First Taste

Owen had his four month checkup yesterday, and the report is a happy, healthy baby. He is now 15 lbs. 4 oz. and 25 3/4 inches, and appears to be on the same track as Micah (tall and thin). It is funny how similar the numbers can be, but how different their little bodies look. We got the go-ahead to start rice cereal in the hopes that it will help his reflux. It is so fun to give babies that first bite of solid food and watch their reaction. It is as if he was saying "Mama are you sure you meant to put that in there?" The second tasting went much better, and I think he managed to swallow more than he let slide out onto his bib!

We had a visit with the Browns and Comptons in Atlanta over the weekend. It was so fun to have all the children together. It is amazing to see God's faithfulness in our lives, as we have all been tremendously blessed over the years. I still can't believe we are all really grown up now. Memories of hanging out in Auburn are still so vivid, yet now we are parents and have begun real jobs. It is funny how nostalgia works: so happy to be where we are now, but a little sad to not have the things we did. I will rest in this: the Lord has us here now according to His good plan, and, by His grace, I will enjoy today for we "do not know what tomorrow will bring."

Fecundity

Look at that Belly and Mohawk!

Owen's Growing Up

Today is Owen's four month birthday, and we can't believe the time that has gone by. We are excited to see him grow, but sad at the same time to be already losing our baby. Lately, he is fascinated by Micah and "Dada." I feel somewhat sorry for him that he has to just sit back and watch. He doesn't seem to mind though. Every time one of them walks by, he beams a few smiles their way. Now that he is awake more, we have gotten out some more baby gear. He enjoys sitting in his bumbo seat and watching Micah play, and he has recently started using his jumper. He hasn't quite figured it out yet, but he still enjoys being upright to view all the action. He has become somewhat more vocal as he gurgles and coos, and he loves to laugh lately. We can tell he has a quiet contentment about him. He is happy most of the time, but remains fairly quiet (unless you ignore him, then he knows how to regain your attention with his new squeal!) We are enjoying this season in our lives. Matt has started work, but only part time for now, so we are getting lots of family time. Today, Owen tried the pool for the first time, and although he was a little unsure at first, he quickly learned the art of relaxing in the cool water on a hot summer day.

Owen loving his Bumbo and Exersaucer

Hanging out in the new house

Visit with friends

Last week, our friends, who lived down the street from us in Memphis, stopped through to visit on their way to their new home in Texas. We had so much fun watching the kids play together. Micah had fun showing off his jumping abilities and then running for kisses from Sam. We have some adorable blackmail pictures for them. It was a sad goodbye as we will miss them tons. Hopefully, Nashville won them over and they will neighbors again one day. Micah already misses his first girlfriend.
Owen is still happy despite his first runny nose. He has been laughing out loud lately at Micah, which is so fun to watch. I am attempting to learn how to upload videos, so hopefully some will be posted soon.
Micah is enjoying playing handyman with Dada as he tightens Dada's chair with his allen wrench and, our favorite mispronunciation, "scwiff," ie. screw.

Finally some stability (sort of)

We are finally moved into our new house in Nashville. We love our new home despite all the minor glitches we have encountered due to new construction. For instance, we were without hot water for almost two weeks as we awaited the city gas inspector to approve our house. It was interesting, to say the least, to load the kids up with all their bath time gear and drive down to the model home to take baths/showers. I also realized how thankful I am for a dishwasher as hand washing is so time consuming.
Micah loves our new house, especially his new playroom, which I have to say is one of my favorite rooms too. I am very proud of the way he handled the last few months. To be a little boy who loves order and stability as much as Micah does, he has adjusted to a new baby and new house very well. He gets more interested in "baby Owen" every day. He loves tickling his chin to make him smile and giving him big kisses right on the mouth. He has found a new love in art, and he is content to draw with crayons or sidewalk chalk most of the day. He loves learning and is quite good at memorizing facts. We have begun teaching him catechism questions and helping him memorize several bible verses. He loves helping Dada say prayers and sing before bed.
Owen loves to watch his big brother during the day. He has had a few more firsts this last month. He can now roll over from front to back, and he giggled at Micah in the bath tub last week. He is such a sweet, content baby and is exploring many new sounds as he babbles away. We think his laid back nature will compliment Micah's intense personality well. We will try to post pictures of the new house soon. Here are a few of the boys until then.