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. 

The Countdown Begins

The best show of all time is about to start its fourth season. For any of you who have not watched this show I would highly recommend it (we have the first three seasons for anyone who wants to borrow them). 

I have to admit that last years season finale made me cry like a baby (in my defense I was a little hormonal - Owen was just 2 months). I cannot wait until Thursday but there are only 8 total shows for this season because of the writer's strike. Sad! Hopefully Owen will go to bed (and stay in bed) by 8:00 because I am going to be completely oblivious for 2 full hours! 

Time Away

On Wednesday afternoon after Owen woke up from his nap I realized I was officially bored out of my mind. Being a city girl, every once in a while I start to go a little insane living in the country. I thought after living here over 3 years I would get used to it but after going Walmart for everything I could possibly need for the next month I decided it was time to get out of town. Don't get me wrong I do love living here but during the winter there is nothing to do and after a few days of being stuck in the house I need to do something. 

We got to my parent's house around 4:30 that afternoon. My parents both had meetings that evening but we still got to eat together and once I put Owen down I made cookies for something at the school. 

Owen did not sleep well that night but it was totally worth it being able to go to Springfield. My mom took Owen for a few glorious hours so I could go to the mall by myself and out to lunch. I went to Panera and just stared at the wall when I ate. People probably thought that I was a depressed person but it was so nice just to sit. I then got a few refills of coffee and read for a while. After I got home my mom told me to take a nap (I think I am coming down with a sinus infection - again). After an hour long nap we both decided to head back to the mall and check out more sales at Old Navy. I think I have already bought about half my Christmas gifts, shower gifts and new baby presents for the year - they were having AMAZING sales. We ended the evening with chicken tacos and three episodes of Lost (what could be a better day?). So thankful for my parents!!! 

In the morning we left just in time for me to meet Charity and Isabel for coffee. Jay and I took a lot of turns yesterday of taking of Owen so the other one could nap. I think we have all come down with the same thing. We had friends over for dessert last night and just talked for a few hours. 

Tonight we have a date night!!!! We are going to go to Troy for dinner and then our favorite coffee shop. Thanks Derek and Kari! I am so grateful for these last few days of relaxing and spending time with people we love! 

Adopted

This last week in our Life group we had a great discussion about how we are chosen by God. I love Ephesians 1:4-5 which states, "For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will." When I look at this verses I cannot help but think of two wonderful couples I know who are in the process of adoption. What an awesome reminder of what Christ has done for us!

I am in awe that Christ chose me before the creation of the world to be His child. I am going to leave you with one of my favorite quotes of all time by Charles Spurgeon:

I believe in the doctrine of election, because I am certain that, if God had not chosen me, I should never have chosen Him; and I am sure he chose me before I was born, or else he never would have chosen me afterwards; and he must have elected me for reasons unknown to me, for I could never find any reason in myself why He should have looked upon me with special love.