The Back 40

A few weeks ago Owen and I planted a few variaties of herbs for our back-deck garden attempt. It's more a learning experience than anything, for him and me. That's what I tell myself whenever the little delicate starter cups get knocked over or spilled. I say 'whenever' because this has become a frequent occurrence. I'll be surprised if anything grows to harvestability.

But I'm using it as a chance to talk to Owen about how plants grow. He'll see the pots and proudly declare that a tiny seed grows into a MIGHDY TWEE! I'm working on drawing parallels between that tree and his little life and spirit. It doesn't always feel like he understands that obedience, worship and all the other things that go into personal watered-ness are as crucial to his development as water and sun are to plants - but I know that it's sinking in, somewhere. Children just understand. (That and I rely heavily on grace to impart truths beyond my poor teaching skills.)

I'm also learning. Mostly that starting an herb garden is kind of expensive. Seeds are cheap but dirt and planters are kinda more than I figured. We'll probably break even next year. I'm taking this year as a bit more of a toe dip into 'real' gardening. (Real = more work than putting a few tomato plants in the backyard.) Next year I'm planning on becoming these people (my new favorite blog) and fulfilling my dream of living on a small farm and making catsup from my own garden.

Sigh, one day.

Until then I'll try my best to keep the one spindly little garlic chive plant from getting pulled out or overwatered, or swept off the porch, or smelled to death.

You can do it little sprout!!! We're all pulling for you!

Two Happy Months!

Don't you want to eat her?

 

Everly is two months old.  It's been a slow two months...slow in a really good way.  I've actually doubted my counting...thinking surely she must be older.  Thankfully no.  I still have a nice small cuddly baby to smooch and hold.  

Ever:

• is very relaxed (in my opinion at least).  She's rarely unhappy for more than a minute.
  
• still prefers sleeping.  And, completely opposite from Owen, she usually falls asleep faster if left alone.  Rocking or walking works, but takes longer.  (Babies are all crazy - who can figure them out.)
• also prefers sleeping when it's noisy.  Music please!
• is still very bald.  :)
• smiles quickly.  But has a super cute frown that I kind of like seeing.
• is dressed in way more pink than I think is necessary.  Seriously.  I have a bone to pick with baby clothiers.
• has her father's beautiful eyes.  (Color to be determined.)

The list sounds a little too good to be true.  I've tried to think of something quirky or inconvenient to balance it out but anything I'd put would be a lie.  She is a complete sunbeam - perfect for these grey, cloudy winter days.

It really has been a happy two months.

 

27 Weeks

It's a big week around here.  

Yesterday marked 27 weeks for the baby and 19 months for Owen.  Today is Jon's 36th birthday.  Big milestones all around.  

I love my two men so much.

And baby girl and I have been getting lots of bonding time lately - her wiggles are getting stronger and she likes to do a lot of rolling around when I lay down to sleep.  

It doesn't bother me a bit though.  I like to lay quiet and pray for her while she wiggles.  Then I drift off to sleep.  Never had much of a problem with that.

A lot of growing going on around here.  A lot of change on the horizon.  Seasons, family, life...

I'm excited to experience this last trimester...only three more months!

6 Happy Months!

(Nope - he's not surprised.  He looks that wide-eyed all the time...seriously.)

Owen is one-half a year old!  

It is so amazing and astounding to see how much he's grown in the last six months.  I love tracking his progress with these little snap shots.  They remind me of how much he's changed and how excited I am about all the new things he's discovered.  Baby milestones have to be one of the greatest things to observe.

This past month has brought some amazing changes.  He is rolling over, sitting up on his own, teething, growing a little old-man-receding hair line, laughing a fake laugh, coughing a fake cough, eating cereal, and lifting up his arms when he wants to be picked up.  

He is still charming, wonderful, gentle, loving, cuddly (especially at 12am, 3am, and 5am - goodbye 12 hour sleeps), funny, super high pitch screamer, and such an amazing gift.  

Happy Half-Birthday Owen!

Three Happy Months!

Owen is three months old today - one quarter of a year.  He's my happy, smiling, giggling boy and every day with him is a charm.  He still loves his walks, being outside, the birds above his crib, daddy's funny faces and voices, eating and bright colors.  

Three months with you has flown by Owen - we love you!

Just as it's too bad that babies don't come with instruction manuals it's also a shame that they can't talk.  Just think, you could spend those long hours at night chatting and getting to know one another (So, do you prefer the Mozart or Bach tune playing from your mobile?  Well mother, I find I'm more of a Bach man.) 

Then again, that might ruin the fun of finding out who this tiny person is little by little.  Some people say they figured out certain characteristics of their child before they were born.  My friend Erin's daughter was a wild child in the womb, flipping and flapping and whirling about in her watery home.  On dry land she's the same way - performing in one long, constant dance.  

I guess I can see the same continuity of character in Owen.  In the womb Owen (or Whn) was mellow.  He kindly let me sleep at night and his movements seemed more like exploration than exercise.  Now that he's here, unrestricted by all my other organs, he definitely moves around more.  When he's excited his arms and legs pump and kick like he's running a marathon.  But he is still quite the calm and laid back baby.  He loves to observe and early on he would silently stare at a particularly attractive toy for 20 or 30 minutes, happily sticking his tongue out as he is prone to do when in deep concentration. 

This past week Jon and I noticed that lately when we put on the carrier and go for a walk he cranes his neck to see past our chests, or throws his head back to watch the trees and sky.  So today I sat him face out.  He met with world with quiet, wide eyes - taking in everything in perfect stillness.  I managed to clip all of his fingernails (no small task - can I get a 'what-what!' from all the moms!) while he was distracted by nature.  

Ah babies - I'll never get over how wonderful they are - each one that I know is tiny gem slowly turning and exposing another facet to surprise you.  

Two Happy Months!

Owen is two months old today.  He's more alert and aware than ever.  He loves:  eating, naps, staring at his birds, staring at his hands, eating, Jon's voice, taking walks, and smiling. (did I mention eating?)

Look at the beautiful baby chub he's been busy working to gain.  I chose this shot from our photo shoot because he was smiling and got so excited he started flapping his arms.  

Just for fun, here is a side by side with last month.

Yay thighs!

... and growing... (a weight week)

Our boy keeps on growing and developing. He's been kicking more and more, and you can tell a dramatic difference in how much Em's showing over the past week and a half. Here's where he's at in his development...

Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. His weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but he's beginning to exchange his long, lean look for some baby fat. As he does, his wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and he'll start to look more and more like a newborn. He's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture. (pregnancy.com)

For you readers out there who have never had a rutabaga, and have no intention of eating one (myself included, except maybe on a dare). That pound-and-a-half is roughly equivalent to the weight of the stick of a defensive back in field hockey (props to Emily - notice I didn't say 'real hockey'). :)

And finally, here's an interesting article on how rutabaga's may help with energy production issues: Michigan State professor explores oil-rich rutabagas

Enjoy - JP

... and growing...

Well, apparently the measurements switch from length to weight now, so our little 'Whn' weights about as much as a large mango. He's moving around a lot more and I can feel him kicking pretty regularly now. It sometimes blows me away that he's growing away in there and that (no surprise) he's going to come out at some point. It's pretty obvious.. you know, cuz that's what happens when you have a baby... but it really sets in sometimes and gets me thinking. I pray for his growth and health a lot, and for wisdom for us to bring up a solid, well-adjusted boy.



The name hunt is on, but we're still searching. I don't know if I've said this before but we probably won't know until we see him in person before we give him a name. But we'll certainly have a list of favorites.


And I promise we won't call him 'Whn'. Honest.


Also, I changed a setting on the site so you should all be able to add comments now.


Enjoy! JJ

... and growing...

This week the baby is about the length of a bell pepper...

... we still don't know if it's a little boy bell pepper or a little girl bell pepper, but we're excited either way.  

Just hope it's not green ;)