Happy Birthday Owen!

Owen Andrew, sweet boy, happy birthday to you! When we found out I was pregnant, we wanted another son. The Lord blessed us with you. You came into our lives two years ago and forever changed all of us. Micah had no idea at 22 months what having a sibling meant, and we had no idea what raising two boys would be like. While there have been trials, I think we would all agree that these have been our favorite two years yet! We would never go back. You came into the world a sad baby who wouldn't leave his mama's side. I couldn't bear to send you to the nursery, so I held you almost non-stop for the two days we were in the hospital. But boy did you change after we brought you home. You were the most content baby, and you slept all the time, in your own bed no less! Funny, you still sleep roughly 15-16 hours a day! From day one, you have been in love with your big brother. We prayed for a friendship between you two, and we love watching the two of you play and love each other. It is hard for you to be the youngest sometimes. You want so badly to be one of us and to do what we all do. It has been a joy to watch you get excited to try a new food because we were all eating it, and to watch you transition into other "big boy" things. You thought potty training was a privilege, so it was not the chore I feared. You have a wonderful sense of humor. We commented when you were six months old that you were going to be a funny guy, and boy are you! You keep Micah in stitches, and I often can't wait to tell Dada your latest clever words. You want to be heard. Lately, you scream and get incredibly sad if we forget to acknowledge you or miss the dump truck (or fire truck, or tree, or flower, or fire hydrant etc.) that you were trying so desperately to point out. You love attention and affection, and while you are content to run around the house most of the time, you will sometimes need to sit in our laps for hours watching a movie or reading books. You love to be read to. It blows my mind that you will lay in the bed with me and read until I finally have to say that is enough! You point out everything in the pictures and get so excited when you recognize different letters. Your brother loves you immensely. He will often say "where is my Owen?" if you are no where to be seen. You have helped him loosen up and be a little boy, and he loves to protect you and teach you things. Your Dada loves to come home to you because you get so excited and run straight into his arms screaming "Dada, Dada!" We love you so much, Owen. We are praying that you will continue to grow healthy and strong and that the Lord will continue to bless you. May he give you a heart of flesh that strives to bring glory to Him. May you look only to Jesus for salvation. May he grant us many more birthdays, smiles, and hugs!
Your birthday
Your first birthday-loving the cake even though it had no dairy or eggs!

Still no dairy or eggs-you are such a champ about your special food!