...aaaand it's Monday. Oops, I knew this would happen! Time flies when you're changing diapers, wrangling a toddler, trapped inside with four kids on a rainy weekend, having fun! ;)

Owen continues to be such a champ. Highlights from this week: weighing in at over 10 lbs, sleeping a 7.5 hour stretch one night (whoop whoop!!!!!!), and giving Daddy his first real smiles yesterday. We were all around to catch the tail end of the show, and I'll admit to some wet eyes.

We love you, Owen!

SWO - 1 month

Happy Thanksgiving from our favorite little turkey...

...who, in true American fashion, ate 'til he threw up and then took a long nap.

Owen continues to amaze us with how laid-back and easy-going he is. He still sleeps all the time (hallelujah!). So very thankful for the gift that he is to our family! 

Big Sister Jane says "Happy Thanksgiving" too!

Sundays with Owen

Okay, okay, so we all knew Tuesdays with Jane was a first-born/only-child thing, in the same category as "sleep when your baby sleeps" (ha!). Life these days doesn't exactly allow for such luxury of time.

But... Danny and I read through old TWJ posts again recently and loved remembering things about those early weeks we surely would have forgotten. And so, for my own sake (as a diary of sorts), for Owen's sake (who we've been telling lately that he needs to pipe up if he wants some attention-- being a 4th child can be tough!), and for the sake of doting grandmas and aunts who I don't think will object, I am going to *attempt* Sundays with Owen.  Disclaimer: they will likely not be posted on Sundays, and I will likely forget many weeks altogether, but I'm cutting myself some slack here. Even a weak attempt is better than nothing. ;)

For today, I'm going to let my sweet friend, Tessa, do the work for me. She shot some awesome photos and shared them today on her blog here.

Happy 3 Weeks, Owen! We love you so!

Owen Daniel

Two weeks ago today, Owen Daniel wiggled his way into the world and into our hearts. Isn't it amazing how love multiplies, instead of divides, when another child is born?!?

Photo credit: Tessa Blackburn

After laboring all night-- again (why can't our stubborn babies come in the daytime?!)-- the final push came and sweet tears spilled down my cheeks as I pulled a slippery, lavender, beautiful baby to my chest.

"It's a BOY!" Danny announced. We have a son!

"Hi buddy, welcome to the world! We love you so much!" I said, kissing his wet little head again and again and again-- a timeless, miraculous moment I have relived a thousand times and never fails to bring me to tears.

We had such a special two days with Owen at the hospital, with sweet moments of bonding free from the distractions of other kids or the duties of home. (We were wishing we could extend our stay at the hospital "resort" a bit longer this time! A quiet, peaceful room and people waiting on me hand and foot-- I could get used to this!) ;)

Owen is absolutely PRECIOUS. A dark head of hair, snuggly little body, and perfect, kissable lips. Plus, he sleeps about 22 out of 24 hours a day, which doesn't hurt his "perfect baby" status either, and secures his current position, hands-down, as the easiest of our 4 children. He is a total gift of grace for us in this (crazy) season of life. God knew what we could handle!

I imagine he will be such a sweetheart-- like melt-your-mama's-heart sweet. I imagine he will have an adorable smile and a cheeky twinkle in his eye. I imagine he will make people smile and brighten their days. I imagine he'll look a lot like his daddy did as a boy (a-d-o-r-a-b-l-e). I imagine he will continue to bring our family so much joy.

The kids all ADORE him. They wake up wanting to hold him and come home from school wanting to hold him again. Jane loves Baby "Nowen" too, although it's been a bit of a rough transition for her... which I'm told is normal (?!?!). Of course, the stomach bug that swept through our family this week probably didn't help either. Already though, she is a great "helper sister" (as she calls herself), and I know they will be great buddies soon.

Happy Two Weeks, Owen. You are a gift!

Life Lately, Part III

2 weeks ago we moved out of our beloved, first fixer-upper home and into our second, newly-renovated fixer-upper home (two in two years!).

1 week ago we closed on our first house. Goodbye, Greensprings. You were sure good to us.

Today I'm home with two sick kids and no AC (I know it's October, but Alabama hasn't gotten the memo about fall yet), wishing I could take a day off from being a mom (amen, mamas?!?). It's just been one of those days.

Meanwhile, we are excitedly/nervously waiting for child #4 to make his/her appearance any day now! (Due next Thursday!)

So before life gets even crazier with this next precious little blessing, I wanted to pause and document a few snapshots of life lately.

THE HOUSE.
Danny busted it to turn this new house into a beautiful home for our family in just six weeks' time! I am so very grateful for the way he sacrificially loved and served us in this way (and continues to do so every day!).

We are also incredibly grateful for the ARMY of friends who helped clean, demo, paint, lay hardwoods, cook meals, watch kids, etc. etc. etc. along the way. We could NOT have done this without you!!!!

Still a work in progress, but here are a few before and afters...

Entry:

Ripped up linoleum, installed hardwoods.
Painted walls/paneling.
Ripped out built-in bookcase, installed new window.

Dining Room:

Busted down two walls.

Ripped up carpet, installed hardwoods.

Added built-in pantry.

Kitchen:

Gutted old kitchen cabinets/countertops, installed new cabinets/countertops (thanks to Counter Dimensions, again, for their AMAZING work!).

Living Room:

Busted down wall.

Ripped up carpet/linoleum, installed hardwoods.

Ripped out bookcase, installed new window.

Master Bedroom:

Ripped up carpet, installed hardwoods.

Covered lovely green/gold with gray (isn't it amazing what a fresh coat of paint can do?!).

Still plenty of projects on the list, but quite the transformation for just six weeks! We are thrilled to finally be living here, and it is already starting to feel like home.

FOSTER CARE.

I don't have time for a long update (nor would you probably have time to read it!), and I don't know how to summarize in a blog post (especially when I can't use pictures)... so for now I will just say it has been challenging-- a daily smack-in-the-face reminder of my own selfishness-- but not without joy. It is certainly changing us, and while we resist what is difficult, I know it is good.

JANE.

20 months and at such a fun stage! She's talking up a storm-- surprising us with new words every day! She LOVES babies and is practicing being a big sister. :)

She also has become quite the little diva and will not leave the house without her sunglasses, purse, and toy phone. (I especially love how she prances around with her arm in the air to keep the purse from sliding off.) :)

Suddenly our little Janie bear is seeming so grown up, I can't even imagine how huge she will seem next to her new brother/sister!

So there you have it! Baby news coming SOON!!!!!!!!!!!!