Months Tomorrow.

Dear Owen,

This week so much has changed. Even your Daddy and I noticed that you look older and we see you everyday! You have so much more control over your body and head. A week ago we visited Grandma and she played Pat-A-Cake with you and you really, truly laughed. It was awesome. Just yesterday I wanted to look up Mahna Mahna performed by the Muppets on YouTube and then I watched another Muppets video (Beaker is your favorite, Animal is Daddy's favorite). You enjoyed those a whole lot and now have your Daddy and I worried that you will like T.V. too much!


Your cousin, Audrey Mae, came over for a little visit.


Those hands of yours seem to be in your mouth every chance you can get them there. Soon, very soon, you will find that thumb and then I won't have to worry about constantly putting your pacifier back in your mouth because you spit it out.

Here is a picture of you holding your rattle. This rattle was handmade by your Aunt Steph and Papa Berger. You hold on to things really well and are now reaching out and grabbing hold of toys.
Our dog, Samantha, tries to mother you and can't stand to hear you cry. She managed to lick your hands this week and you were pretty interested in that new sensation. You rewarded her by sneezing on her, but she didn't seem to mind.

You no longer need to be swaddled to sleep and your sleep position is on your back with your arms wide open.
While you eat, you pump your top arm up and down, often times punching yourself in the head. I try to hold that arm, but you would much rather have it free. Whatever floats your boat.

Tomorrow you have pictures taken at Kiddie Kandids. Please be good for Momma and don't spit up right before the picture is taken!

Nicknames this week: Mini Muffin, Muffin Man.

Love,
Momma

Songs Currently Going Through My Head...

Bless Yore Beautiful Hide

Rhubarb Pie

I just finished watching Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Prairie Home Companion in the last two weeks, so that is why these songs are going through my head.

And, of course, another Owen video. He can grasp things and hang on to them.

(There IS not a better way to spend 15 minutes or more on the Internet, Geico.)

Owen Video.

Owen Laughing.

High School Reunion.

I missed my ten-year high school reunion this last weekend due to our vacation. Can I really be old enough to be ten years out of high school??

Wilsonville High School 1997 Reunion MySpace Page

12 Weeks Old.

Dear Owen,

You are exactly 12 weeks old to the minute while I type this.

You survived summer vacation this week and you were the ninth kid, officially outnumbering the adults. It took you a few days to become acclimated to all the new people and the new surroundings. By the end of the week, it didn't matter so much who held you or where you slept.

You enjoy watching Sportscenter and hunting videos with Daddy.

You have the most inquisitive waking up faces.
Auntie Jayci gave me the idea to prop you up on the Boppy to encourage you to hold up your head. However, you mostly just rested your head and looked around.

You are still making things difficult when someone other than your mommy or daddy hold you. People mostly comment on your "good set of lungs". What are we going to do with you?

Next week is your appointment for your three month pictures at Kiddie Kandids. What shall you wear?

Love,
Momma

Summer Vacation.

We returned from our annual summer vacation with the Boyds, Franks, and Nelsons. This year we spent it in Donnelly, thanks to my Dad and Mom. Here are a few pictures that I took on the digital camera. There will be a few more to follow when I take my 35 mm film in later.

The girls and "Goodnight Moon".
Drew Nelson tried Alli Boyd's sunglasses on Owen. They were Tinkerbell glasses... *sigh* He was a good sport.

11 Weeks Old.

Dear Owen,

This week your baths got moved into the big bath and you are enjoying them more and more. We leave you in until your fingers get pruney. You don't even mind water on your face.
Your neck is getting stronger, so we tried out your Bumbo.

Your hair has a tinge of red in it. And... there is just enough to spike it. Your eyes are turning brown.
You still love your bouncy chair and you are definitely a morning person.
Nicknames this week: Little One, Sugar (do, do, do, do, do, do, aw, honey honey), Baby.

Love,
Momma

Sicky Sick.

Well, after many rounds of being sick and getting better, I finally got really sick. I am currently on antibiotics for mastitis (a nursing infection). I won't go into too much detail because no one really wants to know that... Please pray for me that I get better. My mom has been helping with Owen and has been so invaluable. I just want to be better!!

'Cause Tigger's A Wonderful Thing.

Owen in his Bouncy Chair.

Owen Kicking.

Ten Weeks Old.

Dear Owen,

This week you received your two month old shots. You took it all pretty well. You basically did one long hold-your-breath cry and by the time your cry was a noise, I could pick you up and you seemed consoled by that. It was only later, when the Tylenol wore off, that you were in a lot of pain and needed more medicine and cuddling. Friday night, Daddy and I got to go on a date (dinner and a movie-wahoo). Grammy stayed with you and all you did was cry for her! We need to go out more so you get used to other people putting you down for a nap. That would be a healthy thing for you.
There was a new baby at church, little Benjamin Berggren. He was only a week old and my, how big you looked compared to him. My baby is getting so big and so much older!
One morning this week I found you completely 180 degrees turned from the way I put you down at night. Wiggling is something you are perfecting.
AND LASTLY, you still really, really love your bouncy chair, especially now that we put the toys on it. You concentrate so hard on each toy and get so excited when you accidentally hit one and make it rattle. I will have to include video of you in your chair-maybe tomorrow.
Nicknames this week: Little Man, Tooty Tootsmith, Poopy Poopsmith, Little Toad, Handsome.

Love,
Momma

How Does It Work?

Would someone explain to me where they put the thermometer on a car to test the outside temperature. It can't be on the bottom because the car itself puts out so much heat underneath and it can't be on top because the sun beats down on the top of the car. It has me all curious...