Yeah for Baby Einstein!!

Thanks to Baby Einstein DVDs I can get ready in the morning if we have to be somewhere, do a quick clean up around the house or take a snort snooze with Owen on my lap. I did not realize the power that these held until a few months ago. With his mouth open wide (like many males and TV) Owen is completely transfixed when these videos are on. Not that I allow him to watch these 24/7 but it is a nice 30 minute break during the day (somedays it takes all my willpower not to allow him to watch more than one). What would I do without them?? 

Wheee!!!!

Once again, it has been over a  month since my last blog. I promise I will try to post more often. Blogging to me is kind of like scrap booking (I know I should do it but I just do not really enjoy it all that much). Here are some highlights for the month of April:

* We celebrated Owen's birthday with both sides of the family. Of course he loved being able to have access to whole cupcakes at two different times. He got a little more daring at the Bradshaw's home and decided to to not only put it in his mouth but all over his face and hair. 

* We were told when we were at my parent's house that they are moving to North Carolina (I would not call this a "highlight" for the month but just a sad event). My dad's new job will be starting Mid July. This is a real bummer for me because I did not grow up anywhere near any extended family so I feel that I do not really know them that well. I think my biggest fear is Owen not being able to spend much time with them.  Guess we will just have to be making some trips down south (especially in the winter - I hate Ohio weather). 

* Owen got to go on a swing and a slide for the first time ever in April. It was so funny! He could not stop laughing his first time on the swing (now it is not nearly as exciting). If it is nice outside we have been going on at least one walk a day and try to  make it to the park. Neither of us like to stay inside very long. I think we still have cabin fever from the winter. I hope he enjoys the pool this summer. 

* Owen has grown in a lot of different ways over the last three weeks. Just yesterday he started making animal noises for the first time. He is also learning some sign language (and starting to use it at the right time). Other than Ma Ma and Da Da he has also picked up the word "nana" (for his favorite food - banana). 

*He also has started to become more verbal by letting me know when he does NOT like something. Screaming and crying have become much more frequent in our household. If I take something away that he is not supposed to play with I cannot just put it behind a pillow anymore (he knows it is there). He also HATES when I take him out of the swing. He is continually testing the limits on what he is allowed to do. Before when I would say "no" he would look at it and then walk away. Now he looks at me and touches it at the same time!!! Ahhh! Little stinker!! The sinful nature is coming out in him already! 

* Owen is much more cuddly now. He takes time away from playing just to come over and give me hugs and kisses (I can always get him to come to me if I "fake sleep" on the floor near him)! I LOVE IT! I guess that makes up for the times he won't go down for a nap or is throwing a temper tantrum. Speaking of naps he is now down to one a day (at least for now). 

* Jay and I are both doing well. It seems like every stage of Owen's life is a new adjustment. With him walking now and in to everything we pretty much have to keep our eyes on him at all times. We enjoy taking turns watching him so the other one can go to coffee, read or take a nap. We had a great date night a few weeks ago and are looking forward to another soon (Prince Caspian comes out mid May - Wohoo). I so look forward to spending one on one time with Jason and it is always so refreshing to get out of the house.  I am so thankful for an amazing husband!!! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY OWEN!!!!

March Update

Owen enjoying his first Easter basket. I think he liked the "grass" more than anything in the basket. He got a Veggies Tales DVD, a  baby float (for going swimming on vacation) and fruit leathers (just had to add in something sweet). 

These first three pictures were all taken after he got his first haircut. I think he looks more like his daddy when his hair is shorter. 

Here is  big cousin Caleb feeding Owen when we were staying at their house because of no electricity for over 24 hours due to the ice storm. 

It has now been about a month since my last blog. March has mostly consisted of weird weather and sickness. Owen is now on his last dose of antibiotics and seems to be doing much better. He had another sinus infection and ear infection. I think every child at our church has been sick all winter (they probably just keep passing on the same thing over and over). 

Other than that Owen is pretty much been his energetic self. About a week and a half ago he just started getting these crazy bursts of energy. Our house is pretty small so there is not much room for him to move around so instead he just gets into everything he can get his little fingers on. I think he has cabin fever. Every once in a while he goes over to our door and stands himself up to look out the window (we have 3 little windows in our door). He is also eating like a maniac. His favorite foods right now are black beans and cheese tortillas, bananas and steamed carrots. Needless to say what comes out later is not pretty but at least he likes a lot of things that are healthy for him. 

There will be more pics to come of Owen's first hair cut (already happened but cannot upload the pictures for some reason) and his first birthday (April 2). Stay tuned

It's Fun to Stay at the...

YMCA! We just became members of the Y a few weeks ago. It is great because they have free child care. So instead of dreading working out I actually look forward to a little break away from Owen. I have not been able to go very much because of Owen's sickness but he is pretty much back to normal (that means crawling all over the place and laughing again). 

Every time I go I bring a bag in case I get the luxury of a shower. The problem is that when I go back to check on him after my work out he is always crying. Today when I dropped him off he seemed to be doing well. About thirty minutes into my walk I hear over the loud speaker, "Jodi please come to the childcare center". So much for a shower. The best part was the nursery worker has never had to call a parent (she has worked there over three years). I guess he just wants to set some new records. Separation anxiety here we come!!! 

Our Week

I know it does not look like it but we do feed our child (I think you can count all of his ribs). This is Owen after enjoying a teething biscuit. He looks like he has a beard.  

This last week was a week of many firsts in the Bradshaw home. Last Wednesday Owen took his first couple of steps. It was not until Thursday that he actually realized he was not holding onto anything. I wish I had a picture of his face because it was complete horror mixed with excitement. Now he does not take as many steps before falling right into me or on his rump. Sorry no pictures or video yet of walking. 

Owen got a shiner on Sunday morning while he was in nursery. I was right there next to him when he fell unto the toy. Monday he fell again on the same spot and reopened it. Ouch! 

Owen also had his first night away from us. On Sunday night Jay and I dropped Owen off at Grandma and Grandpa Slagle's house and did not come back for 24 hours!! I thought this was going to be really hard for me but after Owen being sick all week (and very grumpy) I had no problems handing him over. We went to Cheesecake Factory for dinner and then stayed in a hotel that night. I do not know the last time I got 11 hours of sleep but it was amazing! Monday was spent eating Chipotle, Graters Ice Cream, and going shopping (does life get any better?). By 4:00 PM we were both very ready to go see our baby. 

Tuesday I  took Owen back to the doctor because he still was crying a lot and always felt warm. He is doing much better with his cough but now has an ear infection. He seems to be fine during the day but nights are a little rough. 

I am so ready to get all this sickness, cold weather, and snow out of the way!!!! I am longing for the day when we can go on walks again. Hurry up Spring!!!

My Little Man

Owen is growing up way to quickly! It seems like this last week he has become even more mobile. He is now standing on his own and transporting himself with his walker from one couch to the other. He is getting better at letting himself down gently (except the bloody lip he got a few days ago from falling and pulling his walker down with him). I am sure one of the next couple of blogs with be pics of Owen's first steps.