Some of Owen's Favorites

This has been a tough week for Owen. He has all four molars coming in (a side note: my boys have a really hard time teething. These same four teeth have been giving him trouble for about a month with blisters, swelling, bleeding, resealing, etc. Now, finally all but one are officially through the gums.) On top of that, he has picked up a cold. He has been tired from coughing all night, and cranky from all the nose sucking and wiping (I HATE snotty noses. It really grosses me out, especially when they wipe it all over the back of their hand and then touch something else. I have been walking around with a tissue and bottle of Clorox anywhere to combat the germs) He has also been just generally discontent. He will ask for a snack and upon receiving his cracker, he will crush it and feed it to Ellie. Or he will ask for his drink and then tip it over and shake it everywhere. If I say no more snacks and drinks, he cries and cries. I want to scream! I have a hard time when my kids are sick because I really want to fix it, and I can't. So in an attempt to be positive, I have decided to post about some of Owen's favorite things, and some of the things he does that just make me smile.

-He says "ma mo" every time I say "I love you Owen" (this is how he says "I love you Mama")

-He lately wants to lay on the guest bed in his room when I tuck him in at night. He lays down and puts my hand on his back so that I can rub it while I sing him songs. He then points to my eyes, nose, cheeks, ears and, my favorite, "belbow." He laughs every time.

-He wants our whole family to be together when we are all home. Anytime one person walks out of the room, he will follow calling their name in such desperation in order to get them to come back.

-He calls Micah "di da" even though he can say m's perfectly fine.

- He won't let us shut the door for prayers at night until "E-E" has made her way up the stairs and to her spot on the floor.

-He adores flowers. He points to everyone of them while we take walks in another favorite, the "wa wa" (wagon). We got two big mums for the porch and as we walk downstairs, he says "fa wa" with a huge smile.

-He loves his stuffed animals. He has them all in a row at the end of his crib: Lion, Elephant, Rabbit, Dog-Dog, and a soft lamb that he actually sleeps on top of. Sometimes I see him talking to them in their respective animal noises.

-He sings along to the songs we have on CD in the car. After the first note of "All Creatures of Our God and King" he sings "Yuuuuuuuu Yaaaaaaaa" (alleluia) with all his might.

-He says "Bweez" for please.

-He loves to follow the directions that I give to Micah, who has a really hard time focusing on directions. He will often appear with Micah's shoes or go flush the toilet after I tell Micah to do it. I guess Micah will appreciate that as he gets older!

-He loves taking baths. He will often get in the bath tub to play a couple of times a day. He loves to fill a cup with the steam of cold water and pour it on his belly. He will say "oooohhhhhh" because it is so cold.

-He hates anything hot. He will dramatically say "HAAAAAAAA" anytime he sees me preparing food. I must let his rest on the counter until it is practically cold before he will even touch it.

He really just makes my day often. Even when he doesn't feel well, I often find myself smiling at my sweet little boy, snotty nose and all. I have also found myself being so thankful this week. Even though I have had a complaining spirit and wanted to be less exhausted, I remember these verses:

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. -Isaiah 40:28-31

and I am so encouraged. Praise the Lord that he does not poop out on us, or grow weary when we are not at our best. Forgive me, Owen and family for getting frustrated. How blessed are we that the Lord will renew our strength and do good things even when we are weary!

I took this picture a little over a week ago. He found these floaties and insisted on wearing them. He also has his toothbrush in hand. He loves to brush his teeth and always gives the lion on the brush and big kiss "ni ni."