Some things Owen does/can do now

--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!

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

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

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

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

A molar?!

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

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

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...

...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

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!

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!

Tough Monday

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!

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

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!!