Today was Owen's 4 year well child check up. I was shocked how far out the appointments were when I called to make the appointment! He is 42" tall (82nd percentile), 39 pounds (80th percentile) and has a BMI of 15.9.
The doctor asked him about what kinds of foods he likes to eat and he responded with "broccoli." She asked him to spell his name and count to 10, hop on one foot, walk on his tip toes and walk on his heels with his toes pointing up. He did all of those things and said, "easy!"
We talked a lot about his asthma plan and adjusted it down to just using his inhalers when needed instead of twice a day. His pediatrician was very happy with how he had grown, how smart he is and just his overall personality. He had to get one shot at the very end and he said, "Ouch!" but didn't shed a tear or make a fuss. I was very proud of him for a great check up.
In our everyday lives, four has been tough so far. O tests every limit, and we struggle most with him having responses to every consequence. For example, if we tell him that how he is acting isn't okay and if he chooses to keep doing it, we'll take away XXX or we won't go to XXX. He comes back with, "Well I will just go downstairs and get it" or "I'll just walk there by myself if you won't take me." It's so hard to not get engaged in little arguments with him. The other thing right now is not listening. We have to tell him to do everything 12 times and then threaten to take away XXX or not go to XXXX. It's exhausting some days.
We deal with this many times a day, but we do also have some really great moments too and he can be pretty funny at times. The other day, he told me that if the baby is a girl, he thinks her name should be Sparkles. But then he told me that if it is a girl, that we have to either throw her away of give her back to God because her bow tie (hair bow) will get wet in the tub. Tonight I asked him to do something and he replied, "Easy peasy, lemon squeezy mom!" I had to chuckle at that one! Not sure where it came from, but it was cute.
He is dead set on wearing only pants with pockets because then he is "like a police." He has three shirts that have patches sewed on them and he insists on wearing a "badge" shirt every day for the same reason. Every day he dresses up in a fireman costume and he chases Paul around the house because Paul is the robber and he is the police.
Love this little man, even on the days that he tried us the most. :)
Family
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Monday, March 31, 2014
More March Fun!
Here are some more fun photos of Owen at Heidi's in March.
Owen is wearing this fire fighter costume many days when I pick him up. Usually with tap shoes and pink gloves with white bows on them! This particular day, he had a Thomas the Train conductor hat on. Love this kiddos imagination!
Owen is wearing this fire fighter costume many days when I pick him up. Usually with tap shoes and pink gloves with white bows on them! This particular day, he had a Thomas the Train conductor hat on. Love this kiddos imagination!
Silly slipper day
Super hero day
Seth, Owen and Kaden
Green day
What a handsome bunch!
Playing outside at Heidi's
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Hey Owen, How Would You Like to Have a Baby at Our House?
So we finally feel comfortable making it official! We are expecting a baby come September! We shared the news with Owen a week or so ago and he is pretty excited! We gave him a doll (which he first named Noodle Poodle, then changed it to Oliver) and a Berenstain Bears book about new babies. We asked him if he'd like to have a baby join our family and he thought we meant the doll. So I asked him if he had noticed my tummy getting bigger lately and he kindly said, "That's just because you ate too much food Mommy!" Once we explained that he was going to be a big brother, his eyes lit up and he was excited, but then he was off to feed Oliver.
Since then, he's had a few questions - how will they get the baby out, when I eat is the food going down to the baby, etc. He talks to the baby a lot now and shows it how quickly he can put his socks on, how he brushes his teeth, etc. He asked me if the baby would be able to play Legos with him and another time he said to the baby something about how it "is in a cave or a trap in there in Mommy's tummy."
He is so caring and loving, we just can't wait to see him become a big brother!
This pregnancy has been a lot different than my other two. With Owen, it was all so new and I was naïve to all that could happen. With Abby, I was stressed that I'd have an abruption and it didn't cross my mind that I could have a miscarriage. With this pregnancy, it took awhile for us to talk about anything baby without first saying, "If all goes well" or "If we get to bring a baby home." As with many women I know that have experienced loss, we have taken each day at a time and tried not to think too far ahead. My mantra has been, "Today I am pregnant, so it is a good day." I'd be lying if I said that there weren't days when my mind reminded me that I thought I was pregnant with Abby for much longer than I really was, so really the days we've seen the baby or heard the heartbeat are few of the days that I could really say my mantra with conviction. I know that must sound terrible to those who haven't experienced loss, but I think it's a defense mechanism to protect your heart.
My first trimester was filled with all-day sickness and migraines, but I am feeling SO, SO much better now, thank goodness! I have an amazing OB that has walked my journey with me (she was at the hospital when I had my abruption with Owen) and is so understanding of my fears and uncertainties. I am blessed to have her!
This is the first pregnancy that we've done genetic testing - partially because I am of "advanced maternal age" and partly because we lost Abby to Turner's Syndrome, which is a chromosomal defect. The testing is amazing and has come so far even since we had Owen. It used to be that there were so many false positives and people spent their entire pregnancies thinking their baby had chromosomal abnormalities. Now, if you qualify, they do a test were they take mom's blood and send it to Mayo. They find chips of baby's DNA and can tell with 99% accuracy if there are chromosomal defects! We received our results a few weeks back and everything looks great. We were so relieved!
If you pray, please keep us in your prayers and if not, please send positive energy our way! We could use a normal, boring pregnancy and birth this time around!!!
Since then, he's had a few questions - how will they get the baby out, when I eat is the food going down to the baby, etc. He talks to the baby a lot now and shows it how quickly he can put his socks on, how he brushes his teeth, etc. He asked me if the baby would be able to play Legos with him and another time he said to the baby something about how it "is in a cave or a trap in there in Mommy's tummy."
He is so caring and loving, we just can't wait to see him become a big brother!
This pregnancy has been a lot different than my other two. With Owen, it was all so new and I was naïve to all that could happen. With Abby, I was stressed that I'd have an abruption and it didn't cross my mind that I could have a miscarriage. With this pregnancy, it took awhile for us to talk about anything baby without first saying, "If all goes well" or "If we get to bring a baby home." As with many women I know that have experienced loss, we have taken each day at a time and tried not to think too far ahead. My mantra has been, "Today I am pregnant, so it is a good day." I'd be lying if I said that there weren't days when my mind reminded me that I thought I was pregnant with Abby for much longer than I really was, so really the days we've seen the baby or heard the heartbeat are few of the days that I could really say my mantra with conviction. I know that must sound terrible to those who haven't experienced loss, but I think it's a defense mechanism to protect your heart.
My first trimester was filled with all-day sickness and migraines, but I am feeling SO, SO much better now, thank goodness! I have an amazing OB that has walked my journey with me (she was at the hospital when I had my abruption with Owen) and is so understanding of my fears and uncertainties. I am blessed to have her!
This is the first pregnancy that we've done genetic testing - partially because I am of "advanced maternal age" and partly because we lost Abby to Turner's Syndrome, which is a chromosomal defect. The testing is amazing and has come so far even since we had Owen. It used to be that there were so many false positives and people spent their entire pregnancies thinking their baby had chromosomal abnormalities. Now, if you qualify, they do a test were they take mom's blood and send it to Mayo. They find chips of baby's DNA and can tell with 99% accuracy if there are chromosomal defects! We received our results a few weeks back and everything looks great. We were so relieved!
If you pray, please keep us in your prayers and if not, please send positive energy our way! We could use a normal, boring pregnancy and birth this time around!!!
Thursday, March 13, 2014
February and March Fun
Here are a few cute photos that Heidi captured while he was at her house. :) Love, love, love that she takes photos of the kids for us!
Washing toys! Once in awhile she fills tubs and lets the kids help wash the toys. They love it!
Working hard!
Owen's 4th birthday celebration at Heidi's
Love that grin!
Sunday, February 23, 2014
4 Year Old Owen
At age 4, Owen is very inquisitive. The thing that he has started doing the most this year is asking us about street signs. Every car ride, he asks what the signs mean. Now he tells us on certain streets that we can't park on those streets because he recognizes the signs. Or he'll tell us when we are supposed to yield, when the pedestrians can walk, etc.
He knows his ABC's, and can count to 40 or more by himself, but if he has help with the main larger numbers like 60,70,80, he can do up to 100. He loves to cut and draw, but doesn't have a lot of patience for writing. He can write his name, but gets frustrated if we ask him to do it too often. (Writing out his Valentines for his friends was NOT a fun activity!!!)
He loves to be read to and will sit through 5-6 books at a time. He recognizes words like stop, exit, no and yes. He has memorized most of his books and you hear about it if you say a word wrong or skip a page! He recognizes most of his friend's names when written and is really good at telling us what sounds all the letters make.
He is still an all-around good eater, but fruits and veggies are still his favorite. Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts and berries still top his list. He'll try anything and there are very few things that he won't eat. Spaghetti is a favorite, he loves cake and is taking after his daddy with his love for ice cream.
This year he did swimming lessons and ice skating lessons and enjoyed them both. For whatever reason though, he is telling us that he's not going to ice skate any more until next year.
He can dress himself completely, including his outerwear. He can do buttons by himself and if he has help with holding the zipper all the way down, he can zip his own coat. We are working on that right now! He is getting pretty particular about his clothes and no matter what we pick out, he has something else in mind.
His favorite toys are his Imaginext city and his walkie talkies. He loves to play "polices" and daddy is always the robber. We catch him and he has to go sit in jail (dining room table). He likes to watch Martha Speaks and Fireman Sam on TV and his favorite movie is probably Planes.
Owen is a good sleeper. He's gone through phases over the years, but his typical schedule right now is going to bed around 7:30 and getting up at 6:20.
He loves to sing. It's a rare moment when he's playing or riding in the car and not humming or singing. I think he gets his love of music from his Papa.
His vocabulary has taken off so much this year! We giggle when we hear him use words like definitely, probably, disgusting, ridiculous, or especially. They make him sound so OLD!
Owen has such a huge heart! He is always telling us that he loves us, snuggling with his bear, and saying kind, encouraging things to his friends. I love how sweet he is and hope that he keeps that characteristic of his personality forever!
Happy 4th birthday big boy! You make us proud to be your parents day after day. We can't wait to see how much you will grow and change in the coming year. :)
He knows his ABC's, and can count to 40 or more by himself, but if he has help with the main larger numbers like 60,70,80, he can do up to 100. He loves to cut and draw, but doesn't have a lot of patience for writing. He can write his name, but gets frustrated if we ask him to do it too often. (Writing out his Valentines for his friends was NOT a fun activity!!!)
He loves to be read to and will sit through 5-6 books at a time. He recognizes words like stop, exit, no and yes. He has memorized most of his books and you hear about it if you say a word wrong or skip a page! He recognizes most of his friend's names when written and is really good at telling us what sounds all the letters make.
He is still an all-around good eater, but fruits and veggies are still his favorite. Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts and berries still top his list. He'll try anything and there are very few things that he won't eat. Spaghetti is a favorite, he loves cake and is taking after his daddy with his love for ice cream.
This year he did swimming lessons and ice skating lessons and enjoyed them both. For whatever reason though, he is telling us that he's not going to ice skate any more until next year.
He can dress himself completely, including his outerwear. He can do buttons by himself and if he has help with holding the zipper all the way down, he can zip his own coat. We are working on that right now! He is getting pretty particular about his clothes and no matter what we pick out, he has something else in mind.
His favorite toys are his Imaginext city and his walkie talkies. He loves to play "polices" and daddy is always the robber. We catch him and he has to go sit in jail (dining room table). He likes to watch Martha Speaks and Fireman Sam on TV and his favorite movie is probably Planes.
Owen is a good sleeper. He's gone through phases over the years, but his typical schedule right now is going to bed around 7:30 and getting up at 6:20.
He loves to sing. It's a rare moment when he's playing or riding in the car and not humming or singing. I think he gets his love of music from his Papa.
His vocabulary has taken off so much this year! We giggle when we hear him use words like definitely, probably, disgusting, ridiculous, or especially. They make him sound so OLD!
Owen has such a huge heart! He is always telling us that he loves us, snuggling with his bear, and saying kind, encouraging things to his friends. I love how sweet he is and hope that he keeps that characteristic of his personality forever!
Happy 4th birthday big boy! You make us proud to be your parents day after day. We can't wait to see how much you will grow and change in the coming year. :)
Happy 4th Birthday Owen!
Paul and I catch ourselves so often now commenting on how big Owen is getting. It used to only be when we were folding his jammies. They look so long! Now it's when we see him washing his hands at the sink without needing a stool, when he's using grown-up utensils instead of kiddie sized ones, when we have conversations, see him in photos....the list goes on and on. It's hard to believe that Owen joined our family and changed our world four years ago! Where does the time go?
Owen has had a pretty great fourth birthday! Yesterday, we celebrated with our friends and family, fire fighter style. Owen loves all things fire fighter and police, so this year's theme was pretty easy.
Owen has had a pretty great fourth birthday! Yesterday, we celebrated with our friends and family, fire fighter style. Owen loves all things fire fighter and police, so this year's theme was pretty easy.
Stop, Drop and Roll!
Fire cupcakes
My friend Jackie helped me make the cupcake picks and the cute dalmation and fireman. Aren't they adorable! Thanks Jack for all of the time you put into helping me!!
Fire hydrant sippers
Red, orange and yellow food! Tried my best to make the food look like fire!
Michael, Jackie, Hannah, John and Fire Chief Owen
Neighbors!
He told me, "Mom, it made me happy when my friends and the mommies and daddies sang to me, so I smiled and smiled."
No girlfriends! Must be because I told him he isn't allowed to have them. :)
Owen and his side-kick, Sully
Owen and Lucy!
Awww, hugs from Cameron!
He had a great time! Today, after mass, we stopped to get some hot cocoa, which was a special treat. He loved it! Then we went to SkyZone and had some fun jumping. He got to pick where we ate lunch and he chose Olive Garden because he wanted them to sing happy birthday to him.
Daddy bouncing off the walls!
He really enjoyed jumping and wants to go back with his buddies Sully and Liam.
Happy Birthday to You!
Mmmmmm!
My 4 year old boy!
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Clearwater Aquarium and Winter the Dolphin
If you've seen the movie Dolphin Tale, you'll remember that it takes place at the Clearwater Aquarium and stars Winter the dolphin. We got to watch Winter perform with and without her prosthetic tail and she was amazing! We also got to see Holly, a 3 year old dolphin that was found orphaned.
Overall, we had a great trip to Florida. It was very relaxing and so much fun to experience it with Owen.
We got to pet sting rays, or as O called them, Xrays :)
We saw sea turtles and otters
We got to watch the trainers play with the dolphins (don't mind the bars, we couldn't get any closer because they don't want cameras to fall into the water).
The white thing in the water is Winter's prosthetic tail. She just wouldn't stay still long enough for me to take her picture!
Overall, we had a great trip to Florida. It was very relaxing and so much fun to experience it with Owen.
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