aweeeee

Family bath time fun.

squeeze

Every time I call to talk to my mom, I put her on speaker phone so Owen can hear her talk. She can also hear him goo-ing, grunting, and making his sweet big boy talk.

This morning, as I was changing Owen, I had the phone right next to him. My mom them proceeded to ask if I squeeze him to make him talk?

Do I squeeze him? Why yes I do! I want CPS looking for me.

Did I mention my mom is crazy? Maybe that's why I am crazy!

For the record I don't squeeze my baby. I may hug him A LOT, and gently squeeze those little arms, legs, cheeks, and tummy. But not enough to make him gooo or ahhh. Look at him, who wouldn't?

Please don't report me!

fav 2009 memory #1

One of my favorite memories from this past year is when one of my best friends, Natalie graduated from medical school. I have always told Nat she is the smartest person I know... seriously. But back in middle school she called me once for help on history homework. That's right! I knew something that she didn't. The surgeon! HA! That is the only thing I've got over her.

Jennifer, our other best friend was there. These girls have been my BEST friends since my family moved to Austin in 6th grade. They were my bridesmaids, threw me a bachelorette party, are aunts to Owen, and all my favorite memories growing up involve them!

Us and Dr. Britt after the BIG ceremony.

I LOVE HER!!!!!!

Her big italian/german family.

Me, Natalie, and Jenn.

Jenn and I waiting for Natalie to cross the stage!

christmas blessings

Christmas day brought so many blessings and happy memories for us! It was Owen's first Christmas and I think he had a great time! My parent's, brother, sister, and the dogs were all here to help us celebrate.

Owen received his first present at 2:30 am when we woke up to eat. My mom ran out of their bedroom (the office) when she heard we were up. And there was his present under the tree in his room. It was a soft nursery rhymes book. She read it to him right then and there as he was eating.

Among all the presents, the greatest one was having my family here to celebrate Christmas and celebrate Owen. It is such a blessing and gift to have a family that loves, cares for you, and is nurturing. I have received that love and closeness my entire life, and now Owen is here to share in that experience. Love that I have from each of my family members.

Having my own family makes me so grateful for mine; me, Mitchell, and Owen, Mitchell's family, and my family. I cannot imagine not having the support and love that we have from our families, but I will tell you this. I am SO glad we do have it.

At the end of the day, very tired!

Snoopy from his Uncle Ricky.

Hmmm, which of these are Owen's? ALL of them :)

Owen and his Papi.

Christmas day Kiss!!!!

Owen's first present under his tree!

Santa's cookies and milk all gone. And a note to Owen from Santa!

one two three four tell me that you love me more

These are my favorite pictures of my little love in his first 5 weeks of life! One for each week. I hope you enjoy them as much as we have!

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

you are my sunshine

Owen is my sunshine. He has a frame in his room that reads this, and every time I see it, I sing to him, how he is my sunshine.

The past five weeks have flown by. But they have been the best five weeks of our lives. We are parents to the most amazing, handsome, unbelievable little blessing. We still stop sometimes, look at each other, and can't believe that Owen is ours. All ours. He makes every day so much better, brighter, and beautiful. Just knowing that we are his parents is the most amazing gift a person could ever receive. A parent to a baby that is all yours.

In the past five weeks I think Owen has received more kisses than any baby ever has. In the history of kisses and babies. He stays awake for the majority of the day. Giving us time to read books, talk, and love on each other even more. From the beginning, Owen has had the sweetest little expressions, and faces. He is so animated and expressive, I can't wait to see what the next five weeks will bring. My favorite face of Owen's is when he puckers his lips, like he's about to give you a kiss. Occasionally it's accompanied by an "uhhh".

Owen loves to grab things. Whether it's my shirt, Mitchell's chest hair, or my neck, he wants to be holding something at all times. I love when he has his now chubby little fingers around my finger or anything he can grab. He is so alert and keen to everything that is going on around him, moving his head around when he hears noises, and following you with his eyes.

Owen is starting to look more and more like his daddy. Big kissable cheeks. Large brown eyes. A little chin. Beautiful lips. And of course all that hair.

What was life like before we had a baby? We can't even remember. You hear parents say that cliche phrase, but it's so true. We must have been boring people, that lead no lives. Because now, our lives are completely surrounded and encompassed by our son!

Before Owen was here, I knew the love that I felt for him would be like no other love that I have felt or given before in my life. But it is so much more. It is bigger, more beautiful, and powerful than everything I have ever know. And all because of this little man that is all mine.

Maybe it's selfish to think, but it is crazy that everything he needs, and wants relies on me. And all me. He needs me for everything, and that is such a blessing. I was afraid that first week I brought him home that he would somehow not know that I was his mommy, and that he wouldn't recognize me. This past week my mom said that isn't possible. He knows you the second you walk in the room.

I think we are secretly waiting on each other when we are apart.

Praise you Lord for this new love, for this blessing, and for this gift. And thank you for the gift of your Son. How great it was to give Him to us, willingly, and without hesitation. I know now the depth of your love for us.

well hello there blog

I have been the utmost, uber, blog slacker. But... in my defense if you had the sweet little face of my little man to look at and kiss all day, you'd be a proud slacker, too.

Goal for tomorrow: Blog.

About my little man, Owen!

owen lee

These are just some of the pictures that were taken of our little love. I can't believe how much he has grown already since these were taken at one and half weeks old.

I love you so much my little man. You make every day worth it, and make me so happy to be your mommy!

me + ae. before oe.

Here are a few pictures from my maternity photo shoot. Everything is running around 3 weeks late in our house. And yes, your Christmas cards will be a bit tardy, too. But the pictures of the HANDSOME little man on the card make up for it! I promise!

P.S. Photo shoot courtesy Kimberly Hawkins photography.

thankful

Although Thanksgiving has come and gone we have so much to be thankful for. We came home from the hospital Thanksgiving day to give praise and thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ for our blessing Owen.

The Lord is so rich in His blessings and gifts toward us. We stand in awe of His glory and this beautiful creation that He has given us to raise in His name!

I always knew I wanted to be a mother, and when I met my love I knew we would be parents together. Never could we have imagined how amazing, and special these roles would be. I know this is what I am meant to be; a mother to raise her children in the likeness of the Lord.

I cannot give enough thanks to you, Father. All praise and glory be to You!

Our first little bath.

Mommy time!

Our first doctor's appointment. Healthy at 8 pounds 6 ounces. 3 more ounces than our birth weight!

The first time I got to hold you!