The Best Summer

mmm....watermelon

 Owen 'graduated' from his first class at the Little Gym. He takes a tumbling class there that is absolutely awesome and we look forward to it every week. We've decided to continue taking him to classes there at least through the end of the year... this place rocks! Anyway, Matt was able to attend the graduation class and join in on a little fun.

Here's a video of Owen getting his medal. So stinkin' cute!!

 This boy would live in his sandbox if he could. He absolutely loves it. We have to make sure the back door latches every time we let our dogs out otherwise Owen bolts straight for the sandbox!

He also LOVES playing in water. It doesn't matter where it is or how he gets to it, if there's water Owen will find it and manage to soak himself. ...and loves every single minute of it. 

different day, but oh so funny!

Owen and I took a trip to Pittsburgh to visit Matt's brother and family. This picture cracks me up because it totally sums up what these boys are like together...Owen = crazy, Max = (looking at Owen) who is this wierdo?! :) 

breaking out the wrestling moves already!

Playing in the water again!

 Owen first time on grandma and grandpa Rings' boat! He loved it, for the most part. 

 He was on it for 5 whole minutes before he fell asleep.

This is Owen's 'all done' look. I love it! Also notice his diaper is hanging all the way to his knees...we ran out of swim diapers! haha. :) We had the best time!

 We've also been spending many days at the local Splash Parks. They are AWESOME! 

this photo just makes me laugh... :) that's my boy!

And finally the most recent awesomeness was going to the NKOTBSB concert!!! It was SO MUCH FUN.

Oh and our seats? amazing!!

Say hello to Mr Carter...

and Mr. Littrell :)

Oh yes, I shook their hand!!! ahhh!

Such a FUN concert and I'm so glad I was able to finally see my favorite band from elementary school! how crazy is that that I can even say that!?! just awesome. :)

Firsts

Owen has had many firsts lately... they are too fun not to share! Last month we made a trip to Pittsburgh to visit Matt's brother Ben and his family. So what's more cute than two little cousins taking their first bath together? They were soooo fun. Here's Owen trying to brush Max's teeth while in the tub. It was HILARIOUS!

Here's Owen's first time using chop sticks. :) He was quite good at it actually.

Owen's first encounter with the sprinkler! He loved it!! 

His first trip to an outdoor pool. We went with our friends Shawn and Meredith who have a daughter, Reese. Owen and Reese get along so great. They had a blast together!

And finally Owen's first 'official' haircut. (I trimmed the back of his hair right before his birthday) I took him to a place called Cookie Cutters which specialize in kids haircuts. They have all sorts of fun stuff to keep the kids occupied while getting their hair cut. Owen did great! I absolutely love this picture of him. Who knew we would have a little blondie! :)

update anyone?

Good Lord there's a lot to update. Well first of all Owen is THREE MONTHS OLD now. I know I don't need to say it but time is flying way too fast. My little boy is growing up! He's huge too... I haven't weighed him in a couple of weeks but I'm guessing he's about 17lbs now. Isn't that crazy?! I just want to kiss him and cuddle with him all the time. It never gets old. He is just too precious! So some major milestone updates on the little man:

-He loves 'tummy time,' which is awesome! 

-He slobbers like crazy

-He chews on his fists constantly

-We believe he has a tooth poking through already... one of his k9 teeth. I think that's what you call them?

-He kicks his legs and swings his arms all the time! He's an active little guy!

-He LOVES the swing.

-He also loves to be outside. This is another good calming agent for him. If I walk outside while he is upset he immediately quiets down. It's amazing!

-He loves our new hammock.... again with the swinging and being outside!

-He loves baths!

-He loves Michael Jackson and Lady Gaga. no joke! One day he was fussy and couldn't be easily consoled so I came upstairs and popped on some Human Nature by Michael Jackson and he was instantly quiet! He has good taste. :)

-He's only slept through the night twice. He gets up sometime between 2 and 4, then again between 5 and 6, depending on the first time he woke up. 

-He loves to go for a walk

-He smiles A LOT :)

-He's sleeping right now and I honestly miss him...

I just can't talk enough about him. He's an absolute joy to be around and I'm so thankful to be his mama. 

I recently went back to work, thankfully only part-time. It's bittersweet really. On one hand it's nice to be challenged and needed for my brain but on the other hand I miss my baby and I want to be there when he's upset or happy or being silly or just sleeping. I want to teach him new things everyday and I want to be the first face he sees when he wakes up. I know I'm only gone from him for a short time while I'm at work but I just can't help but wonder... is it really worth it? I worry daily about my decision to go back to work. Not only that but we only have a babysitter through the end of August then I need to find a replacement. Matt's cousin is watching him now and when she goes back to school I have no idea what we'll do. It's so incredibly hard to call a complete stranger and ask them to potentially watch your child while you're at work. I feel awful about it. It honestly makes me sick with worry and the decision just tears at me. Ugh, what to do!!!! 

It's amazing how much a child flips your entire world upside down. In a good way of course. I don't know what I would do without him, I don't know what I would do without my husband either. He is a huge help and I'm so grateful for that. 

So life is great overall, we're doing just fine, and hopefully I'll be a little better about updating this thing... we'll see. :) Until next time, here's some pics of my little man.

Birthday, Graduation, and other fun stuff

I was by no means excited for my birthday this year. Alas, it was bound to happen whether I wanted it to or not. I am now a part of the '29 club' (as Kathy calls it). Oh yes, it has happened. 29 and holding! My family and friends were super wonderful to me this year.

My Mom, StepDad, and brother Glen all came over on Monday and we had dinner together. Something we don't do nearly enough. They were too sweet and got me a Camelbak to go with the NEW BIKE Matt got me for my birthday!!! It rides beautifully and I love it... what a gem! :) I definitely plan on using it as much as possible this summer... the bike and the Camelbak!

Tuesday, my birthday, Matt's Mom and StepDad brought me dinner. Matt's Mom made me a really cool wreath made out of wine corks. It turned out really awesome! She is so talented! It's fun to look at and see corks from the places we visited in California...brings back good memories!

Friday evening my dearest best friend Kathy threw together a little party with some friends to come over and celebrate my birthday. We grilled food, drank some wine, relaxed by the fire... it was a great time! I have the best friends... thanks everyone for coming!! :)

Saturday was my brother Glen's high school graduation. Wow, that just sounds so weird! My baby brother is all grown up! He plans to go to OSU Marion in the fall and study to be an xray technician. I'm proud of you Glen and I love you very much!

Glen and his cute little girlfriend Ashley

Sunday went to visit family and celebrate Matt's cousin's engagement! It was our first time meeting Christy and she was super sweet. Too bad I don't have any pictures of the cute couple. But I am super happy and excited for them!! Congratulations Dave and Christy!! :)

After our family luncheon we ventured out to Schiller Park with Jonathan and Kathy to watch The Three Musketeer's. Every weekend in the summer there is a play put on by local actors. Jonathan and Kathy's friend Bill is a lifer at this stuff :) so we just had to see him in action.

(that would be him i.e. Bill on the right)

Kathy enjoying the vino... and the show!

Very fun and we will definitely be going to the other shows later this summer!! If you've never been you must go check it out!

So after that busy week and weekend.... I need a weekend from my weekend!