Our boys

2010-01-13T17:11:00.001-08:00

Please Help Haiti: You can donate through your cell phone: Text HAITI to "20222" and $10 will be given to the Clinton Foundation. Ida told me Bill C. talked abt it on NPR today. He already had this foundation set up bc Haiti has always needed help...now more than ever. Please do it.

Comment.

2009-11-22T14:59:00.001-08:00

Please tell me its normal for Owen to only want to watch movies allllllll day sometimes.

2009-11-01T18:20:00.001-08:00

It is Adoption Awareness Month! If you feel your family is not complete, look into your heart. There are so many sweet babies & kids out there waiting.

2009-10-24T05:51:00.001-07:00

I'm not sure I like the movie Stuart Little. His "real" parents--mice who are pretending to be his birthparents--show up and Stuart's adoptive parents send him away with them! Yikes. Owen loves the movie. He's watched it four times in the last three days. (Well, it's been on...he watches the beginning then plays, then a little more, then plsys...) I wonder about the message he's getting, so I tell him over and over that no one will ever take him away from ME!

2009-10-17T16:26:00.001-07:00

Who needs tv? We have Owen and Ian dancing to an 18-minute version of Grateful Dead's "Eyes of the World"

2009-10-15T06:55:00.001-07:00

Today the Henson 40 (acres, that is) becomes the Henson 51! More trails for Becca to run on, more places to hunt for Shannon, more woods for the boys to run wild!

I wish I could stay home v. I have the best job in the world

2009-10-09T09:37:00.000-07:00

I love my boys. I miss them. Not a revelation there.

The babysitter texted me this morning, saying that Owen had used the potty again. He used it three times yesterday, and barely went in his diaper even through his two-hour nap. (Will he go on his little potty at home? Nah. Rascal!) I asked how often they tried, and she said every hour she takes him in there. Sometimes he goes, sometimes he doesn't.

As I texted her back, I got all sappy and teary-eyed, which is rather unusual for me. I thought about our hours at home in the evenings after I pick them up. We go to the store if we need to (an hour I can't take him to try to potty), we get home and get things to play with/find cartoons to watch for a bit (I could try then to take him), I get supper started and we eventually eat (can't take him then), we play for a bit/I do laundry or dishes or pick up or all of the above, then books, bath and bed. So there are a couple opportunities to try on the potty. But being away from him, and home, from 7-whenever leaves us little time for that sort of thing. So his sitter does it.

For some it may sound great to not have to deal w/pottying! But it's just one more thing I feel like I miss out on while I'm working full-time.

That brings me to working. I teach high school science--freshmen physical science, and biology 2 with juniors and seniors. I love my job. I have a blast almost every single day I'm at work. Even if I'm doing notes or something not as fun as a lab or experiment, the students are always entertaining enough to keep me happy. Other perks: Most days I can leave by 3:15. I have a prep hour to get things done. I don't have to sit all day for my job. I see young, fresh faces every hour. I get to write discipline referrals when a kid hacks me off. (Bet you wish YOUR job let you write up your co-workers!) I'm off from the last week of May till the 2nd week of August. My job pays well enough that between us, we can afford to live on 40 acres of woods (in a house, mind you) and be in the process of purchasing 11.72 more. Added bonus, Shannon is vice-principal so he's my boss. Heh heh.

And back to what I miss: the little smiles and laughter from my kids day-to-day. Both of them starting to crawl. Owen's first step. The first time Ian clapped. Teaching them colors, numbers, sign language, words, about the world. I do this whenever I can in the evenings and on the weekends, but life demands so much of a working mom. Throw in a husband who is asst. principal, athletic director AND head football coach, and I'm lucky if the house isn't condemned and my kids aren't removed from my care, most weeks.

So I just miss them. And simultaneously, I love my job. Then I miss them some more, and wonder what they are doing. Their babysitter is the best, the type of caregiver maybe 1 in a 1000 working moms are lucky enough to find. The boys are learning social skills with the other 2 kids who are there w/them, and learn plenty of educational stuff, too. They are happy there. I know I miss them more than they miss me.

But is she raising my kids? Or are we all ok? I have guilt from working; I have guilt with my impatience with them on weekends when they are home w/me all day. I love my kids; I love my students. I love interacting w/adults and young adults; I love playing w/my kids on their level. I would love to stay home; I love the money my job provides for our lifestyle. I would love to teach my kids about the natural world; I love the intellectual challenge of teaching high school kids the complexities of the human body.

I guess all working moms are a dichotomy. I'll end this post here, because there really is no pat way to wrap it up. I'm split every single day.

Here's Isaiah!

2009-10-06T07:39:00.000-07:00

Our friends Jamie and Jason's new little boy!

2009-10-02T17:39:00.001-07:00

Owen just told me he doesn't like the dinosaur costume and he wants to be a walking stick for Halloween.

2009-10-02T16:58:00.001-07:00

Owen's costume came! Will he put it on? Sigh. No. Sigh.

Congratulations to the Mills!

2009-10-01T07:27:00.000-07:00

Our friends Jamie and Jason have a new baby boy--Isaiah James! He was 5'4". He was born a month early via C-section, but is as perfect as can be. His grandma said he looks just like a teeny tiny Jason. Poor, poor child.

2009-09-30T17:56:00.001-07:00

What Owen wants for his birthday: Diego backpack, Dora backpack, a puppy, & a present. Tonight we've sung "happy birthday" to Daddy, Spongebob, Spiderman, & Ian's Kitty Blanket.

Check out Owen's Halloween costume for this year!

2009-09-30T08:51:00.000-07:00

I can't WAIT to post pictures of him in it!!!
http://www.leapsandbounds.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=534972&cm_ven=Froogle&cm_cat=NA&cm_pla=NA&cm_ite=14366

2009-09-30T07:39:00.001-07:00

Ok, I'm trying this out---posting on my blog via text!

I should be grading/VOTE FOR OWEN AND IAN!

2009-09-29T07:31:00.000-07:00

However, I am not grading. I'm trolling for votes! Owen and Ian had their pictures taken in a contest to be on the cover of a local magazine, SE Parent. The kid w/the most votes wins that spot! The website is http://semissourian.upickem.net/engine/Votes.aspx?PageType=VOTING&contestid=10359.
You can only pick one, so I totally will not ask which you voted for. ;)

Ok, so I slacked again.

2009-09-20T11:53:00.001-07:00

Seriously. I am pathetic. School started and this is the first time in 2 years that I've been there for first quarter! Maternity leave w/Owen in 07, and same w/Ian in 08. So I'm relearning what I teach this semester.

Update on sleeping through the night: Literally, the night before the first day of school, I put Ian in his crib and left. I didn't come back. All attempts at Ferberizing failed miserably with this child--he would get all worked up every time I came in to 'reassure' him. So that night I just left. Perhaps it wasn't the kindest, but I tell you, a mommy w/o sleep who is suddenly faced w/summer being over and full-time work w/two under the age of three? That ain't kind, either! First night Ian cried 2 hrs then slept, waking up to cry for 20min or so a couple times. Next night was easier, third night darn near perfect.

Speaking of darn near perfect, Owen turns 3 next month! Aaaaaaahhh! He's my little verbal whiz, trying out new phrases and words all the time, sounding like an almost-4yo instead of almost-3yo. Sharp, too--doesn't miss a thing. Can't get anything past this kid!

Here are some pictures. I've been sick and this is the longest I've been upright in about 36 hrs, so adios for now.

Sleeping

2009-07-22T21:29:00.001-07:00

Ian slept in a little cosleeper bed right beside our bed from Day 1, to make nursing easier, and it also alleviated fears of squishing him. Eventually, though, he ended up sleeping w/Shannon and I (Owen has always slept on his own, thankfully!)

Well, I looked up the other day and realized Ian's almost a year old and still nurses frequently throughout the night--meaning I haven't slept through the night in a year. He barely wakes up when he nurses--grunts a little, and I wake up and off he goes, falling back to sleep quickly but not immediately, so that means I'm up for a while, sometimes not falling back asleep easily...you get the picture.

So tonight was the night. I'd previously tried keeping him from nursing but still letting him cosleep, to try to ease the transition. No dice. The smell and proximity of Mom was too hard for both of us. So I put him in his crib and said good night. I did this after he'd already been asleep for about 2 hrs., so he was sleepy already.

45 minutes later, he's asleep. I went in every 3 minutes, three times, then in every 6 min., twice, then every 10 min. The last time he let me lay him back down and rub his tummy. He slowly fell asleep, occasionally opening his eyes to give me this awful wounded-animal look--"how could you?"--but exhaustion won out in the end. I did not just let him cry it out alone because I felt like he needed to know I was still around, had not abandoned him, but also that I was not going to pick him up. Ugh. I hated it all...but when school starts, I have to be able to sleep!

Ah, tomorrow, let's talk about Owen and sleeping. Another great story, sure to fascinate...

Good night. Must sleep while I can.

Some more pictures!

2009-07-18T16:22:00.000-07:00

Above, you'll see Ian on his day of birth; Owen hugging "Obama the Llama" (he named it!) on election day this past November (WOOHOO Obama!); Owen with his Grammy; Owen in the park with his (great)Grandma Billie.

Some recent photos

2009-07-17T20:34:00.001-07:00

Owen on BigWheel in March

Ian on our back deck, March

Ian and Owen at St. Louis zoo

Me w/Ian and Owen and St. Louis zoo couple of weekends ago

This is insane.

2009-07-17T20:12:00.000-07:00

I have not logged in or posted on this blog in OVER A YEAR! Holy CRIPES!!!! Let me tell you why:

I gave birth to a perfect baby boy, 9 lbs, 21 inches long, via C-section on 6 August 2008!

And that is why.

Having two in diapers is fun, exhausting, fun, amazing, fun, insane, fun, and makes me realize just how blessed we are daily! (Well, most days.)

Owen Lawrence Armando is a pistol now--he's 2 3/4 yrs old. He'll be 3 on 28 Oct. this year. His language skills amaze me literally every single day, as do his capacity for extreme rage one moment and mushy heart-breaking love the next. Ah, the life of a two-year-old!

Ian Raymond Keith is something else, too! He's now 11 1/2 months, to turn one very soon! While Owen was a mellow baby, Ian is a maniac. He tears around the house crawling--on hands and knees or gorilla-style, on hands and feet--and has recently begun trying to leave the house on a regular basis (going to the doors and trying to open them). He climbs, he flops, and he is hilarious.

I'm going to play around some with the format here, then try to post some RECENT pictures. Look how little my Owen looks in my last post! Where did my baby go???

Owen!

2008-02-20T16:03:00.001-08:00

Owen is walking now, but he's still very much into crawling since it's
the fastest and most stable method for him now. If he walks and someone
looks at him, he laughs and falls down! He says like 25 words and signs
a bunch, too. I'm 15wks pg now, doing just great! We had all of last
week off from school due to snow and ice--how wonderful to wake up to
Owen calling us each morning, waiting for us to come get him so we could
all snuggle in bed and read books! I got a little cabin fever-ish, so I
got out Shannon's trekking poles and put on my coveralls and ice-hiked
for about 75 min. each day. Owen definitely missed his buddies at the
baby-sitter's--when we pulled up Monday morning, he went bananas and
laughed and babbled like crazy!

HOLA!!!!

2008-01-21T13:42:00.001-08:00

So sorry, all, about not posting for over a month. Our home computer is a MESS and not functioning fast enough to do anything useful. At school, blogspot.com is now blocked. So, I'm at my parents' house now, quickly posting before we head home.

In the news: Owen is amazing! He says so many words, and babbles to us all the time, 'telling' us what's new. He is almost 15 mo old, and we adore him to pieces!

Also: he is going to be a big brother! YES! I am pregnant! I'll be 11 weeks tomorrow. We are still in shock, but happy as can be. :)

If anyone needs to email me, it's now hensonre@fredericktown.k12.mo.us.

Owen loves anything with wheels...

2007-12-13T12:38:00.001-08:00

...including his grandpa's TRAIN! You can see from the expression on his face here that this is true!

I have to share :)

2007-12-13T08:40:00.000-08:00

Owen did NOT want to go to sleep last night, even though he was obviously tired. Very tired! I spent 20 minutes lying next to him in our bed, laying him back down every 30 seconds or so after he'd roll up to sitting. He was of course quite angry w/me, and I was getting a little irked myself!

Then suddenly he decided he WAS tired, and he settled into the rump-in-the-air sleep position (see earlier post) with his face toward mine. He was also suddenly cheerful and smiley at his mommy...he grinned, and if you have ever seen Owen really grin, you know his whole face squinches up. His eyes squint, his nose wrinkles, his whole face smiles. He did this, and made his little giggly noise (I have no idea how to spell that noise--'he-eh' or maybe 'hingh'), and reached over to pat my cheek. He rolled around some, putting his cheek on mine, then snuggling into my chest, just moving till he found a good place then giggling a little and snuggling in for a new good place.

Then he fell asleep, and his mommy cried with joy. I just was totally overwhelmed. As I've written before: this kind of love is the most amazing, God-given gift I have ever experienced. To go from 'good grief, will this kid ever go to sleep,' to 'I can barely stand it, I love him so much' in about 90 seconds--talk about mood swings!

Sleeping solution

2007-12-12T06:56:00.000-08:00

Well, we may have a solution. We put Owen's pack-and-play in our room. So, I hold him till he falls asleep, either in the living room or in our bed. After he's asleep, I put him in the pack-and-play. So he's close enough to see us when we awakens, and yet not RIGHT in our faces if he wakes up and whines. We can tell him 'shhhh' from our beds, and he knows we're right there and goes back to sleep. He usually sits up about 4:30 or so, and that's when we go get him and bring him in w/us.

I like it. He's nearby, we can see each other, and we all sleep MUCH better. Last night he slept w/us till 1:00, since he and I fell asleep at 7:30 in our bed and Shannon was already asleep in the other room!

Some pictures, finally

2007-12-10T18:32:00.000-08:00

The one with the writing on the bathtub wall says it all--the drawing of Owen and his little mouth shows he color he ate!

The others are this weekend, Sunday, after we got home from my parents'. Owen's cheeks were absolutely raw, even though he hadn't been out in the cold longer than it takes to walk to a car or into a house.

He's standing by his radio here, too--he is quite a dancer! :)

Things Owen thinks are funny.

2007-12-10T10:00:00.000-08:00

--Daddy sneaking up on Mommy and him after Owen is out of the tub--for some reason DAddy stalking Owen In A Towel is hilarious.

--Things falling off people's heads. Pa started this one.

--When he shakes his own head to the music.

--When Mommy rolls two balls from Guatemala down the back of the chair so they hit the back cushion and makes a silly noise while doing so. Why is this funny? ????

--The Owen Parade.

--Kitty. Always, kitty!

Why no pictures, Becca?

2007-12-10T07:54:00.000-08:00

Um, because I haven't even turned our computer at home on in three weeks or so. So no uploading pictures anywhere. Sigh. I'm sorry--but BOY, motherhood is SUCH A JOY and VERY BUSY! :)

I'll put some up soon, promise.

Thoughts on cosleeping and biology

2007-12-06T07:20:00.000-08:00

Shannon and I are both biology majors by training (and teachers); my Master's is in bio. We were discussing how Owen seems to freak out lately in his own bed (we think we know why but that's another story). We're not knocking ANYONE's choices. This is just our perspective (which doesn't mean we're going to cosleep from here on out....).

Here's what we came up with:

-Humans are apes, like chimps, bonobos, and gorillas.

-Those other apes do not leave their babies alone in a separate nest at night--ever. They sleep together, secure.

-Only lately have humans begun to think that babies need to sleep alone, in another room. Before that, whole families slept in rooms together, sometimes in beds together; babies always slept w/their mommies.

-Other apes carry their babies around all day; we don't get to do that, usually. So sleeping in the same place makes for extra bonding that otherwise isn't available most days for working mommies.

-And for babies, bonding = survival.

-Biologcially speaking, cosleeping makes perfect sense. The baby feels secure; the mommy knows the baby is secure and right there; if the baby has any distress, mommy is right there to determine what's wrong; feeding can occur whenever needed...etc.

I am just writing about this because I worried about cosleeping for so long, and didn't want to do it when Owen was younger because I didn't want to roll on him. But he's bigger now, so it's not as much of an issue. And I miss him all day. And he clings to me this week when it's bedtime. And he grins and giggles into my face and his daddy's face when we come to bed and he half-wakes up.

And biologically, it really makes sense. As a biologist, I tend to view many things on that level.

Not for everyone, but slowly becoming maybe for us.

Report on last night's sleep

2007-12-05T07:11:00.000-08:00

He fell asleep in my arms watching that old old old "Rudolph" Christmas TV special. I put him in bed where he stayed asleep till midnight then got up and howled. I was not awake enough to try the Ferber plan, so he ended up in bed w/us--where we all slept great! Sigh! :) :) :)

Mommy Caved.

2007-12-04T10:10:00.000-08:00

Well, last night I rocked him to sleep--he was out like a light. WITH his arms clenched around my shoulders every time I so much as shifted. I tried to put him in his crib 3x, and no dice--woke up and cried/screamed.

So I laid down on the floor w/him, on some blankets. He snuggled up to me and was out. Then I was out (thus foiling my own plan to try to pick him up and put him in bed)

At 1am, I woke up, and tried to move him to his bed. Didn't work. We went back to sleep.

I have 3 sleeping books ordered. I hope they come soon! I slept fine but missed my bed and my husband!

Help with sleeping issues, please...

2007-12-03T10:57:00.000-08:00

To my fellow mommies who perhaps have been there:

We were doing just fine w/sleeping before last week. Before then, Owen would fall asleep w/one of us in our bed, and we'd move him to his bed w/o incident when we went to bed. Well, early last week he stopped that nonsense--his little head would pop up and he'd sit and try to crawl around. This would go on for as long as we let it.

So, then I started putting him in his bed first. He absolutely screams. Cries. Kicks. Tears and everything. The first night it took nearly an hour to get him to sleep. After that it was like 20 minutes each time. Not bad but exhausting for all of us. And at the same time, he's started waking up in the night howling. If I go in there, I find him sitting up or on his knees with his hands on the railing, just wailing. Last night was the worst (hence my plea for help)--he howled for 45 min. and I finally went in there. I took him out and rocked him to sleep--three times. Every time I got up he'd wake up, till the last time. (I think that was from sheer exhaustion.)

He's never let me rock him since about a month after we can home (he came home 1 Aug.). He'd sit up and twist and at that time, wanted to just be in our bed lying down to fall asleep. So rocking seems to work. But I do not want to do this at 2am. I'll do it when he goes to bed, if that works!

Has anyone else come up against this issue? Any input? If so, email me or post a comment here!

Two things we think it could be:
-teething--he has 4 coming in altho he doesn't act like they bother him AT ALL during the day

-separation anxiety

But we're just not sure. Any thoughts? Thanks!

2007-12-01T12:04:00.000-08:00

Some things Owen does/can do now

2007-11-28T09:43:00.000-08:00

--Pull up on anything of the right height

--Walk w/a baby walker--he's soooooo proud!

--Dance when there's music on

--Say kitty, mama, dada, ball, bus, bath (debatable), maybe dog

--Try to say Grandpa--mutters under his breath, "Am-pa, am-pa..." to practice

--Can sign eat, milk, all done, and more, and is working on light, cheese, thank you, and mine

--Laugh hysterically at his parents' apparently OUTSTANDING funniness

--Attempt to stand up in the bathtub, and understand when I tell him, "Sit down, please,"--he does it, and looks at me like, "Hm...I did it this time. Should I push it?" and then he pushes it. heh heh. In fact, he watches me AS he starts to pull up to see IF I make him sit down again. !!

--Hold his regular cup and drink out of it by himself (but it's more fun to spill it)

--"Pet" the dogs, and he knows when I say 'be nice' to tone it down (from yanking on and biting tails, to wild patting instead)

--AAAAAAAAAAAAAAs at the Christmas Tree!

--Point out the 'truck' in one of his books when prompted

--Has four teeth coming in at once!

--Cause his already-tired parents to run around like maniacs, entertaining him with the "Owen Parade" (ask his Aunt Shawnna), chasing him through the various rooms of the house, making him 'fly,' pretending to run into walls because he thinks it's hilarious, etc.

--Make our lives happier than EVER!

Thanksgiving!

2007-11-26T11:15:00.000-08:00

I don't have pictures yet, but we had such a great Thanksgiving. A year ago on T'giving Day was the first time we met little Owen--he was just a peanut then, not even a month old that first day. We were terrified--if I watch the video now of us going thru customs, my eyes are HUGE with terror and nervousness and I am jittery and shifty-eyed. (Shannon filmed, smart man.)

I remember we couldn't even see him, he was wrapped in so many blankets, even though it ws really warm out. I remember climbing into a 2-door blue Toyota Tercel with his in my arms in the backseat--no carseat--as we made the 45 min. drive to Antigua. He was so teeny, and perfect! What a wonderful 4 days that was!

We had a great time at my parents' with my g'ma there, too. Owen loves loves loves turkey! We spent the whole day playing, reading, having a great time. He is loved so much by so many!

On Sunday, we went to the Hanging of the Greens at Shannon's parents' church. Owen climbed all over all of us, from one end of the pew to the other. He tried to grab the candles we held at the end. During scripture readings, he poked his Aunt Shawnna, and then his Uncle John, in the back (they were in the pew in front of us) trying to get their attention. He thinks he is something else!

Best of all, he SANG! When we'd sing hymns, he'd let out, 'Aaaaaaa, baaaaaa, aaaaaa,' over and over along w/the music! We should have known. He loves the radio, loves to dance, loves his toy guitar, loves to play 'drums' with pots and pans. Shannon says he'll be the next Santana.

Pics later!

random photos

2007-11-23T11:01:00.000-08:00

My grandma (dad's mom); this summer when my brother Eric and his wife Heather were in from WA; my father's father, who died just over 2 years ago today (he would have LOVED Owen); my maternal grandfather's military picture--he died just under 2 years ago; my cousin Jody w/her 3 boys, Kolton, Dylan and Mason. :)
Happy Thanksgiving!

A couple more pictures from the weekend...taken by Grammy

2007-11-19T11:13:00.001-08:00

My dad used the air compressor, his leaf shredder and climbed a step-stool this weekend--all of which elevated him to Super Cool Grandpa in Owen's eyes!

And, Owen biting the squeaky Christmas cat. :)

A few pictures from our weekend

2007-11-18T16:32:00.000-08:00

The picture of him napping with his little behind in the air was Thursday, when I stayed home w/him because he had/has another ear infection. We spent Friday night hanging out here (see nap picture with my 2 boys), and Saturday O and I went to Grammy and Grandpa's. Owen watched NASCAR for the first time this weekend---he is enthralled (see pic of him staring, open-mouthed, at the TV). He also got another present from Nana's friend, the blue robe and matching puppy slippers. Shannon and I were cracking up, picturing him sitting in his robe and slippers, reading the newspaper and sipping coffee. Our little man!

Today we went out to eat w/Shannon's parents, and have spent the rest of the afternoon wondering why Owen is howling and complaining and whining and falling asleep in his high chair. ???? Could it be the molar and the 2 premolars coming in???? AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Almost Christmas!!!...and the rare crying photo

2007-11-17T21:12:00.000-08:00

A molar?!

2007-11-14T08:13:00.001-08:00

Little Mr. Owen has a molar trying to come in! It's the very back right, on the bottom. Poor kiddo's run a fever off and on since Sunday, up to 102. So, we'll see the doc today to make sure that the molar is the only cause. He acts happy almost all the time, and is not lethargic or dazed, so I'm not panicky...just making sure!

Some stuff

2007-11-12T09:30:00.001-08:00

Random goings-on around here:

-O got his first haircut. Unpleasant for all. She made it too short.

-Is that a porcupine emerging from that box?

-He looks great in mommy's do-rag and with mommy's pink phone!

-He crawls faster than a speeding bullet now, and likes to be chased.

-He wants his bottle in the AM and the PM, but we're going to a sippy cup in the afternoon for his milk. His Guatemala bottle-nipples have about had it, and he doesn't like any from here I've given him...so he may be going cold turkey soon!

The season may be over, but we know we're good

2007-11-09T06:33:00.000-08:00

At the All-Conference meeting Monday night, all the conference team coaches vote on All-Conference winners for each position and also for an All-Conf. Player of the Year and Coach of the Year. We have 6 offense first team all-conf. players, 8 defense first team all-conf. players, and about 10 2nd team O and D players. One of our players also got All-Conf. Player of the Year, and guess who was voted All-Conf. Coach of the Year?

Owen's daddy! Congratulations, Coach! We love you and are so proud! You are an inspiration to our son, our school, and our community!

Our football season has come to an end...

2007-11-08T12:44:00.000-08:00

...but what a ride!

We played NMCC last night there. It was an exciting game, and we did play very well. But NM has some amazing athletes (we do too!) that we couldn't seem to stop. The final score was 30 - 20. We are sad but so, so proud. As their head coach (Shannon!) said last night, they are an inspiration to this town, the school, to other teams.

To the seniors especially, you are an amazing group of kids. We will miss you next year!

And who can complain about a 9 - 2 season?

How scary, and rewarding, it is to love someone this much

2007-11-07T07:35:00.001-08:00

I've been thinking a lot these last few days about our son. As usual.

During the 8.5 years of our marriage, I have learned what it truly means to love someone unconditionally. My husband has shown me this time and time again, and I learned what it meant to love someone so much that you feel like if something happened to them, you might as well be buried. I would sacrifice anything for him. He is it for me; if I was not his wife, I...I can't finish this sentence, because I honestly don't know what I'd be.

Now, with Owen, I know what it means not only to love unconditionally, but to love a person with every fiber, every cell, and to know that you'd sacrifice your life, your well-being, everything else that mattered to you, for this little person. My body hurts with the love I have for this child. I would fight to the death for him, in a heartbeat, no questions or hesitation.

My mother told me one time when I was around 4 months old, she realized that her life would be shattered if anything ever happened to me. She said she decided that even if something terrible happened the next day, she'd do it all again, because I was worth it.

I agree.

Environmentalist Edward Abbey wrote once, about his daughter Rebecca, 'I would not sacrifice your little finger to save a nation.' That, my friends, sums it up. Owen, I would not sacrifice your little finger to save a nation. You are the most blessed thing to come into our lives, and you have made our world whole and beautiful. We thank your birthmother for her brave decision, because without her, we would not have you. And, we thank God for you every day.

Look at this little sweetie!

2007-11-06T10:49:00.000-08:00

Just over a year ago, we received this beautiful picture of little Fredi Armando Gutierrez Cruz. He was 2 days old in this picture--we got his referral on 30 October 2006. I love looking at it, and recognizing in him the little face we see now.

Happy 35th Birthday, Dear Husband!

2007-11-05T08:46:00.000-08:00

Tough Monday

2007-11-05T08:36:00.000-08:00

School is fine, but I had a hard time leaving him this morning. He was just such a happy, joyful little guy all weekend, and I just couldn't let go of him at the sitter's. Sigh.

More happy birthdays!

2007-11-04T09:21:00.000-08:00

My little brother, Eric, had a birthday on Nov. 3. He turned 29. I think. ;)

And Shannon's 35th birthday is Monday! Old man! (Handsome old man...)

Love you both, gentlemen!

Football update

2007-11-02T10:55:00.000-07:00

For those of you who are following the football season here-----we were 9-0 before last night's game, and wanted SO BADLY to have a perfect 10-0 season.

It was not to be.

We lost to Central, 33-31. We scored what would have been the winning TD w/just 1 min 20 sec to go...and then, with 50 sec to go, they threw a pass and madea 70-yd run to make the actual winning TD. It was heartbreaking.

BUT!!!! Last week's game clinched our spot in the Missouri division 2 sectionals. We will be playing at New Madrid County Central on Wed. LET'S GO BLACKCATS!!!! Just 4 more games to win to make us STATE CHAMPS!!

Happy Halloween!

2007-10-31T18:50:00.000-07:00

OWEN IS ONE!

2007-10-29T09:16:00.001-07:00

Oh, bittersweet, bittersweet! I can't believe I am the mommy of a one-year-old! No longer can I say, 'He's 11 months.' He's ONE!

Saturday we went to my parents', where we played all day and ate grilled burgers, made by his Grandpa. My grandma was there, too--she turned 87 on the 17th, so we had a joint bday party. After lunch Owen got his very own banana creme pie, which he dug into quite voraciously! His Grammy and Gramps got him a new winter coat (it's awesome! I wish it fit me), and his Great-Granny got him a sock hat and mittens to match, as well as an SUV complete with a mommy and baby and stroller--not that he likes those much. He's into the CAR part of that toy! :) His mom and dad got him a fire engine!

Sunday we celebrated at Shannon's parents, where he got his very own little cake, and a big cake for all of us. He got VEHICLES! A dump truck, a race track, a big mixer...he loved it! His Aunt Shawnna's friend Julie also got him pop-up books--a big hit. He shared this bday with his (older) cousin John, who turned 14 on the same day as Owen turned one.

I spent most of the weekend being amazed at this little person who has filled our lives with joy. He's only been home 3 months, and yet our lives are centered around him and the happiness we find in raising him. He's ONE--which came too fast, but I also love knowing that we'll be with him for all his birthdays to come!

WE...ARE...DISTRICT...CHAMPS!!!!!!!!!

2007-10-26T21:12:00.001-07:00

Woohoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!! Yeah, BLACKCATS!!!!!!!!!

YouTube

2007-10-24T11:46:00.001-07:00

Owen now has 3 or 4 videos on YouTube, is anyone is interested...! My username is platyneuron. :)

Birthday coming up!

2007-10-23T08:43:00.000-07:00

I can't believe in 5 days I'll be a 1 year old's mommy! My little sweetums! I miss him all day...although when I left him w/the sitter this AM, he was happily crawling from one length of their big playroom to the other (while the other 2 kids watched TV--I'm proud of him for not being interested in that!). He gave me his cold and now mine's progressed into sore throat and achey. He seems to be lacking those symptoms, thankfully!

MAKE THAT 8 - 0.

2007-10-19T21:06:00.000-07:00

Oh yeah.

New coaching outfit: $50. New coaching shoes: $65. Gas for driving to scout other teams: $300. Being 7 - 0 your first year as head coach: Priceless.

2007-10-19T07:33:00.000-07:00

YEAH BLACKCATS!

FUTURE BLACKCAT STAR

GETTING PSYCHED UP

LET's GO CATS!

BLACKCAT WARNING

I'm gonna get you!

2007-10-18T16:45:00.000-07:00

This is what I told Owen as we started a new chase game tonight. He started crawling into the kitchen, and I followed him on my own hands and knees, and said, "IIIIIII'm gonna get you!" He went NUTS and giggled and started crawling just as fast as he could to get away from Mommy! I tell you, there is NOTHING cuter than a little baby boy's behind as he scrambles to crawl away! He was hysterical with laughter when I'd 'get' him, and wanted to do it all over again. Of course, he's lighter so it doesn't hurt HIS knees so much! :)

Tired already this week!

2007-10-17T10:51:00.000-07:00

Last night we all fell asleep on the bed (and when I say 'all,' I mean all 3 humans and the cat and 1 dog, the other dog on her bed at the foot of our bed) at 8:15! Woke up at midnight to O's crying. He cried every couple of hours after that till time to get up; I think he was developing a cold, because this morning, he was couhging a little and was snotty. I had to dress him one layer at a time and hold him and snuggle in between each one, poor little squirt!

As for school, it's good. I really do love teaching, and I love the structure of my day. I need some structure. Anyway, I still haven't gotten the timing down and so haven't gotten to give O breakfast at home yet, because we're always running late. Tomorrow, I'll get up 30 min. earlier so I can spend that meal w/him!

One hour and 56 minutes till school's out and I can go get O.

2007-10-16T11:04:00.000-07:00

Day 2 of being back at work

2007-10-16T07:41:00.000-07:00

Yest. afternoon, Owen was SO excited to see me when I went to pick him up! He said, "Aaahhhhh," over and over and snuggled into his carseat. We went to the store (even this is more fun w/him around!) then he slept HARD on the way home then for another 40 min. when we got home. His sitter said he just slept for 30 min. all day Monday! Usually he has a 2 hr nap! But he and another baby, who is 8.5 mo old, played all day and even crawled around together.

I also bought Owen a toy bus yesterday. Why?

Because he CAN SAY BUS! He loves them!! At the game Friday night, he pointed at the visiting team's 2 buses and said, 'Bu!' over and over! That counts as a word! He also says 'momma'--but only when he's ticked at me for being too slow w/his pacha. Heh heh...just like his mommy. Grouchy if the food's slow in coming.

So, Owen has 2 words in his vocabulary now. :)

First day back

2007-10-15T12:06:00.000-07:00

Well. Here I am...it's 2:56 and I can go get Owen in just 19 min.!

Shannon dropped him off for me at the sitter's this morning. I just couldn't bear it. I got him up and dressed, though, and bless his heart, I woke him from a sound sleep at 6:40am, changed his clothes and he was just all smiles. Happy as usual. :) Shannon said he seemed excited that Daddy was there at the sitter's w/him, and a little confused when he left (usually it's Mommy leaving!).

I've done ok. I just got teary-eyed once, when someone gave me a little card and scrapbook to welcome me. You know how it is: when you're holding on but feeling vulnerable, and then someone's nice to you...and the tears roll! But that was short-lived. I'm doing ok.

HEY! The bell rang! I'm outta here! ;)

My grandpa's legacy and love.

2007-10-11T19:48:00.000-07:00

My father's father was a woodworker, and a wonderful one at that. He made tables, chairs, wine bottle stoppers, lamp bases, and toys. Several years ago, after Shannon and I had been married for a while, he made some wooden toys for our future children. He made a little pull-toy rabbit, and little man whose legs and arms pop up when you pull a string at the base, and this wooden horse for riding. I got it out for Owen a couple of nights ago. He sat on it and tried to push it forward (he can do rocking toys, like rocking horses), and I pushed him around the kitchen on it for a long time. He also likes to push it around the kitchen.

Every time I see him with it or on it, I get teary-eyed. My grandfather was one of the most amazing, loving men I've ever met. Everyone loved him, in the way that you can love someone who is genuine, funny, kind, and laughs easily. Kids adored him. Some of my best memories are of spending summers at the house w/he and my g'ma, and laughing and laughing at his jokes and teases. I still miss him so, so much. He would have loved Owen, and Owen would have thought he just walked on water. I was so lucky to have my grandfathers till I was more than 30 years old, both of them...they died within 2 months of each other. I still miss them terribly. My grandmothers are still around, still active and quite feisty...and they are such a blessing.

But oh, I miss my grandpas. But the love they gave to me, I will pass on to my son, their great-grandson.

Wild baby!!

2007-10-11T19:33:00.000-07:00

Owen really likes the slide at the park, we know that. BUT--last night we sat him on the back of the couch and let him 'slide' down. He did this a few times, and each time Shannon would catch him and set him back up there.

After a few minutes, he started literally JUMPING off the back of the couch the SECOND Shannon sat him up there! S would put him right back up there, and he'd open his mouth and eyes really wide and JUMP off into S's arms! Totally fearless! Crazy, craaaaaaaaazy baby!

PRAISE GOD--BELLA is coming HOME!!!!

2007-10-10T08:42:00.000-07:00

Some of you have heard me talk about my friend Sharon, who has been living w/her adoptive daughter Bella in Guatemala for 14 months now. Her older daughter Irene joined her this summer, while her husband Greg held down the rest of their lives in the US. Most of the time spent down there was waiting to be resubmitted to PGN, which happened approximately 9 weeks ago.

And Monday, 8 October, THEY WERE APPROVED and let OUT OF PGN. They are going home!!!!

God is truly good. We love you, Sharon, Bella, Greg and Irene!!

That cutie-patootie!

2007-10-08T19:06:00.000-07:00

Owen was at the sitter's most of the day today...

2007-10-08T18:34:00.000-07:00

He woke himself up at 6:15 this morning, so he must've known I was planning to rouse him at 6:30 to get him used to getting up early. We ate breakfast, he played while I got his lunch packed, and we got to the sitter's by. (Not really fast enough, but I had to get myself ready too, which I'll do before I get him up next week, I guess.)

She said he did fine, and only cried once, when another kid cried. He only slept for 35 min., and so when we got home about 1:30, he crashed for 2 hours! And then he sort of rested (read: wanted Mommy to hold him on her lap) for another hour. THEN Daddy came home and the games began!

I worked at school, did the grocery shopping and made my (weight-gaining) self run for 30 minutes, in the woods w/our dogs. I missed him, but the time went quickly, and honestly, I was around some kids who are in my first hour class (I haven't met most of them yet!), and it was good to hear their goofy banter and laughter. I unabashedly love high school kids...and love my job. Owen loves his sitter, and so I think it'll be ok. After all, I'll be going to get him at 3:15 every day! It's not as if I work till 6!

Oh, but how I MISSED HIM!!!

Link to the petition--please sign this!

2007-10-05T07:56:00.000-07:00

It's the simplest thing you can do to help Guatemalan children and babies who are in the process of being adopted by American families COME HOME. Remember, this petition is for OUR government, which is threatening to halt all Guate. adoptions, even those in process. Can you imagine if OUR U.S. government had told us, in the middle of our adoption of Owen, that we had to stop and we could not adopt him? Try to imagine that...and then please, please sign.

http://www.petitiononline.com/foafoa1/petition.html

HAVE YOU SIGNED THE PETITION? Faxed anyone? Passed the word along???

2007-10-04T11:21:00.000-07:00

I know I emailed a lot of you, begging you to help make contact w/our reps, senators, anyone who will listen about the 5000 on-going adoptions that the USA is possibly going to stop--leaving 5000 kids and babies w/o families. (for no apparent good reason) Please please please see the links below, and visit 5000orphans.com, and help support families JUST LIKE US, who have adopted from Guatemala. If our case didn't just happen to get done in August, Owen could be one of those 5000 kids who could potentially end up w/o a home---even though we would have been here wanting him and loving him!

PLEASE HELP!!!

Sickos

2007-10-04T11:04:00.000-07:00

Well, Mr. Owen and I are both sick. He has had intestinal troubles (I'll spare you the details) and I have some sort of infection, possibly strep. Bleh! So we haven't done much. However, this morning, as Owen was downing his 54th gallon of Pedialyte (so ordered by his Mommy), we watched an episode or 2 of The Muppet Show, from Season 1, which my bro got me for my birthday. I am EXTREMELY pleased to say Owen liked it!!!! With time, he will come to love it and revel in it as I do.

Let me also mention that I HATE TV-watching for babies and little kids...but when you're sick, you're sick, and there ain't much either one of us feels like doing.

PLEASE HELP! Gutemalan adoptions in jeopardy!!

2007-10-01T08:01:00.000-07:00

I am cutting and pasting words from my good friend Katie's blog, because she has such a way with words, and has expressed this terrifying development eloquently. The point is to get babies and kids home to the adoptive families who already love them, and in many cases, have been fostering them for months and months in Guatemala.

You can click on the link to Katie's blog on the right, and see pictures of the beautiful children and their adoptive families who arew still waiting to be united.

From Katie's blog (katiemohr.blogspot.com):

If you hadn't heard by now, Guatemalan adoptions that are in process are in trouble. If you want to know the details from the state department here's a link to the article they recently posted: http://travel.state.gov/family/adoption/country/country_389.html and here's another article in response to the news: http://www.jcics.org/Guatemala%20Press%20Release%20(Sept%2027).pdf

You don't have to understand all the lingo or even what the Hague is to understand the bottom line. Basically all adoptions that aren't completed by Jan 1 will be stopped until further notice (if ever) while they get their act together on both the Guatemalan side and the US side. There is a desperate need for the system to be revamped (if you hadn't gathered that from our experience...) but to cut off all pending adoptions by a 'deadline' is ludicrous. According to the JCICS there's 5000 pending cases of children that have been referred to parents in the U.S., this means their biological parents have relinquished their parental rights, which leaves these children in a state of limbo. Please hear the urgency: This is a big deal and we can fight it.

Russ gave me the 'day off' today to work on some projects and I'm sitting in this cozy coffee shop completely unable to think straight. I've made the statement before that our adoption won't truly feel complete until Sharon, Bella, Irene, Melissa and Madi are home. Well, through the adoption cyberspace world, I've met the Wheelers (see blog link) who have barely started their process but are already so in love with their Guatemalan little girl and truly feel led by the Lord to adopt her. So on one hand a young couple is just sending off their primary paperwork and feels as though their heart is being juggled openly while the government figures out what they're doing. On the other hand you've got Sharon. She's been with Bella since she was 3 months old and is now almost a year and a half. Sharon has made countless sacrifices in order to live down there and raise her until the process completes. We also can look at Cheri, who's case has encountered the most insane roadblocks and should have been completed months ago.

These women are bonded with these children in ways only mothers can. They've "paid their dues" in the system and now the system threatens the worst. They simply just want to take their daughters home now, please.

Okay, here's the recommended ways you can help. The simplest is to follow this link and sign this online petition. If you're like me, you question the validity of any online petition, but what if it does make a difference? We need to at least take a shot at it. http://www.petitiononline.com/foafoa1/petition.html It's very simple and takes less than 30 seconds. So far there's only 6064 signatures. That's not enough, please add more!!

If you want to go one step further (PLEASE DO!!!!) here's a link to a list of sample letters you can send to your senators, congressmen, DOS, and UNICEF:
http://www.sunflowersandladybugs.com/blog.asp?ID=548 (Thanks Cheri, for organizing these!)

And please get the word out! Pass this info on to those around you.

Even if you're not the type of person to sign online petitions or write to your congressmen, I beg of you to climb out of that box just this once. This is the United States, where people rising up and taking a stand has made a difference. Let's take advantage of the system we have in place for when things aren't the way they should be.

As each of you have fallen in love with our Eliot, please think of the 5000 faces just like his waiting to come home. As you stood by Russ and I supporting us through the arduous process, think of the families, just like us, that daily plead that their own country won't deny them their children.

You can also go to http://www.jcics.org/Guatemala5000.htm, which provides a list of things you can do to help. All it takes is a letter, a phone call, a fax...or several of those, to several lawmakers! Please help, if you can. There are families waiting to be together forever!

He went down the slide!

2007-09-30T14:10:00.001-07:00

We went to park on Friday afternoon, and he spent the time there watching other, bigger kids (2 of which had on Cubs hats--YEAH!!! Division champs!!!), watching the trees blow in the wind while having his midday pacha, swinging in the little swings, and going down the SLIDE! The first pic shows his mixed feelings about the whole ordeal. "Mom, we seem awfully far up..." but he liked the ride down!

No small feet (it's a play on words, albeit a lousy one...)

2007-09-30T14:00:00.000-07:00

Lately I've noticed how much I adore Owen's little feet. He is very expressive with them, as some people are expressive with their hands. He twirls his ankles when he eats and when he is playing with something new. He points his toes like a ballerina when he stands, one foot pointed then the other, balancing on the opposite foot. He crosses his ankles comfortably when he has his pacha (bottle). And often has his ankle on his opposite knee when he's relaxing. :) Enjoy.

Some thoughts on infertility.

2007-09-25T20:10:00.000-07:00

Many of you know that Shannon and I went through more than four years of trying to conceive. We suffered one miscarriage before we started infertility (IF) treatments. The treatments included 4 intra-uterine inseminations, one fresh in vitro fertilization cycle and six--yes, six--frozen embryo cycles. We got pregnant once more, and lost the baby at 7 weeks.

The process was horrifying, miserable, and life-draining. I felt like I wasn't quite a complete woman--I couldn't carry a baby. We had 14 beautiful, absolutely perfect embryos when we did the fresh cycle...and none of them made it. None.

After the last try, I felt like my legs would not carry me anymore. Like my faith would not carry me. Like no one could say anything that would make things ok.

Then we decided to adopt, found an agency, and had a referral within a week. That referral was Owen. You all know the rest. We thank God for him every day.

However, my heart and mind still remember the pain of IF. And I have friends who are still going through it. A wonderful woman who I met through an IF forum has had done treatment after treatment, suffered miscarriages, and experienced the financial drain of trying desperately to have the one thing so many parents take for granted: a child.

She and her husband did the paperwork for domestic adoption this past year, and settled into waiting for a birthmom to choose them. They were chosen sooner than they thought, and allowed themselves to feel hope and buy lots of baby things.

24 hours before the baby was due, the birthmother changed her mind.

I am not sure why I'm sharing this here. There is so much misinformation in the news about Guatemalan adoptions (coming not only from big TV news networks like CBS and NBC, but also my beloved NPR, which recently made it sound as if $40k would buy you a kid from Guatemala in no time), and the misconceptions about IF are there, too. Oprah asked this friend of mine, when she was on the show, if she could just come to peace with the fact that she may never have kids.

No.

No.

No.

I know it was Oprah. I know she is adored by women everywhere. But no. This is not something that you come to terms with, not something you are ever at peace with. Owen took our pit of pain and filled it when he entered our lives. Waiting for his adoption to be completed was painful, gut-wrenching, miserable. But the misery of loss, again and again and again, through IF treatments and now, for my friend, adoption, leave one's soul scarred, broken, burned, seared, hollow.

I have sobbed for her, prayed for her, and cried some more. I also have hopes for her.

I hope no one tells her God has a plan for her. He may, but people have free will, and perhaps this baby was 'supposed' to be hers...and the birthmom chose otherwise. How are we to know? Don't tell her God has something waiting for her. He might. But to tell that to someone who has gone through hell like she has...don't.

I hope no one tells her ever again to try to come to peace with not having children. Not even Oprah. It's not an option. Give her that respect, understand that those kids you look at every day and possibly even take for granted--she would sacrifice anything to have that joy.

I hope she can make it through another day, and then another and another, and survive this.

I hope she does this so she and her husband can keep trying, in whatever way they choose, to become parents.

I hope, most of all, that she becomes a mommy very, very soon. I love you, J.

And, Owen pictures.

2007-09-20T15:08:00.000-07:00

Ecuador wedding

2007-09-20T15:02:00.000-07:00

I don't have pictures of the wedding itself, but Shannon traveled to Ecuador this summer for his younger brother's wedding, and I just yesterday found some pics from that trip on his camera! Men.

Here is Dahiana, Keenan's wife, and Shannon's dad, Chuck. Also, pic of one of the whales they got to see! (Insanely jealous here)

Other news

2007-09-19T08:06:00.001-07:00

Enough self-pity.

Some things that have transpired since our last post:

1. All of my closest friends and their kids came over for a BBQ this past Sat. It was so fun! Owen loves all the kids around and was fascinated by them.

2. Daddy's football team is 3-0! Good job, Coach!!

3. Most of you are aware that Shannon and I are nature freaks. We love it. We can't get enough of it. However, I have been putting Owen's little feet in the grass when we walk around the yard--and guess what he does? He lifts one leg up like a little flamingo and puts the other foot up on tippy-toe...so he's touching the grass as little as possible!!! WHAT!! And this isn't crunchy prickly grass, either. I put him in the SOFT grass! We are going to have to work on this. Oh, and I set him down in a sitting position--and he lifted BOTH feet up and was balancing on his bottom! Ay, caramba.

4. We have been going for runs w/him tucked in the jogging stroller; we enjoy them very much! The cows are always entertaining, and the dogs are hilarious as they charge around the fields and harass squirrels. Owen looks up at me a lot and grins. I like that.

5. We went to my parents' workplaces last Monday! Owen got to meet Grandpa's faculty collegues in the Economics department, and also met some 2nd graders at one school where Grammy teaches. He also met members of the Biology dept., all of whom adored him.

6. Owen continues to try to crawl, to no avail. But he gets stronger every day! He rocks on all 4s, goes from sitting to crawling positions, etc. I'm trying to make myself not give him the things he wants that are out of reach--I need to let him want them enough to go!

7. For some reason, the best toy on Earth, for today, is the Cheerios box. He can't live without it, apparently.

8. I apologize for the lack of pics today. I disconnected something vital from the hard drive and sparks jumped out at me. So I'm going to give it a while, and try later. :)

It's been a while!

2007-09-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

Wow! It's been 10 days since we last posted...and not for lack of things going on!

Owen and I continue to enjoy my time off, although yesterday we took the first step in getting ready for me to return to work: we visited his in-home daycare. The woman is wonderful, and there are only a few other kids there. The home is safe and spacious and the whole family, in fact, is a Christian, kind, gentle bunch.

I JUST DON'T WANT TO LEAVE HIM!!! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!

OK, thank you for letting me get that out.

I am very lucky in that I love my job, so returning will be tough but it's not as if I'll be going to a place I hate. I adore teaching, and I adore my district. It's just going to be really, really hard to leave him, knowing I won't see him for about 8 hours. EIGHT HOURS????? Oh my. I need to go lie down. Wow. I sometimes don't do well when I leave him WITH my husband when I go to class, and I'm just gone for 3.5 hours. Sigh...Mommy's gotta get tough, I guess.

Are you ready for some FOOTBALL????

2007-09-09T09:24:00.000-07:00

Friday night Owen went to his first football game (but LONG from his last one)! Daddy's team won (he is 2-0 as new head ftball coach! Go Cats!), but it poured most of the 2nd quarter. We sat snuggled under Nana's big umbrella, with his housin Chloe and his Pa next to us under their umbrella, and felt safe and warm, like we were in our our little cocoon.

A chore?

2007-09-05T07:18:00.000-07:00

My father-in-law read the email I sent below, and replied that kids are supposed to be a 'chore.' A what? Owen? A chore? No way!

How are you? Good day here...Owen got up at 6:30 again, and so we got up and played, etc., then at 9 he went to sleep--till almost 1:00!! I was floored! I worked in the house for an hour, slept for an hour and a half (I slept terrible last night), did more work, etc...and still he slept! It was amazing. So, we're getting up at 6:30 again tomorrow. :)

We also ran thru the rain, in and out from under the front porch; watched the hummingbirds; played with/harassed a Hyla versicolor and a Hyla crucifer (frogs); played 'push'--he 'pushed' me over about 25 times and grinned very devilishly each time; read books; got food all over himself and me, because he wanted lots of forehead-to-forehead hugs during dinner; blew bubbles in the bathtub (he did this); drank 'buttwater,' as I call it, AKA tubwater, without my permission; went for a walk down the driveway on mommy's shoulders till it started to pour and we got all wet! :)

Is this heaven?

Happy Labor Day!

2007-09-03T08:46:00.000-07:00

Some pictures for your viewing pleasure: Owen with his Uncle Eric and Aunt Heather; Little Boy in the Water; Cubs outfit and REI hat (LOVE that hat); Eric, Grammy and Owen. :) Happy Labor Day!

Owen also met his Uncle Eric!

2007-09-02T19:13:00.001-07:00

My younger brother and his wife Heather came to visit from Washington state this weekend, and have no doubt, the main reason they came weighs about 20 lbs and has chubby legs! Owen wasn't sure what to make of Eric's amazing beard at first, and was even a little frightened, but he warmed up to him quickly!

Owen's first hiking trip with Mommy

2007-09-02T18:50:00.000-07:00

Owen and I trooped off to a state park today, while Daddy went to his football meeting. Owen was loaded into our (borrowed) Kelty baby backpack and we packed water and lunch, too. We hiked along a little river for about half a mile, then I decided it was too rocky--if I fell, the results would be awful! We went to a different trail then, and hiked up and up and up! After about 30 minutes of hiking, and me singing and babbling to Owen, I realized he was OUT like a light! We hiked back down, and I set him down by the river (see pic--soooooo cute!). He woke up and I gave him some lunch--minus a spoon, which I'd forgotten. So, he 'drank' his Gerber Organics Savory Carrots, Potatoes and Beef (again, see pic!).

I sat him in the creek and let him play for a while--he loved it, despite the COLD water! After about 40 min. of that, we headed out for groceries and home.

It was, quite simply, wonderfully fun! My little mountain man.

Owen with his Pa and his daddy

2007-08-29T19:46:00.000-07:00

2007-08-29T19:35:00.000-07:00

Water play!

2007-08-29T19:14:00.001-07:00

Mr. Owen discovered the outside water bowl for our dogs and kitty this morning, while I was watering the porch plants. He got a little wet, and I figured, why not go all out? So I refilled and refilled...he kept dumping it out, splashing, pouring it onto his own legs...he was soaked! It was great fun!
(I'm trying to get pictures to upload but it's not happening...I'll try again later)

Once again showered with love...

2007-08-29T19:10:00.000-07:00

...this time by my in-laws' church friends. My MIL wanted to wait until Owen was home to have her big shower w/all of her closest friends (and she has a lot!), and so we had it on Sunday. There were probably 35 or 40 people there, and a gorgeous cake, and gifts piled high. We won't have to buy diapers for literally weeks and weeks and weeks now...and Owen has the best wardrobe for someone under the age of one EVER! He has tons of clothes now, for right now and for 12, 18, and 24 mo. He is going to look soooooooooo cute. :) And the toys--so many awesome toys! His favorite right now (I haven't gotten all of them out yet, or else his head would explode) is the circus train. In fact, it excited him so much that he actually GOT UP AND HIS HANDS AND KNEES for the first time and rocked! He wanted to GET IT! He did this 3 or 4 times!!! I cried. Of course.

So once again, we are humbled by the people who love us and who love our family, even if they don't know Shannon and I that well. Our lives have been enriched and made easier by the love and generosity of Chuck and Ardie's church community, and there are not enough thanks in the world to tell them how much we appreciate it. Thank you to First Baptist Church in Farmington, and everyone who was at the shower Sunday (in person or in spirit).

The true meaning of humble

2007-08-25T09:13:00.000-07:00

Last Friday, Owen and I went to watch Shannon's football team scrimmage. I had only planned to stay about an hour, in order to get Owen bathed, bottled and in bed at a decent hour. However, the moms of the football players and other football supporters had other plans! After instructing me to STAY, a few of them vanished for a little bit, then they came and got O and I. We walked down the bleachers to see a HUGE PILE of gifts and cards! The football families had all gone out and bought us things for Owen--clothes, toys, DIAPERS AND MORE DIAPERS, wipes...you name it! There was even a cake!

I was totally shocked, floored, and most of all, humbled. The people of Fredericktown who know us have been there for us throughout the long adoption of this little guy, and I knew they had been praying for us and thinking of us as well, but this was out of the blue. I still shake my head in wonder as I think of it. These families, who give so much of their time and energy as it is, supporting, feeding, cleaning up after (hee hee) the football players, went even more out of their way to give us, the now-complete Henson family, things we really need and things we really love for our baby Owen! To have this kindness showered upon you and your family is truly God's work, and makes me understand once again why our family ended up here.

To the Fredericktown football families: Thank you. Thank you. And thank you. We love you.

Computer whiz!...and what we've been up to

2007-08-25T09:05:00.000-07:00

Owen got this 'laptop' from the McDowells, a family with three boys who play or have played football under Owen's daddy...he loves it! Actually, Owen is into closing things. Closing the laptop, closing books in the middle of the story, and so on. If he can flip it shut, he will.

He also went back to the doc Friday because he has a cold, and some little sores on his lip. Ack! But the cold is mild, no ear infection, and the sores are likely from acidic fruit/fruit baby food. Oops. She said strawberries, mango, etc., both of which he'd had several times in the days the little sore developed, were prime suspects (he hasn't eaten any citrus yet).

Last night we went out to eat w/his Pa, Nana, Grandpa, Grammy and Great-Grandma Billie, then went to Daddy's football jamboree. It was great fun! He was very interested in the people clapping loudly, the big sweaty football players (gross), chewing on Mom's Diet Coke (I SO do not give him soda but you'd never know it, the way he obsesses over soda bottles), and playing w/his g'parents.

Learning to drink from a cup! (Yes, this is VERY exciting around here!)

2007-08-25T08:44:00.000-07:00

Owen Owen Owen! Are you trying to go for a swim in that cup?

Sorry, Ellie & Josey...he's just too cute! We're keeping him!

2007-08-21T19:48:00.000-07:00

From Ellie and Josey

2007-08-17T11:10:00.000-07:00

Well, that new pack member is still here. He's been here for more than two weeks! We have never kept an extra pack member that long before. We are having trouble understanding why this little organism is above us in the pecking order. Didn't he arrive later than us? Isn't he smaller than us? Why does he rank so high?

So, we finally asked Mom yesterday, when are you taking this extra pack member to the Humane Society? That's what you do with all the other extras that show up here. Or maybe it's time to find him a new home, right? We have had extra animals here before, but they always find new homes. Can't we find him a new place to live? Please?

Although we do like getting his leftovers, and enjoy smelling his poopy diapers quite a bit, we feel he has overstayed his welcome and we would like an explanation.

2007-08-16T19:19:00.000-07:00

Here is Grammy with her sweet grandson, and Owen in his awesome new shoes his Aunt Shawnna got him!

Yo vengo de...

2007-08-16T19:13:00.000-07:00

Owen's foster mom gave us this adorable T-shirt before we left. It says 'Yo vengo de Guatemala.' It means, 'I come from Guatemala.' Love it!!

GG's hat

2007-08-16T19:06:00.000-07:00

This is Owen in my grandfather's hat--the one he was named after, Lawrence. I miss my grandfathers so, so much...they would love Owen!

2007-08-16T14:12:00.000-07:00

Well! School started today..for THOSE NOT ON MATERNITY LEAVE!!! Waaaaaaaa ha ha ha ha ha!!!! Oh, sorry. Wow, that was rude of me. Hm. Lo siento.

So! Owen is still charming! He does prefer to be attached to my hip, standing on my stomach, sitting on my lap, or otherwise physically leeched to me. However, I'm ok with it, partially because he seems to need me to feel secure sometimes, and also because he is so stinkin' cute. He still leans forward in his high chair during meals to put his forehead on mine and hold my face in his hands...I just mellllt!

He has added a screech to his list of sounds, a noise that would shock those who only knew him as the quiet, mellow Mr. Owen. He's still mellow, but he seems to have figured out that I am at his beck and call, and is milking the heck out of that discovery.

fun day!

2007-08-11T19:56:00.000-07:00

Some pictures from Antigua

2007-08-10T19:21:00.000-07:00

I am SO HAPPY to be home...but sometimes I remember the slow, laid-back pace of Antigua...and our friends there, and the good times...and smile.

Maternity leave!

2007-08-08T08:53:00.000-07:00

Shannon and I finally nailed it down: I will be staying home with Owen until the end of the first quarter! I'll go back 15 October. YAY!!!!!

A picture! At last!

2007-08-08T04:05:00.000-07:00

So sorry for the lack of pictures...our (stupid dial-up) computer has been really slow and stubborn lately. We're just too far out in the country for DSL. But here's one that managed to upload, although it took just over 3 hours to do so!

(just kidding)

Home for 6 days already...and he is such a joy!

2007-08-07T07:41:00.000-07:00

Well, of course he is! He's OWEN!

He's met people at our high school, people at the Board Office, friends, neighbors...and he always looks for Shannon or me, to make sure his constants are still around. Then, he can go back to playing with the person's necklace or reaching for 'toys' on their desks.

He is eating better on his own--last week I would have said he could get 2 out of 15 Cheerios to his mouth, but this week I'd give him at LEAST 6 of those 15 making it to the right opening in his head (as opposed to his ear or his eye). And he even managed to get some black beans in there last night!