Owen Turns 1!

What a WONDERFUL 1st year!  I remember this time last year thinking "if we can just get to 12 weeks" and then praying our way through the likely collic period, RSV season, flu season, daycare start and the million other firsts that can skew a routine or change daily life.  We were beyond blessed.  So grateful to God for a first year with a happy, healthy baby, more relaxed parenting and a big brother who decided from day one that this was pretty fun.  So grateful God chose us to parent these two boys.  They teach us daily how to be better people in the world, love unconditionally and challenge the barriers life sets in front of us.

I joke often that if we had Owen first we might have 8!  (Just to set the record straight, we aren't!) Owen is happy, go-lucky and, as we are learning daily, verbal and inquisitive.  Our boys are so much alike, but so very different.   He loves broccoli, apples and eggo waffles - in fact I don't think we have found a food he won't eat.  He thinks loud surprises are hilarious - generally this includes his brother jumping out from behind something and yelling!  Dada was his first word.  Mama is reserved for when he is sick, hungry or mad.  Best we can tell DOOOOOOOO means Drew.  Uh-Oh is now used when he intentionally throws something.  He can crawl out the front door and down the driveway at lightning speed.  Loves bathes, but hates the 5 minutes it takes to put on his pajamas.  He thinks anyone with an iPhone pointed at him is taking his picture.  He could probably use my iPhone if I gave it to him long enough.  He thinks his winter hat is a costume (which he is familiar with since his brother has several) and will yell "rawr" when you put it on his head.  He will only cuddle with you in the 2 minutes between nighttime prayers and bottle, but is so darn lovable.  He is in the 92+ percentile in weight and height.  Unlike his brother his head size is actually on the chart in normal ranges.  We cannot wait to see what year #2 has in store.

So on November 2nd we celebrated "our little pumpkins 1st birthday."  Aunt Tiff flew in to surprise us and we had a house full of family and friends.  It was a fun day followed by a fun night at the neighborhood Halloween party.

Owen and Granny
**Special note of thanks to Granny who cleaned the entire house
while we were enjoying the neighborhood cook out!
Best gift ever for this Mommy!

Kevin and Tiffany

4 Superheros and a dinosaur having tons of fun on the hayride!

Dalton 
Yes, he really is this tall! 

Mr. Ben - one of the coolest guys and best friends we have
Love the Nicholsons!

Best Buddies

Hide-and-Seek
His most favorite game.  Drew will tell you "Owen isn't very good at hiding, but he is a good finder!"

Post Halloween costume fun!

BLESSED!
Perfect day for a birthday - rainbows over our house on the morning of the party!