Eleven Months

So, it was pointed out to me today (on the babe's 11 month birthday), that I have been rather sucky about keeping you updated on his milestones. So sorry! So, here are some highlights:

• Owen is eleven months old today!
• Last month he weighed in at 24lbs 4oz. and just about 30" tall.
• He's been walking for 6 weeks now!
• He's got 4 teeth (2 on top, 2 on bottom), with two more coming in right now (2 on top)
• He is weaning himself off of baby food (eek!)
• Drinks great out of a juice box, but still hasn't mastered the sippy cup
• Wears size 12 month clothes and size 4 shoes.
• His favorite characters are Elmo and Mickey mouse
• He loves to "read" his books (especially the touch and feel ones)
• He is ticklish EVERYwhere (just like mommy)
• Is still a clone of Daddy
• Can say "da da", and occasionally says "ma ma", but usually just babbles.
• Plays the keyboard and the drums
• Still not completely sleeping thru the night, but we're working on it.
• Is an early bird
• Loves being outside!
• Waves Bye-Bye, plays Patty-cake
• Dances to any music
• Gives hugs (working on the kisses)
• Is a biter!

As for the rest of us, Matt just passed another certification exam, so he is now CompTia Server+ certified! He is working lots; we're blessed for all the work in this current economy. I have less than one month until graduation, and then it's off to take my state board exam and find a J-O-B. Currently I am at a nursing home doing my last clinical rotation, and loving it! Owen splints his time between his grandmas and a dear friend; needless to say he gets lots of love and attention while mommy and daddy work. The hugs when I get home are the icing on the cake!

That's all I can think of right now. I promise to be more productive about blogging, because there's lots going on over here and the little man is quite the character. Here's some pictures you may or may not have seen:

Comfy at home (Oct 2009)

Mischievous at Brant's Apple Orchard (Oct 2009)

Our Little Monkey (Halloween 2009)

Running around (November 2009)

Asleep at the Christmas parade (November 2009)

7 Months

Things Owen does now:

• sits by himself
• reaches for toys, paper, food, basically anything he's not suppose to have...
• grabs above said objects and passes them from hand to hand
• puts everything in his mouth (favorites include cell phones, keys, paper, your nose)
• pulls himself to a stand, particularly when Mama's not looking
• stands for a long time at a surface usually the window or his toy
• cruises the furniture
• pets (and chases) the cats
• crawls with his belly on or off the ground depending on his mood
• drums on whatever hard surface is in front of him
• "chews" his food
• throws temper tantrums

Generally speaking though, he's a very good baby. He's been to several picnics and family dinners at restaurants and he is a charmer. I love seeing bits of his personality developing even though I can see I'm in trouble because he's got a bit of a stubborn streak in him (he got that from his dad too!)

I am soooo content with my life right now. I really cannot imagine going back to school and eventually work even though I know I need to.And the time will come when I want to go back, but as of right now, I wish we could freeze time at seven months.

Scrapbooking

My vice is scrapbooking. It is addicting, it costs money, I spend way too much time - sometime neglecting other responsibilities (never Owen, of course!) - with the activity; but it helps me relax. I get in the zone, do a page, and come back to civilization a refreshed woman. Lately, due to time and resources, I do one or two pages a month at the most. But I love documenting my son's growth with pictures and journalings. I know that being a boy, he may not appreciate it like a girl would, but I know that it will be something he will treasure and that his future mate (eeeks!) will thank me for. Plus it's fun for Matt and I (and anyone else...) to look back at how much things have changed, even in these short months.

^Title Page (documents age, height & weight)^

^Pregnancy Pages^

^Baby showers^

^He's here! (typical hospital shots)^

^One of my favorite pages^

^January^

^February^

^March^

^April^

^May^

^June^

Each month I do a "monthly" page with 2-4 pictures from that month along with a quote about babies or children. I've used song lyrics (Rascal Flat's "My Wish", Taylor Swift "Stay Beautiful") for the quotes as well, so if you know of any good ones, let me know. And this is the first 6 months, guys! I've still goit 6 more months to go for this book! It's going to be a thick one! I also redone two pages that I previously scraped. (Can you guess which 2?)

Now that I'm caught up with this month, I'm going to go make out my garage sale list for tomorrow. (Hopefully it won't rain!)

6 Month Dr. Update

Here are the latest stats:
Height: 28 1/4"
Weight: 19lbs 4ozs
Head circumference: 17"

He also go three shots. Usually he does really well with them. So well, that after a dose of Tylenol and removal of band-aids, you can't tell he got them. Something changed, though. He was miserable all day Wednesday and Thursday. Feverish, crabby, fussy, sleepy. He even got a little rash on his arm! Wednesday night, he could not get comfortable or into a deep sleep. And it really doesn't help that yesterday was the hottest day of the summer. All he wanted to do was sleep and sweat.

Thankfully, last night he slept all night again. And this morning he woke up smiling. He's been good ol' Owen all morning, and now he's taking his usual nap. Ah, quiet!

6 Months

Owen went swimming for the first time yesterday. We finally got a day warm enough here to wear shorts comfortably! Yay for summer! Anyways, back to the swimming. He loved it! His face did go under once, and he did NOT like that, but he quickly bounced back! We had to pull him out because he was shivering. I bought him this raft thing that he loved! He kicked his feet and tried to propel himself (didn't work out too well), all the while blowing his infamous raspberries! The whole event took an hour, but it must have really pooped him out, because he slept til almost 8 o'clock this morning! That is a record, folks! I haven't slept past 6am in 6 months!

Getting used to the water

Playing in the raft

Kicking so hard to go so slow

Making Motor boat sounds

Chillin' afterward

Now we're heading off the Owen's 6 month check-up at the doctor. Poor baby gets shots today, even though he usually does really well with them, it's still not pleasant. Time to see how much sooner I'll have to go garage sale-ing for a new carseat!

5 1/2 Months (Again!)

Hum. I may have to come up with another system of titling my blog entries if I'm actually going to keep up with this. I don't know how many "(Again!)"s I'll be able to tag on there...

And seriously there is nothing more refreshing that a baby's nap. Even if I don't sleep, it is wonderful! He's been doing poorly with his naps lately, as in catnapping all day. Not much can be done with a clingy, fussy baby who won't sleep! Yesterday was wonderful though: two 2 hour naps, one in the morning and one in the evening. And today we are 15 minutes into our afternoon nap. Fingers crossed!

I went garage sale-ing on Saturday with one purpose: a highchair. We were feeding Owen in the bouncy chair-thing, but he learned how to scoot his butt out so that he was almost on the floor. Not good. Well, I found one! At the second sale I visited, for $5 less than I expected to pay. YaY! The first night, he didn't like sitting in it at all, but he's adjusting quite nicely.

Bad Quality Picture, I know

Yesterday was my first evening summer class. It'll be interesting to say the least. It's on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6-9:45 pm. Yes, that's right...almost 4 hours! And smack-dab in the middle of Owen's bedtime. So, last night was the first time ever that I did not put my baby to bed. Granted, Matt did a wonderful job, and Owen seemed to enjoy having quality time with Daddy, but still! The best feeling is when a baby falls asleep in your arms, and I didn't get my usual dose. Oh, well, I guess I gotta share the love right?

I'll leave you with this: (Gotta train 'em young, even if they don't like it!)

5 1/2 Months

Could I have really gone (almost) 3 months without an update. Yeah, probably. Sorry...

Looking back, what has happened the past 3 months? Well, personally I finished off the semester with a 3.8 GPA and 2 clinical rotations (the last one I l-o-v-ed!) But you're really not here to read about me!

Let's see, stats first. At the last dr. appointment, Owen was 16lbs 4oz, 27" long. We've recently measured him again and he's 28" long. How'd I get such a big boy? Solid foods were started months ago, and he's had a plethora of "tastes" - ice cream, ketchup, french fries, coffee, juice, bbq sauce, frosting, you know all the stuff I'm not suppose to give him! He particularly likes chocolate milkshakes. And grabbing for any of my food; once, an entire taco landed on the floor!

He sits up by himself, and as of Monday night will stand by himself. I swear we're going to ski[ the rolling, crawling, and walking stages to go right to running. He wants to go! He's an outdoorsman, too. Every chance we get we try to do something with him outside, and he loves it! He is mesmorized by the cars that fly down the road.

Now that I'm home for a few months, I'm going to try a feeding/napping schedule. He likes to catnap (Urg!) and eat when he wants to eat, which is fine and dandy, but mom would like a little bit of structure! In the meantime, I wil try to update more often than every 3 months!

3 Months

I cannot believe how fast 3 months has gone. There are times when it seems like the days drag on, there are weeks when it seems it has been the same day for 7 days, but looking back there is no way that it has been 3 whole months since my life has changed. I never realized how incredibly selfish I was and how I complained constantly about what little responsibility I actually had. Now I have been entrusted with the welfare and happiness of another being, of another life! My life is not my own anymore; and while my human mind still has a hard time grasping that concept at times, it is the most rewarding, the most maturing thing that could ever happen to me.

I am constantly amazed at how my little boy is becoming my little man more and more everyday. I was looking at pictures recently of him while we were in the hospital, and cannot believe that the fragile newborn is now my giggling bouncy boy. I can sit him up in the corner of the couch and face him to "talk" with him. He stays there, and will carry on a conversation with me even if it's not in a language I understand. When he smiles, it melts my heart! He will greet Matt or I when we enter a room by looking us in the eye and then grinning ear-to-ear with a squeal. He is coming into his own, and I cannot wait to see what the next 3 months will bring.March 20, 2009

2 1/2 Months

My stress level has been off the charts lately. And I honestly can't blame it on the birth control pills this time. Between schoolwork, home up-keep, "us" time, and providing for a completely dependent child, I can't keep up! Let's just say it's been a tense past couple of weeks, it's my fault, and I cannot wait until Spring Break.

Owen's sleeping intermittently through the night: sometimes I'll get a good night's rest, other times I won't. I'm kinda convince that he'll be an early teether, because he's drooling up a storm and fussy for no reason.

I have to share my most recent "Elizabeth's a total idiot" story: my grandma sent us a package in the mail for Owen recently. Inside the UPS box were 2 smaller boxes wrapped in (adorable) wrapping paper. I'm home by myself, Owen's asleep, so I decide to open the presents (you know I just can't resist!). The first box is full of some cute outfits that he can wear later on; the second box is an clothes iron shaped steamer. Ok. Great. So, I figured that my grandma just wanted Owen's clothes pressed at all times or something like that. Weird. Kinda, er, pushy, unreasonable, whatever. I didn't open it completely to check it out, just figured I'd look at it never, er later when I showed Matt. So, Matt gets home and my sister is over, and I say "hey, check out what grandma sent us..." I proceded to show off the cute clothes, and then pull out the steamer with a "and this will prolly sit on the shelf." Matt hums, and ha-s over it and I go to put it back and the box falls out of my hand. I think "Great, now I have to call and thank grandma for this rediculous gift and tell her I broke it." The lid of the box pops open without a thud. I look in the box and it's a stuffed monkey! HA! I was soooo wrong! Matt & April lost it! That's what I get for not checking inside the box! Thanks for the steamer, Grandma!!

10 Weeks

It has been so long since I posted that I had to go back to read what I last blogged about...!! It's been a bit hectic 'round here. I'm going to sound repetitive here, but the time does fly! Owen is over two months old. He's eating cereal. He's intermittently sleeping through the night. He is so aware of his surroundings, and smiles and laughs when someone amuses him. He's learned to stick out his lower lip in a pout when he's upset (it's the cutest thing!) His hair has almost grown back in on top. He has out-grown another size of diapers (which are seemingly becoming less cute). Life is good.

9 Weeks

This has to be short, but I just had to share: Owen slept through the night last night!! He got 9 hours, I got 8 hours of blissful uninterrupted sleep in my own bed!!

I will share more later...

8 Weeks, 5 Days

My poor baby got his 2 month shots (oh crap! I just realized I forgot his immunization booklet!) this morning. He's been so sleepy and fussy all day, the darling just aches. I feel so badly, all I can do is cuddle and coddle him :(

New stats are: 12lbs 12oz, 24" long. The doc said he's weight gain is good. And he said to start him on cereals and fruits. YaY! Finally! Matt is so excited that I've finally given in to his coercing, but I just wanted the doc's okay. Owen's still so little, y'know? But now I have to endure the endless "I told you so"s from Daddy.

The little one is screaming again...time for some more TLC!

8 Weeks

This past weekend, Owen took his first road trip. Since it was Bekah's birthday, she wanted to go to Olive Garden for dinner; and Matt and I decided to do some much needed shopping. So, off to Erie we went. Let me just say that Owen was on perfect behavior - definitely my son, not Matt's :) We hit up Old Navy and DSW and Owen sat peacefully in his stroller while Mom and Dad shopped the great deals. Then before dinner, we went to Babies R Us to get Owen a swing. Thank God and Graco! He loves it and it really calms him down so Matt and I can eat dinner together instead of in shifts.


In other news: Owen is averaging 5 hour stretches at night! YaY! Last night we got 6 hours *gasp* Fingers crossed for night 2! And daddy has taught baby how to stick out his tongue. It's adorable, and so like Matt to teach him the important things in life!

7 Weeks

I am sitting here listening to my little one entertain and giggle to himself in his pack-n-play. Everyday I am amazed at how much more he resembles a little person! He's no long a "bump on the log," he's playing and smiling and responding to us more and more.

Last night while we were making dinner, he started mimicking daddy. Matt kept sticking his tongue out, and all of a sudden Owen stuck his tongue out at Matt! Of course we freaked out (in the happy way), and that sent Owen into a giggling fit. Priceless!

Well, we're off to church. Hopefully today will be better than last "let's-fuss-during-the-entire-sermon" Sunday.

6 1/2 -Almost 7- Weeks

This weekend was bad. Just plain bad. The highlight, however, was on Sunday morning when we were getting ready for church. Matt had Owen on his lap in the computer room while I was finishing up so we could leave. All of a sudden I hear giggling - and Matt doesn't giggle! Of course being nosy and mom, I had to investigate. Owen was smiling and giggling away at Daddy. This prompted me to get the camera. What do you know, we would say "smile for the camera" and he would! Whether or not his smiles were because we were saying in in ridiculously silly voices and smiling ourself does not matter! He was being such a ham! I had to share......Started with this...

...Continued with Owen hamming for the camera...

...And ended with huge toothless grins!

6 Weeks

Did another week really go by already? Again, the same ol', same ol' here. Owen is doing wonderfully! It's amazing how much development a baby goes through in such a short time! He's not as bobble-heady and able to hold his head up and look you in the eye now. He smiles so much now - even though it's usually 7am when he decides to do so - and he's started this little giggle-thing when he smiles. So Cute! He likes to talk, and scream when he's hungry...and he's hungry all the time. How much/how often to feed is always a concern of mine - I don't want to over feed him and end up with a belly ache, but I don't want to starve the kid either! He is definitely spoiled by everyone and he is loving every minute of it.

Week 5

These past couple of weeks have really been challenging. Last Tuesday I re-started school. I used to enjoy school - like sickening so. Now, I feel irritated when I have to go, that I could be doing a million other things that are so much more relevant to life instead of sitting at that cramped desk. I know that it is important to finish so that way I can be a college graduate and make good money and help people reach their optimal level of health...blah, blah, blah. The mantra I constantly repeat to myself is: Only 2 more semesters. On top of being irritated with the whole school process, I have to leave Owen almost every day. It's not that I'm scared of leaving him, because I completely trust my babysitters (Hi, y'all!), but I just don't want to leave him! He's so little, and I may miss something or he may need me.

On that note: It's amazing how huge the little word "mom" is. It's only 3 letters, but it is his whole world (and mine too). Mom is the one you go to for comfort, for help, for food...you know. There are times when I still want my mom for those things, and now I'm suppose to provide that for someone. Wow. It's overwhelming. This little person is going to depend on me to teach him the important things in life, to make sure his clothes are clean, to know where that other shoe is. I have to be the strong one during storms now (eek!). All that and more is wrapped up in a single word that you take on in a matter of a short time. I suppose you could try to prepare for the indescribable feelings during your life and pregnancy, but you can never truly know what to expect until that little one looks at you with those eyes that say "you're my mom."

Okay, off my tangent and onto my struggles: So, on top of school, yesterday I got a flat tire. My first. I freaked out. (ask Nick and Matt) And then it snowed. A lot. So we had to suck it up and deal with our first "emergency" as parents. I think we did okay. And Matt showed me again why I love him so much. He really pulled through for me. And now I have 4 brand new tires and feel much better. Through all that I have been trying to withhold my temper, be calmer and more in control, and not kill our cats. Yeah, still got a long way to go.

Month One

Has it really been a month since Owen has entered our lives? Where, oh where has the time gone?! If it's going this fast now, what is life going to be like in a year, 5 years, 10 years, etc.? I couldn't keep up before a baby, you can imagine that now I am frantically playing catch up!

For those who don't know, or those who just want to hear it again: Owen Matthew Lacy was born on December 23, 2008 at 8:19am. He was 7lbs 6oz and 19 1/2" long. Because he was breech, I had a c-section. I had about 12 hours to prepare for this surgery...not a lot of time! We came home from the hospital on Christmas morning and were very blessed with both of our families being there plus a full Christmas dinner!

*As a side note, I really want to thank everyone - again - for all the visits and well-wishes and support those first few days (both in the hospital and at home). Matt and I are extremely blessed to have such people in our lives!*

Since then Owen's gotten adjusted to life here on Earth. He eats constantly! At his last dr. appointment on Tuesday, he weighed 9lbs 8oz and was 21 1/2" long. His eyes are still a deep blue-gray and his hair has a red-ish tint to it. While he was born with a full head of hair, he has recently developed a receding hairline (making him look like Dr Phil according to Bekah). He sleeps pretty good - most of the time (!). Seriously, though, he is a very content, happy baby. Matt and I lucked out. The two of us are balancing work and school and baby and, well, life. Most of what we once knew has gone completely out the window, but we feel so much more complete with our l'il man. I will try to keep - somewhat - regular posts about Owen and life, and most of these post will probably be written at 3am! C'est la vie!

December 24, 2008

January 20, 2009