Favorite things: Owen

The kids have been growing so fast lately. I feel like time is on fast forward and I'm desperate for it to just slow down a little. I know they won't be this young forever and I want to always remember the silly things they do. The other night after we put them to bed I grabbed a pen and notebook to jot down a few of my favorite things that the kids are up to right now. I thought it would be just a quick note but I ended up filling the entire page and thinking I had "just one more" I started writing in the blank corners. Soon I had filled every space. I really feel so lucky to be a mother to these incredible children. Here are a few things I wrote about my son.

Owen:

-You hate being messy now. You request napkins or wipes to clean yourself up when  you spill anything and you're actually a pretty good little cleaner now.

- You are really hard to take on runs! I have to give you a movie on Dad's ipod or some really good treats to keep you from pestering your sister or whining. 

-You sing all the time. I love when you sing. We can always understand what song you are singing because you are almost always in key.

- You love stories but only at bedtime. You have a few favorites and lately they've been: Mortimer Be Quiet!, Who Invited the Moon to Dinner, Thomas the Train book and Ten Hungry Monsters. It's the cutest thing in the world when you say, "Stowee?" Or when you copy our story telling by saying, "Mortimer, be quiet!" or "No, no Moon! You're too big!" 

- You're really picking up sentences and words now. Especially since starting preschool at the Head Start program. The speech therapists there really know their stuff and can really connect well with you. Lately you've been saying lots of things like, "Brush teeth!" "Clean up," "This way!" etc. I love hearing your little voice.

-You were crabby one night about going to bed so I was being silly and said, "Owen, I have to tell you a secret!" Then I whispered in his ear, "I love you!" and kissed him all over. You giggled and laughed and now you request me to do it all the time. You've even done it to me sometimes and to your sister which is unbelievably adorable.

-Eating is usually a fight with you. You pick fights over eating food you actually like sometimes! We've had to be really strict about meal times and snack times, drinking from your water bottle instead of drinking all the milk and trying one bite of everything on your plate. We've had standoffs at the table for HOURS. Gone are the days that you'll eat anything and everything like you did when you were little. I still love you anyway and you seem to be growing like crazy regardless.

-Unfortunately you've been wetting the bed and have been having a few accidents. You like preschool now but it's still a pretty big transition for you to be away from me for half the day throughout the week and I'm fairly certain this is why you are taking a step backward in potty training. You've been potty trained since January! It's already gotten a little better so I believe with time it will be okay.

-You're phasing out of naps and usually only take one 2 or 3 times a week. You get pretty grumpy in the afternoons so I'm pretty sure you still need one but you are determined to grow up!

-You like to watch Johnny Bravo which I find hilarious. I loved that song when I was younger (and still find it funny!) so seeing you like it too (and act it out!) is so thrilling to me.

-You've started to try putting on your own socks. Cutest thing, EVER.

-You still LOVE music. You always get excited during singing time at church and in school and you'll stop dead in your tracks if someone is singing a pretty song.

-You are getting so brave! You will now run and jump into the pool (with your water wings of course), you can float on your back and even swim in a circle. We are so proud!

-You love babies. When we hold our friend's babies you always want a turn and make sure to give them lots of hugs, kisses and toys. It's so cute to see you pat their little heads and talk to them.

  We are so proud of you and all of your accomplishments. It's amazing how fast you have grown from just a chubby little baby to the little boy you are now. I will cherish our memories together everyday. I love you baby boy. You are my sunshine.