Owen's 1st Christmas

I can hardly believe Christmas is over. Too bad the snow isn't (even though we need it). Luckily we have all the memories we made. It was wonderful to experience Christmas with Owen even though he did get bit overwhelmed and tired. Saturday the 23rd we attended the Olsen Christmas party at Rebecca's grandparents home. Owen got some cute pajamas from Great Grandpa & Grandma and his cousin Chase. Grandpa Olsen & Grandma Maxine gave him a toy telephone.

Christmas Eve we had the Vest Christmas party. After we ate, Santa came and gave each kid a teddy bear. Owen sat on his lap and didn't cry at all but he was squirming and grr-ing like he does when he's tired. Then Grandma dressed up the grandkids for Grandpa's reading of the Christmas story. Owen was baby Jesus and he settled down a bit since he had all his cousins around him. Owen got a musical interactive table from Grandpa & Grandma and a interactive book from his cousin Eloise.

Christmas morning was wonderful. Owen was all rested and it was quiet once again. We helped him open his presents first. He got a push-behind walker, a fire truck toy, a couple shirts, a pair of pajamas, a pair of pants, a blanket, a couple picture books, and some wagon wheel treats. Great Grandpa & Grandpa Luthy gave him a ride-on horse. We put him on it and his legs went crazy as we pushed him. He was kicking so fast. He loved it. Barry got a digital universal remote, temple bag, and belt. I got a watch, a couple DVD chick flicks, Reba's new CD, the new Harry Potter video game and desk calendar. But most definately Owen is the best Christmas present of all.

When it Rains it Pours

I had to relate our little sob story. So Sunday night our computer starting making a clicking noise and then it wouldn't boot up at all. Come to find out the hard drive bit the dust. The clicking sound was the hard drive mechanics not lining up so now we have a new paper weight. Luckily we bought an external hard drive for Christmas to backup all our pictures and other important file and just last week we backed it all up. Barry installed the new hard drive with my help. We are waiting on the recovery discs from HP now. My work let me borrow a laptop until I get our computer up and running.

Then Sunday night Owen had an explosion in his diaper. We had to stick him in the tub to get him clean. Then Monday I got diarrhea too and felt like I was going to throw up. Barry got the bug yesterday and threw up a couple times. So all of us are sick. We are feeling a bit better but still nauseated and energy zapped. Owen still has diarrhea. Good thing for Pedialyte.

My mother always said bad things come in threes. So number three I'm on the lookout and you better not come knockin'

It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas!

So we don't have any snow here but it finally feels like Christmas in our home. You can't tell by the picture but our tree is 9 feet tall. I finally got Barry to break down this year and buy an artificial tree. Every year we get a real tree and he was all against getting an artificial one because of the initial expense. And here he comes out of the store with a 9 feet tree!

I still have a bit more to do. The tree is a little bare without some garland and I want something different this year than ribbon. Then I need to finish my wood blocks that spell out JOY to put on the fireplace mantel. I just love that we have a fireplace mantel. I finally get to use stocking holders!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas season. I'll be getting out Christmas cards when they finally arrive in the mail. One lesson for all of you: Order your photo Christmas cards early!

Our Little Rascal

I finally caught Owen doing this on video. He's been doing it for three or so weeks now. When he first starting doing it I thought it looked a lot like the hand thingy they do on Little Rascals. He just amazes me with what he can do now and how fast he learned to do it.

Rubba Dub Dub

I meant to post this picture last week. Can you believe the amount of bubbles?!?!? Owen likes to take baths with Barry in our jetted tub. It's like a swim pool to him. Well, anyways Barry poured some Johnson & Johnson Vapor Bath in the tub to help Owen's cold. He then turned on the jets and voilà, bubbles up the wazoo! I couldn't pass up taking a picture. It was just too cute and funny.

Sitting UP

Owen's nearly a pro at sitting up now. I can't believe that just two weeks ago he was falling forward and side to side and now he's independently playing. With his new skill, Owen has decided he's too big for his baby toys now so we bought him a tractor toy a couple weeks ago. It sings Ol' MacDonald and makes animal noises when you stick the animals or farmer in it. He loves it! He picks up the animal figures and waves them in the air or hits them against the tractor trying to get them into the holes. It's pretty entertaining to watch.

New Car Seat

Ok. So we finally had to break down & buy Owen a convertible car seat. He's only 6 months! I never thought he'd grow this fast. We loosened the straps as far as they would go in his infant seat but they barely clicked into the bottom piece. Owen is just too tall. We got one of those Eddie Bauer 3-in-1 seats on closeout. It's really nice and the best thing is we won't need to buy a booster later.

Hip-Hip-Horray for Digital Scrapbooking

Digital scrapbooking where have you been all my life? I was pretty hesitant about starting digital scrapbooking which is pretty funny because I've worked in Photoshop since learning it in high school. I think I just didn't like what was out there at the time. It looked too cartoon-like and not realistic. To me digital scrapbooking has come a long way with realistic embellishments and papers. You can even get alphabets in different textures like corduroy or chenille. Here is my first attempt at digital scrapbooking and I must say it looks mighty fine. I had fun playing with the grudge brushes. The nice thing about it is once you do buy an element you can use it over and over again. Plus you won't believe how much free stuff is out there. I'm not going to completely drop traditional scrapbooking. I do have some layouts I still want to finish. I do have tons of stuff though but it can all be used in card making. I still want to do my cards traditionally. It's not very time consuming and I don't want to stop having my cards being hand-made.

Chicken Noodle Dinner & Dutch Apple Desert

We've started Owen on 2nd stage foods and it's a good thing because lately he's been a bottomless pit. The other day he ate a whole 2.5 ounces of carrots and then 4 ounces of applesauce for dinner. We've tried some dinner combinations and it's so funny to see his expressions. He likes the Macaroni and Cheese. I gave him Chicken Noodle Dinner & Dutch Apple Desert yesterday night. He gives these looks like he is going to retch and then after gagging a few times he opens his mouth up for more. He's like a little bird with his mouth open all the time.

Owen's Blessing Day

Owen was given a name and a blessing today by Barry. He got fussy again this morning but he was perfect during the blessing. The blessing circle was huge so it turned out to be an oval instead. Both Barry and I bore our testimonies. After a week of debating whether I would or not, I'm so relieved that I did. It was nice to share the spiritual knowledge I've gained through waiting for Owen. It sure has been a spiritually full weekend.

Together Forever

We had Owen sealed to Barry and I today in the Idaho Falls Temple. It is such a wonderful feeling to know that he is ours forever. After the court hearing I didn't quite feel that Owen was completely ours yet. I know Barry felt the same way but now it feels so real that Owen is our son. We were so happy that so many people made it there and Owen was a very good boy despite being so fussy and tired earlier. It was simply one of the best days of my life.

6 Month Checkup

Owen had his 6 month check-up and shots today. He measured in at a whopping 18 pounds 1 ounce and 26 1/2 inches tall. I sure get a workout carrying him around. Sometimes I wish he could crawl or walk but then I think about what he could get into and change my mind.

Our Halloween Pumpkins

I know it's 4 days until Halloween but I'm so excited. So excited in fact that I dressed up Owen early just to take his picture. I can't believe that the girl who refused for years to dress up for Halloween is now so excited. I even asked Barry if we could buy a couple pumpkins for our front porch and then preceded to tie their stems with some raffia after we got them. It amazes me how both my boys have changed my life for the better.

 

Legally Ours!

We had our adoption hearing at 9:30 this morning. Grandpa & Grandma Vest were there as well as Grandpa & Grandpa Luthy. It was all very formal. Barry and I had to be sworn in and then we were questioned by our lawyer. He asked us to state our names, address, and things of that nature. The judge reviewed our petition for Owen's adoption after that and then stated our petition was granted. Owen was pretty good but at the end he was acting tired. He hasn't been taking his naps for as long and often as he should. Anyway, we are so happy and relieved to have Owen now legally ours. He has brought so much joy and happiness to our lives. Now we just need to make him eternally ours. We hope to see as many of you as possible for next weekend.

Look What I Can Do!

Owen likes to stick his legs in the air when I'm changing him.  He's not quite dexterous enough to get his toes in his mouth. Tonight he started putting his toes in his mouth so I went to grab the camera in hopes of getting a really cute picture. I couldn't get him to do it again but I must say this picture is still really cute. He's only put his toes in his mouth just once before. 



Here is Owen sitting up. He's oh so close to doing it without help. He tends to fall either face first or to the side usually because he's reaching for something. I really had to hurry to take this picture since he was starting to fall.

Our Little Boy

Teething Bites

I have two words for ya. Teething bites! Owen's teeth are playing at something and it has sure made him miserable. I purchased some teething tablets and some Baby Ora gel the other day and they seem to be providing some relief. He had a fever Sunday afternoon and diarrhea. The fever broke Monday night. He's definitely not as hungry either. It's just painful to watch!

We have a lot going on the end of this month. Friday we have Owen's 6 month pictures (early I know but I need to get the prints before his every one comes for his big weekend). Then comes our adoption finalization hearing, Owen's 6 month checkup with shots, Halloween, and finally his sealing and blessing. No doubt we're going to be busy but it's all rather exciting except for the shots. Anyway, I'll post some more another day.